I have received notice from Senator Catherine Ardagh that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, she proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the timescale for the implementation of the refined DEIS model.
I have also received notice from Senator Tim Lombard of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the timeline and funding for the proposed phase 2 works of the Bandon southern relief road.
I have also received notice from Senator Erin McGreehan of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles as a sustainable option under the primary medical certificate.
I have also received notice from Senator Alice-Mary Higgins of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Justice to make a statement on her plans to extend the dates for the registration of rights of ways after 30 November 2021.
I have also received notice from Senator Maria Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on the eligibility criteria for the grants for the local employment offices and Enterprise Ireland for businesses with between ten and 29 employees.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the implementation of the Cassells report on higher education funding.
I have also received notice from Senator Marie Sherlock of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to make a statement on the financial supports available for the development of allotments in urban areas, the values of these supports over the past five years, and further developmental plans to increase this support.
I have also received notice from Senator Garret Ahearn of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the requirements for childcare providers to continue to operate pods for children beyond 30 September to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the corresponding necessity for the extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, supports for facilities and these requirements.
I have also received notice from Senator Emer Currie of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for public procurement and e-government to provide an update on the creation of a portal to enable citizens vaccinated in Northern Ireland and outside the EU to obtain Covid-19 certificates valid across the EU.
Of the matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion, I have selected Senators Ardagh, Lombard, McGreehan and Higgins and they will be taken now. I regret that I have to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Sherlock on the grounds that the Minister has no official responsibility in these matters. The other Senators may give notice on another day on the matters which they wish to raise.