Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will do my best. I thank Deputy Clarke for her question. I heard a member of the Women of Honour group speaking on the "Saturday with Katie Hannon" radio programme last Saturday. There was to be a further engagement with the Department of Defence. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Coveney, will give an update on that. He is certainly satisfied that the terms of reference for the independent review are completely independent and that further steps beyond that are not being ruled out. I will ask him to revert to the Deputy in detail.

I thank Deputy Nolan for raising the issue of the fuel rebate. As she is aware, the Government increased it in the budget before last. That has been maintained. We acknowledge there is considerable pressure in the context of fuel prices, although I have observed the trend being reversed, thankfully. It is to be hoped that will continue in the coming period. The Government will keep the matter under review.

As regards Ciarán Cuffe, MEP, I am afraid I have no control over what he may or may not write in a letter.

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the issue of home care. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, will revert to her in respect of the HIQA report that is currently being considered. As I stated earlier, the Government recognises the issues here are serious. We want to see the services and we do not want the HSE to have to prioritise certain approved applicants over other approved applicants. That is the key issue.

On the issue raised by Deputy Carey, I welcome the progress we have made in respect of school secretaries in particular. I am not aware of a stall in progress recently but I will certainly look into it. From my perspective, we have provided the funding in budget 2022 for the implementation of that agreement next year. That is important. It is now about agreeing the finer details. I am not aware of any significant problem.

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