Jerry Buttimer
Cork South-Central · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Its priority is to provide scheduled public transport services on the TFI network. It works with event organisers, operators, local authorities and An Garda Síochána to provide additional transport supports where it is possible to do so.”
“I commit to relaying the points the Senator has made on the floor of the House, and has conveyed to me in private, to the Department of Transport. To be fair to the Senator, it was not only this morning that he has articulated this. The travelling supporters of Kerry and Mayo deserve additional transport.”
“I understand from the company that the Expressway team is currently examining whether additional services on route 22 will be added on the morning of Sunday, 26 July.”
“In this case, for Kerry and Mayo, as the Senator rightly said, it will see a high demand for scheduled and additional services. The Senator has outlined the volume of tickets sales. This is the busiest time for scheduled intercity services anyway, given that it is peak summer time, and that is a priority.”
“I understand from speaking to Irish Rail that it hopes to be in a position to confirm the number of additional services later this week - I am hoping this will be today or tomorrow - and it will advise customers as soon as these services are available to book.”
“The Senator mentioned Sneem and Ventry. He and I will remember our great friends, the late, great John Egan and Paudie O'Shea, as well as the Senator's brother Tim. I get emotional because they were great GAA people. Cork and Kerry have the best supporters of the GAA.”
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“The 2025 return from the council detailing the works it will undertake this year is due to be submitted to my Department shortly. I believe 224 roads have been completed in County Donegal. As the Deputy will appreciate with regard to the areas he mentioned, rather than being allocated on a municipal district basis, scheme funding is allocated on a local authority basis and authorities themselves decide on allocations across their areas. In terms of annual funding allocations, a review of the scheme is carried out by the Department ahead of any new funding announcements in order to ensure allocations across local authorities are made as fairly and efficiently as possible. Department officials, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I work closely with local authorities to ensure that funding is fully utilised.”
“I thank Deputy Ward for his question. As members are aware, the LIS is an important support for rural communities in improving non-public rural roads and laneways not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by the Government to local authorities under the scheme. In April of last year, some €40 million in funding was announced for LIS across all local authorities to cover 2024 and 2025. Department officials have recently opened the 2025 LIS and invited local authorities to submit their lists of priority roads for completion in 2025. Since 2020, Donegal County Council has been allocated over €8.3 million in scheme funding. This figure includes an allocation of €2.79 million for last year and this year.”
“As I said, I met Alan Dukes recently. It is a phenomenal service, providing great access for people. Deputy Kenny raised the issue of the 215 Blarney route. It has been raised before. Passengers numbers have increased exponentially on the route. We have spoken with Bus Éireann and the NTA about it. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, on the Deputy's behalf on that.”
“I will respond to Deputy Wall first. As he know, Connecting Ireland's rural mobility plan has been a huge success, with 145 new or enhanced services since it began. A total of 240 towns and villages have been connected with, for example, 61 connections to healthcare facilities, 41 higher education facilities and 71 rail services. A total of 600,000 people have access to new and enhanced bus services. In Deputy Wall's county, Kildare, with his constituency being Kildare South, we have seen increased Local Link services, including between Athy and Kilkenny since December last year, the Newbridge to Dunlavin and Kilcullen route which was enhanced in May last year, and since January last year, we have seven daily return services from Naas to Carlow. I take the Deputy's point about the area of Suncroft. I will work with him and Local Link.”
“We have reduced fares and made public transport accessible. I met the former Minister, Alan Dukes, about Kildare transport. It is a wonderful scheme. I look forward to working with Deputy Wall and others. That scheme is probably an exemplar for other schemes across the country. I will come back to the Deputy about the Indecon report.”
“I will come back to the Deputy on the Indecon report. I do not have that information to hand. He is right about the M7 and the N40 in Cork. There is a need for all stakeholders to engage properly to see how we can make that a better thoroughfare for motorists and all road users. As the Deputy said, supporting rural Ireland is a priority for Government. Over the last number of years, we have seen 30 projects in the rural development fund for 2024, with €164 million. There was €20 million for 82 town and village renewal scheme projects in April last year. There is €100 million, as the Minister said, in the community recognition fund. There is €109 million in the community centre investment fund. Money is being expended in rural Ireland. As we have said already, it is about connectivity and about ensuring that people have access to travel.”
“I have no doubt that, following these engagements, our next rural future policy will again reflect the importance of access to transport services to rural communities. I look forward to working with the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to ensure that the new rural development policy from next year will build on the progress we have made to date under Our Rural Future.”
“Our most recent engagements with rural citizens suggest that transport services remain among the biggest issues for these communities. That is probably why Government decided to make me the first Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for rural transport. The programme for Government includes a commitment to publish and implement a new our rural future policy from 2026. I am pleased to say that the process of developing this next phase of rural policy has already begun. My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, recently launched an online survey to support the development of the new policy. Further stages of public consultation will follow over the coming months, which the Minister, Deputy Calleary, will outline in due course.”
“Measures addressing this issue were a key component of Our Rural Future and reflected the Government's strong commitment to improving rural transport connectivity. The Department of Transport's Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan has delivered real and lasting benefits to rural communities in recent years. For example, more than 145 service improvements have been introduced since 2022, meaning approximately 600,000 people now have access to new or enhanced bus services. Reduced fare initiatives have also been introduced, particularly for young people, and the 90-minute fare has been extended to the end of 2025. These improvements have been welcomed across rural Ireland but we understand there is more to be done.”
“I thank Deputy Wall for the question and congratulate him on his election. I look forward to working with him again as we did in Seanad Éireann. He has always been a champion of transport and the Kildare-Dublin axis, and I look forward to working with him in that regard. Our Rural Future, Ireland's national rural development policy, was launched in 2021 following an extensive period of consultation that ensured the policy prioritised responses to the needs identified by stakeholders and the public. Prominent among these was access to public transport services in rural areas, particularly among our young people and vulnerable members of our community or those at risk of social isolation.”
“I hope we will come back again to this matter in this House. Road safety is something that we are all committed to. The Government is very much committed to ensuring that we meet our targets, but also that we reform the RSA because the review shows that we need to do that. I commend An Garda Síochána on the work that they do and thank them most importantly for what they do for us in keeping us safer. I thank the Chair for letting me go over time but it is a passionate subject that I am involved in. I am grateful that Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, are equally as committed to this, as is the Government.”
“That is why we must use new technology. It is about road users, including the pedestrian, cyclist and motorist. It is a shared space and road safety is about driver behaviour. If we can have debates like this, go into our schools and if we can educate people and commit to having more people having their driving test done in a more exponential manner, it would be absolutely fantastic. Senator Keogan made reference to the issue of insurance and drivers not being asked for their certificate. I will give the House two pieces of information. On the second week of January and the third week of February, An Garda Síochána had dedicated weeks to check car insurance and driving licences, which shows that there is a plan by An Garda Síochána. I thank the Acting Chairperson and Members for their contributions.”
“It is about ensuring under the programme for Government that the road safety strategy will legislate for graduated penalties, bring in speed education course, bring in collision data sharing; and work in a variety of ways to ensure that we move to closer to Vision Zero. What is at the heart of what do is ensuring people do not get killed or injured and can travel the roads safely and that we address what the Acting Chairperson and Senator Brady referenced about the N4 and issues other Members have raised. Senator O'Reilly made reference to issues in County Cavan about the roads there and I will bring them back. The important point is that we must enhance our roads. We must have road safety. We do need enforcement in a variety of ways. As Senator O'Donovan said, the days of gardaí being on every road are gone.”
“On "Prime Time" recently, we saw red light breaking, the non-wearing of seatbelts and the use of mobile phones, all of which contribute to the rise in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. I am hopeful the actions we are taking will bring change and a reduction in road deaths. People have a critical role to play in all of that. As I said, no one factor or intervention will solve this but the Government has a detailed plan. Work is proceeding on multiple fronts on a range of road safety priorities. However, if we do not get buy in from people, we will be going nowhere. We saw it with seat belts; we saw it with drink-driving. When I young fella the advertising was "Two will do" and now it is zero tolerance. Senator Byrne is correct about the roads in County Wexford. I will talk about that with him further again.”
“Enforcement is a crucial deterrent to those who might violate the law on our roads. The Government is committed to collaborating with its road safety partners in Transport Infrastructure Ireland and An Garda Síochána on rolling out additional safety cameras and the development of a national road safety camera strategy. This strategy will be structured to allow for further scalability to detect and prosecute offences as needed. This is in conjunction with the approved increase in GoSafe hours, which has been extended to October 2025 and which I am sure all Members welcome. The points made by Senator Kennelly about average speed cameras are valid. This is about changing the culture and changing mindsets. We are all acutely aware of deteriorating driver behaviour.”
“The transition year programme is just one piece of the jigsaw. Senators O'Reilly and Tully made reference to the issue of darker clothing and made some good points about communication around making our roads safer. Senator Noonan is right that it is not just about the car. We all share road space, whether as cyclists, pedestrians or car or lorry drivers. Roads are shared spaces now with active travel. Reference was made to Cork City Council and a briefing held last Friday. There is a need for the Government, in conjunction with the local authorities, to improve pedestrian access points and footpaths in both urban and rural areas. Senator Clifford-Lee made reference to the RSA in the context of north County Dublin and I will take her point regarding waiting times back to the Department.”
“As a former teacher, I know that the transition year programme is about knowledge, skills and attitudes. I hope the students of tomorrow will not be 38 years of age when they are learning to drive. I accept Senator Harmon's point that the waiting times are too long but we have recruited 70 new testers. Senator Kyne made reference to many of the different schemes and he is right that this is about the safety of our children at school drop-offs, especially the rural areas we mentioned. Senator Harmon mentioned the Matthew Hill, Lehenaghmore, scheme. I am glad the Government is committed to funding that road. I know that, as a councillor on Cork City Council, Senator Harmon played a role in that regard and I thank her for that. I look forward to working with her to ensure that the road is enhanced, improved and made safer.”
“Reference has been made to young people. We have a very important revised transition year programme in road safety matters, which was launched last year. This enjoyed huge success in phase one, with 149 teachers representing 138 schools attending in-personal professional learning in places such as Swinford, Athlone, Portlaoise, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Donegal. Many Members, including Senators Duffy and Scahill, raised the issue of safer routes to school and made very important points with which I agree. We need to do more here and we need to have a greater roll-out of those programmes because many of our rural schools are on main roads where people speed and fly past. Perhaps it is time, as Senator O'Donovan said, to have a plan that we all buy in to.”
“We will ensure that the foremost priority is given to maximising existing assets in a safe condition. The emphasis on protection and renewal is also reflected in the national development plan. I will bring the issues raised by Senator Dee Ryan back to the Department. Senators Ryan and Maria Byrne both raised a particular junction in Castletroy. It is an important junction with a high volume of traffic. As part of the budget for this year, and as an interim measure pending the broader reform of the RSA, €18 million has been ring-fenced for investment in RSA public awareness, education and research activities. This will ensure that increases in communication activity in late 2023 and into 2024 are sustained this year, helping to deliver a targeted programme of public interest work to deliver behavioural change.”
“We will use the experience gained from this phase, which is based on the speed limit review of 2023, to inform the roll-out and timing of future phases addressing national secondary and urban roads. Again, I stress the importance of new technologies like speed cameras, including average speed cameras. The idea of having speed cameras at the entrances and exits of towns and villages is something we will have to get used to in this country. We see it in other jurisdictions and, as Members here have said, it works. The Government is committed to investing in this element of the road safety strategy. This is demonstrated in the Department's hierarchy of investment priorities as articulated in the national investment framework for transport in Ireland.”
“As well as introducing new legislation, work has been underway since last year to consolidate the existing canon of road traffic law, which dates back to 1961, and put it on to a new legislative basis. A dedicated team of experts in road traffic legislation is now carrying forward this important work. In this debate, we have heard about the importance of changing behaviour. That is a challenge but it must be done. We all know that speed is one of the main causes of death and serious injury on our roads. The speed limit changes that were introduced on 7 February, backed by legislation passed last year, are part of our response to systematically addressing the most dangerous behaviours.”
“To support this work, the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority have established a new road users safety forum comprising road safety advocates and road users, representing a range of interests and perspectives, to serve as a consultative body for the emerging action plan. That is important because it is giving people an opportunity to get involved. Equally, in terms of the legislative programme, the commitment to commencing outstanding provisions of the 2023 and 2024 Acts will be met as soon as possible. The programme for Government commits us to legislating for graduated penalties, speed education courses and collision data sharing. The Government will progress this legislation to make these changes.”
“I thank them for that. The human factors are something that we can control. The Government is committed to a multifaceted approach in terms of education, enforcement, engineering investment and legislative reform. There is no one size fits all but rather a combination of all of these elements, which is why the Government is working to address this in a variety of ways. A road safety strategy is only one element. We are following international best practice and are aligned with EU targets. All of this is based on a safe system approach. An action plan for the next two years is under development, in collaboration with the different agencies and stakeholders, with a formal adoption process to be done shortly.”
“On behalf of the Government, I reiterate that we are committed to delivering a road safety strategy with the goal of halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. We are also committed to meeting our Vision Zero target by 2050. In my opening contribution, I made reference to the fact that there were four predominant factors in road fatalities, namely, speed, intoxicated driving, the non-wearing of seatbelts, although we have improved in that area, and distracted road use, all of which come down to personal responsibility on the part of the road user. If I were to go back to the Department and the Road Safety Authority tomorrow, I would take with me the opening contributions of Senators O'Donovan and Noonan about their experiences. What they said was far more profound than anything many of us will say.”
“I smiled as I listened to Senator Kyne because we were all that soldier trying to get home faster and beating the next car home when we were younger drivers. Then maturity sets in and we recognise, as Senator Kennelly said, that levels of speed have profound implications. That is something we must work at, in terms of reducing road deaths and serious injuries. This can be achieved by debates like this one when we highlight the importance of road safety and promote conversations in our homes, with our families and friends, in our places of work and in our communities. As legislators and citizens, we must make a commitment to road safety as a priority. As Senator Noonan and others referenced, this is about the loss of life in car accidents.”
“I thank the 17 Members who contributed to this important discussion on road safety. I thank them for contributing in a non-partisan, non-adversarial manner. We are all committed to road safety and bringing about improvements because, as we all realise, road safety affects everybody. The statistics are about people. Tonight, as we gather here in this Chamber, it is disturbing and shocking that families across our State are grieving over the unnecessary loss of the lives of loved ones and people we know in our communities. Equally, it is a question of catastrophic injuries that can lead to life-changing complications on which we have to work with families to offer support. Families have had to change their whole lives. I begin by thanking Senators Donovan and Costello because they are right. This is about collective responsibility.”
“Last year, the Department commissioned an external independent review of the Road Safety Authority. On 5 November, the Government approved publication of the review and noted the proposal to reform the Road Safety Authority into two independent external bodies. These two bodies will be an operations-focused driver and a vehicle standards agency to deliver services such as driver testing and the NCT, and a new body to lead the State's promotional, educational and awareness campaign for road safety. A departmental group led by the Department and comprising relevant stakeholders is progressing this important reform. I thank the Acting Chairperson and Members for having this important debate tonight. It is a matter of extreme importance and I am glad the Seanad is having this debate.”
“I also welcome that the 20% increase in the hours of deployment of GoSafe vans, which was first announced in September 2023, has now been extended to October of this year. In recent months, An Garda Síochána has also deployed three new average-speed zones in Mayo, Cavan and Meath. This technology has proven a great deterrent to excessive speed wherever it has been deployed both in Ireland and internationally. In addition to these immediate camera measures, TII is leading the development of a comprehensive national camera strategy for publication later this year, which will establish the framework for investment in the development of our camera enforcement capacity. This strategy will also consider the use of cameras for purposes beyond speeding, such as identifying mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts.”
“The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network. On national roads, the priority for TII is the maintenance of the network to ensure it is kept to a safe and robust standard. This involves carrying out extensive analysis of the network to identify high-risk locations through an analysis of collision data and also through inspections. Last year, increased funding of approximately €30 million was made available for protection and renewal to support safety and improvement schemes such as junction improvement and road segregation on national roads. Since April of last year, there has been increased visibility from An Garda Síochána at the roadside with the introduction of 30 minutes of roads policing per shift for all uniformed members.”
“In 2023 and 2024, some 302 and 261 low-cost safety schemes, respectively, were approved for funding. In 2023, approximately 5,000 km of local roads were strengthened and maintained at an Exchequer investment of €324 million. This vital investment assists in maintaining and improving safety on the local road network, which constitutes the majority of roads in our country. Last year, an additional €30 million was also made available to local authorities for rehabilitation of the regional and local road network in response to prolonged rainfall, which adversely affected the road network. In 2025, there is an Exchequer investment of €713 million for regional and local roads across the State, which represents an increase of over 8% in funding this year.”
“The Department, the Ministers and I are fully intent on bringing forward legislation to enable these measures as well as legislation that will remove data protection barriers to local authorities directly receiving collision data, thereby strengthening the legal underpinnings for access to data on the national vehicle and driver file and provide for abolition of the requirement for paper motor tax, insurance and roadworthiness disks. The Department of Transport is continuing condition analysis on regional and local roads on behalf of local authorities using datasets received from the Road Safety Authority. Locations of interest are notified to each local authority and the Department invites applications for low-cost safety schemes towards the end of each year for targeted funding and implementation the following year.”
“The next provision of this Act to be commenced in the coming days will close a loophole by which some drivers have been able to avoid automatic six-month disqualifications through the accumulation of penalty points by judges imposing short, ancillary disqualifications, in some cases for as little as a single day. Looking ahead, the programme for Government calls for the introduction of graduated driving penalties and speed awareness courses as an alternative sanction for those caught speeding.”
“To increase the deterrent effects of penalty points, the Act introduces a major reform of the system first introduced in 2002. Presently, a driver caught committing multiple penalty point offences on the same occasion receives only one set of penalty points. In future, drivers will receive at least two sets of penalty points and potentially more in the event of an unsuccessful court challenge where three or more offences have been detected. This important reform will encourage safer driving behaviours and vehicle maintenance standards across the range of penalty point offences.”
“As an example, from the end of March, insurers will be permitted to access endorsements on driving licences, meaning that if someone is renewing their insurance, insurers will be able to see if the person has penalty points. I also support the important work to bring provisions contained in the Road Traffic Act 2024 into effect. This Act, as Members will know, is concise and focused legislation that seeks to respond in a robust and systemic way to the trends we have witnessed on our roads over recent years. The legislation addressed a number of key areas of road safety concern in response to the concerning rise in drug-driving. The Act introduced mandatory drug testing at the scene of a serious collision on the same basis as alcohol.”
“Notable achievements since the launch of the strategy include publication of the speed limit review, updating of the national cycle manual and the passage of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and Road Traffic Act 2024. My Department, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, are leading the development of the phase 2 action plan under the strategy, which will run from this year to 2027. This plan will be adopted shortly and will set out further high impact actions which will contribute to Ireland achieving its goal of reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2030 and achieving Vision Zero. The Government is committed to commencing the remaining provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.”
“The lifesaving importance of seat belt wearing is underlined by the fact that despite only small percentages of people not wearing their seat belt, those same people make up a disproportionate share of the drivers and passengers killed each year, at approximately one in five. To help address these dangerous driving behaviours and deliver improved safety on our roads, the Government's road safety strategy, published in 2021, aligns with international best practice, EU targets and the Vision Zero ambition for 2050. It aims to reduce roads deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 and achieve Vision Zero, no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads, by 2050.”
“The Road Traffic Act 2024, signed into law last April, and the subsequent introduction of mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions in May was a systemic intervention in relation to drug driving. Drivers should be aware that gardaí throughout the country can now rapidly test for the presence of drugs and drugs can stay in your system many times longer than alcohol. In the most recent observation study conducted last year in 2024, 97% of drivers and 96% of passengers were observed wearing their seat belt. These high rates are encouraging, particularly for rear seat passengers, who have historically lagged drivers and front seat passengers in terms of seat belt usage.”
“High levels of mobile phone usage by drivers in Ireland have been reported. Research indicates that approximately one in four motorists are not only checking their phone but writing messages while driving. Worryingly, research also carried out by the University of Galway among young drivers found that many use their mobile phones while driving in an habitual manner and most believe there is no risk at all of being caught doing so. This is a dangerous norm we must not allow to take hold on our roads. Members will know that in a nationally representative survey conducted last year, 11% of motorists said they had driven after consuming an alcoholic drink and 1% of motorists said they had driven after consuming illicit drugs in the past 12 months.”
“It is a tragedy in the lives of those affected and their family, friends and wider community. As Members will be aware, the four causes of road fatalities are speeding, distraction, not wearing a seatbelt and intoxicated driving, all of which come down to driver behaviour and personal responsibility on the part of the road user. Speeding remains one of the greatest risk factors on our roads. One in four drivers thinks that speeding by 10 km/h or more over the limit is acceptable. The Road Traffic Act 2024 legislated for safer default speed limits on various parts of Ireland's road network. On 7 February, new default limits of 60 km/h came into effect on rural and local roads. Further phases will seek to implement safer default limits on national secondary roads and urban roads.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. Is onóir dom a bheith i bhur láthair do na ráitis anocht. I thank the Acting Chairperson for allowing me the opportunity to address the issue of road safety matters. As Members know full well, travel is an essential component of social and economic life. It needs to be available, accessible, sustainable and, above all, safe. The Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland. I am sad to report that as of this morning, there had been 35 fatalities on Irish roads this year. That is 35 lives lost. We offer our sympathies to the families of those who have tragically lost their lives. While this statistic marks an improvement of almost 30% on the same period last year, each statistic is a person who is a member of a family in a community.”
“Other urban towns will also benefit from the scheme. It is, as the Senator has said, about tackling the number one issue for all of us. Despite what some people would think, it is the Government's number one priority. I again thank the Senator for raising the matter this morning.”
“I thank the Senator. I will commit to taking her views back to the Department. The Senator is right about the whole concept of liveable homes. I thank her again for her contribution. I reassure the Senator that the Government is committed to addressing the issue of vacancy. The vacant property refurbishment grant has been successful. An above-shop top-up grant is being developed and other changes are being considered to improve the effectiveness of the scheme. We will continue to support bringing as many existing properties as possible back into use as homes. I will convey the views of the Senator to the Minister. I repeat that I am as committed to this matter as the Senator. It is a scheme that will revitalise areas. I am thinking of Cork city but I know the Senator is thinking of parts of Dublin.”
“She has been a breath of fresh air in coming up with ideas and in pushing and cajoling members of both political parties in the area housing. I will bring back the Senator's views on croí cónaithe. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Browne, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, and the other Ministers of State in the Department, including the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, will work with the Senator on this matter. The Senator is right. It is about breathing new life into and creating a new imagined space in our towns and cities. I will bring back the Senator's remarks and I share her views on this scheme. I apologise if the reply is not what she needs or got but I will certainly take her views back.”
“I will be happy to bring back to the Minister the issues raised by the Senator. I share her views. I have a similar view regarding the payment in stages. I understand the knock-on effects of that. The Senator is right that we need to make it easier for and to incentivise more people who want to convert vacant properties, in particular those two or three floors over a shop. I am not sure if the Senator is familiar with the situation in Cork, but when I look up St. Patrick's Street and see some of the vacant properties, I ask why people cannot be incentivised more. I again commend the Senator on what she has been doing and for the role she played. At a time when some people are critical of Government policy the Senator, has been the opposite.”
“Recognising the need to bring as many vacant properties into use as homes, particularly in our towns and cities, the programme for Government includes a commitment to expand the vacant property refurbishment grant to include an above-the-shop top-up grant. The grant is currently available to support the refurbishment of vacant upper floors of commercial premises. So too is the repair and leasing scheme, providing up to €80,000 per unit, with no limit on the number of units in one property, for use as social housing. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working to progress the commitment to introduce a top-up grant for such properties, how it will operate and who it will be available to. The Minister, Deputy Browne, will update Senators in the coming weeks and months on this matter.”
“This is also the approach in other grants such as the SEAI and housing adaptation grants. It is important to note also that staged payments would result in additional inspections by local authorities with a resulting impact on timeframes for grant payments. Under the new local authority purchase and renovation loan launched last July, a first-time buyer or fresh start applicant who wishes to purchase or renovate a home eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant but who cannot get sufficient funding from commercial lenders can apply to their local authority for a loan under the scheme. The loan has the potential to help eligible applicants by providing the necessary finance to make their project viable.”
“I agree with the Senator completely. Since the vacant property refurbishment grant was announced in 2022, it has provided support of up to €50,000 for the refurbishment of vacant properties and a further €20,000 for derelict properties. I concur with the Senator completely that there is a need to go further and I hope we can do that. Feedback on the grant has been very positive and the grant is making a real difference in urban and rural areas. Last month the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published grant statistics that show more than 11,300 grant applications were received, in excess of 7,700 were approved and 1,449 grants were paid to 31 December of last year. Currently, the grant is paid on completion of the approved works to ensure the applicant has carried out the works applied for.”
“I will take this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minster of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, who apologises that he cannot be here. I thank the Senator for being a champion and advocate of housing policy and for being one of the key drivers in revitalisation of many vacant properties. To be fair to the Senator, she has been ahead of the curve in many ways. I commend her on that, during our time together in this House and now in different roles. Addressing the vacancy and dereliction issue and bringing existing properties back into use as homes form a key priority for this Government and the Minister. I completely agree with the Senator that this grant is about new life, reimagining and revitalisation. The Senator and I could walk many parts of this city and of Cork, or wherever, and it is something we need to see more of.”
“Thankfully, it is not on the way to Killarney, not that I think we will be getting to Killarney too often in the coming months, but I hope that next Sunday we will have a better result. This is about better results for the Senator and the people of Listowel. We have seen the benefit of the bypass. It is critical that we continue with road improvement. The Government has committed to that. We have seen a variety of benefits but the Senator made the point about safety and connectivity. I will sit down with him and take up his offer to visit and work with him on behalf of the Department to make sure we get this project moving.”
“I thank the Senator. I know this road and roundabout is of particular importance to him. The name Tim Kennelly, for us in Cork, is a huge reason why we should be supporting this. I take the Senator's concerns and share his view on the lack of progress. I commit to working with the Senator, the Department and Kerry County Council in a manner that will achieve the key outcomes he desires. The Government is committed in the programme for Government to enhancing connectivity in both urban and rural areas through investing in diverse transport options, including roads and the national development plan. I will take the Senator's points to TII and Kerry County Council. I will not insult him by giving him a prepared script, because I know the importance of this road.”