663. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether consideration is being given to proposals that would ensure that applicants constructing homes in rural areas are not excluded from the help to buy scheme solely because the valuation of the completed dwelling exceeds the actual construction cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59050/26]
664. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to removing actively farmed land from residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59100/26]
828. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will review the help to buy scheme to reflect rising house prices in counties such as Galway, where the median asking price has increased substantially over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59165/26]
829. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance what measures his department is considering to reduce the tax burden on small and medium-sized enterprises in towns such as Tuam, Athenry, Gort, and Loughrea that continue to face increasing operating costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59166/26]
830. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has considered additional taxation measures for family farms, including amendments to agricultural relief and retirement relief, to support farm succession in counties such as Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59167/26]
831. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will outline the policy rationale for the requirement under the help to buy scheme that a first-time buyer's mortgage must be at least 70 per cent of the purchase price or approved valuation of a qualifying property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59168/26]
832. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of applicants in Galway who were deemed ineligible for the help to buy scheme in each of the past five years due to not meeting the requirement that the mortgage constitute at least 70 per cent of the purchase price or approved valuation of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59169/26]
833. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has conducted an assessment of the impact of the 70 per cent mortgage requirement under the help to buy scheme on single applicants, self-builders and applicants in rural areas; and if he will publish the findings of such an assessment. [59170/26]
834. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to amending the help to buy scheme eligibility criteria to allow first-time buyers who have substantial savings or family support to qualify for the scheme where they otherwise meet all eligibility requirements but do not satisfy the 70 per cent mortgage threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59171/…
835. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is aware of concerns that the 70 per cent mortgage requirement under the help to buy scheme may incentivise applicants to borrow more than is necessary in order to qualify for support; whether this matter has been examined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59172/26]
836. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to removing actively farmed land from residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59175/26]
Peter Roche
Written
28 Jul 2026 · to Public Expenditure
929. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if consideration has been given to increasing the amount of funding allocated for strategic infrastructure projects in Galway East, including projects intended to unlock housing delivery and regional economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59063/26]
Peter Roche
Written
28 Jul 2026 · to Public Expenditure
930. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if funding is available to support cybersecurity and digital infrastructure within local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59064/26]
Peter Roche
Written
28 Jul 2026 · to Public Expenditure
931. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Government has conducted an assessment of the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence across the public service; the measures being taken to mitigate potential threats arising from the technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59069/26]
956. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has given consideration to providing additional supports that are available to small businesses in Galway east experiencing increased operating costs and labour shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58885/26]
1078. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to provide more grants targeted at creating employment or by directing investment to lesser developed areas to provide suitable employment opportunities in Galway East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59127/26]
1079. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional supports being considered for independent retailers in Galway East facing increased labour, insurance and energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59128/26]
1080. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to clarify the regional distribution of enterprise and employment funding under programmes announced by his Department and to prioritise providing equal funding to all areas, including Galway east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59129/26]
1081. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the criteria used by Enterprise Ireland and other enterprise support agencies in determining eligibility for enhanced grant aid or other regional investment supports based on geographic location; whether County Galway or parts thereof are excluded from enhanced funding schemes on the basis of economic indicators or regional classificat…
1082. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has assessed the extent to which regional funding classifications may disadvantage businesses located in areas that do not qualify for enhanced grant aid when competing for investment or grant aid with businesses in designated areas; whether a review of these classifications is planned; and if he will make a stat…
1083. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he is satisfied that the geographic criteria used in the allocation of enterprise grants and regional investment supports operate fairly for businesses in County Galway; whether consideration has been given to extending enhanced supports to areas such as Galway east that may not qualify under existing classifications; and if he…
1084. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the rationale underpinning the allocation of grant aid and other financial supports by enterprise support agencies; whether eligibility for, or the level of, support available to a business is influenced by its geographic location; the areas that qualify for enhanced levels of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59…
16. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure school bus tickets are issued in advance of the commencement of the 2026-27 school year; the steps being taken to avoid a recurrence of the delays and capacity issues experienced last year, which resulted in eligible children being left without transport or unable to access existing routes; and if she will make a stat…
20. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to provide certainty to families in advance of the commencement of the 2026-2027 school year regarding school transport allocations and charges; the steps being taken to ensure that families receive timely confirmation of school bus placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53983/26]
127. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence the defence and security priorities she intends to advance during Ireland’s EU Presidency; the initiatives Ireland expects to lead or support in the areas of European security, defence cooperation, resilience and military mobility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54026/26]