Before commencing, I wish to point out that all Members would have received an e-mail yesterday from the Ceann Comhairle indicating that it will be questions on promised legislation and not statements. I have a long list of 14 Members after the leaders and I will be trying to accommodate everybody in only 15 minutes. Please set an example. If there are short, crisp questions and answers, we might be able to accommodate all. I call Deputy Cowen.

I will show the example required. The Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Bill 2015 was to put in place a regulatory framework for the operation of approved housing bodies, of which there are close to 600. Not everybody is over the moon about the work that is being done or the effort being made to address this. I hope the Tánaiste can enlighten us as to the progress of this Bill.

That is a priority for this session.

Last week the Dáil agreed the terms of reference for the tribunal of inquiry into the Maurice McCabe scandal and related matters. Can the Tánaiste tell us what progress has been made thus far in establishing the inquiry and providing the legal and other resources for Mr. Justice Charleton to begin his work? When does she anticipate the tribunal will sit?

In response to my colleague, Deputy Pearse Doherty, the Taoiseach explained that the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 has not made it back onto the Order Paper because it is being looked at again. Will the Tánaiste update the Dáil on this work? Will the Government support Sinn Féin's tribunals of inquiry (evidence) Bill 2017, which Deputy Jonathan O'Brien published yesterday and which seeks to impose a cap on costs?

To confirm, Mr. Justice Peter Charleton has begun the work of the tribunal already. In regard to the 2005 legislation, I am examining whether I can go forward with elements of that Bill that would be helpful in terms of the tribunal's work and the question the Deputy raised.

With regard to the National Archives (amendment) Bill, since 2013 the British have moved from a 30-year rule to a 20-year rule and are now releasing two years' worth of official records each year up to 2022. We are supposed to be doing something similar. The legislative scrutiny of this Bill was supposed to have been completed by the end of January but it has not been. Will the Tánaiste tell us exactly the position regarding the Bill?

Pre-legislative scrutiny of that Bill is being taken on 2 March.

I was there when the programme for Government was negotiated. The Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities is in the Chamber. When will the mobility allowance and the transport grant be reintroduced? We have commitments in the programme and statements in the House to the effect that it is imminent. Families are suffering all around the country. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is responsible and he says a lot about disability. When he is going to act up and have this reintroduced? I know the scheme is being modified but people are desperately in need of it to get sick and disabled people to school, hospital appointments and so on.

The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, will take that question.

That legislation is at a very advanced stage and it will be brought forward in the next couple of weeks.

Under the section in the programme for Government dealing with leadership on jobs and rural development, it is stated that the ultimate goal of Government is to deliver sustainable full employment and an extra 135,000 jobs outside Dublin were promised. Last week, the Central Statistics Office released figures showing that exports to Britain had fallen by €500 million. This is alarming but even more alarming is the fact that nearly all of the losses are in the food and drinks sector. Has the Cabinet any plan to come to the aid of many small businesses that are already struggling because of the Brexit vote?

The Deputy will be aware of the plan announced by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Minister of State for regional economic development, Deputy Ring. A series of initiatives were outlined to help the rural economy. The evidence from the jobs figures produced this week shows that notwithstanding the challenges outlined by Deputy Eugene Murphy, which we all recognise, particularly in the context of Brexit, this recovery is spreading into all sectors and across all regions of the country.

Page 108 of the programme for Government states "The next generation of farmers must be supported, to generate farm income, while positioning Ireland as the highest quality food producing nation in the world", which is the standard to which we all aspire to maintain Brand Ireland. There is huge concern in Limerick and elsewhere that the six remaining veterinary laboratories may be under threat of closure by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The laboratory in Limerick serves counties Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and most of County Kerry. It would be a significant impediment to good farming practice if these laboratories were to be closed and would impact on our food quality and our branding in that regard. I appreciate the Tánaiste may not be in a position to respond to this but could she ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the position regarding these six laboratories around Ireland, including the one in Limerick, and the threat of closure because the farming community is very worried?

The Deputy has raised a key issue, which the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been addressing. The Department recently received a report from Professor Alan Reilly with a range of recommendations about how this issue should be addressed. The report examined the oversight and co-ordination of the laboratory activities, the reorganisation of the structures and functions within the central laboratory complex and options for the future development of the regional laboratories with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability with the overriding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers. The Department is considering this issue.

The Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 has passed Second Stage. Can the Tánaiste give me an indication when Committee Stage will be taken?

I understand it will go to pre-legislative scrutiny. In the meantime, the Minister for Health has been developing a scheme for compassionate access for certain groups of people, such as those with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy or those suffering some of the complications from chemotherapy. The Minister will progress that over the next few weeks.

Page seven of the programme for Government commits to the reform of sentencing for offenders. The Tánaiste will have seen the very moving vigil held by the Irish Road Victims Association outside the Dáil yesterday where 188 photographs of people who had lost their lives through reckless drivers were displayed. One of those photographs was of Marsia Lieghio, who was tragically killed in a hit and run on Fonthill Road in our constituency in 2005 aged just 16. Will the Government commit to bringing forward legislation to reform sentencing for offenders and will this legislation include a sentencing council that will provide guidance to judges as to the appropriate sentence for an offence such as this? Will the Government also commit to including the voice of families bereaved by reckless drivers in any such promised legislation?

It is important that the situation of victims is recognised. We will discuss the victims' legislation in the Dáil next week. This is important legislation that will bring us in line with the EU directive in order that the last point mentioned by the Deputy is dealt with. The Law Reform Commission also suggested that judges should be in a position to decide on a minimum term, although it did not suggest any particular period. I certainly will examine that to ensure that in law, judges will be able to set a minimum.

It should be, and the recommendation from the Law Reform Commission was that it would be, a decision for judges as opposed to a minimum mandatory sentence being outlined by Government. I support that position.

Is prelegislative scrutiny becoming an excuse for doing nothing? I wish to ask the Tánaiste about all other legislation relating to her Department. We have the sale of alcohol Bill, the heads of which were approved in 2012. We have the transfer of sentenced persons Bill and the transfer of execution of sentences Bill, the heads of which were approved in 2013. We have the Tailte Éireann Bill, the heads of which were approved in January 2015 agus i gcás an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta, agus feicimid an tAire Stáit, Teachta Kyne, anseo, ceadaíodh cinn an Bhille in 2014 ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla ach níl tada eile ag tarlú ach na cinn ag dul ag na gcoistí, iad a cheadú agus, ansin, lánstad. When can we expect to see real legislation rather than an endless series of heads being put forward to the House but nothing happening for years afterwards?

Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have referenced the 15 Bills published by my Department and progressed last year or the ten that have been published since this Government was formed. Clearly, there have to be priorities. We are moving forward on an extraordinary range of legislation from the Department of Justice and Equality. That is evidenced by the three new Bills that will be brought to the House next week from the Department.

They are all being worked on. To give a fair and comprehensive overview of the work of the Department, Deputy Ó Cuív could equally have quoted the 25 Bills that have been progressed.

The programme for Government states, "We wish to see greater involvement of family carers in the preparation of care plans, aiding the provision of care, together with more accessible training and respite care, to facilitate full support." Those are fine words. Will the Tánaiste explain to the carers in Donegal why respite care has been cancelled throughout the county, with no one knowing when it will be returned? This has happened because of the immense pressure on Letterkenny University Hospital. It is disgusting that carers have found themselves in this situation. Their plans have had to be cancelled at short notice and they do not know when they will get respite from the care for their loved ones.

Is there a question on promised legislation?

That is not promised legislation.

The Chief Whip should know that it is a commitment in the programme for Government. If she is not happy that the Government can fulfil that commitment to the people of Donegal, then she should get out of her office.

Tánaiste, on the question on the programme for Government.

Never mind "more accessible"; there is no respite care.

I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, to link with Deputy Doherty directly on that particular issue.

The programme for Government made it clear that there was a significant divide between the availability of broadband in urban and rural areas. Since then, and dating back to 2012, we have seen virtually no movement on the national broadband plan. Will the Tánaiste give Members some indication of when the Government intends to put the national broadband plan in place and when the Government hopes to begin construction? The Tánaiste should be well aware from her back bench colleagues throughout the country that the level and quality of broadband throughout rural areas are appalling. This is impacting on employment and the capacity of children to carry out basic college work.

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, made an announcement recently about our commitment to the roll-out of broadband, as outlined by Deputy Dooley, and has made it clear that we are committed to that roll-out in the near future.

Page 55 of the programme for Government commits the Government to the introduction of a dental health package to enhance existing checks and to include a comprehensive preventative dental health programme. Children in my constituency are having the checks that are supposed to be in place already cancelled and deferred. Will the Tánaiste indicate when the national oral health policy will be completed and published? What can the Tánaiste say to those children who are not even getting the basics? When are they going to get this enhanced package?

When will the legislation be completed and published, Tánaiste?

The Minister for Health is committed to delivering that. Initiatives are being taken as well to ensure that under PRSI more people will be eligible for dental benefit.

There is the policy from the Department of Health on which the Minister, Deputy Harris, is working and which will be delivered, and there is also the commitment from the Department of Social Protection to ensure that there will be greater access.

That is not what I asked. I asked about the date for the national oral health policy.

I have no control over that. I call on Deputy Brady to ask a question on promised legislation.

In the programme for Government, the Government gives a commitment to implement a working family payment. We already have a working family payment in form of the family income supplement. When I spoke to striking workers at the Tesco stores in Bray and Greystones, I was alarmed when a number of them told me that management has threatened that their family income supplement payments will be stopped because of their engagement in industrial action. When I checked with the Department, I was informed that if workers engage in industrial action, their payments may be suspended.

A question, Deputy.

The fear is that once payments are suspended, the Department says it could take up to six months to get them reinstated.

I thank the Deputy

Can I ask the question?

It must be a question on promised legislation.

This Government is facilitating the bully-boy tactics of Tesco management, which is threatening workers that their family income supplement payments will be stopped.

The Deputy cannot take advantage-----

Can the Tánaiste and the Minister for Social Protection confirm that no family income supplement payments will be stopped?

On the first part of the question, we are developing proposals for working family payments and I hope to have them completed well in advance of the budget in order that they can inform the budget discussions. On the particular issue the Deputy mentioned, I understand that once somebody qualifies for family income supplement, he or she continues to have it paid for a year even if there is a change in his or her circumstances. To the best of my knowledge, it should not be stopped if a person engages-----

The legislation provides that it may be stopped when engaging in industrial action.

-----in legal industrial action. However, I will follow up on the matter. I certainly do not believe it should not be paid.

Can the Minister give a commitment that no payments to Tesco workers will be stopped?

I will have to check the law on it first in order to determine the position.

The programme for Government states that the Garda must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crimes. Can the Tánaiste advise on the progress to date regarding the implementation of the justice capital plan? The aim of the plan is to update the policing infrastructure nationwide. Also, will the Tánaiste provide an update on the Garda regional headquarters for Sligo-Leitrim, which is listed in the capital plan?

There is a commitment to developing a regional headquarters in Sligo and that project will proceed. The matter is a priority for the Government. The use of information technology, IT, in the Garda Síochána is also a priority. In fact, this week I had a meeting with the relevant stakeholders to review progress in respect of the various systems in place and to ensure that we can fulfil our EU obligations in this regard, as well as ensuring that the Garda has the required type of IT system. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice and Equality are working together on this and a €205 million investment in technology is currently being implemented. There is also a commitment to Schengen information system II. Due to the economic situation before this Government took office, that project did not go ahead as it should have. It is now under way and is extremely important. In addition, by the end of this year, the Prüm project will also be in place, which allows for fingerprinting and the exchange of fingerprinting. The technology is being put in place.

The programme for Government refers to the establishment of a new model for speech and language therapy in our schools. It also commits to a review of the variations in waiting lists for speech and language therapy across the country. Figures released by the HSE show that over 300 children have been waiting over a year for an initial assessment, while 1,100 have been waiting a year for initial therapy. Has the review of the variations in the waiting lists commenced and can I have an update on the new model for speech and language therapy in schools? Also, how many speech and language therapists have been appointed since the Government took office?

We are working on a series of improvements for children with special needs.

We just rolled out a new model for the allocation of resource teachers, which will involve 900 additional resource teachers being provided for children in schools.

We are working with the HSE to evolve a model for speech and language from within the school system. It is a commitment for our programme for Government we are working to develop over the period of Government.

On promised legislation on the misuse of drugs in the programme for Government, there is currently an urgent need for a drug treatment centre in County Kildare. There is no such service available at present and people who need to avail of this service must wait for a minimum of nine months and must seek this treatment outside Kildare in Dublin. This is causing many problems for people who need to access this service and for families in general. If the Tánaiste cannot answer today, she might ask the Minister to let me know when this service will be provided in Kildare. It is currently not in place and has not been for some time.

As the Deputy is aware, legislation on drugs is being taken in the Dáil today. The Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, is working on a new national drugs strategy that will ensure the kinds of treatment raised by the Deputy are available. There is also increased investment to ensure people can access treatment. I agree it is essential that people can access rehabilitation treatment quickly when they are in a position where they are willing to accept that. I will ask the Minister to link directly with the Deputy about the specifics.

At least seven young adults with disabilities, who have been allocated day service places with St. Michael's House here in Dublin, are unable to access their places due to the absence of funding to cover transport. How is the health (transport support) Bill progressing? I understand this Bill will provide for a scheme to make individual payments as a contribution towards transport costs to people with severe disabilities on a low income who cannot access public transport. Does this Bill offer a means of addressing the transport needs of the St. Michael's House seven?

If I may respond to Deputy Ó Caoláin's question on the transport issue, it is a problem for St. Michael's House. I met the senior management of St. Michael's House recently to discuss funding and the amount of funding that has gone into the social care disability service plan for 2017. The budget for transport within St. Michael's House is taken from its own budget. On the broader issue of the motor transport Bill, I am trying to finalise Second Stage of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 in the Dáil today and hopefully Members will get that done and dusted. The Government is near completion in respect of the motor transport Bill on funding people with disabilities who have transport problems. As I said in response earlier, I hope to have that in the next couple of weeks. At the moment, I am trying to get the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 over the line. I am also trying to move quickly in the next couple of days on the Grace cases but I guarantee there will be movement.

I have a question for the Minister for Social Protection in respect of the commitment in the programme for Government on reinforcing labour market activation that the Government "will develop our social protection services into an active employment service that works with, and helps, jobseekers to return to work". My question is on JobPath and how I and people in the community services believe that JobPath is undermining the viability of other schemes such as community employment and local employment services. My colleague, Deputy John Brady, has called on the Minister a number of times to have an immediate review of JobPath. Is the Minister prepared to do that? JobPath is a private company. It excludes people from other activation schemes, such as community employment schemes. Community schemes are not able to deliver services.

The programme for Government commitment is not about getting people onto schemes. It is about getting people into jobs. We are having enormous success in that regard. The Deputy will note from yesterday's figures that the quarterly national household survey shows that long-term unemployment in Ireland is now below 4%. Everything we are doing, whether Intreo services or JobPath services, is now being proven to be enormously successful in getting people into employment. The Deputy is right to say that community employment, CE, schemes and others are having difficulty filling posts.

They are having difficulty because the number of schemes and services has almost quadrupled, while the number of people unemployed has reduced by half. I will deal with that by broadening the pool of people who can qualify for CE and Tús schemes. I will be making an announcement on that in the coming weeks.

I call Deputies Lawless and Durkan for two short, snappy questions; no debate.

The programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI, is a critical plank for funding in universities. The sixth phase of the programme is to be announced this year. It was due to be announced last year, but we are still awaiting clarification on that. At a time of such competition for talent in the country in the wake of international events, this is a critical part of our attraction. It seems to fall between two stools in the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and Education and Skills. Clarity on when the sixth phase will be announced and available to research institutions would be very welcome.

That programme is developed under the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I understand it is developing programmes. It will obviously be in the context of the capital review and the envelope of capital money available. I will seek to get the information for the Deputy.

The Mediation Bill is awaited in many circles throughout the country. When is it likely to be debated by the Houses?

Second Stage of that Bill is being taken next week. I know the Deputy has a very keen interest in it. It is a very important Bill to encourage mediation rather than get involved in adversarial court cases.