Charlie McConalogue
Donegal · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“There are indications that the opt-out mechanism for the text and data mining exception is not working well in practice. Evidence gathered by the Danish Presidency showed that some activity is taking place on the licensing of works for AI, but that it is uneven across member states and subsectors of the creative sector.”
“The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an Astroturf facility, flood-lighting and dressing rooms. The Football Association of Ireland wrote to my Department in 2023 stating that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded centre of excellence in Glanmire.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels.”
“This is Ireland's first national strategy for diabetes and it sets out recommendations for action in relation to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and paediatric diabetes. The strategy marks a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland and represents the development of a unified approach to its delivery.”
“It is anticipated that the final business case will be submitted shortly to my Department. In relation to the site in Glanmire, my Department has been informed that the property has now been leased to Riverstown Football Club by Cork County Council.”
“The structure of that payment, which was agreed between An Post and the postmasters, is designed to maintain and strengthen our post office network and to keep it sustainable, taking into account the number of post offices in an area, the distance to the next nearest post office and the rural nature versus the population base that it migh…”
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“I thank all in the Seanad here today and all in the Dáil last week for the expeditious treatment of this Bill. An Post has been paying from its current resources for this increased payment to post offices across the country since the start of this year. We wanted to make sure that this legislation was passed before the summer recess in order that from a Government point of view, we can make the €15 million payment to An Post to cover the payments it already has made out and see it covered from now to the end of the year as well. I thank all in the Oireachtas for their engagement and co-operation in this regard and for their unified support for the post office network.”
“The objective of the Government is to maintain as many post offices in the network as we possibly can. That is why we are increasing funding by 50% this year and we have a commitment to continue that for the duration of this Government. I look forward to seeing the Bill pass Second Stage and move through the other Stages in the House today.”
“The structure of that payment, which was agreed between An Post and the postmasters, is designed to maintain and strengthen our post office network and to keep it sustainable, taking into account the number of post offices in an area, the distance to the next nearest post office and the rural nature versus the population base that it might be serving and weighting the payments from the Government in such a way as to ensure they strongly favour those post offices that need the support the most. I thank Senators for those contributions. I take on board the comments of Senator Andrews. The post office will remain in Rathmines. It is changing location and will stay open in Rathmines village. I take on board the points the Senator made about the previous building. The service will be maintained and will stay in the area.”
“I thank the four Senators for their contributions and for their support for this important funding. As I said in my opening contribution, the Bill makes a very small tactical change to the legislation. Over the past three years, €10 million per year was provided to An Post. This legislation now provides that, in each of the next five years, this year included, €15 million will be provided to An Post.”
“I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for facilitating all Stages today so we can have the Bill passed before the summer recess, given the importance of this funding reaching An Post to be provided to post offices across the country.”
“Section 1 amends section 29A of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, as amended, to increase the amount of funding the Minister can provide for the post office network from the current ceiling of €30 million, which has already been provided, to a new ceiling of €105 million, which is an increase of €75 million. The Bill will be commenced upon enactment. The Government has demonstrated its commitment to the network and to the value it provides to citizens with the allocation of this €15 million per annum for the term of the Government. However, I encourage all stakeholders to work together to ensure long-term sustainability for the network. All citizens should be encouraged to use their local post offices so we can continue to see them thrive.”
“The network is a core strength of An Post and the continued development of the network and its services is a vital component to its sustainability. Supported by the Government, An Post must ensure the network's viability. Decisions relating to the network, including those relating to specific post offices, are operational matters for the board and management of An Post and not ones in which I have a function. Furthermore, the terms under which postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly. The sole purpose of the Bill before the House is to provide a statutory basis for funding to be paid from the Department's Vote to An Post. The Bill provides for a small technical amendment.”
“Offices located more than 15 km from the next nearest post office will receive the largest increase in funding, at 125%. All postmaster-run post offices will receive an increase in the previous funding with a minimum uplift of €2,000. An Post has statutory responsibility for the post office network. It must actively explore opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network. This funding provides time and space for the network to navigate global headwinds and develop new commercial initiatives and services to attract customers, drive footfall and generate growth. I am pleased to note that An Post has advised me that transactions in the network are up by 10% this year, year on year, and postmasters' earnings are up approximately 15% so far this year.”
“The principles under which the funding model will operate include maintaining access to the network across urban and rural Ireland, ensuring that no community is left behind; aligning individual funding with criteria, including the degree of isolation and the sustainability of each post office; ensuring a minimum revenue threshold for post offices; and recognising offices of cultural or geographic significance, such as those on inhabited islands or in Gaeltacht areas. The most remote rural and vulnerable communities will benefit proportionately more from the increased funding, thereby helping to safeguard essential infrastructure where it is needed most. The average payment to rural post offices will increase by 78%. The average payment to urban post offices will increase by 44%.”
“I am very glad to have been able not only to secure continued future funding in line with this commitment, but to provide funding at an enhanced level of €15 million per annum, a 50% increase which was approved by the Government in January. While this may be a short piece of legislation, it has a big impact. The approval provides a clear mandate for this enhanced funding and my Department is working to ensure that the required structures are in place as soon as possible in order to commence providing the funding. In line with the programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices, thereby protecting and nurturing a commercially focused post office network.”
“The Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Bill 2026 is a short amendment to the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. Its purpose is to enable the payment of the agreed funding from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Vote to An Post in order that An Post may then in turn disperse this funding to postmasters across its network. The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout the country. Members will be aware that under the programme for Government, the Government committed to continue providing the nationwide network of post offices with funding, to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities.”
“From engaging with constituents of mine who manage diabetes, I know the impact CGM can deliver for them and how it ensures the most effective management of diabetes to maintain health at its optimum and prevent side effects developing over time. The Senator has laid that out carefully. Diabetes care is something the Government has been working to improve, has improved and wants to continue to develop services on. The Minister for Health met with Diabetes Ireland in April this year and attended Diabetes Ireland's conference in May. She has been made aware of its perspectives on access to CGM sensor technology. I will refer the Senator's strong advocacy for a HTA back to the Minister and ask her to continue to engage with him on the matter.”
“This is Ireland's first national strategy for diabetes and it sets out recommendations for action in relation to type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy and paediatric diabetes. The strategy marks a major milestone in diabetes care in Ireland and represents the development of a unified approach to its delivery. The Government is considering all recommendations of the strategy for progression. The Senator's key ask is for a HTA to be carried out on expanding reimbursement for CGM sensors to those with diabetes other than type 1. That has not been carried out and there is therefore limited information to support extension of the reimbursement to this cohort, including the cost-effectiveness assessment and the budget impact of same. The Senator believes a HTA would inform that and enable a decision to be made.”
“A second review of CGMs is taking place, which will include an update of the preferred CGM sensors evaluation. To date, a health technology assessment of CGM sensors for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or other types of diabetes excluded from the HTA referenced above, such as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, type 3c diabetes, monogenic forms of diabetes and so on has not been undertaken. Therefore, there is limited information to support the extension of reimbursement to this cohort, including cost-effectiveness assessment and budget impact of same. On 21 May, Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care was launched by the Minister for Health.”
“Following on from the recommendations in this HTA, the HSE’s medicines management programme, in conjunction with the HSE primary care reimbursement service, and with the support of the HSE chief clinical officer, introduced an online reimbursement application system for all CGM sensors on 1 December 2023. Since the introduction of the reimbursement application system for CGM sensors, 5,439 additional individuals have been approved for reimbursement support for this technology. In December 2025, there were paid claims for CGM sensors for 22,012 individuals on the community drug schemes. In 2025, 72% of new users of CGM sensors were commencing on a preferred CGM sensor. The HSE has identified preferred CGM products based on cost-effectiveness to manage this expenditure.”
“Reimbursement does not extend to other cohorts such as people with type 2 diabetes who require insulin, which is the issue the Senator is raising today, or patients previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which is now classified as type 1 diabetes based on laboratory investigations such as C-peptide measurement or diabetes-specific autoantibodies. The health technology assessment recommended the establishment of a single managed access programme for all CGM systems for all individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus regardless of age, noting that such a system would need clearly defined criteria for access.”
“Under the Health Act 2007, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has a statutory remit to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of health technologies and provide advice to the Minister for Health. HIQA conducts health technology assessments for programmes and services at the specific request of the HSE or the Department of Health, which may include medical devices. Reimbursement support for CGM sensors at this point in time is based on the HIQA health technology assessment and is for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus regardless of age, who have required insulin from the outset.”
“I thank Senator Curley for raising this important matter. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The State acknowledges the importance of access to new and innovative medicines and medical devices for patients and is acutely aware of the challenges patients diagnosed with diabetes face. By way of background, continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, systems provide an alternative approach to self-monitoring of blood glucose using blood glucose test strips with an associated blood glucose meter. These CGM systems comprise of sensors, transmitters and a mechanism to display the results such as readers, receivers or a smart device application.”
“As Minister of State with responsibility for sport, it is also something I want to see. I will certainly work with the Deputy to do anything we can to see this moved on.”
“It is going to be utilised on a different site in conjunction with University College Cork. We are going to facilitate that as long as it happens. We are intensively engaged with the FAI to make sure that funding delivers new football facilities that can be of benefit to people who want to participate in and enjoy football in Cork. We want to see that happen. I absolutely agree that this site should be used for sporting activity. The information I have is that it is being leased to Riverstown FC, which is working with Cork County Council to develop a multisport facility. I will certainly be following up to clarify the points the Deputy has raised here this evening. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan has also raised the issue. Everyone within the local area wants to see this land utilised for sporting activity.”
“The objective of the Department of sport is to fund projects to deliver sporting outcomes and increase participation. In my previous response, I outlined the number of projects that have been funded across County Cork. Under the most recent round of the community sports facilities fund, the figure was 347. There have been just over 2,000 over the past 20 years or more. I will certainly seek clarity on the situation regarding this land. The information I have is that Cork County Council has leased the land to Riverstown Football Club. I will seek further clarity on that. The use of the land is obviously primarily a matter for Cork County Council to decide upon. From our engagement with the FAI, I am clear that the funding that was initially allocated in 2020 is not to be used on this particular site.”
“The club is working with the county council to develop a multisport facility at the site. The FAI is working with University College Cork to put a facility in place with the university as opposed to making a written proposal. I want to see that come to fruition. There is very intensive engagement between them and my Department. We will be insisting that the project is moved on if the funding for it is to be retained. The issue of this site has been raised by Deputy Burke and by Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan previously. I am very happy to work with them to see this particular site at Glanmire made available to the local community for sporting use.”
“My current focus and that of the Department is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The community sports facilities fund will also open over the course of the month. The previous round funded over 3,000 projects. Since 2000, €134 million has been allocated to 259 projects in County Cork under the community sports facilities fund. The most recent round saw €30 million allocated to 347 sporting projects in Cork. We will now be opening a new round over the course of the summer. I share the Deputy's desire to ensure this site is put to sporting use very promptly. The information my Department has is that Riverstown FC has a lease with Cork County Council.”
“It is anticipated that the final business case will be submitted shortly to my Department. In relation to the site in Glanmire, my Department has been informed that the property has now been leased to Riverstown Football Club by Cork County Council. I also understand that Riverstown Football Club is working with Cork County Council to develop a multisport facility at the site. Of the total €297 million allocated under LSSIF to date, €96 million was awarded to soccer projects that are either directly sponsored by the FAI or incorporate soccer elements. Six projects under the first round of the LSSIF were allocated just under €12 million. Under the 2024 LSSIF funding announcement, €84 million was awarded to a further six soccer projects. This includes projects such as Dalymount Park and the Sligo Rovers stadium development.”
“The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an Astroturf facility, flood-lighting and dressing rooms. The Football Association of Ireland wrote to my Department in 2023 stating that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded centre of excellence in Glanmire. According to the FAI, the decision not to proceed with the proposal was due to the fact that the original proposal no longer represented the greatest return on investment for the parties involved. Since then, there have been regular updates from the FAI to my Department including, most recently, an update on the progression of a revised proposal, which will involve University College Cork. In May, the FAI forwarded a draft business case for the revised proposal for a centre of excellence and my Department reverted to the FAI with observations on 21 June.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels. The Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport: the community sport facilities fund, CSFF, and the large scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. The first allocations under the LSSIF opened in 2018 and were announced in 2020, with €86.5 million awarded to 33 projects. Additional funding of €37.5 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded under that LSSIF round to €124 million. Under the 2018 round, announced in 2020, €2,025,000 was provisionally allocated to the Munster centre of excellence in Glanmire.”
“I also thank the many artists and representatives from our creative sector for their contributions and for highlighting the real concerns about the impact AI is having and will have unless we, from a public policy point of view, collectively do all we can to protect this sector, protect the integrity of people’s creative capacities and address the potential impact on income and viability of careers in the arts sector. We look forward to working with everyone across the House in relation to building on the work that has been done and the great amount of work that needs to be done to protect what is an integral part of our national life. It is really important, from a European perspective, that we work collectively to protect the sector.”
“Under the culture council formation, the Irish Presidency is responsible for agreeing the new EU work plan for culture for the years from 2027 to 2030. While this is still being negotiated with member states, it is clear from initial discussions that concrete measures to address the impact of AI on artists and the creative sector will be further developed through the work plan. I again thank Deputies for their contributions this evening.”
“Ireland looks forward to participating in the development of the strategy in the coming months. The Government’s new digital and AI strategy highlighted the potential for AI to contribute to job displacement in the creative and cultural sectors. Like many other sectors in the economy, these face potential disruption. Furthermore, last year’s report from the AI Advisory Council on the impact of AI on Ireland’s creative sector further stressed the need for public policy to tackle income insecurity for artists and creatives. My Department is continuing to take measures to tackle the precarity of work and promote viable careers in arts and culture, in particular with the roll-out of Ireland’s basic income for the arts programme, which we are delighted has now been extended permanently.”
“We also look forward to the next steps by the Commission on possible new measures on licensing and enforcement in generative AI, as signalled in the call for evidence. As Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we have a valuable opportunity to help shape discussions on the future of Europe’s digital and creative economy, including measures needed to support a sustainable, pluralistic and trusted media sector. In terms of the broader impacts of AI, the European Commission is currently working on a new strategy specifically looking at AI and the creative and cultural sector, as set out in the new European cultural strategy, the Culture Compass for Europe. This will be an opportunity for our sectors to address the challenges and opportunities of this moment of change.”
“There are indications that the opt-out mechanism for the text and data mining exception is not working well in practice. Evidence gathered by the Danish Presidency showed that some activity is taking place on the licensing of works for AI, but that it is uneven across member states and subsectors of the creative sector. It is our shared objective that this market develops well and in a manner which ensures fair remuneration along the value chain for the cultural and media sectors. We look forward to the outcome of the European Commission’s review of copyright in the directive on copyright in the digital Single Market, including the text and data mining exception and the press publishers right. The Government will consider the findings of the review and consider the effectiveness of Ireland’s national legislation transposing the directive.”
“The protection of copyright is, understandably, a concern for our creative sector in relation to AI, and consent and remuneration for works used are basic principles of copyright law. Important steps to protect intellectual property rights in the age of AI are being taken and these will continue during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. At EU level, the inclusion of a provision on EU copyright law in the AI Act is an important step. As mentioned, enforcement of the AI Act will begin from August. In the meeting of the Council of Ministers in May, which was attended by the Minister, Deputy Patrick O’Donovan, it was clear that many member states acknowledge that more needs to be done, including on copyright and transparency.”
“It is crucial in respect of our creative sector that we do give the time and attention here on the floor of the Dáil to consider how it is impacting this sector and how we can work collectively in terms of regulation and policy to make sure we are addressing this technology and harnessing it in a way that is to the benefit of the public and our creative sector, as opposed to it being something that has the real potential to undermine them. I reiterate the point made by the Minister of State with special responsibility for artificial intelligence, Deputy Niamh Smyth, which is that Ireland is committed to ensuring that AI technologies are developed and used in a manner that is ethical, transparent and aligned with national, EU and international law.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for bringing this motion before the House. I also thank the many Deputies across the House who have contributed to the debate on what is an extremely important topic. It is only right and appropriate that it gets attention and consideration in this House and that we work collectively to address the massive challenge AI can pose to our creative sectors. We are very fortunate to live in a country that has a wonderful cultural heritage. Our international reputation across the globe is built on this in many ways. Over the last short period, we have seen the impact that AI is having on all aspects of our society.”
“I will inform the Department that the Senator is asking for more clarity on the nature of the application that was made and the criteria used to assess the funding allocations. I will ask the Department to revert to her on that.”
“I will ask the Department if there is further information on the nature of any notification from Cavan County Council, and whether it was the case that it did not meet the threshold of being significant in the context of considering it against other applications that were received, and also in the context of there being a certain envelope to address that issue. I am not sure if the Senator has any information on what applications may have been made by Cavan County Council or otherwise.”
“The response that I am giving on behalf of the Department of Transport outlines that the Department opened up for detailed applications from local authorities with severe weather road damage following the storm, and no significant damage from Storm Chandra was identified and notified to the Department by Cavan County Council. That is the response and the detail that I have. Funding of €40 million was announced to support projects across the country where remediation proved beyond the ability of some local authorities to fund. In relation to the applications received, I can only imagine that the Department would have assessed them in detail as to the scale and impact, and whether the capacity to fund the repair of that damage was beyond the councils within the other resources they had available to them.”
“As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise own-resource investment towards regional and local roads. Following consultation by the Department of Transport with each local authority, detailed applications were received by those authorities with severe weather road damage following Storm Chandra. No significant damage from Storm Chandra was identified and notified to the Department by Cavan County Council. Owing to the damage caused by Storm Chandra and remediation being beyond the ability of some local authorities to fund, on 1 July, the Minister for Transport announced the provision of €40 million in exceptional funding to those counties with the most significant storm damage.”
“The basis for determining the allocations for each local authority under this grant programme is related to the total number of kilometres of regional and local roads, which is held to be the most equitable method of distribution. For 2026, the allocations were notified to local authorities on 17 February. Cavan County Council was allocated over €19 million, with most of this funding directed towards protection and renewal. In addition, in previous years, Cavan County Council received funding for several pilot projects relating to road materials. It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.”
“For 2026, €718 million was made available, which will facilitate an increase of €26 million for road protection and renewal across the country. The grant programme operated by the Department is focused on specific policy objectives. Restoration maintenance grants look to pavement sealing to protect the road surface from water damage. Restoration improvement grants look to road strengthening to lengthen the life of road pavements. The discretionary grants available allow for a range of activities, including pothole repair, edge strengthening, renewal of signs and lines, and winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the funding available.”
“Any work undertaken on these roads is funded by the resources of the local authority concerned and, where eligible, this is supplemented by the Department of Transport's regional and local roads grant programme. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for the local authorities. Regional and local roads play a critical role in supporting economic activity and community links. As a result, the regional and local roads grant programme is primarily targeted at the maintenance and renewal of our existing roads network, with the remainder invested in new roads, new bridges and road realignments. The funds available through this programme have been steadily increasing in recent years.”
“I thank Senator O'Reilly. I have to take this on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I believe he was taking business matters in the Seanad during the week. I assure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to protecting our existing road network. This is demonstrated through the Department of Transport's provision of regular grant funding to eligible local authorities. Most recently, it was demonstrated through the provision of an exceptional funding response to the damage caused by Storm Chandra in several counties. Local authorities are responsible by statute for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in their respective areas of responsibility.”
“For example, the fuel allowance scheme is means tested and assists pensioners and other welfare dependent households in meeting the cost of heating during the winter season. It is available to a person aged 66 or over who is in receipt of a social welfare payment and is retired. Public teachers, for example, can qualify for that. All persons over the age of 70 can receive the household benefits package. The Senator's point concerns the living alone allowance. I will inform the Minister of the case she has made.”
“I thank Senator Byrne. I will pass on her logic and argument for the living alone allowance for those in receipt of a teacher's pension. In my response from the Minister I laid out the background. The level of cover one receives in respect of social insurance contributions is very much tied to the contributions made over the years. In the case of those teachers employed prior to 1995, the level of contribution they made was much lower than those employed after 1995 and that is why those employed after 1995 can qualify for the living alone allowance but the other cohort cannot. It is based on the contributions they made. It is important to point out that further supports are available to all pensioners which do not require a person to be in receipt of a pension payment or qualifying payment.”
“There are no circumstances where the living alone increase can be paid to people who are not in receipt of a primary qualifying payment from the Department of Social protection or who do not meet the living alone eligibility criteria. Any change to the qualifying period for this payment will have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context. I thank the Senator.”
“Their employers pay a contribution of 9% where an employee's weekly earnings are €552 or less and 11.25% where their employees weekly earnings exceed that. Class A contributors have access to the full range of social insurance benefits, including the State contributory pension which is a qualifying payment for the living alone increase. The value of the State interview pension is integrated with the public service pension in the case of those recruited after 6 April 1995 and before 1 January 2013. Unlike those employed before April 1995, civil and public servants will receive their full pension entitlement under the public service pension.”
“Their employers pay a contribution of 2.55% on all employee earnings. Class D contributors are currently entitled to a bereaved partners' contributory pension, the guardian's contributory payment, occupational injuries benefits, parent's benefit and carer's benefit. Class D contributors are not reckonable for the purpose of entitlement to a State contributory state pension. As such, a retired teacher who paid class D PRSI for their entire working life does not qualify for a State contributory pension. Therefore, a retired teacher in receipt of an occupational pension and no primary payment from the Department of Social Protection does not qualify for the living alone allowance. Teachers recruited from 6 April 1995 play a class A social insurance contribution of 4.2% on their weekly earnings.”
“The living alone increase is not a stand-alone payment. It is only available to those in receipt of one of the specified payments. Prior to 6 April 1995, civil and public servants, including teachers, did not have access to the full range of social insurance benefits as their terms of employment protected them against the main contingencies of illness and old age, and the risk of unemployment was not considered a factor due to the nature of their employment. Consequently, such contributors pay less in social insurance contributions in return for fewer social insurance benefits. For example, class D contributors, which includes teachers who started work before 5 April 1995, pay a contribution at a rate of 1.1% on their weekly earnings up to €1,143 and 4.2% on weekly earnings over that amount.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am happy to take on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Calleary, who apologises for being unable to be here this morning to take it. The living alone increase is a supplementary payment of €22 per week to those who are aged over 66, living alone and in receipt of a contributory or non-contributory State pension or a contributory bereaved partner's pension. It is also available to those aged over 66 who live alone and are in receipt of a bereaved partner's pension, an incapacity supplement under the occupational injuries benefit scheme or deserted wife's benefit. It is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of a disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement or blind pension.”
“The latter is an objective the Government shares with him. In terms of developing the tools to make sure we can do that, we look forward to working and collaborating with him and everyone else in the Seanad and the wider Oireachtas. The Government thanks the Senator for his work and for bringing the Bill forward. I am not opposing the Bill in light of the shared objective, but I have outlined the issues that need to be addressed from the Government's point of view in order that we can move forward and ensure an outcome that will achieve the very important objective of protecting young people from the very harmful online material they can often be exposed to, especially pornographic material. I thank Senator Mullen and the other Seanadóirí.”