Mary Lou McDonald

Not for those schools.

I have given them. I will write to the Taoiseach.

Before I begin, I want to say how very sorry I am to hear of the death of Brother Kevin Crowley. I offer condolences to everybody who loved him. Brother Kevin's work at the Capuchin Day Centre is the stuff of legend. He really was a champion for the poor and for everyone who fell on hard times, without judgment and without exception. He lived for others and he absolutely changed lives. We will all…

The Minister said a lot there but did not answer the question. He is the Minister for public expenditure and this is a straightforward question. Will the cost be €2,000 or €3,000? On the basis of what he is saying and according to the logic of his presentation, I assume the cost will be €3,000. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, has announced an increase in student fees to €3,000. The Minister, Deputy …

The Government is going to hike up the cost of their rent-----

-----and is now going to hike up their fees,-----

-----but the Minister does not even have the decency to be clear about it.

I ask the Minister to confirm-----

-----if students will pay €2,000 or €3,000.

There are no increases in the North.

Will it be €2,000 or €3,000?

Jesus, surely the Minister can answer a question as basic as that.

Mother of God.

The Minister does not know the answer.

That is most unhelpful to families and students.

That is very unhelpful.

Raising rents.

They will make matters worse.

Hear, hear.

They have been cancelled.

The Minister came to the Chamber this afternoon with big folders and is surrounded by his colleagues, including the Minister for higher education, Deputy Lawless, but could not answer a straightforward question. It is not acceptable, smart or clever to come to the Chamber and refuse to answer a very straightforward question that students and their families need clarity on. Will their fees be set a…

Will the fees be €2,000 or €3,000?

The Minister has put the heart crossways in families.

Domestic violence is at epidemic levels. Women's Aid has published its annual report and it makes for very grim reading. Last year, it received the highest number of domestic abuse complaints in its 50-year history. All forms of abuse against women have increased. Physical abuse is up 22%, sexual abuse by 30%, emotional abuse up 15% and economic abuse up 5%. One third of women who reached out to h…

What message does this send to women fighting to survive? After 15 years of strategy, the Government is still talking about basic training initiatives for front-line responders. Where is the urgency? None of this is good enough. Women faced with violence and abuse deserve far more. Léiríonn tuarascáil scannalach de chuid Women's Aid inniu go bhfuil eipidéim ag dul in olcas maidir le foréigin bail…