Working from home and remotely is a big part of Our Rural Future and the broadband plan is not rolling out half fast enough for people. Indeed, the hubs could be a real opportunity for people and there is the opportunity of not being isolated in one's home and working in a more social environment. Can the Minister outline the plan for rolling out these hubs? How quickly can they be done and what supports are available to private operators to do so, as well as community groups that want to take part?

I thank the Minister for the overview and details. Remote working will be a big part of the rural future. Having people working locally, rather than having to travel as much, offers a great deal of opportunity to communities. I acknowledge that a number of significant works are under way in our area, such as in Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, Coláiste Íosagáin i mBaile Bhuirne, Achadh Bolg, Castletown and Aubane. I will draw the Minister's attention to the fact many community groups are not able to raise their own fundin…

I want to see a situation where every community has the opportunity of people living and working locally, whether using broadband at home or the community hubs. In some smaller communities, there are no public buildings other than the school. I note what the Minister said about the pub option and repurposing buildings is a very real option because in many communities a shop and a pub might be the only public buildings aside from the school. On the main streets of towns there are many vacant buildings and they shoul…

The well-being framework is a positive initiative from the Government, bringing focus on overall quality of life, community connections, equality and mental health, for example. While the initial report was published in recent months, I am asking for a progress report on the overall framework. How would this overall framework reflect on the very worrying situation on accessing education in Ballincollig, where the newly established Le Chéile school is in temporary accommodation and is looking for a permanent home, t…

Yes.

While improvements have, to some extent, been made to the SUSI grant scheme, the scale of the grant is still well out of step with the financial burden that students experience, concerning accommodation or the cost of living, for example. We are some five years on from the Cassells report. Will the Minister outline the up-to-date position regarding that review and on having a new and improved scheme of grants for students?

I acknowledge the improvements that have been made in the SUSI grant. As the Minister mentioned, the non-adjacent rate is very significant for people around mid-Cork from Enniskean and Newcestown up around to Macroom and Millstreet and right across the top of the Boggeraghs as far as Millstreet, who would now be eligible for the higher rate of grant. The cost of rental accommodation for students is very much higher than what is available in the grant. Many students will be working during term time and throughout th…

It is very important that any new funding scheme is going to support lifelong learning and that people who want to return to study later in life and who may have previously gained a qualification would not be excluded. They are excluded under the current model where applicants have to show progression. It is very important that a lifelong learning opportunity would be available with any funding model. If there is a change of circumstances in somebody's household, the current system makes them have to go through a w…

The availability and cost of accommodation is a huge burden for students. I am not sure if the Minister has had the opportunity to engage directly with colleges or different stakeholders and property owners on the issue. I ask the Minister to outline what action is being taken to reduce that stress and burden on students and their families.

I thank the Minister for the overview. While some colleges do provide accommodation, others do not. Is the Minister focused on all colleges, or just on those already providing accommodation? There are places where we need to make a start. There are many private property owners involved, whether they are large apartment block owners or individuals who let houses. Has the Minister had an opportunity to engage with them on the issue? They are a very significant component in all of this. It is hugely important that the…

One of the big issues that students who can get accommodation face is the payment of rent in one big lump sum, either at the start of the year or twice or three times during the year. They are looking at paying at least of a third or a quarter of it in one go. We are now moving towards the end of the first term and that massive demand for money is reaching many households around the country at this stage. Are steps being taken to prevent that and to provide a more realistic option so that people who are renting wil…

There are up to 40,000 people around the country affected by epilepsy each day. If we leave aside briefly the medical impacts of it, one of the restrictions on people with epilepsy is that they are not allowed to drive. Their licence is restricted. As the Minister can imagine, that is a huge impediment on people in ordinary, everyday life, whether they are going to or from work, going about social life and in so many other ways. Is there a way of giving them access to the free travel pass, while they are restricted…

I thank the Minister for the overview of the scheme. The costs associated with medication and so on are acknowledged by the State with the long-term illness scheme and the yellow book. This is another big restriction on people and it is not at all being acknowledged. I appreciate the point on the supplement and it being on a case-by-case basis but we know people who have epilepsy are put off the road. They are restricted from work. The State should acknowledge that and look towards giving them mobility and access. …

To return to my original question, is there an opportunity for a review so this could be teased out further because there is a very real need for that? The Minister should not worry about setting a precedent. That has already been done with the long-term illness scheme and the yellow book. People who have epilepsy are already have their condition acknowledged irrespective of income purely on the basis of the condition and getting a benefit there. Thus, a precedent has already been set. There are already a mix of wa…

The retained firefighters in Ballincollig have provided a phenomenal service to their community over a great many years. There is a huge concern locally that City Hall is now closing the fire station there. The full-time crew who were temporarily there have gone back to Anglesea Street and there are not enough retained firefighters to operate the station as it is. There are 18 additional firefighters recruited and finishing out their training. It would make sense, as the city is growing westward, to have a crew ope…

When will the Cabinet committee on health next meet? Will there be an opportunity to discuss the well-being framework? It is a positive initiative which focuses on quality of life and a range of issues. The initial report was published months ago. As we make our way through the pandemic, there is a greater need than ever to focus on various aspects of our life, including mental and physical health and much more. Unfortunately, maintaining physical and mental well-being, and so many other things, slipped off the rad…

The Northern Ireland protocol was key in avoiding a hard border. Of course, the threat of triggering Article 16 is causing great concern to people now. This has eased off a little bit more recently. However, the way it is being used as leverage, and pretty much as a pawn, is very much a concern from the point of view of the threat of a hard border, and every social, political and economic impact that there would be from that. The way that Article 16 is being used as leverage in this whole situation is also a concer…

Residents in Crossbarry, including Cluain na Croise, Gleann Alainn, Cúl na Gréine and across the rest of the village, have endured a defective sewerage scheme over many years since the developer left the site. It is not working for them. It was part of a pilot scheme at an early stage, but did not advance. It is inevitable that, sooner or later, Irish Water or the State will have to step in and resolve the issue. I want to get an update on advancing the project.

I know the Minister is very aware of the situation. We have discussed the situation in Crossbarry. I want to acknowledge that the Minister has brought forward a scheme and has recognised the difficulties for people in Crossbarry. There has been considerable back and forth between the council and Irish Water and the Department. I want to try to understand whether any further outstanding information is required or if all of the details are available. Crossbarry was part of an earlier pilot scheme which, it seems, foc…

I wish to acknowledge the progress that has been made and thank the Minister. As he can well imagine, it has been very difficult for residents over many years. They thought they were in a pilot scheme. They have experienced backups in the sewer, smells and nuisance. More recently, they have had to value their homes, which is being impeded by this issue. This has been going on for a number of years. Some have sought to sell their homes and move out. It has been very difficult. We need a solution in a timely manner. …