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 work aligns with the national and regional tourism policy framework, including A New Era for Irish Tourism: National Tourism Policy Statement and the Fáilte Ireland Sligo destination and experience development plan. Opening arrangements for Sligo Abbey are kept under continuous review, taking account of visitor demand, conservation requirements, health and safety considerations and the sustainable allocation of staffing and financial resources. In this context, the OPW has already taken significant steps to extend access. Last year, the visitor season was extended by six weeks. Building on that progress, this season will run from 14 March to 30 December. That is an increase to a ten-month window for Sligo Abbey and puts it on a par with many of the OPW's larger and more visited heritage sites nationally.”
“The important point is the event attracted almost 700 visitors in a single day, with strong engagement from local families and first-time visitors, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted programming in expanding audiences. As the Senator said, it is the most visited heritage site and it is an important one. The key point for the Government and the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, is strong collaboration at local and regional levels. That is paramount to the success of Sligo Abbey. The OPW works with Fáilte Ireland, Sligo County Council and a variety of other stakeholders, tourism bodies, educational establishments and community organisations.”
“They are a dedicated and highly experienced guiding team who provide an extraordinary amount of expert interpretation, guided tours, educational engagement with schools and tailored experiences which suit group visitors and tour operators. The service is consistent with other guide services across the OPW estate. A strong emphasis is placed by the OPW on storytelling, accessibility and local connection significantly enhancing the visitor experience. In addition, Sligo Abbey delivers a diverse programme of events significantly enhancing the cultural and community value, working with Sligo County Council and other stakeholders. This includes initiatives during Heritage Week, Culture Night, Christmas programming and a successful St. Patrick's Day event.”
“The Office of Public Works has statutory responsibility for its protection, conservation and presentation, ensuring its long-term preservation while facilitating appropriate public access. The key point for us which the Senator referenced in her contribution is that it is a significant site within the OPW's heritage estate and is one of the most visited sites in the north west, with the visitor number going from 27,000 in 2022 to almost 39,000 in 2023 and 34,000 in 2024. We are told the figures for last year exceeded 45,000. A key driver of this are the four guides which the Senator referenced. I thank the OPW guide service in Sligo Abbey and pay tribute to them on the service which benefits all of us.”
“I thank Senator Cosgrove for raising this important issue. I apologise the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, cannot be here. The Senator certainly whetted the appetite for a visit. In her wonderful contribution she illustrated the merits of Sligo Abbey. I thank her for that. It is, as the Senator said, a national monument in State care of significant architectural and cultural importance. She spoke about the fact that it goes back to the 13th century. If one were to analyse it, Sligo Abbey is one of the most complete surviving medieval monastic sites in Ireland and has been in State care since the 19th century. With recent television programmes such as "Nationwide" and others, that monastic life is one we should look at and revisit.”
“Seventeen schools in Roscommon. The Senator mentioned Frenchpark. We should remember the late Senator John Connor today who was a great local authorities national politician. I look forward to working with Senator Scahill to advance the safe routes to school scheme in Roscommon. Seventeen are selected, six have the works completed. I accept the point the Senator makes and I will work with him to deliver on them.”
“Second, the scheme is co-ordinated by An Taisce, which does not apply any profit or markup for its contribution. Taken together, this represents excellent value for money. I look forward to working with the Senator on ensuring the benefits of the safe routes to schools are extended to other schools and far beyond the school gate and that we increase the delivery. I will revert to the Senator in a moment with a couple of other points.”
“The overarching point we are making is that the money invested reflects the advancing scale and maturity of the programme. The median cost, as we say, is quite high at €380,000 but there are variations depending on the location of the school. I am sure Councillor Connolly will definitely have me down to Roscommon with Senator Scahill to advocate for this. There is no better than the Fine Gael group there that the Senator has worked very strongly with. The scheme is highly cost effective for two reasons. First, the interventions are targeted and of a relatively low cost. For example, a well-designed crossing or traffic calming measure can be delivered with modest capital investment, yet it fundamentally transforms the space around the school.”
“The data from participating schools shows clear behavioural change, with marked increases in walking and cycling levels along with reduction in car use at the school gate. Our overarching aim is to ease congestion and improve air quality, which allows us to build better physical activity into the children's lives. It is also about the long-term economic benefit and the safety piece. The Senator is right that there is a waiting list. The scheme, in terms of specific interventions in rural and higher-speed rural environments, focuses on speed reduction, improved driver awareness and school visibility. Early trials have shown that there have been speed reductions of approximately 9% at these locations, which is a huge improvement in safety for all people.”
“Over 900 schools signed up to take part in the initiative. There are currently 526 schools across all 31 local authorities actively engaged in the scheme. I, too, pay tribute to Councillors Callaghan, Duffy, Conboy and my good friend Dominick Connolly, a long-time councillor in Roscommon. They have been very strong in support of the work that Senator Scahill and I have been doing with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, in the Department of Transport. To date, 172 schools have completed their works, while a further 31 schools are under construction, with many more progressing through design and statutory approval. I assure the Senator that I look forward to going back to meet with his colleagues in Roscommon County Council to discuss the matter further.”
“This significant investment has delivered nearly 1,100 km of new walking and cycling infrastructure, alongside hundreds of junction upgrades and additional pedestrian crossings, as well as supporting the very successful safe routes to schools initiative. The Senator quite rightly raised the issue of safety concerns, which are consistently raised as the main barrier to children walking or cycling to school. Parents and guardians often highlight the speed of vehicles, traffic congestion, the absence of footpaths and the lack of safe crossing points as the reasons they choose to drive their children to school instead of having them walk or cycle. As the Senator articulated, the safe routes to school initiative was launched in 2021 with the aim of promoting the provision of infrastructure interventions, which the Senator just discussed.”
“I thank Senator Scahill for raising this matter. To be fair to the Senator, he has been a proponent of the safe routes to school scheme for some time. This is my third or fourth time here to discuss with him the issue of safe routes to school. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. There is merit in the suggestions the Senator made. I affirm the Government's strong commitment to active travel. A total of €360 million per annum has been earmarked for the development of walking and cycling facilities, which amounts to a €1.8 billion investment between now and the end of the decade, building on over €1 billion already invested since 2021.”
“I am conscious that we should all recognise that we are here to serve and we are all passing through. Our Constitution, in Article 40.6.1°, gives us the right to protest, but it is not an unconditional right. There are conditions attached, and those who trample on those conditions also must reflect. That is not me being arrogant; it is me being a former member of the ASTI who was on strike and on protests. I thank all Members of the House for their contributions. Taking what they have all said, we must as a Government continue to act. I look forward to coming back maybe to have a further debate on that social partnership, that social contract relationship that we must renew, as was rightly said, with the people of Ireland.”
“I never thought in my lifetime - and you are a champion of America, a Chathaoirligh - that we would have the leader of the free world behaving the way he does. That leads and has led to where we are today on one level, but that does not mean we are immune from criticism. As to what we do have, Senator Flaherty is right, and Senator Duffy said it earlier. It is about that empathy, that support and that understanding of people. People are hurting, people are suffering, and we do listen and we must listen more. I thank the Members of the House. We have crossed many Rubicons in the past couple of months. What we must do, as Members of the Oireachtas, democratically elected, here to serve as messengers of the people, is engage and continue to serve, as was said, with humility.”
“As a Minister of State of our Government, I pay tribute to the men and women of An Garda Síochána for their work in protecting and upholding our State last weekend. I said in the Dáil earlier today that when you take away the reality of the TikTok or the Instagram video and watch and see what happened to some members of An Garda Síochána and the provocation, you will really admire our members of An Garda Síochána. Tonight we have had a very good debate in this House. It was a very honest debate. Our geopolitical world is on fire. The world we knew is no longer, and politics has changed. We saw it in Hungary at the weekend, we have seen it in other elections and we see it in the pronouncements of the President of the United States.”
“The pain and the stress that was articulated by Senators Flaherty, Brady, Tully and others tonight is about the person, an gnáthdhuine, who is feeling that pressure and making choices. We know that and we hear them. In a way, Senator Flynn is right because today was a charade in the Dáil. If Sinn Féin wanted to have the Government held to account, it would have held Leaders' Questions and would not have put down a motion that it knew the Government was going to win anyway. It is a set-piece occasion. The Government is protecting and working for people. A package of €750 million, not once but twice, is significant. It is important we differentiate between those who are protesting. There were very genuine people on the protest last week but there were some who were not.”
“May I make one point to Members of the House, who come in here and articulate and advocate, as we all do? Some €50 billion of the Government's and people's money is being spent on social protection and health on behalf of people. That is services and that is putting in place supports, help and assistance for people. Senator Cosgrove referred to fossil fuels and our overdependence on them. She is right, but you cannot be on both sides of that argument. I am a Minister of State, a Member of the Oireachtas for 19 years, with 22 years in public life, and a citizen. We understand, we live, we work, we walk, we talk, we socialise, we are involved in our GAA clubs and our parish councils and we meet people.”
“That carries currency, and I ask all Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to reflect on their articulation and their speeches because that is critical. Second, the Government is accused of many things. One of the things we have been accused of is not listening and not engaging. I make the point to Members in the House tonight that 13 organisations were involved in talks last weekend with the Government in a concept around social contract and social partnership. I would love to have another debate, a Chathaoirligh - I am wearing my social justice hat here as well - about that social contract and how we can re-establish it and that partnership with people. Without doubt, gan amhras, people are suffering and hurting and feeling under pressure. That is why it is important to renew that social contract.”
“Ar an gcéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom mo fhíorbhuíochas a ghabháil do gach Ball agus gach Seanadóir a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht seo. Gan amhras, tá sé soiléir do gach duine go bhfuil daoine faoi bhrú. Tá an Rialtas ag éisteacht. Tá muid ag caint, go mór mór leis an ngnáthdhuine, agus ag obair ar son gach duine. The debate tonight has ended with Senator Flaherty's contribution and began with the Minister of State, Deputy Collins. The important point is that we need to reflect on where we have come from, taking on board the contributions of many Members in this very important debate. I do not have a prepared script because it would not do justice to the contributions, nor do I seek to be in any way adversarial here. It is important we all listen. As Members of the Oireachtas, what we say and how we say it are very important.”
“The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I are committed to the restoration and maintenance of our road network and recognise the importance of it. Based on the points the Senator has made, it is critical that we enhance connectivity between rural and urban areas and allow people to be able to travel seamlessly in our country. I hope in Kildare, under the strategic improvement grant programme, we will see that continue.”
“I will answer the last question first. I do not know. I hope that the decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála will not postpone the process too much. Engagement with Kildare County Council is ongoing. It is important that we have that interconnectedness that the Senator spoke about. Our Department is fully committed to the protection and renewal of our road network. I hope that this project - I will make the case that the Senator made this afternoon - remains an absolute priority for the Government. The Senator spoke about the regional and local roads in Kildare. As she knows, the allocation is €20 million for this year, with the initial selection and prioritisation on maintenance and renewal works a matter for the council.”
“Working with local authorities all projects will be considered. They must comply with our infrastructure guidelines. Kildare County Council received €20 million for maintenance and improvement last year, of which over €19 million was allocated to road protection and renewal. The points the Senator made this afternoon are good ones and we must take cognisance of them. We need to remember that Ireland's road density is the seventh highest in the European Union. The volume of traffic is putting pressure on towns like Newbridge, Kildare, Maynooth and others in County Kildare. The points the Senator has made make eminent sense and I look forward to bringing her comments back to the Department.”
“The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I are committed in our regional and local roads programme to protecting, enhancing and upgrading the existing road network. While the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a matter for the local authority, the Department will ensure we have funding prioritised to see our roads network enhanced. That is why the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, announced an Exchequer investment of €718 million for our regional and local roads earlier this year. This will facilitate an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works. It is important that we work together on this project. Under the strategic grant programme, the Department makes decisions on a case-by-case basis.”
“The Department made an allocation last year in support of the preparation of a business case for the Newbridge southern orbital route. The updated business case was submitted by the council for review last year and it was ultimately approved. Kildare County Council obtained planning approval for the remaining section of the scheme in 2023 and it is currently in advanced discussions with landowners regarding land acquisition. In 2026, €200,000 has been allocated to the scheme. The recent decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála is being reviewed by Kildare County Council. In turn, the Department of Transport is also liaising directly with Kildare County Council on the matter.”
“This is about a town that has grown exponentially, as the Senator said. It has changed from when I was a student in Maynooth to today. It is no longer just a county town: it is the hub. The Senator is right that the Department of Transport is committed to this. As she knows, Kildare County Council submitted a primary appraisal application, I think in 2023, to the Department of Transport on the orbital relief route scheme. Senator O'Loughlin has articulated that what we need to do in planning and transport with the Department of local government is to have traffic flowing in our urban towns. This is an example of it successfully done in Kildare. In the case of this project, the business case was developed by the council to substantiate the need for the scheme.”
“I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this very important matter and again for being a very strong champion and voice for the people of Newbridge. She is quite right in terms of the growth, the schools, the access and the egress. I apologise that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, cannot take this Commencement matter. The Senator referenced the refusal by An Coimisiúin Pleanála in respect of the Great Connell strategic housing development. The Senator's contribution and question is in relation to that second bridge, which links Great Connell Road and Athgarvan Road over the River Liffey. The Senator is right. The comment she made that there will be a second application is a good one. It is important that we, as a Department, working with Kildare County Council, reaffirm, as the Senator has said, our support for the project.”
“The PSO framework ensures that where there is a clear social need and services are not commercially viable, the NTA intervenes in a targeted, proportional manner to maintain essential connectivity. The significant allocation of €940 million for PSO services in this year's budget represents a 43% increase on the previous year and demonstrates the scale of our ambition for connectivity, rural transport and what we have been talking about this afternoon. I thank the Senator for the remarks. I will relay them to the staff in the Department and the NTA.”
“I reiterate that the Government is firmly committed to ensuring that people in Carlow, Kilkenny and elsewhere across Ireland, including those living in rural and regional communities, will have access to reliable, accessible and sustainable public transport options. I refer the Senator to Rural Link and the changes announced last week concerning hackney licences. Connectivity is fundamental to supporting economic activity, social inclusion, access to education, healthcare and people's overall quality of life. I fully understand the frustration over the withdrawal of certain commercial activities by the operator we have referred to this afternoon. That is a matter for the company itself. There are robust mechanisms in place, through the NTA, to assess and respond to the gaps that may arise. This is how Local Link arose.”
“The importance of transport connectivity is why the NTA’s role in determining that if there is a loss of connectivity once a commercial route ceases to operate is critical. I assure the Senator that the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, the Minister of State in his Department, Deputy Canney, and I are very much aware of the importance of connectivity and I thank her for raising the matter.”
“Similarly, with regard to other services referred to in the Senator’s question, the route is commercially operated and does not require any State intervention or subvention. While the NTA acts as the regulator for such services, any decision to amend the route is a commercial decision for the company, and as such the NTA's powers are primarily focused on licensing and assessing social need if and when changes occur to the route. I assure the Senator that I fully recognise that transport connectivity is very important for people who live, work and study in Ireland. As I know quite well, it is key to revitalising our villages, towns and urban centres. Indeed, I have been in Carlow with Deputy Catherine Callaghan and I am due to go back there next week or the week after. I use the bus myself. We have a very good bus service in my city, Cork.”
“For example, it has determined that the withdrawal of Expressway route 4 would create a significant service gap and has recommended the introduction of a PSO service on the Carlow to Waterford corridor to maintain connectivity. It is also important to note that following such determinations the NTA must allow a period of time for the market to respond, including the potential for alternative commercial operators to step in. This ensures that any intervention is proportionate and does not displace viable private services. Once this position becomes clearer over the coming weeks, the NTA will respond as appropriate taking into account passenger needs, available resources and the overall funding envelope for PSO services.”
“Under European Union law, a public service obligation is an arrangement by which the NTA procures the service of a bus operator through a tendering process. The winning bidder is then obliged to operate a specified bus service for a specified period of time in return for the payment of a subsidy by the NTA. As Members will know, the PSO is aimed at routes that are not commercially viable but where there is a socially desirable advantage to transport being available. We have seen the success of rural link and rural transport across the country as a testament to the commitment of Government to improving connnectivity. In the context of the question raised by the Senator, I understand that the NTA has completed its assessment of the affected routes, which are publicly available on its website.”
“I understand that the recent decision to withdraw from certain services was made following a comprehensive financial and operational review carried out by Bus Éireann regarding Expressway performance over recent years, which sought to ensure long-term sustainability and viability of the semi-State company as a whole. The decision to withdraw these services was due to significant losses that have become unsustainable for their commercial operations. Where a commercial operator ceases a service, the National Transport Authority has a clear statutory role to assess the impact on connectivity. This includes determining whether a replacement PSO service is required to meet identified social and economic needs.”
“While the majority of public transport services in Ireland are delivered under the National Transport Authority's public service obligation, PSO, programme and supported by State funding to the tune of €940 million, which is a 43% increase, as the Senator will know, there is also an important component of the network made up of commercially operated services provided without State subvention. As she also knows, Bus Éireann operates both PSO services funded by the State subvention and Expressway intercity services, which operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important Commencement matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I will make clear to the House that neither I, as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for rural transport, nor the Minister, is responsible or involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport services. The decision by Bus Éireann to withdraw some Expressway routes from 24 May this year is a commercial decision taken by the company.”
“Language matters. It is critical. People watch and listen. I thank the men and women of An Garda Síochána for their leadership over the past seven days. I have met and spoken to them. Some of them are friends of mine. Behind the Instagram and TikTok videos, there is truth and reality. To the men and women of An Garda Síochána, let us say "Thank you", irrespective of our political ideology because without them, we would be a poorer State. All of us in this House have a mandate. We are elected by the people. We go before the people in an election. Our Constitution preserves that right.”
“The reality is that people want us to govern. People are under pressure. That is why the Government has intervened twice. I have been a Member of the Houses of the Oireachtas for 19 years and I will make a comment to Members of both Houses. Our language and words matter. Deputy Cairns spoke about leadership but leadership is not about sticking your finger in the air and wondering what way the wind is blowing. It is about acting on behalf of the people.”
“Gan amhras, tá na daoine go léir faoi bhrú, ach tá an Rialtas ag éisteacht. Táimid ag caint go mórmhór leis an gnáthdhuine, agus ag obair ar son gach duine. This debate is nothing but a charade. If the Members opposite wanted to have questions, they would not have put forward a motion of no confidence and would have had question time.”
“Implementation of this policy must be done in partnership for it to succeed. I look forward to the stakeholder engagement group continuing its work. It has met four times since it was appointed and it has established three expert working groups to provide recommendations and advice and to help it implement the individual actions under its remit. I look forward to working with Deputy Ó Murchú because this is a brilliant, breathtaking and refreshing area to be in.”
“I look forward to working with Deputy Ó Murchú in this particular area. Since my appointment, when I assumed responsibility in this area, we have engaged extensively. I have visited and met many stakeholders and social enterprises. To say the least, I am absolutely excited by the work being done. The objectives will be met. The stakeholder engagement group has met and it has a programme of work. It is committed to engaging on this and engaging with us further. I assure Deputy Ó Murchú the officials in the Department are engaging with colleagues on this matter on an ongoing basis. Deputy Ó Murchú should feel free to raise any issues with me. It is important to recognise that the Trading for Impact policy was developed in partnership with the sector. It is about partnership, le chéile and working together.”
“Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned SERI and I congratulate the former Minister, Richard Bruton, on his appointment as chair of SERI. We look forward to working with him to further develop the issue Deputy Ó Murchú has outlined. I have met many social enterprise groups since I became a Minister of State and I can tell Deputy Ó Murchú that I am very excited about this sector. I look forward to working with him to see it succeed further.”
“They also include phase 2 of a pilot voluntary quality mark for social enterprises to help build their visibility, and the census of social enterprises, which will be launched in the coming weeks, to better understand and support the sector and help to set the direction of future policy. While there was some delay in commencing implementation of the policy in late 2024, and I remind Deputy Ó Murchú that there was an election and a Government needed to be formed, significant work has been undertaken since my appointment and that of the Minister. We are committed to seeing this policy delivered. I assure Deputy Ó Murchú that the officials in our Department and other Departments, in partnership with the stakeholders, are working to ensure that all of the actions will be implemented over the lifetime of the policy.”
“Three working groups have now been established to address social financing issues and gaps, increase participation in public and private procurement, and raise awareness and make their impact more visible. Through these structures, work is continuing to support and grow the sector. The Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I were pleased to secure €400,000 of additional funding through the Estimates process to support this work. Areas of focus include a new Dormant Accounts Fund scheme to grow financial sustainability, which I expect to launch very shortly, and engagement with stakeholders, including the Office of Government Procurement, to increase procurement and sustainability for social enterprises through traded income.”
“I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for the question. In July 2024, prior to my appointment, the Department launched Trading for Impact, the national social enterprise policy, which was developed in partnership with the social enterprise sector. It has five key objectives, which are to build awareness of social enterprises, help them grow their financial sustainability, contribute to the green transition, deepen alignment from local to international level, and improve our understanding of social enterprises and their impact. A stakeholder engagement group was established in June 2025, including public and private stakeholders, to co-ordinate delivery of the policy.”
“I do not want to speak for the Minister but I am sure he would also be open to having that conversation. We must look at how we can allow these young people to make a contribution and have them involved and engaged in our community networks and, as Deputy Ward said, not just forget them, think they are all being looked after and that they have migrated to an online space that is very difficult, truculent and complex. The points Deputy Ward has made are worth considering and I certainly look forward to further engagement with him on it.”
“What Cork City Council has done on the nighttime economy with no-alcohol cafés for young people is an example the Government as a whole must look at. Our Department has a variety of schemes and programmes that reflect the whole ethos of what the Deputy is trying to achieve. I am open in terms of eligibility criteria in the new call for applications under a variety of schemes, such as the CSP or SICAP, to looking at how we can broaden the remit while mindful that we do not have an infinite budget and will have loads of applications. We need to have a conversation as we emerge from Covid and in a new world around our attitudes to alcohol and online. What the Deputy is saying reflects a new Ireland. We must open to engaging and putting a new structure in place. I would be happy to sit down with the Deputy further and engage on that.”
“We have an ongoing conversation around online safety for young people but there is a piece in particular post-Covid where demand continues to grow in our Department, reflecting the complexity of life today in communities. I am open to the conversation around what structures and supports we can put in place for that younger age group, perhaps working at a cross-department level. The Deputy's points are very well made.”
“Deputy Ward raises an interesting point. Sometimes we miss that cohort of young people. Rightly, we focus on men's sheds, women's sheds, older people's social services and that integration piece. As we saw today in the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Calleary, of the CCIF, the community centre is the hub and the visible piece that leads to the ongoing delivery of integrated supports, which directly reduces social exclusion for older people, in particular. The Deputy made a good point. Perhaps working with the Ministers, Deputies Foley, Calleary and Naughton, we can look at a further model in terms of what we are already doing. Let us be honest - we need to listen and engage all the time.”
“The Minister and I are very much aware of the ongoing need. We are committed to the provision of supports and structures. That is why as a Government and we as Ministers in the Department were delighted to have secured an additional €1.5 billion in the budget this year, bringing annual funding for SICAP to over €50 million. We are also of the view that supports should be provided to staff of local development companies in local communities which use community centres as a hub. Our Department's CSP currently supports 426 community-based organisations with a budget of €59.4 million, an increase of €4 million from last year to provide 445 local, social economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. We will have further news on the CSP in light of the programme for Government commitments later in the month.”
“I thank Deputy Ward for his ongoing advocacy, targeting, commentary and genuine commitment to the delivery of community-led supports. He has raised this matter on numerous occasions privately and in the Dáil. The Minister and I share the Deputy's view on tackling social disadvantage. The social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, is our country's primary social inclusion intervention programme, overseen by our Department. It is a national programme delivered in rural and urban areas by local development companies, LDCs, to help those in greatest need. SICAP supports people and community groups that face disadvantage providing targeted supports in areas such as employment, mental health, education and community engagement, improving quality of life for those facing social exclusion and inequality.”