Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach. Today is Global Day of Parents when we celebrate parenthood. There is no doubt that over the last 15 months parents have had to learn a lot more about parenting, and homeschooling as parents, than they would have anticipated before. It is important parents at every level get as many supports as possible to help them on their journey.

One of those areas is the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill 2019 from the Department of Education. It has already gone through Committee Stage. We are still waiting for it to be enacted, so that parents would have more of a statutory role in terms of consultation in everything that goes on within their school. We should ask the Department of Education when it is going to be enacted. It is more important now than ever.

Today there has been an announcement of a summer play initiative, which is very welcome. There is significant funding to encourage and support outdoor play areas. Hopefully this lovely weather will continue during the summer. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, there is a strong message to people to spend time outdoors. That is wonderful for those who have appropriate play and recreational areas. However, we need to do an audit on what is available and what is needed. For example, in the town of Newbridge, we only have one tiny playground for a population of almost 30,000. It was developed almost 30 years ago. We need a new playground in Newbridge. This is something my colleagues and I in Kildare will be taking up. However, the Minister needs to do an audit of all areas to ensure that there are appropriate places.

I also want to bring up the consultation we had in relation to the Curragh. Speaking of the Curragh, I want to say a big thank you to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, for signing off on extra pay for the technical 2 to 6 grades in our Defence Forces. This makes a really big difference. PDFORRA had a wonderful campaign in relation to this. It was great to see it signed off during the week.

On the consultation on the Curragh, 3,700 people made submissions. Their biggest issues were around the level of waste and damage that is being done to the Curragh. That is a big wake up call. This is a terrific amenity people use, in particular during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been great to have it on our doorstep. However, no more than any other area, it needs to be managed in relation to waste and illegal encampments and have places for cars to park appropriately. There is a big piece of work for the Office of Public Works, OPW, there in looking at areas such as the Curragh to ensure people enjoy it in appropriate and practical way and ensure there is constant monitoring and a management system for waste and illegal encampments.