Is Deputy Nash coming in one more time?

Anois tá Ceist Uimh. 8 i m'ainm féin, ach á tógáil ag an Teachta John Connolly.

My question relates to today’s announcement that Avant Money and An Post will join the Government-backed scheme for home energy upgrades. While this is most welcome and people will be able to get their loans upfront and commence their work at the start, I would like the Government to review the fact that often people have to replace their entire heating system and cannot avail of stoves and so on. This is something we need to reflect on to possibly get it included in the scheme. There are many elderly people especi…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss reform of the power up grant. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss DART+ projects in Kilcock and Sallins, County Kildare. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the commitment within the programme for Government around urban and rural regeneration schemes. Deputy Donna McGettigan - To discuss the decline in participation in the de…

Thankfully, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to review the drug reimbursement scheme process. This is something that the Taoiseach has spoken about and been supportive of in the past. I reiterate that urgency is required here. I hope that the review that has been committed to in the programme for Government will commence this calendar year and not in the latter stages of this Government's term. I impress that on the Taoiseach and ask him to raise it with the new Minister for Health.

I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of preparations to ensure a successful EU Presidency in 2026; if the Government will publish plans for Ireland's upcoming Presidency to deliver against strategic priorities for Europe and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Tánaiste. I asked that question originally in the last Dáil, back in June or July of last year, because there is some excitement about the Presidency coming to Ireland for 2026. Unfortunately, the response is kind of similar to what the Tánaiste gave then. I understand that there is certain stuff he cannot reveal and we are 12 months out from the Presidency but at the same time, the Tánaiste has said that the cross-departmental committee group that was established has met 24 times. Is there anything the…

I appreciate the Minister making those suggestions. Maybe I can throw one in as well. The Polish Presidency is in place at the moment and it, as the Minister said, has understandably prioritised security and defence, the protection of people and borders, resistance to foreign interference and disinformation and so on. It has prioritised the issues that are most pertinent to it. When the Irish Presidency starts in 2026, I would like to make the case for our pharmaceutical industry, in particular. It is important to …

I know the Taoiseach is aware of the ongoing issues with water on the north side of Cork city. He did a lot of canvassing there during the recent election. In many households, he was shown brown and discoloured water. Many particles are visible in people's water supply. I am not sure whether he saw the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last week, but it truly is an eye-opener. He needs to see it. It is available on the RTÉ Player if he has not. It shows that above all else, Irish Water needs to be transparent and…

Last winter, the Tánaiste, the then Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, and I surveyed the damage that had occurred at Sarsfields GAA Club in Glanmire following extensive flooding. The astro turf pitch and bar area were destroyed and the clubhouse damaged. The main pitch has to be reinstated. There have been long delays with insurers, loss adjusters and so on. To be fair, the State and the Government have always said they would stand by the club and would not be found wanting when that process had been co…

The Taoiseach will be familiar with the pilot scheme to introduce therapists to special schools. I am sure he will be aware that many schools that did not make the initial pilot scheme were very disappointed. Six schools were initially approved to go forward. I have no doubt that the Taoiseach is also aware that the scheme has been beset with problems and delays, particularly with recruitment. We were due to have the next ten schools announced as part of the pilot at the end of last month. It is now 6 November and …

I thank the Minister of State for being here. This saga has been going on for a number of years. As he knows, I am our party's spokesperson on special education and have an interest in this area. Ballincollig as a community has a fairly large population of about 26,000, if not more at this stage. In comparison with the large number of people living there, it has had very few ASD classes over the years. I think it is up to a total of 14 now between all the schools at primary and secondary levels. Some progress has b…

I thank the Minister of State. I was right that the script has not changed since July and, prior to that, April. The script is the same, unfortunately. The most galling thing about coming in here sometimes, particularly on a Thursday afternoon, is seeing the lack of progress. We are here seven months on and this is still with the building unit undergoing assessment. That is another year lost to kids in terms of preparing for ASD provision in September of next year. This is not an easy fix. The principal of the scho…

There was a school population already there that was in receipt of ASD provision but did not-----

Yes.

There are additional classes being sought.

No.

I know the Taoiseach is familiar with St. Killian's Special School on the north side of Cork city. He is probably aware of its campaign, which was successful a number of weeks ago insofar as it can provide private in-school therapies up to Christmas thanks to a decision by the local chief executive of the HSE who provided additional funding. St. Killian's was successful in its campaign but there are about 12 or 13 other special schools in Cork and about 140 nationwide that have not been afforded the same flexibilit…

What is the number of tenant in-situ applications approved in Cork city and county since the inception of the scheme?

The scheme is a very good one. I said that and welcomed it when it was initiated a few years ago. It is good to see that those targets are not ceilings, which the Minister has reiterated on the floor of the Dáil on numerous occasions. For a while, there was resistance in certain local authorities regarding targets. It is good to see that both Cork city and county have breached those targets, as indicated by the figures the Minister gave. They are obviously not taking them as limits. I ask the Minister to continue t…