I will, but the Government is only getting 20 minutes in a two-hour debate. That also needs to be looked at. I thank the Regional Group for proposing the motion. I particularly acknowledge the fact that many of its members are businesspeople and bring practical knowledge, unlike some of the suggestions we heard today. It is very important to say that the Government has been incredibly attentive to business needs over the years. We have introduced many measures for firms most affected by the changes and, as Deputy N…

We are focused on introducing a number of schemes. There has been much criticism of some of the administrative burden of schemes. The increased cost of business scheme is being designed in a manner that will get money quickly to businesses and will invest more than €250 million in small businesses over the coming quarter. The Department is finalising the arrangements for that scheme. We are working hard to get that money out to the smallest of businesses. We have changed it from what was outlined on budget day in r…

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this matter and acknowledge her long-time work in this space. I stress at the outset that enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to those needs is an ongoing priority for this Government. The SET allocations provide additional teaching support for students with special educational needs enrolled in mainstream classes in primary and in post-primary. Approximately 98% of all children, including those with special educational needs, are educat…

I again acknowledge the Senator's expertise in this space. The notification of hours was not ideal and the Department has acknowledged that and apologised. That school profiles are going to be updated every year, as opposed to every number of years, may deal with the issue and ensure the allocations are relevant. However, I will bring the Senator's specific concerns directly to the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue around the Mary Immaculate Secondary School in Lisdoonvarna. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the Minister, Deputy Foley. As the Senator knows, this project requires the provision of a new site. The site acquisition process has been progressed in respect of the requirement in question and in line with the standard acquisition protocols. The Department of Education has engaged the services of a site acquisition consultant in order to …

I have noted the Senator’s remarks. As I said, there is engagement around a site process and, as the Senator will understand, there are commercial sensitivities, so we cannot go into detail. However, the school can be assured that engagement is under way.

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this very important issue. He is absolutely right. The level of distress caused by pyrite and mica in defective concrete blocks is extreme, particularly for those families who are having to live through it. On behalf of the Minister, I am in a position to give an update on the two issues raised. The Department has received a copy of the EU petitions committee's report and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, is giving consideration to the recommendations it contains. He will also…

No.

I thank Senator Wall for raising this issue. A priority for this Government is to ensure all children have an appropriate school placement and that all the necessary supports are provided to our schools to cater for the needs of children with special educational needs. It is important to remember that the vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. In 2023, the Department of Education spent more than €2.6 billion on special education. Further…

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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teach as an deis a bheith páirteach sa díospóireacht seo. Ní aontaím leis an rún ach gabhaim buíochas le Sinn Féin as ucht na díospóireachta agus leis an Aire, an Teachta Martin, as rún an Rialtais a mholadh. It is clear that there is general agreement across the House on the value and importance of public service broadcasting, which is not exclusive to RTÉ. There seems to be agreement that it must be supported and properly funded, and that is welcome. I also welcome the fact that the Oppos…

I thank Deputy Ring. Unfortunately, I will have to read him a prepared script. I know he has followed this issue hard and has stood up on this matter over a number of years. This is the second occasion a Minister of the Department has not been present, so I will bring it to the attention of the Minister on his behalf. The matter of protected disclosures has been received in both the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Inland Fisheries Ireland. It is important to state there are no investig…

Again, I can assure Deputy Ring that I will bring his concerns and the script of his remarks directly to the Minister's attention and ask him to follow it up with the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter as it provides an opportunity to outline the current position with regard to the major building project for Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas. I know the Deputy has been consistent in raising the issue with the Minister, Deputy Foley. As the House is aware, the project is included in the Department of Education’s construction programme, which will be delivered under the national development plan as part of the Project Ireland 2040 framework. The Department’s planning and b…

I assure the Deputy the Minister is very committed to this project. Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested in the region of €4.3 billion in schools throughout the country, involving the completion of more than 800 school building projects, with construction under way at approximately 300 other projects, including 34 new school buildings. The 300 projects at construction involve a total State investment of more than €1.2 billion. There are also 90 projects at tender stage, including a further 28 new sc…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The latest Housing for All progress report, which covered quarter 4 of 2023, showed that the number of new homes delivered last year was the highest in 15 years, with 32,695 new homes completed in 2023, which is 10% higher than in 2022 and exceeds Housing for All’s 2023 target by almost 13%. The pipeline is also strong, with 32,800 new homes commencing construction in 2023 and permission granted for another 37,600 homes. This is the highest number of annual commencements o…

I assure Deputy Quinlivan that the most efficient way to deal with this and what people want is extra supply. What people want is more homes and they are being built through Housing For All, the Minister's plan. The latest CSO data on planning permission dating back to 7 December show that nationally, 9,662 dwelling units were granted planning permission in quarter three 2023, an increase of 43.3% on the same quarter in 2022. Residential planning permission granted for January to September 2023 is up 13% on the sam…

I thank the Civil Engagement Group for putting forward this amendment. It is grouped with No. 2. I cannot accept them as both relate to amendments associated with references to the name of the Digital Services Co-ordinator in Ireland, which is Coimisiún na Meán. This new body was established in 2023 under the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media through the amendment of the Broadcasting Act 2009. Amendment No. 1 proposes that the definition be included that "an Coimisiún" means Coimisiún …

It is always good as a Mayo person to welcome Galway people to anywhere, except MacHale Park. I want to say to in advance that I am not going to be accepting any amendments today. However, I thank the Civil Engagement Group members for their engagement with the Bill. It might be useful, and I can set this meeting up, for them to meet the officials to get a full understanding of how we have come to this Bill. We can set this up in the next week ahead of the preparation of regulations which will follow. I just wanted…

I share the Senator's concerns about algorithmic safety. The European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency deals with this issue. This organisation will be able to work and use research from the risk assessments and audits carried out through the Digital Services Act. However, I will also bring the Senator's proposal to the attention of both the digital services commissioner, John Evans, and the online safety commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, under Coimisiún na Meán. I will ask them to engage with the Senator on that pro…