The programme for Government states: The new government will ensure that as services resume, they are delivered in a planned, appropriate and considered manner. Our priority is to protect public health, patients and to ensure capacity for future surges of COVID-19. I am a member of the Dublin 15 community drug team. We had a board meeting last Friday and one of the serious issues that arose was funding, particularly for personal protective equipment, PPE. Unfortunately, to date, the only PPE that has been given to …

Yes, it has. It has been refused funding.

On page 73 of the programme for Government, there is a promise to develop a carer's proposal that would provide a core budget for services for carers across the State and ensure that the most effective interventions are provided for each individual. I will give three examples to the Tánaiste from our constituency. There is Alan, who loves the freedom of walking to his local centre in Blakestown, which has been closed during the Covid pandemic and will hopefully be opened in September. James is five years of age and…

The programme for Government includes a section on insurance reform and an acknowledgement of the massive costs of insurance and their impact on businesses and motorists. There is a specific reference on page 28 to the expected impact of increased premium levels. I want to tell the Taoiseach about a constituent of mine who contacted me over the weekend. He is 21 years of age and has a full driving licence with no penalties or associated convictions whatsoever. His insurance quote is a staggering €4,450. We are not …

The programme for Government contains a promise to tackle the scourge of scramblers and quad bikes. This issue is not only anti-social but there is also a significant criminal element involved. These vehicles wreck our community, open spaces and parks. The Tánaiste will know some of the ones I will mention, which have been scourged over the last month, including Hartstown Park, Royal Canal Park in Ashtown, Ladyswell Park, Hazelbury Park, Littlepace, and Corduff park and grove. Those are just some of the areas about…

The programme for Government includes an undertaking, which was also given by the previous Government, to legislate for a special fund for community centres to enable them to deal with fire safety and other health and safety issues that emerged in the past 12 to 15 months. Will this fund cover the entire works required to allow those centres to open and remain open? In my area, two centres in Hartstown and Huntstown have each raised tens of thousands of euro from the local community, but, as we know, that well has …

Like many other Teachtaí Dála, I have spoken to many business owners during the months of lockdown. Many people were ringing us, trying to figure out what was going on and what supports were available for businesses to be able to reopen and stay in business. Many of those business owners have shown that they have a strong social conscience. I will give a couple of examples. I was a part of the community effort in Dublin 15 through my local GAA club, St. Peregrine's. We started up a Sunday dinner for senior citizens…

In the programme for Government, there is a promise to continue to resource harm reduction education awareness programmes to increase awareness of the risks associated with drug use and the contribution of drugs to criminality. I have worked in that area for the past 20 years and there has been a massive increase in drug use and criminality. The people involved are younger and younger. Will the Taoiseach indicate if there will be a structured link between schools and local youth drug services? There is no such link…

I commend Deputy Ó Broin and thank him for bringing forward this motion. The housing crisis has gone on for far too long. There have been too many promises, too many broken homes, broken lives and broken families. As a councillor and now as a Deputy for Dublin West, I have come across hundreds of families who have been on social housing lists for more than 12 years. I am sure the Minister has as well. It is absolutely shocking and unfortunately it is not getting any better. I have come across hundreds of families a…

I also congratulate Deputy Stephen Donnelly on his new role as Minister for Health. I wish him well and commit to working with him in a positive and outcome-focused way that ensures that we deliver for and with our communities. As Deputy O'Reilly said we will also do our best to hold the Minister to account, as is our role. Covid-19 has shown once again the true spirit of community that when needed, they are ready to help in whatever way they can. We must ensure that we harness, nurture and cherish the skills and e…

There has been much talk of massive investment in housing in my constituency of Dublin West. Some projects are proceeding on brownfield sites in Castleknock and Blanchardstown, which had one house on a large tract of land. These have been bought by developers with massive developments with perhaps 300 to 500 apartments being crammed onto the sites as SHDs. These are areas where schools and community facilities are already at capacity. Families moving into these apartments will have to look outside the community, in…

Undoubtedly, we are in a difficult time but there are also opportunities to reboot our social welfare system to ensure that it helps all those who are most in need both during the crisis and afterwards. The €350 Covid payment is a clear recognition by Fine Gael and others that this is the least amount needed to keep a person's head above water when they lose their job. However, kite flying by certain members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being terrified of what is comi…

As we are all aware, the arts community has been absolutely devastated since the beginning of this crisis. I thank every single one of the artists who, in a wonderful spirit of generosity and kindness, have given of their skills and talents. I think every one of us has enjoyed their contributions online. Every day somebody gives some part of their skill set for our free enjoyment. In the new era of social distancing and risk assessment, many ask how it would work to watch a musical or a play or to listen to one's f…

This is my maiden speech. However, I will dispense with most of the usual expressions of thanks because I want to have as much time as possible to outline the concerns of those in my community working and living in care settings. I extend my condolences to everyone who has passed away in my constituency and throughout the country. I heartily thank everyone who has supported me throughout the years I have been campaigning in Dublin West. They know who they are and I hope some of them are listening this evening. I ha…

I ask that the Minister respond in writing to any of my questions which he cannot answer now. Will he considering providing specialist support services for children with autism spectrum disorder, ASD, along the lines of those to be made available to the children of essential workers? Parents who are at home with children with ASD are under severe pressure and experiencing real difficulties.

My understanding from you, a Cheann Comhairle, is that we can speak to the Minister's amendment as well. It has been included in this group. The Minister's amendment probably strikes the right balance. I acknowledge that. The Minister took issue with Deputy Boyd Barrett for using the word "draconian", perhaps on a technical interpretation of the word. However, the measures here are extraordinary. They allow a Minister to shut down parts of the country, shut down events, shut down business premises and give powers t…