There are a number of Ministers speaking tonight and that is why there are no copies but I am sure the Minister of State will arrange to send a copy to the Deputy.

For the Rural Independent Group, I call Deputy O'Donoghue, followed by Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.

Please,-----

-----have respect for our speakers.

I am standing in for Deputy Niamh Smyth. A protocol to assist victims of domestic violence has been established between the Department of Social Protection and Tusla. Under the protocol, victims of domestic violence will be able to apply for rent supplement or referral by Tusla or Tusla-funded service providers. What measures have been taken to assist victims of domestic violence access rent supplement? How many people are accessing this payment, particularly in my area of Carlow-Kilkenny?

I thank the Minister. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have all seen that there were - and continue to be - issues for those experiencing domestic violence. Indeed, in counties Carlow and Kilkenny, there has been an increase in the number of reported incidents of domestic violence. I have worked with victims in my clinic. I have seen their eyes. The increase in the number of reported incidents of domestic violence is not exclusive to my area. More than 3,000 extra incidents were reported during the pandemic. It…

I firmly believe it is about housing, justice and health. We need to focus on those areas. A cross-departmental approach needs to be taken. We must work together to support the strategy. I also wish to ask the Minister about victims of domestic violence who are seeking support. Perhaps funding could be provided for training through Tusla or Tusla-funded services. I have worked with victims. Sometimes there are language barriers. I have also worked with people who have, for example, an intellectual disability, a hea…

I ask the Minister to outline the number of CE participants over the age of 62, who have participated in the schemes on a continuous basis up to the State pension age on the community service support stream from 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021.

When the new conditions were introduced to CE schemes in July 2017, a two-strand approach was adopted, with all CE placements categorised into two strands: social inclusion, to acknowledge that not all CE placements were the same and to provide an opportunity for those who are distant from the labour market to work and deliver services in their local communities; and job activation, which was more directly related to job opportunities for long-term unemployed. I feel that over the years, the Government concentrated…

I thank the Minister of State. I believe there are more than 20,000 participants on community employment schemes but only 30% to 40% of these placements are categorised as social inclusion. I have come across facilities that rely on CE scheme staff for vital community operations. They have told me any participant aged 60 and over, and not aged 62 and over, should be able to remain on the CE scheme continuously until the State pension age, with an increase in the number allowed on each scheme. One centre in Carlow h…

I thank the Minister of State.

I am stepping in for Deputy Lahart. When the mother and baby homes commission report was released, many promises were made to survivors. What is the status of the implementation of the 22-point action plan, following the publication of the final report of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation? It is important that survivors are aware of progress on the 22 recommendations. Where are we on those?

I thank the Minister and welcome the news. Communication from the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is very important. We are working with the Minister and other Departments. Survivors speak of urgency, particularly because so many of them are much older now than when the commission began its work. That is a concern. Those people are anxious to receive redress. This scheme is expected to open next year. I appreciate the work the Minister is doing but I feel that perhaps we sho…

I thank the Minister. He is right, I have met with him regularly and I know he is totally committed. I thank him for that. I also know he has met with some survivors from my own area. I am delighted to tell him that we are working on five plaques in the County Carlow for cemeteries and buildings. We are making that change, although it is slow change. I am delighted to be part of my own group in Carlow. I welcome the fact that the Minister has been asking the local authorities to review the lands that formerly house…

We all watched the events in Afghanistan with horror. The Irish people immediately wanted to help. Will the Minister tell me the number of refugees accepted from Afghanistan since 1 August 2021?

Ireland has previously joined with the international community in highlighting that any future provision of support to the Afghan Government will be conditional on its protection and promotion of human rights, especially for women, girls and minorities. Like all of us, I was particularly concerned about reports of violence and coercion against women and girls, including reports of forced marriage, sexual violence and serious human rights abuses perpetrated against civilians across Afghanistan. Ireland acted swiftly…

There are challenges in taking large numbers of refugees from both regions. Do we have the resources? That is the thing. Do we have the wraparound supports? I know the Minister spoke about them. They are part of the solution he is working on. I am also concerned that we are in the process of ending direct provision. A number of issues are arising after resettlement. That is another priority for the Minister. It is very important. One area I am particularly interested in is that of education for the children and you…

The next slot is for Sinn Féin. Deputy O'Rourke is sharing time with Deputies Kerrane, Stanley, Guirke, Conway-Walsh and Ward.

I raise the confusion arising from Revenue sending letters to homeowners about the changes to the local property tax, including the need to reassess their homes. I know homeowners have to value their properties in order for Revenue to set a new rate for the next four years, but they are being sent to revenue.ie , where a residential property price register is available. It is not working. There is huge confusion. Many people have come into my offices. There is confusion over the prices and confusion if one has a st…

I support the National Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 launched earlier this year. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the policy. We have all witnessed the rise of antisocial behaviour in Ireland, but we must also be careful not to demonise the young people of our country. We must offer solutions and measures that can be extended to divert young offenders away from the criminal justice system beyond the age of 18. Our most recent census recorded almost 500,000 youths aged from 12 to 17. Garda figures revealed th…