I agree with the Minister on the need to look long-term in the projections. When looking so far ahead, there are huge variances but we need to look beyond one year. I recall that in his first speech as leader of Fine Gael, the Minister promised that a five-year tax strategy would be published by the end of last year. I cannot find that anywhere. Is it on the Fine Gael website, the Department of Finance website or the Department of the Taoiseach website? Will the Minister outline where that five-year tax strategy is? For the life of me, I cannot find it anywhere.

Sentiment score: 0.18

That is not a tax strategy.

Sentiment score: 0.00

176. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with other members of the Government in relation to defective concrete block scheme since taking office, including to ensure that all victims of the defective concrete products scandal are treated as equal citizens and are able to access financial products and services on the same basis as everyone else; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73164/25]

Sentiment score: -0.27

Since taking office, what engagement has the Minister had with his Cabinet colleagues and the Central Bank to ensure all victims of the defective blocks scandal are treated as equal citizens and can access financial products and services on the same basis as everyone else? I ask this because the State's response to this crisis continues to be characterised by unfairness. If you live in Donegal, where I acknowledge the Minister has visited, you will know that families have been failed by the Government in such an unbelievable way. What the families face again this Christmas is horrible. What engagement has Deputy Harris, as Minister for Finance, had with his colleagues or the Central Bank?

Sentiment score: -0.34

The banking and insurance focus group is doing tremendous work. In fairness to BPFI, it has really engaged with it and included other organisations such as Insurance Ireland, valuers and so on. The Department of housing has refused to engage with them, which is ridiculous, to tell the truth. They should be part of the working group, as should other Departments. These are very serious people who are working through issues like the mortgageability of houses. Houses remediated through the existing scheme are not mortgageable because the authorities will not sign off on them. The group made up of the parties I have referred to has made a submission on the new standards for defective concrete blocks, raising serious concerns. There are other issues also and they are major. I welcome what the Minister for Finance said about the Minister for housing, but what is really at the core of this is whether the Minister for Finance actually believes there are people in my constituency and elsewhere who, even with whatever support the State has given, have to find up to €80,000 to build the exact same house that has to be demolished because of defective blocks. If so, how does he feel it is fair?

Sentiment score: 0.05

BPFI has been engaging for nearly two years now and it has done a huge amount. These are very serious people. The Minister mentioned the childcare facilities that I have raised with him. There are three childcare facilities that are community run. The Minister has been talking about State-run childcare facilities and all the rest but the three community childcare facilities in question – in Letterkenny, Raphoe and Ardara – are in buildings that are falling down. The one in Raphoe is already gone because the children are not safe in the building. With regard to the other two cases, it is just ticking away. There is no scheme to replace those facilities. Kids and parents depend on them. There are 12 schools in Donegal with buildings that are going to fall down. There are cracks and you can put your hand through some of them. There is no scheme at present, although the Department is going to inspect the buildings. Over 80 council houses in Donegal that should have families in them this Christmas are lying empty because they have defective blocks. There is no scheme to fix them. There are people going through the scheme but these are the people who have had to find €80,000, €90,000 or €100,000, and in some cases more. There are so many others who simply cannot do this. What does the Minister think is going to happen to them? He might know them. People of pension age have only their pensions. They do not have €70,000 or €80,000 to make up the shortfall. No matter what grant the Government provides, they cannot rebuild their homes under this scheme.

Sentiment score: -0.06