Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Ward also mentioned the fact that we only have three pharmacy schools and we need a fourth. He asked for a debate with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, but perhaps that debate should be with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. In discussing the Cassells report and funding for higher level, we should include the matter in the brief that we could ask the Minister, Deputy Harris, to address.

Senator Seery Kearney also congratulated Our Lady of Hope School in Crumlin on its new special school. It is wonderful to see and I have seen the campaign that parents in Dublin 12 carried out in trying to get that special school operational. As the Senator has said, the work is continuing but I say "well done" to all the people involved. Again, it is an example of people power.

Senator Carrigy spoke about the cost of living for students and that is something we will debate with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris. I should mention that a commitment was given that we would expand the SUSI grant and that is absolutely needed, particularly for those students who must travel from their towns and cities to be able to go to college. That must be a priority.

Senator Buttimer spoke about the lifting of restrictions and the fact that primary schools have not commenced their return to play activity and games. I had not realised these activities had not recommenced and they most definitely should. Cumann na mBunscol does incredibly valuable work in co-ordinating and scheduling games. This is a vital part of young people's lives growing up in school. It is an opportunity to be part of a team and compete against others. It is part of sporting life and more, so we will write to the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State with responsibility for sports, Deputy Chambers, to ask that the activities be restarted immediately. We thank all the volunteers involved in Cumann na mBunscol and I remember refereeing matches many years ago. The parents nearly ran me off the pitch and I was scared by it.

Senator Conway spoke about equality in the cost of transport. He is 100% correct in encouraging people to use transport and I addressed this with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, when he spoke in the House yesterday. The Senator also spoke about the need to add an extra service from Dublin to Cork to ensure young and old people can get into Cork for work or college. That is certainly something we should take up with the National Transport Authority. We will support that.

Senator Ahearn mentioned that Cahir Castle was awarded the title of best film location in Europe, which is a wonderful accolade. We wish the town well with the films that will be made there. The Senator also mentioned the decision by the Supreme Court on the proposed Glanbia cheese factory, which should have been started in 2019. It was held up with challenges right along the way and of course the cost of building has absolutely increased. It has been a very difficult time for the company but this must be good for farmers and local communities. It will bring a very large investment to the area and we wish it well.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about international student health insurance, which he has raised many times. I have heard him raise that subject both in this House and in other meetings. That it seems to be falling between Departments is most frustrating and I certainly know that feeling. We will seek a response from the Department of Justice, as from what I understand by the Senator's comments, it is currently under its remit. We will certainly seek clarification in that regard.

Senator Craughwell highlighted a new type of fraud or scam. He is correct in saying how shocking is the number of scams out there. We should highlight that the new scam relates to AIB. On foot of this, AIB will contact people by phone and the best of luck to the staff in doing so. I am not sure I would answer any questions on the phone from anybody purporting to be from a bank. The work must happen nonetheless, whether it is with personal calls or by asking people to a local branch. They would know there is safety and security in answering those questions in a bank. Cybersecurity concerns are expanding and this gets more frightening all the time.

The Senator also raised the question of the military service allowance and the cut-off for entitlements. As the Senator knows, we have all looked for a debate in this House on the commission's report. Perhaps the matter could be discussed on the Commencement, and I would be happy to share it with the Senator.