It was wonderful to meet so many in Dublin at the Pride march on Saturday. It truly was a great reminder why community and visibility still matter. Showing up is always important and is a small way of saying that everyone deserves to belong.

As primary schools are winding down this week, I wish all of the students and, of course, their teachers, SNAs and support staff a very happy holiday. As we gear up towards September and the new budget, it is important that we support the INTO request for a reduction in class sizes. There is no doubt that this improves learning outcomes. It also helps to support inclusion and curriculum reform.

Class sizes here are among the highest in Europe. About 80% of our classes are above the EU average of 19.

We also need to look at better capitation grants, particularly for primary schools, and at leadership support. While many secondary schools benefit from additional deputy principals as their capacity and enrolment increases, and rightly so, primary schools remain limited in this regard. Many primary schools, particularly in areas of high population, have around 1,000 pupils or are heading there, yet they have a single principal and a single deputy principal to manage increasingly complex responsibilities. I would like a debate in the House on this.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland gave a thought-provoking presentation last week in Buswells Hotel that many of us attended. Wayne, Gerry and Yvonne spoke of their experience of getting a dementia diagnosis, how they coped afterwards and why an organisation like ASI is so important. It is important in many ways, including giving dignity to people living with dementia and reducing pressure on families. We need, at a minimum, eight more dementia advisers. There is quite a long waiting list and people who feel, or whose family feel, they may have dementia face a long wait for a dementia adviser to come to their homes, talk to them and signpost the supports that are available. There needs to be better access to respite care and dedicated dementia supports in the community. We need at least five and we need to expand four others that have the capacity for more.

It is good news that from tomorrow the income disregard for carers will increase to €1,000 for a single income and €2,000 for a double income. That is a great help but we need to do more to support carers. I would like a debate on that.