Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will raise an issue I raised previously relating to the Revenue Commissioners. They must be the only public service that is not open to the public. Every other public service building in this country is open but all the Revenue Commissioners' offices are still closed. People cannot go into their premises for an appointment. I have written to them and have got the Department to contact them previously.I was told that they were going to be opening. Five or six people from different places have contacted me about the issue in the last couple of weeks. They are older people who are unable to do things online. We are letting the more vulnerable in society down by not having the building open. Even if it was open for restricted hours, it would help people. People want to be able to go in and to ask their question face to face. It is just not acceptable. I know that Covid was an issue for a long time, but every other public building is open. Why is the office of the Revenue Commissioners not open? I ask for the Leader's support on the matter.

The other issue I wish to raise is that yesterday there was an announcement of funding of €4.9 million for Limerick College of Further Education. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was in Limerick for the announcement. The funding is for a film and digital media centre. It is going to go a long way. We have Tory film studios, Odyssey Studios and Film Limerick in Limerick. That €4.9 million is going to bring a lot of students to the campus, and will also give people skills in film. It is the way to go.

I wish to welcome the fact that the University of Limerick and Limerick City and County Council are going to give the old Dunnes Stores building, which is going to become the university campus in Limerick city, a facelift. It is one of the ugliest buildings. It is right on the River Shannon near the bridge. It is an iconic area. It is an awful building. For those approaching the city, it is in a deplorable state. Therefore, it is welcome news that this building, which is going to house the University of Limerick city campus, will get a facelift at long last, and will look like a more acceptable and attractive building.