Many families I represent in rural counties Carlow and Kilkenny have been granted home support services for their relatives, due to illness or advancing age. In theory, these families in Kildavin, Callan, Bagenalstown and Bennettsbridge have State support to care for their family members at home but in reality, in many cases, there are zero HSE staff to fulfil these home support hours. Hard-pressed, full-time working families are left to take matters into their own hands and draw up family rotas for covering the ca…

The Tánaiste mentioned non-lethal aid that is being provided to Ukraine, including the additional aid that was recently announced. I ask how this aid is being used and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I share his deep concern in relation to the situation on the ground in Ukraine and I welcome the additional allocation of €100 million that was announced last month. It is imperative this non-lethal military aid will be used to procure items that are identified in co-ordination with Ukraine as we need the aid that has been allocated to be delivered into the areas that have been identified as being most needed on the ground. We need to collaborate with the people on the ground in…

That is very welcome news. I thank the Minister of State. It is very clear to see then that the allocation of the extra €100 million is having a significant impact and providing vital support for Ukraine as it continues to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, support that, as the Minister of State himself says, is needed now more than ever as Ukraine continues to defend itself against the continuing attacks and to be in a position of strength for ongoing negotiations. It is vital that we in Ireland, to…

I think I am safe in saying I am the only Member of the Dáil who has completed a tour of duty with UNIFIL. I concur with the Tánaiste's statement of support for the 300-plus men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who are currently in Camp Shamrock and other areas of southern Lebanon, which is an area with which I am very familiar. The Tánaiste will appreciate why matters relating to peace in the Middle East are of huge interest to me. I have been a proud member of the Defence Forces. I have worn the blue beret and pr…

I would like to ensure that the essential need for humanitarian aid to flow to citizens of Gaza is also met, with all the hostages to be released. I concur with what the Tánaiste said about strengthening our support for Lebanon and its new government, particularly with our Irish soldiers who, as he noted, are serving over there, and about keeping the men and women who are proudly serving our country by protecting Lebanese civilians and keeping them safe and out of harm's way.

I would like to add to the great points that Deputy Currie made. If you look up online the difficulties that children with dyslexia face, you will often find something like the following statement: Dyslexia causes difficulties with reading accuracy and fluency, spelling, writing, working at speed, holding information in mind while working on it, and processing verbal information. It can impact maths and other curriculum areas, and many dyslexics feel exhausted and challenged every day in school. As a former SNA, I …

To follow on from what I was saying, we only need to look at the transformative educational experience that children with autism are experiencing in Ireland due to the introduction of many more special educational classrooms. Reading classes in a mainstream setting would allow these targeted supports that I have mentioned to be delivered to children with dyslexia. It would also allow them to stay in their class in their local school with their friends and siblings. Every parish could have a reading class in the loc…

Ní Gaeilgeoir mise. Táim beagnach neirbhíseach a bheith i mo sheasamh san áit speisialta nuair nach bhfuil Gaeilge perfect agam ach creidim gur fíor an seanfhocal "is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste". Tá a lán daoine sa bhaile cosúil liomsa. Ba mhaith liom labhairt go minic ach tá eagla orm go ndéanfaidh mé botún. Níl mé líofa ach tá mo thriúr páistí líofa. In fact, thiomáin mé 120 km san iomlán gach lá chun iad a thabhairt go dtí ár local Gaelscoil. Bhí an bealach ar fad tríd na blianta completely worth it …

In advance of the new school year starting in September, many parents of sixth class pupils are faced with the dilemma of how they will get their child to their new secondary school when there is no school bus route available to them. I am particularly concerned about students in Ballon, Rathvilly and Clonegal, who have all made representations to me in recent weeks. I welcome the measure in the programme for Government to expand the school transport service to include 100,000 additional students by 2030, as well a…

Tá mé chomh bródúil a bheith anseo i mo Theachta Dála ar son mhuintir Cheatharlach agus Chill Chainnigh. As this is my maiden speech in this historic Chamber, I sincerely thank the people of Carlow and Kilkenny who put their trust in me to represent them in the Thirty-fourth Dáil. I remember my late parents, Jo Jo and Kathy Roberts; my uncle, Martin; agus múinteoir den scoth, Eamon Whelan, who all had such a positive influence on me. I especially thank my husband, Dean, and my children, Alex, Lissie, and Pippa, and…