Aindrias Moynihan
Cork North-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss reform of the Taxsaver commuter ticket scheme to include shared mobility services. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss the use of periodic payment orders in the courts. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the provision of appropriate public housing for families that provide foster care.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the bus service in Cork city. Deputy Ryan O'Meara - To discuss the establishment of an SATU in the HSE Mid West region.”
“Deputies Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Séamus McGrath and Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the State acquiring the Bessborough site in Cork city to provide a memorial. Deputies Gary Gannon, Ruairí Ó Murchú· - To discuss issues being created in the courts system by the new legal aid model.”
“I need to raise with the Taoiseach the straw incorporation measures and the delays from the Department of agriculture in approvals. There is fine weather. Tillage farmers are focusing in on the harvest. There have been no approvals issued by the Department of agriculture for the straw incorporation measure at this point.”
“Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss the enforcement of e-scooter legislation. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the usage of scramblers, e-bikes and e-scooters in Cork city.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the development of an injury unit clinic in Galway. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the national semiconductor plan.”
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Every one of 292 lines we hold for Aindrias Moynihan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 6.
“Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss an application for port listing of Killybegs. Deputy James O'Connor - To discuss ambulance provision for the east Cork area. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss provision of repairs and a new school building in Dunboyne. Deputy Alan Kelly - To discuss the need for increased resources for An Garda Síochána in the mid-west. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss child care provision in Cork North-Central. Deputy Conor Sheehan - To discuss the progress of a new Garda station in Castletroy. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the remaining sections of the Athenry relief road. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the significant waiting lists at the Deansgrange driving test centre. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss the demolition and rebuild project for three primary schools on the Navan Road, Dublin 7.”
“Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the crisis in public dental and orthodontic services in south Tipperary. Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss the need for adequate classroom provision for Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin. Deputy Duncan Smith - To discuss the lack of primary school places in St. Marnock's NS for 2026-27. Deputy Tony McCormack - To discuss electricity grid capacity and connection issues in the Cappancur area of Tullamore, County Offaly. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the availability of the shingles vaccine for those over age 65. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the review of the Garda vetting process. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the need for a full-time Garda station in Rush. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss battery energy storage systems in rural Ireland and solar planning guidelines.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the need to provide Leap cards to families experiencing homelessness outside of Dublin. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the regular reporting of the defective concrete blocks appeals board. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss amending the national planning framework and the sustainable rural housing guidelines. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil - To discuss emergency works and capital works in respect of St. Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge, County Kildare. Deputy John Paul O'Shea - To discuss the provision of bus connections to and from Charleville train station.”
“Many of the concerns we have heard arose from athletes and their experiences. A key group of adults who are involved in sport are referees and their officials. All too often, we hear of the abuse and stress piled on them. Will the plan, and various research and outcomes from the report, examine the position of referees and the support that may be needed in that regard? They are a vital part of sport. There would not be a competition without a person standing in the middle of the pitch. We also need to make sure there is a supply of referees available for various sports. Many are volunteers. They need to know they will not find themselves in a vulnerable position and that backup and support is available to them.”
“I thank the Minister of State. It is good to know that the research is advancing and he expects a report in the weeks ahead. I presume the report will contain conclusions and an implementation plan. How will he ensure that the outcomes of the research are implemented across various sporting organisations? Has additional funding been allocated to Sport Ireland to conduct research and put in place an implementation plan?”
“Last year, Sport Ireland commissioned Safe Sport International to conduct a needs analysis in the area of safe sport for adults. The analysis was to include extensive consultation with sports sector stakeholders, including people with lived experience in the area. Can the Minister of State advise the House of the up-to-date position on the report and the future guidance it was to inform?”
“Is mór an chabhair do phobal na Gaeltachta a bheadh ann dá mbeadh caighdeán bóithre níos oiriúnaí acu. Is é sin an chéad phíosa bóthair a dtiomáineann tú air ar maidin agus an píosa deireanach a dtiomáineann tú air um thráthnóna nuair a bhíonn tú ag filleadh abhaile. Más féidir obair a dhéanamh ar an bpíosa sin, scéim na mbóithre áise, ba mhór an chabhair a bheadh ann.”
“Tá sé fíorthábhachtach a aithint go bhfuil an-obair ar siúl ann, chomh maith leis an obair atá déanta sa chúlra ag an údarás, na grúpaí éagsúla agus na hionadaithe pobail - m'athair féin, Dónal Ó Muimhneacháin, san áireamh - thar na blianta chun an togra sin a bhrú chun cinn. Táim cinnte go ndéanfaimid gach iarracht é a bhrú ar aghaidh. Luafaidh mé freisin na comhairleoirí contae sa dhúthaigh agus na baill den údarás. Mar fhocal scoir, tá na bóithre go hainnis tar éis na drochaimsire ar fad. Tá gá mór le hathchóiriú a dhéanamh orthu. Tá an chomhairle contae an-ghnóthach leis. An féidir leis an Aire tacú leis? Bhí scéim na mbóithre áise ann ar feadh roinnt blianta. Tuigim go bhfuil sé ar na bioráin ag an Aire é sin a thabhairt chun cinn am éigin. Iarraim air an scéim sin a bhrú chun cinn chomh luath agus is féidir.”
“Braitheann go leor daoine nach raibh aon rud ar siúl ann, ach tá páirc peile forbartha ann agus tá ceithre chomhlacht mór le rá ag cur táirgí bia ar fáil ar fud na tíre ar fad ón suíomh sin, a bhfuil 41 acra ann. Anois, le maoiniú ó Roinn an Aire agus ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, tá athchóiriú mór ar an bhfoirgneamh féin, an scoil, faoi lán seoil. Dar ndóigh, tá an chéad phas den obair seo ullamh faoin tráth seo agus an t-ionad fiontraíochta beagnach ullamh le bogadh isteach ann. Beimid ag tnúth go mór leis an lá nuair a bheidh an oscailt oifigiúil ann. B'fhéidir nach bhfuil sé i bhfad uainn. Tá an-obair déanta ar an ionad fiontraíochta sin. Beidh deiseanna ann amach anseo chomh maith chun cúrsaí oideachais agus cultúrtha a fhorbairt sa dá sciathán faoi phas 2 agus faoi phas 3.”
“Dar ndóigh, ní hé Comhairle Contae Chorcaí an t-aon chomhairle contae atá ag déanamh athbhreithniú ar phlean forbartha faoi láthair. Tá deis sna contaetha éagsúla ina bhfuil Gaeltacht breis béime a chur ar riachtanais phobal na Gaelainne agus phobal na Gaeltachta laistigh de na pleananna forbartha sin. Táimid á bhrú chun cinn i gCorcaigh. Tá an deis chéanna ann sna contaetha eile chomh maith ag an tráth seo. Tá togra amháin eile gur mhaith liom díriú isteach air is ea Coláiste Íosagáin. Aithneoidh daoine ar fud na tíre an foirgneamh mór fada bán sin a fheiceann tú agus tú ag gabháil trí Bhaile Bhuirne idir Chill Airne agus Corcaigh. Bhí togra fadradharcach ar fad i gceist nuair a ceannaíodh é na blianta ó shin. Idir an dá linn, tá an-obair déanta ar an suíomh.”
“Tá togra an-dearfach á chur chun cinn aige i nGaeltacht Mhúscraí faoi láthair. Sna míonna amach romhainn, beidh tithe inacmhainne á gcur ar fáil i gCluain Réidh i mBaile Mhic Íre. Is tithe iad seo a bheidh dírithe ar phobal na Gaelainne. Is rud an-dearfach é sin. Ní chloisimid rómhinic, nó riamh b'fhéidir, faoin dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh. Nuair atá dul chun cinn á dhéanamh, tá sé fíorthábhachtach é a aithint. Beidh deis ag muintir na Gaelainne tithe inacmhainne a fháil ina ndúthaigh féin. Is féidir le Gaeilgeoirí ó fud na tíre iarratas a dhéanamh chomh maith. Tá dul chun cinn á dhéanamh ag an gcomhairle contae maidir leis an bplean forbartha don chontae chomh maith. Tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ar an bplean sin faoi láthair.”
“Dar ndóigh, bainfidh pobal Le Chéile Secondary School tairbhe as chomh maith. Is é an tithíocht an deacracht is mó ar fud na tíre ar fad. Tuigim go bhfuil sé mar an chloch is mó ar phaidrín an Rialtais. Feicimid é sin leis an líon tithe atá á dtógáil i mo dhúthaigh féin, in Áth an Chóiste, sa Chloch Dhubh agus i go leor áiteanna eile. Tá brú breise ann nuair a thagann tú chuig an nGaeltacht, áfach. Gan tithe sa Ghaeltacht, níl deis ag daoine an teanga a thabhairt chun cinn chuig an gcéad ghlúin eile. Mar sin, tá sé fíorthábhachtach go mbeadh tithíocht ann agus go mbeadh deis ag pobal na Gaeltachta maireachtáil ina ndúthaigh féin. Tá gá le tithe inacmhainne go háirithe. Inseoidh mé don Aire faoi na hiarrachtaí a bhfuil Comhairle Contae Chorcaí ag déanamh mar gheall ar thithe inacmhainne.”
“Tá fás ar chúrsaí teanga, go háirithe laistigh de na cathracha agus na bruachbhailte. Tá gá le hinfreastruchtúr chun tacú leis sin agus chun é a neartú. Táim ag caint faoi infreastruchtúr bunúsach cosúil le naíonraí agus scoileanna. I mo dhúthaigh féin, tá gá le scoil nua i gcomhair phobal Gaelainne Bhaile an Chollaigh, áit a bhfuil Gaelscoil an Chaisleáin, scoil nuabhunaithe, i bhfoirgneamh sealadach le roinnt blianta anuas. Tá suíomh ceannaithe chuige sin agus tá foireann dearaidh tosaithe ar an obair don Ghaelscoil agus don scoil dara leibhéal, Le Chéile Secondary School. Faraor, níl an togra ar liosta práinneach an Aire oideachais. Is mór an chailliúint é sin. Iarraim ar an Rialtas gach iarracht a dhéanamh chun an togra tábhachtach sin a thabhairt chun cinn ar son na teanga i measc phobal Bhaile an Chollaigh agus phobal lár Chorcaí.”
“Ar an gcéad dul síos, fáiltím roimh an deis páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht inniu. Ar ndóigh, tá riachtanais ag pobal na Gaelainne ar fud na bliana, ní hamháin le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Táim chun é sin a bhrú chun cinn i gcónaí. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil deis againn labhairt inniu ach beimid ag brú chun cinn riachtanais phobal na Gaelainne ar fud na bliana chomh maith. Cloisimid i gcónaí go bhfuil dúshláin ann ó thaobh an líon daoine atá ag labhairt na Gaeilge go laethúil, agus is cinnte go bhfuil. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil an tAcht nua tógtha chun cinn ag an Rialtas deireanach chun a léiriú go mbeadh deiseanna fostaíochta sa Státchóras amach anseo. Tá brú ar chúrsaí Gaelainne. Tá rudaí dearfacha ar siúl chomh maith. Is minic nach gcloistear mar gheall ar na rudaí dearfacha.”
“It needs to re-examine the possibility of supporting these organisations, as they are coming under pressure from the increased cost of auto-enrolment.”
“I am conscious that pay increases were agreed with section 56 workers in the past year and funding increases were agreed for the organisation to support an increase in pay. Has the Minister considered introducing additional funding to the organisations as was previously done to support the organisations' additional employee costs, and will there be assistance for these important services that find themselves in difficulty due to the increased costs of employment? They are providing vital services, including youth services and a broad range of services in the community. While they are not direct employees of Tusla, Tusla does fund and contract them and it provides funding for employment. It is not totally removed from the situation and is a vital cog in it.”
“These section 56 organisations, the likes of CDYS, are providing vital services such as social care services in the community, family support through the family resource centre and, in my own community, youth services and much more. While Tusla contracts them, as the Minister said, they are private organisations and their employees are not employed by Tusla. They are not-for-profit organisations delivering services in our community. While the aim of introducing the auto-enrolment is to fill that gap between people who do and do not have pensions, which is very welcome, it is an additional cost on these not-for-profit organisations. We need to review the situation here and I would ask that additional funding be made available to support those section 56 organisations.”
“Organisations funded by Tusla under section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act are delivering a huge range of vital services, such as youth services, in communities around the country. Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services, CDYS, is a typical example in my own community. Can the Minister outline the efforts being made to address the costs associated with auto-enrolment for these organisations?”
“When will parents and school communities who are unsure and concerned know that their children will have the necessary number of SNAs?”
“The change in SNA allocations has caused a great deal of concern and distress among school communities local to me. Aghabullogue was due to lose half of its SNAs. Bweeng was to lose one of its three. Scoil Barra and Boherbue parents also highlighted concerns. There is also a knock-on impact, in particular on schoolchildren. The pausing of the new plan yesterday is welcome and gives reliefs to many school communities, but it has not completely resolved the concerns. Killmurry, for example, which had been unable to get a new SNA despite a growing need, is stuck. Schools which were in fear of losing an SNA and are appealing are concerned that their appeals may not be successful. What is the pathway for parents and school communities from now on?”
“Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss appropriate accommodation in Louth schools and the Department of education's additional accommodation scheme and building unit. The matters raised by Deputies Colm Burke, John Connolly, Michael Murphy, Louise O'Reilly and Danny Healy-Rae have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Ruth Coppinger - To discuss calls for the FAI not to play Israel in upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Deputies Rose Conway-Walsh, Richard Boyd Barrett, Pádraig O'Sullivan, Eoghan Kenny, David Cullinane, Louis O'Hara, Thomas Gould and Paul Murphy - To discuss the reduction of special needs assistant, SNA, numbers at various schools in Cork, the SNA review and SNA reallocations, cuts to SNA positions in schools, the downgrading of need in Cork schools and the cuts to SNA provision there. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae - To discuss the scarcity of rental accommodation and how to address it. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss an update on the proposed closure of a factory in Arklow, County Wicklow.”
“Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss contingency arrangements for children awaiting community ophthalmology services in south Tipperary. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss Uisce Éireann's plan for a River Shannon-Dublin water pipeline. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss an application for port listing status for Killybegs in line with new regulations. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss funding for provision of community-based housing for adults with disabilities in Dublin Fingal West. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss funding for the breakfast club for St. Paul's Senior National School, Drogheda, County Louth. Deputy Alan Kelly - To discuss the need for extra resources for An Garda Síochána in the mid-west region. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan - To discuss funding to local councils to repair damage to road surfaces.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss the recruitment of paediatric dermatology consultants to the south-west region. Deputy Catherine Ardagh - To discuss funding support for the Ballyfermot Youth Service. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss the lack of community childcare facilities in Dublin Fingal West. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the HSE's refinement of the scope and budget for planned elective hospitals. Deputy Paula Butterly - To discuss the payment of the agreed 2% pension increase for An Post and Eircom pensioners. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the shortage of mainstream school places in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, for the 2026-27 school year.”
“Sula mbrúnn muid ar aghaidh chuig an gcéad ábhar eile, nuair a bhí an phaidir á rá agam níos luaithe ag tús an tseisiúin, chuir sí i gcuimhne dom gurb é inniu Lá Fhéile Gobnait, an 11 Feabhra. Is lá mór é do mhuintir Mhúscraí. Leanfaidh muid ar aghaidh leis an gcéad ábhar eile in ainmneacha na dTeachtaí Byrne agus Guirke, to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.”
“Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty - To discuss the need for the Department of Education and Youth to avoid building on a GAA pitch at a school by working with the school on an alternative location for all three modular ASD units, and delaying its deadline of 13 February, pending further discussions. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss emergency funding needs for a Gaelscoil. The matters raised by Deputies Cahill, Mattie McGrath, Joanna Byrne and Rory Hearne have been selected for discussion”
“Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the allocation of SET and SNA hours for primary schools. Deputy Eoghan Kenny - To discuss school building projects in County Cork. Deputy Alan Kelly - To discuss the need for increased resources for An Garda Síochána in the mid-west. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the provision of school accommodation at St. Mochta's National School, Louth village. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss special needs classes at Ballyduff national school. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the additional accommodation project at a Coláiste De Lacy, Ashbourne, County Meath. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the housing aid for older people grant and the provision of new boilers. Deputy Emer Currie - To discuss core funding for 2026.”
“Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the delivery of level 2 general palliative care services in the community, including clinical nursing services outside normal working hours in County Louth. Deputy Pearse Doherty - To discuss the impact of the loss of Donegal to Dublin afternoon flights. Deputy Mattie McGrath - To discuss plans by Tipperary County Council to demolish 52 partially-completed houses in Cashel, County Tipperary. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss the proposed closure of the Merck factory in Arklow, County Wicklow. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the review of the Garda vetting process and planned measures for simplification. Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss implementing the agreed pension payment increases to retired staff of Eir and An Post.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss whether agreement has been reached with all south Kerry CAMHS victims and families. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil - To discuss the infrastructure in schools in Kildare North. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026. Deputy Ciarán Ahern - To discuss issues on the F1 bus route for commuters in Dublin South-West. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss contingency arrangements for children awaiting community ophthalmology services in Tipperary South. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the minor works scheme.”
“A huge range of significant issues are putting pressure on farmers. They include bluetongue, the new Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, the Mercosur deal and Bord Bia. Last week, the agriculture committee questioned the Bord Bia chair on Brazilian beef imports. There are very strong views on the issue and farmers are really upset about what they saw happen in the weeks leading up to the committee meeting. Time and again at the meeting, the question came up about discussions and getting people around the table, face to face and talking. Is there some way of getting the various interest groups - the farmer organisations and Bord Bia - around the table to get progress on the current impasse?”
“Deputy Maurice Quinlivan - To discuss the misuse of e-scooter vehicles in urban areas. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere - To discuss the new Kilkenny Institute of Further and Higher Education training campus. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the response to anti-social behaviour caused by those illegally driving scramblers and e-scooters. The matters raised by Deputies John Paul O'Shea, Robert O'Donoghue, Louis O'Hara, Peter 'Chap' Cleere and Barry Heneghan have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss enhancing public transport links between Lucan and the airport. Deputy Peter Roche - To discuss access to supports for people with an end of life medical card. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss access to resources for first responders and advanced paramedics. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss prepay customers facing involuntarily disconnection over the winter. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the shortfall of SEN primary school places in Shankill, County Dublin. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the development of equine therapy facilities at the Toghermore Campus in Tuam, County Galway. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss core funding for Ballyfermot youth service. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the Cork Events Centre project and the new tender process.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss issues regarding St. Joseph's Primary School, Fairview. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss the development of a minor injuries hub plan for Balbriggan. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss actions taken by Government in relation to ongoing human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party against the Uyghurs. Deputy John Paul O'Shea - To discuss the long waiting lists for home support home help in Cork. Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss funding to bring the main N70 in Caherciveen town, and the footpaths, up to standard. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss serious non-compliance with road traffic legislation.”
“Principally, people want reassurance and certainty that they are going to get that broadband roll-out over the coming months.”
“I thank the Minister. He raises a very reasonable point about the way it was when we came in here, when it was a much bigger issue, but for the people in the Ballingeary, Carriganimmy and Dunmanway area, it has continued to be an issue. They were in the later part of the deployment and in fairness to them, they have been very patient. There is a level of frustration and people need to see that headway can now be made, and that possible lessons that would have been learned from earlier parts of the deployment can advance things more quickly in the later part of the deployment. Are they able to get ahead of schedule? Does the Minister have any more details on whether they will release all three switches at the same time or is there a possibility that an issue on any one of those switches could delay the other ones?”
“They want to see more headway on it and to make sure that those timelines are being met. Could the Minister confirm that the deployments will meet the timelines? Is there a way of bringing them forward?”
“I fully appreciate that the roll-out of such a large plan has to start somewhere and has to end somewhere. The switches in the Carriganimmy, Ballingeary and Dunmanway area are towards the latter part of the plan. Residents in those areas could reasonably expect that things that would have been learned from the earlier deployments could be put in place to speed up the later deployments, such as in the area west of Macroom. Is that actually being done? Is it possible to get it done faster in the later deployments than in the earlier deployments? For example, people in Ballingeary will have seen the coils of pipes standing there probably for most of the year at this stage, as the deployment has been ongoing there. They have been very patient, perhaps too patient.”
“I want to raise with the Minister the roll-out of the national broadband plan in the area west of Macroom - the switches for Carriganimmy, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh and Dunmanway. They cover large rural areas going from Clondrohid around Cill na Martra, Reananerree, on down towards Cappeen, Kilmichael, Johnstown and out around Togher, Shanacrane, and Doirín na Cathrach. It is a very large rural area and they are keen to get that roll-out advanced as soon as possible.”
“People are asking me whether, if they are applying for a county council grant to repair the roof or whatever it might be in ten or 15 years' time, the lump sum in question, perhaps from a pension fund, will be taken into account as part of a means test. These are the kinds of questions people have been asking and I would like to get clarity on them, please.”
“In relation to the gaps emerging, it would be interesting to know if these are in particular sectors or geographical, if there is a little bit more information on this, as well as how quickly, or otherwise, the gaps might be closing. The Minister might not have the information now, so it is okay if he is able to send it on afterwards. I have been discussing this with people locally and a number of different issues have been emerging. For example, where people are not registered but will be at some stage in the future, there will be a catch-up time. This is because there would be an expectation that 1 January payments would be made. Would a lump sum be taken from a pay packet on the first one if a catch-up is being done? A second issue has to do with a means test and if somebody's situation changes in the future.”
“With more than 760,000 people to be enrolled across the country, and I hear the figure of more than 75,000 people in County Cork, are they all registered and up and running on it or are gaps emerging in places where employers have not registered and people are not yet registered for various reasons? If gaps are emerging, can the Minister outline where they are and if they are in particular sectors or concern large or small employers? Can the Minister please give an overview on this?”
“Auto-enrolment is a significant change for people who are in employment and preparing for pensions. It has been up and running since the beginning of the year, as the Minister will be aware, and the first pay packs are arriving in. It is very visible there. Can the Minister give an outline of the number of people who are registered at this point, and, in particular, the figures for Cork?”
“Surely, Irish Water should recognise that these are not commercial entities. They are providing public services to communities and that should be reflected in the connection fee. Second, farmers are doing considerable work in improving water quality and putting in place infrastructure. They have on-site inspections from the council and various different authorities. It is right that there are inspections so that if there is a problem, it can be quickly dealt with. The same standards should be applied across the board to all polluters. If that polluter is Irish Water, it should be expected to deliver infrastructure just as quickly and prevent the pollution. For example, in Ballingarry, Irish Water is polluting the River Lee. Farther along, Irish Water is polluting the River Bandon at Dunmanway. All pollution should be treated equally.”
“There are two issues I wish to raise with the Minister of State on Irish Water infrastructure delivery. The first issue relates to connection fees and the second relates to pollution in waterways. Irish Water has a fee structure for connections that fails to take into account that community groups have to fundraise and get grants from Government and various sources to build community services. They are still treated as commercial entities when it comes to making a connection to water and sewerage. In Rylane, for example, we are building a community centre. The community group has been very active in fundraising. I am pleased the State and the Department have been able to provide €1.8 million in grants for the project. Irish Water is charging over €30,000 to connect to drinking and wastewater.”
“Seanad Éireann has passed the Finance Bill 2025, without amendment; has passed the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025, without amendment; and has passed the Social Welfare and Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System (Amendment) Bill 2025, without amendment.”
“Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire - To discuss the tender for the building of Cork Educate Together Secondary School. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the need for funding for a school in Cork due to ongoing leaks. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss plans for investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in Dunboyne, County Meath. The matters raised by Deputies Michael Cahill, Barry Heneghan, Joe Cooney and Louis O'Hara have been selected for discussion.”
“Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the deferral of commencement of the Dart+ South West project to 2030. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss community spaces in Dublin 8. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss a proposal by Caltra Community Group for funding under the building blocks grant. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher - To discuss the omission of a school from DEIS. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh - To discuss the imminent closure of The Complex in Dublin. Deputy Louis O'Hara - To discuss the need for a 24-hour rapid response vehicle at Tuam ambulance base. Deputy Conor Sheehan - To discuss the 304A bus service in Limerick city and the roll-out of the BusConnects service. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss the publication of the north Kerry lookback review.”
“Deputy Brendan Smith - To discuss rural development policy. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss drug-related intimidation and associated violence. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss an additional autism class in Goatstown ETNS. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness - To discuss prevention of losses of connectivity for persons using a health monitoring or pendant alarm. Deputy Louise O'Reilly - To discuss the backlog in assessment of need applications in Fingal west. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú - To discuss the CFRAM project at Blackrock, County Louth. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghurs. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss ongoing issues with the tenant in situ scheme in Dublin North-West. Deputy Eamon Scanlon - To discuss the dispute involving Caredoc staff.”
“I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Michael Cahill - To discuss the tackling of coastal erosion and flooding in County Kerry. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere - To discuss the new Kilkenny Institute of Further Education and Training campus. Deputy Pat Buckley - To discuss ongoing water outages affecting the community of Knockane, Castlemartyr, County Cork. Deputy Joe Cooney - To discuss the employment support scheme. Deputy Barry Heneghan - To discuss urgent issues regarding a school in Fairview. Deputy Brian Stanley - To discuss school places for special needs pupils at second level in Portlaoise. Deputy Michael Murphy - To discuss the number of members assigned to Garda road policing units.”
“The first thing I take from the Minister's response is that a decision has not been made to put such a rank in place. When my colleagues and I had the opportunity to meet with PDFORRA recently, the association was very clear that this was needed. The Commission on the Defence Forces has also been very clear on it. Why is there uncertainty as to whether this rank would be created? Time can be spent trying to develop the course and bring it to fruition but the decision as to whether it should be introduced or not should surely be made at this stage. Will the Minister clarify why it has not been? What impediments need to be cleared? Why is the Minister not convinced of the need for this post? How quickly will a decision be made on it?”