Stick to the script.

Stick to the script.

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is running a tight ship today because things are flying ahead of schedule. This is landmark legislation that will strengthen our law when combatting hate crimes in Ireland. I commend the Minister and the Department on delivering on this key commitment in the programme for Government. Considerable work has gone into the Bill, which is a significant step forward. In a country that has been defined by economic and social progress in recent decades, it can be easy for our society to become com…

The announcement of redundancies in the tech sector is a cause for concern. I refer, for example, to the announcement on Thursday that half of Twitter’s Irish staff were being summarily dismissed via email. It has rightly been highlighted that a hard-fought right of workers - the requirement for an employer to notify the Government of such actions - has not been adhered to. I am aware, as the Minister mentioned, that the Tánaiste is to meet with Enterprise Ireland, EI, and the Industrial Development Authority, IDA,…

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this Bill, which will support small- and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of our economy. It is vital that we protect these enterprises that are faced with factors impacting on their ability to do business, especially when these particular factors are broadly outside their control. The Bill will introduce a €1.2 billion State-backed Ukraine credit guarantee scheme that will provide low-cost working capital of up to €1 million on a six-year term to SMEs, primary prod…

I echo the comments of Deputy Higgins. To expand on that, I am of the view that while the tax treatment of a small landlords, the very large proportion of whom own one or two properties, is fair, in a progressive taxation system any additional income they make from it should be taxed appropriately. The unfortunate reality, however, is that they are leaving the market in droves. That is causing evictions to take place, which is putting good people out on the street in the midst of a housing crisis. The reality is th…

I think the Deputy has another minute.

The Deputy was on a roll and I did not want to stop him. I would like to echo what Deputy McAuliffe said. This budget is putting money back into people's pockets through decreases in taxation, the one-off measures and the substantial social welfare increases across the board. It is only possible because of prudent financial management over the last decade and of course, the extraordinary response of the Irish people in jobs and companies up and down the country during the course of the pandemic. That only happened …

If the Deputy would like to relocate, I will pause the clock. I can hear the water hitting his page.

I apologise for interrupting the Deputy but there is a din coming from the Gallery. I ask those in the Gallery to be silent.

What is the Deputy not agreeing to?

Last year, 800 children in my constituency and just around it were awaiting access to children's disability services, and this year the number is 1,200. With the best will in the world, the policy that we have implemented cannot achieve its outcome without an intervention, and that is primarily to do with recruitment but, more importantly, retention of staff. On behalf of those 1,200 children and their parents, I ask the Taoiseach as respectfully as I can to try to intervene or lend assistance to the HSE in the pro…

I thank the Minister for her response. I lend my support to Deputy Higgins's proposal, which I think is merited. While I note the significant range of measures that the Minister has announced in this budget and the information that she has provided to the House, there is a gap. It is a small gap which affects less than half of leaving certificate students and their families, but it should be borne in mind. As Deputy Higgins said, this scheme was probably designed when fourth year was not done in all schools and chi…

On behalf of Deputy Carroll MacNeill and on my own behalf, I wish to acknowledge the work the Minister is doing regarding the provision of domestic violence leave. It is, of course, a core element of Government policy on sexual, domestic and gender-based, violence. I would like to obtain information on the scheme. I would also like to categorically draw a line in this House under the rather tone deaf and objectionable remarks made by IBEC last week on certification being sought for such leave. I am certain the Gove…

I thank the Minister. I very much appreciate him outlining the detail on domestic violence leave. The five days is very welcome. This measure has been introduced at an appropriate time, given the unfortunate rise in the number of cases of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence across the State. Some rather alarming figures were provided to me by An Garda Síochána recently. Women, in particular, but not exclusively, who are in fear of their safety, have been isolated from the families and are under immense press…

I thank the Minister. As the Minister outlined, it is critical that employers and unions are brought in to work with small companies that may not have a HR department on what supports they can offer their valued employees. The step being taken by Government is showing the sort of compassion required in these circumstances. As part of the overall strategy across all Departments the Minister and I have mentioned, it is a step that will be meaningful to individual victims and, most important, build on the other suppor…

The Bill will introduce significant changes to workers’ rights. I commend the Minister and his colleagues on their work in developing it and fulfilling a number of key commitments made during the formation of the Government. The most significant aspect of the Bill, as I touched on earlier, is the introduction of paid domestic violence leave, the impact of which cannot be overstated. It is a leap forward for our country that will put us at the forefront of this type of legislation, with just one other European count…

I thank the Minister for presenting this Bill, which is very important in the context of a number of areas in her Department. Crime tears at the fabric of our society. It chips away at the dignity and pride of our communities and it lures vulnerable young people down paths which often lead to ruin. Few criminal activities do more to damage lives and communities than the activities of gangs. The complete lack of regard for the rule of law and for the sanctity of human life cannot be left unchallenged. A message must…

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Richmond. It relates to the promotion of participation in sport among women and girls and what the Government is doing to encourage that uptake of sport.

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. It is really important that the Government not just be seen to promote participation in sport at a young age but also do so. That is critical. As the slogan goes, if they cannot see it, they cannot be it. The platforming of young women and girls in sport is really important because, as the Minister of State rightly pointed out, those participation rates have fallen away. I was Chair of the Committee on Children and Youth Affairs during the term of the pr…