I thank the Minister. As he said, this is a vital scheme and it is something I believe we need to continue. Throughout Covid we have seen many sectors affected through no one's fault. The Government has played a big part. It is vital that we make sure there is funding for businesses to survive. I ask the Minister to make sure that we deliver. I welcome that 6,800 employees in Carlow have received this because it has been much needed. I see it from speaking with people in business and working people. The money is ne…

I thank the Minister. I am delighted it has been extended until the end of the year because it is a concern. We are now speaking about the Delta variant. We are very lucky that our vaccine roll-out is strong, and I am getting my second vaccine tomorrow and I welcome it. It is important that the scheme is looked at again at the end of the year because it has been such a help to businesses and employees. I thank the Minister.

The weatherproofing and outdoor dining infrastructure scheme, a capital grants scheme, is meant to upgrade and enhance street and public spaces. The closing date for the scheme was last Friday. This scheme is important for the hospitality sector and tourism throughout the country. Carlow County Council has identified two suitable locations, one in Carlow town and one in the rural town of Borris. My understanding is that Fáilte Ireland will be working closely with local authorities, but what is the timescale on that…

Supporting positive mental health and well-being must be a priority because these services are very limited. We have a lack of consultants in the area and limited appointments, assessments and treatments. It is a worry. I understand that the pandemic has had a big part to play in those limitations but it has also highlighted that these services are urgent and essential. The Minister of State spoke about funding, which is a big issue. We must look after our older people. I am aware that is one of the priorities of t…

I missed two meetings to be here for Questions on Promised Legislation.

We need to look at a better system.

I also welcome the Ministers today. It is great that we can welcome the vaccination roll-out because it is very positive. The reopening from 2 June of accommodation services such as hotels, bed and breakfast accommodation, self-catering and hostels is very important. Many pub owners in counties Carlow and Kilkenny have contacted me. I ask the Minister to look at this issue again. It is important that we are doing so well. My understanding is that some maternity hospitals are allowing partners to accompany expectant…

I thank the Minister and welcome the comprehensive statement on the EU Covid-19 travel certificate. I understand July is being considered but I ask that it be introduced as soon as possible. I, too, have been contacted by pilots, staff and their families. We have to be very careful and I know we must take the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team but we must also be mindful of aviation. I ask the Minister about the new travel certificate format. My understanding is that there will be a paper or digita…

We have all seen how challenging Covid-19 has been for older people, those living on their own and people living in nursing homes. Nursing homes are at the heart of their respective communities, meeting the vital healthcare requirements of a cohort of our society during a difficult time in their and their families' lives. Nursing homes are very much a home away from home and a safe place in which loved ones can be cared for. The major increase in our older population will present big challenges for our healthcare s…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to discuss the important issue of apprenticeships. I was very welcoming of the launch of the new five-year apprenticeship action plan. The action plan aims to deliver 10,000 apprentice programme registrations per year by 2025. Everyone learns in different ways. The plan to provide a roadmap to a single apprenticeship system and new supports for both employees and apprentices are great, but we are currently facing serious difficulties in respect of apprenticeships beca…

That is very good to know. Communication is the key here so perhaps the Minister could give us more information. I very much welcome the €20 million. It is very important. Apprenticeships have been part of our culture over the years, but we need them now more than ever. It is great to have that apprenticeship programme. It can offer so much to students. I strongly welcome this. In addition, it is important to welcome the technological university for the south east. I have been working very hard with the Minister on…

I, too, support the Bill. Reducing the gender pay gap is one of the key priorities of gender policies both at EU level and here in Ireland. We must ensure businesses publish information relating to the remuneration of their employees by reference to gender in order that we can monitor this. These measures, which take into account the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both employers and women, who have been hit particularly hard, will increase awareness about pay conditions within companies and give more tools to e…

I wish to raise again the issue of some doctors charging medical card patients for blood tests. I am constantly raising this issue. These are very vulnerable people. I have people ringing my clinic saying they cannot afford to pay for their blood tests. They have medical cards. More than 1 million people have a medical card and, although they can ask for a refund of these charges from the HSE, since 2017 only 21 refunds have been given. That is unacceptable. People with medical cards should not have to pay to have …

I thank the Minister for the figures she provided in respect of Carlow. I, too, welcome the fall in the number on the PUP because it is so important that we reopen the country as best we can. We are definitely on the way to doing so. I am concerned that support be maintained for the people who need it, such as those in the accommodation and hospitality sector who have not fully returned to work. I welcome that the scheme remains open to new entrants until 30 June but one of my big concerns relates to people who hav…

I thank the Minister for her reply. I thank the people of Carlow in the context of the work that has been done in respect of the PUP through the Departments. This payment has been so welcome and vital for people that it is important we ensure that, as the Minister stated, no one will be left wanting. I refer to the hospitality sector and other sectors that have not fully reopened. It is important that we make sure that businesses that really need it get that payment. I know the Minister said that will be the case a…

Nobody can deny that this is a big week for the leaving certificate. Tomorrow is the last day for the completion of any assessments associated with the accredited grades process. From there, teachers will begin the task of awarding estimated marks to their students, so I am conscious of the stress on thousands of students right now and on their teachers. However, I think we did the fairest thing we could by giving them a choice. This is what the students, their parents, caregivers and teachers I engaged with wanted…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. There is no doubt the industries and sectors most exposed to Brexit need additional support and financial aid, especially when we are still dealing with the impact of the Covid pandemic. This new scheme to help viable businesses is very welcome. This year we still see much demand for support and there has been and still is a place for loan guarantee schemes for viable but vulnerable businesses. More than €931 million has been sanctioned in State-backed loan guarantee schemes for around …

During Covid-19, more than ever, we have all seen life-changing things happen. In that regard, a home is so important for people, and there is the saying that your home is your castle. In that context, I raise the qualifying thresholds for social housing, which are too low, especially in my area of Carlow. A review is being done, and I am here to ask the Minister of State about the status of that review. I would also like to know if we are looking at those thresholds realistically. Ten years have passed since the l…

It is very worrying that ten years have passed and there is still no date for the completion of the review. I really worry about that. I do understand the new initiatives that have been introduced by the Government. I will provide the Minister of State of the example of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan. First-time buyers can apply for a Rebuilding Ireland home loan to purchase a new or second-hand property or build their own home. They can borrow up to 90% of the market value of the property. The maximum market val…

What is being done to tackle the massive backlog of driver theory tests? It is my understanding that online testing was piloted for tractor drivers and the plan was to begin online testing for car drivers. What is the update on that? Are we increasing the number of testers to cope with the demand? I have had many emails and phone calls from people who want to know why they are being offered tests in different counties and having tests in their own counties cancelled? That has been raised with staff in my constituen…