Erin McGreehan

The Land Development Agency claims it is committed to meeting the need for affordable homes for purchase and rent across the country. In Dundalk, we have had no workable affordable housing scheme available to the people of Louth as yet. We have three sites identified at which the LDA says it can build up to 1,000 homes. To date, we have seen no real action on making this a reality. Dundalk is a th…

I want to raise the issue of rural housing. In County Louth I am dealing with an incredible number of young couples struggling to get planning permission for their homes. Often I find they are almost demonised for asking and having the audacity to want to build on their own land and create a future for themselves in their own communities. Couples who grow up in an area expect to be able to send th…

We are in precarious times, as the Minister knows, and there is incredible uncertainty and uneasiness for anyone involved in business in this country. The new trade policy by the US has shaken the world and we need to adjust and adapt to this ever-changing landscape in which we are finding ourselves living. As we all have articulated today, as a country, we have enjoyed decades where global trade …

7. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the child poverty programme in his Department. [13733/25]

The work of this programme on child poverty is hugely important for the future of the country. When looking at childhood poverty, the State could look at its causes, namely, single parent households, households where nobody is in employment and intergenerational poverty. Often our social protection system puts constraints and restraints on single parent families preventing these parents from going…

6. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the plans in place in case of another foot and mouth outbreak, considering recent outbreaks in Europe. [15814/25]

I ask this question on foot and mouth disease because my community, neighbours and family farm were devastated in 2001 when all our animals had to be culled because of the disease. In light of foot and mouth disease being detected all across Europe, including in Slovakia, Germany and Hungary, I would like to know how ready this country will be if there is an outbreak. What are we doing to stop foo…

I thank the Minister. It is good to hear that we have protocols at ports. The Minister alluded to North–South co-operation at ports like Larne. As we know, foot and mouth disease came in across the Border on the last occasion. There had been an outbreak in Meigh, south Armagh. It is very important, therefore that we have the protocols. There was considerable co-operation back in 2001 from the fam…

At the minute, we have a two-tier compensation scheme for sheep farmers. Some farmers took a legal case and other farmers trusted in the State and believed their circumstances would be reviewed after the legal case. They did so in good faith. Owing to the considerable co-operation, we owe it to the affected farmers on the Cooley peninsula to upgrade their compensation package in line with that ava…

The Bill will now be sent to the Seanad.

150. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the European Commission response to the proposed US tariffs on EU goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15338/25]

17. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has engaged with Dundalk Institute of Technology regarding the progression of the institute to university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14626/25]

My question concerns Dundalk Institute of Technology, DkIT, which is of huge importance for the entire north-east region, educationally, economically and socially. I am hugely ambitious for the institution. It is the only IT that is left without university status. Last June, DkIT and Maynooth University signed a letter of intent confirming there will be a joint strategic engagement on future colla…

I absolutely acknowledge the huge investment the Government has provided to the HEA for DkIT. It is a fantastic and hugely important institution. As this is a new departure from what the HEA legislation initially set out, namely, ITs collaborating together, I want to make sure there are no barriers to progress. When the ducks are being put in a row, if regulatory or legal change is needed to ensur…

I thank the Minister for his continuing support on this matter. I look forward to his coming to Dundalk again very soon and visiting DkIT. It was not about finding a fit with another institute of technology; it was about finding the right fit. Maynooth University is the right fit. The academic strengths of the two institutions complement each other. It is a win-win for both.

I thank the Acting Chair for his consideration this morning. Rural roads in County Louth could not have enough money from the perspective of walkers, tourism and agriculture. My question relates to special circumstances, such as if there was an extreme weather event, for example. In the previous two years LIS funding was awarded to a particular road when it was damaged and decimated in an extreme …

130. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently assigned to stations in Louth; the number of these deployed for tackling drug crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12522/25]

This question relates to the number of gardaí deployed at stations in County Louth and, in particular, the number deployed to tackle drug crime.

These are economically turbulent times globally and with a potential trade war looming, businesses are very unsure about their futures and their survival over the next couple of years or even months. I ask for an update on the commitments in the programme for Government to address the regulatory and cost burdens for SMEs. What is the status of the small business unit in the Department of Enterpris…

I call Deputy Catherine Connolly, who has three minutes.

Yes.

20. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Disability will meet next. [8486/25]

Right across the disability sector, there are huge problems. Will the Taoiseach's committee look at a full implementation of the laws in this country under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and also under our public sector duty? I do not know of even one court case taken since the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, was established in …

The public sector duty and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Yes.