Will the Minister of State consider increasing the grant ceiling?

I thank the Minister of State for his response. In fairness, the Minister of State is speaking plain language. We appreciate the direct responses as well. It is disappointing to see that Cork city has only had four successful approvals but as I said, the scheme-----

I apologise, applications. However, the scheme is in its early days. Hopefully, that will improve. Can the Minister of State give us a county-by-county breakdown of the figures he has at a later date? I do not expect the Minister of State to have them to hand. I refer to applications and the number of them that have been successfully approved. To follow-on from Deputy Stanton's question on vacant home officers, if he has the figures can the Minister of State clarify whether they all have been employed at this stage…

I want to ask again about the issue of private wire and direct line renewables. I asked the question of the Minister before Christmas when it was said that the policy view of his Department would be established by the year's end. I understand this report was initially meant to be reviewed in quarter 1 of 2022. It was delayed due to Covid-19 and that is understandable, but where are we in regard to private wire and direct line renewables? Given the energy restrictions we face into the future, it is imperative we est…

Through the Chair.

Deputy O’Rourke is to address the House through the Chair.

We are not having a debate here.

Will the Ministers please let us try to proceed?

The Minister will have time at the end to wind up.

Through the Chair please. The Minister has the floor.

Can we have the Minister please without any interruption?

Let the Minister finish. This is not a question-and-answer session. Some of the Deputies had six minutes, to be fair.

Please. The Minister has the floor.

Could we please go through the Chair?

I have come across a number of Pepper Finance mortgage holders in a very difficult predicament. Some are in performing mortgages and have never been in arrears. Others are in split mortgage arrangements but have no arrears. Some, unfortunately, had difficulty in the past but have restructured and got back on track. I know the Minister is limited in what he can do but with the likes of Pepper Finance passing on every ECB rate and more, customers now face a variable rate of 6.3%. For many, this will undo progress mad…

I have raised the issue of orphan drugs and rare diseases with the Tánaiste before. It is fitting that I raise again this week, given the announcement in relation to Kaftrio this week and the disappointment that that has caused for that cohort of patients. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, has previously given me a commitment that he will publish the Mazars report into the reimbursement process and that is welcome. While I welcome that, there is so much more we can do, including risk sharing and conditional…

I welcome the Minister of State. I appreciate him turning up to take this matter. A week ago, the people of Blarney and the surrounding area woke up to the news that their local GP is to resign at the end of this year. At a time when we know how difficult it is to get access to a GP, this has sent a shock through the community. This decision affects 1,600 patients, 600 of whom are public and 1,000 private, between medical cardholders and private patients. On hearing the news, I wrote to and contacted the HSE, as di…

I appreciate the response. I have much of that detail already from the HSE locally through community healthcare organisation, CHO, 4. The real reason I am here is that many elderly people are fairly distressed and fearful of losing their service. I am glad to hear the Minister of State assure the House that the HSE has taken interim steps. I am aware that a GP has been located locally to step in and fill the breach until such time as a new GP is appointed. All that is welcome but, unfortunately, that is not what is…

I wish to raise the issue of the resignation of a GP in Blarney with the Taoiseach, which Deputy Gould brought up with him earlier. I raised this issue this morning with the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, as a Topical Issue matter. My constituency colleagues and I have all been written to and told that an interim arrangement for cover has been provided for public patients. I know this and Deputy Gould knows this but he continues to politicise this issue. That is wrong and I need to call it out for what it is. M…

I ask the Minister the number of Permanent Defence Forces personnel inducted and discharged by rank to date in 2022.