Language learning is a rewarding experience for children and students and can lead to a lifetime of engagement both culturally and professionally. A well-educated multilingual population is a key incentive for international business to choose Ireland as a base for operations. Will the Minister comment on the number of schools that have to date engaged with her Department on the Say Yes to Languages scheme for the year ahead?

I thank the Minister for her response and work in this area. The introduction of Say Yes to Languages has been a positive step right across the school community. Allowing pupils, teachers, parents and guardians to learn a modern foreign language promotes inclusivity and understanding of diverse cultures, so it is a positive step. It also encourages schools to take up the scheme. The Minister indicated the Department has seen a huge increase in take-up of the scheme year on year. What improvements have been made in …

I again thank the Minister for her response. It is a really positive scheme that should be commended. I wish to inquire around the selection process. Applications closed, as the Minister outlined, on 12 May. It was also mentioned that participation is not guaranteed to all applying schools and that a panel will evaluate applications based on specific criteria. I ask the Minister to provide additional details on how the panels will assess applications. I am specifically interested in their being a geographic spread …

I have previously raised the issue of the vital emergency department at Mayo University Hospital. Yesterday, more than 24 people were left on trolleys at the department and the hospital was forced to issue a statement noting that in excess of 170 patients attended the department last Monday, which is 30% higher than average, leading to extremely lengthy waiting times. Staff are working in very difficult circumstances to try to care for people who are critically ill or injured. This is a project that has been promis…

The urgency of addressing climate change has never been more apparent. Innovative solutions, such as green hydrogen, are crucial to our shared effort for a sustainable future. Green hydrogen produced using renewable energy offers immense potential in our transition towards a carbon neutral society and could significantly reduce emissions in industries where decarbonisation is a particular challenge. As we push for a greener Ireland, it is paramount that our Government vigorously supports the development of green hy…

Today as we commemorate Europe Day, we celebrate the unity and peace that have been the cornerstone of the EU and reflect upon the remarkable journey of Ireland within this esteemed community since we joined in 1973. Our membership of the EU has served as a catalyst for Ireland's transformation from a largely agricultural economy to a modern, open economy that has been a magnet for foreign direct investment. The EU has been instrumental in facilitating the growth of our vibrant technology, pharmaceutical and servic…

I am asking this question on behalf of Deputy Bruton. Will the Minister confirm whether he believes businesses can effectively reduce their tax warehousing debts?

From speaking to those who visit my constituency offices, a lot are grappling with the dual pressures of escalating debt and the rising cost of living, compounded by the inflationary environment we are in. We need to ensure that Revenue and the county sheriffs are collaboratively working together and demonstrating compassion with individuals and businesses that are impacted by this. It is paramount that we continue to develop strategies to support those who find themselves in challenging circumstances. I welcome th…

I would make a point on some of the letters I have seen that have been issued by county sheriffs locally. They leave a lot to be desired and the language that is being used is challenging for those on the receiving end of them. I want to make that point in the House, while understanding that they are doing their best, in challenging times, to decrease their debt effectively. It only adds to the impact of anxiety and concern when that happens. I appeal to the Minister again to ensure we have the support measures in …

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for debate. I acknowledge the presence of the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne. I also acknowledge the excellent work done by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, in the area of special education and inclusion. It is very important that the Government has established this area within the Department. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, for her recent visits to County Mayo and for her engagement with key stakeholders in the area of special educati…

The Minister of State is filling in for the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan. The reality for St. Brid's Special School and St. Anthony's School is that there is no alternative placement for many of these children in Castlebar. It is a scary thought that up to 14 or 15 extremely vulnerable children could be left without secure school placements for the 2023-24 school year. Recently, the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, said that the planning and resourcing of special education needs to catch up with the …

I also want to raise a serious situation in my own constituency, where construction work continues to be halted on a multimillion euro primary care centre in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. Construction work was halted in early 2022. I have written to the senior HSE management in community healthcare west. Management outlined that it remains on hold as the landlord agrees costs to completion with the contractor and his subcontractors. This is totally unacceptable. This centre was due to be opened in early 2021. The commu…

I spoke recently in the House on the sheep sector. It is our duty to support sheep farmers. Many sheep producers are grappling with increased production costs while the price of their products has fallen. We cannot stand idly by as this unfolds. We need to ensure sheep farmers can continue to contribute to our local economy and pass their knowledge and passion for their land on to future generations. What plans are in place to review the current sheep improvement scheme?

I thank the Minister for his response and for his interventions to date. While they have made a difference, from my engagement with many farming representative organisations in recent weeks, I know they are really concerned about the primary sheep producers. Time is running out for many. The position is precarious and it is unsustainable for new and existing farmers. As public representatives, we have a duty to implement policies and additional support measures to help alleviate this burden. Will the Minister addre…

I accept it is the first year of the new CAP programme but the feedback from many of the sheep farmers I have engaged with, and many of the hill farmers, is that the payment is insufficient to provide the support sheep farmers need to maintain their livelihoods and keep the sector alive. Certainly, we need to do more in terms of financial aid and to ensure we can enhance the direct targeted supports. This increased funding will go a long way to ensuring new entrants to sheep farming are provided with an opportunity…

Funding of €10 million was allocated in budget 2023 for publicly funded IVF treatment for men and women experiencing fertility difficulties. Over the past six months, however, there has been a serious lack of clarity as to how the plan will be implemented. Couples to whom I have spoken are considering delaying treatment until public funding is rolled out, making the issue even more pressing. The Minister for Health has said that funding will precede the assisted human reproduction, AHR, Bill's coming into law. That…

We now move into the question-and-answer session. I call Deputy Carthy.

Hotels throughout the country have played a central role in assisting the Government on the accommodation of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, along with international protection applicants. However, I know a number of hoteliers who are still owed large sums of money by the Department, which has accumulated in recent months. This is having a disastrous effect on their cash flow and it cannot be sustained. What improvements have been introduced by the Minister on the delivery of payments to hoteliers?

I thank the Minister for his reply. It is welcome to hear that additional resources have been allocated to his Department in order to ensure that these payments can be made more swiftly. It is also positive to hear about the automated process. Some accommodation providers should receive their payments via an automated system. If contracts are being paid monthly, that should be automated in the context of the invoices submitted. It is difficult for many businesses to have to wait five months for payment of significa…

I will touch on the long-term strategic plan to accommodate refugees, and Government’s plans. We had the key stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sector before the Oireachtas committee yesterday. Tourism operators cannot be asked to be the primary accommodation providers to the detriment of the broader industry. Currently, 32% of tourism beds have been given over to Government for non-tourism purposes. This will have a knock-on effect on downstream tourism businesses, such as restaurants, attractions and i…