Gareth Scahill
Nominated by the Taoiseach · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Before we finish up I call for a debate on home care services when we come back in September. We all know the value of carers in our society but an awful lot of the HSE support service staff going into houses are private agency staff and when the person they are looking after goes into hospital or into respite the support they are getting…”
“Can we reset the clock? I will start by mentioning the "parents notify" portal on the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, website for special classes and special places, which has a deadline of 1 September.”
“Like previous speakers, the Leas-Chathaoirleach might allow me to thank the staff of the House, including the ushers and all the catering staff and, reluctantly, all of my colleagues in the House. We do not always get on or agree but there is great respect in the House.”
“I welcome the Minister to the House. Like so many of the previous speakers, it would be disingenuous of me not to concede I agree with some of the points in the motion.”
“The whole country has these facilities now, meaning that should we ever experience something like Storm Éowyn in 2025 again, we will have supports to allow people to continue to work remotely, provide for their families and live where they want to.”
“I do not believe one size fits all in Ireland. The Minister's county, my county and Longford are all in one big district and we have not benefited from additional Garda numbers in quite some time.”
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“The motion is ultimately about recognising the lived experience of people across rural Ireland, the people who were without power last year following Storm Éowyn for two, three, five, ten and up to 14 days. These are people did everything right, paid every bill, supported the investment being made in the network and waited patiently while crews worked tirelessly, but still found themselves sitting in cold homes wondering why they continued paying for a service they simply did not have. No one expects perfection in this situation or for storms to disappear. No one expects miracles from ESB crews battling impossible conditions. As we continue investing billions in Ireland's electricity future, let us also invest in public confidence.”
“Some may argue that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, regulates the market independently and that is true. That is precisely why the motion calls on the CRU to direct customers to establish a consistent mechanism for automatically crediting customers during verified supply interruptions. It is not complicated or bureaucratic. It is simple and fair. Technology already tells ESB Networks exactly where customers lose supply and when it will be restored. Surely the same information can be used to automatically calculate the standing charge credit. Customers should not have to complete forms or fight for compensation. It should happen automatically. This is the direction in which modern regulation should move.”
“They should not have to carry the cost. I have spoken previously in the House about forestry management near electricity lines. That work remains essential. Tree corridors must be maintained properly. Investment in resilience must continue. Additional billions being invested through price review six are essential. Nobody disputes that, but investment alone is not enough. Public confidence matters and people will support investment when they believe the system is fair. Fairness builds trust. Trust builds public support. This proposal strengthens, not weakens, that relationship. Some may argue that suppliers determine standing charges rather than the Government and that is true. That is what the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, said to me when I raised this as a Commencement matter on the last Thursday before the Christmas holidays.”
“Storm Éowyn may unfortunately represent the future rather than the exception and if that is the case, then surely our customer protection measures need to evolve as well. People understand that storms happen. What they do not understand is why the financial burden always seems to rest with the customers. We also have to consider the rural dimension. Those living in cities generally experience shorter outages because of network design and population density. In counties like Roscommon, Mayo, Galway, Leitrim and Donegal, restoration can take considerably longer. Our geography makes repairs more difficult. Forestry creates additional challenges. Long rural lines increase vulnerabilities. Those communities should not be financially disadvantaged because of where they live and where this happens. They already face greater disruption.”
“If your broadband disappears for two weeks, most providers will provide some form of credit. If transport services fail repeatedly, compensation mechanisms increasingly exist. Why should electricity be any different? We already recognise this principle in other ways. There is the network repair guarantee. Customers who experience prolonged outages caused by faults, not storms, can receive compensation. Therein lies the problem. The compensation scheme excludes precisely the circumstances that are becoming more and more common. Storms, extreme weather events and large-scale outages are no longer once-in-a-generation events. In fact, science will tell us that we can expect to see them far more frequently.”
“If people are using electricity, they should obviously pay for it. Nor is it asking to undermine the investment programme that our network urgently needs. This is about one specific element of the bill - the standing charge. The standing charge exists to maintain and operate our network. That is understandable, but if the network is unavailable for prolonged periods through absolutely no fault of the customer, surely common sense tells us that people should not continue paying their charge during these outages. For many households today, the standing charge can account for around €30 per month. People accept paying it because they accept that maintaining a resilient electricity network costs money, but what people struggle to understand is why they continue paying exactly the same amount when the service simply is not there.”
“While almost 70% of customers had power restored within 72 hours, thousands of families across counties like Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Leitrim and Donegal experienced something entirely different. For them, this was not an inconvenience; it was a daily struggle. Families were throwing food away, older people were trying to stay warm. Farmers were relying on generators. Businesses were losing income. People could not charge devices for kids or mobile phones. Some people could not even access water because the pumps were dependent on electricity. Many had no broadband or mobile coverage either. Yet, every one of those households continued to pay their standing charge. That is what this motion seeks to address. Let me be absolutely clear. This motion is not asking for electricity units to be refunded.”
“They deserve enormous credit, but acknowledging the dedication of ESB staff should not prevent us from asking whether the system is fair for customers. Storm Éowyn was unlike anything Ireland has experienced before. At its peak, approximately 768,000 homes, farms and businesses were without electricity. That represents almost one in every five electricity customers in the country. After two nights, around 330,000 customers were still without power and, almost a week afterwards, approximately 77,000 customers remained disconnected. After ten days, around 39,000 customers still had no electricity. Some families, farms and businesses remained without power for more than two weeks. The final reconnections were not completed until 11 February almost three weeks after the storm. Those numbers are extraordinary and they tell another story.”
“It has invested billions of euro in strengthening our electricity network, with an €18.9 billion investment programme to 2030, representing the largest commitment ever made to Ireland's electricity infrastructure. It will allow hundreds of thousands of new homes to connect to the grid, facilitate electric vehicles, support renewable energy and strengthen security of supply. These are investments that are very welcome. Likewise, I acknowledge the outstanding work carried out by ESB Networks crews. Anyone who watched Storm Éowyn unfold last year knows the conditions these engineers had to work in. People were climbing poles in hurricane force winds, working around the clock and spending weeks away from their families to reconnect homes across the country. This motion is not a criticism of their work.”
“It is worth pointing out. I am pleased to bring forward the motion because it deals with something that affects every household, farm, business and community in Ireland. Electricity is no longer simply another utility. It is a service that allows people to heat their homes, refrigerate food, milk cows, operate businesses, work remotely, communicate with loved ones and, increasingly, charge vehicles and power heat pumps. When electricity fails today, life almost comes to a standstill. Before I go any further, I acknowledge what the Government has done. The Government has reduced the VAT on electricity and gas, locked in until December 2030; expanded the fuel allowance scheme and increased the household benefits package to €35 a month.”
“I move: “That Seanad Éireann: welcomes the: - measures from Government on energy affordability, including the: - lowering and retention of the lower VAT rate on electricity and gas bills; - Household Benefits Package for all households of persons 70 years of age or older; - reduction in excise duties on petrol, diesel and marked diesel; - increase in the rate and duration of the National Fuel Allowance Scheme; - expansion of the National Fuel Allowance Scheme to 50,000 more households; - progress of the Security of Supply Programme introduced by the Government and managed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU); - additional connection of 38,000 new homes by ESB Networks in 2025, an increase of almost one-fifth on 2024; - €18.9 billion investment by the Government in Ireland’s electricity grid and distribution system to 2030, which will support the provision of 80 per cent of electricity generation through renewable sources; - €3.5 billion portion of this investment being allocated by EirGrid and ESB Networks under the Price Review 6 Strategy, which is the largest ever individual investment in our electricity system; - significant expansion in energy generated from renewable sources, including the milestone of Ireland having in excess of 8GW of onshore renewable energy installed; notes: - the All-Island Resources Adequacy Assessment from EirGrid on the supply and demand situation for electricity; - the CRU’s new Large Energy User Connection Policy; - the establishment and work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce; - the posting of €636 million in profit by ESB Networks for 2025; - the operation of the standing charge system with regard to electricity bills; - the purpose of the standing charge to help maintain the electricity network and manage connections to the network; - the increase in adverse weather events, such as Storm Éowyn, which leave more households without electricity for longer periods of time; - the increase permitted by the CRU in standing charges last October; - that the standing charge portion of an electricity supply bill for household can comprise up to €30 of a monthly bill’s cost; calls on the CRU to: - direct electricity supply companies to design and implement a process under which households and businesses would be credited with a refund of the standing charge amount during periods of electricity supply disruption; and - ensure that the credit system applies during electricity supply disruption caused by adverse weather conditions and breakdowns in transmission of electricity that are not the fault of householders or businesses.””
“The local authority listened to the review, and applied the recommendations to the applicants – the income generators in the house, who are the mother and father – but the child was not factored in. Perhaps that is the element that we need. In this situation we cannot wait for the child's condition to deteriorate and then react to it. We need to be proactive in these situations. ALONE produced a pre-budget submission. There is a lot in it about house adaptations and accessibility. Perhaps it is something we could have a chat about offline. I thank the Minister of State very much.”
“I need assistive technology for the ringtone. I thank the Minister of State very much for his response. The review of the schemes took place in 2024. An awful lot of the recommendations have been enacted, which is wonderful. That is not something we are used to. It shows that the Minister has listened and adapted and changed the schemes. There is a scheme to provide solar panels to medically vulnerable individuals. I was trying to see if I could get a generator or a back-up battery to support the individual. It is quite a unique case. In most cases the council could put a bathroom and bedroom downstairs. Local authorities must have discretion to evaluate cases that do not fall within the parameters. It is the same with accessible extensions for children.”
“It is improving lives every day. My request is not simply for more funding, but for it to develop as a scheme that keeps pace with technology, reflects real family circumstances and is informed by robust national data.”
“Is there scope to review how these provisions operate in practice, to ensure that deserving families are not unintentionally excluded? While funding for 2026 has increased to over €152 million, enough to fund an estimated 17,000 grants, we already know that several local authorities in the month of June have had to close or restrict applications because their allocations are already exhausted. Without national data on applications, waiting lists or priority categories, it is impossible to know whether funding is truly keeping pace with demand. I support the recommendation by Alone, who were in the audiovisual room yesterday, that this information should be collected and published nationally. Better data will lead to better budgeting, fairer allocations and year-round access to these vital grants. This is an excellent scheme.”
“A family seeking an accessible extension for their child in a wheelchair with a disability had their application refused following a means test assessment,. The review in 2024 rightly recognised that assessed income based solely on the previous tax year can create an unfair outcome, and recommended the annualisation of in-year earnings based on the previous 13 weeks in certain circumstances. However, families continue to find themselves excluded in the context of changes in income relating to someone other than the main applicant. In this case, it was the applicant's child who they were trying to find. The child needs this adaptation and I would ask whether local authorities can apply more discretion in evaluating these cases.”
“We suffer a lot of power outages and her stairlift is badly affected during them, so she is effectively trapped between floors when her stairlift goes out. I tried to find a practical solution, such as a battery back-up or another assistive technology, but there appears to be no mechanism within the current schemes to support this type of adaptation. In 2024, the review specifically recommended updating guidance on assistive technologies to reflect the rapidly evolving nature of these products. Will the Department now consider expanding the range of eligible works to include modern assistive technologies that improve safety, resilience and independent living? I also want to raise another case.”
“It gives people with disabilities greater independence and dignity. It also makes good economic sense. Every adaptation that keeps somebody safely at home reduces pressure on our hospitals and our long-term residential care. As the review recognises, supporting people to age at home is better for families and communities. It is also better value for the State. While we have improved the scheme, there is now an opportunity to make it more responsive to the realities people are facing today. Recently an elderly lady contacted me. She lives alone and relies completely on a stairlift because she cannot safely use the stairs. Her home cannot be adapted to have a downstairs bedroom or bathroom. Her concern is very simple and very real. I have raised this before and the Minister of State will be familiar with it.”
“I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for taking this matter. I want to begin by recognising the significant progress that has been made with the housing adaptation grant scheme. The publication of the 2024 review led to real, meaningful reform, and I welcome the fact that many of the recommendations have been implemented from that review. The increase of more than 30% in the grant limits, the increase in the income thresholds, the reduction in the local authority contribution from 20% to 15% and the changes to the means test have made a real difference to older people and people with disabilities. They demonstrate the Government's commitment to supporting independent living. This scheme really does change lives. It allows people to remain in their homes that they have built up and built their lives in.”
“We are not letting the local authorities off the hook in terms of the moneys they are taking in in rates, but we are empowering the potential development of infrastructure that we all know is much needed. I support the motion and its wording. Obviously, we will have to thrash out the legislative side a little bit more, but I compliment the Senator and her colleagues on bringing this forward.”
“He pays it too, actually. Businesses in major cities and other urban spots that have tourism footfall are already paying substantial rates. They are paying for services that they should already be receiving. I am going to go back to the top line again, which is regional development and delivering the infrastructure that we need. I would love a further discussion on this to potentially look at a development fee being introduced in our major airports. I had this conversation with my colleagues, especially Senator Páraic Brady from Longford. We have thrashed this out. Potentially, the metro north could be paid for in a very short period of time with the introduction of a development fee like this, and because that is already under way in Knock Airport, we should not have to legislate as much for it to be introduced in other areas.”
“The people who take the punt on that pay significant development charges and, on an annual basis, significant rates. To say we would like them to use this money for clean streets and a few other public realms effectively means that we are just trying to generate a little bit more money and give the local authorities the opportunity to claw in a bit more money for them to spend as they see fit. That is the part I support, namely, giving local authorities that wish to do so the opportunity to introduce this, but rather than legislating for this, there is a very good example of a development fee in Knock Airport. Knock Airport does not take in enough fees from airlines to support the running of the airport. Therefore, every passenger who passes through Knock Airport pays a charge. That charge is paid at the local authority.”
“We were established for public realm development and local promotion, effectively putting the best part of our local communities out and trying to access the many capital funds that thankfully are out there to ensure that we have the public realm enhancement, amenities and resources that we need locally to have our communities operating as best they can. Once we get areas to that stage - I do not feel we are at that stage yet - I would like the local authority to be in a position to introduce a measure like this to enhance and maintain them. One of the reasons parts of rural Ireland do not have an abundance of bed nights is the cost of developing a room to a sufficient standard to meet what the paying visitor will be prepared to pay.”
“None of those locations has a hotel, so while we have the tourist attractions, a significant amount of work would need to happen for a county like Roscommon to benefit from a levy like this. I support the idea of empowering our local authorities and councillors but I would err and agree slightly with what the previous speaker said in relation to the executives in our local authorities and the whole idea of ring-fencing a fund. It is okay to ring-fence it right now, but we all know the practical implementation varies when it comes to management and hiding things away in the books within our local authorities. This needs to be teased out and worked on an awful lot more. Before I was a councillor on Roscommon County Council, I was a member for 12 years of a town team.”
“The Minister is welcome to the Chamber. I commend Senator Fitzpatrick and her Fianna Fáil colleagues on tabling this motion. The first line reads, “a cornerstone of balanced regional development”. It was only last week we had a discussion and I called for more balanced regional development. I come from the north west, and we always feel that we do not get our fair share. We need a lot more investment to deliver the infrastructure we require. In the past three weeks, I had the Minister for tourism, Deputy Burke, in my home county of Roscommon and we visited Strokestown House and gardens. We visited the Arigna Mining Experience in the north of the county. We went to the John McGahern Barracks in Cootehall and finished up in Lough Key Forest and Activity Park for the Night and Day Festival.”
“We have to take a closer look at resourcing the Garda to deal with this problem. We should go a step further and take a closer look at resourcing Customs and Excise as well. I was at a pier on the west coast recently enough. I saw that the drugs strategy on the pier was a sign stapled to the wall telling people to ring a number if they noticed any unusual activity. If that is the sum total of what we are trying to do to prevent drugs coming into some of these rural ports, we need to have a look at that. I would welcome the opportunity for the House to discuss the current strategy and have a good, heated conversation about what we think could better resolve matters and resource what we have on the ground already.”
“I have regularly called for more Garda resources in my own region, a region that has not got an allocation in the five previous passings out from Templemore. The right approach to this not a complete U-turn on how we deal with it, but an attempt to resource the gardaí that we have on the ground and give them the opportunity to enforce the law in this regard. I have often spoken with constituents who feel that drug use is out of control in parts of rural Ireland. Everyone has heard stories that if drug tests were done in some sports clubs at weekends, we would be surprised at the findings. We have all heard stories of knocks on the door after bereavements in areas and people calling in debts that the particular individual who passed away supposedly owed to these individuals.”
“I support Senator Ryan's call on dental care. I would go a step further. I have called in this House previously to expand the role of hygienist to potentially increase capacity in the system. I would appreciate it if we could have a further discussion on that in the House. Today, I acknowledge the report just published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use. It put nine months of extensive work into the report and I look forward to reading the recommendations. From what I have read so far, the committee took a health-led approach to this. I heard Deputy Gannon on RTÉ this morning saying it was up to the Government to enact and fund this because the costings for implementing the report had not been done. Quite often, I have spoken in this House about resourcing the services that we have at the moment.”
“Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice from my hometown tabled a motion on it in the context of Threen National School, a school with which I am very familiar. I have done a road safety survey with the parents and staff of that particular school. We are looking at measures whereby the speed limit nationally will be reduced to 30 km/h outside schools. We need enforcement. If we cannot enforce such a speed limit, we need measures such as speed ramps. It is a matter that I think we definitely need a conversation about in this House. I support Senator Cosgrove's call for a discussion on women's health. We represent all people, and an open discussion is required. We are all free to talk about that particular topic. It was an issue I raised after the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition last year, and I followed up on it.”
“It is coincidental that I am congratulating the Leader, because when I was a young councillor, I met Senator Ahearn on my first visit to Leinster House in July 2024. We spoke about the safe routes to school scheme. He raised the matter that particular week, and I have raised it repeatedly since coming here. A few weeks ago, I tabled a Commencement matter relating to the money that we are spending on safe routes to schools and how immediate measures are needed outside most of our rural schools to try to reduce speed, with speed ramps being the ideal solution and a more cost-effective use of money as opposed to waiting for the big safe routes to schools scheme. A big debate on the topic was held in the Roscommon County Council chamber yesterday.”
“I, too, would like to be associated with the congratulations to Senator Ahearn. I congratulated him on Thursday in his absence. We met Liam, his father, last week. He was here a day early prior to the announcement. It is great to have Laura, Daniel and Jamie here. I must shake hands with Jamie and Daniel. From what I have heard, one if not both of them will be future soccer stars. We want to get the photographs in early. I would also like to congratulate Councillor Domnick Connolly, who was elected cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council yesterday. He is supported by Councillor Laurence Fallon. I also want to say a big congratulations to Councillor Liam Callaghan following his year as cathaoirleach.”
“I recently spent a day with the Minister for tourism, Deputy Burke, in Roscommon and we visited Strokestown House and gardens, the Arigna Mining Experience, the John McGahern Barracks in Cootehall and finished off the day in the forest park to attend the Night and Day Festival. If anyone in the Chamber or watching has not visited Roscommon in the last 12 months, they have not visited Roscommon, and there is an awful lot more to see at this time of year. I mention Clonalis House in my home town, the Suck Valley Way for those who want to go outdoors, and Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, which the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, recently visited with me. There is an awful lot happening. Government is backing these initiatives. It is looking at which parts of the country we can do an awful lot for regarding attractions and tourism.”
“I, too, would like to be associated with the good wishes to Senators Ahearn and Cathal Byrne on their appointments. When the announcement was made, I was wondering did they get the right Gareth in the first place, but there were 17 good candidates in the race and a good decision has been made. We are in good hands for the remainder of the term. I also welcome the planning green light for Coillte's development in Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle. It was just announced this morning. There will be redevelopment and upgrading of the visitor centre, a new activity hub, enhanced outdoor attractions and a new aqua park.”
“In terms of overheads, I was talking to someone who told me the lottos are not paying now. The volunteers to sell the tickets are not there. The costs are continuing to spiral. We are in jeopardy of losing these voluntary organisations and supports within our community if we cannot come up with a fund to support them. The Minister of State spoke of €10 million in 2021 or 2022. That is the sort of money we are talking about. It would go an awfully long way with these community groups. We need to stand up and fight for them. I thank the Minister of State for her contribution today.”
“I thank the Minister of State very much. She is right that so many people across this House have come through the voluntary sector. Last Thursday the Minister, Deputy Calleary, opened the Castlerea swimming pool. He welcomed the provision of €73,000 from the community recognition fund for the Castlerea Town Team, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council. It is an organisation of which I have been secretary for the past three years. I am a former chairperson of the organisation. I think of the Suck Valley Way. I am a former member of the LCDC in Roscommon so I am familiar with the fund for supporting those groups. I speak with the ICA groups and the community development companies, CDCs, which are keeping buildings going. They are providing support for their communities.”
“The reality is simple: these volunteers have kept the flag flying in our communities for years and now it is our turn to do our part.”
“That is why I am calling on the Minister to consider reintroducing a dedicated operational support fund similar to the community support fund. It would be a fund specifically designed to assist with insurance costs, utility bills and other day-to-day expenses. It would provide immediate meaningful support to the organisations that form the backbone of community life. If we are serious about supporting volunteers, strengthening communities and promoting rural and social development then we must ensure these groups have the resources they need to grow and survive. Could the Minister of State outline whether consideration has been given to the reintroduction of such a scheme and what measures can be taken to ensure that grassroots community organisations receive the practical support they need to continue serving their communities?”
“Today, many groups are expected to raise substantial cash contributions or arrange loans while still providing hundreds of hours of unpaid work to deliver projects. The groups that I meet tell me they need support to pay the bills that arrive every month. Groups such as the ICA guilds, LCDCs, town teams, active retirement associations, community centres, cultural groups and many other local community organisations continue to do outstanding work. They are supporting their members and strengthening community life. Yet every year, they face increased insurance premiums, rising utility costs and growing financial pressures. We cannot take these groups for granted any longer. Every community organisation that disappears takes with it experience, volunteer capacity and a valuable social outlet that is often impossible to replace.”
“They show an understanding that operating costs are just as important as capital investment. While recent funding programmes, including the local enhancement programme, are very welcome, the vast majority of funding available today is focused on capital projects, equipment and facility improvement. Of course, communities welcome these investments, but many groups tell me that accessing capital funding often brings additional challenges. Matched funding requirements can be difficult to achieve, applications can be complex, and projects require a significant voluntary commitment. There was a time when voluntary hours and community effort were recognised as an element of the matched funding contribution.”
“They do what they do because they believe in their communities. They believe in supporting their neighbours, tackling isolation, creating opportunities for young people and keeping local organisations alive. However, the reality is that volunteer numbers are falling, the demands on community groups are increasing and the costs of operating are continuing to rise. We have seen the positive impact that schemes such as the community activities fund and the community support fund have had in recent years. Those programmes recognise something very important: community organisations cannot continue to serve their communities if they cannot afford their insurance, electricity, heating and other essential costs. These schemes provide practical supports that help to keep groups with their doors open and continuing to provide valuable services.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. I know this is not her brief, but I thank her for attending. I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue. I call on the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to make a statement on the community support fund and similar issues. My message today is very simple. While capital funding for community projects is welcome and important, many community groups are struggling most with their day-to-day running costs, and they need support now more than ever. As someone who has been involved with numerous groups and is regularly engaging with community groups, committees and volunteers across towns, villages and parishes, I see first-hand the pressures they are facing. These volunteers are not involved because they are looking for recognition or reward.”
“I believe new guidelines are coming out for some of the local authorities on that. That is holding up a lot of decisions in my area. If that could be speeded up, it would be brilliant.”
“As a previous speaker said, we want local people to be able to build their own houses close to their family in their local areas. That is what the guidelines do. To go back to simplicity, one of my colleagues in Roscommon County Council, Councillor Ruth Conboy, has repeatedly asked for transparency and far more information in relation to planning decisions, such as details on planning applications, approvals and refusals, but also, whenever a local authority requests further information, where that goes. She does not want this information buried in management reports. Every local authority should have this on their site and should be held accountable by this information. I would love to go into wastewater treatment, EPA codes, section 1.3 and the domestic wastewater treatment grants system.”
“If we can get consistency and transparency in decisions and know we have a good chance of achieving it before we put it in, that is effectively all a public representative wants - to be able to support the applicant to deliver on this. The GAA demographics strategy was mentioned earlier. Many rural clubs are seeing depopulation which means they are struggling to field teams, get volunteers and remain viable. In Roscommon this week, we had news of two rural national schools closing, Drumboylan National School and Slatta National School. The INTO told us this morning that there are 11 other rural national schools in the west in the same position. Predominantly, this is because people are not given the opportunities to build houses where they want.”
“The Minister of State is welcome once again to the Chamber. I reiterate the welcome so many of the previous speakers have given, including Senators Flaherty and McCormack, for these guidelines. We are happy to see them. We see the Minister of State addressing what we have all looked for. Well done on that. This is building on the success of the croí cónaithe and vacant property refurbishment schemes. In my county of Roscommon, at the end of 2025 there were 459 applications, 325 approvals and 119 homes brought back into use, with an investment of, I think, €6.8 million, bringing those old buildings back to life. Many of the previous speakers referred to consistency. The Minister of State also mentioned it.”
“I extend my sympathies to his family. I did not know Ernie but I was familiar with the Moy Valley Resources centre. Back during the downturn, I know the support that resource centre gave to the community in Ballina in terms of training and access to further job opportunities. It is good that he has a legacy like that to follow him.”
“In 2023, supports for domestic wastewater treatment increased from €5,000 to €12,000 but as we constantly hear in this House and in the Lower House, the cost of doing any job has significantly risen in recent times. People are finding now that even the €12,000 support, when they are eligible, does not cover enough of the cost. It is leaving an increased burden on these households. These people are potentially facing the prospect of having to appear in court over not being compliant. I was hoping that we might be able to have a look at this in the House. I know the Minister has proposed some amendments to the schemes to try to bring more guidelines in for local authorities but I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss that. In the time I have left, I would like to acknowledge Ernie Caffrey in Ballina.”
“I raise an issue that has been brought up with me by a number of families recently in relation to domestic wastewater treatment systems. The local authorities through the national inspection plan have an onus on them to inspect a certain number of domestic water treatment systems annually. Unfortunately my area in Roscommon has historically had a very high failure rate. In 2025, the failure rate was 85% of the systems inspected. Thankfully in 2026 that is down substantially to about 50%, I think, so far this year. All of the households and individuals I have been engaging with understand why they need to be inspected. They want to participate and ensure their systems are up to scratch.”
“What responsibility do the MEPs believe they have, politically and morally, to ensure accuracy in their own public statements and to challenge misinformation in a way that does not contribute to fear, hostility and division within our communities?”
“Councillors are elected to deal with local delivery and local priorities. The role of our MEPs should be to use their influence in Europe to secure investment, shape EU policy and build partnerships that help regions like ours to finally get the infrastructure we deserve. Beyond commentary and publicity, how are the MEPs using their positions in Europe to work with the European Committee of the Regions and our regional assemblies to deliver the infrastructure investment our wider region needs? Across Europe at the moment, we are seeing a clear rise in populist politics. It is often driven by fear, frustration and division in our communities. At a time public trust in institutions is already fragile, misinformation and disinformation can spread quickly and have a real consequence.”