Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As we begin the Order of Business, a coffee morning is starting in the Coffee Dock to support and spread awareness of the work of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, ASI. It does incredible work throughout the country. What it is aiming to do is create a dementia-inclusive generation. It is doing this by working with transition year students. Apparently one in three young people knows somebody with dementia so it is important that young people understand it and recognise it and support those with dementia. The ASI is also doing this through working with large shopping centres. Mahon Point in Cork was the first in the country to do this and we are planning similar with Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge and the Kildare Village shopping centre. The ASI also has dementia advisers for those who need support. It organises day care as well as home care. I am fortunate that in County Kildare we now have new day care centre in Kildangan. It is wonderful and I was there during the week. I encourage Members and staff to come to the Coffee Dock for the coffee morning. If anybody tuning in needs the helpline, it is 1800 341 341.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet John Joe O'Connell, Mark O'Meara and Tara McManus from the Garda Representative Association. They were meeting and protesting outside Leinster House about the retirement scheme for post-2013 entrants. This is basically a new pension scheme that commenced for those who joined the public service after 1 January 2013. At present those who joined since then will receive an occupational pension on retirement but will not receive a State pension until the age of 66. Many will be retiring after 20 years' service with a very small pension. It is very important that we do what we can to make sure that a better pension system is put in place. This does not only refer to gardaí but also to those serving in the Defence Forces and other public servants.

I also want to mention sexual violence, which affects people in every community and every constituency throughout the country. Thanks to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre we have started workshops every Wednesday from 3.30 p.m. to help support Members and staff. Many of us have situations where people come and make disclosures to us. It is important that we know how to support them and how to deal with social media. I encourage Members and staff to attend next Wednesday between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.