Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

One issue I will raise is the sow for Ukraine initiative that came out with the packets of seeds one will see available around this place in the coming days and in every SuperValu and Centra in the entire country over the coming days. SuperValu and Centra are sponsors and have bought into the sow for Ukraine sunflower seed initiative. This is an initiative by people, including Ukrainian people. It is a community initiative from Tullow in County Carlow. Some people think Tullow is in County Wicklow but it is actually County Carlow. There are 50 seeds in a pack which costs €5. It is being co-ordinated and all of the funding will go through the official Red Cross. That is very positive. I ask people to spread the word. It is on redcross.ie. It is a very good organisation.

The sunflower has become a symbol of Ukraine and a worldwide symbol for solidarity against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is the Irish sunflower campaign. The seeds are very easy to sow and to grow. The target is to get 500,000 and they have been walking off the shelves in the past 24 hours. I commend the initiative and acknowledge the work of the people in Carlow and those in the Red Cross who have gathered and put the initiative in place. It is a very good and sustainable initiative. The sunflower seeds can be thrown on the ground and birds eat them.

Another issue I will flag is that the mother and baby institutions payment scheme Bill has gone out to public consultation. I commend the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which seeks written submissions by 1 p.m. on Friday, 6 May 2022. That is very important. I raised this with the Minister earlier today under a Commencement matter. I acknowledge the significant proactive work on what is a very difficult issue for many people.

Part of this institutions payment scheme will set in place an appropriate compensation package and a special medical card. That is very important for accessing supports. The supports are practicable and tangible supports to give to people who have been involved in this very sensitive area. I ask people and Senators to pass on the deadline of 1 p.m. on Friday, 6 May, for submissions on the public consultation. I again thank the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth which is driving and working proactively in this area.