Ruairí Ó Murchú

9. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth in relation to grants for assistive technology for students, whether there are plans to increase the funding for this scheme, update or change the criteria for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53968/26]

In relation to grants for assistive technology for students, are there plans to increase the funding for the scheme or to update or change its criteria? The Minister is aware of what brought this to my attention. It is a ten-year-old boy from north County Louth with dyslexia. Following assessment, it was found he would benefit from a computer and assistive technology but who is not eligible for th…

We will all be very interested to see what the new circular is. The Minister of State said it will be announced in September. A needs-based system is what we need. I would like to think the young boy I talked about would be able to avail of this. I will use him as an example. The correct assessments were carried out. The Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence stated that his verbal comprehensi…

We just need to make sure that the circular is fit for purpose and that the young primary school child to whom I refer will be given the supports he requires. I will just finish reading from the communication to which I referred earlier. It states: [His] attainments and cognitive profile do not confer eligibility for an application for an Assistive Technology grant. However, he would benefit fro…

Will it be in operation from September?

124. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence to report on any progress made in the investigations into the death of a Defence Forces member (details supplied) who was killed on duty in Lebanon (details supplied); when the independent post-incident inquiry will be supplied to the member’s mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53962/26]

Has there been any progress in relation to the investigations into the death of Private Seán Rooney? He is still missed in Dundalk and Donegal by family, friends and comrades. I know the Minister's legal representative in Lebanon has engaged with the military tribunal. My question is also about Mr. Michael Delaney's post-incident inquiry, whether all the due diligence has been done on that, whethe…

I welcome that. I have spoken previously to the Minister about the necessity of providing Mr. Delaney's report on the incident to Natasha and the wider family. Whatever part of it can be published should be because it is all about learnings to ensure the safety of our peacekeepers when they operate abroad, while also providing necessary information to the family and others as regards the tragic de…

We need to ensure that the engagement with Lebanon is ongoing. Are we happy with the interaction with the UN? There had been some issues relating to the coroner's court. Everyone needs to do everything that can be done to ensure truth and justice for the family of Private Seán Rooney. Does the Minister have any idea of the timeline for the family to see Mr. Delaney's report? I am working on the b…

What is the timeline?

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for all the flexibility she allows in this Chamber, and hopefully that will continue as we speak. I welcome an awful lot of what Deputy Devlin said. I have often come in here and welcomed the work of the shared island unit, whether we were talking about the Narrow Water bridge or research on educational attainment and differentiation. That is all worthwhile. Every time…

It is not about external researchers; it is about getting this State to do it.

For me, it will always be about delivering the Republic.

Once again, I thank the Ceann Comhairle for her great flexibility and decency.

It has been quite a good week for Pedro Sánchez and Spain. Regarding his interactions with the Spanish Prime Minister and others, the Taoiseach mentioned discussions on the EU-Israel Association Agreement. I think we can all agree that the European Union has been disgraceful in facilitating this beneficial deal for Israel at a time when it is engaged in increased illegal settlements, ensuring ther…

26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach for an update on the implementation of the Dublin city task force report. [51499/26]

I have often spoken about the need for multi-agency action to be taken in relation to dealing with the issues of security, safety, antisocial behaviour and criminal activity in real terms, whether in Dublin, Dundalk or anywhere else. I agree with what Deputy Moynihan said. We were all taken by Grace Lynch's parents in relation to the issue scramblers. We heard from the Garda Commissioner about the…

Also the social media companies.

It is an incredibly worrying time for artists. They are watching as their painstakingly produced works are used without permission to train generative AI that is then directly competing with them. No permission is sought, no payment is made and it is a huge infringement of copyright. It is downright piracy. Not only that, but these AI programmes can produce content in a fraction of the time and wi…

He replied that he expected that we would be there in our brown boots and Stetsons. I said I would do my best. That is the reality we are dealing with. We have to ensure that State agencies and semi-State companies do not continue to use artificial intelligence to produce what should be done by artists and is actually stolen from artists. I commend Deputy Ó Snodaigh on an obair uilig atá déanta a…

The conversation on Irish unity is well under way, but there is no point saying this was not a disappointing week for those who have an interest in furthering that conversation and making sure the preparatory work is done. A considerable number of people in the North felt let down. We are talking about sensible preparations, a Green Paper and a citizens' assembly - a forum instructed by that Green…

How about the Tánaiste working along with this House?

I also commend the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on the work it has done. I thank its members for being here in the Gallery. Like everyone else, I commend Cian and Jordan Adams on the spectacular work they have done in shining a light on dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia. Early onset dementia has a huge impact on families. It had a huge impact on Cian and Jordan's family when they lost…

The Minister of State would probably say she was a very sensible woman. It was a very difficult situation for my father but St. Oliver Plunkett nursing home was the right place for her to be. It is about providing supports but also about doing the work as regards research. If we can help to save people like Cian and Jordan from the likes of FTD, we need to do so.

I thank Deputy Quaide and the Social Democrats for tabling this motion. I commend the Before We Die campaign, particularly Tony Murray, his wife Susan and their daughter, Aoife. Before We Die is aptly named. At the disability committee, many people have spoken about the fact that many parents feel frustrated and are incredibly worried about what will happen to their adult children with an intellec…