In the west Kerry Gaeltacht, Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne, we have the linguistic town of Dingle - An Daingean, Ceann Trá, Dún Chaoin, An Fheothanach agus Baile an Fheirtéaraigh. In Gaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh, we have the service town of Cahersiveen, Baile an Sceilg, An Dromaid, An Ghleann agus An Caladh. These are the two main Gaeltacht areas in County Kerry. There is a strong need to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in these regions. The two regions are suffering from depopulation. There is a need to incentivise Gaeilgeoirí to remain, return and come to live in the area. We know this all too well from the difficulties that West Kerry Community Hospital on the west Kerry peninsula and, indeed, Cahersiveen community hospital on the Iveragh Peninsula are suffering in the context of getting staff, such as nurses and doctors, to come and live in the area. We need to incentivise housing in the area. We need to provide affordable and social housing. We need to provide low-cost sites in the area. We also need to bring back the housing grants. This is the only way we will get people to return and live in these regions. They are beautiful parts of the world but scenery will not provide a living. We need to encourage people with other ideas. I call for the grants to be brought back and for housing to be provided in the context of affordable, social and low-cost sites. Decent grant aid would go a significant way to bringing life back to these regions and encouraging people to build and live in south and west Kerry. As I mentioned already, Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthaigh are beautiful parts of the world. It is sad to see our hospitals struggling. I have raised this issue on the floor of the House previously. I have also raised the matter of depopulation and called for a pilot study to be carried out in south Kerry that would benefit the entire country.

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