Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith linn ar maidin chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. The Galway transport strategy was launched with great expectation in 2016. It was heralded to develop an integrated transport system where infrastructural development and improved services would be integrated, giving commuters a greater option rather than simply relying on the car all the time. Regrettably, very few of the projects mentioned in this strategy have been completed. There have been some, such as a new pedestrian bridge across the River Corrib at Salmon Weir, while a small number of cycle routes and stage 1 and stage 2 of the Galway cycle network have been progressed and Ceannt station is under development. Some of the projects are going through the planning process at the moment. The N6 project, the Galway city ring road, is going through the planning process, as is the Dublin road bus corridor. Some have been granted planning but unfortunately have not progressed due to judicial reviews, most notably the cross-city link. In general, Galway citizens will say the strategy has had minimal impact. That is borne out by study after study on the impact of traffic on Galway. The most recent, a Department of Transport study, reckoned the cost of congestion to Galway city will reach €107 million in 2030, far more than other regional cities. Other aspects of the strategy included a park-and-ride strategy, which unfortunately has not progressed, and an enhanced new bus network, the implementation of which has regrettably been deferred to 2027. Part of the city with the poorest public transport provision is the Knocknacarragh area. It is a heavily populated area. Many parts of it have no direct public transport option for the people living there. The Western Distributor Road runs right through the Knocknacarragh area into Rahoon. It is a spinal route with about 15,000 people living in spurs off the Western Distributor Road. Of that new proposed bus network that I mentioned earlier, seven of the ten proposed new routes are expected to traverse the Western Distributor Road at some point. We are also led to believe by the National Transport Authority, NTA, that it is examining the development of a park-and-ride facility in Cappagh, which is right at the end of the Western Distributor Road. Currently, the progression of the park and ride and the new bus network will bring buses to an area where there is no bus priority, where those buses will simply join the traffic. I can see the option not being as amenable as it should be were there bus priority measures in place. The Galway transport strategy in 2016 foresaw that the Western Distributor Road would evolve into a dedicated public transport spine including bus priority lanes and a core cycling corridor. In 2020, the NTA provided some funding to Galway City Council to advance a project for the development of bus lanes along as the Western Distributor Road. However, that did not amount to much. Last year, the NTA and Galway City Council proposed the development of segregated cycle lanes along the Western Distributor Road. I was on the council at the time and that was much welcomed. Part of my contribution at that time on the council was to urge the local authority officials to combine the development of the cycle lanes with enhanced bus infrastructure on the Western Distributor Road as this would give people a lead to the 2016 ambition for the road to develop into a public transport spine. Unfortunately, when the Part 8 for the cycle lanes was published, there was no reference to enhanced bus infrastructure on the road. This is a serious missed opportunity. I believe that we will now develop the cycle infrastructure, and as I said it is very welcome, but we will end up shortly going back and taking out that infrastructure again and hopefully putting in the bus lanes, whereas we should combine the projects now.

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this very important matter. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Transport. The Department of Transport has responsibility for the provision of funding and setting of policy in relation to transport issues, including active travel. The NTA has responsibility for the allocation of funding to projects at local authority level and works with local authorities to ensure delivery of same. I thank Deputy Connolly for his very insightful and in-depth diagnosis of the issues involved. The Deputy is right; congestion is choking up Galway. Recently, I was struck by the level of congestion as I approached Galway coming from the Cork side. As the Deputy knows, a significant increase in funding has been allocated by the Department of Transport to walking and cycling infrastructure projects in recent years, following a commitment of approximately €360 million per annum in the previous programme for Government across that Government’s lifetime. The NTA’s active travel programme receives most of this funding each year, with around €290 million allocated through that agency across all local authorities this year. Galway City Council has received a funding allocation of €8 million this year, of which €390,000 has been allocated to the Western Distributor Road active travel scheme. The Western Distributor Road cycle scheme is cognisant of the Galway bus network redesign implementation by providing new bus stops along the corridor. The new BusConnects network designed for Galway city envisages different levels of bus services running along the different sections of the Western Distributor Road. To the east of the Clybaun roundabout, a minimum of nine buses an hour will be operating on the road in each direction, namely, routes 3, 9A and 9B, and this increases to a minimum of 15 buses an hour operating on the road in each direction along the section from the retail park to the junction with Bishop O’Donnell Road, namely, routes 1, 9, 10B and 424. The level of service along these sections of the Western Distributor Road from the junction with Clybaun Road to the junction with Bishop O’Donnell Road warrant and require continuous bus priority to be provided. This will be delivered under a separate future BusConnects project. Hence, along these sections only minimal cycling and wheeling interventions are proposed at this stage. Along the section of the Western Distributor Road between Cappagh roundabout and Clybaun Road roundabout, the new BusConnects network envisages only a single route, route 9A, operating along this section. This route is planned to operate at a 20-minute frequency, representing three buses in each direction per hour. This frequency level does not warrant the same level of continuous bus priority as the eastern sections. Accordingly, as further development of bus lanes is not proposed along this section west of Clybaun roundabout, it is intended to proceed with the provision of a high standard of pedestrian, cycling and wheeling facilities along the section of the route between Cappagh roundabout and Clybaun Road roundabout. The NTA has advised that rapid-build measures, namely, the installation of bollards along existing cycle lanes, would be preferred for the three easternmost road links of the route, between Clybaun Road roundabout and Deane roundabout. This is to cater for the future redesign of the bus network along the route where bus lanes are to be added, where required, at a later date. Therefore, active travel improvements for these road links are measures that are less permanent in nature and will be easier and more cost effective to upgrade at a future date. Between the Cappagh roundabout and the Clybaun Road roundabout, the future redesigned BusConnects network does not include a frequency of bus service which warrants dedicated bus lanes. Accordingly, it is intended to proceed with the provision of a high standard of pedestrian, cycling and wheeling facilities along this section of the route. The design also entails the construction of safer segregated cycle, pedestrian and wheeling facilities at the Ballymoneen, Clybaun Road, Bóthar Stiofáin, An Logán Estate and Deane roundabouts. I will take back the concerns the Deputy expressed. I very much hear his frustration and those of the residents of Galway, because it is a city that needs to be freed up, whether that is by more active travel, more buses or a different road network. It is congested. I fully understand the frustration and thank Deputy Connolly for raising the matter this morning.

I had a concern prior to the Minister of State's answer and, in fairness, the answer has gone some way to explaining the decision. There seemed to be a lack of co-ordination in the NTA between the public transport section, which might be responsible for public transport infrastructural development, and the active travel section. That needs to be looked at in future projects. I recognise fully that the existing demand for bus priority measures would be east of the Clybaun Road but it is worth bearing in mind that the NTA is pursuing the development of a park-and-ride facility on the Cappagh Road. I expect people to choose that option in the future as their preferred mode of transport for entering the city and that that will mean an increase in bus frequency between Cappagh and Clybaun Road. Perhaps we will have to look at the development of priority bus lanes along that stretch of the road. I welcome that there seems to be a commitment for it at a future point - I hope that is not long-fingered and that it will happen in the immediate future - to develop priority bus lanes between Clybaun Road and Bishop O'Donnell Road. At the moment there is heavy use of buses in that area. The 405 is one of the busiest bus routes in the city, with a frequency of every 20 minutes, and part of the reason it is not used by more people is that when it departs it immediately enters traffic, especially at peak times. If we can progress the development of bus lanes from Bishop O'Donnell Road to Clybaun Road at the earliest opportunity, we will see more patrons use the service. One other thing that has to be borne in mind is that along the Western Distributor Road, at the retail centre, there is a proposal from the NTA for an interchange facility where bus routes will terminate and new services will begin. For that too, we need to make sure that these bus priority measures are in place to ensure the service works in a seamless manner.

I again thank Deputy John Connolly for his remarks and contribution. He is right that there is a need for co-ordination between all the different agencies and stakeholders to ensure we deliver for citizens and residents. I thank him for raising the matter, which is of huge importance to him, the people of Galway and the wider community. It has an impact on life and impinges on the quality of business and how people operate and on the quality of life. The Government is committed to active travel and putting in place a network under BusConnects to make it easier for people to get around and to meet our climate action and sustainability plan requirements. Galway City Council's Western Distributor Road scheme, which is at planning stage, has a primary aim of allowing residents of the Knocknacarra area of Galway city to utilise more sustainable transport modes, such as walking, cycling and wheeling, which would provide safer and more sustainable options for children and vulnerable users to travel to school, nearby shops and community facilities. The active travel project is envisioned to provide these safer, segregated wheeling and cycling facilities in the short term, targeting construction completion by 2026 or early 2027. I will take the points the Deputy made back to the Department and the NTA. He made valid points about the issue of the Western Distributor interchange as regards the retail park and about the use of bus lanes. It is about making sure people are able to commute and access different parts of Galway, rather than being stuck in gridlock. As I said - I am repeating myself - having experienced it at first hand a few weeks ago, I certainly have a better understanding this morning for having been there. I thank the Deputy for raising the matter and I will bring his concerns back to the Minister.

I am glad in a sense that the Minister of State is responding to this because he took a hands-on approach to another matter and he might have some influence here. I am standing here seven years after the Government introduced a wonderful policy. None of us had a problem with it. It was a policy to ensure the sustainability of fishing within the six-nautical mile zone by banning trawlers measuring more than 18 m. None of us had a problem with that. It was to be rolled out with a transition phase, which was practical and sensible, to give the bigger trawlers time to adjust to the new regime and move out over a period. Unfortunately, it has never become a reality. The problem is particularly acute given the biodiversity and climate emergency and it is equally important for sustainable jobs on the coast. What happened was that - the Minister of State can save me from repeating this if it is in his prepared contribution because it has been brought up many times - it was challenged by a number of boat owners. They were perfectly entitled to do that. It went to the High Court and the High Court found for them on one specific ground, namely, that the consultation was - this is my word - faulty. Nothing else. Indeed, the High Court set out that the Government is entitled to make policy and that the policy it had made was in keeping with Government objectives on sustainability and biodiversity. One tiny part was found not to be right and therefore the policy was held at naught. That was appealed by both sides to the Court of Appeal. I will fast-forward as that took a number of years. The Court of Appeal, interestingly, again held totally with the Government. It absolutely agreed that the Government was entitled to make the policy and that it was in keeping with all its aims and objectives, but on this occasion, it held on a narrow ground, not that the boat owners had not been consulted, but that Britain and the EU had not been consulted or put on notice that there would be this change. On that very narrow ground, it went back to scratch. It went back for consultation. On the first occasion, there were 900 submissions. On this occasion, I understand, there were more than 5,000 submissions. I have been at public meetings on this matter. I have been in Connemara at a public meeting on this matter and all I want is for the policy to be implemented. I ask Minister of State to spare me a little bit. On 20 May, I got an answer to a parliamentary question which states "I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that this matter is of the utmost importance" and assurances follow. Fast-forward two calendar months and I get another answer that is verbatim the same. There is not even an additional full stop or comma. Only the last line is different: "It is critical that all of the necessary procedural and legal steps are taken". The consultation process closed last year. It has been more than a year since the consultation process closed. Bear in mind that the High Court and the Court of Appeal found no problem with the Government's policy, none whatsoever, just with a tiny segment of the consultation. In fact, they said there was not even an obligation to consult, but that once the Government undertakes a consultation process, it must take all care to do so correctly. The Court of Appeal said England and the EU had to be consulted. I am not sure where the problem is. I know it is urgent and the Dáil will be on leave from next week. In September, we will be looking at big trawlers going in unsustainably, taking out the sprat in large quantities in an unsustainable way with quite a lot of it going to feed fish farms. This is a golden opportunity for a win-win for the Government on every level, but particularly for local fishermen. I will stay within my time.

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I was speaking to him this morning in advance of the debate. He sends his apologies. He has to attend a meeting with the UK fisheries minister this morning. He will be in direct contact with the Deputy in the coming days on the matter. I hope that provides some level of reassurance. I will deal with the answer now, but at the top, it was important to make that point. I stress that the Government is fully committed to maintaining support for our important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fish stocks, as outlined in our programme for Government. The Deputy has already covered much of this background, but she will appreciate that I want to read it into the record. In December 2018, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced that vessels measuring more than 18 m would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six-nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period for vessels of more than 18 m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six-nautical mile zone. Policy directive No. 1 of 2019 was issued by the Minister to the independent licensing authority for sea fishing boats to give effect to these measures. This decision to exclude vessels of more than 18 m from trawling inside the six nautical miles was the subject of extended legal proceedings further to a judicial review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the policy. Following the final judgment of the Court of Appeal in this matter in 2023, where the applicants succeeded on the narrowest of grounds, policy directive No. 1 of 2019 was quashed and no longer has legal effect. On the basis of legal advice received in respect of next steps, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine decided to proceed anew with a public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six-nautical mile zone and the baselines. The purpose of the consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any potential changes to policy within the scope of this review. Due to the lengthy legal proceedings, it had been more than five years since the original scientific and economic advice was compiled. Therefore, up-to-date scientific and economic advice was sought from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside six nautical miles and the baselines prior to public consultation. The consultation opened in February 2024 and took place over a period of eight weeks, closing in April 2024. The consultation took place without prejudice. The Minister is conscious of the dependence of our onshore fleet, compared with larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. The policy context has changed since 2018. The Minister encouraged all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on them when making any submissions. The volume of submissions received during the new 2024 consultation was considerable, as the Deputy has already alluded to. Some 5,500 submissions were received, which was more than six times greater than the submissions received during the 2018 consultation, further highlighting the increased public interest in the matter. These submissions will be used to inform a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. The sheer volume of detailed submissions takes time to collate and fully analyse. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made. Given the history of litigation in respect of this matter, it is critical that all of the necessary procedural and legal steps are taken before any final decision is made. I reiterate that the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, sends his apologies. He is in the UK to meet the fisheries minister. He would have liked to have taken this debate. He will make direct contact with the Deputy over the coming days.

I have no problem with missing Ministers of State. I understand how busy they are. Personal contact never impresses me although I am delighted when Ministers of State make personal contact. What impresses me more are answers on paper. Where are we with the analysis of the 5,500 consultations? I heard in the Minister of State's answer that "the policy context has changed since 2018" and that the people making submissions were made aware of that. I appreciate that is the case. The policy context has become even more serious in terms of our obligations with respect to climate change and biodiversity, and a sustainable way of living for people in our coastal areas. This ties in with seaweed and the wool industry. As a country, we are utterly failing to encourage small native industries. Here is a golden opportunity. I cannot accept the situation. The replies to the two questions I asked were exactly the same except for the last sentence. It is not the fault of the Minister of State, but there is absolutely no sense of urgency here. There is no sense that we have now lost seven years and fishing continues unsustainably. I want a breakdown. How many of the 5,500 submissions have been gone through? Are there enough staff to look at them? What is the breakdown in terms of supporting the policy and not supporting the policy? What are the vested interests? If anyone has an interest, that is okay but it needs to be dealt with quickly so we can put a policy in place. Is the Minister of State telling me that come September, I will be looking at the big trawlers in Galway Bay and elsewhere? When I visited Bantry, and I was also in Connemara, the point was made that people are now so upset that they want a complete ban, even within the six nautical mile area. That is what they have been driven to. What we need is a sustainable policy as quickly as we can.

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I already stated, I am taking it on the behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, who will be in direct contact with the Deputy in the coming days. He would like to have been here to take the debate in his capacity as the Minister of State with responsibility for this area but had a prior arrangement to meet the minister for fisheries in the UK. This Government is fully committed to maintaining support for the important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fishing stocks as outlined in the programme for Government. The review of trawling policy inside six nautical miles is ongoing. The 5,500 submissions received are being given due consideration. The updated scientific and economic analysis from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara will be factored into any decision. It takes time to get it right. I must stress that given the history of litigation in respect of the previous policy directive, it is vital that all necessary procedural and legal steps are taken before any final decision is made. I take this opportunity to emphasise that this matter is of the utmost importance to this Government. I assure the Deputy that my Department is doing everything to progress this as expeditiously as possible.

I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this matter. I raise an issue in respect of certain organisations across the country and particularly their staff and workers, who have not benefited from the pay agreements of recent years. They are former section 39 organisations. I acknowledge that many of the section 39 organisations have benefited but there is a cohort out there which, because of a complicated and complex funding model, have not been brought in under the pay agreements. The Minister of State will agree it is deeply unfair on the staff of those organisations that they have not benefited from the well-deserved pay increases that were awarded in 2023 and 2025. A number of organisations, perhaps fewer than ten, have still not been brought in under the pay agreement. I want to talk in particular about St. Luke's Home in my area of Mahon, Cork. There are other such organisations, including Cobh Community Hospital and Valentia hospital in Kerry, which Deputy Cahill has also been raising. St. Luke's Home is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation providing essential care to residents in Cork. It provides long-term care with a palliative approach and specialises in dementia. It has over 128 beds. It also provides short-term respite care and day services, as well as other services. It is a critical organisation and, as the Minister of State will appreciate, it has a waiting list because of the great service it provides. Unfortunately, its more than 200 staff members have not benefited from the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, agreements in respect of pay and conditions. That is a significant issue for the home. The board of directors has described it as an existential crisis. The home is potentially going to lose staff. The Minister of State will agree it is deeply unfair and inequitable for those staff members when they see colleagues in other organisations who have benefited from pay agreements when they have not. I welcome the opportunity to raise this Topical Issue. I say to the Minister of State that we can try to resolve the issue. I imagine it will be resolved at some point but it needs to be resolved as urgently as possible. I will refer to a clause in the agreement that should cater for organisations such as this. I will read it, if I may. Clause 4.1 states: In recognising that some of the organisations in scope of this present agreement also receive additional public funding by way of other grant arrangements, organisations should use this agreement as a framework to obtain equivalent increases in funding from the relevant Departments and/or statutory agencies as appropriate. It is understood that, save in exceptional and unforeseen circumstances, the required funding will be made available upon application by the organisation. In the case of St. Luke's Home in Cork, that has not happened. It is funded by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, and the HSE. I think it is because of the complicated structure that it has not been brought under the WRC agreement. The NTPF states it is a matter for the HSE. The HSE states it is a matter for the NTPF. These staff are getting the run around on this issue. I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet them recently to discuss the issue. I obviously undertook to raise the matter with the Minister. I tabled this question to the Minister for public expenditure because it is ultimately a matter for that Department, given that the WRC agreement came under it. The Minister of State will agree in respect of the staff of St. Luke's Home in Cork, who provide a critical service and are extremely dedicated and committed to their work, that it is only fair that they would benefit from the WRC agreement as it relates to pay increases. I ask the Minister of State to take up the matter with the relevant Departments to try to resolve the issue and bring those staff members under the WRC agreement as quickly as possible so the continuity of St. Luke's Home can be secured. This organisation celebrated 150 years in existence in 2022. It provides critical services in Cork. I want to support it in every way I can.

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Jack Chambers TD. The community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in delivering public services across Ireland. Various organisations in the community and voluntary sector are contracted to provide services on behalf of the State and are provided with funding for this purpose. These organisations are not public service bodies, nor are they employees of these organisation public servants. Accordingly, their terms and conditions, including remuneration, are a matter for the individual employers and employees as part of the employment relationship. The number of staff employed in the community and voluntary sector as a whole is difficult to determine but it is estimated to be up to 100,000. The level of State funding received by these organisations, and the extent to which it is supplemented by other sources, such as philanthropy or fundraising, varies significantly from one organisation to another. For many organisations in the sector, the majority of their funding ultimately comes from the State. They do great work. Generally, this funding is used to service payroll and other organisational costs. These organisations include section 39 bodies, which receive grant funding from the HSE through the Departments of Health, and Children, Disability and Equality to provide health and disability services under section 39 of the Health Act 2004. Section 56 bodies receive funding from Tusla, through the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, for child and family services under section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Section 10 bodies receive funding from local authorities for homeless accommodation and related services under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. In October 2023, unions representing workers employed by organisations grant funded in line with section 39 of the Health Act 2004, section 56 of the Children and Family Agency Act 2013 and section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 secured agreement at the WRC for an increase in funding for these organisations, which would allow them to provide for an 8% increase in pay to their employees. The last increase under this agreement was 3% paid on 1 March 2024. The agreement reached provided for further engagement that would have regard to building momentum and other public service pay agreements. This year, agreement was reached on 10 March at the WRC following talks led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the management side with unions representing sections 39, 56 and 10 workers. This agreement set out that funding would be made available to provide for an increase of 9.25% on a phased basis between 1 October 2024 and 1 October 2026. This agreement was accepted in a ballot of union members. The agreement addresses the funding required to move the pay of such workers in line with current and future public service pay agreements, while respecting the fact that such workers are not public service employees. The agreement provides for an increase in funding of 9.25% on a phased basis and runs to 31 October 2026. This is in line with the general round increases provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. The agreement provides that funding will be adjusted to allow for the application of equivalent general round pay adjustments as provided for in any successor agreement to the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. In addition, the adjustment will be in line with the phasing of any future public service pay agreements. The agreement reached was accepted by union members in these organisations. It also provides for a data gathering exercise to allow for the application of the low pay provisions in future public service pay agreements for the funding of these organisations.

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate his response. Unfortunately, it has not addressed the core issue I raised regarding the handful of organisations that have not been brought into the tent in respect of the pay agreements. To elaborate further, prior to 2010, a section 39 block grant funded St. Luke's Home in Cork. Since then, it has had a number of different sources of funding, including the National Treatment Purchase Fund. The HSE provides funding in respect of respite and day services. It is a complicated model in terms of funding sources. That explains why staff have not been addressed as of yet in terms of the pay agreements. Staff are being pushed from pillar to post. Given the spirit of the agreement and the fact that other voluntary organisations have been brought in, it is critically important that we find a solution to this matter as soon as possible. As I said, this is putting St. Luke's Home, a tremendous organisation in Cork, under severe financial pressure. In terms of management and the running of the organisation, the morale of staff and so on, it is an important and significant issue. The board does not use the phrase "existential crisis" too easily, but it has done in this particular case. It is a matter that has not been resolved to date and has been going on for some time. I acknowledge the response the Minister of State has provided, but it did not address the core of the issue or unravel what needs to be dealt with in terms of St. Luke's Home in Cork. I ask him to take the matter up with the Department so that some solution can be found. It is only right and proper that the staff of St. Luke's Home would receive the same pay increases as other staff across the country. It is vitally important for the organisation that this happens. Will the Minister of State take the matter up after this debate so that we can find a solution? My sole purpose in raising this matter is to find a solution for the staff and management of the organisation.

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As I have stated, I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for public expenditure and reform, Deputy Chambers. Given how diligent Deputy McGrath is, I have no doubt he has already taken the matter up with the Minister. I ask him to outline the specific circumstances to the Minister directly following the debate. As I mentioned, the community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in delivering essential public services across Ireland. These organisations, while funded by the State, are not public service bodies and their staff are not public servants. Their pay and conditions are set by their employers and not through public service agreements. I acknowledge these organisations do great work. This year, agreement was reached following discussions led by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality at the WRC. This agreement addressed the funding required to move the pay of such workers in line with current and future public service pay agreements while responding to the fact that such workers are not public servants or employees. This agreement provides for an increase in funding of 9.25% on a phased basis and runs until 31 October 2026. This is in line with the general round increases provided for in the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. The agreement provides that funding will be adjusted to allow for the application of the equivalent general round pay adjustments as provided for in any successor agreement. Adjustment will be in line with the phasing of any future public service sector pay agreement. The agreement also allows for future adjustments in line with any successor public service pay deals. There will be a data gathering exercise to support the application of low pay provisions in the future. The data gathering exercise will provide a basis for examining the application of the low pay provisions in future public service pay agreements to the funding for non-public service organisations. The public service agreement provides that minimum increases are attached to four of the seven general round increases provided over the two and a half year period covered by the agreement. This is a significant step in recognising the contribution of workers in the sector, ensuring the sustainability of the services they provide.

Gabhaim buíochas le hOifig an Chinn Comhairle as an deis a thabhairt dom an cheist seo a ardú. I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me the time to raise a matter, which is of deep concern to people in south Kerry. The Minister of State is probably aware of this issue and I hope he will have a positive answer for the people who are waiting for one. As the Minister of State will be aware, a hub for outpatient psychiatric services in St. Anne's Hospital, Cahersiveen holds a fortnightly clinic for outpatient psychiatric services. It deals with psychiatric services, psychology, cognitive behaviour therapy, teen psychology, occupational health, social workers, elder care and community nurses. The service helps the most vulnerable people in south Kerry. One of the people I spoke to last Friday told me they have worked there at least 30 years, if not since 1991. We all know how important such services are, not just in rural parts but the entire county of Kerry. The service deals with people from all over south Kerry, including Valencia, Castlecove, Dromad and Caherdaniel. We met people from the Iveragh Mental Health Association last Friday, including retired staff, who came to us to express their deep concern at the proposal to move the services to Killorglin. There is deep frustration. The ambulance service is seeking a permanent stand-alone space. From what I was told, there is a proposal on an interim basis, which means three to five years, to move services to Killorglin. People, quite rightly and understandably, have deep concerns about services being moved on an interim basis because they know what that will mean, namely, that they might never come back. There is no primary health care centre in Cahersiveen. There is a massive shortage of GPs. It is unbelievable that services that were due to be expanded will instead be moved. No other site has been proposed. If the service is closed, inevitably people will miss appointments. People who depend on the services are reliant on public transport. Although that has improved, it is inevitable that a change in location will result in people missing appointments or will not turn up for them. That will increase the burden on the already overstretched GP service. People may have to go up to the accident and emergency department in University Hospital Kerry, which is about 42 miles away and under pressure. This will all lead to an increased risk of mental health crisis in the area. The team there was hoping to develop and expand services. Not only will that aspiration be knocked back, but these services will be put back even further. We did contact the HSE, but I am hoping the Minister of State will have a positive answer for me. I am asking that psychiatric services be retained in south Kerry. If there is a proposal to move them, then the HSE will have to justify it. I cannot see how it can do that and neither can the people down there see how it is going to do it. I am hoping, though, that the Minister of State will say this is not going to happen.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Farrelly, for being in the Chair again. He is a regular on a Wednesday morning and it is much appreciated. I am surprised Deputy Daly is here because I thought he would be on his way to the High Court.

I am, but this matter is so important. I am going down straight after it.

It is not a question-and-answer session. While I was walking across to the Chamber, I was struck by how ironic it is that I am the first ever Minister of State with special responsibility for mental health at Cabinet, and the Deputy is trying to remove me, while here he is today asking me to come forward and find a solution for him. I was just struck by how ironic it is.

It is not about the Minister of State.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he will be aware, operational responsibility for the delivery of mental health services at local level is devolved directly to the relevant HSE regional health area, RHA, which in this case is the HSE South West RHA, and across all areas. I am aware, of course, that the HSE always aims to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders in the community in the design and delivery of mental health services to achieve positive outcomes for all. In relation to the issue highlighted by the Deputy, the HSE has provided an update that there was a requirement to identify a more suitable location for the National Ambulance Service in the region - and we all understand how important the National Ambulance Service is, especially in remote and rural areas - to better support its operational needs and enhance service delivery for people in the region. A potential space has been identified by the HSE alongside the mental health services in Cahersiveen. We must again go back to the point that it is extremely important that we can provide the whole continuum of health supports as close to home for people as possible. The HSE has informed my Department that there are no plans to relocate the mental health services at Cahersiveen to Killorglin. I am a little confused, though. Is the Deputy telling me he only represents the people of Cahersiveen and not the people of Killorglin? It is important to have mental health supports everywhere. I understand clarity on this matter is currently being addressed, with a senior HSE manager actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate accommodation that meets the needs of both services. It is important we deliver both services. As the Deputy can appreciate, having a suitable location for the National Ambulance Service to be able to serve the people of Cahersiveen and the surrounding area is incredibly important, and it is my understanding this is being achieved without any changes to the location of community mental health services. From what I am hearing, though, I am also conscious that the services are in Cahersiveen and Killorglin is not served by this service. Perhaps this is something I need to look at. I want to deliver mental health services for all people regardless of what area of County Kerry they live in. The Deputy seems to be focused on just one area.

I thank the Minister of State. Respectfully, I remind Members not to discuss live court cases here and to stick to the topic.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. If we got some proper answers, rather than smart answers, from the Minister of State, then we would not have to go down that road. From the Minister of State's answer, I understand there is a requirement to find a more suitable location for the National Ambulance Service, but this does not have to be at the expense of the good services carried out in the Cahersiveen area. If the Minister of State would only focus on the issue at hand, we are not talking about Killorglin. There are already services in Killorglin. The suggestion has been from the HSE to amalgamate the Cahersiveen services into Killorglin. The Minister of State's divide-and-conquer attitude is severely misplaced. I am asking her for a guarantee that the services currently in Cahersiveen will stay there. This is the concern of the people in the south Kerry area from Mountain Stage, beyond Glenbeigh, and all the way down to Dromad, Castlecove and Caherdaniel. That is the area currently serviced by this team in south Kerry. Killorglin and other parts of the county have their own services. The proposal is to close the centre in Cahersiveen and move the patients to Killorglin. This is not understandable and not acceptable. It has to be the case that services in the most peripheral areas of the State are maintained in those areas. I note what the Minister of State said in the reply regarding active engagement taking place. If the level of the reply the Minister of State has received is that there are no services in Killorglin and some sort of a civil war is taking place, then this is not what is happening and the Minister of State has picked it up the wrong way, whether deliberately or otherwise. I ask her, therefore, to re-engage with the HSE down there and ensure the services currently there remain in south Kerry.

I am glad there are services in Killorglin because I would be disappointed if there were not. My understanding is that the HSE manager is actively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to facilitate accommodation that meets the needs of both services, the National Ambulance Service and, of course, the mental health supports, including the outpatient psychiatric facilities that support very vulnerable people. It is my understanding that while there are plans to locate a facility for the National Ambulance Service in Cahersiveen, that is not expected to result in community mental health services in the area having to move. I understand these services are well embedded in the community and I will continue to engage with the HSE in the Cork-Kerry HSE area. As the Deputy will understand, the HSE is working in partnership with all relevant stakeholders in the community in the design and delivery of mental health services to achieve positive outcomes for all and it would not be positive to close this service or to move it.

I draw the Minister of State's attention to an escalating crisis in rural County Laois in the form of the chronic shortage of GPs and the lack of fully developed primary care services. We all accept that primary care is the front line of the health service. It is where early diagnoses happen, chronic conditions are managed and preventative care should take place, easing pressure on our overstretched hospitals. Across rural County Laois, the front line is weakening in communities such as Rathdowney, Mountrath, Ballyroan, Clonaslee, Ballinakill, Stradbally, Graiguecullen and Camross. The numbers are not good. The Irish Medical Organisation reports that 30% of GPs in County Laois are over aged 60. Many are due to retire within three to five years, but we have no real plan for succession. Nationally, we are facing a shortfall of more than 1,300 GPs by 2027, with rural counties like Laois hit hardest. In towns like Borris-in-Ossory, patients are now told to travel 20 km to 30 km just to see a doctor. This is not sustainable. The crisis impacts many, including older people, families with sick children and people managing long-term conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The inducement scheme intended to attract GPs to rural areas has clearly failed to fill the gaps. It is not working and we must accept this fact. The impact of this situation is real and it is impacting real people. I will give the Minister of State a few examples. A rural GP practice in County Laois recently lost its second doctor to retirement. The HSE could not find a permanent replacement. Since then, there has been a reliance on rotating locums, with no continuity of care. I spoke recently with a mother in Durrow. Her son, who has asthma, waited 12 days for an appointment. An elderly woman in Rosenallis, living alone, missed a medication review because she simply could not be seen. These are not isolated incidents. They are daily challenges faced by thousands across rural County Laois. We were told that Sláintecare would bring care into the community, but that is not happening in County Laois. We have only one operational primary care centre in Portlaoise. In Mountrath, a new centre is supposed to have been finally allocated. I have been trying to establish timelines, but they are vague. Progress is very slow. A location has not been finalised in Rathdowney, despite the clear clinical need, community readiness and commitments given to me in correspondence with the Minister that it would have been done months ago. Meanwhile in Stradbally, services remain minimal and overstretched. Other key services such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and mental health services have wait times of more than 12 months. The Minister of State will be aware of that. I call on her to launch a targeted GP recruitment and retention plan for Laois, including proper relocation supports, administrative assistance and access to the rural pool locally; fast-track the development of the Mountrath primary care centre and immediately finalise, once and for all, a site in Rathdowney where the community has waited long enough; strengthen the roll-out of advanced nurse practitioners to ensure consistent care where GPs hours are limited; improve communication and transparency; and work with local communities and practitioners to develop clear local solutions.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. I thank the Deputy for his question about primary care provision for Rathdowney and Mountrath. I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. He raised a couple of matters: plans for succession in GP practices, challenges in rural Laois and the primary care centres in Mountrath and Rathdowney. I will do my best to address all of those issues. As the Deputy will be aware, timely access to GP and primary care services is vital for the successful delivery of our healthcare service. They are our first port of call. In regard to general practice, as he will also be aware, GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold contracts with the HSE for the provision of public health services. Currently, almost 3,200 GPs hold at least one HSE contract, including roughly 2,600 GPs who hold a general medical services, GMS, contract for the provision of care. As private practitioners, GPs themselves determine the location they practice from, which can be difficult. However, in addition to undertaking to increase the overall number of GPs practising in the State, the Government is committed to ensuring that services are available throughout the country on an equitable basis, and in particular to supporting GP practices in rural and underserved areas. Significantly increased investment in general practice has been provided for under the 2019 and 2023 GP agreements. The agreements provide, among other things, for increased GP fees and practice supports, including a 10% increase to rural practice supports and increases to supports for staff capacity. We are conscious of the challenges in rural areas. The number of new entrant GP training places has been increased by 80% from 2019 to 2024, with 350 new entrant places available since last year. I accept they take time to come through the system, but there is a huge improvement. Furthermore, recruitment of GPs from abroad continues under the international medical graduates, IMG, programme, whose placement is targeted to underserved areas. Just recently, a new locum support initiative commenced, providing GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined locum recruitment service. The initiative is initially focusing on supporting the more than 130 single-handed GPs working in isolated areas. That has just commenced. At present there are no GMS GP vacancies in County Laois. Where a vacancy arises, the HSE actively recruits for a replacement GP while providing for the continuity of services. Regarding the provision of primary care services, we are making steady progress on the development of primary care infrastructure in County Laois, which is currently served by primary care centres, PCCs, in Mountmellick and Portarlington with two further PCCs under development in Portlaoise and Rathdowney. I know the Deputy is particularly concerned with service provision in Mountrath and Rathdowney and I am happy to advise the following in their regard. It is intended that the PCC in Rathdowney will be delivered via the operational lease mechanism. In 2024, the HSE sought expressions of interest for this development and several valid tender submissions were received. The HSE is currently working through the tender assessments and internal approvals processes. Once this process is complete and all approvals are received, the successful tenderer will be notified which will allow for progression through the design and planning stages in 2025. The HSE Capital Plan 2025 includes funding to progress designs for the provision of primary care services in Mountrath. The HSE has advised that the current plans for Mountrath include the redevelopment of the existing Mountrath Health Centre site, including an extension and refurbishment of the existing building. This follows a reassessment of service needs, which indicated that the existing HSE-owned site could accommodate the service needs of the area. I expect the extension will be delivered much quicker than a primary care centre.

I thank the Minister of State for her response. However, it is important that I stress again that I am not asking for extras for County Laois. I am asking for the basics, that is, access to a doctor, reasonable wait times, and care delivered in our towns and villages. Rural Laois deserves the same healthcare rights as any other part of this country. People have paid into the system for their entire lives and they deserve more than just a waiting list and closed doors. To be fair to the Minister of State, I know she agrees with me. Time is not on our side. GPs are retiring now, not in five years. Locum cover is inconsistent. Rural patients are falling through the cracks in County Laois. The Minister of State referred to the situation in Rathdowney. I heard her say 2025, but I got the same answer in 2024. I am sorry to have to say that. It is in no way a criticism of the Minister of State for the response she has given me, because the Minister is not present, but I have heard all this before. No site has yet been confirmed in Rathdowney. That is evident in the Minister of State's response to me. The HSE's silence on progress is adding to the frustration of the community in Rathdowney. Mountrath has been allocated a primary care centre but, without a clear timeline for delivery or a staffing plan what is proposed is just a promise. I tried to find out if it was true or false that a site has been allocated but I could not get a definite answer, which means we are also left in limbo. I am not asking for County Laois to jump the queue but I cannot accept that rural communities in the county are being left behind. We need a clear roadmap with deadlines and funding commitments. We need boots on the ground: doctors, nurses and therapists who can deliver care now. This is about dignity. It is not about access or equity. I do not want the people of Laois to wait any longer for those services.

I thank the Deputy very much for raising the issue of rural GP practices in County Laois. He said a site has not been identified for a primary care centre in Rathdowney. That is normal. It is because it is commercially sensitive. If the HSE has not purchased a site, it could drive up prices. I have seen the exact same situation in Lismore in County Waterford, where a site was not identified in advance of the agreement being made on the operation of the lease mechanism. People on the ground probably know where the site is located.

We do not.

But that is the reason that is the case. If the HSE does not own the site and it talks about where it is, straightaway, in the main, prices can go up, so there is a commercial sensitivity around it.

That is what was said 12 months ago.

The HSE also tells me that there are no general medical services GP vacancies in County Louth. As we know, when a vacancy arises, the HSE actively recruits. I have a couple of positives for the Deputy. The new locum support initiative has commenced, which provides GPs in receipt of rural practice supports with access to a streamlined local recruitment service. This initiative is initially focusing on supporting the more than 130 single-handed GPs working in isolated areas. I will bring his concerns back to the Minister and he will probably discuss with her the primary care centre in Rathdowney. It is positive that we are going to see an extension of the service in the existing primary care centre. The site is big enough for that to happen and the extension of services can happen much quicker. I know that from my own experience. The development of primary care infrastructure in County Laois is progressing. The Deputy Aird is correct that we want to bring the right care at the right time as close to home as possible. I will pass on his concerns to the Minister.