I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together. Ireland’s well-being framework is a programme for Government initiative to measure progress and policy impact in Ireland in a more holistic way. The framework was launched in 2021. We are now focused on embedding this approach into the Irish policymaking system. The framework consists of 11 dimensions which are made up of different aspects of well-being. It is supported by a dashboard, hosted by the CSO, comprising a representative set of 35 indicators …

There were a variety of issues and I thank the Deputies. I would be pleased to meet Deputy Ó Cathasaigh on his legislation and to discuss the 11th dimension that he believes is needed in the context of the dashboard around the culture and language. I agree that the purpose here is, to use the Deputy's words, "to stitch" the well-being framework to our budgetary process. I would be happy to meet him on his legislation and very happy to have that discussion about how we monitor, who is the watchdog, etc. My office wi…

This is a local authority. I take the point. That should be taken into consideration before people are housed. I would have thought that it was, although that is not to comment on the specifics of this case. As I travel throughout the country, I visit many towns that are becoming autism-friendly towns. I am delighted to hear about Ballina and Castlebar from Deputy Conway-Walsh. The Government has a role to play there, as do local authorities. It is important for everybody that these autism plans are implemented. If…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 24, inclusive, together. Transport-related issues can arise in a number of different Cabinet committees, given their relevance to multiple policy areas. Climate action is one and economic growth is another, as is the provision of housing, regional development and the like. For example, the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change considers environmental and climate change dimensions of transport, as well as the implementation of transport-related policies and me…

That is very good.

I am new to Taoiseach's questions but we have come a long way from asking when the Cabinet committee will next meet. We will do our best. I thank colleagues for raising a variety of very important issues. I will take a moment on the very important issue Deputy Kenny raised about data sharing between the RSA and the local authorities and when that issue will be resolved. The RSA is working closely with key organisations to resolve the data protection issue and to establish a firm legal basis for the resumption of co…

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. She likes to talk about our party's time in government. When my party came into government in 2011, fewer than 7,000 homes were built that year. Despite a global pandemic and a construction sector having to be shut down on many occasions, more than 32,000 homes were constructed last year alone. Later this year we will be in a position to revise housing targets upwards for the years ahead. We live in a country where 500 individuals or couples buy their first home every we…

And your rhetoric certainly will not solve it either. Proposing to abolish all of the schemes that we put in place that help people to move out of the box room and into their own homes certainly will not make progress either. I have answered the question very clearly in relation to long-term leasing and the Government's plan to end that by 31 December 2025. That is the Government position, it was the Government position and it remains the Government position. Far from the Ireland that Deputy McDonald paints, here i…

I thank Deputy Cairns for also raising this matter. First, context is important. While I have already outlined the Government's intention to end the use of long-term leasing by the end of 2025, I want anybody watching in at home to be aware that this is a very small part of our overall housing provision and a very small part of our social housing provision. If the Deputy will allow me a moment, last year we saw the highest annual output of social homes in decades. It is a statement of fact to say that we saw the hi…

It might be funny to laugh and joke over there-----

I would appreciate that because I doubt Deputy Cairns needs the assistance of Deputies. It might be funny to laugh and titter over there about this but there are real people living in these homes. There are real people with roofs over their heads and they are additional housing solutions that this Government has invested taxpayers' money in providing. When it comes to housing, we take a pragmatic view, unlike some Deputies who rule this and that out. We will use every tool at our disposal to maximise the availabili…

It is not, and I do not really know what tut-tutting does.

I respect the Deputy but I ask her to please not misrepresent my position at all. I never, ever said anywhere that there would be 50,000 homes built this year. Let us not try to create a rift where one does not exist. What I said very clearly is that this country needs to build 250,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030. It does, by the way. The Construction Industry Federation, which has many members involved in building the houses, believes that is eminently doable. I have told the House this afternoon that we have …

That figure is not correct.

I always find it slightly amusing that when the Government says something, it must be about the local and European elections, but when the Opposition does something, it has nothing at all to do with them. I am sure Deputy Bríd Smith is hoping to get a few votes herself in the election, and I wish her well. The Government had an important discussion today on a series of proposals for 15 actions around small and medium enterprises. Deputy Smith is correct that they are really feeling the pinch. She knows that from he…

That is true; I have not met her on them yet anyway.

That is either an unintentional or deliberate misunderstanding of the Government's increased cost of business scheme, which is targeted. I am sure Opposition Deputies have often got queries into their constituency offices as to why someone over a certain threshold does not qualify. There are very clear thresholds showing that this is being targeted, as Deputy Smith knows. If any Member of Dáil Éireann does not believe we should pay another additional sum of the increased cost of business grants to retail or hospita…

That is what you wish we would do. That is what you would thrive on us doing. That is what you would like to tell people we do.

Every time I speak it is something. Every time you speak it is authoritative and every time I speak you try to degrade it.

That is because you know everything and fair play to you. I will tell you this. We cut taxes. We cut childcare costs. We increased the minimum wage. We introduced statutory sick pay. We support remote working. We are building more homes. We have the backs of workers in this country. We do not need any lectures from you on it.