To be fair to the Deputy, he has been a tireless advocate on the issue of driver testing. He has unearthed many issues. What he has just articulated seems ridiculous and should not be the case. Those presenting for a test should not be penalised in the manner in question. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Canney, to liaise with the Deputy and also engage with the RSA and AXA to have this issue resolved.

I thank the Deputy for raising the case of Rowan. I understand he spoke to the Minister of State with responsibility for special needs education, Deputy Moynihan, last evening. He will follow it up as quickly as he can to see whether he can get a resolution to the issue, having regard to its background. We are going to change the application process to have earlier timelines and a common application system. Also, there is to be greater productivity on the part of the NCSE in finding places for children, as opposed …

I thank the Deputy for raising this. There are some aspects of vetting that make no sense and what the Deputy raised is one of them. If you are vetted for teaching, for example, and seek to train at a GAA, soccer or rugby club, that vetting should apply. We get huge complaints about backlogs and delays, which can get in the way of providing services. I have views on this and will talk to the Minister for justice about it.

I attended a meeting of the European Council on 26 June in Brussels. The substantial items on the agenda included support for Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, European security and defence and the preparation of upcoming EU summits with third country partners and regions. The Council also returned to enhancing Europe’s competitiveness in the context of global economic developments, not least the ongoing EU-US trade negotiations. Other items covered were migration, support for the Republic of Moldova, the …

It is a loan facility.

Ní aontaím leis an Teachta. Níl aon amhras go bhfuil méadú faoi leith tar éis teacht ar líon na mac léinn atá ag freastal ar oideachas tríú leibhéal sa tír seo thar na blianta. Tá sé sin soiléir. Tá infheistíocht stairiúil curtha isteach againn le blianta beaga anuas chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do mhic léinn. Tá i bhfad níos mó infheistíochta curtha isteach sna coláistí tríú leibhéal agus ina lán nithe eile. I came into politics because of my interest in two issues: Northern Ireland and education. Education has alwa…

The Minister, Deputy Lawless, did not say what the Deputy attributed to him. This is a classic performance from her, in terms of saying something that is not true. He never said that. His Estimate that was provided last year does not allow it right now, just the exact same as last year. There is an Estimates process and a budget like there is every year.

That issue will be addressed in that Estimates process and in the budget. SUSI grants and what we can do there will be addressed. Postgraduate supports will be addressed. Additional places in third level, which people are seeking in the areas of therapies, medicine, nursing and so on, all involve expense.

In fairness, I think the students of Northern Ireland would appreciate a bit of clarity from Sinn Féin as to how their fees still remain at over €5,000 in Northern Ireland, and the Deputy pontificates and says this Government is not providing clarity.

It is a Sinn Féin Minister for Finance, and they have the biggest allocation from Westminster in a long time, but they reduce everything to simplicity. We have a full range that we are going to provide-----

-----and we will continue to provide supports to students-----

-----and we will also continue to prioritise participation in education because it is a great gateway for people to progress in life.

I appreciate the Deputy's questions. We are under no illusions about the impact of the cost of living on families and people. The reality is there was an excessive inflationary spiral coming out of Covid and as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequential increase in energy prices. That did impact and that is why there were exceptional once-off cost-of-living packages in addition to budgetary measures in recent years. We are probably the only European Union country that was in a position to do …

The Deputy may be aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, has met with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, and has asked it to conduct an analysis of the Irish grocery retail sector, with a view to determine the existence of excessive pricing or not in an evidence-based way. We also have the equivalent of the agricultural ombudsman in terms of food prices. We are looking at strengthening the powers of the CCPC to protect consumers. Last week there was again engagement with the CCPC on…

Let me make one comment, which is probably an observation on the political world we are in today: all the parties on the left favour universality in everything in terms of provision and have not argued once today for targeting or prioritising those left furthest behind.

It has been very interesting that in the past ten days, including today, their entire focus has been on giving everybody everything. Whatever scheme is brought in-----

Through the Chair, I did not interrupt anybody. It is a case of giving everybody everything. In the last budget, we took significant steps with the child support payments for both under-12s and over-12s.

Sorry, Deputy Hearne is not leader yet.

In the last budget, I itemised the issues. The free schoolbooks scheme is now part of the budget and of the base, which is very important. It is not once off or anything like that. It is the same with free transport for those aged between five and eight and the hot school meals programme. We did not extend VAT either. I have made it clear that in the next budget, for the Government and in the context of the programme for Government, investment in housing and social housing will be key in addressing child poverty. D…

There is only so much money-----