Michael Murphy

As I am sure the Minister will agree, the local improvement scheme, LIS, and the community involvement scheme are two critical supports at local level that are vital to the fabric and function of rural Ireland. Are there plans to provide any additional funding before the end of this year?

Across south Tipperary, the condition of local and minor roads has reached breaking point. We are not talking about potholes or surface cracks; we are talking about roads that are effectively impassible and where families struggle to reach schools, farmers cannot move machinery safely and emergency services think twice before making a journey. As the Minister knows, both schemes provide essential …

While I welcome the increases in recent years, let us be honest. They are not nearly sufficient to address the scale and demand for the schemes. We need to double existing funding for the LIS and CIS schemes so that counties like Tipperary, in particular south Tipperary, gets its fair and equitable share.

I also welcome our wonderful visitors from Tipperary. The decision by the ETB to cut vital local training initiative programmes across Tipperary should be urgently reversed given the critical role played by these programmes in our communities. I refer in particular to those delivered at the Spafield Family Resource Centre in Cashel, the Knockanrawley Resource Centre in Tipperary Town, the Littleto…

I agree with Deputy McGrath. This decision by the ETB to cut vital local training initiative programmes across Tipperary should be urgently reversed. I acknowledge the critical role played by these programmes in our communities, particularly those delivered at the Spafield Family Resource Centre in Cashel, the Knockanrawley Resource Centre in Tipperary town, the Littleton community programme and t…

We need to be very honest here. One of the reasons we find ourselves in this position is that while the most recent national wage agreement included a 3.5% increase, only 2% of the funding was provided by the Government. The other 1.5% must be absorbed from the existing budget. I ask the Minister of State to urgently rethink this decision and to engage with the ETB in Tipperary. I spoke to some o…

I will be sharing time with Deputy Mattie McGrath. I want to speak about a reply I received from Tusla to a parliamentary question I asked of the Minister regarding the future of the swimming pool on the Ferryhouse campus, just outside Clonmel. The reply stated that unfortunately, due to significant mechanical and electrical issues identified, Tusla deemed the pool at the end of its life and unsa…

I have to ask where the report is. There has been no engagement with local stakeholders. This is the reality of the situation. I fully accept Tusla's core competencies in respect of looking after children, but is there a greater gift to give to a child than the opportunity to learn how to swim? The wonderful thing about most activities in the water is that in many cases mobility issues as a result…

Forty per cent of the post office network will potentially close unless Government funding is increased. Increasing this funding to €15 million annually over five years will ensure the viability of many of the 845 post offices nationwide, more than 500 of which are in areas without any financial institution. I acknowledge the extraordinary work of our postmasters and postmistresses around the coun…

The decision by Tipperary County Council, announced yesterday, to not contest the judicial review of the Dundrum House section 5 declaration substantiates my genuine concerns around the IPAS contract for this site that was given to a proxy company that was only incorporated in January. The ownership of this site is still being contested in the High Court. I fully accept and recognise the Governmen…

Ballyporeen national school in County Tipperary was sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education for a special class on 3 March. On 15 May, the NCSE withdrew this sanction because of rent implications linked to the building being provided for the class. This building is ready for use. It is on the school grounds and is owned by the local community council, a not-for-profit organisation…

I am deeply proud of my home town of Clonmel. It has a great history, a great location, strong levels of employment and extraordinary community spirit. However, our town centre - the historic core of Clonmel - continues to suffer from high vacancy rates and, more worryingly, increased dereliction. We have a shovel-ready plan to transform the prime retail area and reimagine the public realm. We hav…

I acknowledge the extraordinary Cara Darmody. She is such an amazing campaigner and advocate for her brothers, Neil and John, but also in particular for all young children awaiting an assessment of need across the country. I also mention Cara's dad Mark and her mum Noelle. They are both amazing parents and carers to Neil and John. Living so close to Cara and the Darmody family, I have engaged wit…

Since I first entered this Chamber, the extension of Scoil Aonghusa Special School, Cashel, has been a key priority for me. The current situation has enormous implications for the 150 students with complex special needs who attend this centre of educational excellence. Approval by the Minister of a 14-classroom modular extension and ancillary facilities, announced in this Chamber on 27 February in…

Recently published data reflecting a consistent increase in waiting times for driving tests is deeply concerning. I welcome the Minister of State's opening statement and thank him. This has been a focus for him since his appointment and, as Chair of the Oireachtas committee on transport, I look forward to working with him. The RSA's target of a ten-week average waiting time is not being met. One …

Serious questions surround an IPAS contract recently signed with Dundrum House Hotel, putting 277 IPAS applicants into a village with a population of only 200. There are four real concerns. First, there are ownership disputes currently before the High Court. Second, the contract was signed with a company that was only incorporated in January this year and has no Irish shareholders or directors. Th…

Yes, and to the PAC.

It is important that we maximise the impact of our Presidency of the European Union next year. It is such an important event for Ireland. Perhaps the Taoiseach will provide an update on the preplanning of our Presidency. Have there been any discussions of key priorities for our Presidency, having regard to the timing of the Presidency? It will include the next round of discussions on the multi-ann…

The lack of HSE ophthalmology services across south Tipperary is deeply concerning and is a growing source of frustration. This follows the planned retirement of a consultant ophthalmologist in August of last year. In correspondence that I received from the HSE on 14 January, it was confirmed that the post has been approved and is currently in the recruitment process. I appeal to the Government to…

9. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education the status of the delivery of a complete modular build of 18 classrooms with facilities to meet the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied). [6191/25]

I ask the Minister for an update on the delivery of a completely new modular build of 18 classrooms with facilities to meet the accommodation crisis at Scoil Aonghusa national school in Cashel, County Tipperary. This centre of excellence has been waiting since 2015 to proceed to design and planning stage. The current situation is having enormous implications for the 150 students with complex speci…

I welcome that confirmation. It is a huge boost to everybody involved in the centre of excellence that is Scoil Aonghusa. I acknowledge all the team in the school who do such fantastic work that creates such a positive environment for these young students to reach their maximum ability in. The board met on Tuesday night last and obviously welcomed this approval. As I said, they have been waiting f…

I thank the Minister. As I said, I am conscious we are talking about a physical building but of course Scoil Aonghusa and many other special schools around the country are so much more than that. They are the positive environment in which our children, especially children with special needs, can reach the maximum of their ability. I wish to acknowledge in the Chamber the principal and her amazing …

I begin by offering my congratulations to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his elevation. I hope his new role does not distract him from continuing to represent my in-laws in Kilkenny city, namely John and Noeleen Breen.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I also pay tribute to former councillor Joe Bourke, from Templemore, who passed away this evening. I had Joe Bourke here in Leinster House a number of weeks ago. Unfortunately, Joe had not been well. I had the distinction of serving with Joe on Tipperary County Council and on the Southern Regional Assembly. He was a man of exceptional traits and character and a r…