Barry Heneghan

Ever since entering this House, I have always made it clear that my politics are pragmatic and solution focused, and I will not say things that cannot be backed with real figures. I understand that money cannot grow on trees. I am a realist. I like to be inside the tent not on the outside throwing rocks and getting nothing done. I was an engineer before I came in here, so I have always been focuse…

My constituents saved up, bought houses and are paying the property tax. What proportion of that directly affects them? Regarding the lifting of the passenger cap, the programme for Government clearly stated it should be as soon as possible, so that needs to be addressed. Regarding the 2024 plug-in solar, I know I have raised a lot of issues, so I hope the Minister's officials are watching and wil…

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine agus mé i m’oifig ansin. Aontaím le go leor rudaí ráite, go háirithe faoin gcaidreamh idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Iosrael. I mentioned it earlier in the House. Níl sé maith go leor nach bhfuilimid ag déanamh ár ndícheall le haghaidh sanctions agus the OTB. I welcome that the Minister said that she has consulted with the Attorney General. I urge that this be done …

Bhí mé ag éisteacht le gach duine. Aontaím le go leor rudaí ach an rud nach dtuigim ná two weeks ago the Opposition was asking to collapse the Government where no financial measures could be passed and now it is asking for a mini-budget. We are in very unpredictable times and need to have a stable Government. How could any financial measures have been passed if the Government had collapsed as the …

I am asking how could the Opposition, after a general election-----

I did not interrupt you, Deputy Kenny.

I did not interrupt you either, Deputy Sheehan. A general election would take four weeks.

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. If there was a general election in three or four weeks, due to the count and the formation of Government, there would be a long period when nothing could be passed. Is this performative? I want to show solutions. The Government has provided €775 million but it could introduce more supports. In respect of the 2024 plug-in solar report, in a response to a parlia…

4. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the commitment to introduce a cost-of-disability payment; the current status of policy development and implementation; the expected timelines for introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31682/26]

Tá mé ag lorg nuachta faoin infheistíocht do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas, go háirithe i mBaile Átha Cliath Thuaidh ach nationally chomh maith leis sin. I would appreciate if the Minister would give me a detailed timeline for the next step for recognising the associated costs for people with disabilities.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Táim buíoch as an bhfreagra sin and the continued engagement with my office. I commend the staff in his office for their hard work as well as the Minister himself. What is absolutely clear is that the cost of disability must reflect the reality. In north Dublin in my constituency, we have the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, and mu…

There is real urgency here. I welcome the fact that the Minister is acknowledging that this is needed. The gap is not abstract and it is felt every single week by the people I represent and people across Ireland. The payment would be very meaningful and very well accepted. I look forward to working with the Department and the disability organisations on that. This does not relate to the Minister'…

108. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of ongoing reports of wheelchair users being refused service by wheelchair accessible taxis in Dublin, particularly at night; the number of complaints received and penalties issued; the way in which drivers who received public funding under the wheelchair accessible vehicle, WAV, grant scheme are held accountable for refusi…

I welcome the huge investment in and development of private wires and look forward to the private wires system helping electrification and contributing to the solution to the issue Deputy Murphy raised regarding electrical infrastructure. The private wires Bill can reduce timelines for the installation of renewable projects and electric infrastructure. I come to my question on the WAV grant schem…

I thank the Minister of State for his engagement on the matter. I have constituents who are left waiting hours for wheelchair accessible taxis that will take them. In response to a parliamentary question I submitted last July, the NTA acknowledged what the Minister of State just said. It stated it was giving training for the safe use of lifts and clamping systems and that, since that January, the…

I will send it over to the Minister of State's office. I can give cases of constituents with physical disabilities who have been refused collection by taxis. There are also taxi drivers who have built up records and submitted them to the NTA showing how many people with physical disabilities they collect but who then did not get the grant. I ask that when the next grant comes out for accessibility…

Aontaím le go leor rudaí a bhí ráite sa Teach seo, go háirithe an méid a bhí le rá ag an Teachta Toole ag an deireadh faoi na príomhrudaí ag tús shaol na bpáistí sa tír seo. Is é sin t-am nuair is gá dúinn cabhair, infheistíocht agus rudaí mar sin a chur isteach le go bhféadfar cabhrú le daoine. Gabhaim míle buíochas leis an Teachta Gogarty for proposing the motion and giving us the opportunity to…

21. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [29773/26]

I have raised the issue of plug-in solar on many occasions. I would like an update on the terms and conditions relating to the south-west offshore wind auction, including in respect of the Li Ban development area. Has the Department examined whether the grid will be upgraded enough or whether the demand will be there? Right now, investor communities are not sure whether the grid is future-proofed …

I welcome this debate on workers' rights. I said in the House 12 months ago that if we are serious about workers' rights, we also need to be serious about protecting industries, infrastructure and investment to create and secure skilled and well-paid jobs for Irish workers. In recent weeks I have heard constant attacks on the private wires Bill, which will boost renewable infrastructure in this co…

All right. I will go again on that. Go raibh maith agat.

7. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the level of engagement her Department has had with the request by a school (details supplied) for modular accommodation that can facilitate the opening of two additional autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29156/26]

Inniu táim chun caint faoi scoil a mbím ag caint fúithi i gcónaí sa Teach seo, Stapolin Educate Together National School in my constituency of Dublin Bay North. I have raised it a number of times. It is a fantastic school with dedicated staff who are watching this at the moment. I had the pleasure of visiting it, as did the Minister of State earlier in the year. He saw how hard-working the staff m…

I visited the students in the school again last week . They need this to be given to them. One of the students, Esmai, also asked for a pink castle, if the Minister of State could do this for her. He said the NCSE is reviewing it, but from speaking and listening to the principal, the NCSE is saying that the Department will not give the modular building, so there is miscommunication there. All five…

It is a new school but it was not built big enough and there are more houses going into that area, which I represent. They need modular additions and I would appreciate if the Department could clarify whether it has assessed the situation. I was speaking to one of the parents who is waiting for a school place. It is the case of James Field, who is currently without an appropriate special school p…