Eamon Scanlon
Sligo-Leitrim · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“While national progress is welcome, people in the north west want to know what NSO 3 is delivering for Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal. Our region has huge potential in tourism, enterprise, remote working and the blue and green economies, but the potential is still being held back by infrastructural deficits and poor connectivity.”
“The success of NSO 3 should ultimately be judged by whether rural counties can attract and retain people, jobs and investment. In the north-west, communities across Sligo and Leitrim and south Donegal continue to argue that stronger intervention is needed to overcome decades of underinvestment.”
“Will the Minister outline the NSO 3 projects that have been delivered in Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal? What share of rural regeneration funding has come to the north west and will additional roads funding be provided to ensure critical road projects are delivered?”
“The Taoiseach will be aware of the devastating situation now facing two major festivals in the north west following the collapse of Tickets.ie over the June bank holiday weekend.”
“I wish to highlight an urgent and exceptional situation facing St. Patrick's National School in Calry, County Sligo, which requires immediate and practical intervention to ensure children in this community can access the education they are entitled to. St.”
“The school has submitted substantial additional information to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances it now faces which cannot be addressed within the limits of the standard criteria. For September 2026, the school has already received 45 completed applications for junior infant enrolment.”
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“The success of NSO 3 should ultimately be judged by whether rural counties can attract and retain people, jobs and investment. In the north-west, communities across Sligo and Leitrim and south Donegal continue to argue that stronger intervention is needed to overcome decades of underinvestment. They point to the need for accelerated broadband delivery, greater support for town centre regeneration, expanded remote working infrastructure, enhanced tourism and outdoor recreation investment and, crucially, for improved transport connectivity and roads infrastructure. We should also mention Local Link, which has been a great success in rural Ireland but there are blank spots that need to be looked at as well. The Minister accepts there has been underinvestment in the north-west. I am glad he recognises the fact.”
“Will the Minister outline the NSO 3 projects that have been delivered in Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal? What share of rural regeneration funding has come to the north west and will additional roads funding be provided to ensure critical road projects are delivered? The critical road projects I am referring to are the Sligo-Galway road, the N17, the N15 and the N16.”
“While national progress is welcome, people in the north west want to know what NSO 3 is delivering for Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal. Our region has huge potential in tourism, enterprise, remote working and the blue and green economies, but the potential is still being held back by infrastructural deficits and poor connectivity. Roads funding is a major concern in Sligo, Leitrim and south Donegal, and planned roadworks are now being scaled back because rising construction costs have outstripped available funding. Local authorities cannot continue to do more with less. Projects that have already been identified as priorities should not be deferred simply because costs have increased. If these works are dropped this year, there is no guarantee that they will be funded next year. That is a great concern for the region.”
“Beyond that, we need robust legislation to compel ticketing agents to ring-fence client funds so this kind of collapse can never happen again.”
“The Taoiseach will be aware of the devastating situation now facing two major festivals in the north west following the collapse of Tickets.ie over the June bank holiday weekend. The Rory Gallagher International Festival in Ballyshannon is owed €283,000 and the Cowboys and Heroes festival in Leitrim is owed €130,000 in revenue that rightly belongs to them. These festivals are not just annual events. They are significant cultural and economic drivers for communities in Donegal and Leitrim and attract thousands of visitors every year. Organisers are determined to pay their suppliers but without intervention they will be left with crippling debt and may struggle to survive to 2027. What is urgently needed is Government assistance to ensure the revenue can be recovered.”
“The need is clear, the space is available and the demand is already at the door. Surely it makes sense to act now to prevent disruption, distress and the educational fallout that will inevitably follow if this situation is not resolved. The current system of allocating teachers based on the previous year's enrolment is no longer fit for purpose. We need a model that uses projected enrolment so schools are not left scrambling when large junior infant cohorts arrive. Schools across the country are experiencing rapid growth. Relying on outdated figures only creates avoidable crises like the one we are facing now. For these reasons I urge the Minister of State and the Department to intervene and approve the allocation of the additional teaching post for September 2026.”
“In March 2025 the Department sanctioned the opening of a second junior infants class at Dunshaughlin Community National School in County Meath. This intervention demonstrated that flexibility is both possible and appropriate when exceptional pressures arise. The circumstances now facing St. Patrick's National School deserve the same level of examination and the same fair treatment. The reality is simple. The school cannot absorb over 45 incoming junior infants without an additional teacher. Current projections show that significant challenges would place unsustainable pressures on teaching, learning and deployment of special education resources. The school has a classroom ready and it requires no capital investment. Based on projected enrolment, the school will qualify for an additional teacher in September 2027.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the primary staffing appeals board operates independently of the Department and I understand from the response to my representation that its decision is considered final. However, what is at stake goes far beyond the numbers or technical criteria. The decision not to allocate an additional teacher to St. Patrick's National School is, in practical terms, short-sighted and it risks having a deeply damaging impact on children, on families and on the wider Calry community. This is not an abstract administrative issue; it is about whether 45 four and five-year-olds have a fair, safe and appropriate start to their education. We have already seen comparable situations addressed differently.”
“Given the scale and projected enrolment, the absence of alternative school capacity and the school's readiness to accommodate an additional class without any capital expenditure, the case for immediate intervention is compelling. For these reasons, I request urgent approval for additional teaching posts for September 2026. This is a necessary and proportionate response to ensure children in Calry can access the education they deserve in their local school alongside their siblings in an environment that supports their learning development.”
“Without an additional teaching post, it is simply not possible to split classes further or to manage the projected enrolment in a way that is safe, sustainable or educationally sound. The combination of sustained enrolment growth, a significantly oversized junior infant cohort and the need for a senior split class clearly constitutes an exceptional circumstance. It is also important to note St. Patrick's National School will meet the threshold for an additional teacher in September 2027. Based on current projections the enrolment will exceed 192 pupils on 30 September 2026 with a projected enrolment of 203 children. In other words, this is not a temporary spike, it is a sustained upward trend.”
“The school has the physical capacity to accommodate this class. It has a vacant classroom ready to be used. Crucially, no additional capital investment is required. The nearest alternative school, which these children would not ordinarily attend, is already oversubscribed, operating a waiting list, and has no capacity to take additional pupils. The overwhelming majority of applicants for September 2026 are siblings of existing pupils. These are families who have already entrusted their children to St. Patrick's National School. The school has a clear obligation to meet this local demand. What are these parents supposed to do now? The school currently has seven mainstream teachers and one unused classroom.”
“The school has submitted substantial additional information to demonstrate the exceptional circumstances it now faces which cannot be addressed within the limits of the standard criteria. For September 2026, the school has already received 45 completed applications for junior infant enrolment. This is almost double the 24 pupils enrolled in the 2025-2026 cohort. No places have yet been allocated but the scale of demand is clear. The intake is far above the national average for a single-stream junior infant class. It also represents a cohort with early intervention needs in literacy, oral language, numeracy and social development. The board of management, the school's patron and the planning and building unit of the Department of education have all approved the opening of a second junior infant stream for September.”
“I wish to highlight an urgent and exceptional situation facing St. Patrick's National School in Calry, County Sligo, which requires immediate and practical intervention to ensure children in this community can access the education they are entitled to. St. Patrick's National School is experiencing unprecedented staffing pressures for the 2026-2027 school year. The school has already pursued the appropriate channels and submitted an appeal to the appeals board for an additional teaching post. Despite presenting a strong case, the appeal was unsuccessful. The school met three of the four criteria required for consideration. The only unmet criterion was the requirement to have enrolled more than 30 junior infants in each of the previous two years. However, this single unmet condition does not reflect the reality on the ground.”
“This system has proven complex and difficult to navigate. It leads to delays and, in some cases, abandonment of the process by a member of the public. The programme for Government commits to review the Act. Can the Minister confirm a timeline for delivery of this solicitor portal as per the programme for Government?”
“Recent legislative developments have not addressed practical barriers that continue to delay and prevent many people from setting up an enduring power of attorney, EPA. Before the Easter recess, the Government expedited the passage of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 through the Dáil and Seanad. The Act’s primary purpose is to enable High Court to extend on a case-by-case basis the timeframe for discharge of wardship. The legislation represented a missed opportunity to address well-documented challenges within the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, particularly those seeking to establish an EPA. In principle, any individual should be able to put an EPA in place. That is not currently the case. The process is fully digital and must be completed via a decision support service online portal.”
“It is crucial that, whatever considerations have to be taken and whatever proposals are in place, this site move quickly to provide student accommodation to ensure the fine university we have continues to grow and grow.”
“To be honest, I was not fully aware of the situation. In recent years hundreds of students in Sligo have found themselves without suitable accommodation following the repurposing of two privately owned student housing complexes that had traditionally provided beds for approximately 500 students. Their conversion to facilities for international protection applicants significantly reduced the availability of purpose-built student accommodation in the area, placing immense pressures on both new and returning students. The shortage had a profound impact on student life at ATU. Currently, an estimated 60% of students are commuting, with many travelling long distances each day simply because they cannot secure a place in which to live.”
“The sale was agreed on the clear condition that a substantial portion of the lands would be dedicated to the construction of student housing, reflecting the urgency of the situation. The site has the potential to make a transformative impact, with early proposals indicating capacity between 300 and more than 900 beds alongside the possibility of future campus expansion. Such development would play a vital role in easing the acute housing pressures faced by students each year.”
“The announcement in February 2025 represented a significant boost for the university, particularly given that this site had long been identified as a crucial element in addressing the ongoing accommodation crisis in Sligo. For several years the shortage of suitable and affordable student housing has placed considerable pressure on both the university community and the wider local area. It is, therefore, understandable there is ongoing frustration. In November 2024, Sligo County Council voted to sell the land to ATU, specifically for the development of student accommodation. We are now 18 months on from that decision and, despite initial optimism, progress has been slower than many had hoped for.”
“I thank the Minister of State for her response. I am pointing out that where there is a gain somebody is definitely entitled to pay capital gains tax but, unfortunately, the parent who hands over that property has no gain, gets no money and has to pay out maybe €70,000 or €75,000. In this particular case I raised, they may have to pay out €70,000 or €75,000 in capital gains tax, despite the fact they do not get any funds whatsoever. They are gifting the house to one of their family members. In these times with such pressure on young people and young families to try to get a home for themselves, it is something that should be looked at in the coming budget.”
“Parents should not have to pay capital gains tax when transferring a second property to a son or daughter who will use it as their family home. That is the principle at stake and it is one we should be willing to stand over.”
“It is entirely reasonable to require that the property becomes the child's principal private residence for, say, ten years. Such a condition would ensure the measure supports genuine family transfers rather than speculative behaviour. This approach would strike the right balance. It would ease the financial pressure on families who simply want to keep a home in the family while ensuring the tax system remains fair, transparent and resistant to abuse. It would help younger generations put down roots at a time when housing affordability is one of the greatest challenges they face and, crucially, it would allow parents to pass on property without the fear of being hit with a large capital gains tax bill on a gain they never actually receive because the property is not being sold; it is being gifted.”
“Across the country, families who have worked for decades to build security are finding that transferring a property to their children triggers a tax burden that simply does not reflect the reality of their circumstances. These are not investment properties or speculative assets. In many cases, the property is the only significant asset a family has and the intention is not for profit but for continuity, stability and giving the next generation a foothold in the housing market. We already have models that balance support with safeguards. The vacant property refurbishment grant, for example, requires owners to live or rent out the property for a minimum of five years. That protects the integrity of the scheme while still delivering meaningful help to families and communities. A similar safeguard can and should apply.”
“On top of that, they remain liable for tax on the property even when no rent is being collected. This is not an isolated case. This is a hardworking family who have never asked for anything from the State. They work, they pay their taxes, they cover college fees and they contribute to their community. They are not opposed to capital gains tax in principle but a 33% rate on a property they are not selling is excessive by any measure. The reality is stark. Their child is now considering emigrating, leaving behind a good job, because they do not want their parents burdened with a massive tax bill. That is the human cost of the current system.”
“I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. I know I am not the only TD who has been contacted by parents who want to pass a property from one generation to the next. At its heart, this is not about tax breaks for the wealthy; it is about fairness, stability and the ability of ordinary families to plan their futures without being overwhelmed by financial pressures that are, in many cases, disproportionate and unnecessary. One family contacted me recently and their case illustrates the problem clearly. They own a second property and they want to gift it to their adult child, so that it will become their home. Before they can make the transfer, they face a capital gains tax bill which in their case is somewhere between €70,000 and €75,000. They simply do not have that kind of money.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. It is extremely important to ensure that the oncology unit is fully funded and delivered and to immediately progress the surgical ward development. The people of Sligo and the wider north-west area deserve a timely, safe and reliable hospital service. These commitments are essential to delivering that service.”
“Decisive action and immediate progression of this development is now essential. Can we provide a clear guarantee that funding will be in place to fit out the new oncology day care unit? Can the Department confirm that the approval to allow the two new surgical wards to progress to the design and planning stage will be issued without further delay?”
“These failures have repeatedly halted hip and knee replacement surgeries, leaving patients waiting in pain for procedures that should be routine. In February alone, five further elective operations were cancelled. This disruption came only weeks after surgeries had resumed following a suspension since December caused by bed pressure and earlier leaks. Sligo now has some of the longest orthopaedic waiting times in the State and patients in the region are among the worst affected nationally. With ongoing cancellations and clear evidence that this existing infrastructure is no longer fit for purpose, departmental approval for the two surgical wards cannot be allowed to drift on. It is urgently required to restore safe and reliable surgical capacity for the people of the north west.”
“What is now required is the political will and financial commitment to ensure that oncology unit becomes operational without delay. The people of the north-west region urgently need this service. My second point also concerns Sligo University Hospital. Two surgical wards for the campus have already passed all required approval stages. The HSE is now simply awaiting departmental sign-off to move to the design phase. The delay is happening against the backdrop of an unacceptable pattern of theatre shutdowns and cancelled elective surgeries caused by repeated critical infrastructure failures. Leaks from the theatre roof and failures in radiator pipework have forced multiple closures of the orthopaedic theatre in recent months.”
“A 42-bed ward is currently under construction on the Sligo University Hospital campus. This development is very welcome. However, beneath this building there will be a vacant space specifically earmarked for a future daycare oncology unit. The planned oncology day unit represents a major opportunity to expand capacity, improve patient experience and deliver safer and more timely care for cancer patients in the region. I therefore call on the Department to ensure that, by the time the 42-bed ward is completed, funding will be in place to immediately proceed with the fit-out of the oncology unit. Leaving this space idle would be a failure of planning and a missed opportunity. The infrastructure will be there and the clinical lead is already there.”
“I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this amendment. I remember, maybe 55 years ago, that smoking was a very cool thing to do at the time. We had a small shop in Ballymote where you could buy cigarettes individually for 3p, three old pennies, at the time. Thank God I got off cigarettes - I was lucky - but I see a lot of people using vapes now. When I smoked we did not realise the damage cigarettes were doing to people. I see people today, young people in particular, vaping and I wonder what sort of damage is being done to them. As with cigarettes, I believe that, in time, maybe in 20 or 30 years, people will find out the damage being done to their lungs. We should do whatever we can to reduce the use of vapes.”
“To make meaningful progress to ensure rural communities will not be left behind, at least €2 million will be required annually over the coming years. Without investment at this level, the backlog will persist indefinitely and the gap between need and delivery will only widen. I strongly appeal to the Department to increase the funding for the local improvement and community involvement schemes in Sligo-Leitrim and south Donegal so essential local infrastructure can be upgraded for the communities that both need it and that have waited for far too long. These people pay the same taxes as everyone else in the country and deserve the same treatment as everyone else.”
“I want to draw the Tánaiste’s attention to the urgent and growing need for increased funding for the community involvement scheme and the local improvement scheme, particularly in Sligo-Leitrim and south Donegal. I am sure he is very much aware of this need. The programmes are vital for rural connectivity and safety, yet they remain significantly under-resourced. In 2025, Sligo County Council received €473,000 under the schemes. This allocation allowed for 13 roads to be completed. Meanwhile, 103 additional schemes remain on the waiting list, affecting communities that have been waiting year after year for essential upgrades. The estimated cost of addressing this backlog now exceeds €5 million. This figure continues to rise and roads continue to deteriorate.”
“I genuinely welcome the extra allocation of funds to the local authorities for the provision of those grants. As I said earlier, the work done paid for by those grants is keeping people out of hospitals and nursing homes. I know of a number of cases where people have left nursing homes to go back home because of the funding that was made available to improve their living conditions at home. I appeal to the Department to immediately approve the grants to Sligo and Leitrim county councils for the full 2026 budget including provision for the outstanding 2025 commitments as well. I welcome the extra funding.”
“The housing adaptation grant is one of the most impactful, cost-effective supports the State provides. Every euro invested keeps people out of hospital beds, out of long-term care and in their own homes where they want to be.”
“I suppose I got some of the answers anyway. I recognise that. The situation facing the council housing adaptation grant schemes in Sligo and Leitrim is now critical. In 2025 the council budgeted €2.4 million to support older people and people with disabilities to remain safely in their homes yet the allocation fell far short of what was required. That forced the council to seek an emergency top-up payment of over €240,000 in July, funding that could only cover priority 1 cases. As a result, the scheme has been paused for months. Meanwhile, six months worth of already approved grants remain unfunded and the council is still awaiting the 2026 allocation. The delay is preventing essential home adaptations that allow people to live with dignity and independence.”
“The existing station, dating back to the 1960s, is wholly unfit for purpose. Tubbercurry Garda station is the third busiest station in the Sligo-Leitrim division. It requires facilities that meet the demands of a modern, functioning Garda station, yet the current building falls far short of that. There is a State-owned building. I know plans are afoot to move the Garda station into the newly refurbished building. When can that go to planning, if it needs planning? When will the new station be opened?”
“While I have the opportunity, I wish to extend an invitation to the Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly, to visit Sligo Garda station to witness first-hand the current working conditions, and to address the ongoing staffing shortages. The proposed Garda division headquarters at Caltragh has faced repeated delays, stemming from earlier plans to merge the Sligo-Leitrim division with Donegal. The existing station at Pearse Road is not fit for the future needs of An Garda Síochána in the region. The OPW has confirmed refurbishment works for a vacant State-owned building adjacent to the current station in Tubbercurry. We urgently need clarification on when this building will be occupied. It is a matter of critical importance for both community safety and public confidence.”
“Earlier this year, Sligo Garda station was identified as one of several stations that experienced crime rates above pre-pandemic levels in 2024, with theft accounting for nearly one third of all incidents. It is imperative that we shine a spotlight on rural crime and the emerging trends in the north-west. In Donegal and Sligo, there has been a marked rise in theft and arson, leaving communities anxious and unsettled. County Leitrim has witnessed an increase in burglaries. Only last Friday, a property was broken into in broad daylight at 1 p.m., which is a stark reminder of the growing boldness of criminal activity. The Minister of State said 194 gardaí and 17 reserves were sworn in last month, but none of those were assigned to the Sligo-Leitrim Garda division. It is a continuing pattern.”
“It is very important to Sligo and the whole region that these roads are upgraded to be suitable for the traffic that is on them.”
“I do not know whether the hauliers are not getting the information or why the take-up is so low. According to data from the Revenue Commissioners, there were 1,918 applicants for the scheme in 2024, a decline of 2% on the previous year. This indicates we must work harder to ensure operators are well informed and able to access the supports intended for them. I reiterate the importance of our haulage and road freight sector. While the Government has taken some steps to mitigate the costs incurred by operators, more has to be done to support the sector in maintaining its competitiveness and to ensure a resilient logistics network that can effectively meet the demands of our ever-evolving market. Roads have been mentioned this evening. It is crucial these main roads are improved. I am talking about the N17, N15 and N16.”
“In those two years alone, €15.6 million was disbursed to a combined total of 5,900 operators. This represented approximately 81% and 74%, respectively, of the road haulage operators licensed in the State. While these figures are encouraging, many operators still face significant challenges. Fortunately, diesel prices have receded from the peaks witnessed in the latter half of 2022. The diesel rebate scheme in place since 2013 is available for licensed haulage operators with vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. With diesel prices over €1.43 per litre, including VAT, the maximum rebate of 7.5% per litre is available. However, the take-up of the scheme has room for improvement. In 2024, only 45% of licensed road haulage operators availed of it. There is something wrong there.”
“I welcome the programme for Government commitment to support the decarbonisation of road freight and commercial coaches through the introduction of alternative fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, hydrogen and biomethane. The taxation of HVOs used for commercial freight is a step in the right direction towards sustainable transport solutions. While these initiatives are welcome, we can and must do more to alleviate the tax burden on the transport industry, particularly in relation to fuel. The rising costs associated with these essential elements of our transport infrastructure are unsustainable. In 2022 and 2023, two temporary haulage support schemes were initiated by the Department of Transport, which provided much-needed financial relief to the sector.”
“Cumulatively, these compounded costs for companies have reached nearly €50,000. Such a financial burden threatens their very viability, transforming what should be a competitive marketplace into one of unsustainable expenses. The situation is not isolated. It is a reflection of broader trends affecting many transport companies across Ireland. Many of these businesses are operating on razor-thin margins or, worse, at a loss. The Irish transport sector is the backbone of our national economy, ensuring the movement of goods, services and essential supplies across the length and breadth of the country. Without a functioning and healthy transport sector, we risk crippling our economic resilience and the livelihoods of the countless families who depend on these jobs.”
“I welcome these statements on this important sector. Recent years have been extremely challenging for the haulage and road freight sector. In my own area of south Sligo, there are three haulage companies operating: O'Dowd's Haulage in Gorteen, which employs 60 people and uses 20 trucks; Stephen Mullen's haulage company in Tubbercurry, which employs 55 and has 25 trucks; and Strandvaus in Collooney, which employs 97 people and operates 40 vehicles. When you listen to those companies, you hear the reality of the escalating costs of operations over the past five years. Since 2020, the cost of equipment has increased by 40%, taxes on fuel have risen by 89.56% and the cost of CVR testing has increased by 19%. Tolls have also risen by 13%. In addition, the minimum wage has increased by 39% with employer's PRSI increasing by 41%.”
“Tailte Éireann’s current practice appears to be to send dealings to the first department, and if an error is identified, the dealings are immediately returned for amendment before forwarding them to the next department. As a result, a dealing can be returned several times without explanation, leading to huge delays. Tailte Éireann can take an untold amount of time to deal with applications, and if a lodging solicitor has only 28 days to respond, a lot could be done to improve the system and provide a lot more information-----”
“I seek the support of the Minister in the Department of housing and local government to increase the number of personnel and improve efficiency in Tailte Éireann, formerly the Land Registry. There is total frustration as to how it is currently handling dealings. I have received numerous complaints from constituents and those in the legal profession regarding significant delays, some exceeding three years, in the registration of properties. Previously, once a dealing was lodged, it went through all departments, and any errors or omissions were highlighted and returned in one correspondence to the lodging party to be amended before being resubmitted.”
“It demonstrates our commitment to investing in essential services, supporting our older population, and ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our society.”
“The Government made it clear in the programme for Government that we aim to eventually remove the means test relating to the carer's allowance altogether, which would be a substantial step forward for many families. I am disappointed about the lack of measures in this budget to support workers on the personal taxation front. While it is true that our economy remains strong, this budget unfortunately does not provide tax relief to workers or put more money back into their pockets. The Minister indicated that this matter will be revisited in the future. I hope we can find a way to deal with it. While there are areas that warrant further attention, this is a robust budget that lays a strong foundation for the future.”
“The latter are a lifeline for thousands of older individuals in our communities. This allocation marks a significant achievement, representing a more than 30% increase in funding compared with 2025. With this enhancement, we can deliver 2.7 million meals to approximately 18,000 people. Meals on wheels does more than provide food; it fosters connections, combats loneliness and ensures that our seniors feel valued and supported. This service is an embodiment of our commitment to caring for our elders and recognising their dignity and needs. On the topic of social welfare, I am pleased to welcome the increase in income disregards for the carer's allowance. This change is significant and reflects our commitment to valuing the work of those who care for our loved ones.”