There are incentives we are considering to attract remote workers to relocate to rural Ireland. Budget 2022 provides my Department with a funding allocation of €376 million, an increase of €35 million, or 10% on budget 2021, in recognition of the critical role my Department plays in delivering on Our Rural Future. We are considering a number of options, including the use of the connected hubs network, which now includes more than 170 hubs. Research that the Western Development Commission and NUIG have published on …

Funding has been provided for town regeneration officers and they will be appointed in due course. They will work with the different stakeholders to have a clear plan on where towns want to go. They will consult with local communities and work with the people in the town. There are many different funding streams so we need joined-up thinking as to what the overall plan is. The town regeneration officers will get the plan and work with different Departments to make sure they maximise it and the right outcome is ther…

I thank the Deputy for raising this. Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025. In May I launched the national connected hubs network, together with the connected hubs platform. The platform offers a suite of booking and hub management applications to members of the network. The national hub network…

On large-scale building need, under the connected hubs fund we have been able to support some private operators to kit out such facilities to accommodate remote working. It is important that we look at this from the different approaches. Many local authorities have made applications for funding under the town and village renewal scheme and the rural regeneration and development fund for the conversion of old buildings. There are many examples of them throughout the country. I have visited a number of them, where th…

We have funded enterprise centres throughout the country as well. For some parts, there may be a research and development element. It is a matter for particular areas as to whether they want to go down that road. The regional enterprise development fund has supported a number of centres that could facilitate research and development. There is another area we can capitalise on, namely, ehealth. As the Deputy and I know, many people will wait some time for a hospital appointment with a consultant and when they get to…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Officials from my Department have been working closely with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in recent months to finalise arrangements for the reconvening of the mobile phone and broadband task force. The previous task force was very successful in delivering on a wide range of important actions and I am keen to build on that success. It is intended to convene a meeting of the new task force at the earliest possible date. Together…

In fairness, the one thing I can say about the national broadband plan is that the boots are on the ground. I see the vans around the place and I say "keep going" because we want to get it rolled out as quickly as we can. I am sure the Deputy is aware of the broadband officers in the local authorities, who have done a fantastic job. They were appointed in 2016 and have worked with the different providers across the board. They have managed to ensure the broadband connection points, BCPs, were delivered in many remo…

On the broadband task force, the broadband officers will be the one point of contact for the providers in the area. They can direct them to who they need to because they will know the story. They should know the story in the local authorities and, I have to say, they have been very good at doing that. The new actions the task force will look at when it convenes for its first meeting on 15 December are permits, consents and planning permission, as the Deputy highlighted, mapping and registers of assets, geographic m…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, Galway County Council is the body responsible for development of stage 3 of the Caladh Mór pier development on Inis Meáin. Users of the pier, including a number of State-subsidised ferry operators, have highlighted issues with capacity within the harbour, as well as with currents around the mouth of the harbour. As part of the preparatory works, the National Maritime College of Ireland, NMCI, was instructed by Galway County Council to develop a model …

I visited Inis Meáin during the summer and spoke to a number of the islanders. As the Deputy and I well know, sorting out a pier presents different challenges and everybody seems to have a different solution. The college has done the simulation and it is going back now to look at a number of other things that arose during those simulations. The parties have reviewed this and there is ongoing contact between the county council and the maritime college. The Government is absolutely committed to a new pier. I agree wi…

As I understand it, the National Maritime College of Ireland is developing a model simulation of the harbour on Inis Meáin and that will inform the business case options for the development. The business case will then be undertaken by Galway County Council, in consultation with the Department and in line with the public spending code and available funding. I was out there on the island. I saw it. I know what is happening there and I want to see the development move on. I know the Deputy wants to see this moving to…

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 89 and 101 together. However, as Deputy Ó Cathasaigh appears to be the only one here I will focus on his question. As set out in Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to publishing a ten-year policy on island development, with associated plans. It had been initially envisaged that the new policy would be published in 2021. However, following engagement with island communities it became clear that more time was required to get the policy right. Indeed, at this year's annu…

I agree with the Deputy. I can imagine how they must feel isolated. It is fine in the summer months when everyone wants to visit the islands but it is different in the winter months. When there is an evening like this, it must be very challenging. I have been on a number of islands, for example, Clare Island. I apologise, as I should have said I visited Árainn Mhór, not Inis Mór. I have been to Inis Oírr, Inis Meáin, Bere Island and Gola and I intend to visit more of the islands to hear first hand the issues that t…

I wish to work with the Deputies present, members of the committee and those Deputies with a particular interest in this matter. Living beside the islands, they have a much greater knowledge of them than I do, but I am committed to working with everyone.

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Before I begin, I know many workers tonight, particularly those in the hospitality and night-time economy sectors, will be worried by the latest restrictions. Almost €9 billion has been spent on the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to date. This Government has stood four-square behind workers every step of the way throughout the pandemic and that will continue to be the case. For this reason, I intend to reopen the PUP for new applications from workers who lose …

It has.

It has been backdated.

I thank all Deputies for their contributions. Like all Members, each week I meet people in my constituency office and discuss with them the issues that impact their lives. I fully recognise the importance of our social protection system. As a former credit union manager, I know too well the real-life examples of people who, when they fall on hard times, need the support of the Department of Social Protection. The decisions that I have made as Minister and the decisions I will continue to make will be guided by how …

I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. There is a reduced payment for young people who are living at home. I will check out the issue on somebody who is homeless. If the Deputy wants to give me the specific details of that case I would be happy to follow it up and come back to him.

I welcome the opportunity to address the House. I fully recognise the hard work, professionalism and commitment of all those working on the front line in providing employment services and supports to people who are out of work. I know very well the good work that the LES does in my home county of Monaghan. The services throughout the country provide valuable support and assistance to people at a time of need and it is important that should be recognised tonight. What I cannot escape, however, is the clear legal adv…