Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Niamh to the Seanad and wish her well in her work experience with Senator Conway. She will find no better Senator to work with in advocating for those issues. The two will form a formidable team, no doubt, while Niamh is working here. I also wish her well in her studies. I take on board the points raised by Senator Conway around reasonable accommodations and how nothing has changed. We will certainly request a debate with the Minister around how we can modernise the way things are done today. There should be some changes made. It is remarkable to think that it has not moved on that much since the Senator was going through school. There clearly needs to be an updating of processes there.

Senator Burke spoke about the credit unions offering mortgages. I commend the credit unions on showing fantastic leadership in this area. They are now offering mortgage rates of 2.95%, which is the lowest rate you will find of any lender. They are certainly outperforming the three main banks. It is about time somebody took on the banks in that regard, because the rates they are charging people are extortionate. They are taking full advantage of the lack of competition in the market. It is welcome to see the credit unions stepping up their operations in mortgages. I believe their lending to mortgage holders increased by 27% last year. It is getting out to the public, and the public knows that those mortgages are available. The credit unions are getting a sizeable share of the market, which I am sure will only increase if they continue to do the work they are doing. It is great. They are the most trusted lender in the country and the public trusts them. They have our full support in providing value for money for mortgage holders. They will help people get their homes.

Senator Ahearn also welcomed the credit unions offering mortgages. He asked for a debate with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment around employment opportunities for people with disabilities, which was supported by Senator Conway as well. We will request that debate at the earliest opportunity.