In the 14 years I have been a TD, the current lack of availability of rental property is without doubt the worst I have seen. I live in Dundalk. I hold my clinics every Monday and Friday, and for the last number of months, the increased footfall has been unreal. People just cannot find affordable properties, especially if they are on HAP. There is a stigma to HAP. The number of people coming in and paying cash is unreal. A lot of properties in my area have risen to over €2,000 per month. Only for families and frien…

It is widely known there is a significant lack of dental services across many parts of Ireland. There are particular challenges in my constituency of Louth, especially concerning access to orthodontic care. While I acknowledge the HSE's national service plan for 2024 continues to support service development and initiatives to reduce waiting lists for dental and orthodontic care, the shortage of specialists means my constituents are not receiving timely treatment. In June one of my constituents inquired about the la…

I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Chambers, on his first budget. This budget was framed as a budget for families and alleviating the cost of living. While there are aspects that are welcome, the measures barely scratch the surface of what is required to help ordinary families. We cannot celebrate economic growth when many are left behind. First, I will touch on housing. The Government has acknowledged the housing crisis, but its proposed measures are inadequate to address the challenges. Rents rising by 27%, reco…

Family carers represent one eighth of the Irish population and have long been the cornerstone of care provision in the country. Whether it is caring for an ageing parent, a spouse with a chronic illness or a child with special needs, these remarkable individuals demonstrate unwavering commitment day in and day out. The means test for carer's allowance is no longer fit for purpose and is significantly gender biased. Despite improving in recent years, the carer's allowance means test remains one of the most contentio…

It is time for us to recognise the profound impact the carer’s means test has on the lives of carers and those for whom they care, and to advocate for its abolition. The means test undermines the principle of fairness and social justice that should underpin our welfare system. This test assesses not just the needs of the person being cared for but also the income and assets of carers themselves. Under this system, even a modest income can disqualify carers from receiving the carer's allowance, making it harder for …

I thank the Minister for his response. In fairness, a lot of the things he mentioned are very good. However, in my situation, and I am sure it is the same for nearly every TD in the Chamber, many people come into constituency offices with the problem of having loved ones stuck in hospitals and nursing homes, and they have nobody to look after them. Nobody wants to be stuck in a hospital for six or seven weeks waiting for someone to look after them. There is a serious shortfall of carers. Both the Minister and I kno…

The public interest in this Bill has been overwhelming, and it is no wonder. For too long, our mental health legislation has been outdated and people with mental health issues have faced delayed treatment, limited access to services and a lack of clarity surrounding their rights. It is in this context that the amendments to the Mental Health Bill 2024 come into play. They are critical to moving forward as a compassionate and inclusive society. Enforcement of the Mental Health Bill 2024 will be a key factor in ensur…

I raised this issue during Leaders' Questions in May. Have any steps been taken to amend assault leave entitlements to ensure SNAs have equal provision of health and safety leave and to ensure the incomes of teachers and SNAs are fully protected for the duration of their medically certified leave? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

SNAs are being denied equal health and safety leave provisions in employment. The potential risks for injury are greater for SNAs due to the physical element of their job. There is a clear disparity between the provision afforded to teachers and that afforded to SNAs. SNAs work with children with a range of care needs, many of whom exhibit extremely challenging behaviour that requires full-time help. I told the Taoiseach about the case of a young woman who has been in the job for a couple of years and is expecting …

I thank the Minister for her reply. A lot of good work is being done in education. There are a lot more teachers and SNAs. There is a lot of early intervention and children with problems are being diagnosed early. I appreciate the Minister's response but all the SNAs are looking for is the same treatment as teachers. As I have said, they play a very important role in the future development of our children. I ask the Minister to work more closely with the employees to make sure they are being well looked after. I am…

As recently as five years ago, Ireland was being celebrated within the EU for road safety following a reduction in fatalities of over 40% yet this week Ireland's road death toll hit 100 people, meaning the overall number is now 14% higher than last year and we are just over halfway through the year. The year 2024 is on course to prove the most lethal for traffic fatalities in 15 years. My colleague here is from Waterford. A 70-year-old lady there, on Tuesday, was in collision with a lorry. It is happening in every …

Our roads are not safe. I ask the Tánaiste to please listen. Our footpaths are not safe. You cannot even go on a footpath now because of e-scooters and bicycles. Our loved ones are passing away. These are things that can be prevented. On behaviour, when the Tánaiste and I were children - we are roughly the same age - we could go out our front doors and play a bit of football on the streets. Those days are long gone. There is no respect any more. We have to get enforcement and sanctions. The Garda plays a big part i…

I acknowledge the foundational importance of agriculture in our society. Agriculture is not merely an industry; it is the backbone of the economy and provides sustenance and livelihoods to millions across our nation. Our farmers, often the unsung heroes, toil day and night to feed our burgeoning population and contribute significantly to our GDP. The agrifood sector is our oldest and largest indigenous exporting sector and its products are traded from every county in Ireland to more than 180 countries around the gl…

It is no secret that there is a shortage of general practitioner services in many parts of Ireland and my constituency of Louth and east Meath is no different. Not a week goes by without constituents coming into my constituency office begging for medical access. The Louth GP shortage has left patients in Drogheda facing a two-year wait to register with a local doctor. Just this week, I have one constituent waiting since February and at least three others waiting weeks to access a GP panel. Not only are these consti…

I welcome the Government's approval of raising the legal age for tobacco product sales to 21, with the passing of this Bill. This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and secure a healthier future for our youth. First, let us acknowledge the significance of this legislation. By raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, we are taking a proactive step towards reducing tobacco use among young adults. The measure is being introduced to a…

On a personal note, I thank the Tánaiste for the update on Private Seán Rooney, who was killed on 14 December 2022, and for keeping the pressure on the Lebanese ministers for foreign affairs and defence and their legal department. It is very important to get justice for Private Seán Rooney, his family and his colleagues. It is also nice to note that it is a priority of this Government to look after Private Seán Rooney. It is also important that we look after the troops on the ground. It is important they get the pr…

Maybe not any more but when someone goes into the Army, he or she will be starting from a very low base and everything else.

If a garda and a nurse are married, they still cannot afford to buy a three-bedroom house in Dublin.

These are young people who want to have a career and to be properly trained and to be properly financed for the work. These people are deployed on UN peacekeeping missions. They are away from their families for six to eight months. I am a family man, and that seems a long time to be away. These people are making sacrifices. The rewards should be there. I will put my hand up and say that the Tánaiste continues to do a great deal of good work. He seems to be compassionate, especially in the context of the Seán Rooney…

There has been a significant rise in the number of older people with housing difficulties, according to two charities: Alone, which represents older people, and Threshold, which advocates for those with housing difficulties. The housing adaptation grant will help older people to stay at home longer. Under the scheme, grants of up to €30,000 are available to eligible people to undertake works in their home to upgrade the conditions and remain living there. Some 60% of people use the grants for bathroom adaptations, …