Aidan Farrelly

That is the Deputy’s time up.

It is time for Tusla to undergo a complete and independent review. I have heard from too many social workers in Tusla who are worried about the reforms recently undertaken. We have heard from too many judges who are frustrated at a lack of action regarding court orders and, most recently, we have heard from too many young people who have shared their harrowing experiences of involvement in State c…

I thank the Minister of State for being here this evening to take this question. I appreciate that. The Minister of State will not need me to tell him that the people of Kildare and the eastern region are sincerely sick and tired of waking up to dry taps. In Kildare, in particular, we have had such consistent outages over the past number of weeks and months in many different areas that frustration…

I thank the Minister of State for that response. Even in Kildare, you can see the impact of that funding. You can see the works happening from a capital perspective, whether it is roadworks or significant works that are happening to unlock that residential development within the county. The problem is we are midway through that in Kildare and I wonder whether the capacity is increasing at reservoi…

We now enter a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the Minister of State.

I thank the Minister of State. We are getting through time so let us keep to it. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.

The last couple of Deputies will have 30 seconds each to make sure we get everybody in. I call Deputy Healy-Rae.

This is not a back-and-forth, Deputy.

I thank the Minister of State. We have three minutes left and three Deputies identifying. They have 30 seconds each. I call Deputy Ó Murchú.

There is no back and forth, Deputy. We are way over time. I invite the Minister of State to make his closing remarks.

I fully support the measures the Taoiseach has outlined. The target of 3% is commendable. Ultimately, we should be working towards a complete eradication of child poverty. While that is aspirational, it should be the target. This time last year, many rumours abounded about the inclusion of a second tier of child benefit as part of budget 2026. Ultimately, it did not make the cut. Can the Taoiseach…

I thank the Minister for being here. The collective complacency of this Government has truly been astonishing. It might have survived the confidence motion yesterday but it certainly lost something. It lost some credibility. When we look back on yesterday, we will regard it as the beginning of the Government losing its mandate. Less than two years ago, the Government went to the people of Ireland…

I thank the Minister of State for still being present. I join with the congratulations offered to the women's national team on their heroic victory this week. I wish them the very best. I join with my colleagues and friends in offering our full solidarity to Deputy Byrne this evening. I would like to speak to the Minister of State about Tadgh, Nathan, Cian, Jack, Sam, Morgan - bear with me - Dami…

Chair, a bit of order.

A bit of order, Chair.

A review of income used by Naas General Hospital under the National Treatment Purchase Fund has found that consultants were paid €2 million between 2022 and 2025. Of this, close to €500,000 was paid to two external companies, in which a director in each company also works as a consultant at Tallaght hospital. The audit found that consultants were paid significantly higher levels under the fee-per-…

I acknowledge the work done by Deputy O'Flynn and the rest of Independent Ireland and thank them for introducing this motion. Ultimately, the Minister of State might have seen from some of the debate beforehand that there seems to be consensus about some things in this motion and a difference of opinion on others. A consensus has been reached when it comes to the acumen, personal qualities and pro…

Last week, I appealed to the Tánaiste to intervene on behalf of the 400 children and teachers in St. Patrick's national school in Celbridge. What we know today is that the school is closed. The Department of education knew about the problems in the school as far back as last summer. The Tánaiste has been at pains to tell us this morning that he has capital. The community of Celbridge needs capital…

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you, Minister.

Minister-----

Minister, no one interrupted-----

Thank you, Members.

No one interrupted you, Minister. Thank you.

Yes. Take your time.