Peter 'Chap' Cleere

84. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed new primary care centre for Graiguenamanagh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52193/25]

Primary care centres add huge value to communities across the country, including my own in Carlow-Kilkenny. There is a lot of excitement in my home town of Graiguenamanagh about our new proposed primary care centre. I would like an update on how that is progressing.

That is most welcome news. I understand the new centre is planned to be a two-storey facility of approximately 20,000 sq. m, with accommodation for GP practices and community nursing, as well as dental services and therapies. However, the key thing about this primary care centre is its rural location, and the accessibility challenges a lot of people where I am from have in getting access to top-cl…

I thank the Minister. I know from my experience of dealing with other primary care centres around the constituency that there is a really strong, enhanced community and patient experience at such centres. Patients can build long-term relationships with their providers, which can lead to better communication and more personalised care, which is really promising. I am really excited about the variou…

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this vital issue of sports capital grants and their significance to communities right across the country, in particular in my own constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. I will focus specifically on the sports capital grants, which play an essential role in promoting healthy lifestyles and community spirit. The investment of €250 million over the last co…

11. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy will next meet. [46874/25]

We all know there is a huge amount of work to be done on flood protection and flood mitigation. I acknowledge the €1.3 billion that has been set aside under the flood risk investment programme. Flooding in Ireland can have a significant impact on homes, businesses, people and communities. While I accept the problem of flooding cannot be eliminated, it can be managed or mitigated to reduce its like…

Thank you, Minister. We will get you back in.

I take the opportunity to wish Deputy Connolly the very best of luck in her campaign in the next couple of weeks. I wish her very well.

We are looking forward to the new community nursing unit in Thomastown. It is being completed at the moment. It will be a purpose-built facility to support the older population of south and central Kilkenny. It will support discharges from St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny and University Hospital in Waterford. It will be a lifeline for many and a gamechanger for the region. When does the Minister env…

I am delighted to be here today for statements on the use of vapes and nicotine products by young people. Fianna Fáil is the party that introduced the smoking ban. We have a steadfast commitment to improving public health but we have to go further. I know this legislation will tackle the rise in the use of vapes by children and young people by reducing their attractiveness and availability but I j…

I welcome the statements today on school transport. As a rural TD, the challenges families across Carlow and Kilkenny experience with school transport come across my desk every day. I wish to make a couple of quick points. The first point relates to the importance of accessibility. Every single child in this State deserves access to safe and reliable transport to and from school. It is non-negotia…

95. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to outline his plans for a new policy on private wires. [49010/25]

Deputy Paul Murphy is not here, so it is Deputy Farrell's lucky day. She has two in a row. You are up again.

As Deputy Heneghan is not here to take Question No. 4, we will move to Deputy Kerrane.

I thank the Minister of State. I am just conscious of time.

Deputy Lahart is not here to take Question No. 6. Question No. 7 is in the names of Deputies O'Connor and McCarthy. I will let Deputy McCarthy go ahead whenever he is ready.

The Minister of State is like Shaws. He is almost nationwide but do not forget Kilkenny as well.

We will move back to Question No. 4.

I thank the Minister.

I call Deputy O'Connor very briefly. I know his Questions Nos. 7 and 9 were taken by Deputy McCarthy. Would the Deputy like to come in very briefly? I know he was at a select committee meeting.

I ask the Deputy to be very brief. We have dealt with these questions, but I will give the Deputy an opportunity.

I am going to move back briefly to Question No. 6 from Deputy Lahart. After this, just to be fair to everybody, I am not going to go back any more if someone is not here. Just to be fair to Deputy Lahart, I will let him in now.

I thank the Deputy.

I have two supplementary questions, 30 seconds each. I will let Deputy Farrell in first and then come to Deputy Colm Burke.