Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

There is a very significant wage subsidy scheme, again rolled out by the Department of Social Protection. There are some fantastic examples of companies that have taken up that opportunity, but there is space for so many more of them to follow the good example. Recent increases have been announced by the Minister, Deputy Calleary, in relation to that as well. I urge as many companies as possible to look at that.

On education, third level education and further education opportunities and the personal assistance that might be required there, great progress has been made and again there is more and more in that space. I have a particular interest in that. I spoke to somebody recently who told me about attending at third level. The assistant she had at that time was a fellow student and she was just saying how positive that was because the person blended in so very well. It suited her and it was like another companion supporting her. I would like to see us moving more into that space where fellow students or whoever can be the assistants or personal support that is being provided. It is something I have raised with the Minister concerned as well. There is more to be done in that space. We can talk about all the strategies in the world and all the money in the world, but unless an individual feels their life has improved because of the money, the strategy and everything else, then we are not going anywhere. There are very positive steps being taken and more in that space.