Keira Keogh

Many communities and individuals across Mayo continue to face significant challenges in accessing essential services like employment opportunities and social activities, as well as doctor's appointments, due to limited public transport options. Will the Department consider introducing additional Local Link routes and, more importantly, additional increased frequency to better connect communities i…

I was at the launch of TFI Anseo and I welcome it, along with all of the increases in spending. When we look at the map of Local Link in Mayo, it looks like we are really connected, but I am thinking of a lady in Fahy outside Westport who is in her 60s. Her mind is super active and she is a fantastic woman, but she has arthritis and cannot drive. She has one option to go to Westport on a Friday mo…

We need to box clever when we are looking at it. For example, Knockrooskey is an area that does not have footpaths or lighting, so we cannot put an extra bus stop in yet for the Bus Éireann route that moves through it. A Local Link would be really welcome there where the nearest bus stop is Coill an Bhaile and it is too dangerous to walk to. I think of Louisburgh, where the bus service finishes ar…

The EU AI Act aims for AI to be transformative, trusted and transparent. I think we can all agree that, in recent days and weeks, we have seen how swiftly AI can move to put dangerous tools in the hands of millions of people all across the globe. Make no mistake, though, Grok might have put the ability to nudify into the public domain and it might have opened the eyes of people and governments who…

I understand Deputy McGreehan is taking the next question on behalf of Deputy Dempsey.

Deputy Erin McGreehan is taking Question No. 119 for Deputy Brendan Smith.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan - To discuss the need for a lift upgrade and roof repairs at a school in Cork. Deputy Jen Cummins - To discuss the plan for schools to be included in the DEIS plus scheme. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss funding f…

16. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the current and planned supports for Mayo’s offshore islands, including Inishturk, Clare Island, and Achill Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68006/25]

Can the Minister outline the current supports available to Mayo's offshore islands, including Inisturk, Clare Island and Achill Island in the areas of transport, housing, health, education, digital connectivity and community development, the efforts that are set out for the planned initiatives and funding streams for these islands over the coming years, including measures to sustain population lev…

I am lucky enough to have been with the Minister on Inisturk when it got its new helipad and at the launch of TFI anseo, so I can definitely see all the improvements we are making. Last week the people there were very happy and they welcomed the likes of the solar panel to help their generator keep going. We know that, like all communities around Ireland, the islanders are particularly struggling …

That will be welcome news to the islanders and I know when we have one announcement we are always looking to the next announcement. Regarding the piers at Clare Island and Inisturk, when we arrived there the islanders spoke about the difficulty getting the ferry right up to the shore with sandbanks and different things. Even though we are progressing Roonagh, there will still be lots more work to …

I thank the Minister for being here. My colleagues have brought this up and the Whip is looking into the delay of the publication of this Bill. However, it is difficult to come in here this evening and to speak to it truly as our constituents expect us to do so. We would love to get to the bottom of why it was published so late that when we are speaking about issues, we can be well informed. Today…

10. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the preparedness of the Defence Forces in extreme weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60427/25]

81. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there are plans to move panic alarms administered by Pobal under the seniors alert scheme from copper phone lines to more robust broadband lines and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55509/25]

Storm Éowyn highlighted how vulnerable our older constituents with panic alarms and pendants are. Are there plans to move the seniors alert scheme away from copper phone lines?

It is welcome that a review is taking place. All of us, including my colleague from Mayo, are scarred by what we witnessed during Storm Éowyn. I would like to know how many people on the alarms are still on the old copper telephone lines. We need to look at this retrospectively. I understand the review is not supposed to be finished until next summer and I am worried about our preparedness for thi…

Cross-government action is needed. We see the fantastic roll-out of the national broadband plan, which is having great results in Mayo. As the Minister of State said, broadband alarms are being recommended, but we have to go back retrospectively. More than 1,000 people in Mayo are using these alarms. I think of the people in Binghamstown, Belmullet, out in Leenane and in some of the rural black sp…

Today, I have constituents who feel unheard, unseen and left in limbo. I want to acknowledge that progress has been made. The Government has taken steps in recognising the scale of the housing defects crisis by the establishment of the enhanced defective concrete blocks scheme and by announcements of increased caps offering choices between non-demolition, remediation or a full technical review. T…

7. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on changes to the Garda vetting system being considered by the Government; the proposed changes to re-vetting requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53675/25]

The Garda vetting review group recently submitted its report to the Minister. Will the Minister provide an update on the changes to the Garda vetting system being considered by the Government, especially the proposed changes to the re-vetting requirements, as we know a lot of people are very frustrated with the delays that have been caused, especially in NGOs and sporting groups?

As Chair of the Joint Committee on Children and Equality, and somebody who has worked with children her whole life, I join the Minister in wanting to ensure that our Garda vetting process is robust and that we are protecting our vulnerable children and adults. At the same time, it is great to hear that the report has made it to the Minister's desk. The review was initiated in 2021. Volunteers are …

I know it is easy for someone such as me to come in and offer a simple solution. I appreciate that the response is not so simple. At the moment, however, a lot of unnecessary duplication is happening. Multiple checks are being carried out into the same people to verify the same information. One of the key problems is that people who are trying to start a job can come into financial difficulty when…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Séamus McGrath - To discuss the need to review the protocol in dealing with suspected victims of a drink spiking incident. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss a proposal to close the salmon hatchery at Cong on Lough Corrib. Deputy Ma…

16. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport following on from the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the means by which disability lead and associated grants are funded; the overall funding provided to such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52009/25]

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