Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the sentiments expressed by Senator O'Loughlin with regard to the passing of the late councillor, Mr. Jerry O'Dea, from Limerick. It is a very sad occasion. He was buried on the day on which he was due to become mayor of the city and county. I pass on my respects to his family and the family of Councillor James Tobin.

I too attended the briefing today by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I support its call with regard to extended funding. As a member of the all-party Oireachtas group on dementia, I am aware of the commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to this area. Three of the most important areas in which I wish to see investment in budget 2021 are the provision of €2 million for specific day-care services, €2.3 million for therapeutic support and education for family carers and €10 million for dementia home care.

Recently, Dublin Coach announced its withdrawal of a bus service between the city centre to the Castletroy-Annacotty area of Limerick. More than 1,000 houses and a new hospital are being built in the area. Many businesses, such as Northern Trust, depend on the bus service to transport their employees. Bus Éireann has received many requests to expand its service to the area, but it has refused to do so.I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport to the House to discuss wider transport issues. I wrote to Bus Éireann today asking that it expand its service. We want people to switch from using their cars to using public transport. Unless we start that debate, that change will not happen.