Grace Boland

I thank the Minister. I acknowledge that there has been a lot of investment in school buildings. However, my constituency of Dublin Fingal West is one of the youngest constituencies in the country. Balbriggan is the youngest large town in the country. We are rapidly growing. The towns of Rush and Lusk were tiny villages when I was a child but are now full of young and growing families. We are not …

I thank the Minister. Schools are an investment in our future. We need to move away from patching up prefabs that have been there for ten, 20 or 30 years when they were only intended to be used for a few years. We need to invest in our schools and invest in the future and in our children and teachers, by providing good, accessible, reasonable school accommodation. I would like to see a specific ti…

131. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with the EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/25]

It is good to see the Ceann Comhairle back in the Chair. The Tánaiste already touched on the topic this evening but will he give an update on his engagement with the EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič?

I thank the Tánaiste. The European Commissioner is a very experienced negotiator. It is reassuring that he seems fully in control of the situation. What is happening in America, however, is completely and utterly unpredictable. I urge the Minister to also take into consideration the impact of any trade tariffs on our SME sector. I am delighted he established the trade forum but the SME sector will…

I thank the Tánaiste very much. I appreciate all the work he is doing on this front. I wish him the very best of luck in the coming days.

140. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his St. Patrick’s Day missions and, in particular, the business and trade aspect of the missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15152/25]

The Tánaiste touched on his St. Patrick's Day trip. Will he give us an update on the outcome of the various St. Patrick's Day missions, particularly regarding the business and trade aspect?

I thank the Tánaiste. Will he let us know what sense he got on his trip from the politicians and members of the business community he met as to how they see things going in the next six months? How nervous are they for their country and its trade domestically and internationally?

The programme for Government highlights a commitment to focus on actions to improve literacy and numeracy. Dublin Fingal is Ireland's youngest county and Balbriggan, located in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, is the youngest large town in the country. My constituency's population is rapidly growing, resulting in significant strain on the school system, with long waiting lists for autism cla…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the crisis in funding for primary schools in Dublin's north inner city. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the Killarney to Farranfore bypass. Deputy James Geoghegan - To discuss the extension of the red li…

I call Deputy Emer Currie to speak on the first Topical Issue matter.

As we gather here today to celebrate International Women's Day, I find myself reflecting on my own journey to this Chamber. Growing up in the eighties, I dreamed big. Playing with my Barbie dolls - office, doctor and astronaut Barbie - I imagined a future where I could be anything I wanted to be. Encouraged by my parents and inspired by Barbie, I believed that hard work would make those dreams a …

Having limited access to childcare options is inhibiting predominantly women from returning to the workplace and their absence is a loss to the economy. The one thing they need for return to the workplace is simply not available to them. Childcare needs vary from family to family and the Government needs to be dynamic and urgently support the delivery of more childcare options, especially in areas…

The new national fare structure for train fares announced by the NTA will see the implementation of the Dublin city zone later this year. Skerries and Balbriggan, two towns in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, have been excluded from the Dublin city zone; unlike Maynooth, which is in the county of Kildare and Bray, which is the county of Wicklow. This exclusion poses an additional annual fin…

I wish the Minister, Deputy Foley, well in her new portfolio. I thank the Ministers of State for coming to the Chamber today. Tackling the deficiencies in disability services is a significant challenge. It is imperative that all of us, as elected representatives, collaborate with the Minister and Ministers of State to bring about much-needed transformation in disability services. In the short tim…

125. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her Department's plans to reduce the number of children waiting longer than three months for their assessment of need in CHO 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7572/25]

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, on her appointment. I also congratulate the Minister, Deputy Foley, on her new portfolio. I ask the Minister of State to outline her Department's plans to reduce the number of children waiting longer than three months for their assessment of need in CHO 9.

The Minister of State has acknowledged there are more than 2,500 children in Dublin north waiting for assessment. I would very much like the area to be prioritised. Even though we are sourcing private assessments, a lot more needs to be done in the area.

As this is my first contribution in the Chamber, I thank the people of Dublin Fingal West for placing their confidence in me. I am determined to justify that confidence and will work hard every day to deliver for all of us who live and work in the vibrant constituency of Dublin Fingal West. I also thank my family for their support and encouraging me to actively participate in politics. My dad, Joh…