Thomas Gould

That is-----

How much will rents go up?

If not by 25%, then by how much?

Deputy Doherty asked the Tánaiste a question.

The Government talks an awful lot about how the Opposition does not bring forward solutions. We are sick and tired of bringing forward solutions. The Minister of State spoke about working together. We want to work together. We want to end long-term homelessness and get children out of emergency accommodation and into a safe, sustainable home with a roof over their head somewhere they can build a l…

For six years, SouthDoc, which provides the out-of-hours service in Cork, has done everything to remove its offices from the northside. In 2021, following a very strong public campaign, we got SouthDoc on the northside reopened. However, in the past number of years, services have been reduced. In January, a miracle happened. SouthDoc in Blackpool reopened. The reason was that the tender is due at …

I listened to the Minister's comments yesterday. I cannot express how angry and frustrated SNAs, principals, teachers, parents and SENOs are. What the Government, including the Taoiseach, is trying to do is gaslight schools, parents and SNAs. The Government's policy is to blame everyone else. The buck stops here. I was in the Chamber two weeks ago when this matter was highlighted for the Taoiseach…

No, it does not.

Fine Gael objected on Cork City Council. I refer to a former Lord Mayor, Des Cahill. Go away and check it out. Deputies are coming in here making statements around councillors, but its Lord Mayor did the same in Cork.

People in glass houses.

There is an active travel proposal for Knockfree and Knockpogue avenues, Farranree, in my constituency. The residents support the majority of the elements, including safety measures, the removal of roundabouts and the renewal of roads and footpaths, but they object to certain elements. At the moment they are protesting and have stopped the work. The Taoiseach himself said there needs to be more di…

What I will do is send the Tánaiste an email that he can forward on.

For families remote working can be life exchanging and it has been life changing for many. It has meant they are able to juggle the responsibilities of work and family life. We know that women are often excluded from the workplace because of these issues. Allowing people to work from home is not allowing them to take it handy or to doss but what it means is they are able to have work-life balance …

They have no choice in the matter.

I was contacted by a lady this week. Her relationship broke down and she lost her job. She said: "I’m left there working 2 jobs while taking care of my 4yo full time and will have to resort to homelessness if I don’t get help." She does not get any tax breaks, yet the vulture funds, based abroad, come in here and buy up second-hand homes. They then go to rent a home back to this woman at huge rent…

Like other Deputies, I have seen the same situation in my constituency. Bweeng National School in County Cork is losing two SNAs. Those are vital posts. The Minister of State made a statement about all the things the Government is doing. On the ground, these reviews are leading to cuts. A number of schools in Cork city and county are losing SNAs. The Minister of State referred to the progress tha…

Students from Cork North-Central are attending there because the school has two special classes. I am just letting the Minister of State know that.

This goes back to the Minister of State's point about planning. We welcome extra resources, special classes and special schools. I spoke to a principal yesterday. St. Killian's School wants to build an additional school as it is full to capacity and there is a need for extra places. I know of a child in Cork and we are in February now but he has no school place. How can a child have no school plac…

The truth.

The Taoiseach is a Cork man like myself. He knows The Glen area well. He should remember that back in 2013 the people of The Glen objected and were against the building of a new prison in The Glen. They were given commitments at that time that the old prison would not be used as another prison and that it would be used for education, the community and historical purposes because Thomas Kent was ex…

When?

No, I was at a meeting last Friday with the chief executive. That is not true.

The planning has not even gone in for the road for the new hospital.

What about the prison in The Glen?

I asked a question and it was never answered.