I accept the Deputy's bona fides on this, and I hear what he says. However, I cannot emphasise often enough that there are no cuts here. There is an increase of €4 million in the budget. Each ETB has to decide how they spend their individual budgets, within certain parameters, obviously. ESOL programmes are simply going back to pre-2022 levels. We have seen similar tapering off of supports across other Departments. This was an emergency fund because of the Ukraine war and now, we are going back to where we were bef…

I thank Deputy O'Hara. The Minister, Deputy Foley, thanks him for raising this important issue and I will respond on her behalf. The HSE is very much aware of the importance of respite service provision for the families of children with disabilities and the impact the absence of respite service provision can have on other services being delivered. As Deputy O'Hara said, respite is a vital support for families and service users, and potentially helps to prevent out-of-home full-time residential placement. Respite al…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is a priority for the Minister, Deputy Foley, the Department and the whole Government. I agree that respite services are essential for people with disabilities and their families. The Government is committed to the continued expansion and development of respite services, as set out in the programme for Government and the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. To support the HSE in its work to provide and develop respite services and in reco…

I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. I thank the Senator for raising this very sensitive and important issue. It offers the Minister, Deputy Foley, a chance to respond. I am very conscious of the hurt felt by survivors and family members of people who died in institutions. The commission of investigation into mother and baby homes was established in 2015, as the Senator knows, to investigate issues associated with mother and baby institutions, including deaths and burial …

I thank the Senator for raising not just an important issue but a sensitive one, as I said. The investigation of burial arrangements in mother and baby institutions, including at Bessborough, was an important part of the work of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. The response outlined its findings in relation to former institutions at Tuam and Bessborough. Time will not allow me to outline the investigations of burial arrangements at other institutions, but to come back to what the Senator …

I thank the Senator. Once again I am taking this on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley. I acknowledge the interest of Members in matters concerning foster carers. In particular, the Minister would like to thank Senator Ahearn for raising the important issue of supports for foster carers in the south Tipperary area. As he will know, the Minister is a strong supporter of foster carers and the valuable work they do in our society. She would like to take this opportunity to recognise and acknowledge this work and to …

I thank the Senator. It is not in my notes but I agree with the final statement made by the Senator, which is an important one. Aside from that, I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I hope I have clearly addressed the issue at hand and the Minister has provided sufficient assurances regarding the ongoing support of Tusla to St. Bernard's children's services. Once again, the Minister wants to put on record that Tusla has confirmed that services at St. Bernard's will continue in 2026 and 2027. I reit…

I will deliver this response on behalf of the Minister for Transport. First, I thank the Senator for his question. I recognise that infrastructure investment to support road safety on the N69, as well as the quality of life of the people who rely on it, is important. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the nationa…

I thank the Senator. I hear his frustration, and I certainly will bring it to the Minister's attention. I would not like to mislead the Senator so, in that context, I will say what I said earlier. There has been significant investment in the N69 in recent years. Over €67 million in allocations has been invested in pavement, safety and, as the Senator said, the bypass of Listowel on the N69 since 2021. That is the statement I have here. I will bring to the attention of the Minister that the Senator has specific conc…

Again, I am taking this on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I thank Senator O’Loughlin for the opportunity to give an update on the dedicated town bus service for Newbridge. As she said, this is an issue she has raised many times. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of…

I reassure Senator O'Loughlin that the Minister is fully committed to delivering a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system for the benefit of current and future generations. I heard her message, which was loud and clear, and I will make sure it is delivered to the Minister. The Government recognises that transport connectivity is very important for people who live and work in Ireland, and it is key to bringing back life into our villages, towns and urban centres, such as Newbridge, which Senator…

Tairgim: "Go léifear an Bille don Dara hUair anois." This is an important Bill, and I am happy to bring it to the House on behalf of the Minister. The main aim of the Bill is to implement the European Media Freedom Act, EMFA, in Irish law. EMFA is an EU regulation which puts in place new rules to protect media freedom and pluralism in the EU and strengthen the internal market for media services. A free and independent media is a cornerstone of democracy and essential for healthy public debate. In an increasingly ch…

The Deputy never fails.

I thank Members for their valuable and considered contributions and their constructive approach to the Bill. As a general point, I want to emphasise that the core aim of this Bill is to implement EMFA, which is a landmark part of EU legislation that is designed to protect media freedom. The European Commission proposed the European Media Freedom Act as a response to worrying trends in relation to media freedom in certain European countries. It was not developed specifically with the Irish context in mind. However, …

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport pursuant to Standing Orders 103(2)( b ) and 188(1).

I will conclude by again acknowledging the seriousness of the issues raised in this motion and the genuine concerns that motivate it. I have not heard all of the contributions but those that I have heard have been considered and informed. A number of issues were raised and I promise that those I have heard will be brought to the attention of the Minister. I cannot be sure of responses but I can guarantee that I will bring them to her attention. All of us agree here this evening that every child who comes to the att…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue because it gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, to outline to the Dáil the position regarding Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin in County Dublin. Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin is under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. It is located in the Clondalkin-D22 school planning area and has an enrolment of 445 pupils. The Department of Education and Youth is delivering a large-scale major project to provide adjoining new permanent accommodation …

Once again, I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for education, to outline the position in relation to Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin. The Deputy asked me to refer this to the Minister on his behalf. I can promise that I will certainly do so because I can see that it is an issue of real concern, for the Deputy and, I presume, many of his constituents. I will do that. The Deputy will be aware that the Minister, Deputy Naughton, recently published the €7.55 billion NDP sector…

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton. Just like the previous Deputy, I hear the passion in his voice and local knowledge, as well as his understanding of what is at issue for the many families and children there. I guarantee that I will bring it to the attention of the Minister. Aside from that, the Government is committed to the provision of additional special places for children with special educational needs. Budget 20…

I thank the Deputy again for raising the question and giving me the opportunity to reassure the House that the Department of Education and Youth and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. The Department continues to engage intensively with the NCSE in regard to the forward planning for new special provision to ensure every child has a place in an educational setting best suited to their educational needs. It is important to remember that the vast majori…