Edward Timmins

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the possibility of engaging with him further on the matter. Another issue I have had is that many people contacted me complaining about the reliability of the service due to cancellations. Recently, I received a text describing how 20 people waited at the bus stop for the 9.40 a.m. 132 bus to Dublin, but it did not show up again. That is 20 people whose da…

14. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports in place for small companies and businesses to enhance their understanding of profit and loss and cash flow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62194/25]

Like the Minister, I have worked in and for small businesses in this country. The highest number of employed people in the country is in small businesses. Many of these businesses are an intrinsic part of their communities. They are also a crucial part of the economy and the social fabric of this State. What supports are in place for small companies and businesses to enhance their understanding of…

I thank the Minister of State. That covers a lot of what I was looking for. These businesses include retail, restaurants, pubs, small family businesses and the self-employed. In my experience, many of them have a poor understanding of profit and loss. They do not understand the basics of gross profit and fixed overheads. If they understood them, they would know their break-even sales figure. This …

In relation to taxes, we have a similar problem. Many businesses think the VAT they receive is part of their business cash, not fully understanding it is cash they collect on behalf of the State. I came across a business selling coffee. They thought the €4 they charge for the coffee was their income and the VAT was a cost. Similarly with PAYE, USC and PRSI, they sometimes use these taxes as cash f…

I raise the issue of rural planning. For over 20 years, I have worked in rural planning and sat through and made amendments to four county development plans. We need to do more to support people from rural areas to build a house in their local area. This is a contribution to the housing challenge. Unlike new houses elsewhere, there is no requirement for Government infrastructure or a cost to the S…

It is important that in all discussions here we choose our language carefully. We must not say anything that might inflame situations or give encouragement to any extreme positions. We must stick at all times to facts and remember that we are talking about fellow human beings. The most important thing is that we have open and frank discussions. By having open discussions, we lessen the possibility…

The only public transport for most of west Wicklow to Dublin is the No. 132 bus, which travels only four times daily, with the last bus leaving Baltinglass at 3 p.m. and the last leaving Dublin at 5.30 p.m. Last April, when I met the NTA I was told that a very significantly increased service would be put in place later in April but nothing has happened since. The NTA is now saying that this cannot…

25. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to develop co-operation and relationships between third level institutions and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56041/25]

I thank the Minister. He certainly seems well aware of the importance of the third level link with industry so he has certainly answered my first question. I want to make another couple of points. I have seen examples over the years where third level institutes have linked in with industry. This has worked really well. It also offers graduates employment opportunities in industries located close …

8. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role of the ETBs in higher education, and where they sit in the education hierarchy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56040/25]

The education and training boards, ETBs, offer many different post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses that often lead into third level education. In many cases these courses are suitable for leaving certificate students. What is the role of the ETBs in higher education and where they sit in the education hierarchy?

I ask that all ETB schools promote these courses within their schools, but also that the ETB colleges and courses are promoted within non-ETB schools. The ETBs also offer apprenticeships. Could relevant funding be allocated to promote these apprenticeship courses? The apprenticeships have been encouraged and have grown since the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, was Minister for higher education. Our…

ETB courses are by and large free or very low cost. ETBs offer a range of short courses along with longer duration courses. Are these courses achieving their aim? What is the workforce-entry success for people who do these courses? Are the short-term courses achieving their aim or are they just being done as a tick-box exercise by people who are unemployed? Are they contributing to these people en…

This budget represents the first of five budgets and is step one in the implementation of the programme for Government. It is not possible to deliver everything in year one. Financial changes, as anyone with a grasp the finance knows, happen over a period of time. This is something the public understand, but it is not recognised at all by much of the Opposition. This budget is possible because of …

10. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the American Presidents' trail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52572/25]

A total of 23 US Presidents have Irish heritage, with many coming from Northern Ireland. As the Minister knows, I first floated the idea of an American Presidents’ trial in this country earlier this year in the House. This proposal could be a highly positive North-South project and a massive attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links. It could be comparable to the Wild Atlantic …

I am pleased to announce that I have developed a roadmap for the potential American Presidents’ trial. I have pinpointed several key counties to consider, along with a suggested route. Ultimately, this map would benefit all parts of Ireland, enhance relations between the two countries and boost tourism. Tourism numbers in this country are down this year. This project should be a part of a national…

I could not agree more. I strongly believe my proposal for an American presidents trail could be a hugely positive North-South project. It would fit the whole purpose of the shared island fund, boost the economy of Northern Ireland and deliver benefits that we cannot predict. It would improve co-operation between both parts of these islands and develop relationships that do not exist. This is the …

89. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the contributory pension entitlement of someone with fewer than 520 contributions; and to grant those recipients a pro rata pension. [50762/25]

I ask the Minister to review the contributory pension entitlement for someone with fewer than 520 contributions and look to give them a pro rata pension. This policy imposes a cliff-edge cut-off. It is very unfair. Someone with 519 contributions gets nothing but 520 would entitle them to get between €99 and €120 per week, and sometimes much more.

I also want to address the fact that the home caring scheme does not allow for any additional credits. This is unfair as a mother often gives up work in order to care for her children and is given no increased credits for this time. Can this be revisited as it penalises a parent who makes the decision to give up work, a decision which actually saves the State money?

I want to address the homemaker's scheme, which is often confused with the home carer's scheme. This only applies from 6 April 1994. Again, this date is an arbitrary cliff edge. It discriminates against people who cared for children who were 12 years of age before that date. It is completely unfair and illogical. It should apply to all caring for children and not only those cared for after 6 April…

Many of these people will have passed away by 2050.

12. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if there is long-term financial planning for capital infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40182/25]