Ruth Coppinger

The question was on the European Union.

I am asking the Minister to do what was done in the 1970s. I certainly will not apologise because we need social housing to be built on a massive scale. There is no other solution to end this housing crisis. I was in the Dáil over ten years ago. Housing was the huge issue then, but it seems to be so inconsequential to the Government now. I thought it was bad then but now it is unbelievable, in com…

It does seem like a bit of a pointless exercise, to be frank, to be making statements into the void but how and ever, we shall plough on. In regard to International Women's Day, far from the flowers and candy, in Italy there will be a general strike to coincide with International Women's Day, involving transport, education, healthcare and other workers. In Argentina, tens of thousands will again m…

I will first register that we are again here, months after the general election, to make statements. We need to move on. The Government is complaining about a lack of Dáil business. We are making statements into a void and nothing will actually happen afterwards. I live in a working class community where crime is an issue and I represent many communities where it is an issue. People certainly hav…

The Taoiseach should deal with the issues.

These tales are so interesting.

7. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach to report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [9485/25]

I want to ask the Taoiseach about the impact on wellness of an increased militaristic policy.

Militaristic policy. It is proposed that Ireland's budget for military spending will eventually increase from €1.3 billion to €3 billion. The decision to drop the triple lock is coming at the expense of people on lower incomes, education, disability, housing, refuges for domestic violence, etc. Earlier, the Taoiseach bemoaned that we are living in a world that is becoming increasingly brutal, mili…

Is this good for wellness?

And on St. Patrick’s Day?

15. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach the way the new disability unit within his Department will function. [7941/25]

It has been a year since the fateful referendum on disability, where disabled people chose to organise against that referendum to bring home the State's responsibility. What has the Taoiseach done in that year? I will just mention my own local area because of time constraints. Danu special school, the only special school in all of Dublin West, promised places to students for September 2024. Those …

2. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education if she agrees that the demographics are such in Dublin 15 that there is a need to maintain a school (details supplied) at its existing location and for extra capacity in the Tyrellstown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7671/25]

I know the Minister is new to her brief so she may not be familiar with these locations. With regard to Ériu Community College, the Department of Education took an arbitrary decision to move the school from its temporary location to an area 8 km away until such time as it gets its permanent location. The Minister knows that in a suburban area of Dublin, that has a huge impact. I ask her to change …

The reality is that both areas need secondary schools. I will give the demographics. With all due respect, the Department of Education has had an inglorious history of misplanning educational need in this area and, I am sure, in many others. Ongar, where Ériu Community College is currently located, had the highest birth rate in 2024, according to the CSO. Some 32% of the population is under 18, so…

There are TDs in the area from the Minister's own party demanding the schools. This is not just the Opposition. There is unanimity that both locations need schools. If the Minister is telling parents they have to go to Tyrellstown from the Ongar catchment, which is a different catchment, does she have transport lined up? I have already sent her Department a group of parents who have no transport b…

It is called "passionate".

They can ask questions at their party meeting.

They have the Fine Gael Party meeting.

We know.

It is up to your Government. It is all about money.

Do not use your brother now.

I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that gender-based violence is a global pandemic and the greatest threat to the health of women and girls worldwide, a woman or girl is killed by a partner or family member every 10 minutes; in this State: — since 1996, 274 women have died violently, up to 7th February, 2025; — 52 per cent of women have experienced sex…

I apologise; I did not realise I was out of time. I can take this up later. May I just mention that we have the brother of Valerie French here today? It is very important that Valerie's law is moved on and enacted.