I have received notice from Senator Victor Boyhan that, on the motion for the Commencement of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on his plans to progress a cross-Border apprenticeships programme as part of his apprenticeship action plan and, in particular, to prioritise apprenticeship programmes in the areas of healthcare, construction and climate change mitigation.
I have also received notice from Senator Fiona O'Loughlin of the following matter:
The need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for disability matters to make a statement on plans to address the waiting list for access to the children's disability network team in Kildare.
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 make a statement on plans to review the aquaculture licence application process to improve processing timeframes.
I have also received notice from Senators Lisa Chambers and Paddy Burke of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Social Protection to make a statement on the rural social scheme and Tús, in particular on the eligibility criteria, an increase in top-up payments and greater flexibility in the operation of the schemes.
I have also received notice from Senator Mary Fitzpatrick of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the ongoing consultation with the Office of Public Works regarding the future of the Intreo office in Dublin 7.
I have also received notice from Senator Malcolm Byrne of the following matter:
The need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement on the Government’s approach to artificial intelligence and to provide an update on the implementation of the national artificial intelligence strategy.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and will be taken now.