Before I allow Senator Lynch back in, I welcome the group from Dromahane National School from County Cork. Senator Lynch tells me the school recently got a new school building. I was a teacher myself in the past. I took up a job and, six months later, moved from an old school building to a new one. I know the excitement involved in that. Congratulations to you all.

I thank the Minister of State for taking all four Commencement matters this morning.

This morning, I attended SpunOut's 20th anniversary in Dublin City Council and I congratulate the organisation on the milestone. For two decades, SpunOut has been at the heart of youth well-being, and when it was set up, one of the big focuses was on youth mental health in rural areas. I am all too familiar with that. I was a young person who grew up in a rural area and it can be hard, especially in winter months when there is rural isolation, for young people to look after their mental health. I compliment SpunOut…

Seamount College in Kinvara urgently needs a new sports hall. I visited the school last Friday with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and we saw the lack of facilities that exist on campus in Seamount College at first hand. The school has seen a rapid rise in its enrolment in recent years, which is testament to the quality of education provided there. However, we need the resources to keep in step with that. On average, a student loses one full year of physical education, PE, per six years in school because o…

Before I invite the Minister of State to respond, I congratulate Councillor Brendan Mulroy and his guests from the Jester Bar in Westport whose Relay for Life group has raised vital funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Councillor Mulroy also asked me to wish the best of luck to Kilmeena GAA club which is playing in the intermediate football final this weekend. I now invite the Minister of State to respond.

I move: That Seanad Éireann: recognises that: - 15,000 special education teachers have been provided to enable students with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, to attend their local mainstream schools; - the majority of students with dyslexia and dyscalculia attend mainstream schools; - schools receive a substantial additional teaching allocation to support children with special education needs who are in mainstream classes; - the National Educational Psychological Service provides professional learning opp…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for coming in this evening. I want to acknowledge that since the review committee made a recommendation on this in 2009, Deputy McEntee is the eighth Minister for education. Therefore, it is not as if she caused the problem; she just inherited it. Like Senator Scahill, I acknowledge that she is not the first Minister to have this on their desk. I also acknowledge that the Government supports the motion. I just want to bring a focus to one aspect of the motion, whe…

Tomorrow at 9.30 a.m.

I had not even indicated to speak. I will say to Billy's family, as a young person who has friends who worked for Billy in Chicago on J1 visas, I pay tribute to someone who advocated so strongly for the undocumented Irish. I only met Billy once when I canvassed for Senator Crowe for the 2020 general election. He was a very accommodating man. He was a very nice man at the door, which was the only time I ever got to meet Billy in person. I wanted to pay tribute to him. I had not even indicated to speak. I did not rea…

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, for being back in the House again. We have discussed this previously in the Seanad. As we head into mock exam season, there is an urgent need for clarity and certainty for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia in the 2026 leaving certificate. A 2009 expert advisory group recommended immediate roll-out of extra time in exams in the leaving certificate for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia. More recently, Dr. Keith Murphy, from TU Dublin, and child psychologist Dr…

I thank the Minister of State. I have to be brutally honest. As a language teacher myself, that is not a good enough response. It is coming from the SEC. I know it is not the Minister who is directly responding there - she has to liaise with the SEC to be able to respond - but that is not a good enough response and it lets students down massively in this country. It is becoming increasingly frustrating to have to deal with the SEC when it is basically digging its heels in. It might as well be honest and say that it…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Ceapaim go bhfuil sé ag fanacht le haghaidh an Seanadóir Joe Flaherty. The Minister of State, Deputy Richmond is continuing for the third and fourth Commencement matters.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit.

I want to raise the issue of vital funding to support Team Ireland in the World Butchers' Challenge, a global stage where butchers showcase excellence, creativity and community spirit. It is a thrilling three-hour competition where butchers push the boundaries of craft and innovation. The competition fosters international collaboration, business opportunities and elevates the butcher profession. The Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland, ACBI, craft butchery apprenticeship, which was established in 2016 is a QQI lev…

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Teachta Foley.

Anois, an Seanadóir Joe Conway.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

Ceapaim go bhfuil an tAire ag iarraidh teacht isteach.

I welcome the guests of the Ceann Comhairle in the Gallery. It is great to have them in this evening. I call Senator Cosgrove.

Is that agreed? Agreed.