I ask the Minister about the engagement he has had with the HSE regarding the need to source private contractors following the recent announcement the Government will finance an assessment of needs initiative. How soon does he expect the impact will be made on the waiting list and is he confident progress can be made to clear the backlog?

I welcome the initiative. It is just like in 2022 when the last attempt was made to clear the backlog, especially in my CHO in Cork, CHO 4. I have considerable concerns that we are here again, two years on, with another waiting list. Will the Minister of State elaborate on the reasons for that given, as I said, we thought we had cleared the waiting list two years ago and now we find ourselves back in this position again with another waiting list? As many TDs in the House recognise, one of the most significant issue…

Despite the difficulties we have experienced, I cannot reiterate enough that I commend the Minister of State on the work she has done. I know we have talked privately and we have met with stakeholders. We have talked about the benefits of AIM classes in particular and access to language classes, especially for students who do not require an assessment of need to be undertaken. In the remaining time, will the Minister of State speak to the importance of AIM classes and language classes for kids who have a requiremen…

This might be the last question for tonight. I now get why people were smirking and laughing when I came in. Will the Minister of State give an update on the timeline for the reintroduction of therapists to special schools and make a statement on the matter?

I again thank the Minister of State. I do not doubt her bona fides in this regard. I know she has been trying her best to resolve this issue in recent years. Approximately two and a half years ago in Limerick, we met all the principals of Cork special schools. I note that the Minister of State has been working away in the background trying to resolve this issue, but she is obviously acutely aware of the problem. I have no doubt that hiring therapists and people with specialties has been difficult right across the H…

The Minister of State referenced how the Wexford model has worked. That is what I am hearing anyway, and I have discussed this with colleagues. Could the Minister of State again elaborate on this? She mentioned that 220-odd posts were required and that 126 of them have actually been appointed at this stage. There is therefore a shortfall of approximately 100 appointees that are yet to take up a post. Can the Minister of State clarify where things are? How many of those posts are outstanding in terms of advertising,…

Will the Minister provide an update on the status of the primary care centre in Glanmire?

I thank the Minister and appreciate the update. As he will be aware, Glanmire is a fairly large community on the eastern side of Cork city, whose population, depending on how widely the area is measured, comprises 30,000-plus people, so it is critical we get that primary care centre delivered as soon as possible. The Minister of State, Deputy Colm Burke, and I visited the one in Ballincollig, on the western side of the city, last year, when the Tánaiste was cutting the ribbon on it. The services it provides for peo…

I thank the Minister. As he outlined, the comprehensive services that will be provided at the centre will be most welcome. I understand that a number of GPs are waiting patiently to see whether they can locate themselves there. It will be a fantastic facility when it is eventually built. Separately, while the Minister might not have a response to hand, we are also awaiting a primary care centre in Mayfield, which is only a few miles up the road from Glanmire. It is not at as advanced a stage as the centre there, bu…

Will the Minister provide an update on the Department's plans to simplify and modernise the Control of Horses Act 1996, as per the summer legislative programme?

I thank the Minister for his reply. I know from the sentiments he expressed that he will look at the issues raised in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last night and deal with them appropriately. To be fair, the Department has provided a significant increase in funding for local authorities and animal welfare charities in recent years but the images last night are quite stark, as the Minister has expressed. The fundamental issue is that traceability and the licensing of horses needs to be investigated fully and pow…

I welcome the improvements but it is worth highlighting that, under current legislation, responsibility for ensuring the welfare of animals, horses in this case, falls on the owner of the animal. I am concerned about this, with yesterday’s programme in mind. I do not think what was contained in the programme was that surprising to some of us who have followed this over recent years. I am concerned that responsibility is placed on the animal owner and I am not sure about the role of others. I know the local authorit…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for coming in this evening. It is appropriate that the Minister of State is here to answer this question as it was she and I who started on this saga nearly three years ago. It has been a long arduous three years, as I have said. The Minister of State will be aware of the property I am referring to here. The Minister of State visited it on site. She saw the potential of the site. The Minister of State saw how whatever organisation will inherit or lease it in time from…

That is great. The Minister of State has provided me an answer tonight that, as she said, by the end of this week it will be formally done. After those many years, that is most welcome. I know that people listening in this evening will be delighted to hear that. As I said, the response is most welcome. Now that the Minister of State has delivered the news, I would like to see Cork City Council, as she referenced in her response, proceed as expeditiously as possible to get that public consultation under way. There w…

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy O'Connor. Has the Department given any consideration to further supporting community, local and regional radio stations in Ireland, including the broadcasting levy?

As the Minister has rightly said, 80% of people get their news information from local radio stations. That is worth bearing in mind. I assume Deputy O'Connor was referring to the likes of Radio Youghal. I would refer to Cork City Community Radio and CUH FM Hospital Radio, not to mention bigger broadcasters like Cork's 96FM and C103. This type of funding is fundamental for them to continue doing what they do. In an era of misinformation, disinformation and people questioning their news sources, it is pivotal that we…

Local and regional radio is the most listened to in the country. While the Sound and Vision scheme is very welcome, community, local and regional radio stations provide a public service. I get what the Minister said and the context, but, at the same time, I urge that whatever consideration might be possible could be given to allow stations to expand their funding into the public service broadcasting sphere. The television licence funds the Sound and Vision scheme. It accounts for 7% of the television licence receip…

I wish to ask a short supplementary question. I welcome the funding, which is a phenomenal amount of money. When we all started here the overall allocation was under €100 million. According to the Minister of State, it is now at least €250 million. By the sounds of it, there is scope for further increases, which would be even more welcome. From what the Minister of State said, many clubs and organisations come looking for additional funding for their members – they are right to do that – but yesterday's announcemen…

Cuirim an ceist seo ar son an Teachta O'Connor. I ask about the number of housing commencements in County Cork for the first quarter of 2024.

I thank the Minister for his response. Before coming in, I looked at a few newspaper articles going back to 2023. The hard, raw statistics the Minister quotes are impressive. It is good to see the journey we have gone on. The trend is more impressive. The figure from 2023 is 2,232 homes in Cork, a 16.6% increase on 2022's 1,913 units. In the city in the first 11 months of 2023, there were 1,027 commencement notices, a 25% increase on 2022's figure of 822. Deputy O'Connor and I would like to reiterate our support fo…