Noel McCarthy

6. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of naturalisation applications received in each year from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the current average processing times for naturalisation applications; the measures being taken by his Department to further reduce application processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36655/25]

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is clear that the volume of applications has greatly increased over the last five years while processing times continue to fall year on year. This is very encouraging. The work of the Minister and his Department must be acknowledged in this regard. I appreciate that the Minister of State may not have the figures at hand. Does he have an indication…

We recently saw over 7,500 people conferred with Irish citizenship at ceremonies in Killarney. While this is a joyous step on their journey of becoming an Irish citizen, we have seen instances where certificates of naturalisation have taken considerable time to arrive following the ceremony. Unfortunately, this can cause undue problems for the applicants when applying for a passport or seeking to …

133. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures his Department is taking, or plans to introduce in the future, to support the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30269/25]

I thank the Minister of State for his response. Post offices are vital social links in urban and rural communities. They support local economies by providing essential Government services. However, they need further support, as the Minister of State said. Recent increases in inflation and the minimum wage have unfortunately occurred at the same time as a decline in transaction-based income for pos…

I thank the Minister of State for his positive response. I cannot speak highly enough of our post office network and the service it provides, in particular when compared with its European counterparts. However, I find it concerning that the Irish Postmasters Union warned this week at the Oireachtas communications committee that there could be significant post office closures if funding is not incr…

6. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 18 February 2025, to provide an update on his Department’s consideration of the Funds Sector 2030 report recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28158/25]

I thank the Minister for his response. I believe the funds sector review to be an important contribution to the continued success of the asset management and investment fund sector in Ireland. According to the Central Bank, approximately €162 billion was held in deposit at the end of March 2025, earning relatively little for the Irish taxpayer. Recent reports have highlighted that Irish investors …

I compliment the Minister and his Department on the work they have done so far. I understand it is a complex case and will take multiple budgets to iron out.

168. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the increase, if any, in staff numbers in the Passport Office this year; the staff positions in the Passport Office that were filled as a result of any increase; his Department’s plans to further boost staff numbers in the Passport Office ahead of the busier summer holiday period; and if he will make…

I welcome the Tánaiste's response. I acknowledge the important work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the passport service in overseeing a considerable increase in the number of passports issued over the past five years. I also welcome the rise in staff numbers over the same period. As public representatives, we often see a large rise in the number of passport queries in the run-…

I wholeheartedly welcome the news about the possible move to a new building in Cork that will open next year. Are any efforts being made to increase the time period when an adult renewal application is instead considered on a first-time basis? Currently, a passport renewal is considered a first-time application if the previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago. I thank the Tánaiste for th…

I take the opportunity today to raise an issue with respect to wastewater treatment in the village of Shanagarry in Cork East. Housing estates such as Old Garden in Shanagarry no longer have wastewater systems that are fit for purpose. These were originally installed by the developer as a temporary measure but they remain in place. The developer may have encountered difficulties in the interim an…

I once again wish to raise the issue of the disruption to the water supply in Ballyhooly in my constituency of Cork East. Last month, I spoke about the urgent need to repair the water network servicing Ballyhooly as local properties continue to experience daily disruptions, with limited or no water services. This, unfortunately, means that daily chores cannot be completed, with the situation only …

127. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/25]

Will the Minister for Health provide an update on the development of the community nursing unit at Midleton Community Hospital and make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister for her response. I also thank her Department and the HSE for progressing this development. Midleton Community Hospital supports residents and their families across east Cork and I am delighted, as I am sure the families of residents are, to see that the staff's hard work is being rewarded with a new facility that will accommodate increased numbers. The Minister has outlined t…

Will the Minister outline the total intended staff numbers and positions within the 50-bed community nursing unit, once it opens?

168. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the Naval Service’s current fleet complement; the number of ships that are fully crewed and at sea; his Department’s plans for the further upgrading of the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18005/25]

Will the Minister for Defence outline the Naval Service current fleet complement, the number of ships that are fully crewed and at sea, and his Department's plans for further upgrading of the fleet? Will he please make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I have huge respect for the Naval Service and the job it does. I have family members directly involved in the service. I was pleased to see the significant increase in funding provided to the Defence Forces in the last budget. I particularly welcome the Commission on the Defence Forces' recommendation of an accelerated programme of naval vessel replacement. I…

16. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering the reintroduction of the increased cost of business and power up grant schemes for small business rate payers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21610/25]

Is the Department considering the reintroduction of the increased cost of business and power up grant schemes for small businesses and ratepayers, and will he make a statement on the matter?

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I would also like to thank him and his departmental staff for the significant amount of work that has been put into the development and roll-out of the increased cost of business grant and the power up grant scheme. It is fair to say that these schemes were an enormous success and were greatly appreciated by eligible business owners. In fact, it is b…

I raise the urgent need for the water network servicing Ballyhooly in my constituency of Cork East to be repaired. Unfortunately, homes and businesses in Ballyhooly continue to experience regular water supply disruptions and low water pressure. This has resulted in residents being unable to conduct daily practices such as showering or washing clothes and dishes, making living conditions unbearable…