I commend the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, on the €11 billion cost-of-living budget. I believe last week's budget achieved the right balance between helping people in the short term and planning for an uncertain future. Will the Minister of State summarise the main cost of living supports within budget 2023?

It can be simply said that families were the biggest winners in this year's budget, but also that there were a considerable number of measures for young people. Certainly, the once-off reduction in the student contribution of €1,000 for eligible students, the once-off €1,000 increase for the postgraduate fee contributions and a once-off double monthly payment for those in receipt of SUSI maintenance grants were substantial measures, especially for young people and their families. The extension of the 20% public tra…

I thank the Minister for his clarification. This budget will make a substantial difference to thousands of households who will benefit from the once-off measures aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis. The €1.1 billion income tax package will certainly put more money back into people's pockets, with tax savings of €800 a year for single earners and double that for households. Middle-income earners, pensioners and families with young children were among some of the biggest winners in this budget. I commend the Mi…

Government has acted decisively by announcing a package of measures worth €4.4 billion from which people will benefit in the coming weeks, if not immediately. Budget 2023 helps hard-pressed individuals and families at a time when they are feeling the strain of rising costs. The introduction of the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, a €1.25 billion programme of financial aid for businesses hit with soaring energy costs is without doubt a hugely significant intervention. How quickly will we get the firs…

Yes.

I wish to raise the 9% VAT rate in the hospitality sector in the context of next week's budget. We have yet to see evidence of a recovery in either the hospitality or tourism sectors post pandemic. The Government demonstrated its mettle by delivering unprecedented supports during Covid to protect jobs. We all know about the summer price hikes and increases in hotel rates in Dublin but Dublin is certainly not Ireland. Protection of the 9% VAT rate is about jobs in rural and regional Ireland outside of Dublin and cit…

The Western Care Association has a service level agreement with the HSE on whose behalf it provides support and services to people with intellectual disabilities across County Mayo. It employs more than 1,400 staff. It is an amazing organisation. However, most care and community sector workers have not received a pay rise in the last 14 years. The Government and the Department of Health control the funding of this organisation and, therefore, have ultimate control over whether the wages increase or not. I ask the T…

The programme for Government commits to delivering insurance reform to reduce premiums and to increase the availability of insurance in Ireland. While I welcome the Government's ongoing efforts on the implementation of the action plan for insurance reform, I was contacted recently by Delphi Resort and the Health Hub gym, in Swinford, which have excellent safety records but have seen their premiums increase by 300% since 2019. Insurers are simply not passing on the benefits of recent reform to liability insurance po…

Next year will see thousands of participants who joined the rural social scheme in 2017 leaving it after six years. This fundamentally opposes the very purpose of the rural social scheme and is nonsensical in the current environment. The six-year rule should be abolished immediately. Will the Government support such a move and resolve the considerable stress on participants, who are effectively on notice that they will lose their jobs next year?

Is amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 1 agreed to?

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the vote is deferred until the weekly division time tomorrow evening.

Sorry Deputy, but Questions Nos. 3 and 4 are grouped and will be taken together.

Yes, but the Minister will answer both questions.

I ask that the Minister would stay within the time limit of one minute.

Investment in tourism infrastructure is essential in enhancing the quality of place that visitors experience during their stay. Fáilte Ireland's platforms for growth scheme is an important investment programme to support this objective. I would appreciate an update on capital projects under this scheme for County Mayo.

I thank the Minister very much. County Mayo has benefited from both rounds of the platforms for growth investment. Westport House is an amazing facility and received a huge investment last year. I was delighted to see two Mayo locations also selected for facilities for water sports at Keel Sandybanks in Achill and Carrowmore beach in Louisburgh. They are fantastic destinations. County Mayo boasts a large number of beaches awarded blue flag and green coast status. In recent times, these have been important amenities…

Amenities like these benefit not only visitors but also the local community. These projects will create further opportunities for participants and providers in the tourism business industry, including water-based activities. They will ensure there are local jobs and employment and businesses will thrive as a result. I have one question on Fáilte Ireland's intention to run a second round of this scheme with regard to activity centres. When is that expected to open? I would appreciate a response to that.

Small-scale local festivals and summer schools are held annually across the country, which are largely attributable to successful community engagement in tourism. Many of these festivals have a long history and are part of the fabric of life in towns across Ireland. I would appreciate if the Minister could provide an update on funding from her Department for these types of events.

The importance of the scheme in assisting local cultural events cannot be underestimated. Local community events connect residents, keep traditions alive and contribute new elements to the cultural sector. They are hugely important. Scoil Acla, the Ballina fringe festival and the Ballina salmon festival are a few of the hugely important events of significance to towns. These events help to attract new visitors to towns and villages, show what makes each locality unique and build a strong sense of pride in communiti…

The point about increasing the pot is on the back of the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides up to €2 million for the Irish Shows Association for agricultural shows. I would like to see additional funding being allocated both to small-scale festivals and summer schools. I acknowledge the input, contribution and support for the Home to Mayo campaign, which took place in May. That was an important event across the county, which provided a unique reason for visitors to visit County Mayo. In r…