I raise with the Taoiseach, as I have done here in the past, the issue of reimbursement in the context of how our system is antiquated and insufficient to deal with the needs of patients. Rather than talk about the process at this point, I would like to talk about the previous drawdown from the primary care reimbursement scheme, PCRS. To be fair to the Minister for Health, he has provided €100 million over the past three years specifically for new drugs in this space but, unfortunately, €30 million of that was mean…

For 2022.

How many applications have been received to date for the 2023 community centre investment fund?

From the outset, the funding the Minister made available in 2022 through the community investment fund was well spent. I was looking at the list that was published late last year in relation to my own constituency. There are sums that are large and small but which are significant to many voluntary groups out there. Whitechurch received €100,000; Firmount, €136,000; Grenagh, €25,000; Courtbrack, €26,000; Farranree Community Centre, €100,000 and the list goes on. All those groups and organisations right across the co…

I thank the Minister. I have two supplementary questions. First, from what the Minister said, I take it that the focus this year will be on the new builds, and pending the budget later in the year, that the Minister hopes for a new round of last year's community investment fund sometime next year. Will the Minister clarify that? I do not want to be putting words in her month but she might expand on that. The second is regarding the fact that a State-funded body has to be the lead actor. I am assuming that is an org…

I have one supplementary question. I echo the sentiment Deputy Ring espoused - I was going to call him Minister Ring. Many communities have put shoulder to the wheel and it is great to see them acknowledged and rewarded for that. However, there are anecdotal tales that sometimes certain projects are being advanced where those communities might not have had as many refugees or Ukrainians coming into the community. Is there any kind of audit being done by the Department or somebody keeping a watchful eye to make sure…

Will the Minister appoint a HSE patient liaison team official with a special focus on rare disease patients?

I welcome that the Minister took the initiative to publish the Mazars report recently because it was sitting there for an awful long time. I acknowledge and welcome that. The Minister is quite aware of its contents and what it proposed. There are various steps being taken on the positive front on foot of that, including increasing transparency through an online portal that will keep people informed about the progress of the drug in question in terms of reimbursement. The problems still prevail in respect of waiting…

I appreciate that the Minister is considering that request in the process that is to come. If I can go off on a bit of a tangent around the greater reimbursement process, does the Minister have any proposals in terms of allowing early access to drugs? Is that being considered by his Department or by himself? Will he be doing any review or report on it? Previously I spoke to the Minister about risk-sharing initiatives that could be done with partners in industry. Is that being considered by the Department at present…

On the same theme, what are the Minister’s plans for student accommodation in the coming year?

The €59 million investment is very welcome. I will refer to some statistics in a recent UCD student union survey. Approximately 14,500 campus beds are in place across the country. That accounts for about 6% of the total student population. There are about 250,000 students in this country. Not all would need on-campus accommodation and many do stay at home but the figure gives an idea of the task that lies ahead to meet the demand. Unfortunately there are pressures there, given the crisis in private rented accommoda…

I welcome that. One fifth of the respondents in that survey said they had no written agreement or formal lease with their landlords or the place they have digs or a room-share arrangement. Are there any plans by the Minister or in any other Department to regulate digs-style accommodation? Is giving those people security something that is being examined? They are in a rather precarious position in the absence of any written agreement.

Following on from the question posed earlier by Deputy Gino Kenny, my query concerns a related matter. I again raise the issue of rare diseases. Earlier this month, an article was published in The Lancet Oncology review journal by Professor Mark Lawler of Queen's University Belfast on Ireland's excessive waiting times for the reimbursement of the cost of medicines. Ireland's excessive approval times were compared with those in other countries, such as the UK and Germany. Accessing new cancer medicines here took an …

I thank the Minister of State for allowing me a few minutes to speak. Of all the Ministers I have interaction with on a daily basis in Leinster House, I can say with confidence that the two Ministers of State present are among the most compassionate and understanding of their briefs. This needs to be recognised. It will not be lost on me that they do incredible work. This day last week the chief executive of the HSE, Mr. Bernard Gloster, apologised for the pressure being experienced in accessing respite care in Cor…

I understand that, on Tuesday, the Government agreed to a proposal from the Minister to amend laws to increase sentences for assaults causing harm to members of An Garda Síochána and other emergency workers. The amendments will change the maximum sentence for assaulting or obstructing a police officer - a garda - and other emergency workers from seven to 12 years. These changes will be unanimously supported in this House. Will the Minister elaborate on the timeline that he envisages for these changes to be implemen…

It is excellent to hear it is making such swift progress. As I said, it will be unanimously welcomed in the House, I would imagine. I welcome the amendments. For some time, we have needed tougher legislation to crack down on criminals who seriously attack the very people who put their own personal safety on the line every day to serve others. The most recent incident with a full-time worker involved a prison officer being very seriously attacked in Mountjoy, which left him with very serious injuries. In fact, I kno…

Everybody in this House would welcome any attempts to improve the lot of An Garda Síochána in particular. The Minister referenced body cameras earlier, and I would be supportive of such a measure myself. The amendments the Minister is bringing forward will increase the maximum sentences from seven to 12 years. Has he given any consideration to introducing minimum sentencing? Is that something that has been considered? If not, will the Minister explain the rationale for that?

That is a good way to conclude the debate.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 37 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor - to discuss the pay and conditions of the emergency services. Deputy Gary Gannon - to discuss the need for a state-of-the-art sports facility in Alfie Byrne Park. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - to discuss the declining numbers of dentists participating in the dental treatment service scheme. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin - to discuss the u…

Over the last few weeks I have raised the issue of disability services in CHO 4, mainly the provision or lack of respite and access for children from Carrigaline Community Special School to local children's disability network teams, CDNTs. I welcome the clarification the Minister of State for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Rabbitte, gave a number of weeks ago where she confirmed Mr. Bernard Gloster had agreed to the reinstatement of the CDNTs into Cork special schools. The issue of th…