I propose an amendment to the Order of Business. I ask the Leader to accept the Civil Liability (Capping of General Damages) Bill 2019, which I wish to introduce on First Stage this afternoon. I propose we take that before No. 1 on the Order of Business.

The Senator has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 19 be taken before No. 1." I call Senator Wilson.

I join with Senators Boyhan and Bacik in calling on the Leader to bring the Judicial Council Bill into this House at an early date. It is important legislation that could move swiftly through this House because it seems to have all-party support.

I second Senator Lawlor’s amendment to the Order of Business. My main reason, however, for speaking is to acknowledge the 30th anniversary of the Youthreach training programme. It is a programme with which the Cathaoirleach is very familiar. It was launched by the then Minister for Labour, Bertie Ahern, and the then Minister for Education and Science, Mary O’Rourke, in 1988. The first pilot centres were established around the country 30 years ago this month.

I am glad that one of those pilot centres was in my county of Cavan and it happened that I was the first co-ordinator. Youthreach training centres have gone from strength to strength in those 30 years. There are now more than 130 centres in the Twenty-six Counties. More than 10,000 young people have benefitted from the education and training provided in those centres in the last three decades. I take this opportunity to congratulate all of the centres, including the initial 20 centres that are now 30 years old, as well as all of the other centres. They are doing marvellous work every day for our young people. I pay particular tribute to Ms Sabrina McEntee. She is the co-ordinator of the Cavan Youthreach centre which will celebrate 30 years of existence next Thursday. I congratulate Ms McEntee, all her staff, past and present, and their colleagues around the country.

Senator Wilson is still going strong 30 years later. I call Senator Humphreys.

I commend Senator Wilson on the work done by Youthreach. I had the pleasure of chairing several Youthreach projects in Dublin and seeing the work carried out across the country. It has made a significant difference to young people in allowing them to access a career. I commend Senator Wilson on his pilot which has worked extremely well all around the country. I thank Senator Wilson for raising that issue today. I move on to the equally important matter of housing, which is increasingly becoming an issue for many different sectors of our society. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, recently launched his discussion document on downsizing, or rightsizing as I call it. This issue comes back to spin. Many people, especially in Dublin, wish to rightsize. They wish to move from larger properties, such as a three or four-bedroom family home, into more suitable smaller residential units. Older people, such as myself, are seeking to move back into a one or two-bed residence. There are no bridging loans available, however. A person wishing to rightsize has no access to a financial package allowing him or her to do that.

I spoke on this issue here briefly previously. It has been highlighted in the Irish Independent today in respect of the trend to build to rent. There is less and less accommodation available for people who want to rightsize. In quarter 3 of 2018, 80% of all apartments that came to the market were bought by investment funds for build-to-rent. Older and younger people have no access to the property ladder. That is a direct result of the policy of this Government. In 2018, €1 billion went into the build-to-rent sector. Many of the residential investment companies in Dublin are stating that there is €5 billion available in 2019 for the build to rent sector. Practically 100% of all the apartments that are going to be built in the Dublin area are build to rent. There is no access, therefore, for a young couple to get on the property ladder and purchase accommodation. An older person trying to rightsize also has no chance to purchase. These real estate investment trusts, REITs, have preferential tax advantages. They only pay 20% tax on their income. A wider debate is needed on issue. I ask the Leader to facilitate that debate as soon as possible.