I was talking about the elective hospital.

It was said last year that it would be open next year.

There were commitments given by this Government.

When will it be open?

When will it be open?

There are 166,000 vacant homes in the State. The Government’s plan to tackle this is to bring in a levy of 0.3%. It looks like a joke, but it is so serious that it would be wrong to do so. The Minister has completely failed to tackle vacancy. Once again, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and now their partners, the Green Party, cosy up to the vulture funds, the land hoarders and the people who are sitting on homes where people should be living. In France, for instance, a phased vacant homes tax was introduced, starting at 10%…

Glanmire needs protection and the money must be delivered.

Sinn Féin has been proposing this legislation since 2019. We welcome that the Government is finally moving on it. It is long past time for white-collar crime to be dealt with by the law and treated as what it is. It is not a victimless crime. Those who suffered during the financial crash will say that. I am still dealing with families who were affected by that financial crash. There was news today that the Central Bank will increase mortgage-to-income ratios and reduce the deposits required for second-time buyers, …

He has not.

It is good to see the increase in funding, and I welcome it. Post Covid in particular, we need to rebuild the tourism sector. I am sure many Deputies are aware of the torrential rain on Sunday night in Cork city and the flooding that affected areas such as Hollyhill, Blackpool, Ballyphehane, Glanmire and other areas across the city. The flooding had a devastating impact on businesses and homes in the area. It is really difficult to attract tourism to areas that do not have the shops and facilities to go with it. Bu…

I could take that slot as well.

This is about choices; it is as simple as that. When this country hit a financial crisis, the Government parties bailed out the banks and did not give a damn about the cost. This winter, the Government could choose whether to bail out ordinary working families and pensioners - the people who are trying to get through the winter. The choice was with the Government, and it decided not to support ordinary people. The fundamental difference between this Government and Sinn Féin is that we do what we say. We support ord…

This question is to ask the Minister what actions he is taking to increase the foster care allowance since it has not been increased in 13 years.

I welcome the Minister's announcement that a once-off payment will be made to foster carers before the end of the year. This is welcome. It is not, however, an answer to the question I asked regarding foster carers not receiving a pay increase in 13 years. Foster carers do some of the most important yet toughest work in their own homes, day in and day out. They do not sign off at the end of the day. They take on and support children who are in the most vulnerable state. Foster carers work tirelessly to build them b…

I hear what the Minister is saying. He spoke on Newstalk recently and said that he wished he had offered foster carers an increase in the budget. Now, though, the Minister seemed to be going back on that statement. We are seeking a commitment from him for an increase in the allowance paid to foster carers. There has been a great deal of talk from Ministers after the fact saying this is something the Government should have done, and it is something the Government should have done. There is a cost-of-living crisis. I…

But after a year, in layman's terms, that is too long.

But not to wait until next year.

I congratulate the Ireland women's soccer team on its fabulous victory last night and on qualifying for the World Cup. I particularly congratulate Denise O'Sullivan from Knocknaheeny in my community. The whole country is very proud of all of them. This is a vital motion and I thank the Labour Party for bringing it forward. What I do not want is for the Government to support it and then send it off to motion heaven where nothing will happen. The buck stops with the Minister and Government to finally look after these…

I move: That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Derelict Sites Act 1990 and to provide for related matters. I have spent much time over the past 13 years as a public representative, particularly the past two years as a Deputy, raising the issue of dereliction. I have walked around the dereliction in Cork, met with local authorities, raised it in this Chamber and questioned witnesses at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. So often I have heard the …

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."