Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I take this opportunity to clarify that the provision of free GP care will include all children aged five and under, not just those aged under five. There was some confusion in that regard. I asked the Leader yesterday to arrange a debate on universal health insurance provision and the move towards the abolition of the two-tier health system. The budget announcement is a very welcome step in that direction.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on third level education? There was very good news for schools in yesterday's budget in terms of the retention of the pupil-teacher ratio, the recruitment of 1,300 additional teachers, the allocation for the school book scheme and the ring-fencing of €1.3 billion for special needs education. There is concern at third level, however, regarding the slippage by some of the universities in the international rankings and the deferral of the reallocated €25 million in funding to 2015 rather than 2014. A debate on the future of third level education is particularly important given the increased numbers of young people projected to enter college in the context of the Government's very welcome commitment to increase the number of training and education places as part of the youth guarantee. Resources will have to be allocated to ensure third level institutions can meet the challenges of increasing numbers.

In regard to the promised debate on Seanad reform, I welcome the Taoiseach's announcement that legislation will be introduced to extend the franchise for the six university seats to all third level institutions. I hope we will soon have a broad debate on the scope for Seanad reform through legislative change. Our discussion last week followed immediately upon the defeat of the referendum. It would be useful to have another debate in the near future when we have had time to reflect on how best to achieve significant change through legislation.