1738. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to restrictions placed on third-party insourcing and National Treatment Purchase Fund published data showing a parallel increase in waiting lists in recent months across the country, including in University Hospital Galway; the steps her Department will take to ensure an appropriate balance is being struck in phasing out third-part…
134. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department is taking to support young Irish emigrants who wish to return home, given the practical difficulties many face in securing housing, employment, and basic documentation on their return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57136/25]
159. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which Ireland’s diplomatic network is being used to promote Ireland as a tourism destination, particularly in key overseas markets; whether additional initiatives are planned to strengthen tourism ties abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57137/25]
Peter Roche
Oral
16 Oct 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
12. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to expand apprenticeship and skills training opportunities in rural areas such as County Galway, where access to approved training centres remains limited; if consideration will be given to establishing mobile or satellite training hubs in partnership with ETBs to reduce travel and dropou…
Peter Roche
Written
16 Oct 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
59. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current SUSI income threshold and related grant supports for students from low and middle-income families in rural constituencies such as Galway east, where transport and accommodation costs are significantly higher due to limited public transport and distance from third-level campuses; a…
89. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on his Department’s plans to streamline and accelerate the approval process for local improvement scheme and outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme applications, particularly in areas such as Galway east, where shovel-ready projects with local match funding are awaiting sanction; and if he wi…
107. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of funding across rural counties, particularly in Galway east, under upcoming allocations for the LEADER, CLÁR, and town and village renewal schemes; if priority will be afforded to rural communities experiencing infrastructure deficits, depopulation, and…
19. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific actions his Department intends to take in response to the recent increase in drug-related arrests across Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54139/25]
83. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific measures he is taking as we enter the winter months, given reports in media outlets such as RTÉ that people are more likely to be burgled during this period; the measures in place to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable people across rural Ireland in particular this winter; and if he will make a statement on the m…
17. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the methods his Department is currently assessing to speed up the planning process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53744/25]
62. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports his Department is putting in place to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those without dedicated HR capacity, to prepare for the introduction of the auto-enrolment pension scheme (details supplied); if he is aware that many SMEs in areas such as Galway east have reported receiving little to no communicat…
96. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the assessment criteria for social protection payments in cases where applicants and-or part-time farming applicants are not in paid employment outside the home but provide essential unpaid care and support within the household; and if he will consider allowing greater flexibility in recognising minimal or subsistence-level farming acti…
139. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the appeals process and criteria for carer's allowance and disability allowance, in light of cases where families providing full-time care have been refused supports despite clear evidence of need, particularly in rural areas where access to services is limited (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50809/2…
248. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to support Irish SMEs affected by the 10% tariffs now being applied to most exports to the United States; whether targeted measures are being developed to help these firms diversify into new markets or offset the increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37630/25]
27. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the CDNTs with the longest average waiting times for first contact commencement of therapy; the actions being taken to address these geographic inequities, particularly for children in rural and under-served areas; whether targeted measures such as mobile clinics, cross-team redeployment, or temporary therapy panels are being implemented …
41. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to ensure that early childhood care and education providers are adequately resourced and supported to fully include children with additional needs; if additional funding, staff training, and inclusion supports are being provided to meet the commitments set out in the Joint Oireachtas Committee's 2024 report; and if s…
163. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the breakdown of the €27 million funding announced for the acceleration of the circular economy transition, by county; and the timeline for when these funds will issue. [49370/25]
168. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the type of ancillary benefits available to members of the Defence Forces, such as healthcare; if there are any plans to expand these benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49368/25]
169. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if steps have been taken to address the shortage of people and facilities for the training of pilots in the Air Corps. [49369/25]
25. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to increase support for Irish diaspora organisations in countries where current funding levels are relatively low despite active community engagement; if targeted funding increases are being considered for such regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/25]
Peter Roche
Written
8 Jul 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
144. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the increases in SUSI grants have kept pace with the cost-of-living increases in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37405/25]
Peter Roche
Written
8 Jul 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
163. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the expansion of apprenticeships since the publication of the action plan on apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37404/25]
45. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the proposed greenway planned to run through Kinvara, County Galway; if he will provide an update on the timeline for its development expected completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36472/25]
50. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if her Department currently has an action plan in place to develop a framework for responding to patients presenting with a mental health crisis at accident and emergency departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34538/25]
109. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if she will detail the level of funding allocated to implement all actions under a plan (details supplied); if she is confident that the strategy is fully funded and resourced; and if any challenges have arisen in relation to funding or resourcing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34537/25]