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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“This substantial increase will enable the sector to expand services and enhance quality, providing financial support for an additional 500 individuals seeking long-term residential care. With our ageing population and the increasing demand for comprehensive nursing home services, this funding is a crucial step toward addressing the pressing needs of older adults in our communities. This is the largest funding increase in the fair deal budget to date, enabling more older people to access necessary services and helping nursing homes meet rising operational costs. It is imperative that we continue to support these essential services because they allow families to find peace of mind in the knowledge that their loved ones are receiving appropriate care. This budget includes an additional €2 million in funding for meals-on-wheels services.”
“The feedback I receive indicates a growing demand for increased home care packages. Many families juggle work commitments, caregiving responsibilities and other obligations. By expanding our funding, we can not only extend hours for existing services, we can also introduce new options for those who may need assistance during peak times when they are most busy. The impact of this support goes beyond mere logistics; it fosters peace of mind for families knowing that help is available when they need it most. Whether it is assisting with daily tasks, providing companionship or simply ensuring safety at home, these additional hours can significantly improve the quality of life for both caregivers and their loved ones. Additionally, €92 million has been allocated to the fair deal scheme. This is aimed at bolstering the nursing home sector.”
“Of that overall amount, €82 million is earmarked for home support services, which will allow more people to live independently in their own homes and communities. This funding will translate into an additional 1.7 million hours of home support, bringing the total to 26.7 million next year. It is essential that we empower our older citizens to maintain their independence while ensuring that they receive the care they deserve. I regularly hear from families and individuals who are seeking home help support. Many simply request an extra hour of assistance on weekends or an earlier morning visit. This budget's additional funding will work to address those needs, ensuring that we can provide tailored support that fits the unique schedules and demands of the families we serve.”
“This is a significant budget. It represents a critical investment for the future, with a total expenditure of almost €117 billion, alongside an additional package of €9.4 billion. These are substantial figures that reflect the Government's commitment to enhancing services and supporting those in need. I particularly welcome the emphasis on increasing the number of residential care places and home support hours and expanding respite services. These are practical, day-to-day solutions that can transform the lives of many individuals and their families. In 2026, we will see a €215 million increase in funding for services for older persons, a rise of over 7% compared with 2025. This is a significant and necessary investment that acknowledges the growing needs of our ageing population.”
“Anywhere where a family or property is affected by mica should qualify as you cannot give to one and not give to the other. It is crucial that anybody affected should be awarded the funds to replace or improve their properties.”
“The existing scheme speaks for itself, with more than €193 million invested to date and a commitment to more than double the funding to €175 million in 2026. The defective concrete block scheme enables homeowners to rebuild their lives, offering them a chance to restore not only their homes but their sense of security and stability. As we see additional counties being included in the scheme, it is evident the Government is committed to addressing the legacy of defects caused by these faulty blocks. Last year, Sligo was added to the scheme, which is very welcome for those people who are affected. With the formal review of the scheme forthcoming, I urge the Minister to consider including Leitrim. It is imperative that affected homeowners in Leitrim have the opportunity to qualify for the grants they deserve.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I will take this opportunity to appeal to the Minister of State to extend the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme to County Leitrim. In Leitrim, there are numerous homeowners grappling with the devastating impact of mica. Families are facing immense financial burdens and emotional stress as they watch their homes crumble before their eyes. The crisis extends far beyond structural issues. It strikes at the very heart of family well-being and stability, impacting on not just their living conditions but their overall quality of life. Leitrim councillors have called for action on this matter. The message is clear: all that should be required is proof that the house is severely damaged by mica. We need to ensure those in need receive the support and assistance they deserve.”
“There are two large buses that collect people, particularly students, along the route. These students are delivered at the ATU in Sligo and St. Angela's College. It is a fantastic service. The two large buses are full every day on that route. I have no doubt whatsoever that if a similar route was selected and a bus could serve it, many hundreds of students in the area would use it. People cannot get accommodation in Sligo. They cannot afford it and this bus service would give an opportunity, particularly to students, to get in and out to attend their educational facilities.”
“Students who finish classes around 4.30 p.m. or 5 p.m. frequently find themselves stranded, waiting for an hour for the late-running return route No. 64 service from Derry. This service often does not arrive in Tubbercurry until 7.30 p.m or 8 p.m., a scenario that is unacceptable for students who have commitments, be they academic ones, part-time jobs or family responsibilities. I have numerous testimonials from students and residents of the area highlighting the struggle they face due to these unreliable bus services. The stories reflect, not only the immediate inconvenience, but also the longer term implications for access to education and opportunities. As my home town is Ballymote, I know that there is a bus from Castlerea to Ballaghaderreen, Gorteen, Ballymote and on to Sligo.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I urge the Department to actively support a Local Link service along the route I outlined. It is essential we engage with the NTA and Local Link to conduct an engagement survey and take any necessary steps to advance this initiative. The current public transport options for students attending ATU Sligo are simply inadequate. Those students are left without a reliable service that would allow them to arrive on time at ATU or St. Angela's College. As it stands, for example, the Expressway route No. 64 from Galway is constantly delayed and can be between 30 minutes and one and a half hours late. This is a fact I can prove. I have the statistics. This means that students who rely on a bus are often unable to get to college on time. Moreover, the evening return journey is no better.”
“Its concerns regarding unfair competition and the potential undermining of existing commercial services cannot justify the ongoing neglect of these communities. I cannot accept this position. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone, regardless of geographical location, has access to essential services. The Local Link service along the N17 corridor is not just an enhancement, but a necessity.”
“I stand firm in the belief that such a service would be busier than the existing Castlerea to Sligo service, ensuring residents can travel freely and safely. I propose a new Local Link service that would effectively serve the public from Knock airport to Sligo, incorporating vital stops that will serve those in need, such as at Bellaghy, Curry, Banada, Aclare, Toorlestraun, St. Attracta's secondary school, Tubbercurry, Cloonacool, Lavagh and Ballinacarrow, also attending Sligo. The success of rural link services in other areas is a testament to their efficiency in bridging the gap between rural communities and urban centres. When I raised this issue previously, I was informed that while the NTA had no current plan to provide services from Bellaghy to Sligo town, it would keep my request under review.”
“This further highlights how the lack of service along the N17 places residents at a disadvantage, making it increasingly difficult to access social, educational and health-related functions in Sligo. The pressing issue of limited student accommodation for students of Atlantic Technological University, ATU, Sligo adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Without reliable transport, students who cannot drive are effectively barred from pursuing their education at this vital institution. This is not merely a transport issue. It is a barrier to access to education and opportunities. It is essential we secure a Local Link service for south Sligo as doing so would result in a more active and engaged community.”
“66 stops in Tubbercurry, it fails to provide services to the surrounding areas such as Bellaghy, Tullan Strand, Cloonacool, Achonry, Coolaney and Mullanabreena. The absence of Local Link services is keenly felt as the cost of the commercially operated Expressway No. 64 service is not only higher, but also renders essential travel inaccessible for many. It is disheartening to note that residents of the area feel increasingly disadvantaged compared with the neighbouring areas that benefit from more comprehensive transport options. Feedback from the community regarding existing local services such as the Coolaney-Sligo and Ballaghaderreen-Sligo routes indicates that these services are not only well received but are essential for connecting rural communities.”
“The service model falls dramatically short of addressing the transport needs of smaller communities. The sentiments of the local public echo a pressing demand for service along the N17 corridor that meets the needs evident in other parts of the country, such as the route serving Bundoran, extending to Grange and Sligo. These towns enjoy the dual advantage of being served by Bus Éireann and Local Link services, which makes a significant difference to those who rely on public transport. In stark contrast, communities along the N17 face considerable barriers. People who do not drive due to age or health issues or simply a desire to engage in social activity find themselves isolated without viable options to connect with essential services, social engagements and educational opportunities. While Bus Éireann's route No.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to address a matter of great importance to my community, which is the urgent need for a Local Link service along the N17 corridor from Bellahy to Sligo. The commitment outlined in the programme for Government to increase Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities underscores the Government recognition of our need for improved connectivity. In addition, the intent to integrate Local Link transport routes with health services shows a holistic approach to solving transport difficulties and increasing access. However, we must turn this commitment into action. Currently, the National Transport Authority highlights that the national primary route is serviced chiefly by Expressway services which stop in larger towns only.”
“Many of these people could easily have their names on council housing lists, but with help from parents, families or friends, they could build homes over time. A more collaborative approach is needed to ensure the planning process is accessible and supportive so that people can build homes for themselves and their families.”
“The programme for Government outlines a commitment to reduce costs, minimising red tape, reforming our planning system and promoting direct delivery. Because there is a national housing crisis, I believe the Government needs to urge local authorities and planners to actively support individuals applying for planning permission. People feel disconnected from the process and feel they are unable to effectively deal with the local authority. We need a designated point of contact with local authorities for planning, allowing applicants to consult with a dedicated individual for guidance and support. To effectively address the housing crisis, we must adopt a more collaborative approach to planning. This means ensuring that the processes are not only accessible, but also welcoming and supportive.”
“The Bus Éireann route 64 service stops in Tobercurry but that is no good for the people who live in Bellaghy, Trawalua Strand, Cloonacool, Achonry, Coolaney and Mullanabreena, which are all rural towns. Additionally, the cost of the commercially operated Expressway route 64 service is significantly higher when compared with Local Link routes. It is worth noting the positive feedback regarding the Coolaney to Sligo via Ballaghaderreen Local Link services, and particularly the Castlerea to Sligo service. Furthermore, the shortage of student accommodation at Atlantic Technological University, ATU, adds another layer to this issue but with reliable transport, people can travel from their local villages to college.”
“The programme for Government contains a commitment to increase Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities and that this Government will work to integrate Local Link routes with health services to improve access and will provide extra funding for the improvement of the transport network. We urgently need a Local Link service along the N17 corridor from Bellaghy to Sligo town. Transport for Ireland, TFI, indicates the national primary route is serviced by Expressway services but these buses only stop in large towns. This creates a significant barrier for individuals who do not drive, including those who may have ceased driving due to age or health issues, as well as those who simply wish to travel for social activities.”
“We have to identify trees that pose a future risk to power lines to ensure the necessary actions, including removal, are taken to mitigate these risks. The programme for Government includes a commitment to develop an extreme weather event assistance scheme for homes, community, organisations, farmers and businesses. It is crucial that we provide specific supports for each sector to ensure we have the funding to respond to future extreme weather events.”
“As the Taoiseach knows, parts of my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim and south Donegal saw some of the worst damage, with areas still reeling from the effects, particularly in forested areas of Leitrim and Sligo. As recently as yesterday, we had constituents contacting our office whose phone lines are still out of service, some of them since Storm Darragh. I have said on the record before that it is crucial for landowners, including forestry operators, to understand their responsibilities in maintaining safe distances between trees and power lines. We need a comprehensive survey of all forestry areas where power lines are in close proximity to trees. This survey should be conducted by officials from the Department of agriculture rather than Coillte or private forestry owners.”
“I welcome the establishment of a Cabinet committee to deal with the nitrates derogation. It is imperative that we work with farmers and industry to secure Ireland's derogation at EU level by implementing the nitrates derogation renewal plan in support of retention. It is crucial that this project move on quickly to let farmers know exactly how they can farm into the future because, with the weather we have had and all the rain that has fallen, it is difficult to farm by calendar. This is an important issue.”
“While the statistics are promising, will the Minister elaborate on the strategies being implemented to ensure this growth is sustainable and part of a long-term vision for economic development in our region? His insights into these matters will greatly aid us in understanding how we can further enhance support for Sligo-Leitrim's economic potential.”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed response regarding the job support figures for Enterprise Ireland for Sligo and Leitrim. It is encouraging to hear about the growth in job numbers and the positive impact that targeted initiatives have had on our local economy since 2020. We know the economic landscape has undergone significant changes over the past few years and the support provided by Enterprise Ireland has been pivotal in fostering job creation and retention. I appreciate the job growth figures the Minister has presented. Will the Minister elaborate on the specific initiatives or programmes being implemented by Enterprise Ireland to further support job creation in Sligo and Leitrim, especially considering the unique challenges faced by businesses in these regions?”
“I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Burke, on his appointment, and his Ministers of State, and wish them the very best of luck for the future. I would like to ask the Minister about employment in our regions, and specifically if he will provide the details on how many jobs were supported by Enterprise Ireland in Sligo and Leitrim in 2024. Additionally, how does this figure compare to the end of 2020 for each of these counties?”
“Some years ago, those officers were taken out of the community and put into the centre of a town, in our case Sligo. Community welfare officers would be better out in their local communities where people can access them. Everybody thinks everybody has a car. They do not all have a car and they are depending on neighbours to get into the local town to go to meet a community welfare officer. A lot needs to be done from that point of view, particularly in a crisis, so that people can easily contact a community welfare officer and speak to him or her.”
“They are very annoyed and I can genuinely feel their pain when speaking to them. They are totally and absolutely distressed with what has happened. An independent body like the Department of agriculture - not Coillte or the private foresters - should do a survey. If the lines are running through a forest, a survey should be done to check that there is sufficient space to ensure that if a tree falls, it is not going to fall down on an electric cable. That needs to be done and it is not a difficult job to do. We know where the lines are and we know where they are going over the forest. If there is an issue and it is possible that trees are going to fall on lines again, those trees should be cut down now, and not after they fall on a line. Another issue that was raised relates to community welfare officers.”
“Surely there is somebody who can tell people in a certain area that they will have their electricity back in two, three or four days, or whatever it is. We had people who were told it would be back in two days and then the days were pushed out again and again for another four or five days. That is not fair on people. I do not accept that. The ESB knows all its vulnerable customers. There is no doubt that this is going to happen again. There is no question about it. We should have a grant scheme for people in vulnerable areas where there are likely to be bad storms and trees falling on lines. A grant should be given to people in such areas to help them to purchase a generator so that they are ready for the next time. People are quite honestly at their wits' end.”
“The hotel is not an option for them because she has a little girl suffering from autism. This is happening right across the spectrum in south Sligo and Leitrim. There is no question about it. I acknowledge the work done by the workers. They are out there doing their best but the problem is so vast that we need to get more people. I understand there are 3,000 people in the north-west region hoping to get the power back. It seems to be back everywhere else. On the power check idea, how do you check your power when you have no phone? It cannot be done. Much more needs to be done. The ESB needs to do a lot more to make people aware. I recognise the work done by Ocean FM and Midwest Radio and their help during the crisis, but the message was vague from the ESB.”
“As it is my first time to speak in the Thirty-fourth Dáil, I thank my supporters, my canvassers, my wife Anne and my family for the great work they did in the recent general election. This was the worst storm this country has experienced in living memory; there is no question about that. Were we ready? I do not think we were because it was the worst ever storm I ever experienced anyway. Lessons must be learned from this one. We were not ready. There are many things we need to do. We have to learn from our experiences over the last 15 days. I was speaking to families this morning who are 15 days without electricity. I have spoken to elderly people, vulnerable people and families with young children. I spoke to a lady yesterday who is on her second bout of chemotherapy.”