Catherine Ardagh

I thank Deputy Ward. We will have a look at that.

The amendment was deemed out of order.

There is an amendment in the name of Deputy Cullinane in relation to a new section. Would the Deputy like to speak on that? No, that is fine.

Is that agreed? Agreed.

17. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first meeting of the delivery and monitoring committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which he chaired on 8 December 2025. [16741/26]

I want to raise the decision by the Department not to award funding to the Ballyfermot Youth Service under this year's community safety innovation fund. It is a service that for the past two years has been supported by the innovation fund to employ three highly effective staff members, namely, two workers based in the adventure centre and skate park and a dedicated psychotherapist providing essent…

I thank the Minister for agreeing to come out to the skate park. We know early intervention is far more effective and less costly than dealing with problems once they escalate. The Minister stated correctly the fund is to be put back into communities where there is drug-related crime and high-level antisocial behaviour. This is one such community. The service has benefited massively from the innov…

I thank the Minister. I suppose the fund is a victim of its own success when it is creating these fantastic services that people want to see continue. I welcome the engagement the Minister will have with his Department in relation to this issue and that he will come out to visit the skate park. I want to mention as well that the facility has a programme for young people and children with disabilit…

10. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will establish an AI observatory to complement the national AI office, and track real-time issues and project future impacts on jobs and skills to provide independent forecasting and policy advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/26]

9. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if, in view of the impact of flooding in Dublin, he will expedite the Camac river flood alleviation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10563/26]

This question relates to the Camac flood alleviation programme. The Camac, as we know, is one of Dublin’s main rivers. It rises in Saggart in the south west, flows eastwards towards Clondalkin, Bluebell, Inchicore and Kilmainham and joins the Liffey at Heuston Station. The River Camac flood alleviation scheme is a critically important piece of infrastructure that will help up to 413 homes along th…

I thank the Minister of State. We were told at the Committee of Public Accounts that there were issues with the initial hydraulic modelling. It has gone back to the same consultants to remedy the situation, which raises its own questions. Residents understand that the modelling has to be correct and robust and no one is looking for a shortcut. We are also not looking for a patchwork quilt in relat…

With all due respect, I think I have raised this at every possible forum. I have raised it in Dublin City Council, with the Minister of State's predecessor, at the Committee of Public Accounts and in the Dáil. We are all on the same page here. What we are not seeing is any urgency from the OPW to steer this scheme and programme. It is one of the flood alleviation programmes that is just left on th…

I thank the Minister of State.

61. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action Ireland is taking in relation to the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and the undermining of democracy and the rule of law in Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8285/26]

I want to begin by paying tribute to Grace Lynch. Grace was a strikingly beautiful young woman with her whole life ahead of her who was taken far too soon. My heart goes out to her family, particularly her mother, who is determined to ensure action follows this awful tragedy. Nothing we in this House can say can lessen the loss, but we owe it to Grace and to communities across our city and countr…

I welcome the Taoiseach's response and his clarity in relation to these bikes not being allowed on public roads. Even after this awful tragedy occurred, we still had reports to our office of scramblers out on roads in parts of Dublin South-Central. People are really keen to see action on this. Will the Taoiseach provide a timeframe as to when subsequent regulations will be enacted? Are a possible …

4. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Taoiseach for an update on the implementation of the Dublin city task force report. [67576/25]

The Dublin city task force produced a comprehensive report with clear recommendations to improve safety, footfall and confidence in Dublin city. However, many residents, retailers and workers across Dublin South-Central, including the Liberties, the Coombe, Inchicore and the wider south-west inner city area, are still not seeing the tangible impacts on the ground. Antisocial behaviour in particula…

5. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department’s initiatives to assist persons with disabilities in accessing and sustaining employment, including any specific supports or schemes currently in place, plans for future measures to promote workforce participation, and the timeframe for implementation of these initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matt…

What initiatives and plans are in place to support people with disabilities to access and sustain employment? I wish to highlight what works in practice and what is at risk if we do not protect those pathways. This is a social protection issue. In my constituency, Scoil Eoin, a school for children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, has a post-leaving certificate employment rate of 95…

While I understand this is an education issue, when dealing with employment for people with disabilities we have to take a whole-of-government approach. I thank the Minister for his detailed and constructive reply and acknowledge the significant work led by his Department. The range of supports he outlined and the work and access, wage subsidy and WorkAbility schemes demonstrate his continued comm…

I commend the Minister on his leadership on this. I also commend the Oireachtas work and learning programme, OWL, developed in partnership with WALK, an organisation based in Walkinstown in my constituency, which does outstanding work supporting people with intellectual disabilities to access meaningful employment. The programme shows how supported employment works in practice when organisations l…

There is a bit of leeway.

Before we move to the National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025, I understand the Government deputy Whip intends to make a proposal.