Louis O'Hara

We move onto the next Topical Issue in the name of Deputy Aidan Farrelly. It is to ask the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O'Donovan, to discuss the development of a public, multi-sport recreational facility in Sallins, County Kildare.

This is an issue which has been debated a number of times. Healthcare workers went above and beyond during the pandemic and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Well over 100 healthcare workers who have not returned to work due to long Covid have lost the special scheme since the beginning of the year and are due to lose further entitlements. I will read out part of a letter from a cons…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The people who are affected by this have had an absolutely horrendous experience with long Covid. The Minister of State heard about the impact it is having on my constituent. Her life has totally changed. Many people have had to give up the job they love. They stepped up during the pandemic at a time that was very dangerous. When there was huge uncertainty, the…

I welcome that last suggestion. It would be very welcome because it can be a challenge for MLAs and MPs in dealing with this. Sometimes they seek assistance through us and sometimes they try to come at it through general inquiries. It makes sense. These are elected representatives who are working on behalf of Irish citizens who have an entitlement to a passport, so it makes sense for them to be ab…

Since the Government was formed, nearly 2,000 eviction notices have been issued to renters in County Galway. Every week, people come to my constituency office who have received a notice to quit and have no idea where they will go because the rental market they face is totally unaffordable. Rents across the State have risen by 80% compared with ten years ago. Within the past year alone, the rent fo…

156. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will issue an order to allow the cutting of turf at bogs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36514/26]

Will the Minister of State issue an order to allow the cutting of turf at Ardgraigue, Clonmoylan and Barroughter bogs in County Galway? Many representations have been made by other elected representatives and me on this so I imagine the Minister of State will be aware of the situation there.

In early 2025, a local turf cutting contractor was served with a High Court injunction to cease the harvesting of turf. As a result of this action, many local people who rely on turf to heat their homes were left without a supply for last winter. As we are currently in the turf cutting season, these families are facing the same issue due to the fact that there is no contractor to cut their turf be…

No help has been provided to the families in this case. I understand that the bogs been designated as SACs. There are significant concerns around how these bogs were designated that I have outlined here before and have written to the Minister of State about, but I still have not received any real explanation. It is important to say that the people who are affected have not accepted payment through…

We have a real problem in Athenry with capacity on public transport services to Galway. The NTA and Iarnród Éireann have stated that there is no funding in place to maintain the 6.50 a.m. train to Galway beyond August of this year. This is a vital service for those who have work commitments early in the morning in the city. It has been 18 months since the previous bus service to Galway ended and s…

Speeding is one of the leading causes of road collisions in Ireland. Last year, 2025, was the worst year for road fatalities in more than ten years and road collision statistics show that there is a growing trend that Irish roads are becoming less safe. Last year, an Garda Síochána recorded 190 fatalities on our roads and over 1,000 people being injured as a result of collisions. Each statistic re…

I am also here to speak about Friedreich's ataxia. On Monday evening, I met Aoife Quinn from County Galway, who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia in 2021. She outlined to me her long pathway to getting a diagnosis for this rare disease and how the disease impacted on her life. She told me of her experience dealing with symptoms like loss of balance and speech difficulties and of how her sympt…

I appreciate the update from the Minister of State. I cannot emphasise enough the impact the ongoing delays are having on those impacted by the disease. I also call on the drug company to engage in good faith in the negotiations with the HSE. The priority of all parties involved should be delivering this vital medication to the people who need it. Aoife and all of those who suffer from Friedreich’…

22. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the Cabinet offshore wind energy clearing house. [30323/26]

I am glad to get the opportunity to raise the proposed extension of Gort Community School in south Galway. The principal of the school, Brian Crossan, is passionate about this project and the future of the school. There is no doubt that it is badly needed. Gort Community School is holding celebrations tomorrow for its 30th anniversary. It is an important milestone for the school. I congratulate th…

I thank the Minister of State. This has been going on for many years at this stage. Of course, I understand that these projects take time but there is a pressing need for this project to be accelerated and delivered. I mentioned the pressure on ASD provision in the school. That is a real and immediate need that has to be met. Further delays with this project just makes it more difficult for the sc…

I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on the funding cuts to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. This specifically relates to the cut to English for speakers of other languages, ESOL, funding, which has resulted in the loss of 25 teachers and hundreds of classes within GRETB. This has had a devastating impact of which I know the Minister of State is aware.

I thank the Minister of State. I visited the Dunmore centre last week. I met with some of the English language students whose classes have been cancelled. These are people for whom English is not their first language. These classes really helped them to integrate into the community and find employment and so on. It was really heartening to hear what a positive difference it has made for them but, …

The reality is that it is a very significant cut within GRETB. Like I said, 25 classes are saying their hands are tied. I do not know if there has been engagement with GRETB on this. These cuts are cruel and they are impacting on marginalised students and staff who are about to become permanent. The Minister of State is shaking her head but, in fairness, there has been a significant cut to the bud…

Carers across Ireland are the backbone of our healthcare system, saving the State an estimated €20 billion annually. Despite this massive contribution, they remain undervalued and pushed to the brink due to systemic failure to provide adequate respite. Respite is not a luxury. It is a fundamental necessity that prevents burnout, protects mental health and ensures the most vulnerable in our society…

I welcome any additional investment and the plans the Minister of State has outlined for Tuam and elsewhere. I would make the point that proper respite care is the very least we should be able to provide in a very wealthy country for our most vulnerable citizens, their families and those who care for them. The Minister and her Department must ensure this happens. There is no excuse for having a sy…

Since the start of this fuel crisis, and even long before that, the Government has been totally out of touch with the reality that households are facing with rising costs. It has failed to support them. Last week, we saw farmers, contractors and hauliers - ordinary men and women - assemble to peacefully demonstrate their desperation with the rising cost of fuel. They were people who did not want t…

28. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs will next meet. [26689/26]

77. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagements she has had in relation to the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21739/26]

This crisis began at a time when households across the State were already bearing the brunt of a severe cost-of-living crisis, with 320,000 households in arrears on their energy bills, having been totally abandoned by the Government in the last budget. The half-measures announced by the Government yesterday are too little, too late. The Government has sat on its hands for the past four weeks, and …