I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very serious issue for us as a society. The level and scale of domestic violence is shocking and unacceptable. The funding will be provided to deal with it. Tusla will soon publish its review of the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence. This will assist in developing a plan to address the shortfall of adequate refuge provision and the building of centres. The Minister for Justice, as we said last week, is bringing to a conclusion a national strategy to…

That is a separate question entirely in terms of Covid-19 which I will deal with-----

I know but let us be honest that this is a wider issue. First of all, significant additional funding has been provided this year through the Department of Justice and Tusla and funding to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of all of the strands of the issue around domestic violence and addressing it. Additional funding was provided this year but the strategy will outline and indicate the necessity for further funding, particularly in respect of the centres. The resources will be pro…

This is the first time I have even been referred to as a magic dragon. There may have been a few dragons in it in terms of the public health decision. I believe that a Dáil debate on this matter is a very good idea. Perhaps it can be facilitated next week because we need a reflection and an analysis on people’s inputs on the advices we received from NPHET on the decisions that we subsequently took as a Government, and on the broader position as we move out now in the next number of months with policies that we need…

First, I again commend and pay tribute to the Women of Honour for their courage in coming forward to tell their stories and also to effect fundamental change in terms of the culture and behaviour in the Defence Forces in respect of any violence against women in the Defence Forces, or against vulnerable males as well. The Minister for Defence is acting, and has engaged, very sincerely with the Women of Honour on this issue. He will make an announcement this evening, but he is meeting with the group later this aftern…

We should acknowledge the progress that has been made since the first strategy relating to remote working was published early last year. In fact, I believe Finland, Luxembourg and Ireland top the EU league table in terms of working from home, at over 20%, although I am open to correction on that. That is an indication of the progress-----

-----and also the balanced and partnership approach that has been the hallmark of the Irish employer-employee relationship generally. The heads of the legislation the Government agreed today in respect of giving an employee the right to request remote working is another positive, progressive step forward. That will come to the House to be debated and all Deputies will have an input into it. In addition, we have made significant progress in all the investment we have made in remote working hubs. That has been quite …

The Minister secured record additional funding this year for the DEIS programme. The details of that will have to be announced, but I believe it could represent a 20% increase in additional cover for DEIS schools; in other words, an additional 20% being added to the existing cohort. That will be good and impactful. We have provided additional funding to the Cork Life Centre. I will check with the Minister. The broader review should be published as soon as possible.

Once again, the Deputy is clearly distorting what I said. I never said anything of that sort. I said the Government must enter into discussions with social partners and others to see what would be the most targeted and effective way to give families and workers a way to protect their disposable income without adding to the inflationary cycle. That is what I said.

I am talking to Deputy Barry.

It is what I said.

It is what I said. Sorry, Deputy. Let us not start distorting.

The Deputies can do that when they are part of the Opposition. They can always label the Government as wrong.

I was very clear in what I said. I said we would enter into discussions with the social partners. It is on the record. I mentioned a more targeted approach, and I instanced as an example the Vincentian model in terms of minimum income standards.

I instanced the changes that have been made already in health-----

-----relating to the eligibility of children for GP care, the drug payment scheme threshold being reduced and hospital charges for children being reduced.

There are targeted ways of doing this without adding to the inflationary cycle. That is what I am saying.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has engaged with Trinity College Dublin. Along with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, it has offered to provide funding for a number of years to help to contribute towards a sustainable model in Science Gallery Dublin. Trinity College Dublin needs to do work to develop a new vision and a sustainable financial model for the long-term future of the science gallery. The Department of Further and Higher …

I do not know if the Deputy asked through my office or what-----

Has a request come in?