Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I too want to raise the heart-wrenching interview that I heard on "Today with Claire Byrne" this morning. Any parent who heard that interview could feel the pain that family is in.My wee girl underwent an operation in Crumlin children's hospital some years ago. Everything went smoothly, but I remember waiting for the date. It is terrible that a child who has been on the urgent list since August 2019 and who was told his surgery would take place next spring has now been told that he must wait another six to nine months. That is despite the fact very day his parents can feel the pain he is in and can see that is quality of life is what it should be. I completely agree with my colleague that we need to send a letter to the Minister for Health. That would let this family know that they have been heard and that there is a solution. The family are considering travelling to London but it would be better if the procedure took place here because this is where the little boy's family and friends are.

I take this opportunity to welcome the budget and the focus it has on quality-of-life issues such as remote working. There are incentives relating to the latter, including extending the personal tax relief to 30%, not just for broadband but also for heating and electricity. That is a positive step. At the same time, however, we are in a period of transition whereby employers are trying to figure out what their offices and teams will look like into the future and identify where they can make savings. Ideally, if employers make savings then they should pay for people's utilities. You can claim a €3.20 expense tax-free if it comes from your employer. We need employers to think seriously about that because it might become mandatory at some stage. However, we need to know what savings employers are making. Let us not forget about the hubs. By supporting hubs, we are supporting towns and villages. I am sure there is more in the budget relating to the opening and supporting of local hubs. Let us not forget how important they are to local communities.