Micheál Martin

First of all, the differences in our policy platforms on housing are clear. Sinn Féin would do away with supports for first-time buyers.

We are going to double down and continue our supports for first-time buyers in particular.

In the first weeks of this Government we have substantially increased allocations for social, affordable and cost rental by an additional €450 million.

Now the big issue facing the country is outturn.

We are not misleading anybody, Deputy.

Is this going to be a constant-----

Deputy Ó Broin, I have heard your leader speak, through the Chair-----

This is a constant behavioural tactic of Sinn Féin to prevent the Government side of the House from at least presenting its position.

The main point I was going to make is there are a number of options facing us. We have to get the private sector involved much more, as we know from all the lobbyists Deputy Ó Broin met. I also take the point that was made earlier-----

-----in respect of public expenditure.

We need to increase public expenditure-----

-----on housing.

We have to try to do both.

Whether it is a tax-----

This is not satisfactory, a Cheann Comhairle.

It is not satisfactory.

Admhaím go bhfuil brú ar na seirbhísí éigeandála, go háirithe ar na hospidéil. Bhí sé sin le feiscint ar Lá Fhéile Bríde agus an deireadh seachtaine sin. Níl sé sásúil agus tá sé sin ráite ag an Aire Sláinte. I acknowledge first of all the very significant challenges facing emergency departments, especially over St. Brigid's weekend, the pressure on people and the distress that causes to people wa…

There have been some successes on that front.

Some hospitals, like Waterford, Tullamore and Connolly, for example, had zero or low trolley numbers as well. There is therefore a management issue as well as one of resources.

We need an increase in resources and we have been recruiting extensively. Funding has been allocated for further recruitment of staff this year, especially medical staff, nurses and allied healthcare professionals. These are issues we need to discuss and engage on with hospital management and representative bodies. It is not just about increases and increases on their own. We have to analyse deplo…

First of all, there is ongoing recruitment. There are now 25,000 more people working in the health service since 2020. That includes nurses and consultants. The number of consultants employed in our health service has gone up 42%. We are continuing to recruit, there is ongoing recruitment and funding was put into the Estimates for additional numbers in 2025. However, the attendances are also going…

-----and elective facilities such as surgical hubs and elective hospitals.

Deputy O'Callaghan is correct insofar as I identified the provision of a schools-based multidisciplinary therapy service, particularly in special schools, as a core priority and red-line issue of mine. We are pursuing it. I have already had meetings with my officials and we will be convening a meeting with all relevant Ministers and agencies in respect of delivering on that. There were attempts at…

We are not prepared to allow the current situation to continue. All focus will be on improving access to therapies, for children in particular, and turning around the entire approach from the earliest days of a child coming out of paediatric services. There is not a sufficient link between coming out of paediatric services and follow-on services. In some cases, however, the needs of children will …

Ar dtús báire, tá mé buíoch den Teachta as ucht an cheist seo a ardú. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil a fhios ag cách ach tá leabhar foilsithe ag Mark Henry a bhaineann le stair na tíre ó 1922 go dtí 2020 agus an méid dul chun cinn atá le feiscint in áiteanna éagsúla. Is é ceann de na figiúirí a léiríonn sé ná go bhfuil i bhfad níos mó daoine sa lá atá inniu ann ag labhairt agus ag foghlaim na Gaeilge, agus…