8. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [22105/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

Care of older people is very important and is generally privatised in terms of nursing homes. The workers who provide this service in nursing homes are essential workers. Many of them were brought over on a special work permit in which the Government was involved. I ask the Taoiseach on a humanitarian basis to listen to the issues raised by these workers. Their wages are too low to allow them to bring their families here, who, by the way, they can support; nobody is asking for any handout. There are so many criteria put in the way. For someone to bring their spouse, for example, they must earn €30,000. In order to bring one child, they must earn €36,000. To bring two children, they must earn €41,000. We are subjecting these workers to enforced family separation while expecting them to look after our families. It is not a very nice thing to do to people. It is not the type of care system we want. I plead with the Taoiseach to look into this issue. Unite trade union is organising these workers, which is very good. It has asked that these criteria be dropped and that these workers be allowed to work here and bring their families over. Most of them are nurses; the majority are from India. They have great skills from which we are getting added value. Most of their spouses are also health workers and could help with the labour shortage in the are of health.

Sentiment score: 0.17

21. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [19931/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The UK Supreme Court judgment on the definition of a woman impacts trans and intersex people in Northern Ireland. Many of them are living in fear and being driven out of public life, which is the intent of the judgment. The DUP has said that it will look at guidelines for schools, which means there could be further attacks on the rights of trans people. Many of these are eligible to be citizens of Ireland should they so choose. There has also been a ban on trans healthcare in the North. Yesterday, People Before Profit proposed an amendment that could have allowed that ban to be reversed but, unfortunately, it was not taken up by MLAs. People are mobilising in Belfast at 12.30 p.m. this Saturday to march for trans rights because the far right has also singled out this group as a very vulnerable minority. It is very important that we stand with trans and intersex people, whose rights we affirm in the Republic, and that we show our solidarity and support. Parties that are organised in both the North and the South should have the same position on this matter, North and South.

Sentiment score: -0.07