I ask both of them to intervene again to ensure this project is allowed to progress to the next stage.

Next week is the first anniversary of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. It is fair to say that it has been the catalyst of the largest displacement of people since the Second World War and in the history of the EU. I want to put on the record of the House my thanks to the communities in my constituency and across the country for their response and welcome. This debate is timely in the context of that first anniversary. It is also timely in the context of a huge number of people seeking international protection from othe…

Will the Minister update the House on the position with regard to the location of the centre of excellence for electric vehicles in Columb Barracks, Mullingar?

I thank the Minister for the update. We all share the ambition of the Land Development Agency, LDA, for Columb Barracks in Mullingar for mixed use, that is, for educational, enterprise, community and housing purposes. A key part of that is a college of further education and centre of excellence for electric vehicle management. I compliment the Longford Westmeath ETB on the work it has done thus far to bring the application to where it is. I also acknowledge SOLAS, the Minister and my colleague, the Minister of Stat…

I thank the Minister. I welcome the Minister's renewed commitment, or it would be much fairer to say his continued commitment, to the development of an electric vehicle centre of excellence in Columb Barracks. I welcome that the Minister considers that it can proceed, despite what is happening in the barracks at the moment. Could the Minister use his position of influence within the Government to ensure that instead of putting tents into the square in the middle, that we look at renovating the existing buildings? T…

I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this extremely important topic. It is fair to say that access to appropriate healthcare is a fundamental right of all our citizens. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the huge progress being made by the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and his team in ensuring that we improve our health service in the face of the global pandemic. Despite significant increases in investment there still remain challenges and problems. In an ever-evolving world ther…

I thank the Minister of State. What is the difference for this particular sub-type? We have 35 children in this situation. I gave a personal example of one of them whose quality of life has been severely impacted by this decision. What is the rationale for this drug company not honouring a deal made a number of years ago? I welcome that a process has commenced and that the HTA will conclude very quickly. I ask that this happen within the next number of weeks, if not days, and that when that process is concluded the…

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I compliment the Minister and her colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy McGrath, on a very comprehensive social welfare budget to tackle the high cost of living. I know from dealing with constituents that they very much welcome the increases that have been announced, which have already been paid out. It was right and proper the Government was in a position to do that. I share the concerns of other speakers about CWOs, not that they a…

Last week, people in Sinn Féin looked across the water to the Parliament in Westminster from which they take their expenses but in which they do not take their seats. They saw mayhem, chaos and dysfunction and they said, "How can we get some of that over here?"

It seems to me that is the reason for the discussion this evening.

Respectfully, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, this motion does nothing for the people we are here to represent.

It is true that our country and our citizens are facing many challenges. The best way to address those challenges is to ensure we have a strong economy with the necessary resources to enable us to make interventions when they are needed, just as we did during the pandemic. It is because of the policies this Government has pursued that we are in a position to introduce a progressive budget and further supports to address the cost-of-living crisis. We now have 2.5 million people employed, more than were employed befo…

-----and there are times when we must compromise, but what we are not compromising on is in our collective determination to address the challenges facing society today. Deputy McDonald said her party needs ten years. Tonight, with others, others who ran away from the opportunity to serve in government-----

-----she and her party are judging us on two years. Fianna Fáil and our partners in government-----

-----did not run away. We stood up to the challenge and we will deliver for this country.

I acknowledge the excellent work done on the full range of community employment, Tús and rural social schemes, supported by the Department of Social Protection, and the contributions these schemes and their workers make to communities throughout the country. At present there are some 27,000 people and 1,649 supervisors employed on the three main schemes. Overall, these schemes have a budget allocation of €540 million in 2022. Work schemes such as Tús and community employment are positive initiatives that enable the…

I thank both Senators. The success of Government policies is a challenge to the schemes, given we now have 2.5 million people in employment. When we have so many people in employment, fewer people are available to work on the schemes. To be fair to both the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, they have been listening and responding, and they have made a number of changes. However, as Senator Chambers said, they could go a little further. I undertake to ensure the points raised…

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. The Minister for Social Protection sends her apologies as she could not be here today. Significant maintenance and upgrade work to the Intreo centre on the Navan Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, had been scheduled for 2022. Plans were put in place for staff to transfer to other Intreo centres for the duration of the work, with arrangements made for customers to be served by King’s Inns Intreo centre, Parnell Street. The work originally planned was premised on no significant changes…

I know from my dealings with my local Intreo offices and community welfare officers that they do invaluable work. With face-to-face interaction, they are often there to reassure people when they are in a state of despair and in need. It is important that the service is maintained. It is also fair to recognise that more and more people are moving away towards interacting with State services online. That is just a matter of fact. For those who are unable to interact online, it is important that they should be able to…

I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne for raising this issue. I know he has a great interest in this area and all new and emerging technologies. As alluded to by the Senator, in July last year, the Taoiseach and I launched AI - Here for Good: A National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Ireland. The strategy sets out how Ireland can be an international leader in using Al to benefit our economy and society, through a people-centred, ethical approach to its development, adoption and use, as the Senator said. It presents a…