Alan Dillon
Mayo · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Landlords are generally not in a position to supervise day-to-day waste management practices within occupied properties. The Government therefore has significant concerns regarding both the practicality and effectiveness of these provisions.”
“The Government has commissioned an independent study to examine the feasibility of moving Ireland's household waste collection system from the current side-by-side competition model to a franchise-based system. That study is examining the environmental, economic, operational and consumer implications of alternative market structures.”
“If the evidence supports significant changes to the market structure, the Government will consider those recommendations carefully. If the evidence suggests improvements can be achieved through strengthened regulation, enhanced enforcement or targeted reforms within the existing framework, those options should also be considered.”
“We also want to see a well-designed waste collection system that not only delivers environmental benefits but also provides householders with the opportunity to reduce their own household waste costs through reducing residual waste, correctly segregating recyclable materials and correctly segregating organic materials.”
“We have a lack of capacity so we need to continue that, and investment certainty is really important in that regard but also to enable Ireland to meet both our national and European obligations, which are far reaching. These will all benefit from a stable and predictable policy framework.”
“Ireland requires continued investment across the waste and resource sector. We need investment in collection infrastructure, recycling capacity, material recovery technologies, organic waste treatment, digital systems and innovation. Those making long-term investments require certainty regarding Government policy.”
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“-----but the €250 million package announced on Wednesday will be of enormous benefit by any yardstick. If we look at what Sinn Féin is doing up the North, it is introducing a measly €30 that will not be introduced until 1 July. Its hypocrisy in telling us down here when it stands still in the North when it has a Minister for the economy and finance doing absolutely zero, shines in the face of its lack of responsibility or urgency in regards to these needs. We have put the measures in place and legislated for them, and we will see that reduction at the pumps over the next 24 hours.”
“-----not just ACRES but also the fuel allowance and the expansion of the fuel allowance? It supports the fuel allowance. How would we generate the revenue that supports 470,000 households and indeed the likes of the home retrofitting programme? It has made a substantial difference. That is why we have expanded it for four weeks. It is targeted to those who are most impacted. We have also put in measures to reduce the cost and we have been very upfront that we cannot cover all sectors and households-----”
“------to the ACRES scheme. That is a programme that has a direct impact on rural communities across the country. It is the Sinn Féin model to spend fast, wide and worry later. How would we replace the revenue streams that support these vital programmes-----”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the points she has. On this side of the House, we do not agree with them. The carbon tax has been one of the most progressive taxes we have introduced. It has contributed-----”
“Overall, the Government will continue to actively monitor the geopolitical situation and continue to make adjustments as we see fit over the weeks and months ahead.”
“Earlier this week, the Government introduced temporary and targeted measures, as I outlined earlier, cutting diesel by 22 cent, petrol by 17 cent and marked oil by 5 cent. These measures will have a significant impact in terms of the diesel tax rebate scheme, supporting the haulage and bus passenger operators who are also exposed. We are very worried about heating oil and have extended the fuel allowance for those who would have seen an end to it at the end of this month. That has been extended by an extra four weeks, with an additional €152 to support those in receipt of it. We have allowed those on the family working payment to be included in the fuel allowance, which affects an additional 50,000 households.”
“On 11 March, Ireland agreed to participate in the International Energy Agency to release international strategic reserves to address any supply issues which may result from the conflict. Indeed, Ireland has contributed to the IEA 400 million-barrel release, with 1.6 million barrels in place. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment is also liaising with the National Oil Reserves Agency, NORA, on the operational element of that release. The Minister, Deputy O’Brien, chaired a meeting of the national energy affordability task force on 15 March. That focus was very much on ensuring that the Government is informed of the ongoing developments. We also had a subsequent meeting on 26 March, this afternoon, with regard to the Government taking action to help households and businesses in respect of the fuel and energy crisis.”
“The increase in energy prices in recent weeks is a real concern. What we have seen are not just normal price fluctuations, but a real geopolitical shock that has immediate consequences across the world. Military action in the Gulf is impacting crude oil prices significantly, and market volatility is certainly causing a risk of supply and huge disruption. The energy security group met on 8 March to assess the implications of the conflict, and that ensured the Government is fully informed of the ongoing developments as regards global energy markets. The group reviewed the current supply and price conditions across oil, gas and electricity, and heard from fuel industry representatives.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. The irony here is that Sinn Féin voted against yesterday’s cut in excise duty, which will make the cost of fuel at the pumps cheaper and reduce the cost of energy and fuel for households and families. The Deputy is about blaming the Government for its lack of action, when we actually took action. Sinn Féin was the only Opposition party to vote against the cut. It looks like Sinn Féin is making it up as it goes along every single day. Even the Private Members' Bill it brought forward last week had no mention at all of the fuel allowance with regard to the 470,000 households impacted, or the measures we have introduced which are targeted and supportive of those who are at risk of fuel poverty and on the lowest income deciles. Energy affordability is a priority for this Government.”
“The level of need has been identified, but there is then the prioritisation need and the approach the Department has taken in selecting the initial projects to progress. It is no different in County Mayo. Many schools there were not selected. I am sure many other Deputies would reflect the same situation in their constituencies. It is certainly reflected in the number of education Topical Issue matters that have been raised today. I will take the points raised by the Deputy back to the Minister.”
“I again thank Deputy O’Rourke for bringing this important matter to the floor of the Dáil. I certainly agree with him regarding the time dependency relating to this project. I will take the points he has raised back to the Minister, Deputy Naughton, in the context of her consideration of the needs of Dunboyne junior and senior national schools and ask that they be considered as part of the ongoing Department-led prioritisation process. The consultation with the school patron and the school authority will continue. Notwithstanding that, any interim accommodation requirements will continue to be assessed and considered by the Department on a case-by-case basis. This project certainly deserves merit in that regard, particularly if it is at stage 2b and planning permission is already in place.”
“In relation to the roll-out of largescale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance, and to provide necessary additional accommodation through targeted and prioritised projects. The NDP implementation plan for education has seen its first tranche announced, and that will be progressed this year and next. It will be revised on an ongoing basis.”
“The Department of Education and Youth received the revised stage 2b submission report for the senior school from the design team in June 2025. Department officials will carry out a full review of the stage 2b report, and the school and design team will be kept informed of the next steps. The Department is currently engaging with the design team regarding the process of removing and replacing the temporary accommodation at Dunboyne Junior National School. In July, the Government announced its largest capital allocation of over €7.5 billion for the Department of Education and Youth under the national development plan, NDP. As part of that allocation, we will see a strong emphasis on the provision of accommodation for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school placement needs.”
“The tender report relating to reserved specialist contractors was received from the design team and sent to the Department for review in July 2021. Due to the passage of time and in light of the increased construction costs, a decision was made in November 2021 to reprice the tenders. These were returned in quarter 1 of 2022. Following a review of the tender report, the authorisation to issue the letter of intent was issued in October 2022. In June 2024, a decision was taken to collapse the tender to allow for an increased scope of works, which, following consultation with the design team, was deemed necessary. Decarbonisation measures were included in the revised project scope in line with climate action objectives.”
“I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Naughton, to outline to the House the current position regarding the school projects for Dunboyne junior and senior national schools, Station Road, Dunboyne, County Meath. These school building projects will deliver a new 24-classroom primary school, with additional classrooms for children with special educational needs for the senior school, and the construction of an eight-classroom extension planned refurbishment, with classrooms for children with special educational needs for the junior school. The school was authorised to proceed to stage 3, tender, in December 2020 and in May 2021, it was authorised to issue a letter of intent.”
“As I said, further engagement is required and I am sure the Deputy and many of her Oireachtas colleagues in her area will engage further with the school management on how we can progress and enhance the school environment to ensure that pupils have appropriate conditions and that any refurbishment or existing emergency works are implemented in a speedy manner, while progressing the project itself as required and approved.”
“I thank the Deputy again for raising important points regarding a school in her constituency. I will ensure I take those points back to the Minister for education, Deputy Naughton. I emphasise again that the Department is fully committed to ensuring there is appropriate accommodation available for all school pupils and will, in the wider context, continue to engage with Cloontagh National School and ensure the building project for the school is subject to the required diligence under the Government's infrastructure guidelines. We all understand that the construction environment is challenging across all sectors, not just in education but also in housing. The Department is required to manage the timing, scope and cost of individual projects within its budgetary requirements.”
“This national development plan, NDP, implementation plan will optimise ongoing outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money and meets functional needs. All existing school building projects and applications for accommodation will be considered in this context, with a particular focus on ensuring existing capacity is maximised. The Department had recent engagement with the school and will continue to work with it to ensure current and future school place needs are prioritised.”
“As part of the NDP allocation, the Department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. Regarding project roll-out for large-scale projects and additional school accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and also provide the necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of the 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs. The sectoral plan for the education and youth sector will be published shortly. The first tranche of projects to progress to construction will be published at that time.”
“This project will provide one mainstream classroom, one special education needs classroom and ancillary. A stage 2 report was submitted to the Department officials in quarter 3 of 2025. This report is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the infrastructure guidelines. Given the detailed nature of the evaluation process, the need to ensure full cost compliance, and the requirement to align the project with the prioritisation framework under the national development plan, this review process is necessarily thorough. In July 2025, the Government announced an allocation of over €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for a period up to 2030 under the national development plan.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, to update the House on the current position regarding Cloontagh National School in County Longford. Cloontagh National School is a two-teacher school based in Killashee parish. The school is under the patronage of Bishop Paul Connell and a Catholic ethos is upheld. School enrolment has decreased from 23 in 2021 to 2022, to 14 in 2025 to 2026, reflecting the national decline in primary demographics. At a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decline by 100,000 over a ten-year period. In 2022, on foot of an application, accommodation was approved for this school under the additional school accommodation scheme.”
“I will take the Deputy's points back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, as regards an accelerated programme to try to meet our EU targets with an emphasis on ensuring the Deputy's constituents in County Laois are supported.”
“Regarding LDV3, which comprises of 192 high-powered recharging points, there will be three locations in County Laois under this phase, each location with the minimum capacity of 100 KW that will be installed. The majority of the EV infrastructure delivered under each of these schemes is expected to be operational by the end of this year. In addition, ZEVI is also running a scheme in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach and using funding for the shared island fund. Deputies may be aware that this scheme provided funding to install a network of publicly accessible chargers in communities nationwide and there were five eligible clubs in Laois for new charging points, namely, the Heath Golf Club, the Heritage Golf Resort, Park Ratheniska GAA club, Clonaslee St. Manman’s GAA club, and Annanough GAA club.”
“I thank Deputy Stanley for his advocacy and for raising this matter on the floor of the Dáil. It is not the first time he has raised it and it is an important issue for those who have EVs. They do need more security and predictability in regard to charging networks and facilities. There are three ongoing schemes, LDV1, LDV2 and LDV3, being administered by the Department of Transport and these will ensure Ireland meets its EU targets for a publicly accessible EV charging network. For LDV1, a total of 131 high-powered recharging points will be built across 17 charging pools providing over 24 MW recharging. One of these is located in County Laois at Portlaoise Plaza on the M7.”
“Local authorities will be funded to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking.”
“It includes a comprehensive plan to expand and future-proof the national EV charging network, ensuring that charging infrastructure continues to keep pace with the growing demand for electric vehicles. The strategy will build on previous ZEVI publications, such as the regional and local EV charging network plan and the national road EV charging network plan. The national road EV charging network plan sets out targets for en route charging across the national road network, whereas the regional and local EV charging network plan focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations that will be led by local authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors. Laois has been identified under region 2 with counties Longford, Roscommon, Westmeath and regional lead Offaly.”
“Zero emission vehicles Ireland, ZEVI, an office in the Department of Transport, is finalising a data strategy and associated data platforms that will, once in place, enhance the Department's ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. This strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by charge point operators in relation to charge points in near real time and provide this comprehensive data on an open data basis. The new draft national EV charging infrastructure strategy 2026-2028 was published on 26 February and aims to further accelerate the delivery of EV infrastructure across lreland.”
“Currently, there is an obligation on charging point operators and owners to publicly share charge point data under the EU alternative fuel infrastructure regulation. Data from January 2026 shows that in County Laois, there were approximately 20 publicly accessible charging pools - locations with at least one charging point - with 67 charging points across these pools. There is an aggregated power output of 5 MW across these pools. It should be noted that this data is provided by charge point operators, CPOs, and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided.”
“I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important matter of EV charging points in Laois. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. A significant challenge to EV uptake by consumers is perception around availability and suitability of charging infrastructure. While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home and will address most users' charging needs, there is a need for a streamlined public charging network to provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.”
“Those who remain unfit to work will transition into the public service sick leave scheme with continued access to a full range of supports, including temporary rehabilitation remuneration, the critical illness protocol and reasonable workplace accommodation. This approach ensures that there is fairness and equity across the public service and that we continue to provide meaningful and appropriate support for those affected. I want to reassure the Deputy and the House that the Department of Health will continue to work with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, in the Department of Social Protection and the HSE, staff representatives and those across Government to ensure those supports are delivered effectively and compassionately to those who are affected.”
“I acknowledge the extraordinary service of our healthcare workers during the pandemic. The temporary special scheme for long Covid was an exceptional measure that was introduced in recognition of the unique risk faced by staff in those early days and uncertain times. It provided sustained support for nearly five years, which was a level of protection unmatched in any other sector. The Deputy is dressing this up in another way that is not reflective of the level of support that has been provided to date. Although the scheme has concluded, it is important to reiterate that staff will not be left without support.”
“From the information available, it is not clear that any country provided sustained full-pay supports for long Covid comparable to Ireland’s special scheme. While many staff members have already returned to work, the Minister is conscious that others continue to face difficulties. As such, she will meet with the Minister for Social Protection with a view to exploring what supports, if any, may be accessed by those facing long-term challenges in returning to work.”
“These measures are intended to ensure that staff are supported, not only financially but also in practical terms, as they recover and reintegrate into the workplace. All illnesses are treated equally under the public service sick leave regulations. This equity is a fundamental part of the public service sick leave scheme and avoids any perception that one illness or condition is more serious than others. The Minister for Social Protection has responsibility for these regulations and schemes. He has reviewed the EU recommendation on recognising Covid-19 as an occupational illness and has determined that it does not meet the criteria required for recognition under the social welfare Acts. While many other countries did recognise Covid-19 as an occupational illness, this related to Covid-19 itself rather than long Covid.”
“Since the conclusion of the special scheme, 104 employees have transitioned to the public service sick leave scheme, while a further 57 have returned to work, including through phased return arrangements. Under the public service sick leave scheme, staff may receive full pay for three months, followed by half pay for a further three months. They then have the option to apply for temporary rehabilitative remuneration, which can provide up to an additional 547 days of paid leave. In addition, the critical illness protocol may provide supports for up to three years, where the relevant criteria are met. Beyond financial supports, staff are also entitled to reasonable workplace accommodations to assist with their return to work. This may include modified duties or adjusted working patterns during rehabilitation.”
“While the scheme was extended on several occasions at the request of the Minister for Health, the Labour Court recommended a final extension in June 2025 and the scheme concluded on 31 December 2025. By that point, employees remaining on the scheme had received support at full pay for almost five years through a combination of special leave with pay and the special scheme itself. Importantly, and I want to be very clear on this point, the conclusion of the special scheme does not mean that supports have ended. Staff who remain unfit to return to work have moved into the public service sick leave scheme, ensuring continuity of both care and financial protection.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister for Health. It is great to get an opportunity to provide an update and acknowledge the extraordinary role played by healthcare workers in protecting us during the pandemic. In recognition of those exceptional circumstances, a special scheme was introduced in July 2022 to support eligible public health sector staff who developed long Covid. This was a temporary and exceptional measure, unique to the health sector, designed to acknowledge the particular risks faced by staff working in high-exposure environments before PPE, vaccination and widespread community transmission were established.”
“Everyone should be on this journey at the same time. We are committed to ensuring that patients who are experiencing real difficulties have access to services. I will take this issue back to the Minister and thank the Deputy for raising it.”
“I have listened to the Deputy and taken on board the points he has made. I will bring them back to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. The Deputy has advocated for his constituents to ensure they have better dental and orthodontic treatment services. I assure him that improving access to dental care for children is a priority. We need an accelerated response to the staffing deficit that Tipperary is experiencing. We must also ensure that waiting lists are reduced significantly over the time ahead. The Government is investing heavily in oral health policy. This is part of the modernisation of our health service. We need transformation in how we deliver the care at a regional level and not just at national level. Sometimes that is forgotten. There should not be inequality across the east, west and south.”
“The Department of Health is working with colleagues in the HSE and other relevant stakeholders to address the immediate backlogs in the public dental system while long-term reform is under way. The national oral healthcare policy sets out the vision for oral healthcare services in Ireland and has two key goals: to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their potential best oral health and to reduce oral health inequalities across the population by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health. Reform of our services is vital and I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter to ensure that people of all ages can have access to modern, prevention-focused care.”
“To support capacity nationally, €2 million was awarded in 2025, increasing to €4 million in 2026 for an additional 15 HSE dental staff to deliver oral healthcare in the community. The HSE advises that Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary have been allocated one of these posts, which have been difficult to fill. With regard to immediate and long-term reforms, the Minister acknowledges that the current system, which was developed in the 1990s in response to the identified oral healthcare needs at that time, must be modernised and aligned with current needs. The Government is committed to addressing the immediate difficulties that patients are experiencing in accessing oral healthcare services.”
“In relation to orthodontic services, targeted investment is delivering meaningful improvement. On top of the €240 million that the Government invests annually in oral healthcare, over €20 million has been allocated to waiting list initiatives for contracted orthodontic care, resulting in more than 5,200 removals from waiting lists since 2020. This includes a dedicated orthodontic surgery programme that has delivered treatment for an additional 266 patients to date. This funding will continue in 2026 with a further €2.8 million being provided. The HSE has advised that there are staffing challenges in the public dental service in south Tipperary and that the healthcare area manager for south Tipperary is currently reviewing staffing levels and waiting list times to replace one specialist in orthodontics based in south Tipperary.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of the HSE's public dental and orthodontic service in south Tipperary. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. The HSE oral healthcare service aims to provide an oral examination and necessary treatment for children at ages approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth class. Emergency care is provided for children of all ages up to 16 and for those with complex and additional needs. The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients with the most severe and complex treatment needs. The Minister for Health is aware that there are currently backlogs in the HSE's child oral health examination programme, which have meant that the sixth-class groups are being prioritised.”
“As elected representatives, we need to continue to hold the local authorities to account regarding the condition of their existing stock and to make sure it is up to standard.”
“As I said earlier, as public representatives we all have an obligation to engage with local authorities and their housing sections, especially when these concerns are raised to us. We need to respond and I accept that point. We have taken steps to improve the system but the local authorities themselves have the reserved function to allocate their own resources to these types of programmes and to enhance the housing stock within their areas. I am sure that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has a lot more resources than we have in the west, in County Mayo, for example, in regard to property tax and resources generated on the ground. That said, I take the Deputy's point. We will continue to complement the work of the local authorities on stock improvement programmes.”
“Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for her contribution. We are in agreement that the standard of social properties being rented out by local authorities should be such that tenants have a good quality of life and their well-being and mental health are being protected. It is not acceptable for anyone to live in damp, mouldy or substandard conditions. That is why the Government has stepped up with additional funding for 2026, with the provision of an extra €60 million for the planned maintenance and voids programme. It is really important that we have access to good quality homes that provide the required comfort levels for the occupants. These homes must meet the standards set out within the rented standard regulation. That is critically important and non-negotiable from the Government's perspective.”
“My Department will continue to complement the efforts of the local authority through a strategic approach to ensure that the management and maintenance of such stock is kept to a high standard.”
“As I mentioned in reply to Deputy Sherlock earlier, we have the enhanced buy and renew scheme which will be coming on stream in the coming weeks, the vacant refurbishment grant, and significant funding through the URDF for vacant and derelict properties. The planned maintenance and voids programme now takes a more evidence-informed planned maintenance approach and the local authority has updated its management systems, with a further €4.2 million being provided through the Department of climate, energy and the environment through the SEAI retrofit programme. That will see an additional €800,000 being fed through the disabled persons' grant programme. The management and maintenance of housing stock is a statutory requirement and a matter for the local authority itself.”
“Ultimately, the selection of homes and the nature and prioritisation of works for inclusion in the programme is a matter for the local authority itself. In the past 12 years, the Exchequer has provided more than €31 million to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for its own social housing management and maintenance programme. A further €6.3 million will be provided by the Department in 2026. This includes €1.3 million for the revised planned maintenance and voids programme, which was rolled out to the local authority earlier this month and will support bringing more than 70 vacant social homes back into productive use in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Critically, the new programme will build on the strong progress made in tackling local authority vacancy levels.”
“Notwithstanding what Deputy Gibney has outlined on the statutory obligations, the Department also provides annual funding to local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, to complement the local authorities' own management and maintenance programmes. This funding is provided through the recent planned maintenance and voids programme, the energy efficiency retrofit programme and the disabled persons grant programme. These programmes, together with the Department's local authority estate regeneration programme, will provide €260 million to complement local authority social housing management and maintenance activities this year. This is an increase of almost €60 million on the amount provided to these programmes in 2025.”
“I thank Deputy Gibney for raising this important matter and giving me the opportunity to update the Dáil on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Critically, the management and maintenance of local authority social housing stock is, first and foremost, a matter for the respective local authority, in this instance Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. This includes activating and funding pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, implementing a planned maintenance programme and carrying out responsive repairs. Local authorities must also ensure their tenanted properties comply with the requirements of the Housing (Standards For Rented Houses) Regulations 2019.”