This is great scheme. In Limerick at the start of October, we got €680,000 for 33 projects under category 1. There were some great projects. As for categories 2 and 3, many worthwhile projects are seeking funding, such as St. Munchin's Community Centre, Kileely, in the city, Murroe Wood Park, which has done fantastic community work, Our Lady of Lourdes Community Centre, Childers Road, Limerick city, and Hope for People with Autism, under Dóchas. When does the Minister anticipate that the announcement will be made? …

The scheme speaks for itself. The Minister referenced how hard it would be to collect €10,000 at traffic lights with a bucket. The limit of €25,000 in category 1 has made a phenomenal difference to communities. Next year, there will be many smaller groups out there looking at this. We are now at the end of 2022. When will the scheme for category 1 reopen next year?

Gutter politics. The Deputy is doing himself a disservice.

Does the Taoiseach agree that the Government needs to raise the social income housing eligibility limits? Does he further agree that we need, as an interim measure, to raise the bands by €5,000 for in keeping with the social housing income limit review? The bands for five counties, Clare, Carlow, Galway, Laois and Westmeath, have increased by €5,000 on the basis that the report found that in 26 out of 31 local authorities 35% of disposable income is going on rent. Does the Taoiseach agree that all local authorities…

What about my question?

I want to know the Taoiseach's view.

I want it responded to accordingly.

The question was to the Taoiseach, not the Minister.

No, it is for you, as Taoiseach

I welcome this Finance Bill. In the limited time I have, I will deal with one or two items. I welcome the broad thrust of the measures that have been put in place to ensure people can deal with their energy costs. I welcome the living city initiative from the Minister for Finance. It is hugely important to us in Limerick. The Minister has agreed to ensure security for the scheme and it is now extended up to December 2027. It was due to finish this year. That is five years of certainty for the scheme. The write-off …

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is probably aware that a plan for three elective hospitals in Cork, Dublin and Galway have been put forward. We urgently need elective beds and an elective hospital in Limerick and the mid-west. Were the Minister for Health to bring forward a proposal for an elective hospital or elective beds in Limerick, is it something the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform would consider?

I raise the need for an elective hospital in Limerick. It is already Government policy that Cork, Galway and Dublin will get elective hospitals, and it is completely illogical that Limerick and the mid-west are not included. There are a couple of reasons for that. I have been a public representative of Limerick for many years. We have the highest number of people going through the emergency department, ED. In 2021, Limerick had the highest number of patients going through the ED in any one year, while it is predict…

I have two issues. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, but I would like to have had the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, in the Chamber today. He is the Minister with primary responsibility; he should have been here. Second, I wholeheartedly disagree with the Minister for Health's comment that an additional elective facility in Limerick would have minimal impact population coverage relevant to a significant increased investment to build and operate. From what I can see, other jurisdict…

Can I just say-----

I welcome the comments from the Taoiseach in the Minister of State's response. It is something we will be following up on.

I have raised previously the matter of affordable housing. I want Part V to be in place as a condition of planning permission for all new estates from now on. It is currently the case that if land was bought before 31 July 2021 and planning permission for it granted before July 2021, there is no requirement to provide 10% affordable housing under Part V. I am not talking about luxury homes like the one in Cabra owned by the Sinn Féin leader, Deputy McDonald, about which Shane Ross has posed questions in his new boo…

I am talking about ordinary people who want to live in their communities.

There is a serious problem. Many new estates currently being built have no 10% affordable provision under Part V.

Housing is the main issue. I will speak in the context of the Limerick City constituency, which I represent. My views are well known. I welcome that the budget has amended the living city initiative and extended it until 2027, which means another five years. I want to see people living in the city centre. That is something on which I have worked. Limerick city centre has a Georgian footprint. I want living there to be affordable to young people so that it is an option when they are looking around for somewhere to l…

I will raise the issue of Part V affordable housing. I have raised this previously with the Minister, his Department and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. My question is very straightforward. I will put on record that I welcome the 25 affordable houses in Castletroy, which are very beneficial, but on the Part V model, why does the 10% affordable housing requirement not apply to planning permissions granted for the period between 3 September 2021 and 31 July 2026 on lands purchased after 1 Se…