I welcome the increase to the Microenterprise Loan Fund and the extension of borrowing powers of Microfinance Ireland. Some questions have been raised with me in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny and I wish to raise them with the Minister of State. During this pandemic, the State has given great support to the people of Ireland. To quote Charles Dickens, "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." It is not without gratitude that the business community took these supports. However, I am …

I am looking for more clarification on small shops. One of the biggest issues I have seen is the paper trail. I have been approached by shop owners in Carlow, Bagnelstown, Tullow and Hacketstown. This scheme is to be welcomed and it is very important for SMEs. Paper trails, timescale, how businesses access it and lack of information coming from Departments will be crucial. People can be put off if they constantly have to complete paperwork. Businesses that apply should not be left waiting for months with requests f…

I congratulate the Tánaiste on his new role. First, can a timeframe be given as to when or if any guidelines that will be required to be put in place for those businesses in the hospitality industry that do not serve food will be issued? Will those businesses be given notice to implement such requirements as they prepare to reopen their businesses? Second, I wish to ask the Tánaiste about redundancies. Currently, anyone who is to be made redundant cannot claim for the redundancy prior to 10 August. Is this to be ex…

I too wish our new Minister well in his role. There are many challenges there and healthcare is so important to all of us. It does not matter whether a person has private health insurance, a medical card or whatever, everybody is entitled to the same treatment. We have to go forward like that, all working together. I pay tribute to the healthcare front-line workers and to everyone who worked so hard over the past months. It has been very hard. We should appreciate everyone who worked so hard. With regard to the sch…

It has come to my attention that medical card dental patients are being told that they cannot access dental care due to Covid-19. As we know, personal protective equipment, PPE, has become a major issue and, in dental practices, the cost of PPE is, in some cases, being added to the cost of the treatment. The Dental Council of Ireland, the regulatory body for dental professionals, has stated that dentists are free to decide on the fees they charge. If a dentist is making an additional charge for PPE, that must be li…

I would like written answers, please. Is the Minister categorically saying that the summer provision scheme, which is to replace the July provision scheme this year, is not only going to be awarded to children who currently attend special schools? Will there be provision for other students who have been in lockdown since March? There is too much confusion about the scheme. All parents are struggling at the moment, especially those with children with additional needs. Without expansion of the scheme there will be no…

The consequences of the coronavirus have been mixed. It is predicted that there will be an 8% drop in global CO2 pollution in 2020, which is welcome, but locking people in their homes and closing down the economy is not an effective strategy to maintain this. I am concerned that the European Court of Auditors flagged that our better energy warmer homes scheme is not delivering significant energy savings for the money we are investing in it. When can we expect a report on the review of the projects for households re…

I received a query today from a constituent who has booked over 20 flights for a family event at the end of this week. The family does not live within 5 km or 20 km of the airport. It is not an essential trip. The family has not been offered a voucher or refund because the flight has not been cancelled. What are we doing for customers? Yesterday, the Covid-19 committee was told that no non-essential travel is advised. In fact, the Department has advised against travel which is not essential. The law on refunds for …

I also compliment all the local authorities on the great work they have done. During the lockdown, local authorities have parked commercial rates, they have suspended or removed parking charges, and there has been a reduction in some cases in rent and mortgage repayments for its customers. The Minister of State must look at extending that, now more than ever. As we move through the phases, what will happen with local authorities? Will services have to be cut? We have discussed the great services that local authorit…

I want to ask about information. How much is being spent on information campaigns during the coronavirus crisis? I have to ask if the message is actually getting through. Anyone who passed the canal earlier this week would have seen that it was like a bank holiday weekend. I was contacted last night by a worker on a construction site who said social distancing was not being applied at all. Front-line workers are telling me people are not going to hospitals for fear of the virus. Why is this? Why do people believe o…

I too want to give my condolences to the families that have lost loved ones to this coronavirus. When we tell people to stay at home, we must now realise and accept that not every home is safe. We might all be in the same storm but one thing is certain - we are not all in the same boat. Women's Aid has reported an increase in the number of domestic abuse calls made to the charity since the Covid-19 outbreak. Childline has also reported an increase in communications from children and young people, and charities. Gar…

I raise the July education programme. I have been contacted by several constituents in Carlow-Kilkenny who are worried about whether the scheme will operate this year. It provides funding for an extended school year for children with a severe or profound general learning disability or with autism. The extended year is commonly known as the July provision or the July education programme. Where school-based provision is not feasible, home-based provision may be granted. As the schools have been closed and are not due…

We are living in extraordinary times but I am concerned that with the whirlwind pace of legislation, many things are being overlooked and are not being scrutinised. It is important that we applaud our healthcare workers and also our police force, Defence Forces, postal workers, community care workers, business community, teachers, press, workforce and in particular, our parents and children out there who are managing in what is an upside-down world where everyone seems to be afraid. Overall, I am supportive of this…

I wish to share time with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan.

Like everyone present, I have deep concerns and many questions regarding our preparedness for an escalation in cases of coronavirus in this State. Many previous speakers raised issues and concerns that I share but one area of concern is not being addressed in the way I would like. There seems to be a concerted effort to get good, clear information out on mainstream media and I am thankful that Twitter and Facebook have joined the fight against misinformation. However, I am concerned about how we are getting informa…

I was going to wish the Ceann Comhairle well.

Yes. I know he will do exceptionally well. I stand here as a very proud Carlow woman, delighted to be a Member for Carlow-Kilkenny. I thank all of my team. I will work extremely hard for the people I represent. Today is historic for me. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, "There are better things ahead than any we leave behind." It is in this spirit that we must operate. We must look to our past as we look to our future. We have exciting times ahead. We must put the election and all its difficulties behind us and look to the…