No. People want to work.

I wish the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Madigan, the very best and look forward to working with them. It has been a traumatic and trying time in the education system. It has been a trying time from the cradle to the grave, really, but from the playschools, the naíonraí, the national schools, secondary schools and third level institutions it has caused angst to the children, the parents, their families, their carers and above all the special needs children. I know we have…

Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhgairdeas a dhéanamh leat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am delighted that she has been elected to her position. I will miss her contributions from the floor. I always valued them and tried to listen to them. I found them to be engaging, interesting, educated and very fair and balanced. I know she will have the very same qualities in her role as Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We have been waiting for 101 years for a woman to be appointed as Leas-Cheann Comhairle and it is fabulous that …

Psychiatric and general student nurses have joined the front line and helped out. They paid their way through college by the time they began their placement, which might last eight or ten weeks and for which they get paid. Now they cannot get that because of the circumstances of Covid-19 and there is significant hardship, therefore, on families, especially those who do not get grants. St. Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir is a wonderful district hospital. Three hospice beds there are funded mainly by the people …

I will be sharing time with my colleagues, Deputy O'Donoghue and Deputy Michael Collins, if one of them arrives. I congratulate the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, and wish them well on their new roles, as well as their whole teams. Education is so important from the cradle to the grave. I know we are dealing with universities here but it is still important. I hope the funding for this area and the new innovative section in the Department will do well. I am glad to have got news in the las…

The Road Safety Authority closed all national driver licensing services, NDLS centres, due to the pandemic. The Government provided for an extension of driving licences for three months, which was important, but that three months has elapsed. The NDLS centre in Clonmel, and others throughout the country, are closed, over-booked and cannot provide appointments to people whose licences will expire today, next week or the week after and it is not possible to renew a licence online. This is a very serious situation. Pe…

Is that agreed? Agreed.

The Minister of State should only respond to Deputy Doherty.

Deputy Doherty has asked the Minister of State to respond in the time allocated to the Deputy.

The Minister of State without interruption.

The Minister of State is in possession. Deputy Doherty may not interrupt while another Deputy is on his or her feet.

He has answered the question.

I thank the Deputy and call the Minister of State.

I remind the Deputy that I am the one in the Chair.

Just to make it clear, one of the Sinn Féin Deputies did not get in. There are only 20 minutes available. Deputy Pearse Doherty wanted a question-and-answer session. It was not my fault. The Minister only had a minute and a half to reply to all the questions. I cannot be criticised for how Deputies divide time among themselves.

Tá an t-am caite.

I ask the Deputy to refer to people as Deputy rather than just using their names, please.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Bogaimid ar aghaidh anois leis an Rural Independent Group. There are four Deputies to speak, namely, Deputies Nolan, Michael Healy-Rae, O’Donoghue and Danny Healy-Rae.

Seas suas sa suíochán, please.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. It would not be right if the Healy-Raes were not heard. I call now on Deputy O’Donoghue to speak.