The Minister of State and I often talk about how we are all getting older. We know from the Department of Health report that was just published that Ireland's population is ageing faster than anywhere else in Europe. It is important that we make sure services that provide support, such as nursing homes, are adequately funded. I met with representatives from some nursing homes recently. One of the issues that came up is that while the HSE is recruiting, some of them feel they are losing staff to the HSE from their n…

You did.

I know how hard the Minister of State works and how dedicated she is. At a recent meeting, I was informed that, by the end of 2022, almost 500 beds will be wiped out and closed in smaller nursing homes in rural communities. These are owned by the single owners, not the big companies. That is the biggest issue. We have spoken about this on several occasions. I know the Minister of State's commitment and dedication. When I met with the nursing homes, they said during Covid the payments were exceptional. They were hap…

Thank you. I know you are.

This week I will be meeting with the community employment, CE, supervisors in Carlow. The remuneration package that is currently on the table needs to take into account that CE supervisors have not had a pay rise in 13 years, which means that their pay does not now reflect their level of responsibility. When the issue is raised here, the answer is that the Department is not their employer. Supervisors were never asked not to be seen as public servants and they never gave up the right to be seen as such. CE supervis…

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. Carlow library has tremendous and ambitious plans, plans that are hugely curtailed because of funding. Carlow library is housed in Carlow's old Presentation school building. The regeneration project which is in the capital four stage approved process received stage three approval in August 2022, having met and adequately responded to all the Department of Rural and Community Development's queries and recommendations. The project is now shovel-ready and stage four of the …

I express my disappointment. It is unacceptable. We were told to approach the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the URDF which I did. At meetings with that Department's officials, I was told that this project does not fall under their Department. This is passing the buck from one Department to another and is unacceptable. Carlow County Council needs a commitment for this particular building. The fact that no one knows where the money is coming from is a major issue. I can only express my ab…

It is important that we support this motion to amend the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 to empower the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, or the Adoption Authority of Ireland to conduct a trace for specified purposes. Although the 2022 Act is now commenced in full and services are being delivered under the legislation, Tusla has now identified one area where the Act could be enhanced to further support the delivery of information services. Under Parts 3 and 4 of the legislation, a qualified person, the child o…

I have been at all the committee meetings and this Bill is important as are the Report Stage amendments. I spoke about remote working. It is part of our future so we need to have the balance right. I also asked about the two-year review. It is important to clarify that because while I raised the issue on Committee Stage that it is vitally important that business owners are brought along on this journey with legislation, it is hugely important that an employee who needs the time can access that time but that the bus…

I welcome the Gambling Regulation Bill which will establish the gambling regulatory authority of Ireland. The regulator will have the authority to implement regulations regarding gambling, while also being able to levy fees on gambling companies that breach the new rules. This is a positive step forward. I campaigned for this alongside my party colleagues for a number of years outside Government and I am thrilled to see it now happening. Laws surrounding gambling in this country have not been updated, by and large,…

A women's refuge for Carlow was deemed a priority in the Tusla emergency accommodation review in February 2022. An interdepartmental group was being assembled to consider what template was to be used for domestic violence services nationwide. We need an interagency approach to planning and delivery of accommodation for victims of domestic violence. What is the status of this group at present? What are we doing to provide a women's refuge for Carlow? I thank the Minister for stating that the funding is there. A comm…

Domestic violence support services and places of refuge must be easily accessible but no phone lines or offices provide help on weekends or after hours. When a person needs a refuge, there are no wraparound services. I am referring to local authorities and Women's Aid. There need to be emergency numbers, but there are none. There is nowhere to send women fleeing violence after initial support from the refuge. We need to provide proper facilities for women, who need to feel like they are starting again. They do not …

This annual legislation is necessary to support the community-rated health insurance market in Ireland. The risk equalisation credit and stamp duty levies are critical to the sustainability of our health insurance market, which is designed to be equitable and fair by spreading the cost of health insurance across the entire insured population. This ensures everyone pays the same price for the same health insurance product. We must sustain community rating in our health insurance market so older citizens and people w…

The Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment has completed its consideration of the Employment Permit Bill 2022 and has made amendments thereto.

The Select committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment has completed consideration of the following Supplementary Estimate for Public Services for the service of the year ending on 31 December 2022: Vote 32.

Deputies Murphy and Barry are sharing time.

I believe I am next. As of today, 65,660 refugees have been granted temporary protection. We also have 12,347 applicants for international protection. We had 24 refugees at the airport facility last night. There is no sign of any levelling off. My concern relates to the accommodation situation, which is very challenging. This week, we have seen county councils appealing for unused houses to meet this need. Has a plan been put in place with local authorities to provide for staffing to get this work done? Another iss…

I also want to welcome this scheme. Like previous speakers have said, information will be critical because I have been inundated with phone calls and people calling into the office. People are also going to social welfare offices for information. It is so important that elderly people get this and a lot of them do not do online applications. When it comes to the social welfare offices, has the Minister thought about recruiting extra personnel for a few months? They may be needed in January or even in December. Peop…

I thank the Deputy very much. I call Deputy Higgins.

Now we have People Before Profit-Solidarity. Deputy Boyd Barrett has ten minutes.