Tenant in situ and retired nurses
Deputy Ó Murchú sought assurances on resources for tenant-in-situ purchases, Deputy Griffin raised delayed back pay for retired nurses, and Deputy Dillon asked about rolling out publicly funded IVF treatment. The Tánaiste said councils would get extra resources for tenant-in-situ cases, he would follow up the nurses’ pay issue, and the Health Minister was prioritising IVF and the assisted human reproduction Bill.
We have three other members indicating. We will take 30-second questions from each of them.
Comment on this
The eviction ban has been lifted. I do not believe a sufficient number of solutions or services are in play. I have talked to Louth County Council homeless services; they have reinforced this in my head. My question relates to the tenant in situ scheme. Louth County Council is at this point processing a number above the actual target it has. My fear is that it will not have the resources if more come into play and it will not be able to deal with this quickly enough. I know resources have been put into the Department, but can it be ensured that there will be sufficient resources to deliver on this and people are not taken from other necessary services within the council?
Comment on this
I wish to ask about back pay for retired nurses. A number of them have been in contact with me and they are awaiting back pay. I wonder if the Tánaiste's good office could help to expedite the matter.
Comment on this
Funding of €10 million was allocated in budget 2023 for publicly funded IVF treatment for men and women experiencing fertility difficulties. Over the past six months, however, there has been a serious lack of clarity as to how the plan will be implemented. Couples to whom I have spoken are considering delaying treatment until public funding is rolled out, making the issue even more pressing. The Minister for Health has said that funding will precede the assisted human reproduction, AHR, Bill's coming into law. That Bill, however, has been paused on Committee Stage for over a year. I therefore ask that the Government advance the AHR Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas as a matter of urgency to ensure those seeking publicly funded IVF have the opportunity in 2023.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputies for raising those issues.
As for the tenant in situ scheme, the Minister is clear that additional resources will be provided to councils in the event of their going above their targets. He is not providing strict limits in respect of the number of houses that can be bought with tenants in situ to prevent people from being evicted. Louth County Council can, therefore, exceed the target.
In response to Deputy Griffin, I will follow up the back pay for retired nurses with the Minister for Health.
In response to Deputy Dillon, the Minister for Health has prioritised that and during the Estimates secured funding for the first time ever for IVF treatment. I accept the point that many people out there now are anxious that clarity be brought to the situation. It is extremely important that the legislation be passed. I will talk to the Minister about timelines around that.