Ann Graves
Dublin Fingal East · Sinn Féin · Ireland
“These costs, details of which were provided by the Irish League of Credit Unions and Zurich, are forcing many parents into debt. Added to them are growing digital costs. According to Barnardos, the average cost of digital devices for second level has reached €430. That is up from €221 a couple of years ago.”
“At this time of year and with the great weather we are having, families should be planning holidays or spending days at the beach or elsewhere. Instead, for a growing number of families, this is a time of stress. They are already worrying about the cost of their children going back to school in September.”
“The Government has reintroduced State examination fees, increased school transport fees, cut the back-to-school clothes and footwear scheme and removed the cost-of-living payments for schools and the double child benefit payment. Many schools still do not provide hot lunches for kids.”
“I strongly support this motion which seeks to provide clear, identified and funded pathways for people with intellectual disabilities to move from home to a suitable residential placement and which supports the campaign by Before We Die, a family-led advocacy group seeking urgent ring-fenced Government funding for residential care and hou…”
“This fear is very real. Over 2,000 adults with an intellectual disability live with parents aged 70 or over, with 500 of those over 80. Some parents are providing full-time care into their 90s.”
“Ireland has committed to protecting the rights of people with disabilities through legislation and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention recognises the rights of people with disabilities to live independently and be included in the community.”
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“Ireland stands for peace with justice. We must lead the demands for negotiations, and Ireland must be prepared to use its influence to facilitate those negotiations. Our own history shows that conflict, no matter how intractable it appears, can only be resolved through talks and negotiations. In fact, our peace process proves it is only through talks that the seeds of peace can be sown. Current conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, are heartbreaking. These conflicts must be brought to a just resolution. Sadly, bullets and bombs make huge profits for the warmongers. Only yesterday, Germany resumed exporting weapons to Israel, having partially suspended their export in August this year. By March 2024, the US and EU had supplied a combined total of €246 billion in military aid to Ukraine.”
“It is time to reiterate our call for a sustainable, permanent and just outcome to the war through a negotiated peace settlement. The cost of this war is paid in human misery. Those who suffer the most have no control over the war itself. Siegfried Sassoon’s “Base Details” paints the picture: those who make the decisions about war do so from the safety of bunkers, far removed from the front line. Sadly, this applies to war in Ukraine as much as it did during the First World War, when the poem was written. As we look around the world, we see the terrible cost to civilians during wars, particularly women and children. In the genocide in Gaza, the war in Sudan and the war here in Europe, it is civilians who carry the burden of casualties, as well as the decision to try to flee the warzones. Today, the message from the Dáil is clear.”
“This will require putting the interests of the people of the region above other geopolitical interests, including the profit-motivated interests of the armaments industries. These negotiations must include Ukraine. There can be nothing agreed without the consent of Kyiv. Ireland must use its position as a neutral state to aid these efforts. The war in Ukraine is taking a terrible toll on the people of the region. Total civilian casualties from January to October 2025 are 27% higher than during the same period last year. Today, the Ukrainian Government confirmed that as many soldiers have deserted the army as are in the entire Ukrainian army. Security forces are rounding up men to force them to fight at the front.”
“Almost 140,000 Ukrainians fled to Ireland seeking sanctuary from the war in their homeland. Many want to return home as soon as peace breaks out but over 80,000 have remained here, making Ireland their home. Sinn Féin utterly condemns Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Putin’s invasion brought the horrors of war back to the centre of Europe, something previous generations hoped they would never see again. Like all wars, the war in Ukraine will have to come to an end. Sinn Féin calls for a co-ordinated and concerted effort by the international community to secure an end to the conflict. The world must put the same effort into making peace as has gone into making war. Ukraine, Russia, the United States, the EU and the UN must play a role in bringing this conflict to an end.”
“The Irish people stand in solidarity with Ukraine. We have actively supported the Ukrainian people since the Russian invasion in February 2022. This illegal invasion has caused huge instability in Europe. The trauma of this war has moved way beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia. The incursion of Russian drones into Poland’s airspace is completely unacceptable, reckless and provocative. It is a further example of a Russian Government that is intent on provocation and destabilisation in the region. It is a breach of international law and must be taken with the utmost seriousness. The Russian Government should stop interfering in the airspace of other countries. Furthermore, it should end its war of aggression in Ukraine and engage in meaningful peace talks. Since March 2022, 5.6 million people have fled Ukraine.”
“I call on him to deliver a sustainable transport system that is reliable, effective and affordable for the people in Fingal East. This will benefit the environment and put money back in people's pockets. I call on him to support the Sinn Féin motion. If the Government votes against this motion to support workers and companies who are struggling because of the costs that are being levied on them, shame on it.”
“A resident living in Holywell trying to make the switch from car to public transport for his early commute has a persistent problem. By the time the buses arrive at his stop, they are already full. He said the situation has been recurring for so many years that it seems that most people just shrug their shoulders. They have given up on raising the issue because nothing will be done about it. Another constituent was in touch about the train service from Donabate. She said the current level of public transport is not sustainable or fit for purpose for a town with a rapidly increasing population, so it is simply not good enough. My message to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who represents the people in Fingal East, as I do, is that he knows what the issues are.”
“The simple truth is that people, if they had a reliable bus, train and metro service, would leave their car at home and use public transport, but they do not. Now, Fingal County Council is reducing the R132 by a lane to facilitate metro, which we have been awaiting for 35 years and which will be very welcome when it comes. This is another plan that is going to impact badly on drivers. It will bring traffic to a standstill and it has to be deferred until the metro works start proper. A young law student from Swords contacted me. She uses Dublin Bus to get to and from college. Her travel to college takes an hour, give or take about 15 minutes, in the mornings. In recent months, her travel time home from college has ranged from an hour and a half to two and a half hours.”
“The cost of living is having a huge impact on workers and families. Every week, people are struggling to pay their bills, food, heating, childcare, fuel - the list goes on. In a recent budget, families were looking to the Government for a helping hand, but they got absolutely nothing. The ESRI confirmed that families will be 2% worse off as a result of the Government's budget. Families are now facing into Christmas in despair and drivers are being targeted with rocketing costs. People living in my constituency in Fingal East are getting a double hit because they do not have a sustainable public transport system. They are forced to use their car and they are punished with the ever-increasing cost of diesel, petrol, insurance and tolls, including the port tunnel, which we use regularly.”
“Can the Minister confirm that the Taoiseach and the Minister will meet and engage with them today and deliver long overdue justice for these survivors?”
“This is day 46 for the hunger strikers for justice outside Leinster House. Mary Donovan, Miriam Moriarty Owens, Mary Dunleavy Green and Maurice Patton O'Connell represent the 4,000 survivors of residential institutional abuse. Their situation is critical. These survivors have been driven to this extreme action after decades of fighting for justice. They were deeply traumatised by the institutional abuse they suffered and now they are being retraumatised by the lack of action by the Government. Their demands are simple and include a State contributory pension and a medical card to help address the lifelong consequences of the abuse they suffered in industrial and reformatory schools. The time for agreed, written commitments is now.”
“The issue is compounded by drug-related intimidation, waiting lists, lack of mental health services and poor housing conditions. Each of these issues highlights the total failure of governments to adequately respond to the drug crisis. Tackling the causes and consequences of the drugs crisis must be a political priority. Consecutive governments have allowed it to slip down the agenda and that must, and can, change. We need a whole-of-government approach to prepare and implement policies that tackle the causes and consequences of Ireland's drug crisis. The national drug strategy must reflect the work of the Joint Committee on Drugs Use and be informed by service users and providers. While Sinn Féin will not oppose this motion, it is pre-emptive of the outcome of the work of the committee.”
“The three strikes and you are out referral system fails to recognise the complex and long waiting lists for residential treatment. A simple referral by a judge will not always allow someone gain access to the service they need. Imposing an arbitrary number of referrals to treatment services fails to recognise the causes and complexity of addiction. It also fails to recognise that it often takes several attempts at rehabilitation before somebody addicted to drugs will get into recovery. While acknowledging that every family may be affected by drug addiction, it does not affect every family or community in the same way. It moves from drug addiction to a drug crisis when playgrounds become open drug markets, when the school gates becomes sites of drug violence and when streets are held to ransom by violence and lack of policing.”
“Controlled drugs would remain illegal but those caught with drugs would be offered extensive opportunity to engage with health-led services. This is not to be confused with legalisation. The importation, sale, distribution and possession of a controlled substance would remain illegal. Reports early in the year confirmed that the Government would be introducing a long-awaited diversion scheme for people caught with drugs. This scheme does not in any way reflect the comprehensive health-led approach to drug use agreed by the citizens' assembly. The announcement is an attempt by the Department of justice to claw back control of drugs rather than allowing it become a public health issue. This will undermine the work being done by the joint committee, which is yet to complete its work.”
“They include calling on the Government to prioritise drug misuse, a whole-of-government response tackling the drug crisis and demanding that the Government must include key stakeholders when developing policy. However, when it came to the issue of responding to personal drug use, the assembly was crystal clear. It voted for a comprehensive health-led approach to drug use. A comprehensive health-led response diverts people towards health services and away from the criminal system. This response will greatly reduce or eliminate prospects of people being charged and convicted. The citizens' assembly recommendation of a comprehensive health-led response is focused on decriminalisation, diversion and dissuasion. It would ensure the State response to drug use as a health issue and not a criminal issue.”
“The establishment of the citizens' assembly was a major step in the right direction. The assembly allowed people to engage with experts, families, services and learn about international best practice. The final report was testament to people's commitment to an important and sensitive issue. Out of the assembly came the establishment of the joint committee. The committee was empowered under the terms of reference to consider the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use and provide a response to the subject matter of the report, including a reasoned response to each of the 36 recommendations contained in the report. The recommendations are varied.”
“In the last Dáil, the Government established the Joint Committee on Drugs Use. The focus was to implement the findings of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use. The work of the joint committee is ongoing and has yet to be completed, making this motion somewhat premature. Sinn Féin, however, will not oppose the motion but both Government and Opposition must allow the committee to do its work without interference. Sinn Féin supports a comprehensive health-led response to drug use. This ensures the State responds to drug use as a health issue and not a criminal issue. Sinn Féin policy does not align with the repealing of section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, however, those caught with drugs for personal use should be offered every opportunity to engage with health-led services. This will keep people out of the criminal justice system.”
“The school jacket which is not even heavy is another €39 as its crested. It's just a rip off. I hope your party eventually takes power and you might listen to the ordinary person who works, pays taxes and are then fleeced. These are the words of ordinary working families. A lone parent is being crippled by back to school costs. She wants to know why the Government does not introduce regulations that will ensure uniforms are standardised and made affordable. Sinn Féin has introduced legislation to place an obligation on the Minister for Education and Youth to introduce regulations governing the implementation of an affordable school uniform policy in school. This is what people want; a Government that is on their side, that cares for working families and will give a helping hand when people need it.”
“In my own constituency, a family with both parents working, but with mortgage, food and fuel costs, is still struggling to pay their bills. The added cost of a uniform is even more pressure. When asked about the cost of uniforms, the Minister for education said it was up to schools to offer crests parents could buy and then buy the uniform separately. This is not practical or workable. PE gear adds to the bills. The polo shirt costs €15 when crested, yet a parent can buy a three-pack with no crest for about €8 - the same colour as what the school demands but it just has no crest on it. A mother told me: ... we did have to buy 2 crested t-shirts at a total cost of €30 and in winter my son will wear the cheaper one when there's no fear he has to take his tracksuit top off.”
“We are all aware that families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. Between spiralling rents, mortgages, energy, food and fuel, the list of ever-increasing bills is growing longer and longer. Each bill puts further pressure and stress on working families. When it comes to their children's education, parents are being forced into more debt in order to cover back-to-school costs. Barnardos carried out a back-to-school report, noting that 54% of parents are worried about costs, as families dip into savings where they have some, get loans and apply household budget cutbacks to pay for uniforms. The Irish League of Credit Unions report highlights that there is a 5% increase on last year in families that are sacrificing food in order to cover costs. That is an absolute disgrace. I have seen the effects of these bills on families.”
“It is a matter of injustice and a violation of democracy that Irish people in the Six Counties are excluded from voting for their Uachtarán. Whatever the outcome of Friday’s election we must ensure this is the last time Irish citizens anywhere are excluded from this democratic process. I hope people vote with their feet on Friday and come out in large numbers to make their voices heard.”
“Some 12 years have passed since the constitutional convention voted overwhelmingly in support of extending voting rights to Irish citizens living in the North and abroad. The Government is clearly behind the curve on this and is indeed the main barrier to this. Fianna Fáil dropped its commitment to extend voting rights to all Irish citizens from its election manifesto. It has rapidly moved from being Fianna Fáil: the Republican Party to Fianna Fáil: the partitionist party. It continues to abandon those who have been forced to live under British rule 90 miles up the road. Sinn Féin spelt it out in black and white in our recent manifesto. We promised to "Hold a referendum within the lifetime of the next Dáil for a referendum on voting rights in Presidential elections for the people of the North and of the diaspora".”
“We have introduced motions in the Dáil looking to extend voting rights to all Irish citizens in the previous three Dáileanna and in this one earlier this year. Momentum for this constitutional change is growing. In June Sinn Féin tabled a Private Members’ Bill calling on the Dáil to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Report of the Convention on the Constitution and to extend voting rights in presidential elections to Irish citizens on the island of Ireland. The Bill also called on the Dáil to progress proposals that would extend voting rights in presidential elections to the diaspora. In May the Assembly there voted for the extension of voting rights to Irish citizens in the North of Ireland. This was a very strong cross-party message affirming the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.”
“The role of the Irish President does not exclude people in the North. We have seen the President play a very positive role in reaching out to those citizens living in the North and indeed to the unionist community. Irish unity is firmly on the agenda and the debate has started. Despite the best efforts of some people in government, the public, the media, cultural groups, businesses and ordinary people are discussing what a new and united Ireland would look like. Part of the process of dismantling partition must include extending voting rights to Irish citizens on this island. This is about equality, recognition and democratic participation. Sinn Féin fully supports the holding of a referendum to extend voting rights to Irish citizens living in the North.”
“In just two days some Irish citizens will exercise their right to vote and I strongly encourage people to come out in large numbers to exercise that right. Unfortunately the right is not universal. The right of Irish citizens to vote on Friday stops an hour up the road. Citizens in the North can win an All-Ireland, play for Ireland, stand in a presidential election and even be elected to the office but unfortunately they cannot vote in this election. The election on Friday must be the last presidential election where citizens in the North cannot vote. As an Irish republican my hope for the next presidential election will be that it is held in a united Ireland free from partition and outside interference. The President of Ireland, Uachtarán na hÉireann, is a President for the whole of Ireland.”
“Budget 2026 will impact the most vulnerable in our society, namely carers, those with disabilities, the elderly and families struggling to make ends meet with childcare costs, etc. This Government will be judged on how it deals with the most vulnerable.”
“The homeless crisis is deepening in the city and the Government’s budget does nothing to improve the situation for the 11,782 people homeless in Dublin today. I appeal to the Minister to invest in providing decent homeless accommodation that will contribute positively to the lives of the homeless and those who are in addiction and recovery. The accommodation should be safe and secure. The one issue that keeps coming up is the lack of consultation, inclusion and adequate funding. Sinn Féin and I are absolutely committed to working with people, families and communities who are battling addiction and the trauma that comes with it. We will continue to work with these communities to make addiction a political priority again and to ensure that the budget next year reflects this commitment.”
“I have been out visiting the community-based drug projects while also inviting groups into Leinster House for roundtable discussions to discuss how we can tackle drug-related intimidation and ensure better outcomes for those seeking rehabilitation, dual diagnosis and family support. I organised the first-ever recovery event in Leinster House in September to mark and celebrate Recovery Month. It is a pity that Government Ministers could not or did not attend to hear how, with proper funding and support, people, families and communities can and do recover from addiction. Yesterday, I had a meeting here in Leinster House with Uisce, the advocacy group for people who use drugs and drug services. Their stories were absolutely heartbreaking but it was also inspiring to hear first-hand the causes and consequences of addiction.”
“Will the Minister of State confirm whether the budget for drug and alcohol task forces has been cut? The lack of transparency this year continues to cause angst for the people involved. When responding to my colleague, An Teachta Ward, an Tánaiste could not clarify this, so I am hoping the Minister of State will be able to set the record straight. I contacted the Minister of State with special responsibility for the national drugs strategy in September seeking a meeting to discuss the drugs strategy. I am still waiting for a response but I am hoping the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane, can find the time to meet up.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Budgets are as much about political priorities as they are about financial commitments. This year’s budget was one of two halves. There was more for the have-lots and basically nothing for the have-nots. The ESRI has said losses will average 2% for households already struggling to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. It appears the budget for drug and alcohol task forces has been cut by 25%. The one line in the budget referring to tackling the drug crisis states that the allocation of funding for drug task forces for 2026 is €8,762,000. It is confirmed beside the figure that this is a reduction of 25%. This has created deep concerns in communities that depend on task force funding. These are essential projects and they deserve clarification.”
“In last week's budget, it had an opportunity to provide enough funding to our local authorities to build social and affordable housing to meet the needs of the city. It could have reinvested in the tenant in situ scheme and other measures to deal with evictions. Instead, it chose to give tax breaks to private developers. It was a wasted opportunity that will only cause further misery for my constituents and families across Dublin.”
“Up to August 2024, the State spent €2 billion on payments under the HAP scheme, whereby tenants continue to rent in the precarious private rental sector and the State foots the bill. Many tenants are living in unacceptable conditions. I met a HAP tenant yesterday who pays €2,700 a month. The house has a leaking roof and mould on the walls, and is unbearably cold. A report compiled by an inspector in 2024 outlined the repairs that are required, but none have been carried out. Many other tenants are simply too nervous to complain about poor and unacceptable housing conditions because they fear they will be evicted, with nowhere to go. I could go on by mentioning a number of other cases but I am conscious of the time. The Government has no plan to end the housing crisis because it simply does not see it as an emergency.”
“For example, a woman who fled domestic violence and is trying to heal and rebuild her life is currently living in a shed in her parents' back garden, which is cold and damp, and it leaks. She is condemned to live in appalling conditions because there is no housing available. Another example is Jack, who has a serious heart condition which requires machines to monitor his wellness. After Jack received a no-fault eviction notice, Fingal County Council did not engage with him until his last day in the house. When he had to leave the home, he was offered accommodation in a bed and breakfast by Fingal County Council but he could not take it because of his medical equipment. What is he supposed to do? Meanwhile, we have the ongoing issue surrounding HAP.”
“A TD who is far more experienced than I am said: Despite the fact that these record figures do not even account for the households who have transferred to the HAP scheme, they still expose Fine Gael's deep seated ideological opposition to the delivery of public housing. These were the words of Deputy Darragh O'Brien of Fianna Fáil in 2018. He went on to be appointed as Minister for housing in 2020. We all know how that turned out. In January 2020, when the Minister took office, there were 7,278 people homeless in Dublin. When he left office in January of this year, that number had increased to 10,912. These are just the figures for Dublin. They are not just statistics; they are all real people. As a TD for Dublin Fingal East, I meet families every day who are deeply affected by this Government's housing policy.”
“This Government and consecutive governments have failed the people of Ireland abysmally when it comes to housing. Every report and statistic underlines the abject failure in tackling the housing emergency. The most damning indictment of failed housing policies is the homeless figures. The most recent figures published make very sad reading. In Dublin tonight, 11,782 people are homeless. That is an increase of 1,301 over the past 12 months. In Dublin tonight, 3,813 children have nowhere to call home. Every one of these people, every family and every child should have a home. People are languishing on housing lists for years. Families are living in overcrowded and cramped conditions. In some situations, three generations are living in the one home while thousands of others remain in emergency accommodation.”
“Key surveys like that of Health Behaviour in School-aged Children and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs show a welcome decline between 1998 and 2018. While I would of course welcome legislation, this is an issue on which we have had years of statements from several Ministers. The fact the Government is filling time with statements instead of real action and real legislation is concerning. The lack of legislation is an indictment of the Government's laissez-faire approach to our young people's health. It is time that the Government brought forward robust and future-proof legislation on nicotine products. We are already behind the curve on this. The Government has yet to address the serious issues of disposable vapes and nicotine products. HHC vapes have been covered. We have taken a very positive approach.”
“Between the ban on indoor smoking in 2004 and 2023, the smoking rate in Ireland decreased from 27% to 18%. This represents approximately 800,000 fewer smokers and a substantial reduction in overall tobacco consumption. This decrease can be attributed to the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, which banned smoking in workplaces, bars and restaurants, along with ongoing public health measures to combat smoking. This has benefited the health and well-being of our population greatly. Since 2000, rates of nicotine smoking among young people in Ireland have significantly decreased, but unfortunately recent evidence shows there has been an increase in overall nicotine use, particularly since 2019. This was clearly driven by the rise in e-cigarettes and dual tobacco and e-cigarette use among those aged between 15 and 24.”
“Our young people have to be given the best opportunity we can offer them. Although we cannot dictate to or lecture them, we can, of course, introduce legislation that will protect them and help them make positive decisions on their health and well-being. It would be hypocritical of me to stand up here and lecture anybody - I was that smoker; I was that vaper - but we must not bury our heads in the sand and pretend the challenges and consequences for young people will simply go away. People are rightly very concerned about the prevalence of vaping and smoking among our younger people. According to the Institute of Public Health, 39% of 15- and 16-year-olds, which is nearly four in every ten, have tried vapes, and almost 18% of them are regular users. The need for legislation has never been more urgent. Legislation can work.”
“Will the Minister review or suspend the guidelines until there can be proper consultation with the schools, the SNAs, the parents and the unions?”
“I have been contacted by parents and SNAs in schools throughout Fingal East. They have real concerns about the recently published SNA review process of the 2025-2026 guidelines by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. The guidelines could risk serious harm to children with special education needs and I share their concerns. Any effort to tighten timelines or restrict criteria has the potential to deny children access to the supports that they need to grow, develop and thrive. The proposal for unification and redeployment risks the protection autism classes resources have. It will also set it up for internal conflict between autism classes within the mainstream schools. Sinn Féin will continue to support the SNAs and the children they serve. I will continue to raise their concerns with the Minister and the NCSE.”
“Sinn Féin wants energy credits to be included in the budget because this Government has made the political choice of putting the profits of energy companies ahead of the needs of our people. Our proposals are focused on bringing relief to hard-pressed families. We are proposing the introduction of three electricity credits valued at €150 each to a total value of €450 to ease the enormous burden that is on families and older people. We would strengthen the mandate and powers of the energy regulator to hold energy companies to account and prioritise energy affordability. We are committed to holding the energy companies to account. The Minister of State said he was acutely aware of the situation people are living in. What is he going to do to end this energy rip-off?”
“Food, rent and heating bills are causing stress, particularly for those who should be at a stage in their lives where they are enjoying themselves after a life of working hard and paying their taxes. That is without looking at back-to-school costs or anything else. I am talking about the basics. One woman told me about how she has to watch every single penny of her pension. She goes to bed at 6 o'clock every evening as she can no longer afford to turn on her heating in her home. It is a choice of eat or heat. What type of life is that for a pensioner? A volunteer with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul told me how the demand for its service and assistance has risen dramatically. This is due to the spiralling energy costs. Energy companies have to be held to account. The forthcoming budget is an opportunity to address this.”
“Energy companies are putting their hands into the pockets of working families and helping themselves to their hard-earned cash. This is happening because the Government is not holding these greedy companies to account. Its policy of appeasing these energy companies is causing huge hardship for people. People in Ireland are already paying the highest electricity prices in Europe and the fifth-highest price when it comes to gas. This is having a very real and negative impact on the lives of ordinary people in my constituency. I was with the Swords women's shed this morning and the topic of conversation across the board was the impact of the cost of living on everybody. People come into my office with stories of how they are pressed to the pin of their collar simply to cover the basics.”
“It is all guesstimates because the Minister will not provide the actual numbers of children that do not have a school place. In Fingal East I know there is a number of such cases because parents are contacting me. The school term has commenced and they have no place to go with their children. We need solutions. These families deserve better. I call on the Minister to publish and implement a costed, medium to long-term strategic plan to guarantee every child with additional needs has equal access to appropriate education within their own community, finally ending this crisis-driven approach to children's education. I will, of course, support the motion.”
“The written response I received was totally unacceptable. She suggested the family contact Tusla education support services, which they did, only to be told to go on to Facebook and access a private tutor. The Tusla education support service followed up with a phone call to the family and advised them again to go onto Facebook to try to get homeschooling for their daughter. You could not make this up. It is a clear indication of a broken system. I have tabled another parliamentary question to the Minister asking once again what options are open to this family who are in desperate need of a school place for their child. This is one of many similar cases. What happened to the promise that every child is entitled to a school place? The Equality in Education campaign identified a further 168 children without a place in school.”
“This time of year is about going back to school for many families. That means getting the school bags, getting the books together, and getting the uniforms ready. For many families there will not be a school place for their child to get ready for. Sinn Féin is tabling this motion to highlight the terrible injustice and to put pressure on the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government to listen and to act now. It is shocking to consider all of those families that have been abandoned by the Government. I am working with a family in Swords. The dad contacted my office in a desperate state about his daughter with additional needs who cannot get a school place in their local school. I raised the matter directly with the Minister for Education and Youth in a parliamentary question asking what options are open to this family and their child.”
“Other issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community that must be addressed are youth homelessness, mental health, violence and online harassment. Sinn Féin fights for an inclusive nation based for equal rights for all.”
“The main Dublin Pride parade was a huge success, with 12,500 on the parade and a further 100,000 gathering to support, watch and participate along the route. It is ten years since the passing of the marriage equality referendum and the Gender Recognition Act. I ask that the Government mark this appropriately in a dignified and inclusive manner. The decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993 was a major step forward into a brighter and better future but challenges still remain. The 1993 legislation did not expunge prior convictions under the previous draconian law. An Teachta Ó Snodaigh recently introduced legislation to do so. I urge the Government to facilitate the passing of this Bill into law as soon as possible.”
“I commend those who, despite the bully-boy homophobic government, went ahead and organised the Pride parade in Budapest where there was a massive turnout despite the police banning it. People attended it not only to support LGBT rights but also for the country’s democratic future. It sent out an absolutely powerful message. Closer to home, I congratulate our own Fingal Pride, which is part of the Dublin Pride group. It was launched in 2021. Its mission is to support LGBTQI+ people and their friends and families in Fingal. We organise regular events and activities throughout the county by increasing visibility and integration. This year’s Pride was held in the beautiful Swords Castle, with music, DJs and family fun. It was a real family day out.”
“Pride, as we know, has grown from being a small gathering in Dublin to a nationwide celebration of inclusion. It is a time when cities and towns across the island of Ireland take out the rainbow flag and welcome the progress made by the LGBTQI+ community in recent years. It is important that we recognise and celebrate the progress made but still we have more to do and we have to be vigilant. There are those who would roll back the progress and drag us back to a darker and more dangerous time. Sinn Féin condemns the increase in attacks on LGBT+ people. We reject transphobia and homophobia in Ireland and overseas. We only have to look at Hungary to see where these reactionary forces want to take us.”