I thank the Deputy. I am concerned about the impending increase in private health insurance. It is obviously a big issue for people who are hit with these increases. In terms of what can be done with insurance companies, I will obviously speak to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, in respect of the Department of Health and what can be done in respect of that in terms of her position as Minister for Health. I am also conscious that the Government has previously engaged with insurance companies and has informed them that we do not want to them to increase their premiums in circumstances where that is having a very negative impact on the consumer. I will engage with my colleagues in respect of the issue. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and other statutory authorities under the provisions of the Department of Health also have a say in respect of that matter.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I thank the Deputy for raising that matter. It is opportune that she has done so, because on Monday morning, I met with the chair and chief executive of Cuan. There was an event in the Department in respect of a launch by Cuan and I had an opportunity to meet with the chair and chief executive in advance. They informed me of issues in respect of the funding of Cuan itself and other issues in the sector too. Obviously, Cuan has been extremely well funded since it was set up by my predecessor last year. A lot of funding has gone into it. I obviously want to prioritise the continuance of the protection of women from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and I recognise that to do that these services and agencies in the community have to be funded. I will seek to continue to engage with Cuan in respect of this issue. I am not fully aware if funds have not been released by Cuan. If it has the funds, I have no doubt it will release them. I will, obviously, engage with Cuan in respect of this matter.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I thank the Deputy for her question. I cannot give her information in respect of the student contribution fees at present. However, an awful lot has been done in respect of facilitating students to gain access to third level and to get financial support. I know the threshold for SUSI grants has now increased to €115,000 per family. I note what the Deputy said about what is in the Social Democrats pre-budget submission. Obviously, issues in respect of the contribution fees will be considered in the context of the budget. I am not going to say, and nor do I know, whether there will be any announcement in the budget next week in respect of it. Certainly, though, significant measures have been put in place by the Government to try to facilitate persons at third level.
Sentiment score: 0.43
As I said to Deputy Catherine Connolly, I am extremely concerned about people going on hunger strike. It has a really detrimental impact on their health. I urge them to come off their hunger strike. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in respect of this matter. She met people before and I have no doubt that she will again. Her officials have engaged with them again. It is not, though, an appropriate way to try to get a meeting to put huge emotional pressure on a Minister by saying, "We are going on hunger strike". I urge the people to use more reasonable approaches to get the meeting they are seeking.
Sentiment score: -0.06
I thank the Deputy for the question. The British Government announced just last week that it is considering the introduction of a UK digital ID card. In fairness to the British Government, it notified my Department in advance. We were aware just a day or so in advance of the announcement that was to be made. There is still a long way to go in respect of this scheme. Obviously, there has to be the production of White Papers, the preparation of legislation and a debate in the House of Commons. In my assessment, the introduction of a UK digital ID card is a long way off. The Deputy may be right in terms of it having an impact on Ireland. However, I cannot go out there and just establish an Irish Sea border. That ignores the reality of the fact that there are two jurisdictions on this island. I assure the Deputy, though, that there will be engagement with the UK Government.
Sentiment score: 0.11
I thank Deputy Neville for raising that interesting point. It is clearly the case that there has been a decline in the number of companies listed in the number of companies listed on the Irish Stock Exchange since the end of the last century. The Deputy gave the statistics there. We cannot stop companies from making a decision that they no longer wish to be listed in Dublin if they have a preference to be listed on the larger stock exchanges, such as in London or New York. The Deputy raised a number of issues that could improvement the attractiveness of the Irish Stock Exchange. I will bring them to the attention of our colleague the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, who would have responsibility in this area, and I will see whether he would give any consideration to them.
Sentiment score: 0.37
I thank Deputy Kerrane. Part of my function, in ensuring that we have adequate protection for women who are subject to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, is to ensure that there are adequate safe homes and refuges through the country. The Deputy will be aware of the progress of that by the Government. I will have a look in respect of Roscommon. I have to be careful. I do not want it to appear that there is an absolute necessity for a refuge in every county. It may be the case that there will be a refuge in every county, but it is important that we look to see where the services are needed and ensure that they are provided adequately close to the people. I am conscious that the women of Roscommon will want to see one close enough to their county, if not in it.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I thank Deputy Smith. I agree it is essential that children get orthodontic care in a timely manner. There can be very upsetting consequences if they do not. I am aware the Minister for Health knows there currently are delays in accessing this service nationally, and the HSE has put in place a number of measures to address waiting times. There has been significant investment, as the Deputy will be aware, but I am conscious his concern is specifically focused on the orthodontic services in Cavan-Monaghan. I am informed that patients in Cavan-Monaghan are seen in the orthodontic clinic in Dundalk, which is currently experiencing staffing challenges. There is no orthodontist in post at present, as the Deputy well knows. The HSE has sanction to fill the post and is actively pursuing both temporary and permanent recruitment options, but I will raise with the Minister for Health the issues the Deputy highlighted here about Cavan-Monaghan orthodontic care.
Sentiment score: 0.24
I thank the Deputy. I am sorry I do not have a specific answer for him. I do not have the detail on the incidence of turbines in east Galway as opposed to other parts of the country. I will speak to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, in respect of it and will highlight the issue the Deputy has identified. We also need to recognise that we are trying to ensure that we have renewable energy in the country. If we are serious about renewable energy, we will have to see wind turbines not only on land but certainly offshore as well. I am conscious of the fact that very significant amounts of our energy is now fuelled by renewable energy, such as wind. I will speak to the Minister about the issues the Deputy has raised and hope he will come back to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.42
In fact, Deputy Ward raised this issue with me last week. I answered him by stating that it is on the priority list for publication. It is important legislation from the Government’s point of view. It is being worked upon. I am informed by the Chief Whip that it is not as simple as may be presented. I will certainly speak to the Minister, Deputy Browne, in respect of it. He appreciates the urgency of it. Since it is on the priority list for publication, I think it should be forthcoming promptly.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I am aware of that roundabout. I was unaware, however, that it was being replaced with traffic lights. I do not have strong views on the preference for roundabouts or traffic lights, or which are preferable, but I suspect there are engineers in the local authority who have views on it. There must be some reason that they are seeking to replace the roundabout with traffic lights. I will raise the issue the Deputy has mentioned with the Minister for Transport but I cannot guarantee that he is going to start sticking his nose into a row about whether we need a roundabout or traffic lights.
Sentiment score: -0.19
In fairness to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, my understanding is that she got the report last Thursday and it was published yesterday. It is a 1,200-page report. As the Deputy said, it sets out three options. I would have thought consideration needs to be given to the report before any decision is made in respect of the options. I am conscious that the Deputy has a particular view as to which option should be pursued. I will pass that on to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. Ultimately, it is a big decision that needs careful consideration. I have no doubt she will give it that consideration.
Sentiment score: 0.01
I will speak to the Minister, Deputy Burke, about it because I do not have the level of detail that is required to give Deputy Currie a full answer. I note the issue is about the trading online voucher and the Grow Digital voucher. I will ask him to come back to the Deputy with an update in respect of that. I am conscious that online trading capacity is essential for SMEs in Ireland.
Sentiment score: 0.12
Deputy O’Dea deserves to be commended on the meeting that he and Deputy Cathal Crowe had with the then Minister, Mr. Donnelly, which resulted in there being a report. Obviously, Deputy O'Dea has read the report in detail. As I said previously, it is the case that the Minister only got the report last week and she published it yesterday. It is a detailed report. Notwithstanding the detail, Deputy O'Dea seems to believe there is a very succinct option that should be pursued. I have no doubt he will communicate that to the Minister. I will also send on to the Minister his views and, hopefully, a decision will be made promptly.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I agree with the Deputy that it is a worrying trend to see a growth in the incidence of TB. We thought in Ireland that we had eradicated TB, which, of course, had such an extraordinary social and health impact on people in Ireland prior to the 1950s or 1960s. I hear what the Deputy says in respect of the increase in numbers and I will speak to the Minister for Health about it. Obviously, we need to ensure adequate funding is provided to respond to TB because if we allow it to spread, it will not only have catastrophic consequences for individuals but will also cost the State more money in the long run.
Sentiment score: 0.40
I also extend my condolences to the wider O'Connor family on the appalling tragedy that occurred. Obviously, an ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution has commenced. I can assure the Deputy that in an incident like this, a family liaison officer will be engaging with the close relatives of the O'Connors. It is a very difficult issue for An Garda Síochána and a traumatic event for the people of Louth. It is important that in the House we extend our condolences to all concerned.
Sentiment score: -0.23
I thank the Deputy for his question. It is opportune that he mentions this because this morning I had a meeting with American Chamber of Commerce Ireland where we discussed issues with the granting of work permits and subsequently visas. I agree it would be preferable if there was a single entry point where people could apply. When it comes to visas being issued by the Department of justice, it is a more complex process. Work and enquiries that need to be made in many instances take longer than the granting of the work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I hear what the Deputy is saying. Digitalisation will happen and the process will become more efficient.
Sentiment score: 0.38