I presume those actions will be published shortly. When does the Minister envisage the funding for the appointment of town centre first officers in local authorities will be made available? In many cases, such as in County Roscommon, one person will probably be taken on.

When it comes to social protection, we must remember how we approached budget 2022. We approached it with every single social welfare rate below the poverty line. There had been no increase in the core social welfare rates in the previous two years. I hoped we would approach this budget with the lessons of Covid-19 learned, in particular lessons relating to the pandemic unemployment payment, which was introduced at a rate of €203 and was quickly increased because the Government realised that such a payment, althoug…

I ask the Minister for an update on the tendering process for employment services. As I understand the first phase is now complete, I seek an update on where that is at as we move to phase 2.

The Minister said that part of the reason for the first phase of the tendering process was to expand the service significantly for those who are furthest away from the labour market. Does she agree that the ending of the walk-in service, which I understand will not be provided in the new model, will not do that? I do not understand how she will reach those furthest away from the labour market when people such as carers and, perhaps, people who are facing personal challenges in their lives, will not have that walk-i…

I am not arguing with that. As I said, I take the Minister at her word on the legal advice but there is no EU law on procurement or anything else that requires the Department to change the model. The Minister said there was extensive consultation. That is fine but I assume staff in local employment services and jobs clubs did not seek these changes. I am trying to understand where the changes are coming from. The Minister mentioned the great work they have done. They been there for 20 or 25 years and they have a we…

It is important, when we look at our social protection system, that we also look at potential gaps in it. I feel there is a gap around the statutory entitlement to paid leave for parents when they lose a child. That is probably the most horrific time in any parent's life. There is discretion to allow leave and it is up to the employer in all cases. Will the Minister consider this issue?

I thank the Minister for her reply. With respect to the continuation of payments for six weeks where a qualifying child payment is made, that applies when the people concerned, both the person who has, sadly, passed away and the parents, are already on social welfare and in the system. I am asking for a bereavement leave and benefit scheme to allow for the parents to take time off work, in a similar fashion to the parents' leave and benefit scheme, including two weeks' paid leave. England became the first country i…

I welcome the Minister's comments. I am sure she has read the proposals I have made in respect of social protection in our alternative budget. One such proposal is that parental bereavement leave and benefit be introduced. This would be a two-week payment and would come at a very small cost. I looked at the number of stillbirths recorded by the HSE, which estimates that there are approximately 300 every year. I also looked at the number of deaths among those under 18 recorded by the Central Statistics Office, CSO. …

My question is similar to that of Deputy Healy Rae. Will the Minister consider establishing a discretionary fund to support and assist households with mounting utility costs and bills? Some will face utility debt in the coming weeks and months, if they are not facing it already. Will the Minister consider this, given that many are locked out of the fuel allowance in the first instance?

It is fairly clear that there will be moves in regard to the fuel allowance in the budget next week. The fuel allowance is a great payment and is most welcome at the rate at which it is paid because it is extremely important for households. However, it is only extremely important for the households who actually receive it in the first place. There are issues, some of which were outlined by Deputy Healy Rae, such as the 15-month waiting time for jobseekers and the fact that those who are in receipt of illness benefi…

I agree that we cannot have a situation whereby the fuel allowance continues to be increased and extended for ever and ever. We need to make sure people's homes are warmer, which can be done through the retrofit programme highlighted by the Minister. It makes sure that people are warm in their homes in the first instance, which is really important. My issue with leaving this to the supplementary welfare allowance and the exceptional or urgent needs schemes is the fact that we do not know the number of people who go…

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion and commend People Before Profit on bringing it forward this morning. As we all know, energy costs have been increasing consistently in the past number of years and families and households are now facing their highest ever electricity and heating bills in many cases. We have heard much talk in recent weeks about the fuel allowance and any increase in this is of course welcome. However, we must also consider that the fuel allowance is extremely limited. Many people lo…

I recently met with early years educators working in counties Roscommon and Galway on their new deal for early years and budget submission for 2022. I met with so many young women, in particular, in early years education doing a job they absolutely love. You can tell that as soon as you meet them. They are really struggling to get by, however. I recall during the previous general election meeting one early years educator in Ballinasloe who was in the middle of moving back home because she could no longer afford to …

I ask the Minister for an update on ongoing talks regarding pay and entitlements not just for school secretaries, but also for caretakers. I appreciate and understand that talks are ongoing but perhaps the Minister will outline what she can tell us in relation to the matter.

I, too, acknowledge the work of school secretaries and caretakers. Without them, our schools simply would not function. They have obviously had to battle not just for fair pay and equality, but also fair terms and conditions. They have been in a most unfair system for some time. I also acknowledge the work of Fórsa in bringing this dispute to the position that it is in now. I welcome the moves and the details outlined by the Minister in relation to pay scales and pay equality. The Minister noted that this has been …

Perhaps I have missed it and it is included in what has been agreed, but I refer specifically to pension and sick leave entitlements, which are very important terms and conditions that other school secretaries enjoy. That has been a major part of the issue as regards equality. I ask the Minister to outline specifically what is happening in relation to those entitlements. The Minister stated that agreement had been reached in principle in relation to caretakers. In the deal on pay and entitlements, will school secre…

Gabhaim buíochas, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. The Minister has confirmed that she will review the 50% capacity rule for buses for post-primary schools in line with the 100% capacity that obviously is the case for public transport. Since the roll-out of the vaccinations for younger people, particularly those who are going to post-primary schools, has the Minister sought advice on the capacity rule to increase it from 50% given that roll-out? As the Minister will be aware, in rural areas where there is no alternative to…

Fr. Niall Molloy was a son, a brother, an uncle, a neighbour, a friend and a parish priest to the people of Castlecoote, County Roscommon. He was held in the highest regard by those who knew him and those whom he served in his parish. Fr. Molloy was brutally murdered 36 years ago. It is 36 years later and there have been no answers and, more importantly, there has been no justice. There has been no justice for Fr. Molloy or for his family who has to live with the injustice every day. I cannot begin to imagine the p…

In the Minister of State's contribution, he referred to the major review that was conducted and the subsequent report of Mr. McGinn. Neither has provided any answers or justice to the family. It is not good enough to say it is unlikely that what actually happened will come to light, and that this is why a commission of investigation will not be established. This is a position that the Minister of State and Government should re-examine. It is not good enough to say it is unlikely that evidence will be found and that…

Yesterday in the Dáil, the Tánaiste stated in response to me that the establishment of a discretionary fund to assist households with rising utility bills and, in some cases, debt was a very good idea and would be looked at prior to the upcoming budget. I welcome that. This is a proposal that we introduced in a motion in the Dáil last February on increasing energy costs, the impact of the carbon tax increases and the need for the Government to act. Now, seven months later, the situation is even worse. Energy prices…