Peter Roche

670. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health if her Department is considering the inclusion of Crohn's disease under eligibility criteria for the long-term illness scheme; the rationale for its current exclusion given that Crohn's disease is a chronic, incurable condition requiring lifelong medication and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46857/26]

100. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to support applicants, particularly older persons and those with limited digital literacy, in accessing and completing social protection applications as services become increasingly digitised; if he will outline any initiatives in place to provide in-person assistance, training, or alternative application channels to ensure no cohort is excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46314/26]

132. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to improve the availability, frequency and reliability of rural bus services, particularly those used by older persons to access essential services such as healthcare, shopping and social supports; if he will outline the plans to expand community-based or demand-responsive transport options in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46313/26]

135. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the development of the new needs-based, grant-aided vehicle adaptation scheme intended to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; what expansion of eligibility criteria currently linked to the primary medical certificate are being reviewed as part of this process, particularly for individuals with significant disabilities such as loss of sight or hearing who are excluded under the existing mobility-based tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46312/26]

231. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to address the absence of a dedicated national funding stream for general footpath provision (details supplied); if he recognises the resulting gap whereby communities requiring basic footpath infrastructure have no clear delivery pathway; if he will consider establishing a dedicated national fund to support footpath works, particularly in rural settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37542/26]

166. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the proposed amendments to the employment permits system, including the review of the 50:50 rule under the Employment Permits Act 2024; the timeframe for bringing forward legislative or policy changes arising from this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45637/26]

177. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current supports and investment being provided to promote tourism in east Galway under the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands initiative; the plans to enhance tourism development and visitor numbers in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/26]

39. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the review and update of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines; the input his Department has provided to that process; the way in which the revised guidelines will support Ireland's energy security objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/26]

81. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement his Department has had with an organisation following a report (details supplied); the measures which are being taken to support clubs in rural areas experiencing population decline and challenges in sustaining participation, as well as clubs in rapidly growing urban areas where demand for playing facilities is exceeding existing capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/26]

126. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to strengthen recruitment and retention in the Permanent Defence Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43703/26]

154. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026–2030, particularly in relation to measures to secure and protect Ireland’s undersea communications cables; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43701/26]

703. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has engaged with the Galway County Council to support them in taking ownership of Dunguaire Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42736/26]

1088. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with Galway County Council to support them in the purchase of Dunguaire Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42735/26]

20. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the status and future plans for the old courthouse in Tuam, County Galway (details supplied); if the building is being considered for meaningful community use or if demolition remains under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40758/26]

110. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth if flexibility will be afforded to schools that missed the Summer Programme application deadline due to the extremely limited timeframe provided (details supplied); the rationale for this timeframe; when schools can expect definitive clarification in order that they can plan with certainty; if consideration is being given to reopening or extending the application portal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40759/26]

170. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department will put in place to ensure that schools and families are not placed in the same position in future years (details supplied); if her Department has considered reopening or extending the Summer Programme application portal for schools which were unable to apply due to the narrow application window; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40760/26]

176. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance for an update on the work to review and replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, particularly in light of ongoing concerns regarding the criteria for the primary medical certificate; the progress made since last year toward developing a needs-based, grant led vehicle adaptation support scheme; the level of engagement between his Department and the Department of Transport on the development of the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39876/26]

1021. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions her Department is taking to address significant delays in the assessment of needs process (details supplied); the measures being taken to ensure timely assessments and prevent children from being left without essential educational and developmental supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39941/26]

1022. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the equine therapy facilities that will be developed at the HSE’s Toghermore campus in Tuam, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39943/26]

129. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if consideration is being given to establishing a dedicated annual maintenance and operational support fund for volunteer-led rural community centres in recognition of the growing cost of maintaining community infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38265/26]

130. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if consideration is being given to introducing a cost-escalation or inflation support mechanism for approved community projects under schemes such as the Community Centre Investment Fund and CLÁR where projects face significant increases in construction and material costs between approval and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38264/26]

229. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated renewable energy planning guidelines will be published; the current status of their preparation and consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37541/26]

921. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an assessment has been carried out into the impact that staffing shortages and recruitment delays within Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) are having on the ability of the State to meet its statutory obligations under the Disability Act 2005 in relation to assessment of need timelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37597/26]

922. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the methodology used to determine staffing allocations within Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs); whether factors such as population growth, complexity of need, deprivation indices and waiting list pressures are incorporated into allocation decisions; and whether the current model is under review. [37598/26]

923. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average length of time, by Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) and by staff grade where available, between the resignation, retirement or departure of a staff member, and the commencement in post of a replacement staff member; the number of vacant posts currently awaiting recruitment approval; the average time taken at each stage of the recruitment process including approval to recruit, advertisement, interview, panel formation, clearance and final placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37599/26]