I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I do not disagree with her basic points. I think funding will help, by the way, and we have allocated additional funding. Nevertheless, the Deputy is correct when she says there is a human resource management issue in respect of how therapists are dealt with and treated within the service, in respect of the quality of the work experience, and in respect of progression within the service. That is a human resource management issue. A new CEO, who had been in Tusla, has taken…

The Deputy needs to give the Government a more specific proposal. Fishing quotas are covered by the EU, as the Deputy knows. He also knows the decommissioning is because of Brexit. It was a decision because of Britain leaving the European Union. We avoided a no-deal Brexit, which would have been calamitous for our fishers, as one can understand. Deep down the Deputy knows, even though he says something else more publicly, that we cannot just ban a particular thing.

A campaign to ban, but we need honesty when dealing with people. I will engage with the fisher organisations but will not make promises on the hoof that the Deputy and I know will not be delivered upon any time soon.

We need to focus, in negotiations at European level, on trying to get more gains for our fishers.

The decommissioning scheme is because of Brexit but it does involve the making available of significant resources to compensate the fishers for losing out.

Our first thoughts are with the workers of Cartamundi and their families. This is very bad news for them. It is obviously completely out of the control of the Government. There are macroeconomic factors. Lower consumer confidence in 2022 resulted in a sharp reduction in demand and significant excess product in the market, so the company decided to close its Irish operation. Our agencies will work with the workers and we will do everything we possibly can to help them to come through this period and, if possible, to…

That is the intention. I understand the Minister is awaiting proposals from the Housing Commission, which has been tasked with coming forward with wording.

I have had a long-standing commitment to research and have overseen very significant investment in a range of research programmes over the last two decades. Career pathways for young people in research are important. There is a wide spectrum of postgraduates, from MA students to those qualifying to become teachers, so one cannot just have one simplistic policy applying to all. At PhD level, particularly within certain science-related programmes, there is very substantial research work under way. It is an issue that…

To be fair, there has been record building of schools. The schools building programme has seen a record high over the past two years, in particular. That is one reason a whole range of projects have reached their current status. Obviously, the Minister for Education has been working, including with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, to resolve the issues concerning these projects. They will be resolved.

Yes.

Have they applied?

As the Deputy knows, there is a national childcare scheme, with both capital and current funding. The Deputy spoke about community childcare places in Kinsale. If the application has gone to the Minister, we will certainly pursue.

This will be resolved quickly.

More than 300 school buildings projects were under construction at the start of the year and most of them will be completed this year or in early 2024. This includes more than 40 new school buildings. In addition, approximately €116 million was invested in more than 1,000 small-scale repair and improvement projects throughout the country under the summer works scheme and the emergency works scheme so there has been significant investment in construction. The Minister has been in advanced discussions with the Minist…

I agree with that. I am a very committed believer in active travel. We have made very significant progress over the past while in terms of the investment across the country. Enforcement must happen on an ongoing basis, particularly in terms of parking. I will bring it to the attention of the Minister.

I dealt with this earlier. We expect the issue to be resolved very quickly. There has been a record level of school building. The proactive nature of the Department of Education is such that it has a huge pipeline of projects and that is where we are. The issue will be resolved.

The Government has taken an additional dividend from the ESB in respect of the significant profits it made on generation. The Minister will bring forward legislation in respect of the solidarity tax shortly and it will be adequate to release resources from excessive profits during the energy emergency of the past while to re-allocate to people requiring assistance.

I will revert to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of that proposal. It seems a bit unwieldy but perhaps it is one that could be developed. Essentially one would have to go through the legal process of a compulsory purchase order and then the rectification of the property so it is not a slam dunk by any means legally.

Exactly, but the Deputy also knows that not all people in the legal profession have his pace or application in terms of getting things done in double-quick time. The Deputy made a reasonable proposal and I will bring it to the Minister's attention. Anything that can be done to fast-track turning derelict properties into usable ones is something we should consider.

I am not in a position to comment on individual projects but the broader issue of additional capital for the Department of Education to complete those projects has been a matter for engagement between the two Departments. As the Taoiseach and I have said, the expectation is that this will be resolved.