Yes.

Like previous speakers, I welcome the €96.6 billion budget. I have had a lot of phone calls from people in my area of County Carlow today. The expansion of hot meals to 900 more primary schools is really important, as is the free book scheme for textbooks and workbooks, which will be extended to up to junior certificate in secondary school. These things affect every family. It is welcome. Previous speakers spoke about the energy credit. It will be paid in three instalments of €150. Another long-promised pay-related…

Like previous speakers, I can speak for myself and other backbenchers in that I have spoken several times about section 39 and section 56 organisations. This has not happened overnight. From speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, I know that they are very aware of this and they want to find a solution. We have to find a solution. Like previous speakers, I have met several section 39 organisations in the past few months. I have visited their centres and services. I see…

As the Minister of State will be aware, today we spoke about section 39 workers. I was delighted to have my Topical Issue matter chosen this evening - I thank the Ceann Comhairle - because we need a resolution of this before Tuesday. We need to make sure section 39 workers do not strike next week. I will make a few points that were raised by me and others today. As the Minister of State will be aware, the strike is a result of pay disparity between front-line staff employed by State-funded healthcare services and e…

For me, from having spoken with all of the section 39 workers, their issue is one which needs to be addressed. They are employed in voluntary not-for-profit healthcare organisations. They have undergone the same rigourous training and education as their counterparts in section 38 organisations staffed by the HSE workers. They work the same conditions, face the same challenges and shoulder the same responsibility but do not get the same pay. That in itself, I say to the Minister of State, is unfair. It makes them fe…

The Taoiseach spoke about next week's budget and we all have our own submissions in, which is important. There are huge issues with retention, recruitment, pay and conditions across the public sector from community workers to section 39 workers, and those who are upholding and guiding people in law and those who are serving in emergency services. I am very aware of the great work that is being done in my own area of Carlow but there are also huge issues. What can we do to support those who are about to withdraw ser…

I also welcome the first programme plan for child well-being. I also have concerns. The Government has made good strides, particularly on DEIS schools which is close to my heart and County Carlow was very lucky as we got 13 DEIS-status schools. I have an issue with DEIS 1 and DEIS 2, the first for boys and the second for girls; I think they should be all DEIS. We should look at all schools to have DEIS status in order that every child who goes to school gets a hot meal. In Carlow, we have set up a soup kitchen, St.…

There are massive issues with school transport. There has been a 22% increase in the number of tickets allocated but, in some cases, there are no buses to operate the service. Last year, funding was put in place to increase capacity but loads of children were left without a seat. Some families in Carlow tell me there is no driver to serve a central location. They have to wait for a bus when it would be quicker for them to stay in the car and drive ahead with the child to school. There does not seem to be joined-up …

How is it proposed to strengthen the Reserve Defence Force? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

As the Tánaiste noted, the Commission on the Defence Forces called for a detailed regeneration plan for the Reserve Defence Force with clear and specific timelines to be developed and published setting out how a reformed Reserve would be operationalised and funded. Could we get more information on that? What communications and campaigns is the Department looking at? The commission also said that the establishment of the RDF should include at a minimum an air force Reserve of 200 and a navy Reserve of 400. It stated…

That is very welcome. That is so important. We are so lucky with our Defence Forces. Loads of people come to my clinic asking me about the family income support scheme because their wages do not give them a standard of living. I know pay scales are part of the public pay talks but can the Tánaiste tell me whether we will see an increase for our Defence Forces personnel in this year's budget? We have seen a 25% drop in numbers in our Defence Forces. What urgent steps are being taken to reinvigorate this? I am taking…

I ask the Tánaiste the measures he is taking to support the retention of Defence Forces personnel and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I thank the Tánaiste. I am learning an awful lot tonight. We have committed to implementing the action plan which arose from the Commission on the Defence Forces. Just last week, however, of the just two naval vessels operating, patrolling our seas, one discovered and intercepted a massive €150 million of cocaine on the MV Matthew just off the coast of Wexford, which borders Carlow. It is very important to mention that. I pay tribute to and compliment the Defence Forces on such a massive find. It is absolutely huge…

I got it in twice.

I want to pay tribute to the Tánaiste for his passion and commitment to this. Even in his answers tonight, when I asked him about the strengthening of the Reserve, he showed his commitment to that. Also, when I asked the Tánaiste about the support we are giving to the retention of Defence Forces members, he showed his commitment in answering that question. Most critical is that we get more women into the Defence Forces. That is so important to me because women can play a huge role in this and it is something we nee…

I appreciate that the Government is attempting to ensure every possible measure is taken and examined to reduce spinal surgery waiting times in CHI at Crumlin and Temple Street. This includes exploring the transfer of a small number of patients with complex spinal surgery needs to appropriate skills centres in other countries. Perhaps the Minister will fill us in on what the timescale and actions for that are going forward. We have learned that our children are our future. It is important we have proper communicati…

Could I ask the Minister what plans and funding are in place for student accommodation in Carlow, now that we are a university town and county, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister for his work. It has been a pleasure to work with him in recent years on the work he has done in the south east, but in particular for Carlow. We are speaking about student accommodation. This morning I took a quick look at the rental sites and saw that the average rent for one month in Carlow is €1,400 for one or two-bedroom apartment-style accommodation. Five options are available at the moment, which is awful, but in other places there are none at all. What the Minister said about student ac…

I thank the Minister. As he knows, I am very passionate about Carlow College, St. Patrick's. I am on the governing body and I have always said that. For me as a politician, and for the people of Carlow, County Carlow and the south east, it is imperative that the integration happens. I have been speaking to the different governing authorities. I have made my actions clear, as the Minister is aware, on several occasions. This has to happen. There is no question about it. The people of Carlow and surrounding areas are…

I thank an Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. Yesterday I met with the young mother of a four-year-old boy with autism and leukaemia. This beautiful little boy's name is Logan. Logan has been travelling from County Carlow to the hospital in Crumlin by public transport even though he is really sick and is very open to infection. This is my issue. His mother has no transport. She cannot afford a taxi. She has been told she needs to give two weeks' notice to get the child an ambulance, which is the children's ambulance. She doe…