I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, for coming to the House. Quite a number of Commencement matters were submitted by colleagues during the week so I ask him to bear with me for nóiméad amháin, más é do thoil é.
I have received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the pension entitlements of community employment scheme supervisors.
I have also received notice from Senator Mark Wall of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to address the professional therapist waiting times and lists for children in south Kildare.
I have also received notice from Senators Lisa Chambers and Fiona O’Loughlin of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline his plans to reform the fair deal scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Emer Currie of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the provision of a dedicated school building for Danu Community Special School, Dublin 15.
I have also received notice from Senator Jerry Buttimer of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the issuing of travel vouchers for airlines.
I have also received notice from Senator Sharon Keogan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the efficacy of policy measures put in place to address the surge in domestic, sexual and gender-based violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.
I have also received notice from Senator Barry Ward of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make provision for municipal or metropolitan districts or both in all local authorities to allow for streamlined decision-making in Dublin, Cork and Galway city and Dublin county councils.
I have also received notice from Senator Ivana Bacik of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the opening of autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in schools in the areas of Dublin 2, 4 and 6.
I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform to provide support for the restoration and preservation of Knocklofty House, Grange, County Tipperary.
I have also received notice from Senator Aidan Davitt of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to publish, on a weekly basis, details of Covid-19 vaccination programme data, by first and second doses administered, per the 166 local electoral areas.
I have also received notice from Senator Mary Seery Kearney of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to outline whether the recommendations in the report "A Review of Children’s Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Donor-Assisted Human Reproduction and Surrogacy in Irish Law" by Professor Conor O'Mahony, the special rapporteur on child protection, will be considered as part of the drafting of the assisted human reproduction Bill.
I have also received notice from Senator Martin Conway of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of Health to provide an update on the human papillomavirus, HPV, schools vaccination programme and the plans being put in place to address the current backlog.
I have also received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to engage with the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to provide supports for homeowners in counties Mayo and Donegal affected by pyrite.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide clarification on the statutory timeframes pertaining to aquaculture licensing.
I have also received notice from Senator Lynn Boylan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on the failure to waive financial eligibility criteria when providing legal aid to the families of the Stardust fire victims in the ongoing inquest.
I have also received notice from Senator Paul Gavan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to legislate to create safe access zones for hospitals.
I have also received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the BreastCheck cancer screening programme.
I have also received notice from Senator John McGahon of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the future of Dundalk Institute of Technology and its pursuit of technological university status.
I have also received notice from Senator Robbie Gallagher of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the plans being put in place to support third-level students experiencing difficulties with their courses, studies and examinations.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to conduct a review of the national childcare scheme.
I have also received notice from Senator Rebecca Moynihan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the funding arrangements being put in place for community development projects which have suffered a loss in income due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected the matters raised by Senators Byrne, Wall, Chambers and O'Loughlin, who are sharing their time, Currie, Buttimer and Keogan and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.