I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. For too long, the Internet has been the wild west and our children's exposure to it has been devastating in many cases. This Bill is historic. It proposes a long-awaited reform to the Irish media regulation landscape by establishing a watchdog to regulate online services and reduce the availability of harmful content online. Despite much legislation we all accept that there is a massive gap both internationally and in Ireland when it comes to addressing harmful online content. Thi…

I am very concerned that the citizens information service is being downgraded in Carlow-Kilkenny. I know this is happening because my local service in St. Catherine's community services centre has been totally downgraded and has no development manager. Why was it decided to limit and dilute this service for the community that was traditionally provided by trained volunteers? Why were the volunteers who were operating so successfully not communicated with in advance? Is there a future for local citizens information …

I appreciate that.

I wish to ask the Minister for Justice about the coronial system particularly as it relates to the justice plan 2022 which commits to bringing forward nationwide coroner review proposals later this year to address identified issues and drive innovative change. My biggest concern right now relates to the absence of a coroner in Carlow district. We currently have 34 coroners in 38 coronial districts. Why is there not a coroner appointed in Carlow? There is temporary cover from Laois that is already three years in pla…

I thank the Minister. I welcome this review and will definitely talk to the Minister about this. It is important that the Act also broadens the coroners' powers. That is very important and I have called for that at our committee. It is a vital role. As the Minister has said, there is a deputy coroner in Carlow. Carlow needs its own coroner, however, which is something I am very passionate about and have spoken to many people about. As the Minister noted, we had the unexpected death of our Carlow coroner, Dr. Brenda…

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is very good and I thank her. What is the status of the recruitment of a full-time replacement for the IDA Ireland south-east regional manager? Will the Minister make a statement on the matter?

Is there someone for the job?

When will he start? What is the update on this? I met-----

This needs to be clarified. I have been working with various businesses and there has been a misunderstanding about this. Will the Minister of State send out to businesses the name of the person? We welcome the appointment. It is very important. I want to highlight that as the Minister of State knows, Carlow and Kilkenny are very important to me. When there are IDA Ireland visits I ask that Carlow is part of them. We have so much to offer. I always feel that Carlow is always forgotten in the south east. I will alwa…

I thank the Minister of State. It is great to get the clarification and I will let the businesses know.

I raise with the Taoiseach the intellectual disability services. We have many services in Carlow for intellectual disabilities that are a fantastic service and resource. I have met with representatives of BEAM Services in Bagenalstown, the Delta Centre in Carlow and the Cairdeas Centre in Tullow. I am very worried because they are finding that the cost of living - heating, ESB and transport costs - means they need more funding. I ask that the Government provide extra funding for these service providers. Will the Go…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for taking this matter, although I was hoping it would be the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I am seeking an update on the site for the new ambulance base for Carlow town and the delays people are experiencing in waiting for ambulances. I welcome the announcement of the new ambulance base. This went into the capital plan recently, which is welcome. My understanding is the site is at Kelvin Grove, Carlow town. I want an update on the project and its times…

I thank the Minister of State. It is important that there is communication with us and with ambulance paramedics. I know the great work that is being done and the number of call-outs that are being achieved, especially during the Covid crisis. Will the Minister of State come back to me with more definite timescales and outlining the framework plan? It is important that we have a specific timescale because of the urgency of the situation. I know there are other projects earmarked for delivery, such as the plans for …

It is great news.

I thank the Minister of State.

This Government has made a ground-breaking investment of €221 million in core funding for the early learning and childcare sector. Some €173 million of that is new funding. Every week I come into this Chamber and hear Sinn Féin representatives say that the Government does not know what is happening on the ground and that it is not listening to parents or providers. I can tell them that we are on the ground and listening to the parents and providers. We will continue to work with them to deliver practical and proper…

We are not promising pie-in-the-sky funding and other promises that cannot happen.

Parents, children and providers deserve better.

I welcome that more funding has been made available for students with disabilities. As other speakers said, the timing is crucial. There also needs to be more information. People always seem to be looking for information and contacting us but we do not have it. We need more information, clarification and timescales. Will the Minister produce a leaflet or contact the colleges more to make sure all of the information is given? This is something I was asked about recently.

I want to talk about Carlow-Kilkenny. As the Minister knows, we are all delighted Carlow is a university town and county but again there are going to be issues with accommodation. Carlow College, St. Patrick's, has 40 units of its own that I am aware the Minister is looking at integrating into the TU for the south east. The local authorities have a role to play in their development plan also to ensure we have enough housing and apartments and that people are not losing out because we do not have the spaces. I ask t…