The Order of Business is No. 1, Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Bill 2024, Second Stage, to be taken at 1 p.m. and to conclude at 2.30 p.m., if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate; No. 2, Private Members' business, Protection of Retail Workers Bill 2025, Second Stage, in the name of Fianna Fáil Senators, to be taken at 3 p.m., with the time allocated to the debate not to exceed two hours; and No.3, statements on diverting young people from criminal activity, to be taken at 5 p.m. and to conclude after 90 minutes if not previously concluded, with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, group spokespersons not to exceed ten minutes, all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and time may be shared, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.
An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
On this fine sunny morning, I am mindful to think of the Punchestown racing festival which started yesterday and brings so much into the economy of Kildare. I know that there is a great welcome for everybody who goes there. Well done to David Mongey, the chair of the board, and Conor O'Neill, the manager. Anyone who wants tips should listen to Councillor Daragh Fitzpatrick on Kfm every morning. He has been giving all of the runners and riders and the very hot tips.
How is he doing so far?
I have not put a bet on so I genuinely do not know.
There are two issues I wish to raise with the Leader. The first is Intel in north Kildare, which also provides employment for much of south Kildare and many surrounding counties. It has given so much to the country. Of course, Kildare County Council depends an awful lot on its rates as well. Some 4,900 people work there. There is much concern now for the workers and their families due to the announcement that the company's workforce globally will be cut by 20%. It is a very anxious time. It is positive that the company stated it will continue to focus investment on its core business, which is what happens in the plant in Leixlip as regards the manufacturing of conductor products. That is important. Some €30 billion has been invested since it opened there in 1989 and €19 million of that was in recent years. However, there are concerns about those who may be impacted, and many other companies that rely on Intel to provide elements to them are concerned. It is important that while we have much to be positive about with regard to employment rates within the country and the fact that Ireland is the location of choice for so many companies, at the same time, we need to expedite the action plan on competitiveness. We need a number of short-term measures put in place to help businesses that come through FDI, such as Intel, and local businesses to make sure they are all sustainable. I would like to see a debate here with the Minister on that.
The other item I wish to raise is fair fares, which was implemented last Monday. I understand that, in some areas, the fares have risen a little bit, but for those of us who commute from Newbridge and Kildare town, it is a very good news story. However, there are some concerns that there are teething problems. At the moment, customers cannot get the monthly 30-day zonal tickets and they are unable to top up more than €150 on the Leap card or €125 online. The information on the website is not correct. Communication is everything, and commuters are being given the wrong information. It is important that is rectified as soon as possible. Perhaps we could have the Minister in to discuss this because it is a very important aspect of commuter travel.
I raise an issue very important to my constituency. With the closure of deadlines for the school bus scheme for this year, a particular area and blackspot in my constituency is just outside of Crossmolina - the area of Coolturk, Eskeragh and Dooleague. There are 20 students without access to the school they attend, Crossmolina National School. The students have family links and connections to this school. Unfortunately, over the past number of years, they have not been eligible for the bus to school scheme. I have met with the families. I would welcome a discussion with the Minister for Education on this. It is very important for all the families in this area at a time when we need to encourage sustainable transport and sustainable travel to school in an area where there is plenty of congestion in the morning. We need to further support communities in rural areas. When we are at such high employment with families working, we need to make sure we have fair access for all parents and families. This is my first opportunity to raise this at an Oireachtas level and I would welcome a discussion on the matter. I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me an opportunity to speak on this. I hope we can deliver for the families in this area.
I rise to address a crisis that is eroding the very foundation of our education system, a crisis that this Government continues to ignore at the peril of our children’s futures. As schools reopened this year, more than 2,700 teaching posts remained unfilled across the country, with special schools and DEIS band 1 schools bearing the brunt of this shortage. In Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, more than half of schools reported unfilled positions. This forced principals to redeploy special education teachers to mainstream classes, thereby depriving our most vulnerable children of the support they desperately need.
This is not just a staffing issue. It is a failure of planning, a failure of policy and a failure of political will. Meanwhile, over 4,600 Irish teachers are working abroad, many of were lured by better pay and living conditions. These are professionals whose education was funded by Irish taxpayers yet no substantial effort has been made to bring them home. A paltry €2,000 incentive is not enough when housing costs and living expenses in Ireland remain prohibitive.
We must do more and I propose the following measures. First, reduce career breaks to one year. I suggest we limit career breaks to a maximum of one year to ensure that our trained teachers remain within the Irish education system. Second, incentivise returning teachers. We must offer substantial financial incentives and support packages to Irish teachers abroad to encourage their return. Third, there should be a mandatory service period. Newly qualified teachers should be required to serve a minimum of three years in the Irish education system before seeking employment abroad. These steps are not about restricting freedom but, rather, ensuring that our investment in education yields returns for our own communities.
The current shortage is not just a statistic. It is a daily reality for schools forced to split classes, for children with special needs left without support and for principals overwhelmed by the impossible task of staffing their schools. I call on this Chamber to hold a debate on this issue, and I call on the Minister for Education to appear before us to join this discussion and answer questions. We cannot continue to ignore this crisis. It is time for decisive action to ensure that every child in Ireland has access to the quality education they deserve.
I refer to the publication during the recess of the Grace report. It is shocking that after eight years of an investigation no one has been held to account. Grace was a young girl, who became a young women, with complex and profound intellectual disabilities left in a foster home for 20 years without oversight of her care. Even when, in 1996, there were allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, and there was talk of moving her, Grace was left in that home for another nine years. It is not credible for the report to state that there was insufficient evidence of physical and sexual abuse. Such findings make me question the care of other vulnerable children and adults in the care system.
The Minister has said that the landscape has radically changed but I do not believe that either. This year, HIQA found five foster care services, which are operated by Tusla, to be non-compliant. In addition, hundreds of children do not have a social worker. I commend the foster families who do incredible work throughout society. We need more of them. We also need oversight to ensure foster carers get the necessary supports and provide the proper care to those in their care.
I am concerned that there is no adult safeguarding legislation. Many vulnerable adults live in residential settings but, again, there is no oversight. A number of people have raised with me their concerns about young adults with intellectual disabilities or autism who are in settings that are not really appropriate and do not receive the care they should receive.
I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to come to the House to debate all the issues associated with the Grace report. We must also debate the wider issues that pertain to our vulnerable young people and our young adults in care.
This week we will celebrate May Day and, as we all know, 1 May is International Workers' Day. In this context, the recent decision by the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and the Government to row back on the commitment to a living wage for all workers is particularly disappointing. This is not just a policy shift but a real message to workers that they do not matter to this Government.
A recent poll conducted by the Business Post revealed that 63% of people in Ireland reported having little to no disposable income due to the escalating cost-of-living crisis. We all know that energy bills, food costs and travel costs are going up. The cost of everything is increasing almost weekly, it seems. The cost of living is having an impact on people's lives and many people simply cannot keep up. Why are workers having to do without? Who is this Government prioritising? Why is it not prioritising the workers?
These are not just statistics; they represent real people. They represent teachers, healthcare workers, retail and hospitality staff and countless others who are struggling to meet the bills and make ends meet. Sometimes they are working full time or have second or third jobs. I am sure anyone canvassing during the general election met people like these on the doors who are really struggling to keep their heads above water. The imbalance between those who have and those who do not have in this country is getting wider and more pronounced. I believed that the introduction of a living wage was going to be a step towards rectifying this imbalance. It was a recognition that work should provide not just a sense of purpose but the means to live with dignity. This is why I am really disappointed that the Government has chosen not to pursue the living wage as early as it previously committed to. When workers are paid fairly, they have more disposable income, which stimulates our local economies and reduces reliance on social welfare transfers, so it is a policy that benefits not just individuals but society. Upholding the promise of a living wage is not just a financial decision. It is a moral imperative. It says that we are committed to respecting workers and recognise the financial pressures ordinary families live under so I urge the Government to reconsider its position on this and I would welcome a debate on it in this Chamber.
I welcome students from St. Cronan’s Senior National School in Swords to the Public Gallery. I presume some teachers are with them or possibly the students are doing a self-guided tour. I welcome the teachers as well.
In one of my first speeches in the Seanad, I spoke about community safety. I spoke about the fear people have walking the streets at night time and, in fact, in day time. I spoke of attacks in our local towns and how people constantly live in fear. I used the example of a store owner going to the bank at 3 p.m. who was jumped upon. Community safety was one of the biggest issues I faced on the doors when I was canvassing.
It is a known fact that Meath has the lowest number of gardaí per capita compared with any other county. This is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening for years and I just do not understand it. CSO figures for 2024 released two days ago show that the number of crimes recorded at over half of the Garda stations in the country exceeded already high levels in the pre-pandemic period. Crime rates in Trim and Kells in County Meath reached a six-year high while crime in Navan reached a 20-year high. A total of 2,229 crimes were reported in Navan, with theft accounting for 50% of them. Worryingly, assaults accounted for 10% of all crimes. A total of 661 crimes were reported in Trim, with theft accounting for 25% and assaults accounting for 14%. Villages like Enfield and Ballivor are crying for Garda stations to be at least opened. Even though Enfield has had a small increase in gardaí, there are still not enough of them to keep the Garda station open for even a few hours a day. People have to travel to Trim to get forms signed, never mind the fact that a crime might be happening in Enfield. We need a community policing unit to be assigned to and based in Ballivor or Summerhill to cover those areas, we clearly need more gardaí in Navan, Trim and Kells and it is about time that Meath stopped featuring in articles quoting its crime, its yearly highs and the fact that it still has the lowest number of gardaí in Ireland. I would really appreciate hearing what the Minister for Justice has to say about increasing Garda levels in County Meath.
I acknowledge the profound impact of Darkness into Light and pay tribute to one of its founding figures, the late Johnny Fox, a man I am very proud to say I knew. He was a Tallaght man and he definitely contributed to my childhood and made me the person I am today. He was a significant influence during my childhood. Since its inception in 2009, Darkness into Light has grown from a modest gathering of 400 people in the Phoenix Park to a global movement with over 100,000 participants in Ireland and abroad last year. The annual walk symbolises the journey from despair to hope and raises vital funds for Pieta House. These funds have facilitated over 52,000 hours of therapy and support for more than 600 families bereaved by suicide. Along with his wife Gertie, Johnny transformed personal tragedy into a beacon of hope for countless others. Following their loss, Johnny channelled his grief into action, co-founding Darkness into Light. He had an unwavering commitment to community service, particularly in Tallaght, where he served as an athletics coach for over five decades.
I ran around the 30 Acres on several occasions under the instruction of Johnny. It exemplifies the spirit of resilience and compassion. In recognition of his contribution, Johnny was honoured with a national volunteer award in 2019. His legacy endures, not only through the continued success of Darkness into Light but also through initiatives like Ireland’s first Bench of Hope, unveiled at Malin Head in 2022, serving as a place for reflection and connection.
As we approach this year’s event, on 10 May, I encourage all Members and citizens to volunteer, participate and support, or simply reflect on the importance of mental health awareness and community solidarity.
I thank Senator Costello for her fitting tribute to her good friend.
I want to raise an issue I spoke about some weeks ago when the Minister for agriculture was in the Chamber, the nitrates derogation. A specific issue has come to light in recent weeks in the Timoleague–Kilbrittain area of my constituency, Cork South-West. Farmers in the area have been farming to a stocking rate of 250 kg N/ha, but in the week before the Easter recess a map was released showing the rate for the area is to be reduced to 220 kg N/ha at the end of the year. That is really serious for the farmers in the area because they are farming progressively and trying to improve their farming methods. There is quite a specific set of results pertaining to the catchment area, and these come from work Teagasc is doing on monitoring the water quality there. They show continuous water-quality improvements in the area. I visited the catchment area and noted that you would feel quite happy to go into the river. You would have no issue with it, nor would you have one with drinking from the river. It is clear that farmers in the area are doing their very best to improve water quality but the reduction from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha, proposed for the end of the year, will have a serious effect on their farming businesses.
We need to provide certainty to the farming community. The farmers I met are of a generation that wants its sons and daughters to enter the industry, but they are fearful because of the uncertainty that lies ahead. I understand the reduction to 220 kg N/ha later this year may have been proposed last year or the year before but we need to have intensive farming at 250 kg N/ha to show that our water quality levels are being maintained and improved. An early-indicators study recently showed that our water quality is at an eight-year high. I have submitted a Commencement matter on the issue and have invited the Minister for agriculture to the catchment area but my wish is that the Leader take the issue up with him also because it is quite a serious one for farmers in my area.
I want to talk about special education places once again and existing commitments to schools regarding prefabs that have been in place for years and in respect of which there is still no movement. I am going to talk particularly about County Laois. I have mentioned St. Francis School before. It has been waiting on its modular build since 2021. Forty-five children are on a waiting list there and there is nowhere for them to go. While I welcome the fact that new prefabs and new modular builds have been announced for a considerable number of schools, there are still schools left behind. Another school in County Laois, Saplings school, Killeshin, has been two years in limbo. I visited the building site, which is all you would call it, last week. The authorities have been renting a prefab at the school, which was built in 1949. On 14 March 2023, the school started a build but it has been left at a standstill. I call for a debate with the Minister so we can determine where we are going to make progress on existing school premises to coincide with all the new builds, because many children are being left behind and in unsuitable school buildings such as the prefab in a school built in 1949.
I want to raise an issue I have raised as a Commencement matter twice, but since it is pressing I said I would raise it again today. It concerns the waiting times for domiciliary care allowance appeals. I am dealing with the case of a County Limerick family who have been waiting for 36 weeks just to hear back on the appeals process.
Every time they ask, they are told it is in progress and still on a desk. The parents contacted me and described their 12-year-old daughter as a gentle child who faces daily challenges, sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, communication barriers and a need for routine and regulation. She cannot attend parties, play sport or participate in most school activities. She still needs full support with hygiene, self-care, co-ordination and everyday skills. She has been on a waiting list with the HSE for occupational, psychological and speech and language therapies since last October. While the family does everything that they can, they are exhausted and financially strained at this point. Their application for domiciliary care allowance in July 2024 was refused. They appealed in August and, 36 weeks later, were told that their case has not even been assigned to an appeals officer. They feel invisible and they are not alone.
I attended an online training session with the Department of Social Protection only a couple of weeks ago. The officials pointed out that their fastest-growing payment area is disability and illness. They have recognised that there is a backlog with appeals going back to just post Covid. When Covid hit, everything got backlogged. I ask for the Minister for Social Protection to come to the House to have a debate on this. Are there plans to recruit or second additional staff to the appeals office in order that families like this one are not waiting this long for an answer? Will the staffing increase match the growing demand the Department has foreseen in the sector? Will it second to the office and bring in staff to alleviate these appeal times?
Before I call the next speaker, I welcome the students from Mount Sackville Secondary School to the Public Gallery. They are most welcome. As is the unwritten of Seanad Éireann, when students visit Seanad Éireann there is no school homework for the rest of week. If they need that in writing, they should give me a shout.
I welcome the recent ruling of the UK Supreme Court which upholds the fundamental common sense truth that biological sex matters and that women are entitled to protections based on their sex. This ruling is a victory for fairness, dignity and the hard-won rights of women. It is a clear recognition that women have a right to feel safe, to access spaces designed for them and to have their unique needs acknowledged and respected. For too long we have seen attempts to erase the very meaning of the word "woman". These attempts have real and dangerous consequences, particularly for vulnerable women in spaces such as refuges, prisons, sports and healthcare. Women's sex-based rights are not negotiable; they are essential for women's safety, dignity and equality. Aontú has been consistent in saying that rights must be based on truth. The truth is that biological sex is real and it matters. Protecting women's spaces is not about exclusion or hatred; it is about upholding justice, fairness and common sense for 50% of the population.
Here in Ireland it is time we took heed of this judgement. We must recognise the failures of the Gender Recognition Act 2015, which allows for legal change of gender based solely on self-declaration, without any medical or biological basis. This law has undermined the meaning of womanhood, created confusion in law and society and put the safety and dignity of women at risk. Ireland must now act. We should follow the lead of the UK Supreme Court and move to repeal the Gender Recognition Act. We must restore legal clarity, protect women's sex-based rights and ensure that truth and not ideology shapes our laws. I would appreciate a debate with the Minister on this subject.
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about Kneecap and what its members said or did not say. It is important to note that they did issue an apology. I find it incredible that the Taoiseach would take time out to criticise Kneecap, yet I have not once heard him criticise Benjamin Netanyahu. Benjamin Netanyahu is overseeing the slaughter and genocide in Gaza - the killing of tens of thousands of people. While the Taoiseach may have been critical of Israel, his actions show that he is complicit in the slaughter and genocide in Gaza.
The Taoiseach's criticism of Kneecap is stronger than it has been of genocidal Benjamin Netanyahu. There are 200 journalists who have been killed and murdered in the Gaza Strip by Israel, yet the media is focused on Kneecap and what they have or have not said. I find it absolutely bizarre that, on the one hand, we can have genocide in Gaza and, on the other, we have the Taoiseach and media focused on Kneecap. The Taoiseach is holding Kneecap to a higher standard than genocidal Netanyahu. I have not heard the Taoiseach criticise Keir Starmer or Giorgia Meloni who have been complicit in facilitating genocide, yet he takes time to criticise Kneecap. As I said, it is insane. The reason for this is the Taoiseach and many in the media are looking to close down any discussion or criticism of Israel. The Taoiseach needs to come in to the House and explain how he considers Kneecap more dangerous than genocidal Israel.
Before I begin, I send my deepest sympathies to Andrew and Mary Rogers, the parents of Marie Claire Rogers, a young nurse who died tragically and very suddenly in Australia. She was just 24 years of age and was from Togher in County Louth. My sympathies are with her family, friends and teammates in Naomh Fionnbarra. There is a GoFundMe page set up to repatriate her back from Australia and I urge people to support that.
I just got off the phone to a young mum - Emma - in Bettystown County Meath, who was very distressed. Her son Alex, who is 12 years of age, has autism and has no secondary school place. It took her four years to try to get a primary school unit for him in County Meath and she is now going through the same process again. She has tried four local schools and is on a waiting list as they are all full. She is at a loss to what she needs to do now. I invite a debate with the Minister for Education, Deputy McEntee, on what we are going to do about the serious pressing issue of secondary school places and units not being available for children with autism in Louth and Meath.
Before I call the Leader, we have the parents of Senator Cathal Byrne's partner here today, Michael and Judy Ryan. They are most welcome. They can rest assured Senator Byrne is making a significant contribution. I thank them for being in Seanad Éireann today.
Anois, I call the Leader to respond to the Order of Business.
I thank all the Senators for their contributions this morning. Senator O'Loughlin raised the important issue of concern on the global lay-off of 20,000 employees by Intel. We certainly hope Intel in Kildare is not impacted. The Senator has called for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Burke, on competitiveness. Senator Stephenson also called for a debate on the issues of the minimum wage and the delay to the putting in place of the living wage until 2029. The Minister has indicated a concern regarding the living wage being increased in employment now, particularly for vulnerable sectors such as retail and hospitality. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Burke, to come in to discuss those issues. Senator O'Loughlin also raised the good news regarding fairer fares. I will certainly raise those matters regarding the website and I will ask the Minister to come to the House to look at the issue.
Senator Duffy raised concerns regarding schoolchildren in Crossmolina who are not being afforded the availability of a bus to bring them to primary school. He can table a Commencement matter with the Minister to get a more immediate response and certainly ask that she come in to talk about issues of school transport anyway. I know it is an issue that has been raised in the House on many occasions.
Senator Keogan spoke about unfilled school places, particularly in special schools, and there were several other contributions today regarding special education places.
Senator McCormack raised the issue of commitments in schools in County Laois. I will request a debate. We had the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, in the Chamber recently, but I will ask again. They are looking at a number of initiatives, including additional financial supports and fast-tracking of teaching qualifications, but there are shortages. Some of them may be linked to accommodation, as the Senator quite rightly said, especially in Dublin and other areas. I will, therefore, ask for a debate on that matter.
Senator Tully raised the Grace case and asked the Minister to come to the House. This was raised yesterday as well. I will certainly ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, to come to the House to talk about the Grace case in particular, but also with regard to adult safeguarding and the safeguarding of children.
Senator Nelson Murray called for more gardaí in County Meath. I will certainly request that the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, come in to talk about issues of Garda, policing and crime, which is an issue that is raised quite a bit in the House. I wish the Senator well in terms of continuing to advocate for additional resources in her county.
Senator Costello paid tribute to a good friend of hers, Johnny Fox, who initiated the Darkness into Light scheme. Certainly, as she said, it is a global phenomenon now. It raises awareness of mental health issues and raises funding for Pieta House. It is a very important initiative worldwide.
Senator O'Donovan raised the issue of the nitrates derogation and the reduction in nitrogen thresholds in certain parts of his county, including around Timoleague. Of course he is right. The farmers are doing the most to improve water quality there. There is a specific Cabinet subcommittee now on water quality, which is linked to the whole issue of the derogation. It is an important area in terms of ensuring we continue to maximise food production where it can be while respecting and protecting water quality. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Heydon, to come to the Chamber to have a debate on that very important matter.
Senator Collins called for the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to come in to talk about the delays and appeals in domiciliary care. I do not think we have had the Minister in yet to talk about issues regarding social protection, so I will certainly invite him in to talk on those matters.
Senator Sarah O'Reilly referenced the UK Supreme Court ruling regarding women and the definition thereof, which I note. I will say no more.
Senator Andrews raised the issue of Kneecap and Netanyahu. He criticised the Taoiseach with regard to talking about Kneecap. The Taoiseach answered a question. As I understand it, he was asked a question about this matter. While there is no doubt that Benjamin Netanyahu has gone too far and atrocities have been committed in Israel, Kneecap's comments that the only good Tory is a dead Tory is not something we need to go into.
They did apologise for that.
Yes, I know, absolutely, but it went too far, and I think they are feeling the backlash on that now. However, the Senator is right, of course, that there is no comparison between their comments and the atrocities in Gaza.
Senator Comyn raised the issue of special school places as well. I will request a debate on that matter as soon as possible.