One in ten women in this country is affected by endometriosis, a condition that inflicts immense pain and suffering and is often unspoken about and misunderstood. Can the Minister advise how many operations have been completed for complex laparoscopy for severe endometriosis to date?

I thank the Minister for the information. I welcome the launch of the first national endometriosis framework and the recognition of the women and girls who have suffered for many years from this condition. I recently met a constituent in my office who has suffered for over 20 years. She has experienced bottlenecks regarding diagnostics. It is very clear that we must acknowledge the pain and impact this condition has brought to the lives of so many women and girls. We need to ensure the framework is actioned without…

I thank the Minister. It is obvious that she is making great progress and is giving this the priority it deserves. We must commit to increasing capacity and implementing the visiting consultant model. Bringing internationally recognised experts to operate alongside Irish surgeons would rapidly and affordably expand skills and capacity, which would be far more effective than relying on an overstretched endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme, ESAIS. This is especially important if the quota of over 100 extra com…

I want to focus on a number of aspects of the Ukraine war and how it is so important to us here in Ireland. I want to speak first about the massive numbers who have died on both sides of the conflict. It is estimated that between 200,000 and 500,000 people have died on the Russian side and about half that on the Ukrainian side. This is a staggering number. It is happening in a European country that borders several EU countries. For the life of me I cannot understand why it is barely spoken about here nor mentioned …

The only public transport from most of west Wicklow to Dublin is the 132 bus. We have no trains. It travels only four times daily, with the last bus leaving Baltinglass at 3 o’clock and the last leaving Dublin at 5.30 p.m. Last April, I met officials of the NTA and was told a very significant increased service – representing a doubling – was happening later in the month. Nothing has happened since. This is exceedingly frustrating.

All those things are wonderful around the country, but they are having zero impact on the 132 service. After much correspondence, the NTA is now saying this cannot progress as the Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services. Can this issue be resolved? Many people have approached me saying they would use the service but cannot because of the limited timetable. The last bus leaves Baltinglass at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the last leaves Dublin at 5.30 p…

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the possibility of engaging with him further on the matter. Another issue I have had is that many people contacted me complaining about the reliability of the service due to cancellations. Recently, I received a text describing how 20 people waited at the bus stop for the 9.40 a.m. 132 bus to Dublin, but it did not show up again. That is 20 people whose day and plans were ruined. If there is an issue, can a back-up plan be put in place? Another issue, which I have witnessed …

Like the Minister, I have worked in and for small businesses in this country. The highest number of employed people in the country is in small businesses. Many of these businesses are an intrinsic part of their communities. They are also a crucial part of the economy and the social fabric of this State. What supports are in place for small companies and businesses to enhance their understanding of profit and loss and cash flow?

I thank the Minister of State. That covers a lot of what I was looking for. These businesses include retail, restaurants, pubs, small family businesses and the self-employed. In my experience, many of them have a poor understanding of profit and loss. They do not understand the basics of gross profit and fixed overheads. If they understood them, they would know their break-even sales figure. This is fundamental to understanding viability. If they understand this, they can know using a weekly turnover figure how wel…

In relation to taxes, we have a similar problem. Many businesses think the VAT they receive is part of their business cash, not fully understanding it is cash they collect on behalf of the State. I came across a business selling coffee. They thought the €4 they charge for the coffee was their income and the VAT was a cost. Similarly with PAYE, USC and PRSI, they sometimes use these taxes as cash flow for the business. Can the LEOs provide a basic tool to help small and not-so-small businesses navigate this apparent…

I raise the issue of rural planning. For over 20 years, I have worked in rural planning and sat through and made amendments to four county development plans. We need to do more to support people from rural areas to build a house in their local area. This is a contribution to the housing challenge. Unlike new houses elsewhere, there is no requirement for Government infrastructure or a cost to the State. The person pays for everything. A house in a rural area is not a blot on the landscape. It is part of the fabric o…

It is important that in all discussions here we choose our language carefully. We must not say anything that might inflame situations or give encouragement to any extreme positions. We must stick at all times to facts and remember that we are talking about fellow human beings. The most important thing is that we have open and frank discussions. By having open discussions, we lessen the possibility of false information and extreme positions taking hold. Two years ago, I stated publicly that we should have an open di…

The only public transport for most of west Wicklow to Dublin is the No. 132 bus, which travels only four times daily, with the last bus leaving Baltinglass at 3 p.m. and the last leaving Dublin at 5.30 p.m. Last April, when I met the NTA I was told that a very significantly increased service would be put in place later in April but nothing has happened since. The NTA is now saying that this cannot progress as the Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services.…

I thank the Minister. He certainly seems well aware of the importance of the third level link with industry so he has certainly answered my first question. I want to make another couple of points. I have seen examples over the years where third level institutes have linked in with industry. This has worked really well. It also offers graduates employment opportunities in industries located close to their colleges. This is especially true in the areas of technology, science and engineering. As well as benefiting gra…

The education and training boards, ETBs, offer many different post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses that often lead into third level education. In many cases these courses are suitable for leaving certificate students. What is the role of the ETBs in higher education and where they sit in the education hierarchy?

I ask that all ETB schools promote these courses within their schools, but also that the ETB colleges and courses are promoted within non-ETB schools. The ETBs also offer apprenticeships. Could relevant funding be allocated to promote these apprenticeship courses? The apprenticeships have been encouraged and have grown since the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, was Minister for higher education. Our leaving certificate is very academic orientated, and it is not suitable for everyone. School leavers who do not wish to…

ETB courses are by and large free or very low cost. ETBs offer a range of short courses along with longer duration courses. Are these courses achieving their aim? What is the workforce-entry success for people who do these courses? Are the short-term courses achieving their aim or are they just being done as a tick-box exercise by people who are unemployed? Are they contributing to these people entering the labour market or following on to some apprenticeship or PLC course? In the area of disability, Ireland has th…

This budget represents the first of five budgets and is step one in the implementation of the programme for Government. It is not possible to deliver everything in year one. Financial changes, as anyone with a grasp of finance knows, happen over a period of time. This is something the public understand, but it is not recognised at all by much of the Opposition. This budget is possible because of the massive taxes we earn due to full employment and because we support multinational industries by above all being pro-b…

A total of 23 US Presidents have Irish heritage, with many coming from Northern Ireland. As the Minister knows, I first floated the idea of an American Presidents’ trial in this country earlier this year in the House. This proposal could be a highly positive North-South project and a massive attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links. It could be comparable to the Wild Atlantic Way. Will the Minister provide an update on any progress?

I am pleased to announce that I have developed a roadmap for the potential American Presidents’ trial. I have pinpointed several key counties to consider, along with a suggested route. Ultimately, this map would benefit all parts of Ireland, enhance relations between the two countries and boost tourism. Tourism numbers in this country are down this year. This project should be a part of a national strategy of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Never has it been so important to highlight the close relationship we h…