Alan Dillon
Mayo · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Landlords are generally not in a position to supervise day-to-day waste management practices within occupied properties. The Government therefore has significant concerns regarding both the practicality and effectiveness of these provisions.”
“The Government has commissioned an independent study to examine the feasibility of moving Ireland's household waste collection system from the current side-by-side competition model to a franchise-based system. That study is examining the environmental, economic, operational and consumer implications of alternative market structures.”
“If the evidence supports significant changes to the market structure, the Government will consider those recommendations carefully. If the evidence suggests improvements can be achieved through strengthened regulation, enhanced enforcement or targeted reforms within the existing framework, those options should also be considered.”
“We also want to see a well-designed waste collection system that not only delivers environmental benefits but also provides householders with the opportunity to reduce their own household waste costs through reducing residual waste, correctly segregating recyclable materials and correctly segregating organic materials.”
“We have a lack of capacity so we need to continue that, and investment certainty is really important in that regard but also to enable Ireland to meet both our national and European obligations, which are far reaching. These will all benefit from a stable and predictable policy framework.”
“Ireland requires continued investment across the waste and resource sector. We need investment in collection infrastructure, recycling capacity, material recovery technologies, organic waste treatment, digital systems and innovation. Those making long-term investments require certainty regarding Government policy.”
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“The multi-annual capital strategy aligns with the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 and the new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. As the Senator has outlined, Teach an Saol is a vital initiative to provide long-term intensive rehabilitation for people with severe acquired injuries, reducing their reliance on institutional care and promoting independence. The project is progressing through the HSE's capital approval process to ensure compliance with the strategic health investment framework. Phase 1, comprising therapy and social hubs, has passed through the alignment process and is with the HSE capital planning expert group for consideration. If approved, a capital submission for funding from 2026 onwards will proceed. HSE capital and estates is working closely with An Saol to advance this.”
“I sincerely thank Senator Fitzpatrick for raising this important issue and for the opportunity to provide an update on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is, unfortunately, abroad at the G20 forum. The Government shares Senator Fitzpatrick's commitment to improving disability services and ensuring individuals with severe acquired brain injuries receive both the care and rehabilitation they need. In budget 2026, €43 million has been allocated for disabilities capital projects, representing a 60% increase on the figure for 2025. Under the national development plan, capital ceilings will rise to €74 million by 2030, enabling a €278 million investment over five years.”
“This initiative complements the urban regeneration and development fund, URDF. In the Senator's town, Ballina, we have seen a huge regeneration project around the old military barracks. This was opened last year. In Castlebar, we had URDF funding for the old post office, the Imperial Hotel and the military barracks. In time, we would like to see the living city initiative complement this and be expanded further. We need more initiatives under URDF calls 4 and 5 to support local authorities in bringing old buildings back into use. Again, I compliment Senator Duffy on his raising of this matter.”
“I acknowledge and compliment Senator Duffy in regard to this important debate. It will present an opportunity when the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, appears before the Seanad. We support all the ambitions to tackle the scourge of dereliction and vacancy. While I understand the call to include more towns outside the specific growth areas contained within the national planning framework, at present the scope is very much guided by the national development plan, NDP. The recent initiatives, such as removing age restrictions on converting commercial properties for residential use, and updating the qualifying age for older buildings from 1915 to 1975, will be important. Many people will understand the challenges for developers in converting over-the-shop residential units and the associated costs. Anything that can be used as a lever is important.”
“The Minister for Finance has also outlined his determination and commitment to use every lever and use tax, planning and investment to tackle vacancy and dereliction. The living city initiative is evolving to meet that challenge. I look forward to working with Senators to ensure it is successful.”
“That is giving greater flexibility to both businesses and homeowners. We are removing outdated restrictions, including the ban on property developers. Crucially, the Minister for Finance has committed to extending the scheme to five regional centres under the national planning framework, namely, Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo. These towns have played a strategic role in balanced regional development. The Minister has made the extension very clear. It is grounded in the national planning framework, which prioritises these centres. At present, there is no plan to extend beyond these towns, but the upcoming Seanad debate will allow further debate in that regard.”
“That is being amended currently, with the aim of bringing more buildings back into residential use. The Bill is currently in Committee Stage in the Dáil and it will come before the Seanad on Second Stage. That will be important with regard to having an input into that initiative. In the Finance Bill, the principal aims are to improve the uptake and impact of the initiative. We are extending the scheme until 2030. We are reducing the building age rule from 1915 to 1975, which will dramatically increase the number of eligible properties. We are also introducing a new living-over-the-shop category that will have no age restriction and will unlock mixed use conversion. We are increasing the relief cap to €300,000 per undertaking in line with the EU state aid policy, where it allows claims for over two and up to ten years.”
“I thank Senator Duffy for raising this important issue and for his constructive suggestions in regard to the living city initiative. I think everyone in both Houses shares the same ambition about bringing more vibrancy, sustainability and revitalisation to our urban centres to meet the housing needs of the future and support social and economic needs within our towns. The living city initiative is, as the Senator said, a targeted tax incentive that is designed to bring people and businesses back into the heart of our cities, preserving historic buildings and revitalising urban centres. It is not just about a tax relief; it is about breathing new life back into areas that have suffered decline, while also supporting housing and strengthening communities. We are making significant changes through the Finance Bill 2025.”
“From speaking to the Minister, I know he then wants to consider how best to progress the report's recommendations. I am sure the Opposition will accuse us of moving too quickly, and not taking time to address that and make the appropriate amendments to the Arts Act 2003. I will ensure that the Minister is made aware of all of the contributions from Deputies.”
“That is sensible given the considerations and legislative changes that will be required within the arts Act. That would only be appropriate in the context of what we are discussing today. The Minister has made it clear, and from listening to the many contributions today, we do want to see a more inclusive approach adopted by the Arts Council. Deputy Brennan talked about that and about other sectors also being included, namely, country music, amateur dramatics and comedy. We have many wide forms of arts here that have been excluded and that are not funded or supported. We need to look at this holistically in that regard. I know the Minster believes that is best addressed in the broader reform of the Arts Council and, as I said, on receipt of that report of the expert advisory committee, which is due for completion very soon.”
“I thank all the Deputies for their very informative contributions and the obvious passion they have towards this subject. It is great to hear some people's passion not just for the sector itself, but through having past experience in it. It is incumbent on us all to recognise the world-class arts sector we have, both amateur and professional. That is recognised internationally and domestically. It is the ambition of the Government and the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, that it continues into the future and is supported. I am aware that over the lifetime of this Government the Minister wants to support the sector and, as previously stated in relation to this Private Members' Bill, he has sought and received Government approval on the timed amendment on the basis that he is awaiting the outcome of the review of the expert advisory committee.”
“The Minister will then consider how best to progress the report's recommendations, including making any appropriate amendments to the Arts Act 2003. For this reason, the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, believes it is prudent to defer further consideration until the outcome of the review from the expert advisory committee. To facilitate that, the Government has agreed that a timed amendment of 18 months to this Bill is necessary. Again, on my behalf and that of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his interest in this matter. The Minister looks forward to working with him on a broader package of reforms for the Arts Council in due course.”
“He intends to enable the Arts Council to modernise and adapt to both the cultural and artistic needs of Ireland going forward. To commence this process, the Minister has asked his officials to engage with the Arts Council to begin consideration on how it will widen the range of art forms it supports. While the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, agrees with the intent of Deputy Ó Snodaigh's Bill, he believes that it is best to address this as part of the broader reform of the Arts Council. Accordingly, he intends to await the report from the expert advisory committee on the Arts Council, which is due for completion in the coming weeks. Given the scale of the failings within the Arts Council, it is vital that the response is not only comprehensive but also far-reaching and underpinned by transparent and rigorous analysis.”
“Assurance is required that the culture of the Arts Council, at all levels, is open, transparent and engaged with all stakeholders both internal and external and in a manner that is appropriate to its statutory remit to deliver the arts. As the Minister has said previously at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, once the review of the governance of culture in the Arts Council is concluded, it is his intention to examine how the activities of the Arts Council can be widened to support more art forms. He has made it clear, and he will continue to do so, that he wants to see a more inclusive approach adopted by the Arts Council and a wider range of art forms funded and supported, with no form excluded from support, including comedy.”
“He has also been clear about the failures that must be addressed to safeguard public funding and prevent a recurrence of issues that have arisen. This review is essential in addressing failings within the Arts Council and to put it on a solid footing for the future so that it can continue to perform the very valuable role in supporting and developing Irish arts and culture. Alongside the review, the Arts Council has continued its day-to-day work in supporting Irish artists during the review process, and the Minister is very clear that artists will not suffer due to the failings of the council. To restore trust and confidence in the Arts Council, its corporate governance framework must be fit for purpose to support the delivery of its statutory responsibilities.”
“This project, which failed to deliver - at a cost of €6.675 million - has given rise to fundamental questions about governance within the Arts Council. While the report on the ICT project clearly sets out the background to the project, it also points to a broader range of more fundamental questions about governance and culture within the Arts Council. Accordingly, the Minister subsequently set up an external review of the governance and the organisational culture in the Arts Council to Government. He appointed three experts with a strong background in governance of large and complex organisations to the committee, namely, Professor Niamh Brennan, who is the chair, and Dr. Margaret Cullen and Mr. John McCarthy. The Minister is grateful for their efforts in undertaking this critical task and looks forward to receiving their recommendations.”
“Support also continues in 2026 for the national cultural institutions, Culture Ireland and Creative Ireland. Screen Ireland's funding has also been increased to support its work in making Ireland a competitive destination for Screen Ireland production. Regarding the Arts Council, in budget 2026, the Minister maintained record funding for the council. This is in the context of funding for the Arts Council having increased by over 130% since 2015. However, the Minister wants to await the outcome of the ongoing external review before considering further increasing the Arts Council's budget. As the Deputies will be aware, the Arts Council 2023 annual report and financial statements were submitted to Government last February with a report on the unsuccessful IT project at the council.”
“The Government continues its support for the arts and culture and places great value on culture and the arts sector. In the programme for Government, we recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunity for education, expression and community engagement. The arts and culture programme of the Minister's Department aims to support the development of the arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities. The provision of over €384 million in budget 2026 for the arts and culture programme will maintain and increase funding right across a range of key initiatives. In particular, the Minister will bring a successor scheme for the basic income for the arts pilot to Government with the intention of embedding a permanent basic income in the arts and culture sector.”
“I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: "Dáil Éireann resolves that the Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024 be deemed to be read a second time this day eighteen months, on the grounds that this amendment is premature as the Minister proposes to await the report of the Expert Advisory Committee on the Arts Council before giving consideration to what legislative changes to the Arts Act 2003 would be appropriate.". I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for his opening comments. The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, is unavailable, unfortunately, to be here this evening due to prior commitments and sends his apologies. He has asked me to step in in his absence.”
“We want to continue to support the likes of St. Michael’s House. Over 1,200 services are being funded by HSE Dublin north county and Dublin city and west, including many in the Deputy’s constituency. I assure him that the Department is working alongside service providers such as St. Michael’s House and the HSE to address these challenges and to support providers right across the country to carry out the vital work they do in the delivery of services to those with a disability.”
“The action plan for disability services out to 2026 is designed to provide additional funding but also to help build capacity within the services and meet the future needs around residential placements through the provision of over 900 residential care places to tackle not just the current need but also the unmet need, and also to ensure that supply keeps pace with demand because while one bed may be filled this week, another bed may be required next week. We have seen progress in 2024. Last year, over 220 new additional residential places were delivered. As of August this year, we had over 142 new residential places. In the most recent budget, an allocation of over €65 million in additional funding was secured for additional disability residential responses. That will be set out in the HSE’s national service plan for 2026.”
“Again, I agree with the Deputy. I think we are all in agreement that we do need to commit to tackling the waiting lists. That is why we have a dedicated Minister of State with responsibility for disability at the Cabinet, working within the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, as part of the wider Government response to increase the number of residential places and improve capacity within the sector as a whole.”
“It is important to recognise that the HSE faces significant challenges with regard to increasing the provision of residential placements, namely, the availability of suitable housing, staffing, the increasing cost of providing residential care, the changing needs of service users and regulation. In order to address these challenges, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the Department of housing, as well as the HSE, to explore various ways of responding to demand to provide suitable living solutions that give people with disabilities greater independence and choice in their daily lives.”
“Michael's House to provide specialist disability supports to those who require them and to continue to support people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, with a person-centred approach across all services provided. The Deputy will be aware that the significant demand for specialist disability services across all regional health areas nationally exceeds what can currently be provided. This is reflective of the additional 20% budget that has been provided. While the Department is working alongside the HSE to move towards more planned provision in residential services, the nature and level of demand is such that the placements delivered tend to be in response to shorter term priority needs.”
“In 2026, this means continued support for people currently accessing residential services and an additional €65 million to support the delivery of additional residential responses and supports for adults and children with disabilities. Residential service delivery expectations will be confirmed in the coming weeks in the forthcoming HSE national service plan for 2026. The Deputy raised a specific case in St. Michael's House. It is a pivotal provider of disability support, particularly much-needed residential supports. I am informed by the HSE that the organisation provides residential supports to 410 adults and a small number of children with disabilities across 79 centres, mostly in Dublin and the wider Leinster area. It is the intention of this Government to continue to support organisations such as St.”
“In acknowledgement of this, the programme for Government commits to tackling waiting lists for specialist disability services by progressively implementing the action plan for disability services out to 2026 and resourcing and delivering on its targets. In budget 2026, the Government has allocated a record €3.8 billion to disability services, reflecting our commitment to the expansion of services to meet the needs of people with disabilities. This represents an increase of almost 20% year on year and an overall increase of €1.8 billion since 2020. Approximately €2.21 billion of the funding secured will enable the Department to deliver residential services for over 9,000 disabled people, enabling them to live as independently as possible in their local communities.”
“I thank Deputy Hearne for raising this important issue and for offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, who is not here today. Increasing the provision of disability residential services is a key priority for the Government and the HSE. All Deputies across the House will have specific cases relating to the many families who are finding challenges in this regard. There has been significant investment in residential services throughout the tenure of this Government. We are very aware of the need for increased service provision within the disability sector.”
“That is not taking away from the importance of this capital infrastructure required for HSE south west. Securing funding under the capital plan will be critical to the decision-making process for this to proceed. I will take that back and I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.”
“I acknowledge the Deputy's advocacy for this important health hub. We all recognise the need to respond on a nationwide basis to the health needs of people who are homeless. That includes areas outside Dublin and, to the Deputy's point, including Cork city will be a critical investment for the HSE. I will reiterate to all the Ministers in the Department of Health the need for support for this proposal. The engagement with HSE south west and Cork City Council is ongoing in terms of preparing a funding model. We will in the coming weeks understand the provisions within the new HSE capital plan and these decisions will be made. In budget 2026, over €1.5 million has been provided to improve access to health services for people living in emergency accommodation.”
“The provision of the service shall reduce the need for emergency department presentations. The integrated inclusion health hub would centralise all services for people who are homeless in one location, remove barriers and increase accessibility and engagement with healthcare services. It will also help to mitigate premature deaths among people who are homeless, with 20 such deaths recorded in the Cork region since 2020. HSE south west has engaged with HSE Estates to assess the business case, with a view to securing funds in the capital plan. I am advised that HSE south west is working with Cork City Council to agree on a shared stakeholder funding model for the hub, with a view to ensuring optimal value for money. A revised proposal will be prepared once the funding model has been agreed by Cork City Council and HSE south west.”
“The plan commits to providing funding to expand addiction care facilities for people experiencing homelessness, under section 7 on cross-care services. The integrated inclusion health hub in Cork City is a joint initiative between Cork City Council and HSE south west aimed at addressing the health and social needs of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Cork. As the Deputy is aware, this facility is designed to align with international best practice and to offer a comprehensive range of health and social services tailored to meet the unique needs of homeless families and individuals and those at risk of homelessness. This hub will provide a service centred around the basic needs of the clients presenting, but with a focus on homelessness, housing and migration, and it will be aligned with health.”
“The Department provided almost €50 million to the HSE for the provision of healthcare services for people who are homeless in 2025. This is an increase of €14 million since 2020. The HSE national strategic plan to improve the health of people experiencing homelessness in Ireland out to 2027 prioritises integrated care and case management, assertive outreach supports and mental health and addiction supports in its provision of health services to people who are homeless. The HSE capital plan for 2025 provides €1.3 billion for healthcare buildings and equipment that are delivering benefits all over the country. This significant investment in health infrastructure underlines the Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare in an equitable way to all those who need it.”
“I thank Deputy Burke for raising this important matter. I know how passionate he is about this integrated homeless health hub. I have heard him speak about it on many occasions, as he has again today. I welcome the opportunity to take this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Health and to inform the House of the current position relating to the provision of an integrated homeless health hub in Cork city. Cork city has a huge population. The Minister recognises that the health needs of people experiencing homelessness are complex and multifaceted. The Department of Health is committed to strengthening integrated care pathways for people who are, unfortunately, homeless and who have chronic health needs, based on an inclusion health model to achieve better health outcomes and reduce the incidence of premature death.”
“It is incumbent on us all to continue to raise the level of ambition and to ensure that the revised national development plan, to which over €275 billion has been assigned out to 2035, is delivered in full right across the country.”
“It is really important that they are detailed and that they include reference to Kildare North in many sectors, including transport. As the Deputy said earlier, if large-scale developments are being built, that development should be transport-oriented and support public transport, including rail and roads. It is also important that these announcements are not just published in isolation but as part of a collective plan. As a Government, we are very focused on increasing capital development and accelerating delivery. It is important that, through the newly established infrastructure development unit, we see these projects not only being announced but being progressed through the planning and procurement stages and delivered at pace.”
“The Deputy raises some very important points. I assure him that investment to improve our infrastructure and accelerate infrastructure delivery is a key priority of this Government. As I said earlier, over the coming weeks Ministers will publish their capital investment plans for the next five years. As the Deputy has said, it is critically important that Kildare North features heavily in many of these plans. The Deputy mentioned Garda stations, primary care centres and community centres. We need developments with that type of orientation. It is critically important. The national planning framework has been published. I am sure extensive work has been done on commuter bands and on areas where there is a requirement for additional health services, schools and public amenities. I look forward to seeing these investment plans.”
“They will outline the projects to be prioritised for delivery over the next five years from the increased NDP investment, and will provide further detail to the Deputy on the capital programme and projects to be delivered right across the country, including in Kildare North.”
“This includes investment in projects in north Kildare such as the development of student accommodation at Maynooth University; the protection and renewal of the heavy rail network and fleet renewal; the development of the DART+ programme; the progression of the Grand Canal greenway; investment in the eastern and midlands region water supply project; the progression of Uisce Éireann's Enfield to Kilcock trunk main project and Leixlip water treatment plant upgrade; and the development of smaller projects in north Kildare across sectors including schools, housing and cultural areas. Further to the announcement of the 2026 capital priorities on budget day, Ministers will publish their sectoral capital plans this month.”
“Numerous small projects have also been delivered or are planned for north Kildare in the housing, education and cultural sectors, including the delivery of hundreds of new housing units over recent years across towns such as Naas, Maynooth and Kilcock. The budget published in October lays out an Exchequer capital expenditure allocation of €19.1 billion, which is an increase of €2 billion on 2025, for increased infrastructure projects and programmes right across the country.”
“As well as the core housing and competitive objectives, the Government recognises that the delivery of essential infrastructure is a key driver for enabling and fostering balanced regional development. The NDP investment aligns with the national planning framework, Ireland’s planning and spatial strategy, to form Project Ireland 2040, which is an overarching national strategy for social, economic and cultural development. Since Project Ireland 2040 was first launched in 2018, the Government has overseen the delivery of many impactful NDP projects across the country. This includes projects in Kildare North such as the widening of the M7 between Naas and Newbridge; the Sallins bypass; the Maynooth University technology, society and innovation building; a new 1,000-pupil post-primary school in Naas Community College; and Naas library.”
“It is estimated that total capital investment in 2025 will be close to €17 billion by the end of the year. This represents the highest annual spend to date in the country and this level of investment is going to increase even further. The revised NDP published in July sets out over €275 billion in public capital investment out to 2035. It is the largest and most significant capital injection in our economy in the history of the State. The Government has prioritised investment towards critical growth-enabling sectors, mainly housing, energy, water and transport, in line with the ambitions in the review to enable the delivery of over 300,000 new homes and to boost our economic competitiveness.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I compliment him on his passion and advocacy for key infrastructure projects in his constituency and for raising the requirement for investment in infrastructure, and its delivery, to become key priorities for the Government. He earlier raised the issues with large-scale renewable energy projects so this very much follows from that. As highlighted in the programme for Government, delivery of essential infrastructure is a key driver in ensuring our economy’s competitiveness and resilience. In the past five years more than €65 billion has been invested in capital infrastructure projects across the country to improve people’s lives, including through the national development plan.”
“As the Deputy mentioned, the school has requested an SNA review in recent days. That is very welcome. I hope that is responded to and advanced as quickly as possible. In any case, it is very important at this time of year that schools are supported and SNA resources are allocated in a timely manner to support students who require care. I again thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to the Chamber.”
“Again, I thank Deputy O'Rourke for giving me an opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister for education and her Department. I appreciate the frustration the Deputy has expressed about the alignment of the NCSE, the SENO and the school. It should not have to be the case that the Deputy has to come in here and express his dissatisfaction with the fact the school has been put in this position. It is incumbent on us all to ensure the system becomes more streamlined, more agile and more responsive. It should be the case that the NCSE, which is in the position of advising and co-ordinating the education provision for children with special educational needs, and any school can discuss these matters in an orderly fashion. I will take the matters the Deputy has raised and relay them to the Minister.”
“The Department of Education and Youth and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system of the highest quality, where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.”
“I can confirm to the Deputy that in relation to the school referred to by him, Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne, the NCSE has advised that it has been communicating with the school on the deployment of its SNA allocation within the school. The school has also requested the NCSE adviser support in the area of behaviour, on the recommendation of the NCSE’s special educational needs organiser, SENO. The NCSE has confirmed this support was provided to the school in October. The NCSE has further advised that the school submitted a further request for an SNA review in recent days and this will be progressed by the NCSE.”
“The NCSE manages the allocation of the SNAs to schools and it is its responsibility to ensure these resources are allocated to children with the greatest level of need. The NCSE advised each school in June of its allocation for the 2025-2026 school year. Each year, schools are advised of their SNA supports, which indicates the NCSE will undertake reviews to ensure SNAs are allocated to the children with the greatest level of need. Such reviews can see an increase or reduction in the level of support or no change in allocation. This has always been part of the work of the NCSE and is necessary in order to ensure resources are allocated in line with the level of need.”
“Special needs assistants, SNAs, play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools by helping to ensure that these students can access an education that enables them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential. By the end of this year, there will be over 23,000 SNAs working in our education system, committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs. The number of SNAs available for allocation has continued to increase annually, resulting in a significant increase in the number of SNAs employed by schools. Budget 2026 provides for a further 1,717 SNA posts, which will bring the total number of SNAs to close to 25,000 by the end of 2026.”
“I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this Topical Issue in the Chamber. Like the Deputy, I share the same ambition on the delivery of inclusive education in our communities and I commend him on raising this important matter. The Government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs.”
“Again, we are working on how we can build additional capacity into our recycling systems to avoid the additional exportation of PET. I will say that Re-Turn has been good to work with. It is very efficient. It is a retail-led scheme. We have seen the success of it. It has been widely recognised. We are exploring avenues in regard to how we make use of the unredeemed deposits. The establishment of a recycling bottle-to-bottle plant will be an important part of how we deal with the additional consistent supply of high-quality PET, and it makes the investment viable. No decision has been made in that regard yet. We are working through that with Re-Turn, and we will make that decision known in due course.”