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those suffering from endometriosis. Despite one in ten women having this condition, there is currently a nine-year delay in diagnosis. This allows the disease free rein to spread, causing irreversible damage to organs. Three weeks ago Senator McCormack, Deputy Cullinane and I hosted a public meeting … lives of these young girls and resulting in high rates of absence from school. Not only do we need adequate treatment, but we also need awareness in schools throughout Ireland to ensure teenage girls are not suffering in silence, that they know they are not alone, and that

turned Rafah itself, once a refuge for almost 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, into a post-apocalyptic wasteland." At the weekend alone, 52 people - children, women and men - were slaughtered in addition to the 51,000 Palestinians already killed, 70% of whom are women and children, and more than … that Israel began its blockade and since then not a single truck carrying food, fuel, medicine or any other essentials has been allowed in no matter how critical. Just in case the Taoiseach or we were in any doubt at all, the defence minister in Israel, Israel Katz

litre fill of home heating oil now costs approximately €1,600, up more than 60 per cent in just the past year alone; — according to the Central Statistics Office, the cost of household energy in Ireland has risen by a whopping 70 per cent in the past five … introducing a €400 energy credit, targeted at households earning up to €70,000. For years, we have been told that the cost-of-living crisis, high energy bills and spiralling households costs are events beyond our control. First, it was the invasion of Ukraine

practical and simple measure but an essential one and I commend the Minister on bringing it forward. It is estimated in Dublin alone, there is planning permission for up to 15,000 units with less than two years left in their lifetime so it makes eminent sense … take place within 18 months of this provision coming into law. That is very welcome. Equally, it is long overdue that time be allowed facilitated for planning permission subject to judicial review. The time that has been lost in the courts and JRs would be given back

took the supports away and made a bad situation worse. That is not just wrong, it is indefensible. This report does not stand alone. On Tuesday, we learned that 317,000 households could not pay their electricity bills. People already falling behind are now being pushed further … lives. It is about people living in cold homes, parents skipping meals so that their children can eat and older people afraid to turn on the heat in their homes. It is about people rationing heat and cutting back on essentials. It is about living with constant anxiety

bills and, just as importantly, meet their neighbours and friends and keep connected to their community. For many older people, those living alone and those who are less comfortable with digital services, the post office remains their most trusted connection with the State and that role should never … people should not have to leave rural Ireland to enjoy the same quality of public services as those living elsewhere. Balanced regional development means investing in the infrastructure that allows people to live, work, raise families and grow older in the communities that they love. The post office

isolating and compounding trauma. The 2025 review of the in camera rule makes that very clear. Parents do not understand what they are allowed to say. Many feel silenced. Many feel that they cannot even seek support. When people feel shut out of a system that is making … When somebody who has lived through what she has lived through, as well as so many other survivors, tells us that the rules that are meant to protect them are actually silencing them, we have to listen and break that silence. Her experience alone is a damning indictment

took place across multiple forums, at European Council meetings, sectoral meetings and bilaterally. We did not focus our efforts on member states alone. There was close and direct dialogue with the European Commission, including during the visit of the trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, in October last year … economic success, our employment base and, essentially, our living standards and that includes those of our rural communities. Our openness to the world and willingness to engage, compete and build partnerships beyond our shores is what has allowed a small island nation to develop a global economic footprint

timelines. I particularly welcome the fact that this is a whole-of-government strategy. Rural development cannot be the responsibility of one Department alone. It requires co-ordination across Government with investment in infrastructure, housing, transport, enterprise, education, health and community services. I wish to highlight a number … centre regeneration and encourage new businesses to establish themselves in rural locations. Our towns and villages should be places where people want to live, shop, work and socialise. I particularly welcome the proposed strategic rural investment initiative to help unlock major capital projects at a regional level

those the Deputy referred to. The redeveloped primary mathematics curriculum of 2023 strengthens this further by including money as a stand-alone strand unit. This allows children to gradually build their understanding of money, its value, its uses and how to work confidently with notes and coins … certificate subjects, financial literacy continues to be strengthened. The revised leaving certificate business specification helps students understand how business connects to their own lives while building financial and business literacy. The draft specification for leaving certificate home economics includes family resource management, where students learn about consumer empowerment

will also develop a child and family homelessness action plan and a whole-of-government homelessness prevention framework. Both will allow for a co-ordinated approach to addressing the root causes of homelessness. I also want to detail some of the action the Government is taking to support … people to get a home and the Government has committed to record levels of direct funding for housing to support this. In 2026 alone, over €9 billion capital funding will be provided through the Exchequer, LDA and Housing Finance Agency. This funding is targeting never before seen levels

Clare alone, 125 notices of termination were received by the RTB in quarter 1 of 2026, compared with 79 in the same period last year. That number is not just a statistic. These are 125 people and families having their lives turned upside down – families living in fear … this time last year. That is a staggering 14% increase on top of soaring energy bills, childcare costs and rising costs of living. Many renters are paying far more than the average. In our constituency offices we are meeting young couples who are both working full-time

professionals. Two further events are planned later this year. That engagement is important. Care pathways are not an abstract policy tool. For people living with rare diseases, they mean the difference between joined-up care and fragmentation; between clarity and confusion; and between confidence and crisis. We must … improving and the implementation plan addresses those issues directly. For far too many families, however, their experience is still one of navigating complexity alone. When I launched the national rare diseases strategy last August, a phrase that really stuck with me, which I understand captures the experience

women. One project under our aid for maternal health in Mozambique has saved the lives of 5,000 mothers in one year alone. These are lives saved because we chose to act. Similar projects in Sudan go against the unfortunate tide of death ripping through that country … throughout the country. Therefore, I implore the Minister of State to continue to aid these women and to focus on these issues so lives may be saved and further tragedies prevented. Our Government continues - I am very grateful for this - to assist in countries in humanitarian need. Even

civil partnership with the relevant owner at the time the legislation was brought in and subsequently, for example, separated but is still living in that property - I know there are a small number of such cases - can avail of the scheme and get his or her current home … different people who have been brought to his attention. That is something I have been working on with him. Another important step allows two semi-detached builds to be progressed at the same time rather than having to be done separately, which created many issues

what the solutions are. It is bread and circuses to distract from the lack of action to permanently cut the cost of living and address the crisis in energy prices, incomes and child property across too many homes in this rich country. The Tánaiste that told us that … case, that it is a disgrace that this Government has dropped its commitment to introducing a living wage by the end of this term. A headline was even allowed to fester over the weekend, that threatened, for the first time since the creation of the Low Pay Commission

once-off cost-of-living packages we did because of successful management of the economy in recent years. I take serious issue with the Deputy's assertion there has been a failure to invest in public services. Let us take education alone. This September, for the first time … highest level ever and this has benefited approximately 138,000 carers. Last week, the income level disregard for the carer's allowance was increased, meaning more people qualify for the allowance and more than 5,000 carers will receive an increase in their payment. The back to school

that prices are too high, yet they are rising higher and higher year after year under his Government. In just four years alone, prices have jumped by €100,000 across the State. How can you stand over this? To buy a typical home in Dublin now requires … plan their lives. They watch their 30s slip away while prices surge further out of reach. They feel locked out not because they have failed but because the system has failed them. This is a social emergency now. Just last night, the Government voted to allow vulture funds

fuel prices by so much during a cost-of-living crisis. Much of the increased prices we pay in this country are as a result of Government actions. The Government is an architect of the cost-of-living crisis. It is implementing measures that are adding to inflation … highest ever, in the jaws of a cost-of-living crisis. This tax, which is now the biggest fuel tax in the country, hardly existed five years ago. The Government took €4.3 billion in fuel taxes alone last year. It is eye-watering stuff. The citizens of this

maintaining the financial sustainability of the network into the future; — since 2022, passengers have benefited from a 20 per cent cost of living fare reduction, extension of the 90-minute fare, a 50 per cent discount for Young Adults and Students, free travel for children under nine years … Transport Authority (NTA) manage rising operating costs, improve capacity and reliability on existing services, and continue the rollout of new services; — in 2025 alone, 363.5 million passenger journeys were made on the Transport For Ireland network – this level of demand places significant pressure on the funding required

night and into the day again. They are exhausted, frightened and in pain. These are people who have worked hard all their lives. They have raised their families. They are the people who built this country, and it is shameful that an elderly person has to go through … clearly that recruitment restrictions are preventing them from filling essential posts, and this is putting patients' safety at risk. In the mid-west alone, there are 350 vacant posts. Management is reporting that it has been unable to recruit since last June because of the HSE's employment

called voluntary contribution or, increasingly, an expensive digital device simply to ensure their child can participate fully in class. Digital devices alone cost hundreds of euro - up to €800. The Government insists they are not needed and not mandatory but guidance without enforcement offers no comfort … Instead of easing the pressure, this Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport charges and reduced a range of cost-of-living supports for schools and for families. Parents continue to subsidise the education system through so-called voluntary contributions because schools remain chronically underfunded. Principals

caveats noted, the Deputies may wish to learn that the first new recruits from the September 2024 recruitment campaign have been carrying out live tests since April, with a second tranche entering training this week and a third to commence training before the end of May. With additional … possible, particularly in view of the mismatch between testing capacity and demand. In late 2023, the driver testing booking system was updated to allow for unused test slots to be made available for candidates to take up at short notice. The RSA makes such appointments available for candidates

people in the Six Counties or those who live along the Border. Businesses faced unnecessary barriers and investment and infrastructure became fragmented. Both often stopped at the Border. We can change all of that. We can create opportunity and allow business to flourish. I agree with the Tánaiste … again. I agree entirely with him on that but the real question is this. The preparation needs to be led not alone by a singular figure in Government - by the Tánaiste or his political party Fine Gael. It needs to be led collectively by all of them

kinds of names when we mentioned it and pointed out the mistake and foolish policy which was unsustainable. To think in Clonmel alone, 40 modular homes were built. I sat down with the OPW and the builders Sisk and the Department's integration team. I was guaranteed these … this but the Government has increased it by putting on this charge to do repairs. Rogue suppliers and bad supervision allowed this. It is an unbelievable situation. The Government now thinks there is a golden egg in the short-term lets of people who have gone into holiday