I thank the Deputy. He will have a further two minutes.

Gabhaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire Stáit nua. Go n-éirí an t-ádh lei ina phost nua. I offer the Minister of State many congratulations on her new role. I call on her to move the Government’s amendment.

AI is not simply about technological change. It is about whether Ireland continues to offer a fair and functioning pathway from education to employment or whether AI will risk closing the door on the next generation before it even gets a chance to start. Will the Minister outline what his Department's latest assessments show about AI impacts on employment, in particular on graduate and entry-level jobs?

The data suggests it is not a collapse in opportunities, but more a fundamental restructuring of how graduates enter the workforce. Research indicates that almost half of employers are reducing their entry-level roles, directly linked to AI adoption, and 83% of recruiters say that hiring is now more selective and strategic. While almost 40% of employers increased recruitment earlier this year, that growth was concentrated in specialist roles. Even in sectors like IT and telecommunications, where 56% of employers ar…

Ireland has strong growth in AI and high demand for skills but those entry-level roles are reducing and graduates are going to struggle to gain the experience required in that growth and to be ready to take part in that growth. A whole cohort of new graduates finished their exams a few weeks ago and are waiting on results and preparing to enter the labour market. Ireland's economy, as the Minister says, is especially exposed to AI with about 63% of employment estimated to be affected to some degree or another. That…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the loss of staff at Bunscoil Chríost Rí for 2026-27 school year. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss provision of a permanent two-classroom SEN facility and PE hall for Balscadden National School. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss industrial development and employment opportunities for the Shannon region. Deputy Marti…

The Minister of State will respond.

We now have Deputies Paul Murphy, Ciarán Ahern and Seán Crowe to the Minister for Education and Youth to discuss the exclusion of St. Dominic's National School, Tallaght, from the DEIS plus programme. There are three names on it. If only two Deputies are speaking, we will split it half-and-half with two minutes each.

Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta.

The Minister of State-----

Deputy, you will have an opportunity again in a moment.

Go raibh maith agat, a Theachta. Tá an t-am caite.

Seanad Éireann has passed the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 without amendment.

Iarraim ar an Teachta nuathofa, an Teachta Ennis, labhairt den chéad uair. I welcome Deputy Ennis for his maidan speech. Tá cúig nóiméad aige.

In the move to increasingly digitalised services, it is hugely important that people are not left behind, including anybody who is not able to partake of such services. Digital by default cannot mean digital only. There are large numbers of people in different areas who are finding things more and more difficult. Will the Minister of State outline the efforts the Government is making to ensure that everybody is included?

It is interesting that the Minister of State put a lot of focus on the NBI roll-out across the country. The NBI starts in one place and finishes in another. Guess where the last places are that are getting it? They are located in the area west of Macroom. Our three switches remain to be activated, along with some of the other communities across the country that have yet to get be given access to broadband by NBI. It would be helpful if we could put in an extra push to encourage NBI to finish it out. It is currently…

Will the Minister of State outline the level of co-ordination with the larger stakeholders such as banks, financial services companies and the Department of Social Protection? Unfortunately, across my community, we have had bank branch closures in Dunmanway, Millstreet and Kanturk. In addition, the public counter in the PTSB branch in Macroom has been withdrawn. Just recently, the ATM in Newmarket was removed. This puts extra pressure on people. It pushes some individuals who are not entirely comfortable operating …

Since the beginning of the year, there have been significant spending shocks, including the likes of the Department of education and the war in West Asia, driving fuel prices and the need for a support package as a result for so many users. Will the Minister advise if overall expenditure is still on profile?

A significant support package had to be put in place for fuel and transport earlier this year arising from that conflict in West Asia. I am conscious that the date for the agri scheme has been extended from Wednesday through to next Tuesday to ensure that the maximum number of farmers and contractors can get their applications in. I understand that a Supplementary Estimate on that is due in the weeks ahead. I am conscious that no matter how quickly that conflict in the Gulf were to be resolved - and it needs to be …

Yes, it is right to focus on where the greatest need is. So many farmers and contractors were under phenomenal pressure. They are getting their applications in at the moment. It is a very busy time of year for them. We are also all watching that date in the summer when the schemes and the supports would be expected to finish out. The Minister is right that the Department will have to review the position at that point. The key question, then, is whether the Department has the fiscal space or the funding available or…