I thank the Deputy. I can see his passion. The Minister and the Department want to move to a planned maintenance programme, away from legacy. We want to bring all those units and homes up to a state of repair. The focus from now on will be about a model for planned maintenance such that houses can be re-let promptly, but ongoing works are being done to homes in order that when they become vacant, they are then in a reasonably good state and only a modest amount of work has to be done to re-let them. The Deputy will…

I have a couple of figures for the Deputy. A sum of €31 million is being given in 2025 towards voids and planned maintenance. It will be €40 million for next year, 2026. Furthermore, the intention is that local authorities will have these stock surveys done over the next four to five years.

We have to be ambitious about getting these surveys completed.

Ultimately, the key point is that there are two areas here. Number one, the local authority itself has rental income coming in, which is ring-fenced in terms of maintenance for its housing stock. Furthermore, the Department gives additional funding in that regard as well. But we have to move. Everyone talks about future-proofing and coming up with a model that will work into the future. I think the Deputy would accept that we need to get to a space where we have a plan maintenance rolling model rather than a model …

I thank Deputies Farrell and Connolly for raising this important matter. Áras Mhic Dara community nursing unit provides important and valued services for the people in Carraroe and surrounding areas. I understand the significant role the community nursing unit plays in the community and the depth of feeling associated with the facility. Áras Mhic Dara community nursing unit is registered with HIQA to accommodate a maximum of 38 residents for long-term residential care, which both Deputies have mentioned. The HSE ha…

I again thank Deputies Farrell and Connolly for raising this important matter in respect of Aras Mhic Dara community nursing unit in Carraroe. As I said previously, I will meet the HSE on the particular issue of the nine beds, which is the principal issue raised this evening in the House. I take account of the wider issues in the region in terms of rural and community nursing homes and it is something else I will discuss. The particular issue of the nine beds in Áras Mhic Dara is critical. As I said, there are 38 b…

St. Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, Mountmellick, County Laois, is a public nursing home that currently provides 56 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. Phase 1 of the current capital project for St. Vincent's consists of a new two-storey development containing 50 single en suite rooms adjacent and linked to the existing facility. The project is expected to be construction complete in the next few weeks. It is currently expected that St. Vincent’s will be operational in quarter 1 of 2026, following the transfer…

I thank Deputies Stanley and Aird for raising this matter. As I said earlier, the HSE is currently reviewing matters in respect of phase 2 and, more particularly, in respect of the use of the existing building in terms of pure logistics. The person in charge is in contact with HIQA. There was a request for a preliminary visit of the area in respect of the new building and specifically in respect of the existing building. As I said, the eight-bed dementia unit will continue to operate in the existing building. The H…

It is good to see such strong cross-party representation from the constituency of Laois. On the particular matter Deputy Stanley raised, there are two aspects. They are currently reviewing the scope for additional works under phase 2. More particularly, both Deputies raised the point in respect of the existing building. I followed up with the HSE yesterday in advance of our debate. I got the update the Deputy is looking for, which is that it is currently looking at the use of the existing building. It is looking at…

I thank Senator Andrews for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Critically, the management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing planned maintenance programmes and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters solely for each individual local authority under the Housing Act 1966. Local authorities are also statutorily obliged to ensure all of th…

I thank Senator Chris Andrews again for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. The Government has invested significantly in a stock improvement programme over recent years, particularly with regard to voids, with €91 million provided to Dublin City Council alone since 2014. This year, €31 million has been provided to local authorities, with €5.8 million allocated to Dublin City Council. Notwithstanding this support, it is fir…

I presume all the group are from Kerry and no doubt the bulk of them or all play Gaelic football. I join Senator Andrews in wishing the under-17s squad well. Are we into the second half at this stage?

We wish them well and welcome our visitors to Dublin. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her question and the opportunity to discuss the commercial rates position regarding home-based childminders, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. Tailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, a property valuation service, and…

I thank Senator O'Loughlin again for contributing on this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne. I note the points she has raised. I reiterate that Tailte Éireann is independent in the exercise of its valuation functions under the Valuation Act 2001, as amended, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has no function in decisions in this regard. The Valuation Act 2001, as amended, provides that a property is rateable u…

I thank Deputies for their contributions this afternoon. I echo the comments of the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and his thanks to Deputy Farrelly for tabling this Bill and raising an important issue. The debate has presented a useful opportunity to discuss the age at which people would be entitled to vote in elections and referendums in Ireland and provided much to consider as we move forward on this issue. I join others in welcoming so many students to the Gallery. It is great to see the engagement. You are …

I express our gratitude to Members, particularly those in the Labour Party, for their valuable contribution to today's discussion on drug policy. I acknowledge the depth of their interest and commitment to this critical issue. As was stated by the Minister of State, Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, the Government will not oppose the motion. This Government remains committed to a health-led approach to drug use, firmly believing that individuals experiencing problematic drug use should be met with compassion, digni…

I thank the Deputies for raising these important issues. As the Minister, Deputy Browne, stated, I confirm the Government is not proposing to oppose this motion. As we can all agree, the Office of the President is a key part of our democratic institutions and it is important that our Head of State is representative of all Irish citizens, irrespective of where they may reside. I reiterate that to extend voting rights at presidential elections to Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, or more generally to other jurisdic…

On the two points the Deputy raised in respect of Mayo, I met with the HSE to look at the waiting lists for each area. I want the numbers on those lists brought down. We have given additional funding this year for home care hours. On the waiting lists, it is about engaging directly with the HSE and looking at measures. The main focus of additional funding this year is to deal with the areas where we have waiting lists. I want those numbers brought down and I am actively working on that with the HSE along with the o…

I thank Deputy Carrigy. I know the particular interest he has in this matter. Specifically, on north Longford, he raised an issue about one provider that has now restored its service. I am working with the Department officials and the HSE to look specifically at north Longford and other areas where there are large waiting lists. Some €82 million additional funding has gone into home support this year. With 1.7 million additional hours, I want to focus on those specific areas. I will continue to work with the Deputy…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on men's health, which is a priority in the programme for Government. I thank all Deputies from their contributions to this important debate. They showed a genuine interest in this hugely important topic and the Government will very much take that on board. I will refer to the commitments set out in the programme for Government in relation to mental health, which is a priority. It includes the implementation of the men's health action plan to increase health literacy and raise pub…