Jack Chambers

-----to respond back to the pressure and the changing demographics we are seeing.

That is why we took measures in the budget to support families and households. As I said, the response around the VAT on gas and electricity was a measure that came with a cost. It was important to prioritise that in the context of the tax package. In addition, as I said, the social protection package we introduced will mitigate costs in the context of the changes we have made to the fuel allowanc…

I thank Deputy Murphy for raising this issue. My thoughts are with all those workers affected by this receivership. I know how concerning it is for each of them. As the Deputy knows, a receiver is individually appointed by a lender to take control of a company. Its role is to secure the assets in that respect. The receiver is independent in its role and the Government cannot intervene in how the r…

I thank the Deputy. I know, as constituency TDs, it can be difficult to get particular feedback from some State bodies and they reference GDPR or ongoing formal or legal proceedings. I will ask the Minister for housing, who obviously oversees the RTB, to reflect on what the Deputy has said and if there is a way of providing some level or layer of communication so people have a sense of where somet…

I thank the Deputy. I regret that Irish Water has not properly communicated with her constituents, businesses and critical services in Enfield and beyond. When we are investing in Irish Water, there will be a focus on the importance of public service performance. As €12 billion is allocated to it over the next five years, it needs to ensure that customer service, communication and engagement are …

At the outset, I commend the family of Ashling Murphy and everyone in the community in County Offaly who have shown such incredible resilience, strength and dignity while dealing with the most horrendous circumstances that any family could ever experience. Ashling's murder shocked the nation. Everyone in this House and throughout our country offers them nothing but our love, support and deepest sy…

As I have said to a number of colleagues today, I am shocked and appalled by what happened in Drogheda. I heard many people from the Deputy's community express how appalled they were about that particular incident. We all condemn it. To the Deputy's question, I am not aware of the particular circumstances in which the contract for this property was entered into. Perhaps the Deputy can provide the…

I thank Deputy Roche. I am familiar with the funding needs of many roads and the road network across east Galway. One thing the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, is doing as part of the sectoral investment plans for the road network and investment in public transport is to give better funding certainty to TII. As we know in recent years there was a difficulty in funding certain roads projects and maintena…

I thank Deputy Crowe. I am not familiar with the contribution he made a few weeks ago but what I would say is An Coimisiún Pleanála is independent in its functions and around its assessment and evaluation of planning considerations and decisions. I do not know the direct circumstances the Deputy has referenced, but there may be difficulty in taking someone out of the Irish Aviation Authority and b…

I absolutely refute and reject what you are after saying there. All political parties and many politicians who are not part of one receive media training. It has been a matter of public record that Ivan Yates was providing media training to various politicians within Fianna Fáil over a series of years. Fianna Fáil has every right to hire contractors or media trainers as it sees fit. It is a matter…

Something you prioritise around your funding is to take defamation actions against many members of the media.

That is how you prioritise your resources. We are able to hire media trainers and we have every right to do that. It is for Ivan Yates to respond to any issue in terms of his own conflicts of interest.

I thank the Deputy. I know from engaging with the Ministers of State, Deputies Christopher O'Sullivan and Moran, how seriously they take the issue of flooding in terms of capital allocations for the OPW. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, to respond directly to the Deputy. He wants to accelerate many flooding schemes and, as part of his capital settlement for the OPW, has prioritised …

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Taoiseach met with the survivors. I understand there was a plan to have a mediator in place. Due to the personal circumstances of the mediator, that was not possible today. The mediator who was due to be in place has recommended an alternative. I understand the intention is that the meeting could go ahead as proposed and an email will issue to that ef…

I thank the Deputy. I go out to Portrane-Donabate and know the area very well. There has been a wonderful transformation in terms of housing, construction and work happening across the community. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to respond directly to the Deputy on the increased demand for public transport and, in particular, the bus service that has been mentioned. I understand the acute …

I echo what has been said. The Tánaiste, and everyone in government, is deeply committed to working in partnership with families and advocates for children with spina bifida and scoliosis who require the caring support of our health system. Like many others, I want to express my sincere condolences to the Morrison Sherratt family and to underscore the Government's commitment to do more and deliver…

I move the following Further Revised Estimate: Vote 34 — Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Further Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €9,220,194,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2025, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage inclu…

Introduction Táimid ag teacht i dtír le fada ar na buntáistí a bhaineann le geilleagar oscailte sofhreagrúil a bheith againn. Cé go bhfónann sé sin go maith dúinn mar thír, ní mór dúinn aghaidh a thabhairt ar an timpeallacht eacnamaíoch agus polaitiúil atá ag titim amach níos faide i gcéin. Tá uair na cinniúna buailte le hÉirinn. Beidh tionchar ag an mbealach a roghnaímid le hinfheistíocht a dhéa…

This will bring the weekly payment to €58 for children under 12 and €78 for children over 12. I am also increasing the working family payment income thresholds by €60 per week for all families. I am extending the back-to-school clothing and footwear payment to two- and three-year-olds. To support those at risk of energy poverty, I am increasing the weekly fuel allowance rate by €5 to €38. Followi…

-----to support students facing rising living expenses-----

-----and an €810 million capital allocation will fund key infrastructure projects, including the following: the recently established Taighde Éireann will be supported to drive excellence in research, attract international research talent and promote knowledge transfer; student accommodation projects at Maynooth University and University College Dublin; development and operation of 11 technological…

The Government is committed to continuing to support our fishing communities and aquaculture sector. A total of €7.4 million in increased funding is bring provided to Bord Iascaigh Mhara programmes, to support and enable a sustainable Irish seafood sector.

Another area where Ireland thrives in the global arena is in culture and sport. Culture, Communications and Sport For a small country, Ireland offers an extraordinary wealth of talent and entertainment. Our artists, writers and athletes are now leading the way on the world stage, while our media keep us connected to each other and to global stories as they unfold. To build on the progress we hav…

Ireland has a proud footballing history at both domestic and international level. However, despite the enthusiasm for the game here, our youth development structures have not kept pace with those in other countries. In addition, rule changes following Brexit mean many more young players are staying in our domestic system for longer. This presents us with a responsibility, but also an enormous oppo…

-----and funding to the Irish Rugby Football Union to strengthen high-performance pathways for women in rugby. The success and achievements of our sporting heroes inspire us all and bring that collective ambition to be better. When our sports men and women succeed, our nation rises.