Costs are increasing and, in real terms, last year capitation per student in primary schools was €236 and €400 per student in post-primary schools. That is when we take the capitation and the cost-of-living aspects into account. This year, it is €224 per student at primary level versus €236 last year, while at secondary level, it is €386 per student compared with €400 last year. That is a net decrease in real terms at a time when costs are increasing. Is it any wonder increasing numbers of schools are being referre…

Will the Minister of State provide an update on Oíche na hÓige and outline how he intends to build on the event through capital investment in youth facilities across the State?

Oíche na hÓige was a success. In my constituency of Meath East, I attended open nights held by Ratoath Foróige and 5th Meath Kells Scouts. They do such good and important work in the community. In both of those projects, like so many, it is about youth leadership, with young people leading. Is it planned that Oíche na hÓige will be an annual event? Has that decision been made or is it under consideration? It is something I would support. Are there plans to increase places for young people in youth work services? It…

It needs to be matched with increased funding. I said to the Minister of State at committee that youth services are the poor relation within the Department and in government. The incredible work done in communities and the benefit for young people and the wider community are immeasurable. Maybe that is part of the difficulty. Investment is returned in spades. Please continue to invest in young people and youth services and increase that investment. I want to ask about the implementation plan for the national strate…

I fully support Deputy Crowe on this. A solution has to be found. The Department has a role to play here, as have the school, the patron body and the religious authorities, but a solution must be found.

We need updated wind and solar farm guidelines. The wind farm guidelines are in draft form since 2019 and the last full version was in 2006. There is a commitment in the programme for Government for solar farm guidelines but recent responses say they are at a very early stage of a scoping process. When will they be ready?

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important topic. The digital world is our children's playground, their library and their public square, yet for too long, it has been designed with profit, not protection, in mind. The current approach of light-touch or self-regulation has failed. As fines go uncollected and promises go unkept, we cannot accept the illusion of safety. We must move beyond blunt, reactive tools like blanket bans, which isolate children from education and community. Instead, we must target th…

With the school secretaries and caretakers pension dispute now referred to the Labour Court for 12 January, these dedicated staff are deeply anxious. They engaged in the process in good faith and ended their strike on the promise of a resolution. Given the recent breakdown at the WRC, the fundamental commitment to a fair pension comparable to teachers and SNAs and all their long years of service, will the Tánaiste give a direct assurance to these workers now that the Government will engage constructively with the L…

I raise the regulation of social media companies in the online space, particularly as it relates to children. The criticism that has been levelled at Coimisiún na Meán's online safety code is that an earlier draft had a recommendation that social media companies turn off recommender systems and it has been removed. Recommender systems profile people who are using apps and then drive them down often hateful and dangerous rabbit holes. It is not healthy for them or society. Will this be looked at?

Ireland has some of the highest electricity prices in Europe, way above the EU average. The typical Irish household is paying hundreds of euro more per year than its European counterparts. This is a scandal and a direct result of Government failure. When energy companies were making record profits after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this Government refused to apply a strong and effective windfall tax. Instead, it allowed profiteering to continue unchecked. It continues to do that. Decades of Governments led by F…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. My colleagues have outlined Sinn Féin’s serious concerns with the provisions of the Bill. Its fundamental flaws must be addressed. It is clear that the defective concrete block crisis has devastated thousands of families across the State. The Government’s response to date has focused on counties Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Limerick and Sligo. While that is understandable and absolutely necessary, it is not sufficient. We need 100% redress - nothing less - for all impacted …

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important and timely motion and thank Deputies Kenny and Newsome Drennan for tabling it. The purpose and intent of the motion is to send a clear, unequivocal message that Ireland must stand up for its farming families and rural communities by opposing the Mercosur trade deal. This agreement is a bad deal on every front. It is a bad deal for Irish agriculture because it threatens our world-class standards with an influx of substandard imports. It is a bad deal for consumers…

Why does the Government not say it "has examined" this deal, not that it "continues to examine" it? Why does it not state it will stand up for farmers and rural communities, defend their livelihoods, oppose and reject the deal, and build the blocking minority to ensure it does not pass?

I welcome the opportunity to speak on statements on Science Week, the annual celebration that highlights the important role that science, technology, engineering and maths play in our lives. This week is more than just a showcase of innovation. It is a vital spark, igniting curiosity in the next generation and reminding us all of the power of evidence and inquiry. From the smartphones in our pockets to the medical advancements in our hospitals, science is the bedrock of our modern society and economy. It provides t…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank the Social Democrats for tabling it. Votes for 16- and 17-year-olds is a matter of fairness. In my opinion and that of my party, it is a matter of the future vitality of our democracy. For too long, we have clung to the arbitrary line in the sand drawn at 18. We tell our young people that on the eve of their 18th birthday, they are disengaged, uninformed and unprepared for the solemn act of voting. Yet, on the morning of that birthday, by some miraculous over…

Four survivors of residential abuse remain on hunger strike outside these buildings. Miriam Moriarty Owens, Mary Donovan, Mary Dunlevy Greene and Maurice Patton O'Connell are now on day 47 of their hunger strike. Their health continues to deteriorate. This is a very serious situation. It is dire. They are absolutely determined and, after a meeting yesterday, cautiously hopeful but they have nothing in writing to say the Government will agree to their very reasonable demands for access to a HAA medical card and a St…

It can be resolved with the stroke of a pen.

It is very straightforward. We-----

Hear, hear.

I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss this matter despite the relevant Minister or Minister of State not being here. I ask that anything we discuss be relayed to the Minister and the NCSE. This is incredibly important to all concerned, to the school community, staff, parents and most of all to the children who will not be able to avail of SNA support because a review has indicated that they were not successful. I will run through some of the timeline and give context and emphasise some of the frustrations on…