Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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The new special needs assistant, SNA, review guidelines have been met with outrage. The guidelines are about one thing and one thing only: restricting the number of SNAs and rationing SNAs. Children will suffer if this goes ahead. A five-year-old girl in Donegal, Alissa, has had to leave school because no SNA has been provided and she is one of many children across the State failed by the Government.

Every year we have parents and school leaders fighting a system of bureaucracy to secure what is essential for children with additional needs. Schools are now afraid to apply for SNAs in case they are taken away. Schools are being pitted against each other, SNAs disrespected and children again left to suffer.

I ask that the Minister for education change tack. Does the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, agree the Government should scrap the new guidelines and re-engage with school communities so we can have proper guidelines that have the support of everybody, including existing SNAs and families of those with additional needs?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have seen at first hand the important role our SNAs play in classrooms all over the country, giving that little bit of additional support and help to young girls and boys who need it as they begin their school life and throughout their educational journey. There are 23,000 SNAs in our country. Compare that with where we were a number of years ago. In 2011, we had just over 10,000. There are now over 23,000. In the past five years, the number of SNAs has increased by 43% and they are needed. I just want to put that on the record of the House.

The work now under way is about ensuring we make best use of the SNAs available and respond to issues raised with us by representative bodies on the needs of SNAs. I will let the Minister for education know this matter has been raised here today. This work is all about ensuring the rapid increase in the number of SNAs is used in a way that brings benefits to those who need them most. I am very much aware of the sensitivity of the matter, as is the Minister for education.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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I endorse the calls of Deputy Paul Murphy for an Irish representative on the legal observer post for the Global Sumud Flotilla. It is well within the tramlines of diplomatic action that we would do that.

I raise with exasperation and desperation the case of Barry Corcoran in my constituency. In 2019 Barry wanted to take part in a deep retrofit pilot programme. He did his due diligence, checked the SEAI register for approved companies and picked a company from that list. Unfortunately, when the company began the work, the SEAI realised it had not done due diligence on the company and took it off the list. The company walked off the job and for six years Barry’s house has been a building site. The SEAI has washed its hands of it. The house requires €200,000-plus worth of repair works. His family has been raised in a building site and there is no one there to help him. This has been in the media and been with multiple Ministers. There needs to be a solution. He is not the only one. There are not many but he is not the only one.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I was not aware of the matter until he raised it. I can only imagine it is really difficult for somebody to live in a partially repaired home in which work has been going on for so long. I know the Deputy would not raise it if he did not think it was serious. I will make sure the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, is aware of this. My office will contact him after this to pass it on. It sounds like a very difficult situation.

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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This week the Government supported calls for the implementation of curfews on children and young people, for fines for parents and for a mini criminal assets bureau to be established to confiscate PlayStations, Xboxes and mobile phones. It was in a motion in the name of Deputy Gogarty. The Government allowed it through with no amendment. Tonight, RTÉ has a “Prime Time” show about antisocial behaviour which seems to continue to conflate such behaviour with criminal activity.

Will the Minister confirm categorically that the Government has no intention of implementing curfews for children and young people or of introducing a mini criminal assets bureau for children and young people? Will he acknowledge the root cause of antisocial behaviour and outline the services available if and when children and young people become engaged in criminal activity?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have to say that in most cases I find the line between antisocial behaviour and criminal activity is very thin. For those who experience antisocial behaviour, which I am sure the Deputy has to deal with in his constituency, it can be very intimidating and difficult but I accept some activity may well be outside the parameters of criminality.

We allowed a motion to be passed here for further discussion within the House but, as far as I am aware, the focus of the Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, at the moment is on continuing to support youth diversion programmes. I was at an event the Minister did at Belvedere Youth Club recently in relation to that. He is working to support efforts in our schools and to continue to ensure our gardaí have the resources and support they need to deal with behaviour that is truly criminal. For many young people, in particular, who are involved in this kind of activity, the response is not purely related to justice and is not purely from our policing authorities. It needs to be supported by what happens in our schools. That is my understanding of what the Ministers, Deputies O’Callaghan, Foley and McEntee, are currently doing.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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On a point of order, the Government did not allow a motion to be passed to be further discussed. That is not what happens. The Minister knows that. That might happen with a Bill but the motion was passed. The position of the House, with the Minister’s agreement, is these awful reactionary policies that were proposed.

The Simon Community is in the Dáil today to highlight the devastation the Government’s housing policy is inflicting on thousands of families. Over 16,000 live in emergency accommodation, including over 5,000 children, yet there is no mention of children in Housing for All and no sign of any new housing plan. There are strategies for ending homelessness or target dates for having no children growing up in homelessness. Instead, there are piecemeal policies that will make the housing crisis even worse. Slashing funding for the tenant in situ scheme, gutting the rent pressure zones – no wonder three in five young people are thinking of emigrating. Can the Minister offer them any hope that things will get better under this Government?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not need to be lectured by the Deputy on points of procedure and how this Parliament works.

I was making the point that just because a motion was passed in the Dáil does not mean the Government was bound to implement every element of it. The Deputy knows that.

Regarding Housing for All, the Government, with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne at the heart of this, is preparing the next phase of our housing strategy. In relation to the action that is being taken, we know in recent weeks and months that due to the efforts of Government and local authorities, 8,000 families have either been prevented from going into homelessness or have been exited from temporary accommodation. However, we know more needs to be done. Too many families are still experiencing the risk of poverty and homelessness and too many children are still sleeping in conditions that the Government wants to be otherwise. When we bring forward not only the budget, but also Housing for All, that will be a key area of focus for us. In the last number of weeks, the Government made further funding available to focus particularly on families at risk of being homeless and to give them more permanent measures to avoid that trauma happening to them.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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On a point of order, seeing that my Private Members' business was referenced, the motion asked for ideas from all Members of the House. All parties, with the exception of the Social Democrats, contributed in that respect. The Government allowed the motion to be passed to allow the ideas to be assessed and reported on in six months' time. It was a motion on the consequences of antisocial behaviour.

I note the Seanad recently passed all Stages of the Health (Scoliosis Treatment Services) Bill 2024, which aims to set up a specialised scoliosis treatment service for children and adults, resourcing services within and outside the State, and creating maximum waiting time targets. The Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, said she really welcomed the Bill. She said it should not be necessary if surgeries were carried out, but at the time of the summer recess, 74 children had spent more than three months on the active spinal waiting list, or more than 50% outside the Sláintecare targets. So, while some progress has been made, it has been incredibly slow. It has caused devastation and heartbreak for many families. In this context, will the Government agree to move the Bill through Second Stage? It has been well debated in the Seanad and deserves further deliberation in this House.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for reminding the House of the nature and detail of the motion. He was calling for the consideration of ideas in this area. We should all be able to participate in that. The Government is certainly happy to do so.

Regarding the specific proposal around a Bill, I will have to consult the Minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. I take care around putting really important policy matters into legislation because, at times, it can undermine the ability of the Government to intervene and respond to issues that are complex. We have put so much in additional resources into trying to help the young children and their families who are dealing with the health condition of scoliosis. The Deputy is aware of the additional operating theatre that is available, the additional staff there, and the number of children we seek sought to prioritise for healthcare elsewhere. However, we know more progress needs to be made. We will certainly assess Deputy Gogarty's proposal in a generous way to see if it could make a concrete difference to the very important thing he wants to see delivered.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is not an exaggeration to say that the tillage sector in Ireland is facing an enormous crisis. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon, is very aware of this. As part of the Government's climate action plan, it is intended that we will have 400,000 ha in tillage by 2030. We are not going to achieve that, particularly given that, since 2022, 1,400 farmers have left tillage. Despite a good summer harvest, prices are not there for tillage farmers. We are also facing the challenge of cheap imports from outside the European Union. This matter is also critical in terms of developing markets. The Minister will be aware of the hope to establish a commercial flour mill again in Ireland at Ballindaggan, County Wexford. The loss of tillage production has an impact on many other areas of agriculture. It is critical. I am not expecting the Minister to reveal what is in the budget, but I would like to hear assurances from the Government that serious consideration will be given to the crisis facing tillage at present.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Byrne for raising this important issue. He touched on the heart of the challenge. It has been three really difficult years for the tillage sector, and for tillage farmers in particular, due to weather, prices and ongoing challenges. The tillage sector is an incredibly important component of the overall agricultural sector. Farmers are very dependent on one another. We are aware of that. Obviously, my budget negotiations are ongoing in terms of any financial aspects and my overall budget. Deputy Byrne touched on the processing element, in which there are opportunities we are exploring and want to see developed, for example, the opportunity in the use of native grains in our feed, the very positive impact that has on the carbon footprint for them and what that can mean for their customers, and the opportunity provided through native grain use in Irish whiskey and making sure that is fully exploited. These are all key points that can add value along the way. Yes, there is the short-term pressure on price right now for the sector, but the long-term sustainability of the tillage sector involves all those components coming together. That is something I am determined to continue working on with colleagues across Government.

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I support the lifting of the passenger cap for Dublin Airport. The expansion of that airport is critical, not just for jobs and growth, but for Ireland's standing as a global hub. It strengthens our economy and deepens the existing bonds we have fostered with international partners. I live in Drumcondra and we get overflights every now and then - it does not bother me and I do not think they make their way to Phibsborough - but I would call on the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, and the Government to engage with affected communities because there will be an intensification of flight activities if the cap goes. There are noise schemes already in place, but local residents sometimes find themselves just outside those schemes and just off noise contour maps, and the support goes off a cliff edge for them in terms of schemes. The Government needs to work with the DAA to engage and make sure those noise management schemes are fit for purpose.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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They do make the odd appearance over Phibsborough, but for many who live very close to the airport, it is an important matter. As Deputy Ó Muirí said, changing the airport cap at Dublin Airport is really important, not just for the airport, but for broader aviation and growth within our economy. Regarding how we are going to respond to the matters raised, it will first be by continuing to support the work done in the management of noise. We have an aircraft noise competent authority, which plays a role in the regulation of noise and the effect it has on local communities. Second, I understand we have a residential noise insulation scheme, as the Deputy raised, that is operated by DAA. I will raise Deputy Byrne's point with the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, relating to the operation of that scheme and the breadth of it. I have no doubt that, as we see a decision made on the operation of the cap, the issues Deputy Ó Muirí has raised will only become more intense.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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In the face of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a student accommodation crisis that has seen more students and families forced to pay upwards of €14,000 for a single year's accommodation, and despite having contested the general election on a platform of reducing college fees, the first action the Government took was to announce an increase of college fees of €1,000 per year. Now, the Government is flying the kite that it may only put up the fees by €500, no doubt expecting plaudits on budget day from those whom the Government is only screwing over by half as much as it had originally planned. Sinn Féin has called for fees to be scrapped. Will the Minister meet this commitment? Will the Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil Government do this or is helping students something it only talks about during elections?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The last thing we are looking for in preparing the budget is plaudits, particularly from Sinn Féin. I do not hold out any hope of us ever getting them from Sinn Féin. If we were to, I would be convinced we were doing the wrong thing.

Regarding what we are looking to do, the Government's track record on trying to help students is pretty clear by this point. For example, the work done by the previous Minister, Deputy Harris, and-----

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Government put up their fees by €1,000.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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-----the current Minister, Deputy Lawless, is clearly building on that.

Efforts have been made to look at eligibility for SUSI grants to ensure they can play a role in the cost of living for students going to college. The Government is well aware of the sensitivity of the decision we will make about registration fees for students. No decisions have yet been made, but all of the Government, and not least the Minister, Deputy Lawless, is well aware of the importance of the decision, and we will make it. However, I will make a broad point that we have to ensure that, in the round, we have some ability to be able to pay for everything we do into the future. We got a sharp warning today from the ESRI about that. That is an important factor in how we put together this budget.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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So, the Government is putting up fees.

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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They are more than £4,500 in the North.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy McGrath.

John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Is Sinn Féin cutting them up there?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Minister of State, please.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Government is putting up fees. Just to clarify, we are in the South and the Government is putting up fees.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, we have moved on to Deputy McGrath. Please have respect for him.

Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Thank you.

Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I raise the rent a room relief scheme. It is a good scheme, but I wish to discuss its income threshold of €14,000 in particular. We are in an acute accommodation crisis and this scheme could play a greater role in better utilising existing properties and empty rooms. Single person accommodation is extremely difficult to secure and student accommodation is also difficult to secure. The exemption limit of €14,000 was put in place in 2017. Since then, rents have doubled. The average rent then was €1,000. It is now €2,000, so it makes logical sense to move this income limit in the budget. I ask the Minister, in the upcoming budget, to look at raising the income limit in line with inflation in the rental sector so that we can see a better utilisation of the scheme.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's raising of this matter gives me an opportunity to remind us all of the value of the scheme. It now stands at a value of €14,000 per year. In recent years, we have seen a considerable increase in the number of taxpayers who are availing of it. It went from being roughly 10,000 per year to 16,500 in 2023. It is playing an important role in the availability of additional student accommodation. The Deputy will be aware of the need for all of these things to add up and be affordable on budget day. It is in that light that we will have to consider this measure to see whether it can be strengthened. However, at the very least, the Deputy's raising of it today has given me the opportunity to explain to anyone who is listening that this scheme is available. It is quite generous and for those who are availing of it, it helps with the student accommodation needs we know are there at the moment.

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the commitment in the programme for Government to launch a new town and city infrastructure investment fund to replace the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF. Regional towns such as Clonmel cannot access the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, or the town and village renewal scheme, so this new fund is crucial. Clonmel has a shovel-ready project. Matched funding has been set aside. Can the Minister give any indication of when the Government might launch this fund? Crucially, will a specific allocation be set aside for regional towns so that the big cities will not dominate the allocations?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I remember being in Clonmel with the Deputy during the summer. On what was otherwise a bright and great morning, the Deputy walked around the centre of Clonmel and pointed out to me the number of properties that were not being used and were on the verge of dereliction.

I cannot give him an exact timeline for when this fund will be available, but I can assure him of two things. First, the capital funding that is available to the Department of housing is continuing to grow. Within that, the Department will prioritise the roll-out of either the URDF or its replacement. Second, we will continue to look at the grants that are available to address dereliction because, while I can see them working in some parts of the country, I could clearly see on that day in Clonmel with the Deputy the challenges that were still there. We have to do better on those because it is vital to show the local communities the Deputy represents that we are giving them the place and environment they deserve in their towns.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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I raise the case of Rebecca from Kildare. Twelve years ago following treatment for cervical cancer, Rebecca experienced early medical menopause. Women with cancer in remission are unable to use traditional hormone replacement therapy, HRT, but thankfully, a new drug for cancer survivors by the name of Veozah has been developed. This drug would be a game-changer for young women like Rebecca. However, it is not available under the new HRT scheme and it costs €75 per month. This is a cost that, unfortunately, Rebecca and other women cannot afford. Will due consideration be given to adding Veozah to the HRT scheme to make it accessible to all cancer survivors who need it, not only those who can afford it?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue on behalf of Rebecca. I will ensure that the Minister for Health is aware of the status of this medicine, Veozah, and that it is given the consideration it needs. I cannot second guess or answer on behalf of the independent bodies that look at the variety of available medicines and whether they are appropriate and can be made available in a sustainable way in Ireland, but I know that these are sensitive matters and for someone who has survived cancer, as Rebecca has, and wants to have a long and healthy life ahead of her, I am sure this is really serious. The Minister, Carroll MacNeill, will be aware of this. I will pass the Deputy's concerns on to her and thank her for raising it.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I welcome the decision to fold CHI into the HSE. We called for it a number of months ago. However, a number of serious issues have not been dealt with yet.

First, I raised the case of Harvey Morrison Sherratt with Simon Harris about a year ago when he was taken off the waiting list for surgery. Simon Harris told me he would find out how many other parents and children had been taken off that list. A year later, I have not received that information. Critically, 230 children are currently on that waiting list. In January this year, €11.6 million was given for those children to be able have operations abroad. Right now, no children are scheduled to have operations abroad. Despite the fact that we have gone through an horrendous summer as regards difficulties children have had and that the money is sitting there, some dysfunction is stopping those children going abroad for those operations. CHI has still not published its 2024 report, which is quite incredible, the Minister must agree. I understand CHI is also sitting on a big pot of money that it is not using for the benefit of these children.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have seen few people who care more about children with scoliosis and their health needs than Simon Harris. I have seen at first hand the commitment he has had to making a difference to their lives and health.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have seen few people who are moved more by the pain they are in and the needs they and their families have than Simon. I absolutely refute some of the things Deputy Tóibín has said about him and tell him that some of the claims he has made are cynical.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Like what?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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They devalue the commitment-----

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I am sorry, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, but claims like what?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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-----the Tánaiste and the current Minister for Health have to making a difference to those who need support.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Like what, Minister?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the points the Deputy made, the Government has made available - because we know it needs to be done - additional operating capacity in Ireland to support families who need that healthcare and we have put in place the surgeons and support to do it. I will certainly follow up on the status of the need for children to travel abroad to get that healthcare, but in many cases it can be driven by clinical considerations. We have to respect those who make the decisions. Let me emphasise that the Tánaiste and the rest of the Government are absolutely committed to doing all we can to put the supports in place for the young children who need the support.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Rice.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, it is poor performance by the Minister to make an allegation in relation to things I said and when I ask him to indicate what it was I said, he does not give that information. It is very poor.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Tóibín, you can write to the Ceann Comhairle about your complaint. This is not the place for it. I call Deputy Rice.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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I am seeking leave to introduce a Bill.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Okay. That will be later on and not now.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We are looking forward to the new community nursing unit in Thomastown.

It is being completed at the moment. It will be a purpose-built facility to support the older population of south and central Kilkenny. It will support discharges from St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny and University Hospital in Waterford. It will be a lifeline for many and a gamechanger for the region. When does the Minister envisage this new community nursing unit in Thomastown will be fully completed and operational?

I am aware workforce planning is progressing across all staff disciplines to ensure the required competence and skill mix of staff is in place to facilitate the operational schedule but there are vacancies in speech and language therapists in Thomastown that have not been filled for the past two years, so much so that it is on its brochure that it currently has vacancies in speech and language therapy. Obviously, that cannot continue. I am looking for assurances from the Minister that this will be looked into as a matter of urgency.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this. As he said, I know there is a new 95-bed unit that is now located in Thomastown providing really important health services to the community he represents. He is correct, unfortunately, to say that there has been a delay with regard to the recruitment of speech and language therapists. The post has been advertised on two different occasions and it has not been possible to get the therapist needed by the community. A campaign is under way for the post. The HSE will continue to focus on how that role can be filled. I agree with the Deputy that is really important that it happens.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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We have made considerable strides in improving the public transport network in rural county Cork through the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan. We have seen successful roll-out of bus services from Mallow to Fermoy, Charleville to Mallow, Mallow to Mitchelstown, Killarney to Macroom and the latest one, the 243 bus service from Newmarket to Cork. Today I am inquiring about the roll out of the Mallow to Killarney service which will service villages like Ballydaly, Cecilstown, Ballyhass, Castlmagner, Kanturk, Botherbue, Knocknagree and Rathmore. I believe TII is working with the Department on the roll out in this quarter. I would appreciate an update.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The rural transport scheme has played a really important role in connectivity between our towns and villages. The note I have here indicates that in 2024 passenger numbers went up to 5.8 million, which is great. It is so important we have a local transport service that directly links up the towns and villages in our country. Cork has been a big beneficiary of this. There has been a 50% increase in the passenger numbers on rural bus services in Cork with 230,000 journeys recorded last year.

The specific route mentioned by the Deputy is being considered at the moment. I will make sure the Minister for transport is aware of what he raised.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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Earlier today I attended a briefing by the Family Resource Centre National Forum. I think we can all agree that FRCs are tremendous services. They are holistic, engaged, progressive, they provide vital interventions for families and individuals at all stages of life. In Waterford city we are very fortunate to have three excellent centres, Sacred Heart, Brill FRC and St. Brigid's, but there is a glaring gap if one looks at the map of FRCs on this island. A contiguous area covering much of west and mid Waterford, south Tipperary and east Cork, towns like Dungarvan where there is demonstrably huge need are left without any family resource centre. In recent weeks, there have been 49 applications made to establish new FRCs and only five of those, around 10%, were approved.

Existing centres are under huge pressure just to keep going. They are seeking €240,000. I am sure they have been in touch with the Minister’s Department on core funding a proper capital scheme to invest in new centres and funding for counselling supports. Will the Minister commit in his budget to giving the family resource centre sector the support that it needs and urgently requires?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. I am very much aware of the importance of family resources centres. We have a number of them in the area of Dublin that I represent and, in particular, there is a great one on Hill Street. I see the great work it does in supporting our diverse communities and all the work it does there. I am very familiar with Dungarvan. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, is well aware of the issue the Deputy has raised. I will raise this with the Minister, Deputy Foley, who has responsibility for this, if there is anything that we can do to increase capital funding in this area. There are many demands for family resource centres across our country. Maybe, year by year, if we could gradually increase their availability, it would make a difference because I know they do really good work.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Why is the red carpet being rolled out for the NFL in this State this weekend? Why is every second level school in the State being supplied with an American football starter pack and flag for a sport steeped in militarism, racism and macho culture? Why has the Irish Government agreed to fork out €10 million to allow the richest sports league in the world to play a game in Croke Park? This is for NFL owners, by the way, who are collectively worth almost $1 trillion.

This is the most jingoistic league in America. It celebrates the military at its games, has men and women marching in uniform, it prays for the Israeli army and it sends players over to the IDF while a genocide is taking place. It has received money from the US army to do so. The Government will say that this will generate a huge amount of income in the future but at what cost? The NFL is removing “end racism” signs from its grounds. It ended Colin Kaepernick’s career for taking the knee and it has multiple lawsuits for gender, race and age discrimination.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy to conclude.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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The NFL is a model for how sport has been hijacked for propaganda and profit and playing on grounds that are meant to be amateur and a community space. It is an absolutely rotten sport to be promoted in this country.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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It is because sport brings people together. Because in the world we are in at the moment, where there are so many things that can bring people apart and so many things that are capable of dividing us, sport and culture are one of the few common grounds we have by which we can unite people and bring them together in a way that respects athletic endeavour and joins people together in admiring what goes on in the sporting pitch.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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We have our own sports.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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That is the reason we are doing it. This weekend will see our country and our city, in particular, full of American people who are coming to Ireland for the opportunity to see a game happen. I think that is a good thing. It will lead to extensive economic benefits for Ireland, that will happen, but for me there is a broader reason we do it. With all the causes we have at the moment that are pulling us apart and all the tensions there at the moment, sport and art offer the ability to bring people together. The money that is being used by the Government to support this is money that will be well spent.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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And so the Minister ignores all the issues I have raised about racism, militarism and Palestine then.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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Last weekend I was delighted to attend a ceremony celebrating a centenary of light, 100 years of LauraLynn providing palliative care for children, celebrating beyond the establishment of LauraLynn to the legacy bodies that it worked with, the children’s Sunshine home and, indeed, Ella Webb who started treating children with rickets in 1925. Tá mé comh bhródúil. I am very proud that all this work has been done in my home constituency of Dublin Rathdown in Leopardstown. LauraLynn provides crucial work. It is the only organisation in this country providing palliative care for children. It gives children choice at the end of life and dignity and it provides families with the opportunity to create memories. LauraLynn and many other organisations in the community and voluntary sector operate on threadbare budgets despite the fact that they provide these short gaps that the State does not provide. These are crucial services up and down the country. Will the Minister commit in budget 2026 to providing multiannual funding, core funding, to finally allow us to move away from this philanthropic model of 100 years ago to a modern State which properly funds these organisations to adequately support families up and down the country?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am very familiar with the work of the LauraLynn foundation and the really important care and support it provides to young children. On the Deputy’s particular request for multiannual funding, I do not believe the budget will deliver that. This House passes budgets year by year. It is therefore very difficult, and I do not believe it should happen, that we can give current funding commitments that go beyond the budgetary commitments of a single year. The only places that we make multiannual funding available are with regard to capital investment but that is needed to deliver big projects that we all depend on. What we do see happen in core funding and current funding in general is year by year it does go up. I cannot comment on what is going to happen with regard to LauraLynn for 2026 because it all depends on the budget.

I recognise the work it does and I am explaining why multiannual funding is just something that is, for good reason, difficult for us to commit to.