I have a couple of points on these amendments. Regarding amendment No. 2 from Senators Ruane, Black and Flynn on the inclusion of additional institutions, as a graduate of UL I want to see the expansion of the university panels. I also support the element in this regard concerning such universities as established or that may be established under the Technological Universities Act 2018. We have graduates in my county of Waterford that have not been able to vote on university panels. This is wrong, in the same way as…

I want to raise just two points on the Order of Business. Let me follow on from the comments on the septic tank grant scheme. I have a Commencement matter submitted on this issue for next Tuesday that I hope the Cathaoirleach will look upon favourably because there is an anomaly. One had to register a septic tank by 1 February 2013 and there was a legal obligation to do so. It is a requirement to access the grant. If in 2017, 2018 or 2019 people purchased a property that was not registered at the relevant time, the…

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Whenever we have a debate about local government it is hugely welcome because all of us in this House fully understand the value of local government. I had the pleasure of serving on Waterford City and County Council for 11 years before being elected to this House. I was elected in 2009 and served two terms as mayor so I like to think I have a good knowledge and understanding of all elements and processes of local government. There is no doubt about the value that local…

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this Commencement matter and the Minister of State for taking it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, who is unavoidably at an event in Wexford. This is a topic on which we need to make further progress. I strongly believe that self-employed persons need to have a safety net if they become seriously ill. In recent years, we have made great strides by expanding access to a range of social insurance benefits to self-employed contributors. The payment of class S PRSI now…

I thank the Minister of State. I appreciate the actuarial review that was done, which needs to be considered. If there is to be an increase in benefits, while I would not necessarily agree with the 12% increase in the rate outlined, people would be willing to support a modest increase in PRSI to adjust towards paying for that. While the S class is a problem, not being able to look at cumulative contributions is a wider issue in the context of the case I outlined. It is definitely not the only case where that has ha…

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I start by welcoming the decision of the President to apologise to Professor Louise Richardson during the week. Professor Richardson was awarded the freedom of Waterford city in 2019 for her work. She hails from Waterford and has an extensive and distinguished career. The comments which were made were unfortunate but, at the same time, I welcome the apology that was issued. On the Order of Business, I also welcome the announcement made by the Ministers, Deputies Harris, McConalogue and Do…

I acknowledge the presence of the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donnell and O'Donovan, Deputy O'Dowd and former Senator and Deputy Michael Finucane. I had the pleasure of knowing Mary from my time at the University of Limerick, where I studied to be a PE teacher. She was always a great friend to the Young Fine Gael branch in the university, being always present and willing to give of her time generously. She always had words of encouragement and advice. A number of us in that Young Fine Gael branch went on to serv…

I too join Members in expressing my deep sympathy to the family and friends of the late, great Paul Coghlan. It was an absolute pleasure to have known what I would describe as the most generous and kind man. He gave of his time to so many in terms of nurturing and advising people, including me, over the years. I will always be thankful for that. I too would like to raise the issue of the retained firefighters. It is disappointing that we have reached a point whereby people who give their time to serve the public in…

I welcome the decision made by the Government yesterday to award the new search and rescue services contract. The contract has received much debate in this House and further afield. The important thing for me is that the contract maintains the four bases of Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin. A new operator will take over this very significant contract worth €670 million. It is important we recognise the work done by the current contract operator, CHC Ireland. I thank all the men and women who have served the Iri…

Oh God.

I raise the issue of passports. I hoped that we would not have to raise this issue this year, given the significant resources that the Government put into the Passport Office last year. While many get an exceptionally efficient service, particularly with online applications for renewals, it has to be said that there are still issues with paper-based applications through An Post. A person making an application has to wait at least eight weeks for it to be checked. If a person made a mistake – we all make mistakes, w…

I want to touch on two issues. The first is to welcome the decision yesterday by the Cabinet. I commend the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris, on introducing changes to increase the sentence for assault causing harm to members of the Garda and emergency personnel. Anybody who assaults a police officer or somebody in emergency services who is doing their best to serve and assist the public should be duly sentenced for that crime. I certainly hope the increase of the maximum sentence from seven years to 12 will be …

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, for taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Josepha Madigan. This topic is of the utmost importance to parents and students with additional needs in Tramore and the surrounding areas of County Waterford. The built-up area of Tramore has a population of over 10,000 and its immediate hinterland a further 2,000 as per census 2022. There are four primary schools in the town: Tramore Educate Together National…

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, a copy of which I have read very carefully. There is slightly contradictory information in it. One additional primary school place in Waterford has been sanctioned. I understand it is in St. Stephen's De La Salle in Waterford city. The reply later references that four primary school ASD classes will be available for September 2023 but only two are in place already. I take it from this that there is confirmation in the reply that an additional two classes will be provided…

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House, and the Civil Engagement Group for bringing forward this Bill in its Private Members' time. Fine Gael will also be opposing the Bill for many of the reasons that have been outlined by my colleague, Senator Chambers. I think there is a conflict of interest with the returning officer of Seanad Éireann overseeing Seanad elections and being part of the Electoral Commission. It is important, at the outset, to say that it is very important that we have an Electoral C…

I thank Senator McDowell. It is very important to have a second Chamber that scrutinises legislation. Everyone in this House takes his or her job exceptionally seriously. The Supreme Court ruling has been handed down. Senator Malcolm Byrne's Bill goes a way towards addressing that. As a former graduate of the University of Limerick, UL, I welcome the judgment. I do not have a vote to elect Members to the Seanad university panel. I should have it, as should graduates of all the institutes of technology and the new t…

I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. She has had a busy morning filling in for her ministerial colleagues. I am sure that the Minister of State will agree with me that the housing adaptation grants that are issued by local authorities to older persons and those with disabilities represent some of the best value to be had for the money the State spends each year. Last week, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued grant funding of €66.5 million to the 31 local authorities. Loc…

I thank the Minister of State for that reply. My local authority received €1.8 million last week under the disabled persons grants scheme but I believe that is insufficient to meet the needs in my area of Waterford. I welcome the fact an announcement is imminent in regard to the social housing stock but from engaging with the housing team in Waterford, as an example, it could definitely spend an additional €1 million to €1.5 million before year-end if it got an early indication of grant funding. Given those allocat…

One such incentive is the announcement yesterday in relation to the vacant property refurbishment grant, which will now give people who own a derelict property up to €70,000 in grant support to bring that into productive use for themselves or another family. It is another important incentive introduced by Government to proactively engage with the owners of those properties to try to bring them back into use. That can be combined with the better energy support grant, meaning one can get nearly €100,000 in grant supp…

I will share my time with Senator Burke if I may.