I thank everyone for their flexibility. I ask the Minister to come back with the answers to those issues and I ask that we would get the answers in relation to the National Training Fund so we could make a determination. We all want to support, work and deliver.

Sinn Féin introduced Private Members’ business this week in relation to the lack of a cost-of-disability payment. There were many organisations in Leinster House on the day, including Rehab, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disability Federation of Ireland and a number of its constituent organisations. There is a point that needs to be repeated. Everyone accepts what was in the Indecon report commissioned by the Government back in 2021. It found that the cost of disability is, on average, between €9,482 and…

That the programme for Government "commits to further review the minimum hours requirement under the wage subsidy scheme" is an absolute necessity. It goes without saying that we need "to examine an increase to the payment rate". One of the fears is with the three-year review mechanism. There will be other factors that will impact the costs faced by the Rehab Group and some of these other organisations, as well as on their ability to operate. We need to make sure there are not more employers who remove themselves f…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Where do I start?

I could not say I was shocked but I was not particularly happy, obviously, when I saw the Government's response to this. This is not the first time the Minister of State and I have had a conversation, never mind the legislation, on the issues regarding those seeking places for their children, and the rights of those children, whether in primary or secondary school. I would state quite explicitly that we are very far from a solution. In fairness to me and to the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, which I …

I do not doubt the Minister of State's sincerity. We have dealt with many issues many times and, in fairness, he has always made his best attempt to deal with those issues. On some level, we are dealing with a system that is far from perfect at this point. I will make a defence of this legislation. I thank Deputy Cummins for speaking on it and I reiterate what she said. A two-year run-in is just a sensible idea, which is why the Irish Primary Principals' Network proposed it. As I said before, I am not utterly wedde…

The Minister spoke earlier about what needs to be done to protect family farms. We have all spoken about that issue many times. We know the dangers that are oncoming for farmers. Many of my colleagues have already spoken about fears over the loss of the nitrates derogation. There is also absolute fear around Mercosur. We require the Government to step up to the mark on these dangers and the possible changes we are looking at in CAP funding. I have just come from a meeting of the Joint Committee on EU Affairs. Last …

I am really disappointed that we are here dealing with this issue today. The Government recently published the national human rights strategy for disabled people. It spoke about a human rights ethos and the fact that disabled people should have certain things as a right. In fairness, a number of the advocacy organisations, including Rehab, DFI, the IWA and all the constituent parts of the Disability Federation of Ireland, will have representatives here. The one thing they said was that at least last year, even if i…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the need for an additional teacher at a school. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss the school building project at Gaelcholáiste Reachrann. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss special education classes in Wicklow. Deputy Eamon Scanlon - To disc…

I am glad to have this opportunity to speak on World Mental Health Day. Like previous speakers, I thank and commend all those who work in mental health services, for both the State or the organisations that do absolutely necessary work. I was very taken by what Deputy Roche said. It obviously came from the heart. Unfortunately, it is the worst aspect of the detrimental impact mental health difficulties can have on lives and families and the real anguish involved. We all may have dealt with some of this in our famil…

We have to look at all of this. I welcome some of what has been said, but we definitely need better pathways.

Many of my colleagues have already spoken about the cost-of-living crisis, in case anyone needed it pointed out to them, that exists out there. Whether we are talking about energy costs, rent and other housing costs, or insurance, we know all the issues. That is even before anybody goes to a till when he or she tries to do the shopping on a Friday, Saturday or whatever day he or she chooses. This is what workers and families are dealing with. There are no major supports being delivered in relation to the people who…

I ask the Minister to set out the level of funding allocated to League of Ireland clubs for academies and to state whether such funding will be increased in the budget. Sinn Féin very much supports the Global Findings Report recommendations produced by Double Pass as part of its audit of the League of Ireland academy system. We urge the Government to commit significant funding to same, as promised in the programme for Government. Separately, has the Minister had any communication with the FAI or the LMETB in relati…

Tá brón orm. Táimid ar Ceist Uimh. 7.

Within the context of the question, I will ask a supplementary question about a training programme in Dundalk.

I accept that we are not going to get an outline of what will be in the budget but I seek reassurance that there is still a commitment there. In fairness, the Department played a major role in the Global Findings Report being conducted. That report found there is an absolute necessity to provide significant funding for academies. We know the scenario in relation to professional football, the possibilities that exist and the need to make sure we have the necessary throughput of players. It is all about contact and p…

I am in complete agreement with the Minister. I do not think there is anyone out there who would not say that there is a need for a huge level of reform and that there is more to do in relation to the FAI, particularly in regard to governance. That goes without saying. In terms of the League of Ireland and grassroots football, we need to ensure the necessary supports are there. I ask the Minister to confirm that the commitment is still there in relation to the academies and the need for significant funding. We also…

Will the Minister ensure there is engagement with the FAI and the ETB on this matter? I would appreciate it if he could come back to me on that.

Before I get to my contribution, I would like to outline my solidarity with those who have been illegally kidnapped from the Global Sumud Flotilla by the Israelis. I ask the Government to fulfil its obligations to ensue safe passage. There were promises made earlier. We think of Senator Chris Andrews and I believe Barry Heneghan may be taken in the next number of days. We need to make sure we do absolutely everything we can from our point of view to protect the Irish citizens and those who are not. On the community…

It is very hard to discuss anything relating to SNAs without dealing with the onslaught of fears that have been expressed to politicians due to the guidelines from the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, which provide that there will be a very limited school-led review and that the window will be shut. There has been rowback on that. There has also been rowback on the fear that SNA allocations would be unified across mainstream and special classes. I welcome that we have heard that from the Department, Go…