241. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the fiscal measures currently in place to support enterprise development and investment in regional towns and rural communities; the further tax-based initiatives being examined to promote balanced economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25715/26]
TDs / Tony McCormack
Tony McCormack
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323
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
23,430
words spoken in the chamber
Across 198 contributions
432
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
129
topics asked about
Across 20 departments
From the Dáil chamber only: committee meetings are not in this archive.
What they ask about
The subject headings the Oireachtas filed their questions under.
Who they ask
The departments their questions were addressed to.
Month by month
Low months are usually recesses, when the Dáil does not sit. The archive runs to 22 October 2026.
Questions asked 323 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 198 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| January 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| February 2025 | 10 | 6 |
| March 2025 | 8 | 0 |
| April 2025 | 9 | 0 |
| May 2025 | 32 | 26 |
| June 2025 | 13 | 11 |
| July 2025 | 12 | 5 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 16 | 8 |
| October 2025 | 17 | 3 |
| November 2025 | 24 | 13 |
| December 2025 | 15 | 14 |
| January 2026 | 28 | 7 |
| February 2026 | 14 | 8 |
| March 2026 | 15 | 12 |
| April 2026 | 23 | 23 |
| May 2026 | 25 | 28 |
| June 2026 | 17 | 16 |
| July 2026 | 21 | 9 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 10 | 4 |
| October 2026 | 14 | 5 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 192 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Asked about similar topics
Worked out by computer from the subject headings of each TD's questions, giving more weight to headings few TDs use. It shows shared subjects, not shared views.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Offaly 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
I would like an overview of the progress made to date under NSO 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
I welcome the update on the progress made under NSO 5. The key issues for communities across the midlands is whether this is translating into real delivery on the ground. For counties like Offaly and towns such as Tullamore, Birr, Edenderry and the surrounding rural areas, balanced regional development must mean more than policy commitments. It must mean visible investment, meaningful jobs, improved infrastructure an…
One of the most important tests of NSO 5 is whether it helps regional towns to retain populations and attract sustainable employment. For areas in the midlands, keeping our communities vibrant depends on meaningful local jobs, strong services and infrastructure that supports family life and business growth. Will the Minister outline how progress under NSO 5 is being measured in terms of employment creation, populatio…
Will the Minister report on the new infrastructure regulatory simplification unit in his Department and make a statement on it?
I thank the Minister. I welcome the establishment of the regulatory simplification unit and the clear focus on accelerating the delivery of critical infrastructure. For too long, overlapping consenting, permitting and licensing processes have delayed progress on vital infrastructure projects. This is particularly evident in key sectors such as transport, energy and water services, all of which are essential to housin…
While the creation of the unit is welcome, what people want is delivery. We in the committee on infrastructure and the national development plan voted not to have pre-legislative scrutiny because we realised this needed to be done and we needed to set an example. We need to move this fast. Will the Minister provide a clear timeline for when these reforms will begin to have an impact? What measurable reductions in app…
What action has the Minister taken to overcome the key barriers to infrastructure delivery?
I thank the Minister for the response. One of the key issues facing communities is the length of time it takes for major projects to move through the system. At present, pre-planning stages for major road projects can exceed one year, while electricity, water and wastewater infrastructure can take three or four years before delivery even begins. These delays are having a direct impact on housing and enterprise develo…
Communities want certainty that these delays are being tackled with urgency and that the providers of these utilities, especially in water, electricity and transport, are capable of doing the work that is needed. Will the Minister confirm when people can expect to see reduced timelines in practice, particularly for projects linked to housing and regional growth? How will the Department ensure that the acceleration of…
As the atmosphere grows here in Ireland but also out in Prague, I wish the Irish team and the management all the best as they try to qualify for the world cup. We all remember the previous competitions we qualified for and the pride it brought to our great country. I am back to the day job now so I would like to ask the Minister what progress has been made in implementing the market diversification action plan and th…
I thank the Minister. I welcome the continued focus on market diversification, particularly given the increasingly uncertain global trading environment in which Irish businesses are operating. Recent progress on the EU-Australia trade agreement demonstrates the opportunities that exist for Ireland to broaden its international trading relationships. However, this must also be viewed in the context of ongoing uncertain…
While strategy for diversification is welcome, the reality is that Ireland remains highly concentrated in terms of trade exposure. Around one third of exports go to the United States and Ireland holds over €1 trillion in foreign investment stock, the majority of which originates from US-based multinational firms. At the same time, the UK and the European Union collectively remain by far our largest overall trading pa…
139. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland is responding to evolving international trade policy developments that may impact Irish economic interests; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22513/26]
I would like to raise the continued delay in reinstating full An Post services at Doolan's in Blue Ball, County Offaly. This matter has been ongoing since Christmas. It is causing real hardship, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents who rely on having essential services available within their community. While An Post has indicated that the outlet will be reinstated, the length of time this process is taki…
154. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received and approved under the vacant property refurbishment grant and the croí cónaithe fund nationally to date; the total funding allocated and drawn down; the average processing time for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17619/26]
My question is about the number of applications received for vacant property refurbishment grant and the croí cónaithe fund since the launch of the scheme, the number of applications approved to date, the total amount of funding allocated and drawn down under both schemes, and if the Minister of State will make a statement on it.
I recognise what the Minister of State and his Department are doing and that he is doing everything in his power to speed up housing delivery. The vacant property refurbishment grant and the croí cónaithe fund are important initiatives in that regard. Bringing vacant and derelict homes back into use in many respects should be the low-hanging fruit in tackling the housing crisis. These homes already exist within our c…
While these schemes are very welcome, their success ultimately depends on local authorities fully buying into them and driving them on the ground. Does the Minister of State believe all local authorities are engaging with the scheme to the same extent? Are there areas where uptake or processing is slower than expected? If there are differences, what steps is the Department taking to ensure best practice is shared and…
I wish to raise a serious issue relating to electricity connections in the Cappincur area of Tullamore, County Offaly, where two important projects are currently stalled due to ESB capacity constraints. The first concern is the Cappincur recycling centre, which suffered a devastating fire on 1 March 2024. Anyone who has experienced a fire in a workplace understands the uncertainty and hardship it creates for both wor…
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I hear what he is saying but the concern locally is that this situation could drift for a long time. I understand the Government does not have any say over what ESB Networks does but, at the same time, it has influence. Both projects have effectively been told that ESB Networks needs two months simply to complete a capacity review and only after that will it be known wheth…
160. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the sports capital and equipment programme will be announced; the expected timeline for the opening of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/26]
5. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports which are available to indigenous SMEs operating in rural towns to ensure their long-term sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13848/26]
As the Minister knows, small and medium enterprises are the backbone of our economy. Many of our young people end up getting their first job or first experience in these businesses. What specific supports are available to indigenous small and medium enterprises operating in rural towns to ensure their long-term sustainability?
I welcome the work being carried out by the local enterprise offices and Enterprise Ireland. Their support and engagement with businesses is widely recognised and is making a real difference. However, when speaking to SME owners, particularly in rural towns, the message is clear: they need more practical, easy-to-access supports that help with the real cost of doing business. Many enterprises, especially those that p…