I wish to raise the issue of rates, which is close to my heart and close to many business people's hearts. We see that €60 million will be put into the rural regeneration scheme, but rates are a problem in many small rural towns, although previous Governments have done nothing about it. Legislation governing the rates system goes back to the 1800s, but the only rule concerning rates is that one must pay them. In the midlands and Munster, the Valuation Office went into businesses that had fought through tough times in the recession and revalued their rates upwards. In some cases, their rates have been trebled. We are trying to keep family businesses in town centres but they have struggled for survival in the recession. Now, however, we are multiplying their rates threefold.

Many respectable business people are currently being dragged through the courts due to unpaid rates. We helped GAA clubs, and rightly so, when bars were put in via new legislation. We now need new legislation to deal with rates. We also need a debate on this matter to get something done.

I wish to second Senator Gavan's motion on the Tesco workers. Shame on anybody who does not support it.

As regards Senator Leyden's point, the Dublin Mountains were to be sold off by Coillte. As a little reminder his colleague, Bertie Ahern, was involved in that about five years ago.

The Children's Rights Alliance launched its 2017 report card this morning as it has done this for the past nine years. It is a report on how children are faring in Ireland today. The CRA has given access to mental health services a grade D minus. Although it comes as no surprise, child homelessness gets a shameful grade E, which is bottom of the league.

Medical cards, which were a big issue about two years ago, got a grade D. Medical cards are now granted to all children who qualify for the domiciliary care allowance. This is a positive step, although it took a while for parents to obtain that right. However, the Minister should sort out the unnecessary and traumatising annual application process, given that they are subsequently allowed on appeal. In 2016, 1,198 applications were refused, while 90% of them were subsequently revised and allowed on appeal. This occurs year in, year out. It seems that the process is deliberately designed to sap the will of parents who are already struggling and exhausted. I ask the Minister to hurry up the HSE's plan for this scheme. The Minister should attend this House to update Members on the expected passage through the Oireachtas of the relevant legislation. If that could be done, it would be much appreciated.