Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I highlight that Linda Ledger of St. Munchin's Community Centre on the north side of Limerick received an "Inspirational Hero" award at the Gala Retail and Virgin Media Inspiration Awards. Linda is involved in a remarkable amount of community work. She has an Ukrainian hub and provides meals on wheels. More than 300 people attend the community centre daily for lunch and events. The centres does all sorts of things, from hairdressing to flower arranging. What happens there is unbelievable. I compliment and congratulate Linda. We need many community leaders like Linda Ledger.

Regeneron, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the country, is based in Limerick and believes in giving back to the community. Tomorrow, it will host its sixth give back to the community day. More than 1,000 of its staff are involved in different projects. They are going to 17 schools, with more than 1,000 students attending, to introduce students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, subjects. This is really important. All Senators realise the benefit of STEM and the emphasis that needs to be put on it. When I was on the education committee it was a matter we discussed at length. Some 2,500 kits are being prepared to be sent to children in hospitals across the country and also to Ukrainian children who are here. There are 365 of the company's staff involved in giving 1,300 hours to paint and transform two community centres.They are bringing in carpenters and staff with different skills to make things better for people in the communities. They are also working with non-profit organisations like the Irish Wheelchair Association to run projects like bingo. They are out on outdoor clean-ups in both Raheen and the city centre. I compliment all involved, from the CEO, Niall O'Leary, to all of the staff across Regeneron. It is wonderful to see a company of its standing giving back to the community.