Róisín Garvey (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. There you go; a case in point. What I was trying to say is it is difficult being a woman in politics. It is difficult being a politician now anyway, and it is harder than it has ever been before because of social media and all that stuff, and the free-for-all relating to keyboard warriors. My experience is that sometimes it can be difficult for the men to hear us or actually listen to what we are saying but the Minister has managed to do that in spades. That is a great skill and one that I would flag with other women to look at and learn and see how she did it. I will be watching her carefully and I have been because I find that challenging sometimes.When a woman makes a suggestion, it is brushed over, but when a man makes it, people say it is a great idea. I have been surprised by that happening here. Even the best men in the world sometimes do not realise that is what they do quite regularly, unfortunately.

Aside from that rant, there are plenty of good men here. Having rural representation and working on rural and community development shows us how the Minister understood that role and the challenges facing communities in rural areas, in particular, as well as communities in general. I have seen her work first-hand and it has brought huge benefits to communities around me. In in fairness, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, has done a good bit on SICAP and is looking at providing hunger meals during the summer and so on. It is great to have somebody who has the lived experience of living in a rural area and wants to try to empower local communities. I want to acknowledge that.

I do not know if the Minister will be in here again in the lifetime of this Government the way things are going. I do not want to miss the opportunity to thank her. I want to mention a few of the great things she brought in under this Bill. I cannot but mention the baby boost, which was the brainchild of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. The Minister took it on and did not have to pretend it was her idea. She was happy that it was a good idea and went with it. It will see €420 paid to every newborn child. That is really good. The two double child benefit payments before Christmas are very good as well, because that is a very hard time for parents.

The free travel companion pass for all over 70s is really good. I started an older retirement group four years ago. My favourite thing to do is sit down for a couple of hours and listen to older people. When we listen to them, we find out what their needs are. The Minister has been a good listener. Hence she is putting money where it is needed. Having a free companion pass for all of those aged over 70 is a brilliant idea because they can bring a grandchild, cousin, son or daughter with them. Giorraíonn beirt bóthar. Two always shorten the road.

The extension of the carer's benefit to self-employed people is really important. A lot of people where I live are self-employed. I could go on, but others have listed all of the things Minister has done. It is probably too late for her to do anything about this now, but I keep meeting self-employed people who have injured themselves or are sick. They do not get any sick, maternity or paternity leave. We have done a lot for employees over the past couple of years as a Government in improving sick pay and maternity and paternity leave, but we have not done the same for the self-employed.

It is very scary for a self-employed person to become physically unable to work due to an accident or illness. I meet people on the doors who have raised this issue with me. It is something we have to take seriously. A lot of jobs in rural areas are provided by smaller companies and businesses. People who are self-employed struggle, but if they have employees, they have to make sure they get maternity, paternity and sick leave. As a House and Government, we need to do more to help the self-employed.

I welcome the extension of the carer's benefit to the self-employed. It is also good that we have extended what people can earn in respect of means-testing to, I understand, €624, which is brilliant because they can earn up to that amount and still get the carer's allowance. That is important because we have to do more for carers.

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat. Níl tú críochnaithe go fóill. The Minister was always pleasant and positive with a can-do attitude. I take that with me.