Micheál Martin

We need to find a solution because in other parts of the health service we would love if people would stay on after training, qualifying and working. We have made huge progress on the nursing front in that regard. I will talk to the Minister for Health and get the background to this.

I hear the frustration in the Deputy's voice and I share it. The funding has been increased. I recall the council saying that it needed more to reduce the council contribution. That has happened and it is still holding out. It is not good enough. I will meet with the county executive; I have to schedule it. We would like to meet the Galway County Council chief executive and the Galway City Council…

There has to be a developmental will, a will to do things, take risks and go for it. Too many are taking soft options here and are overly dependent on the Government for everything. It is not good enough.

First of all, I did not hear that programme this morning and offer my sincere sympathies to the Deputy's niece and the wider family. I will have to check the background to this but would the consultants not have been obliged under the law to sign? I do not have the full background.

That was a fairly fundamental part of the referendum, if we are honest, a number of years ago and then the legislation that followed. That would need consideration. The best thing I can do is to replay the programme, listen to the Deputy's niece and hear the circumstances.

The decision on the Rotunda Hospital was taken less than two weeks ago. The Minister will be making a clear statement on behalf of the Government on the issue. We had a good discussion yesterday at the Cabinet subcommittee on health. A very clear statement will be issued by the Minister. Consultations are obviously under way, which is to be expected to ensure that any statement issued has substanc…

Without commenting on specific cases, the State has been asked to intervene left, right and centre, and everywhere. There is a problem there in terms of sustainability. When estates are developed, there have to be bonds and people have responsibilities. There are different cases, and I accept all of that, but there is an issue for us as a State. People have obligations when they enter these contra…

-----where that was never the original reason for the allocation of a grant. The money was given to something else.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 19, inclusive, together. The delivery and monitoring committee, which I chair, oversees implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This strategy, published last September, is the Government's plan to advance the realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities so that disabled peo…

I thank all the Deputies who contributed on this matter. First, Deputy Ó Murchú outlined how he has met representatives from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland on the need for injury case managers-----

-----and two community-based specialists for the centre. I am familiar with the organisation. I will speak to the Minister and the Minister of State to see what the background to this is. I think it has been a very effective organisation and an advocate for people with acquired brain injuries. I am supportive of this but obviously I will have to talk to the Minister and the Minister of State and s…

In response to Deputy Paul Murphy, again, the budget has put in place substantial provision, particularly in terms of our child support payments - record increases in child support payments. In terms of the domiciliary care allowance, there was a substantial increase of €20 again, which was on top of last year's €20 increase. Combined with the working family payment, increases in entitlements and …

Sorry, the Deputy is talking about interpreters - point taken. In response to Deputy McGreehan, the disability committee is very outcome focused. From the get-go, we worked through the school-based therapy scheme. That is now up and running. The recruitment has started. The money was allocated. We are close to finalisation on a vehicle adaptation scheme under the Department of Transport, in combi…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 32, inclusive, together. Ireland's well-being framework is a cross-government initiative to measure progress and policy impact in Ireland in a more holistic way. The framework consists of 35 indicators grouped under 11 dimensions which reflect different aspects of well-being. It is supported by a dashboard hosted by the Central Statistics Office which brings…

Deputy O'Sullivan might make it.

I think swimming should be obligatory and mandatory for everyone in this House. It would take a lot of tension out of the House. It would be very therapeutic for all the Members. Táim an-sásta an-chuid oibre a dhéanamh chun níos mó tacaíocht a thabhairt do na daoine atá ag snámh sa tír seo.

Táim an-bháúil le daoine a bhíonn ag snámh san fharraige go háirithe. Níl an t-am agam é a dhéanamh mé féin i rith an gheimhridh ach, le cúnamh Dé, beidh níos mó seansanna agam chun snámh san fharraige i rith an tsamhraidh. In respect of sexual assault, Deputy Coppinger is not here, but I need the background of the case. I think the assertion was that in UCD, a student lost their place in medicin…

We are not positively disposed to positivity - I will put it that way - which is fine. I can understand that, too, to a point. We must always strive for better and do things better in some areas. Deputy O'Rourke raised the issue of special classes. We spoke earlier on that. The Minister will be coming back to us in respect of that. There will be further discussions at Government level. I have an…

Paramedics, yes. I would say to Deputy Murphy that war is a terrible thing. I have no interest in war. I would prefer if all issues could be resolved diplomatically through peaceful means. I am satisfied that Ireland's approach to world affairs is one of peace and trying to help other people, generosity and particularly helping those who are furthest behind, which has always been the hallmark of …

All those renters in existing tenancies will have their rents increased by 2%, not 25%. Existing tenancies will not be impacted negatively as a result of the changes. The changes arose out of an analysis undertaken by the Housing Finance Agency. Why did it do an analysis? It did an analysis because the Housing Commission said we needed to create certainty, clarity and stability in the rental marke…

The Deputy's party has had a fair degree of engagement with the property industry over the past while. Deputy Ó Broin has been very active in meeting with IBEC, on behalf of Property Industry Ireland, with Hines real estate Ireland, the Construction Industry Federation, Glenveagh Homes, Vulcan Consulting and so on, and Property Industry Ireland.

It is interesting. What were the matters discussed in his meeting with IBEC on behalf of the property industry? They were the introduction of incentives for investors to capitalise apartment construction-----

-----to extend the existing permissions, to legislate to prevent issues and, of course, promising the sun. It is like the meeting with Davy Stockbrokers a year or two ago. Supply is the key. I am sure the Deputy would agree that supply is the key.

I did not interrupt Sinn Féin's leader. I just want to make the point that supply-----

I am answering the question.