There are several questions to address. Regarding the vacant homes officers, this is a dedicated position in local authorities and is critically important. It is critically important local authorities use that resource wisely. It is important, too, that every local authority should have a conservation officer. We are talking here about a lot of 18th century or 19th century properties and there is a need for good guidance and advice to property owners in terms of renovation. It is important there is a network of con…

I agree wholeheartedly with Deputy O'Dowd. The vacant property tax is the responsibility of the Department of Finance and it is kept under review. I take note of the points the Deputy made. The Housing Agency is overseeing CPOs. It is down to individual local authorities to be proactive. Some, as I said, are better than others. It is critically important there is a uniform approach to it. Local authorities can compare their own actions. There is the network of local authorities, through the County and City Manageme…

Absolutely. The measures are in place and we are very supportive.

Nearly 500.

I apologise. It is an issue of availability on the Front Bench.

No.

They are not available.

I appreciate that.

Of course there is.

It is a busy time towards the end of the year.

Before I reflect on the contributions of Deputies, I give my commitment to Deputy Lowry that if he passes on the details, I will do all I can. It is a heartbreaking story and my thoughts are with that young boy's family and with him. It is a traumatic time. For end-of-life care, it is critical there is coverage throughout the country. The manner in which the family’s wishes are respected is very important, whether it be in hospital, in palliative care or at home. The wishes of that family in that young boy’s end-of…

I am versatile if nothing else.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. The demand for ophthalmic services has grown in the region in question over the past number of years. This is due both to the development of new treatments and the ageing population profile. Recent reports predict that this demand will continue to increase in the coming years. In line with recommendations in the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology: Model of Eye Care from 2017, and in Reconfiguration of Acute Ho…

I am afraid my closing response will not give the Deputy any additional assurance. I will certainly take his concerns back to the Minister for Health. The response states that an additional consultant ophthalmic surgeon post will be required to further expand the service and that approval for the post is being examined in the context of funding made available for the HSE in 2023. That is pretty vague. We will try to get a more specific response on that for the Deputy.

I appreciate that. We will certainly get the Deputy a response on that. I have figures here that I will pass on to him about the waiting lists for ophthalmology services, some of which are positive. Waiting lists have decreased in some areas. I will take the Deputy's concerns back to the Minister directly and get a response for him.

I am familiar with the matter from many of my Traveller friends in my home town, whom I have seen in conditions that have been completely inadequate. I have also seen great strides being made. There is no doubt that Government is committed to ensuring that the actions the Deputies spoke about will be met in terms of resourcing. It is important, particularly in the depths of winter, that Traveller families are not living in substandard conditions. It is unacceptable. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 pr…

There is no issue with Government in terms of resourcing. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, was quite clear at the outset-----

He was quite clear at the outset of his tenure to ensure that local authorities drew down all of their moneys for Traveller accommodation. The Deputy may recall, historically, there had been an underspend in many local authorities. All local authorities, under the Traveller accommodation programme, need to draw down their moneys and spend their allocations. Many Travellers, particularly younger Travellers, are moving into private accommodation and into different types of accommodation. That is also recognised. Spec…

It is under the pilot scheme, I understand.

I will relay that back to the Department.