I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

The new business resumption support scheme, BRSS, for businesses with a reduced turnover as a result of public health restrictions was launched earlier this month and is open until 30 November this year. Can the Minister tell me the number of companies in counties Carlow and Kilkenny that have registered for the scheme?

This new support scheme for businesses with a reduced turnover as a result of the public health restrictions is most welcome. It is especially welcome that it is open to businesses that may have previously qualified for the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS. My chief concern is to ensure enough information is out there about what supports are available. A number of schemes have had criteria that many businesses could not meet. Certainly, there was much confusion in this regard among people who came to me for …

I thank the Minister. I wrote to him regarding concerns from many businesses that were locked out of the previous supports, which asked what reopening might look like and how long it might take for them to recover. Supports such as these are a significant help. It is testament to the commitment of the Government to the country to get it up and running, which is so important. I especially welcome that the schemes are open to those who do not have a physical premises. It is most welcome that we are working together t…

Existing contracts with employment service partners, including the local employment service and jobs clubs, expire at the end of the year. I want to ask the Tánaiste about the procurement process and the finalisation of the tender design for next year. I have met with my local jobs club team and I know the great work and service Carlow Jobs Club offers and has offered for the past 22 years. The jobs club is protected under the Carlow County Development Partnership. These are essential community services. They are c…

I thank the Minister for that clarification.

Something I have learned over the past year is that we are all interested in working together. It might not seem like that sometimes, but this Bill is proof of that. Deputies Pringle and Connolly are on the same page as the Government when it comes to adoption and tracing, which is why we will not oppose this Bill. As Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on children and a member of the Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I have had many discussions and worked on the Government's legislation, w…

For young families to succeed, childcare must be affordable, accessible, of high quality and sustainable. I welcome the Minister's commitment to ongoing learning and listening to providers, parents and guardians. However, despite significant increases in funding and the welcome and ambitious First 5 strategy, Ireland still has one of the most underfunded childcare systems in Europe, failing to meet the EU average of UNICEF targets for investments. We have one of the highest costs of childcare in the OECD. It is ove…

I thank the Minister and welcome the information he gave. As we have said, despite their qualifications, most early years professionals are earning below the living wage of €12.40 an hour. That is unacceptable. I welcome the Minister's reference to a new funding model. Will that model include a clear career path for educators and a clear guide to supports for providers struggling to sustain businesses under a significant administrative burden, which includes inspections, increased commercial rates and insurance cos…

This Bill is crucial. It is protection for consumers and it cannot come quickly enough. Bringing in additional regulation and consumer protections across newer and emerging credit products and companies is now more important than ever. We have seen an explosion in non-cash loans and credit being provided indirectly to the consumer, for example, in buy now, pay later agreements. In particular we have seen it with the surge in online activity during the pandemic. I welcome the further consumer protections when it com…

In fairness, we all want to see the reopening of indoor dining and hospitality in a safe way, and we all want to take the advice of the national public health authorities. We want to do the right thing. I spoke on this yesterday and, as I said, the devil is in the details. I am very concerned that we are drawing a line between vaccinated and unvaccinated people. We are seeing the rapid spread of the Delta variant and we must protect those who are not vaccinated from getting Covid-19, but I am not sure we are doing …

First, I welcome Deputy Bacik to the House. I was very privileged to work with her for four years and I wish her well. I have been contacted by parents with medical cards asking about payment for school transport. Medical cards cannot currently be inputted into the system because of the cyberattack on the HSE. I brought this up last week and I contacted Bus Éireann, which is now saying it is optional. If people can pay, they will be refunded for the first term. If not, they will not have to pay. The confusion is ar…

I also have concerns about the legislation for the Covid certificate, although I welcome it. I know the Taoiseach is listening to advice from NPHET and health professionals. However, my office has heard the concerns of people in their 40s and 50s who have not received vaccines and are waiting for appointments. That is a big concern. Some people with medical issues cannot get a vaccine and I understand they will not be able to get a letter from a doctor or the HSE. There is big confusion here. I acknowledge that the…

This question asks the Minister to outline progress regarding implementation of the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive - Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is important we have inclusive education where people feel safe at work and when they are studying. In autumn, I read that less than half of the sexual assault and harassment concerns reported by students in the academic year 2018-19 were investigated by colleges. I am aware that considerable supports have been allocated to a number of initiatives in the area. If reported cases have been increasing over the years, investigations by universities and colleges must also be increased. The voices need to be heard. I …

I welcome the action plan that will be in colleges and the Minister's commitment to foster a culture in higher education where it is clear that unwanted behaviours are not acceptable. That is so important. It is crucial that meaningful participation is supported to allow the voices, needs, views and experiences of those most impacted by issues to be heard and for future supports to be targeted to meet their needs around safety, reporting and access to supports. The recent survey on this issue in our higher educatio…

I compliment staff and students for what they are doing because this is so important-----

Do I not have one more minute?

My question is about resources for County Carlow and the plans for the expansion of the CCTV in Carlow to deter criminal activity.

I thank the Minister of State. I compliment community groups for the excellent work they do. My question related to the extension of CCTV from An Garda Síochána on approach roads coming into Carlow. As the Minister of State will know, Carlow is very well situated. We are close to Dublin and to everywhere and we have a great location. That was the question I wanted answered in particular. When we talk about resources, I want to speak about Carlow Garda station and the work the gardaí there do in the context of staff…