We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Seanad
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Gender pay gap, Syria and youth services

Summary

The Leader responded on the gender pay gap, said the Government would address it after Cabinet, and supported concern about Syria. He then accepted Lawlor’s amendment, dealt with the ongoing issue raised about Youthreach, and promised to arrange a ministerial discussion on the matter.

It is this Government that solved the Fianna Fáil problem.

Comment on this

The Senator is correct. That should be articulated loudly.

Comment on this

Relations are good for a Sinn Féin-Fine Gael coalition.

Comment on this
Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

Senators should not interrupt the Leader.

Comment on this

Senator Bacik raised the issue of the gender pay gap. The Government is meeting on Friday, International Women's Day, and arising from that Cabinet meeting, I am sure there will be a series of communications around the issues the Senator raised. I hope we will have an answer in this respect sooner rather than later.

The issue of Syria is one on which we must continue to be vigilant and which we must highlight. I thank the Senator for doing that.

I would be happy to accept the amendment proposed by Senator Lawlor to the Order of Business.

Notwithstanding that Senator Wilson has been 30 years involved in Youthreach, I genuinely pay tribute to him and all those involved in the programme, as mentioned by Senator Swanick. As somebody who has been involved in adult education and education generally for the majority of my working life, I know that the benefit of Youthreach to communities and the young people who participate in the schemes is tangible. Without Youthreach, we would have a very different criminal justice system and much worse outcomes in term of the mental health needs of young people. On a personal level, I pay tribute to Senator Wilson for the humanity he brings to the programme and brought to it when he was working in it full time. I had the pleasure of knowing the Senator before we both came into this House. I do not want to patronise or heap praise unnecessarily on him, but the work he and his colleagues in Youthreach have done is invaluable. It is right we recognise the scheme today. I thank the Senator for that. It is amazing how a pilot project can grab hold of and reflect a nation. At one time, some people in the education system may have viewed Youthreach in much the same way as they would view the leaving certificate applied but Youthreach is of benefit and has a place in our education system. I commend the Senator and all of those involved in Youthreach on the work they have done and are doing.

Senator Humphreys raised the issue of housing and I would be happy to arrange for a debate on the report that was published last week.

Senator Horkan, in a very thoughtful contribution, raised the issue, as Senator Burke did yesterday, of national planning and the need to have a real conversation on planning for the future, ensuring that we have the necessary services and infrastructure in place and that people are able to have a proper planning system. I would be happy to arrange to have that matter addressed in a debate in the coming weeks.

Senator Mulherin raised the issue of the Western Development Commission report and the importance of ensuring that urban areas and major cities will not be choke points. It is worth noting that 58% of IDA Ireland jobs last year were located outside Dublin. The issue around regional jobs is a priority for the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys. I would happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to address this matter.

Senator Devine raised the Health Information and Quality Authority report on fostering services in Dublin South-Central. It is mind-boggling-----

Comment on this

-----that we have this ongoing problem which does not seem to be getting any better.

Comment on this

It has been ongoing for at least three years.

Comment on this

It seems to be regressing rather than improving. I would be happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter. The Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs is doing work on the issue but it is mind-boggling that this is the case today.

Senator Swanick reminded us all very sensitively of the Blackrock tragedy and we remember the four people who were tragically lost and think of the families during this month. We thank the volunteers and the community in Mayo who did so much outreach and inspired many of us by their volunteerism and the way in which they opened up their homes and communities. It is important we remember those people today.

I commend the Senator on his Life Saving Equipment Bill. It is important legislation, which I hope we will have back before the House as a matter of priority. I fully understand the points the Senator made. He referred to Cork and there have been instances of defibrillators being removed from walls and public walkways in the city of Cork and other areas. It is a matter of extreme importance.

Senator Murnane O'Connor raised the issue of the weather conditions last Sunday. I cannot for the life of me understand how the National Transport Authority, NTA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, or the councils were not prepared for it because a weather warning was issued. It is an issue we need to consider for the future.

Senator Mullen raised the issue of Irish overseas aid. Sometimes a good news story gets lost. The Government has committed to a new overseas aid development policy, A Better World, about making the world a better place to live. It has committed to spend €2 billion by 2030 under the themes of gender balance, governance, climate change and doubling of funds from 0.3% of our gross national income to 0.7% in 2030. Some 130 countries will benefit from our aid programme. The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, will be in the House later to speak on the diaspora but I will be happy to arrange for the Minister to come to the House on this matter in the coming weeks.

I thank the 14 Members of the House for their contributions. I regret I cannot accept the amendment proposed by Senator Leyden but I will accept the amendment proposed by Senator Lawlor.

Comment on this