At the outset, I am delighted to welcome our former colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Heath, Deputy Frankie Feighan.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:Senator Maria Byrne - The need for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on the criteria for home energy upgrades.Senator Lynn Boylan - The need for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to make a statement on measures to assist landlords and tenants in reducing energy consumption in rental accommodation. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on the appointment of a project design team for the development of a 1916 commemorative centre at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin 1. Senator Jerry Buttimer - The need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on the provision of home-school liaison officers for special schools.Senator Malcolm Byrne - The need for the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works to provide an update on the provision of a new coastguard station at Courtown Harbour, County Wexford.Senator Garret Ahearn - The need for the Minister for Finance to make a statement on the amendment of rules in relation to flat rate expenses to include special needs assistants and childcare workers.The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Maria Byrne, Lynn Boylan, Mary Fitzpatrick and Jerry Buttimer and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.