Before we move on to the next speaker, I welcome Kieran Stokes-Ryan, who is studying government and politics at UCC and who is on work experience here with Senator Laura Harmon. I believe we have another group here as well. We may as well say "Hello" to everybody. The walking group from Dundalk who are here with Deputy McGreehan are very welcome. Some of the Minister of State, Deputy Marian Harkin's constituents are here as well. It is great to see them all. We are doing statements on disability and are joined by t…

I apologise. I do that every time.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

We have got to organise our time if the Minister of State has ten minutes in which to respond.

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House this evening and giving us an in-depth response on where exactly things sit with her and her officials within her Department. Her response is very welcome. The allocation in the 2020 budget has grown by approximately 90%. When I took over in 2020, the amount was €2.1 billion and today it is €3.9 billion. The Minister of State's job is to drive policy and ensure she gets as much money into the sector as possible so the HSE can operationalise it. I fully realise…

I propose the suspension of the House until the Dáil vote is concluded.

I thank the Minister of State for his opening statement. He is correct in what he has said there on increased supply in addressing homelessness. They Government is focused on making sure everyone has access to good quality, affordable and secure homes that suit their needs. Over €9 million in capital funding will be made available this year alone. The housing plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressured social issue we face, and the Government has introduced several key measures to address homeles…

Before I call on the next speaker, I welcome Jane and Peter Maher from the Ballyglunin development to the Seanad this afternoon, along with my good colleague Deputy Albert Dolan. I also see Deputy Martin Kenny arriving with some of his friends and guests as well this evening. Not to leave anybody out, they are all very welcome. In the Sinn Féin slot, I call Senator McCormack. Is the Senator sharing time?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Is Senator Cosgrove sharing time?

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I call Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, who is sharing time with Senator Flynn. Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Minister of State has to be called to reply at 6.20 p.m. but he now has to go for a vote in the Dáil.

I call the Acting Leader.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

I propose, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of the House today, that statements on fuel protests will conclude at 7.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, and No. 2 shall be taken at 7.30 p.m. or on the conclusion of No. 1, whichever is the earlier.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity. I am sharing time with Senator Lynch; we are taking two minutes each.

Absolutely and why should not it be on a day on which the Government is actually passing Financial Resolutions in relation to €500 million? If that is a Government that is not listening and acting, I do not know what it is. I went to the protest last Tuesday morning in Portumna. There were tractors on the bridge in Portumna. I was able to walk over to every one of those farmers there and shake their hands. I knew them by name. I dispute what Senator Flynn said that they were infiltrated by the far right. These are …

The visitors are very welcome. I want to raise the issue of meals on wheels. At its meeting earlier this morning, the social protection committee had representatives from a number of the LEADER companies before it. They were setting out their strategy for the next five years. Representatives from the Offaly Local Development Company raised the fact that it is providing meals on wheels and that there is a shortage of funding for it. When we are having the conversation about the cost of fuel, we also need to be cogni…

I would like to request that the Minister for Transport come before the House so we could have statements on transport matters. I totally agree with what Senator Collins has said. I also agree completely with what Senator Kennelly raised in his Commencement matter this morning. We all understand that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in respect of the national roads programme. Once the funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Irel…