Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Last weekend, so many communities came together to celebrate Christmas in a safe way. For example, in Mountbellew we had a themed forest walk through the gorgeous forest there which was organised by the local community. They were very innovative in terms how they used their funding and in terms of design. They used the frames of two hanging basket to create a globe which was carried throughout the forest. At the end of it, children could meet with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. They even got to see Santa Claus's famous Christmas socks hanging on his washing line. In Aughrim, they had a sparkly tractor run, local craft stalls and, again, a visit to Santa Claus. Similarly, in Roscommon town there was an event held over two days on Saturday and Sunday in the new civic square, a €9 million investment under the urban regeneration and development fund. These groups are making these events accessible for families. It costs €20 for a family ticket, which is so reasonable. These communities are doing this for their local areas and they are making it accessible for families to be able to enjoy Christmas. They are doing this in their own local areas, which is phenomenal.

I want to acknowledge the mitigating against educational disadvantage fund which is being allocated through the educational and training boards. The fund is providing funding to so many groups, be they active retirement or local community groups, men's sheds or women's sheds. All across the region these groups are stepping up to provide laptops by way of device loans or loans for furniture such as seating in our community halls. More than €20,000 was allocated to Moore, which is just outside Ballinasloe. It is phenomenal that Moore will be able to provide that resource to people to access training and education. We need ensure that those who have been left behind by the digital divide have access to laptops and other devices such that can learn even basic computer skills so that they are able to engage in the world today.