I second the motion.

I thank the Minister of State for attending. I know that a woman of her political experience knows the importance of government at the local level and that healthy and high-functioning local authorities that are well-funded, well-staffed and constantly innovating can make huge changes in local areas and the people and families who live in them. My passion for local government is certainly no secret. That is why I have been pushing for apprentices to play a greater role in our local authorities since taking my seat …

I thank the Minister of State for her attendance and her reply. This is a very important opportunity for local government and for the Minister, Deputy Harris, and his Department. I admire the work he and the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, have been doing in their brand-new Department. There is always scope for improvement, however, including in respect of some of the issues I highlighted. I welcome the proposal for 750 public service apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. However, we are a long w…

Before Senator O'Loughlin responds I want to welcome to the House our visitors from Blessington Educate Together National School. I hope they have a lovely time visiting the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I begin with a phrase I do not find myself saying often. I would like to join the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, in calling for the extension of the 9% VAT for the hospitality sector. The hike back to the upper rate of 13.5% is set to take place at the end of the month. I, along with many others around the country, and I know many Members of this House and the Dáil, think that is going to be a mistake. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath, said …

I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I think this is the first time I have addressed him in his new role as Minister for Justice. I think he has done a great job since he started in that role. I wish him good luck for the next few months while he is there. Today's topic relates to the zero tolerance of violence against women. I wish to discuss some of these data. The World Health Organization and its partners have shown that one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, mostly by an i…

I congratulate the Minister of State on her elevation to office. In 2019, the Houses of the Oireachtas passed the usual Finance Act, allowing for regulations of taxation, stamp duties and duties relating to excise. Included in the Bill was section 6, on benefit-in-kind emissions-based calculations, which gave effect to a measure included in that year's budget relating to benefit-in-kind tax on employers providing vehicles. The effect of the measure is as follows. From 1 January 2023, a new charging regime for emplo…

I thank the Minister of State very much. I appreciate the comprehensive answer. The issue was the lead-in period, however, which began four years ago. It was not on the radar of many companies. I only became aware of it around December when a number of people contacted me to tell me how much they were going to be out of pocket. Do I have to look at other legislation or other budgetary measures the Government has delayed over a period of time that have serious consequences for individuals, particularly companies and…

It would be great if the infrastructure was there to support it. I thank the Minister of State.

I want to raise two issues that have been given some coverage this week. The first is the incident at the Ashtown migrant camp. This morning, I am not going to getting into who saw that or who said what, and I think that debate has played out on Twitter between individual journalists, and Senator Mullen addressed it here yesterday. The evidence or lack thereof is there for anyone with eyes to see. A broader point coming out of all of this is why on earth we are only hearing about this encampment now. Ashtown is in …

I thank the Minister of State for being here, and I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for her contribution. I love hearing Gaeilge in the Chamber. I wish I could speak it but I cannot.

As I sat down to think about what matters needed to be raised here this afternoon, I wondered what it is about health, mental health and child and teenage care that has not been said in the past ten years. I do not think a month goes by without this issue being raised in this Chamber, and I support that. It is certainly an issue of national importance and deserving of our attention but our proclamations or statements are worth nothing if they do not lead to action that will make a difference for people on the groun…

I thank the Cathaoirleach and appreciate being allowed up before Senator Flynn because I have to attend another meeting at 4 p.m. On this day, Tuesday, 31 January 1984, some 39 years ago, Ann Lovett died aged 15. She and her child were buried in Granardkill cemetery on Friday, 3 February 1984. On Saturday night, 4 February 1984, "The Late Late Show" was coming to an end when the host read the headline from the next day's edition of The Sunday Tribune newspaper: "Girl, 15, dies giving birth in field". "My goodness m…

I thank Senator Higgins for spotting something that I missed. I took acting in loco parentis as meaning the foster parent. To make sure that it is, I welcome the Senator's insertion.

I would support even the addition of "grandchild" so that it reads "a parent or grandparent or grandchild of the employee". I would support that because I know many children who rely solely on a grandparent to give them care at any age. I would welcome the addition of "grandchild" and ask that the Minister give it consideration.

People are appointed to be in loco parentis in respect of children under the age of 18 but once the child reaches the age of 18 and becomes a young adult, he or she does not have anybody to take care of him or her. The inclusion of "grandchild" is very important for this legislation and I ask the Minister to consider that provision. It is a relevant piece of care that can be given. I agree with Senator Higgins that in loco parentis applies only in respect of children up to the age of 18. After that, the young perso…

They do.

I want to speak on this section as well as I have a couple of amendments. I can never put it as eloquently as Senator Higgins but I am going to try. My amendments are Nos. 18 and 19 and I have tabled amendment No. 21, which is the same. The age of 12 is far too low. The age limit does not make sense. If a 13-year-old or an older teenager requires the care of a parent or legal guardian, the Bill should not exclude them from availing of the flexibility of work-from-home benefits. While the Bill does include greater p…

I move amendment No. 18: In page 13, line 26, to delete “12 years” and substitute “16 years”.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 13, line 30, to delete “12 years” and substitute “16 years”.