We all know that the media landscape has changed dramatically in recent years, so I wish to ask the Minister today about the status of the establishment of the media commission.

As we know, people rely on newspaper, TV, radio and online platforms to find out about local and national issues, to inform them about current affairs, to showcase our culture and especially to reach out to our Irish abroad and to bring the nation together at times of national celebration and reflection. I rely heavily on my own local media such as KCLR, The Nationalist and the Carlow People . I see how these traditional broadcasters and newspapers in Carlow are facing new and increased pressures. We need a media t…

When that Bill is enacted and the BAI is formally dissolved, the new regulator, coimisiún na meán, will be established. This is important because it will be responsible for overseeing the regulation of broadcasting, video on-demand services and the new regulatory framework for online safety set out in the Bill. It is essential from both an operational and reputational standpoint that the commission has sufficient staff with experience and skills that are at an appropriate level in order to effectively carry out its…

The retrofitting scheme was both welcome and ambitious but the public are anxious to know when the one-stop shops for the home energy upgrades will be available and if their locations have been decided. I am hopeful there will be an even spread across the country. It is so important that information is available in our area of Carlow-Kilkenny.

That is very welcome. A network of one-stop shops that will handle all the work involved in carrying out a significant energy upgrade is really good for homes. I know that people have to apply for this. Will there be a recruitment campaign for apprenticeships? How long will that take? That is the biggest issue. We know there is a lack of apprenticeships here. The turnaround time will obviously depend on the response time of these organisations as they scale up to deliver the task ahead. Are they ready to hit the gr…

That is very welcome. My other concern is that as we know, people get very confused by the different types of grants on offer. I am concerned about the communication. The scheme, for example, is offering a payment of 80% of the cost of doing simple works such as attic or cavity wall insulation. These latter grants mean these jobs will only cost approximately €300 each but together could knock approximately 20% off the annual heating bill. Again, people have been ringing me about that. Many people will probably stil…

This week we will debate the town centre first policy, yet we have significant issues with the process to make our towns better. Carlow town received the approval of €15 million under the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, which is the greatest investment in the history of the town, but the people of Carlow have seen nothing since it was announced. We are now only in the second of six stages of the project, but the terms and conditions pose a challenge. The approved project for Carlow, which is the rege…

I have raised the need for a proper ambulance base for Carlow several times before. I understand Covid has been difficult for everyone. I have asked the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to come down to Carlow and I am also asking the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to come to Carlow to meet the staff and see the conditions that they are in. I was fortunate last summer because the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, was in Carlow and visited the base. I also had a virtual meeting with An Taoiseach re…

I am disappointed with the Minister of State's reply. In regard to ambulance services, the people of Carlow have had delays in their ambulance services because as the Minister of State is aware, all ambulance calls are now managed through the central ambulance and emergency operations centre, which is supposed to ensure that the most urgent calls get the highest priority response, regardless of the location of the ambulance vehicles or bases. That is a problem as Carlow does not have an emergency response support b…

The Commission on Pensions has asked for the removal of a special exemption that allows the over-66s to avoid PRSI on their non-State income. This would mean retired public servants would have to pay 4% PRSI on their public service pension on amounts over €100. Their pensions have been already reduced by the Government's pensions levy. Many of these pensioners are not in receipt of the State pension and should not be asked to contribute to something to which they are not entitled. I had a very upset former garda in…

I wish to raise the need to establish a public inquiry into the death of Shane O'Farrell. A scoping exercise was ordered, but three years later the family are being told of extension after extension. Shane's mam contacted me this week to ask for help, so I ask for the Taoiseach's support for a public inquiry to be set up. I too wish to raise domestic violence. I welcome Tusla's publication of the review of the accommodation for victims of domestic violence. I am very happy to see the engagement with local authoriti…

It is time for a massive programme of reform of the Defence Forces. When Fianna Fáil was in opposition, we called for the establishment of a commission on defence in a motion passed by the Dáil in 2019 and this was an election manifesto commitment for us in 2020 because we knew that there was no clear strategy on what we want for our Defence Forces or on how to fund them correctly. We know there are massive issues with pay. The family of a Defence Forces employee came to my clinic seeking housing support recently. …

Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, delivers on Government policy relating to national roads. I spoke to the Taoiseach and regarding the southern relief road in Carlow. I am now glad that the strategic assessment report, SAR, has been completed by Carlow County Council and it has recently been given clearance to proceed to prepare a preliminary business case, for which I thank the Taoiseach. However, other projects like this one are not progressing due to lack of funding. The level of funding available in the fi…

As a number of the speakers listed are not present, we are going to suspend for five minutes.

In accordance with Standing Order 80(2), the division is postponed until the weekly division time later this evening.

Last night we saw on RTÉ women who are victims of violence and have had to flee their homes. We need urgent action across all Departments on this. I know the Minister will open consultation on our strategy to combat gender violence next week. I really welcome her commitment to bring a refuge to all counties without a refuge, including Carlow, which I have raised here with the Taoiseach. Every town needs a refuge. As we saw last night, the women were so brave on the programme but there needs to be more places for wo…

I am asking this question on behalf of Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I welcome the launch of the national participation framework for children and young people's participation in decision-making last April. What is the current status of this framework?

This framework plays a vital role in supporting Departments, agencies and organisations to improve their practices in listening to children and young people and to facilitate their voices being heard in decision-making. Children cannot be the priority if their needs and concerns are not represented by the voices that are being heard. This framework is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the national str…

That is welcome. This framework gives a practical way for organisations and Departments to engage with and hear the voice of the child. Everybody has the right to make their own choices and every effort must be made to support people whose capacity to make decisions is a challenge. For children to have that right, they need decision makers who support and hear them. What specific practical supports are being provided to decision makers to help them to develop capacity for meaningful engagement with young people? Is…

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy McAuliffe. First 5, a whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families, commits to increasing investment in the early learning and care, ELC, service by up to €1 billion by 2028. Can the Minister provide an update on the expert group established to develop a new funding model for the ELC and school age childcare, SAC, services?