Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his elevation and wish him the best. It is a great honour and a huge responsibility.

Early in the pandemic, front-line hospital staff in the Dublin City Council area were given free parking when they were near particular hospitals. This was a very fair and welcome gesture. This decision was made by the Government and Dublin City Council implemented it. This measure should be re-introduced while Dublin is in level 3. Given that teachers are now effectively front-line workers, this measure should be extended to them, specifically those working in schools that do not have parking. These are mainly inner city schools and there are not many of them. They include CBS Westland Row, City Quay national school and a few others. Without teachers, the economy would be effectively closed now. Given that members of the public are being encouraged to use public transport, this measure would benefit a small number of schools in the inner city. Not many parking spaces are being used because of the reduction in traffic into the city. The loss of revenue would be small but the gesture would be big and appreciated by teachers. The Government should consider requesting Dublin City Council to give teachers in inner city schools without parking on their premises a break.

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