Tá an suim agam gur luaigh an t-Aire Stáit Oileán Chléire chomh maith mar, arís, is pobal é de dhaonra beag agus más rud é go bhfuil an t-údarás ag scaipeadh a chuid maoinithe de réir an daonra, bheadh a leithéid d'Oileán Chléire agus gach aon phobal eile faoi mhíbhuntáiste dá réir. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeadh an t-údarás ábalta tograí mór le rá agus tábhachtacha a aithint agus an chuid maoinithe a chur ar fáil chucu, Coláiste Íosagáin ina measc. Caithfidh teachtaireacht shoiléir a bheith ann go mbeidh maoiniú…

Almost 1.2 million people worked in SMEs across the country last year and many of those were in smaller enterprises with less than ten people. I refer to small businesses, shops, pubs and high-street enterprises that have weathered a range of different storms over the years but are now really struggling and under pressure. I want to get an understanding of the support that would be available to ensure that those viable businesses would be able to continue.

The cumulative cost impact report has been published. Through that report, the Government acknowledges the range of different pressures on various enterprises, but also that certain sectors are under more pressure than others. Hospitality and retail, for example, are seeing a close to 7% increase in their costs in 2024 and that is projected to be up to 20% by 2026. It is clear there are different sectors under phenomenal pressure. We readily acknowledge there has been a very extensive range of supports, which are v…

I acknowledge the huge range of supports put in place over a number of years, from Covid supports to, as the Minister of State outlined, the support on rates and so many other supports. Some of those are gradually being changed and withdrawn. There is the VAT support, for example, and now the further introduction of the rates support. There are myriad supports there and some of them suit certain businesses more than others. Is there a one-stop shop so businesses can identify which is the most suitable and realistic…

Go raibh maith agat a Cheann Comhairle agus a Thaoiseach táim ag fiosrú faoin gcruth ainnis ar bhóithre áitiúla i gCo. Chorcaí. A massive issue that locals constantly raise with me is the poor condition of the local road network. There are numerous potholes and council workers are running back and forth from road to road filling them. It is really difficult for locals, who have been paying motor tax, to use a road that is not fit for driving on. Cork County Council gets substantial road maintenance funding but Cork…

There is considerable need for ASD services in Ballincollig schools, and Scoil Eoin has been keen to provide classes for people in their own community so they do not have to travel outside to places such as Farran, Berrings and elsewhere. Finding a location to fit these classes on the site has been challenging, and the option of replacing an existing building, the section beside Station Road, needs to be seriously considered. There is a real win-win opportunity because there are issues in that part of the building.…

Connecting Ireland has a comprehensive plan for upgrading public transport right across the country, including in mid-Cork. A timetable is key for passengers who are waiting for a bus and it is also essential to allow people to know when to expect services will become available. Will the Minister set out a timetable for the delivery of that Connecting Ireland plan, in particular with regard to mid-Cork communities between Cork city and Macroom and westward?

A key corridor west of the city serves the Lee Valley towards Macroom, serving communities such as Ovens, Aherla, Cloughduv, Crookstown, Kilmurray, Coachford and Macroom, where the route 233 service is based. That same bus serves the Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary area as well. When we look at the timetable, it looks very extensive but because it is spread so thin, this means that people living in these communities cannot realistically expect to depend on getting a bus in and out of town to go to college or work. An …

The Minister referred to the Millstreet service. Many of the routes in Cork come towards the city. There is clearly a need for a radial service which would give people an opportunity, for example, to go to Millstreet, Macroom and Bandon, and on towards Kinsale if they wish, instead of having to go to the city. As the Minister said, part of that route was upgraded but it stopped short in Macroom. Continuing that, as proposed in the original Connecting Ireland plan, would also offer services to people in Crookstown a…

Tá cathaoirleach nua ar bhord RTÉ á cheapadh anois. Beidh sé gnóthach. Guímid gach rath air. Tá go leor le déanamh. Beidh an-chuid béime ar riachtanais RTÉ féin ach tá riachtanais ag TG4 agus ag Raidió na Gaeltachta chomh maith. Tá an-chuid á déanamh acu le sciar beag airgid. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeadh a riachtanais agus riachtanais phobal na Gaelainne i lár aigne an chathaoirligh nua. An bhfuil aird an chathaoirligh nua á díriú ar riachtanais phobal na Gaelainne, TG4 agus Raidió na Gaeltachta? Are the requirem…

Ar an gcéad dul síos, díreoidh mé isteach ar chúpla rud dearfacha atá ag teacht chun cinn ó thaobh cúrsaí teanga de, ina measc an obair mhór atá ar siúl ag na hoifigigh pleanála teanga agus iad ag díriú isteach ar thorthaí ar leith. Dár ndóigh, tá an t-ádh linn go bhfuil Eibhlín Ní Lionaird tosnaithe linn i gceantar Mhúscraí agus go bhfuil an-obair á dhéanamh aici. Tá oifigigh cosúil léi ar fud na tíre ag déanamh an-obair. Tá dúshláin ann maidir le cúrsaí teanga a thabhairt chun cinn. Tá sé luaite go minic againn s…

There are women who are cancer survivors who are not able to use hormone-based drugs during menopause. The new drug, Veoza, offers a non-hormone option to them but the cost is prohibitive. Can this drug be made available to them on the drugs payment scheme?

I first wish to acknowledge that significant work has been done on women's health across a range of different services. That is very positive. I refer to IVF, gynaecological services, for example, in Cork, and menopause clinics. This measure would complement the great effort that has been advanced through menopause clinics. A small number of people are involved in this and they have very limited options, if any at all. This is their first opportunity to have an option available to them because it is a non-hormone-b…

It is widely expected that by approximately April, this drug will become available to market and people will be able to access it. The timing on this is therefore highly sensitive. It would be great to have it available on the DPS right from the start. There is another very significant aspect to which I wish to draw the Minister’s attention. Aside from the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis, the difficulty in dealing with the treatment, etc., there is also a financial shock to the person. They will have lost inc…

Apprenticeships are a real option for many people seeking careers in sectors such as international financial services, software development, construction and hospitality. Are people being made aware of the various options that are available? What measures are there to encourage people towards that channel of apprenticeships?

I thank the Minister. I understand there are some 9,000 employers involved with apprenticeships throughout the country. If we are to increase the number of people in apprenticeships, it will be necessary to increase the number of employers who offer apprenticeships. Many smaller local businesses in hospitality and other sectors are under pressure. Is the Minister engaging with them and ensuring they are in a position to bring apprentices on board? There is a need to match up people who are looking for apprenticeshi…

One of the biggest competitors for apprenticeships, if we can call it a competitor, is college. Going to college seems to be pushed through the focus in schools on exams and points and through the publication of league tables of schools. From my involvement as a parent and from my experience with boards of management and education and training boards, I know that league tables are not a measure of personal development or educational attainment. They are really only a tiny snapshot, but at the same time they influen…

The key issue with the renewal process for the card is that it should be smooth and that people should find it straightforward to do, with the minimum of hassle. We are getting a range of queries on different issues in our offices in Macroom and throughout County Cork. Will the Minister outline of the efforts being made to make the renewal process as smooth as possible?

Local offices are very helpful in getting the card renewed and they facilitate the appointments with people. We are seeing that people are getting a letter three months in advance, notifying them of the card coming due for renewal, but that they cannot make an appointment for another two months. They will not be facilitated with an appointment until the card is within a number of weeks of the renewal date. That concerns people. They want to know that they can get their card renewed. It is only in the last number of…

Having a smooth and reliable process for the renewal is so important. When people are getting their letter three months in advance they expect to be able to either do it online, or to be able to access the office locally. People are struggling to get appointments until they are much nearer the date of their card expiry. From what we understand, this is because of a large number of people. The card was introduced around ten or 11 years ago, so there is a large block of people coming towards the renewal at around abo…