I thank all Members who contributed to the Order of Business. Senator Lombard welcomed yesterday's budget. We can all agree it was a significant budget, with a level of spending not surpassed by any previous budget. My view and that of my Government colleagues is we have delivered on the promises we made to look after the most vulnerable, to give a break to all families and households, and to try, as best we can, to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures every single person in the country is dealing with, no matter where they are.
Senator Lombard raised the issue of school transport, as did Senators O'Loughlin and Dolan. It was welcome that in yesterday's budget the Minister, Deputy Foley, secured additional funding to put on extra bus services for those students who have yet to receive a school bus place. It is important to acknowledge that, when school transport was made free for this academic year, it was with the best of intentions, and many families benefited to the tune of more than €600, which is a huge cost saving for many families throughout the country. The demand for bus places was not anticipated at the level that transpired. There have been particular bottlenecks in some parts of the country in getting spaces, in particular for those with concessionary tickets. The Minister, Deputy Foley, has secured extra funding and it will now be the job of Bus Éireann to secure extra drivers and buses to get children to school. We are probably moving to a place where we no longer have eligible and concessionary bus applicants. Any child who wants to get a bus to school should be facilitated, not just because it is greener and better for the environment but because there should be an offering that ensures every child gets that service.
Senator O'Loughlin spoke about the extension of the 20% reduction and 50% reduction in fares for children on public transport, which applies to private services. She made a particular point regarding short hop zones which have not yet materialised. It is something for which she is pushing. She also spoke about the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, one of many organisations she met in pre-budget discussions and which left the biggest impact on her. She referenced Laura Reid Costello, whom I know, and Dr. Rosie Mangan. Both women acquired a brain injury and are now advocating on behalf of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland to try to get extra services, in particular for An Saol, which does fantastic work. She has requested a debate in the House on acquired brain injury, and that debate will be facilitated at the earliest opportunity.
Senator Boyhan welcomed the Order of Business, in particular Lord John McFall's address to the Seanad. He raised issues around local government funding, which we will all be very aware of, and the need to bridge the gap where local authorities are finding it increasingly difficult to provide basic services like keeping areas clean and tidy and providing services to citizens. He also thanked Seanad staff for all of their work in terms of preparing for Seanad 100.
Senator Gavan spoke about the rise of the far right, which Senator Byrne answered very eloquently. He also acknowledged those in glass houses should not throw stones. He spoke in particular about bus services in Limerick, Castleconnell and Montpelier, his local area, and the ongoing issues with providing bus services in rural areas, something with which I am quite familiar.
Senator Ruane spoke about community safety and police safety in the context of recent debates we have had in this House and wider society. She wanted to draw attention to some positive news, namely, interventions that are working well such as the detached street work in west Tallaght, something that is reaching out to those who are among the most marginalised in our society who need to be brought back in. I was not aware of the issues around the accredited addiction counsellors versus addiction practitioners. If the Senator wants to talk to me after the Order of Business, I might be able to set up a meeting with the Minister for Health and see whether we can progress that. The experience of practitioners working in the field for decades should not be discounted. I do not know why there has been a change in policy to enforce the outdated requirement to refer people on. There should be no barriers to getting people the help they need. I ask the Senator to speak to me after the Order of Business.
Senator O'Sullivan wanted to congratulate his county colleague, the Minister, Deputy Foley, on what was a monumental investment in education.
Primary school books across the country will now be free of charge. He spoke about the move being in the vein of Donogh O'Malley bringing in free second level education or the introduction of free school transport in terms of the focus on ensuring equality of access to education for every child in the country. He also called for a debate on the shared island unit and I have made that request.
Senator Maria Byrne welcomed the announcement by Ryanair of 2,000 jobs up to 2030 and, in particular, the fact that 200 of those jobs will be at Shannon and there will be an investment of €10 million in a new hangar at Shannon Airport. She wished Mary Considine and the team at Shannon Airport the very best with that investment.
Senator Cassells spoke about the budget announcement of the reduction in the VAT rate on local newspapers from 9% to 0%. I agree with the Senator. All present understand the importance of local papers. They are the papers of local record, reporting on local government, local sports and local issues. If we did not have local media, we would not have that record for future generations. I know the announcement has been very much welcomed by the industry. I take on board his comments regarding the Fingal Independent. It is unfortunate that that announcement coincided with the Minister's budget announcement yesterday. I concur with his remarks on the former Uachtarán, Mary McAleese, and wish her well chairing the integration process between the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association and the GAA. It is long overdue.
Senator Warfield spoke about the night-time economy. I concur with his remarks. In many areas across the country, there is such a significant cost burden associated with having a late licence that many venues choose not to hold such a licence. In my home town of Castlebar, there are no premises with a late licence because it is not seen as viable or sustainable and, as a result, there is no night-time economy in the town after 11.30 p.m. or 12.30 a.m., depending on the day. I suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter to the Minister for Justice on that issue.
Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the HSE decision-making process. All Senators would agree that if a person such as a speech and language therapist has given advance notice of going on maternity leave, the HSE is on notice then to get a replacement to fill the post for the duration of that maternity leave. It should not be hiring a replacement when the person has already gone on leave, leading to a gap in services in a local community.
Senator Conway welcomed the budget announcement yesterday, particularly the abolition of the inpatient hospital charge. The abolition has been welcomed by the Irish Cancer Society, which did a fantastic job campaigning for it. The Senator also welcomed the free school bus provision.
Senator Murphy spoke about the budget and made the point that, in particular, it was a good budget for carers. I absolutely agree with his remarks. It represents €1,600 back into the pockets of carers, which is approximately €30 a week. It is a significant increase that has been welcomed by many carers across the country.
Senator Dolan spoke about school transport. I have dealt with that issue. I concur with her remarks in respect of it being a much-needed investment. Senator O'Loughlin helpfully informed the House that, in getting these extra buses and bus drivers on stream, those who had concessionary tickets previously will be prioritised in the roll-out.
Senator Boylan spoke about the energy commissioner and the letter that was sent. I am not sure why the Government did not sign up to that. As regards a price cap domestically, I think the Tánaiste spoke on this issue this morning. There are concerns that if a domestic price cap is implemented, the State will pick up the tab at the other end. It is not as though it does not get paid; it has to be paid for by somebody. There is a concern that if we are heading into a global downturn, which looks likely, prices could come down. The Government believed the best way to assist citizens here was with the energy credit of €200 that will be paid at the end of this year and a further two payments of €200 in the new year. That is €600 of direct payments to every household in the country to try to meet the increasing cost of energy, which is a significant recognition on the part of the Government that this is a real problem for people and is putting a lot of pressure on them. That coincides with increases in welfare payments and fuel allowance, as well as the expansion of fuel allowance to take more people into the bracket. Every effort is being made to ensure we protect households, particularly the most vulnerable, by trying to offset the increased cost of energy.
Senator Currie spoke about therapeutic services for children. Not a week goes by in this House without that issue being raised. All Members are receiving representations on it. It is heartbreaking. Parents are at their wits' end. They are so exhausted that they can barely fight for services for which they should not have to fight. The issue in respect of educational psychologists not being included would be a good one on which to table a Commencement matter. It probably warrants a broader debate in the House, so we might seek to have statements on it in the coming weeks, but I also suggest that the Senator table a Commencement matter on it. It is something we have to get to grips with because we are losing precious time as each year goes by. It is not early intervention if it is happening at eight, nine or ten years of age.
