I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Deputy Leader. I hope they are enjoying the wonderful weather we are having. I was down in Wicklow last weekend where I had the pleasure of attending the Taste of Wicklow festival in the Abbey Grounds. I acknowledge this fantastic example of what a local authority can do, as well as the social enterprise that was in action there.

As the Deputy Leader knows, Tiglin set up various social enterprises, and we have seen how social enterprise can transform a community. The Rise at the Cove café in Greystones is a wonderful example of how we brought employment and opportunity to people who were simply overlooked before. Now, however, thanks to the vision of Wicklow County Council, and together with Fáilte Ireland and the Wicklow town team, we have set up a new social enterprise in the grounds of the old abbey in Wicklow town. It is more than just a café. It is a place where people gain confidence, skills and dignity through meaningful work while creating a fantastic amenity for the community.

The Taste of Wicklow festival showed exactly what is possible. Brian Gleeson, deputy chief executive of Wicklow County Council, was joined by thousands of people who filled the Abbey Grounds and enjoyed food made by local producers. There were demonstrations by the likes of Rachel Allen and Catherine Fulvio. If it has anything to do with food, I will be there anyway.

I encourage everyone to visit Rise at the Abbey, support this new social enterprise and see for themselves what local authorities can do when they join with tourism bodies, charities and communities. It really works and I commend those involved on that.

I also highlight Vision Ireland, which is calling for a national vision strategy. Over 300,000 people live with some form of vision impairment in Ireland. That includes 31,000 with severe sight loss and 70% of sight loss is preventable through early detection and treatment. Ireland has national strategies for cancer and dementia, but it still does not have a national vision strategy. Vision Ireland is calling for a national strategy. This would save the State in costs and also provide faster access to treatment and lead to prevention.