Micheál Carrigy

On behalf of the members of the all-party committee on autism, I sincerely thank Mick for all his work over the last number of years in making Leinster House an autism-friendly Parliament and a Parliament that welcomes people of all disabilities and none. He did a huge amount of work with Roisin Deery over the years to make this Parliament what it is, a Parliament with the highest standards in the…

I speak as a member of the all-party Joint Committee on Autism. At a meeting yesterday, the autism innovation strategy, launched by the Government in August 2024, came up. As part of that strategy, in one of the points related to advocacy, understanding and acceptance, we stated we would establish an autism innovation fund. The fund is to be twofold, to provide for funding for innovative projects,…

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Tom Brabazon - To discuss section 39 arrangements for healthcare assistants. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss waiting times for children awaiting speech and language therapy assessments in community healthcare organisation, CHO…

That is fine. I did not want to cut in because you were making a very important point. I wish to pass on the condolences of the Ceann Comhairle's office to both of the families mentioned. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue which is quite personal.

A significant number of children in Longford are on the waiting list in primary care for occupational therapy, OT. The senior OT post has been vacant since January 2025. Despite all the necessary paperwork having been submitted to the integrated healthcare area, IHA, manager who is responsible for approvals, a recent staff grade position has been approved. The complexity of needs of children on th…

The vacant properties refurbishment grant has been extremely successful since it was implemented by the Government, with nearly 15,000 applications up to the end of September. There were 200 in Longford and 300 in Westmeath, and over €200 million has been paid out under the scheme. However, I find that a significant number of individuals and couples are coming to my office who are struggling to se…

I suggested stage payments.

Well done to Ciaran Mullooly MEP for organising the demonstration in Athlone, which I attended as a member of the Fine Gael Party and as a TD for Longford-Westmeath and to support the local Longford and Westmeath IFA organisations that I have worked with for a long time. I wish to highlight a couple of things. There was an Oireachtas committee meeting held with the IFA and the Irish Farmers Journ…

All the large building companies and AHBs appeared before the housing committee. They all welcomed the changes and improvements made on the viability of apartment building. Is there any timeline on the legal challenge being brought on the changes to apartment sizes which will affect the delivery of tens of thousands of apartments?

Before I call on the Minister to open the debate, I remind the Members that two separate motions are being debated in this slot: the motion regarding the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2000)) Regulations 2025 and the motion regarding the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development (Act of 2…

I concur with the comments of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, in extending our sympathies to the family of the late Paddy Cooney in Athlone. He served the people of Longford-Westmeath with distinction for decades. I also want to query an issue with GP contracts. I want to get a commitment that where new GP contracts are offered for tender, those who win the tenders commit to maintaining the exist…

I wish to raise the issue of the upcoming DEIS plus programme that has been announced. I am fearful that it will just be for the major cities. I want to highlight a number of schools, particularly those in Longford town. I ask that schools in towns like Longford, where there are many issues on the ground, are prioritised for the DEIS programme, particularly the national schools of St. Joseph's, St…

I call Deputy O'Reilly.

We move to the Labour Party slot. I call Deputy Nash.

I call Deputy Nash.

There are two things-----

This is for the people in the Visitors Gallery.

Would the people in the Visitors Gallery please desist from reacting to any comments that are made. I warn the Deputy and all Deputies not to make any comments about something that might be the subject of an ongoing investigation. I ask Deputies to be careful with comments in relation to that.

Deputy-----

Deputy McGuinness-----

I call the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan.

I thank the Deputy.

I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, for the Government reply.

I thank the Deputy.

I thank the Deputy.