Yes, I certainly am. It is vital we protect and conserve our historic and archaeological heritage. I am a proud Carlow woman and come from a county that is rich in archaeological and historical heritage. We have the largest capstone in Europe, which is on a megalithic portal tomb, the Brownshill Dolmen, and which is where we got our name, the dolmen county. We also have sites such as St. Mullin's, Ballymoon Castle, Harristown Dolmen, and the Carlow walls. This is really important information. Carlow Castle served a…

It is great to see all the Wicklow Ministers here. We must pay tribute to our Chair, Deputy Whitmore, who worked so well with us all. The joint committee was about all of us working together as a group. It did not matter what parties we were members of. I too particularly mention Senator Seery Kearney who has worked on this and, as previous speakers said, has gone through this herself. It is important to give her a mention. Today is about the families and the advocacy groups that have long called for a legal framew…

I welcome today Carlow receiving in excess of €734,000 for the free schoolbooks for primary school children. Something so important that I worked so hard on is the hot meals for all DEIS primary schools in September. The work for non-DEIS schools will hopefully happen shortly after, within the next few years. That is part of the plan. It is so important that children are looked after but I have one concern in Carlow. There is no occupational therapy for children and the waiting list for the public service is incred…

On Monday I was delighted to have the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, in Carlow. We met an awful lot of clubs and the big question was when applications will open for the sports capital grants and when the funding will be in place. It is a huge issue and we need to let the clubs know. I also want an update on the merger of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, LGFA, and the GAA. What is the timescale for that? I got an email yesterday and I want to relay some of it to the Minister of State. It says the Irish Dra…

I thank the Deputy. We go back to the Government. Deputy Alan Farrell has seven minutes.

It is important that everyone has access to justice and that our courts are properly resourced to deliver on Government priorities such as the planning and environmental court and new family courts. Last year I encountered one District Court with 111 separate child law and private family law applications before it. This volume of cases is disastrous for children and families affected by delays and timely access to the courts. It is a massive burden on the court. The programme for Government recognises that the fami…

I wish to ask the Minister about gardaí for Carlow. I have highlighted this issue on numerous occasions. Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford are now linked. I recently met local gardaí whom I compliment on the job they do. However, from speaking to the gardaí in Carlow, I believe we need many more community gardaí. That is probably true across the country. For people to feel safe in their own communities, it is nice to have the presence of gardaí. I understand how hard they work and that is not in question. This issue n…

I will mention Carlow. We have seen an enormous increase in violence against women, particularly during the pandemic. I am working with a lot of agencies in Carlow for a women's refuge. We are one of nine counties that do not have a refuge. It is important that Carlow gets its refuge as soon as possible. I know a lot of work has been done. I have knocked on the Minister's door several times, and will continue to do so. Two of the issues we need to look at in respect of a women's refuge are wraparound supports and s…

Does the pilot programme for rapid-build accommodation incorporate modular builds in all local authority areas? We must support the rapid development of family homes for those in need. I intend to speak to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Tánaiste about this matter later today, but will the Taoiseach indicate whether the State will consider taking shares in companies that deliver rapid-build houses throughout Ireland on State land? These companies have the exp…

The disability awareness training support scheme is the most under-used and misunderstood grant. Employers are often unaware of the grants and supports available from the Department of Social Protection. The scheme gives grant assistance of up to 90% of the cost of a disability awareness training programme. I welcome that the Minister will be running an awareness campaign. The lack of communication and information is critical. I also ask the Minister if she will send me the numbers for County Carlow.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. That is fine. My office has been flooded with communications from families, caregivers, teachers and principals. There are children going into mainstream schools this September who have never had an assessment. How can schools properly prepare for those children? A special education preschool in Carlow has shared discharge numbers for 2023 with me. Of 14, seven are waiting for a data assessment. Four are to go to mainstream schools who have never met a therapist. That is absolutely shoc…

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome his response and the expenditure of €2.6 billion or over 27% of the Department's budget on special education needs. I pay tribute to teachers who work in the area of special education and, of course, the special needs assistants numbering over 20,000 who do an excellent job. My concern, however, is the number of children who are not getting assessed and are waiting for assessment. This is a major issue for me. Last week, a lady came into my office who had to borrow €1,000 fr…

In the 2016 programme for Government it was committed to reopen a rural Garda station in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Nearly seven years on, this has not been done. A commitment was given to reopen it. It is a small rural Garda station to be manned by one or two gardaí. It is really needed. I am looking for a timescale. I am worn out going to the OPW and to the Department on this. Reference was made to Garda recruitment. I want to ask about the recruitment of gardaí for Carlow. I met with the personnel from the C…

It was so important to mark International Women's Day on 8 March and it is critically important that we ensure significant and meaningful participation at every level of society. I call on all women to explore politics and to have a seat at the decision-making table, whether that is in their local club, school, the county council or even in these Houses of the Parliament. One of the issues I brought up on that day, which I was so disappointed to hear about, is that nine counties in Ireland have no women's refuge. I…

The Deputy should be careful naming names.

I welcome the Bill, which will remove public inpatient charges that exist of €80 per day up to a maximum of €800 in a year. Medical card holders and certain cohorts are already exempt from these charges. The change is really good and it is important people will not feel when going into hospital as though they will not be able to pay their bill. There are significant challenges within the HSE given people are living longer, although it is great that is the case. I was delighted to welcome the Minister to Carlow a fe…

I might start on my second round of Ministers now. Carlow is growing very much, which is important, but our nearest hospital is in Kilkenny. The Minister referred to keeping things local. When he spoke to members of Caredoc he referred to an injury clinic for Carlow. That is the way to go. It would help hospitals as they would not be as busy but it would also help the staff. I know the Minister is trying to bring things locally. It is important that we look at keeping things as local as possible and that the Minist…

This Bill legislates for measures that were part of the cost-of-living package announced last month. In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny we speak about social protection and in that regard I mention the €410 million worth of measures provided in that area. I mention the €200 working family payment for families who have not received the lump sum on their primary payment to be paid in April. There will be one €200 lump sum paid to them, even if a person receives more than one qualifying social welfare payment. Peop…

I will give the Deputy correct information.

As women, we sometimes look at the movies and the media or society that focuses on marital or romantic relationships as the only support. The focus should be on friendship and social interaction which can provide us with support when we need it. Everybody needs a good friend and I am so lucky to be surrounded by strong women in Leinster House. It is the same in County Carlow. I have many women who inspire me every day. Today, for example, a new women's centre, the only one in Ireland, was opened by my good friend, …