Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am making a point. There is no need to rehash the whole debate around the Together for Safety group or safe access zones because we had that debate in the House last week. The Minister has clearly indicated he is legislating for that and, in my view, rightly so.

Senator Gavan highlighted the good news for Castleconnell regarding Nelson's Cross junction and sports funding. It is wonderful to see our Ministers providing so much funding around the country. Some €600 million in funding for roads was announced yesterday and €143.8 million in sports capital funding was announced last week. It is important to say that because it is about supporting local communities and volunteers. The Senator made the point that people power is important, and I agree with him. I commend the people of Castleconnell. He also raised the issue of a local nursing home. I do not have any information on that and suggest he request a Commencement matter debate. I have no doubt we will take up the issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. Nursing homes play a significant role in the communities they serve. It important people are in nursing homes in areas close to their families and visitors, now that we are getting back to normal and visits can occur more regularly.

Senator Hoey spoke about the principle of equal pay for equal work, with which we all agree, the need to have flexible work, and the importance of having flexible study situations for people with disabilities. I agree with her. There have been a number of calls for debates on different aspects of higher education, most particularly around the Cassells report. We should ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to come to the House for a debate. It is one area we can raise with him when he comes here. Senator Hoey also spoke about an incident she experienced today regarding the abuse of a bus driver. It is absolutely shocking. For those who work in our communities, towns and cities, providing a transport system to enable people to get to work, college and school, to be treated like that is appalling. We need to call it out and show our support and solidarity for workers who are subjected to this abuse. It is shocking. I offer my apologies, on behalf of this House, to the bus driver, any bus driver or anybody else who is at the receiving end of that kind of horrific abuse.

Senator Burke raised the future of media funding report, which apparently has been with the Government since last October. He is correct in what he said. Our local media provide a fantastic service to our communities and all public representatives, be they national or local. I think of KFM, the Leinster Leaderor The Kildare Nationalist, which all provide an excellent service and, generally, a very fair service to our public representatives. We need to ask where the report is and look for a debate in the House on that.

Senator Keogan raised the issue of the USC and how difficult it is for people to pay it as the cost of living is going up. Every single bill is difficult. It is important to note it was good that the threshold was increased to make sure old age pensioners were not included. A further decision will not be made in this House, but we can ask for a debate and request the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, come to the House. The Senator also expressed her sympathy to Deputy Verona Murphy on a bereavement. We may be able to get the details.