He was responding to questions from Deputy Pauline Tully, and agreed with the Sinn Fein TD that there is a substantive gap in services locally.

Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully was stabbed 13 times in the Christmas Eve attack in 2014.

There has been criticism of the former Sinn Fein leader, who is accused of making light of Provisional IRA atrocities in a Christmas video.

Leo Varadkar said the Northern Sound region will continue to be actively promoted as part of the wider Border area.

Pauline Tully recently raised the issue of a Cavan family who was told their son would have to wait three and a half years to be seen by a paediatric urologist.

The Cavan Deputy raised the issue of the child, who at six weeks old was diagnosed with an undescended testicle.

Brendan Smith said the government's investment in housing is no joke.

A €100 voucher is also proposed for everyone under the age of 18.