Amendments Nos. 49 to 53, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 57 to 61, inclusive, are related and will be taken together.

Amendments Nos. 65 and 66 are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 67 to 71, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 72 to 75, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

Amendments Nos. 76 to 79, inclusive, are related and will be discussed together.

I must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding an instruction to committee on the Electoral Reform Bill 2022. Earlier today, on the question, "That the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 80(2), that division must be taken now.

Will the Minister provide data on the number of providers of early learning and care to school-age children that have closed down in each of the past five years and to date in 2022? Will he also indicate whether the levels of closures have increased and, if so, what steps he intends to take to address this and make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am pleased to see that his priority is to ensure improved quality, affordability and sustainability of early learning and care regarding school-age childcare services. I am also aware of the announcement of the crucial and much-needed support to help parents with the cost of early learning and child care both immediately and as part of a longer process of transformation of the sector. While I welcome his response, I have concerns. The Minister stated that 449 new services have …

All of us have been working with parents and childcare professionals. These people are doing their best. It is important that we listen to all stakeholders and ensure that there is affordable childcare for parents and people who need it and that the sector is viable for childcare providers to remain open. I know how committed the Minister is to working on this. There is a great deal of funding coming on stream but I am concerned that the parents see this and that the childcare professionals in crèches or early chil…

Not at all.

I will ask about the next steps with regard to the establishment of the national memorial archive for survivors of institutional abuse; when work will commence at the proposed Dublin 1 site; and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

The establishment of the national memorial and records centre is a central commitment in the action plan for survivors and former residents of the mother and baby and county home institutions. It is right we remember, honour and pay respect to those who were resident in mother and baby homes, county homes, industrial schools, Magdalen laundries and related institutions. The Government action plan contains a number of initiatives to respond to the needs of survivors through a variety of commitments, including access…

I welcome that. I asked the Minister about the timescale of when the works would commence. He was not able to give me that answer. I know there is a planning process to go through. While we are speaking about survivors, I ask the Minister about the enhanced medical cards. I have been asked about this several times. I ask that we work on that straight away. It is of the utmost importance. What is the progress on the role of local authorities to deliver on commitments to support memorialisation initiatives throughout…

I will start by taking this opportunity to acknowledge the unparalleled investment the Government has made in higher education throughout the country. The publication of the Government’s landmark policy on funding higher education and reducing the cost of education for families has been welcomed by all since it was announced last month. I welcome that the Government has confirmed its commitment to address legacy issues in higher education, to increase investment and to reform the sector. I am particularly pleased t…

Carlow IT is a university now. Carlow is a university town now and we are honoured and delighted to be recognised as such.

I have been working with many constituents who have loved ones who are either returning from hospital or moving home and who desperately need home care packages. Many people need home care, whether it is a few hours home help or whether it is 24-7 care. We need to ensure we deliver for these vulnerable people. I have been working with older couples in circumstances where, for example, an older person returns home from hospital and their husband or wife is not in a position to take care of them. They also do not hav…

I welcome the Bill. I particularly welcome the role of the amendment in ending the wardship system and the introduction of a statutory modern framework of supported decision-making for adults based on a functional assessment of capacity. We cannot underestimate the importance of this Bill. We must ensure that the technical procedural amendments allowing the commencement of the 2015 Act are provided for. We must now provide for a functional model of capacity assessment following the 2015 Bill and bring an end to war…

I am very concerned about rural train stations, and especially in my area of Carlow-Kilkenny. It is unacceptable that Irish Rail is actually downgrading these stations such as Bagenalstown and Thomastown. These stations are being left unmanned. When people go there, there are no toilet facilities. It is very hard for tourists who want information because there is no one there to help them and guide them on where they are going. This is unacceptable. While the funding that is there is welcome, rural Ireland is never…

I welcome the strides that have been made in respect of apprenticeships and the apprenticeship system. At the start of this year, we saw a record uptake in the number of apprenticeships, especially among women. Last month, new gender-based funding was introduced for apprenticeship employees, funding which is worth over €2,000 to them. The new apprenticeship scheme opens up further opportunities for women and will, hopefully, increase the numbers that will take up apprenticeship programmes. The main issues we have a…