I would like to thank all of the staff in the Oireachtas for their outstanding work throughout the year. I also wish the Tánaiste, the Leas Ceann Comhairle and all of our colleagues a very happy Christmas and peaceful, prosperous new year. This Christmas some people will be lucky enough to get visits from relatives flying in but many will not and will just have to make do with video calls from Australia, Dubai, Canada and so on. Given staff shortages in Dublin hospitals, Garda stations and schools, why do we not have a Dublin allowance for key workers? Nurses, teachers and gardaí are struggling under the weight of rent and living costs that are far higher here than elsewhere in the country. That is why they go abroad and stay abroad. London has recognised this reality with a weighting allowance and it has been shown to work. We could have a modest enough Dublin allowance, with discounted rent schemes and an expanded, specific affordable housing scheme for essential workers. Why has this not been done yet? When will the Government act to keep some of our best and brightest at home, not just for Christmas but throughout the year?

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