Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Deputy Leader. I welcome the Lithuanian ambassador and my colleague Deputy Devlin, who is chairperson of the Ireland-Lithuania friendship group.

This morning, as I was driving into Leinster House, I listened to a discussion on the radio about the Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann, ONE, campaign for UN veterans.ONE is all about support, comradeship, advocacy and remembrance. It was good to hear the update. Today is a special-awareness day. It is not related to the Fuchsia Appeal that we all know about. The work ONE does, in 37 branches across the country, is absolutely incredible. It also provides housing in four areas. I am really pleased that it is considering providing housing in Kildare. It is needed for the single male veterans, in particular. Since they have served the country in such a special way, with many having put themselves in the way of post-traumatic stress disorder, etc., there should be additional supports available.

I was disappointed to hear on the radio interview that ONE gets only €500,000 per year from the State. This is only about one third of its running cost. Therefore, it is important that we look for more funding for it. The St. Conleth's branch in Kildare is looking for a permanent arrangement. I have been liaising with Kildare County Council and have raised this here before. It is important, in the town with the greatest number of veterans, that we provide what is required.

I also want to raise the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. The Act was really about the right to an education, which is very important, and the development of individual education plans, particularly within the mainstream school setting. It was never implemented in full, despite the fact that it is now 2023, 19 years later. There is a review of the Act and a full consultation portal on www.gov.ie/epsenreview. It is vital that students, former students, parents, staff and the public give their views and experiences through the portal. It is open until 4 March.

Last week we marked Safer Internet Day although we did not get the opportunity to discuss it here. It is so important that we safeguard all our young people. It is ironic considering what is happening in Munster Technological University but it is important to mark the occasion and the new commissioner.