We are out of time but three Deputies remain. I will take 30-second questions. I call Deputy Matt Carthy.

Is the Government actively seeking to dismantle the adult education sector? How else could the Minister explain a situation where adult education tutors with Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, ETB, and other regions, were informed at minimal notice that their contracts were suspended and that their classes would not commence in September as planned? How could the Minister explain a situation where students planning to commence courses or to advance their qualifications actually turned up, only to be told that the courses had been cancelled? We are told that ETBs have cancelled these courses due to reduced budget allocations from SOLAS and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Does the Minister stand over this situation? Does he realise the impact this will have on adult education? If so, will he ensure that the Government immediately intervenes to resolve this matter urgently?

Earlier this year a new bus shelter programme was announced, in particular for several counties, including county Wexford. Two specific bus shelters have been awaiting approval. In the budget, €500,000 was announced. They waited for the guidelines which they did not get until last May. Wexford County Council submitted the list in July but has not received sanction. This money has to be spent. Unless groundworks start in the next month they will not be ready for this year. It is a ridiculous scenario that the National Transport Authority, NTA, announced this in January or February 2024 and it cannot even be started in 2024. Will the Minister please ask what the delay is?

The budget provides a real opportunity for meaningful action on child poverty. I attended a meeting last week of the Children's Rights Alliance which is campaigning fiercely on the issue of child poverty. Social protection supports are a key part of that. It is imperative we use the budget to provide targeted payments to end child poverty. Will the Minister commit to serious action on child poverty in the upcoming budget?

There are three questions for the Minister.

I thank Deputy Carthy. As someone who worked in adult education at the start of my own career, I understand its value. I do not know the reason why those employees in the Cavan-Monaghan ETB have not been given the full level of hours but I will raise it directly with the relevant line Minister because I know how important those courses are and how much adult education means to so many people, particularly elderly people in reducing social isolation.

In reply to Deputy Verona Murphy, having stood at many a bus stop in Irish weather I know how important those shelters are. Again I do not know the reason for the delay but I am happy to have it raised.

Finally in reply to Deputy Costello, absolutely this Government highlighted child poverty as a priority issue for ourselves in terms of the child poverty unit created in the Department of the Taoiseach. Budget time is when we really demonstrate that. Points that I will be arguing outside of my own Department will be an increase in the qualified child increase, QCI, and in the working family payment. The Green Party suggested the idea of a baby boost which is not targeted on socio-economic grounds but on timing grounds. When a new child arrives, I do not think there is any family that is not under some sort of financial pressure at that stage. In my Department, I am hoping for funding for Equal Start, the DEIS model for early years that actually kickstarted two weeks ago, to broaden it further in September 2025.

Before moving onto the next business I am asked to recognise and welcome a community group from Dawn Court Day Centre, Athlacca, County Limerick. It is always good to have Limerick people here.