This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which the Minister and his Department have been able to focus on the welfare and well-being of children in the course of the pandemic.

I thank the Minister for the reply. To what extent has Tusla been able to identify specific or particular issues that are salient at this particular time and to what extent has it addressed, or is in the course of addressing, such matters?

I thank the Minister. Regarding his early observations, has he identified any particular issues pertaining to the Traveller or Roma community, such as lack of education leading to ongoing equality later in life, asylum seekers and refugees awaiting status or in direct provision, related not to the standard of accommodation but to their particular status and does he foresee ways and means of intervening in a positive way?

I call on the Independent Group. Are Deputies Pringle and Connolly sharing time?

Is it five minutes each?

The Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan, and Deputy Duffy are sharing time. Is that agreed? Agreed.

My question refers to allegations of bullying alleged to have taken place or that is still taking place in third level institutions and to request that an investigation be carried out.

I thank the Minister. Was it a surprise that this activity was ongoing in third level institutions? Had there been many complaints made over the years in respect of it and, if so, what was done about them? Are they ongoing and being investigated? Presumably, the survey being done will uncover some of that. Is the Minister satisfied that the action being taken now will be adequate to stamp out this kind of activity once and for all?

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Complaints were made to the institutions. Can he give any indication at this stage as to what the response was on foot of those complaints? Were they taken seriously? Was any internal investigation carried out at the time, which one would have expected to take place? If so, what action, if any, was taken? Was there a common reaction or no reaction or action at all?

This question relates to the likely requirement of a very high level of technical and academic excellence in the future to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive workplace.

In a previous incarnation, I had occasion to visit eastern Europe where great emphasis was placed on technical skills and on polytechnics and it produced very well qualified students. On the report which the Minister is awaiting, I welcome his response in respect of encouraging, through the educational system, the location of jobs with high skill requirements. This needs to continue well into the future. Regardless of whatever else exists, that particular situation, whereby highly skilled people are available to wo…

This question was put down prior to the announcement of further Covid-related restrictions but in anticipation of such restrictions. It seeks to ascertain the level of preparedness in terms of supports.

I submitted the question prior to the recent budgetary announcements in anticipation of some of the measures contained therein, given the number of informative leaks we had. To what extent has attention been focused on possible gaps in the system whereby people qualify for assistance to a certain point, or do not qualify because of intermittent employment or because insufficient evidence is provided to be able to identify the true value of their previous employment? Such people may find themselves having a very low…

I suggest a greater use of exceptional needs payments in cases where emergencies arise, which is what that particular payment was meant to address. The payment is for circumstances in which it is deemed necessary to support the family or individual in question, and I would ask if that might be borne in mind in these particular circumstances.

It is a pleasure and honour to contribute on any budget. As someone mentioned, I have spoken on a few. We used to speak for much longer on budgets, but that is how things go over time. We now spend more time doing work in the committees, including pre-legislative scrutiny, to the detriment of what used to be the Second Stage speech, which addresses the general principles contained in any proposed legislation or budget. Something that never ceases to amaze me is the degree to which the Opposition can be negatively d…

We now move into the list of speakers, each of whom has ten minutes but can share. It should be possible to accommodate everybody with a little imagination. Deputy Joan Collins is the first.

We have 37 minutes left in the game and five Deputies offering. If everyone condenses his or her contribution a little, it will work. Next is Deputy Ó Laoghaire, whom I understand is sharing time with Deputy Cullinane.

I advise Deputies that there are 37 minutes left, into which I must fit four remaining speakers, five minutes for the Minister of State to respond and ten minutes for the proposer to conclude the debate. I ask speakers to keep within their allocated time so that everybody can be accommodated. I call Deputy Gannon, who is sharing time with Deputy Ó Ríordáin.

We can all empathise with the words just expressed. We all knew of his work and campaigning over the years. Our sympathies extend to his family and all of his friends.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time on Tuesday, 13 September 2020.