What Deputy Berry said is music to my ears. I said this recently to the Committee on Gender Equality. I think employers have an obligation to facilitate people to participate in politics, particularly local politics. One of the big challenges facing all political parties will be that many people, if they get jobs in particular sectors, will see it as a career-limiting move even to indicate an interest in local politics. All of society needs to understand that democracy is fundamental to how we have operated for the…

I will talk to the Minister about reflecting on the Deputy's comments on the need for greater efficiency in how public services are administered. I do not have the specifics about driving test appointments in Clonmel but I will raise it with the Minister.

Is the Deputy referring to the strategic workforce advisory group on home carers?

The Minister published the report on 15 October. It contains 16 key recommendations which will be progressed immediately via a dedicated implementation group. In 2021, some 20.4 million hours were provided, which is about 2.9 million more hours than in 2020. There was a 17% increase in one year between 2020 and 2021. That has created challenges. Some 14.2 million hours were delivered between this January and August, which is a further increase of 7% on 2021. That has created significant issues. As I said yesterday,…

I accept the Deputy's points. They are well made. He has been advocating strongly for quite some time for this to be brought to a conclusion. I understand that officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have liaised with Clare County Council regarding the potential for some support from the local government fund. Funding for the National Monuments Service's approved conservation works at Bunratty Castle could also be considered. Officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government…

Has Deputy Bacik engaged in swimming or on the issue?

This issue has been raised by Deputies Shortall and Gannon earlier. It needs a multifaceted response. It is not just a policing issue. The dereliction on the street is important. The development around Moore Street and O'Connell Street is important - that we transform the infrastructure on the street - and I know the Deputy's party opposes that development. I believe, given all the discussions we have had on the matter, that if the development continues to be opposed, we will witness another ten years of derelictio…

That is happening.

I accept the point that there is huge pressure on motorists and people in general. All of these issues were examined in the context of the budget. The measures we took were designed to try to give people resources to deal with the energy costs. We have already subsidised petrol and diesel to a certain extent with the measures we took earlier in the year. However, we keep everything under constant review.

There has been an expansion of demand for the service. The recent enhanced communications around additional needs mean many more people are applying for and receiving assistance. That also reflects the general situation around energy pricing and inflation. Prior to that, the service had moved online for many people, many of whom now access payments online. I take the Deputy’s point that in some instances that is not always possible. I know the Minister for Social Protection is working on this to get the balance rig…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. Is trua liom nach bhfuil an post seo líonta fós. Níl a fhios agam cén fáth ach déanfaidh mé é sin a fhiosrú leis an Aire, leis an Garda agus le Coimisinéir an Gharda cad é an fhadhb atá anseo. Go ginearálta táimid ag tabhairt níos mó áiseanna don Gharda, go háirithe an polasaí atá ag an nGarda ná daoine a bhfuil cumas na Gaeilge acu, go mbeidh siadsan in ann seirbhísí a chur ar fáil sna Gaeltachtaí agus cúnamh a thabhairt dóibh le seirbhísí sna st…

That is not accurate from what the Minister has said to me. The officials in Kerry County Council know they can buy houses where those houses are being sold with rental accommodation scheme, RAS, or HAP tenants in them.

No. That is a cop-out. I am not saying that is what they are saying. The Deputy put that forward. The facility is there. There needs to be proper engagement between the council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In fairness-----

If other councils are doing it, it stands to reason that every council can do it. They have discretion.

On the last question, that is a core part of the women’s health plan. Very significant progress has been made on women’s health over the past two years in particular. The Minister has given particular focus to that on a number of fronts. On Deputy Brendan Smith’s point, first, I understand he has very strong concerns as a Border Deputy. He understands full well the implications. There could be complications around that, but I will have the matter examined in terms of what possibly can be done to support students. H…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The programme for Government commits to establishing four citizens' assemblies, on the topics of biodiversity loss, the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin, drug use and the future of education. The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss and the Dublin Citizens' Assembly on local government were formally established in February, began their meetings in April and are on schedule to complete their work and submit the…

I cannot sing but I am tempted to sing “Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head”.

The last point is very valid and I say to the Deputy that if he wants to come back to us with his local community group on Cratloe Wood, we are open to initiatives from the community up on biodiversity and in respect of native woodlands in particular. The Government would be very interested in getting behind that idea and developing a project around that. There are many projects across the country, as Deputies will know, where communities are taking the initiative in respect of biodiversity and in restoring flora a…

Please do. The main point is that we must develop offshore wind, which is clear. We want to reduce and eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. The most effective way to do that is both onshore and offshore wind, which we are both agreed upon. That has to be done in a regulated and planned way with inputs from all stakeholders, not least those representing our biodiversity. I have already spoken to the environmental pillar on the social dialogue and it made some very good, sensible suggestions as to how its inputs…

Excuse me?