88. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the flood relief schemes in progress or in planning for Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27771/25]
TDs / Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Peter 'Chap' Cleere
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955
questions asked
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44,321
words spoken in the chamber
Across 211 contributions. Plus 40 contributions from the chair, not counted
407
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214
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Contributions to debates 211 in all
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| Month | Questions | Contributions |
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Plus 148 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
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Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Carlow-Kilkenny 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
I have seen first hand the devastating impact that flooding can have on homes, businesses, people, families and communities. I understand the flooding problem cannot be eliminated but it can be managed and mitigated to reduce its likelihood, severity or impact. It is in that context that I ask for an update from the Minister of State on flooding projects that are in planning or in progress in Carlow and Kilkenny.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I get that flood relief schemes are complex projects and there is a lot of detailed engineering analysis, public engagement, etc. I will focus on the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch flood relief scheme specifically. In 2018, funding was announced for this project following significant funding in 2016. The Minister of State was in this role in a previous Governm…
I thank the Minister of State and genuinely acknowledge and appreciate his support for new schemes. I know he is doing everything he can. We spoke privately about these on a number of occasions. Regarding tranche 2 flood relief schemes, and we spoke about Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch, there are other schemes in Kilkenny, such as Freshford, Piltown, Inistioge and Thomastown in particular. They are in the tranche 2 f…
The Garda vetting process is in urgent need of reform and is proving frustrating for volunteers in community groups and sporting organisations. I acknowledge and recognise the importance of Garda vetting in order to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults. I understand its main objective is to indicate whether somebody has a criminal record or is a threat to a vulnerable person. If someone wants to coach with th…
20. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with rural affairs and community development will meet. [18744/25]
It was a great weekend for my constituency. Both Carlow intermediate and Kilkenny senior camogie teams went on to win the Leinster finals, which was a massive achievement. I am very much involved with both counties and teams, so I wish all of them very well. Commiserations to the Taoiseach on Cork’s harrowing defeat, but I am sure they will bounce back.
Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, particular…
121. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on negotiations taking place at EU level on the Common Agricultural Policy 2027+. [25604/25]
Chap on CAP is the correct term.
As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture, I welcome these statements on the Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP strategic plan. Fianna Fáil believes the Irish family farm is the social, economic and cultural pillar of our rural communities and that is why we are committed to ensuring CAP remains strong. The current CAP provides €9.8 billion to Ireland for the period 2023 t…
Like previous speakers, I have serious concerns about the significant delays to driving tests across my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. A solution to this issue needs to be accelerated as soon as possible. We have to allocate new testers to locations throughout the country that are experiencing long delays. The delays drivers in Carlow and Kilkenny are facing are just not acceptable. People spend months and months l…
The N25, a critical artery that runs through Kilkenny and the south-east region, has long been plagued by an alarming number of traffic collisions. It has seen 11 fatalities, four of which happened since the proposed upgrade was suspended or paused in 2022. The volume of traffic on the route has increased significantly to almost 15,000 vehicles per day. Kilkenny County Council has progressed the necessary upgrade to …
I welcome the opportunity for statements on the importance of higher education. I am a huge advocate of lifelong learning. A cornerstone of Ireland's economic success has been our highly skilled and talented workforce. Since we embraced FDI and enabled access to second level education for all, knowledge and talent have been the pillars of our economic strategy and have served this country very well. Ongoing investmen…
Kilkenny is also open for business. Last year, we got great news in the sunny south east region with the announcement of a new veterinary medicine programme to be established in the campus of Kildalton agricultural college in Piltown, County Kilkenny, a venue the Taoiseach visited with me last year. It brings with it a multimillion euro capital expenditure for Kildalton, which will be a huge boost to south Kilkenny, …
First of all, I congratulate the victorious Kilkenny minor camogie team on winning the all-Ireland on Sunday, a fantastic achievement. I pay tribute to all the players, the panel, the backroom team, the management, the executive and, in particular, all the parents who go above and beyond in travelling and bringing their children around the country. To get that reward is fantastic, and the whole of Kilkenny is very pr…
88. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on the €45 million allocated under budget 2025 to support further increases to the minimum rates of pay in the childcare sector. [20553/25]
What are the Minister's views on the €45 million allocated under budget 2025 to support further increases to the minimum rates of pay in the childcare sector, a measure which will ensure providers can continue and improve the pay for staff of the childcare providers?
I appreciate the Minister's comments and her clarification and confirmation that the money is ring-fenced.
Does the Minister agree that for children to achieve their full potential, they need opportunities for care and education, that key to ensuring the availability of these opportunities is the retention of qualified staff and early educators in the childcare sector, and key to this is increased rates of pay for t…
What impact does the Minister foresee if her Department is prevented from passing on the pay increase to childcare staff? I know the money is ring-fenced but if the Minister is not in a position to do it, what impact would that have? More importantly, would it be unlikely that future budgets would provide for pay increases in the sector? The provision of €45 million in 2025 is fantastic, but if we cannot get that all…
I will take the opportunity to congratulate Willie Mullins on his fantastic achievement. This is the first time I have spoken in the House since his incredible achievement in the Grand National last Saturday.
His horses came first, second, third, fifth and seventh. It was huge. I know there was a fantastic celebration and homecoming last night in Closutton and Leighlinbridge. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend as I was in Dublin. It is an achievement that needs to be acknowledged formally in the House. He is a fantastic ambassador and like me, has strong Kilkenny connections, being originally from Goresbridge. I ackn…
18. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee dealing with transport will meet next. [5905/25]
All development indicators, such as population, jobs and infrastructure, show Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick cities developing at a much faster rate than Kilkenny, Waterford, Carlow and the south-east region. If we continue to focus on growth in and around Dublin without addressing the specific development challenges facing other regions, such as the economic underperformance of the south east, this will have nega…
I wish to briefly raise the issue of the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme. It is my own town. In 2016, there was a devastating flood event which wreaked havoc and mayhem on many families and businesses in Graiguenamanagh. Funding was approved by the Minister of State in his previous term as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW which was much welcomed and received. In March 2020, a design team was appo…
107. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the refurbishment works scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15973/25]
I congratulate the Ministers of State on their new roles. I have not had the opportunity to formally congratulate them previously.
I am seeking an update on the refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle.