I welcome the tabling of this question by Deputy Burke. We need to do everything in our power to expand the number of courses. What the Aire mentioned regarding placements is the crux of the issue and goes across the medical profession. It has been raised with me since I took on this brief. One issue that keeps coming to the fore relates to the fact the putting together of the placements is often done on an ad hoc basis. Individual institutions may have a deal with a hospital, but it makes it more difficult when it…

Hear, hear.

The Minister of State's party says it is the party of home ownership, but when we look at the census figures released yesterday, they tell us the opposite. What they show us is that the percentage of people who own their own home has fallen in the period since the party went into government in 2011. In that year, it promised us new politics. More than a decade later, that new politics has created a new generation, that is, a generation that rents. It may be young people or older people - pensioners - who are conscr…

A report this week showed there are currently 20 times the number of short-term lets on Airbnb compared to long-term lets on Daft.ie in Galway. At the same time, there are 500 people in emergency accommodation in Galway. Many more are living with family members as a result of being homeless. People of all ages, single and in families, who are facing eviction as a result of the lifting of the no fault eviction ban come to me every week. As I have told the Taoiseach previously, many young couples have told me they si…

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Páirtí an Lucht Oibre as an rún seo a chur chun cinn inniu. I would like to raise a number of issues. First, Ability West which provides services for people with disabilities in Galway has had to temporarily close a respite centre due to staffing issues. We are now entering the third month that it has been unable to facilitate respite care for service users. This is, of course, a vital service for people with disabilities and their families. Currently, the HSE is advising t…

I was contacted by a young married couple who, thanks to the lifting of the eviction ban, had their notice to quit come into effect this week. They are now homeless and are living with family members. They are not the only young married couple who are in that position and who are telling me that there lives are being put on hold, especially when it comes to being able to have children. The couple I mentioned cannot find anywhere affordable to rent. They cannot afford to buy a house. No affordable housing will come …

They are not on the housing list.

But they are homeless.

But there is nothing for them.

Ardaím go rímhinic na deacrachtaí atá ag daoine óga lonnú, nó athlonnú, ina gceantair dhúchais. Feicimid go rímhinic é freisin dóibh siúd a théann thar lear, b’fhéidir mar nach raibh post acu nó nach raibh deiseanna acu ina gceantar dúchais féin. Ansin tagann siad abhaile agus deir siad leo féin gur bhreá leo bheith ina gcónaí sa cheantar ina bhfuil a dtuistí ina gcónaí. Bíonn siad ag iarraidh a bpáistí a thógáil agus iad a chur ag an scoil chéanna ina raibh siad féin, an scoil atá fós ar oscailt nó atá ar tí dúnad…

Yesterday marked the start of the European Year of Skills, which will run until 8 May 2024. It is an important European initiative that ties together many of the different efforts being made in Europe, including, of course, a kind of European green new deal. It will attempt to raise awareness by matching people's aspirations with the available job opportunities. That is significant for everybody's way of life. It will try to promote investment in high-skilled staff. It aims at a collaborative effort which brings to…

Go raibh maith agat. That sounds like a good group so I might see if I can join them afterwards with Deputy O’Connor. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Collins. This marks my first time engaging with the Minister of State in my new role as spokesperson on higher education. As it is also the first legislation that I get to deal with in my new role, I feel that, today, I have reached two milestones in this role in one go. It is my hope that we will have a very positive working relation…

Ah stop.

It definitely is not.

I commend People Before Profit-Solidarity on bringing forward the motion. I have a couple of points I wish to raise in my limited time. At the start of this week, a survey conducted by Galway Chamber showed the real-life impact we all knew was happening, but it was good to get a detailed survey that showed the impact the housing crisis in Galway city is having across the board, including on employment. People should be able to access good employment, but the fact they are unable to access good-quality or, indeed, a…

On a point of order, will the Taoiseach clarify when an Teachta Niall Collins will be making a statement in front of the House and if he will be answering questions? At this point-----

-----it is being reported in the media that-----

It is reasonable for the House to be informed, if it is already being reported by media.

Will it include questions?

It is helpful when Deputies are made aware in advance of these-----