We are just allowing Deputy Pringle to go ahead of Deputy Durkan.

Point taken.

Deputy Durkan has a supplementary question.

Question No. 43.

I am sorry to interrupt but I think that may be the incorrect question. Are you reading the reply for Nos. 43 and 58?

We are moving now to-----

We are moving now to Question No. 79-----

-----from Deputy Stanton who has waited a long time.

Central Statistics Office, CSO, crime statistics tell us that robbery is up 18% in the first quarter of this year compared with the first quarter of last year. In my constituency, across Roscommon and Galway we have had numerous burglaries in recent weeks and months. The idea of older people who live on their own being afraid in their own homes is a very sad indictment of where we are today. I commend the community policing units across my constituency, which do really great work, particularly in engaging with our …

The Family Resource Centres National Forum held its pre-budget briefing yesterday. I met with Louise from the Boyle Family Resource Centre at the briefing. From visiting the latter centre and the centres in Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon, I am aware that they provide so many supports and services that otherwise would not exist in those communities. These services include preschool and after-school care, education courses and parenting supports, and many are now providing food parcels as well. They need gu…

The Minister will be aware of the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last week showing the horrific abuse of horses. I welcome the shutdown of the abattoir and the investigation that is now under way. However, many of us will still remember the horrific abuse of calves that was witnessed on "RTÉ Investigates" last year. I have been seeking updates on that investigation and I was informed this morning that they are still gathering evidence nearly a year later. If that is the length of time investigations take, how long wi…

I thank the Deputy. We move now to the Government slot, and I believe the Minister, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, is sharing time with Deputy John McGuinness. The Minister and Deputy McGuinness have five minutes and eight minutes, respectively.

Will the Minister give or has he given consideration to legislation Deputy Carthy and I brought forward regarding the establishment of a commission to look at the future of our family farms? Many farmers are very unsure about their future, and it would be very worthwhile looking at this subject to ensure we protect that future.

I know that strategy is there but in recent months, particularly in the past year, I have found that when I meet with farmers, they do not just talk about the schemes, income and viability. They are talking about their sons or daughters who have emigrated or the fact that they are wondering whether they should encourage their sons or daughters on to their farms in the first place. In the previous generation, it was standard that a son or daughter would take on the family farm. There was no question about it. We are…

I appreciate that. We are now well into 2024. We need consultation on how we get to that point and ensure that what is in the strategy comes to fruition, in particular for family farms. My father would not mind me saying he is not very old - he is in his early 60s. I have two brothers farming, and for them the future is uncertain. My father would not have thought that even ten years ago, but the picture has changed a great deal. I meet many farmers who one would expect to speak about various schemes and income but …

I ask the Minister of State about the recent changes that have been announced to the scheme for those affected by trees with ash dieback. I was disappointed to learn from some organisations that there was no consultation with them on what the changes to the scheme would actually look like. That is deeply disappointing and was a mistake. We are now left with a situation whereby there are many people who are very unhappy and deeply frustrated with what has been announced in respect of the scheme. I would appreciate i…

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Of course there was engagement, which I acknowledge, in terms of the review report on the existing scheme. The report told us the State should cover the full cost of clearance and was also very clear in saying that the Department should explore the potential for a once-off ex gratia payment. There was engagement at that level when the review was carried out. However, I am referring to engagement with the changes made to the scheme. Many people affected by this are not ha…

To be clear, there is no accusation in regard to the changes. The changes I am referring to are the additions to what was there, which everyone wanted to see. However, people wanted them reflected in the independent review report with which they engaged. The fact is that once the independent review report was completed, and an additional climate action performance payment and other changes to the scheme were announced, there was no engagement with the sector. People are really annoyed. There was a protest two weeks…

I would like to get an update on the proposed solution that has long been promised but has yet to be brought forward for the forgotten farmers.

I acknowledge the Minister's long-standing commitment to this matter but the frustration is that, every time it is raised, we are told it is coming in the next few months. We constantly hear about the scoping out of the IT systems and all of that. I understand the new CAP was obviously the priority and that it has taken a lot of time and work. I commend the Department on all of that. However, given that this issue has been going on for more than a decade, I do not believe that is an excuse and that we still do not …