Peter 'Chap' Cleere

We will now move to Question No. 11 from Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

Apologies; we will let Deputy Ó Snodaigh continue and Deputy Farrelly can go next.

Now that he has started he may as well keep going.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire.

Apologies, Deputy Farrelly. We will take Question No. 10 now.

I will allow a supplementary question from Deputy Conway-Walsh.

Since its introduction in 2027 the LIS has been hugely successful and it is massively oversubscribed. It is very important and there is a huge demand for it in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. Additional funding will be required. In the context of next year's budget I implore the Minister to fight as hard as he can for rural towns and villages in my constituency such as Clara, Ballyhale, Windga…

There is huge demand out there. It is a hugely successful scheme. If we could just get additional funding, it would be most welcome for those towns and villages in Carlow and Kilkenny.

Regarding proceedings which happened yesterday, I spoke with my four daughters last night about the carry-on, intimidation, bullying and abuse the Ceann Comhairle was subjected to yesterday, which was nothing short of disgraceful. Nobody should be bullied in the workplace. They asked me to say hello to you and wish you well as they are thinking of you. I want to discuss a couple of infrastructura…

125. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently assigned to stations in counties Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12596/25]

I congratulate all Ministers on their new elevations and I wish them well in their posts. My question today specifically relates to the Kilkenny-Carlow constituency and the number of gardaí currently assigned to stations in both of these counties.

The recent drive for new entrant Garda numbers was hugely successful and very welcome. My appeal to the Minister is that when these filter down through the system, that as many as possible are filtered to rural towns and villages. We have 18 Garda stations in Kilkenny and eight in Carlow, operating at varying levels. One station in my own town of Graiguenamanagh, which is a substation of the Thoma…

I welcome the news of 200 new entrants. We would be more than happy to accept those into Carlow and Kilkenny in one blow if the Minister wanted to use it as a pilot scheme. In all seriousness, I am encouraged by the recent recruitment campaign and that brings peace of mind, especially for our older and more vulnerable people in communities right across the constituency. They love seeing gardaí on…

I take this opportunity to congratulate the Taoiseach on his recent trip to America to represent Ireland. He did so with dignity and honour. While many people in this Chamber would have preferred that the Taoiseach had stayed at home and sat on his hands, he did not. He wore the green jersey with pride and I thank him for that. I wish to talk specifically about the school transport scheme. As we …

Last year, the Department of Finance published figures that highlighted that an annual output of 50,000 new homes would require funding of €20.4 billion a year, with the majority of this money coming from private development, including public funding. We know that record public funding has been put in for 2025. In order to get our housing market working, there are two key elements that internation…

The Government has committed €1.3 billion in funding to flood relief programmes under the national development plan 2030. Six of these schemes are County Kilkenny at Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Inistioge, Freshford, Ballyhale and Piltown. The scheme in Graiguenamanagh is one of the first 100 schemes in the first tranche. The scheme was approved in March 2020 and consultants were appointed but we …

I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest gardaí in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny in recent years as mayor of Kilkenny and chairman of Kilkenny County Council. My priority is that everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe in their community and home. Across the country, communities are dealing with the scourge of crime and antisocial behaviour. We need to build stronge…

92. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of newborn baby grants that have been made to parents in both counties Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/25]

I congratulate the Minister on his new role. I look forward to working with him for the betterment of the civilians throughout the country. My question is on a similar theme to other speakers relating to the number of children who have benefited from the newborn baby grant in the counties of Carlow and Kilkenny.

It is really important to give credit where credit is due. In my constituency, almost 200 families have benefited from the newborn baby grant. It is a fantastic initiative that is to be welcomed. I am thrilled the Minister said that it is here to stay. I absolutely welcome that. As he will know, there are substantial additional costs when starting a family. Unfortunately, my days of starting famil…

I appreciate the Minister's comments and note his commitment to this issue, which is most welcome. I know committees have not been set up yet, which is a little frustrating, but when they are set up, the committee on social protection can examine this. The double payment of child benefit, which is separate from the baby grant, has been really welcome in recent years. However, monthly costs are inc…

12. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital works projects currently under way at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny; the estimated cost of each of these projects; when each project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6091/25]

I acknowledge the significant increase in investment that has gone into the Defence Forces in recent years. It has been felt on the ground. My question relates to the capital works projects currently under way at James Stephens Barracks in Kilkenny, the estimated cost of each of these projects and when each project will be completed. Will the Tánaiste make a statement on the matter?

I would welcome the opportunity to welcome the Tánaiste to Kilkenny to visit James Stephens Barracks. He will undoubtedly be impressed with the facilities and infrastructure there. I implore him to continue with the existing roll-out of the capital programme and in addition, if addendums are necessary, ask him to consider the refurbishment of the old church and convent into a medical aid centre. I…

I welcome the Tánaiste's commitment to the barracks in Kilkenny. That security is vital. There are more than 400 staff and each of them makes a vital contribution to the economic fabric of Kilkenny. To put that into context, outside their traditional duties, members of the Defence Forces based at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny are regularly drafted in by the local authority to grit the city and count…