John Clendennen

Is the Department undertaking a review of utility infrastructure deficits in rural towns and villages and on how such deficits are currently limiting delivery of rural housing? Will the Minister make a statement on that?

I appreciate the reply but I want to give an example of a rural town in my area. Edenderry has a population of 8,000 and is within commuting distance of Dublin. Towns within its environs have grown, yet there will be no development from Uisce Éireann there until 2029. There is a key issue whereby theory and practice are not aligned. Offaly County Council referred to the delivery of wastewater capa…

I welcome the developer-led initiative, but a viability element has to be taken into consideration. Where developers are expected to provide an interim measure, Uisce Éireann has to engage and liaise with them to ensure that it remains economically viable for them to do so. The Uisce Éireann website is not developer friendly. The capacity register on the website provides an option of green or red.…

This weekend, a tractor run at Ballybrit in my constituency will see over 200 tractors and drivers of all ages take part. For over a decade, the Road Safety Authority has referenced a tractor driving framework and testing for young drivers but there is currently a void of uncertainty. Farmers and contractors are committed to safety and open to initiatives that will enhance it, including for young…

99. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the take-up of EV charging schemes for sports clubs, community facilities and town and village centre residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34002/25]

Will the Minister of State give some information to the House on the take-up of EV charging schemes for sports clubs, community facilities and town and village residents, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Many of the community groups that pursued the initiative did so as part of a revenue-generating initiative, but there has been frustration. The Minister of State referred to some of the schemes but there are others that go back as far as July 2023, when expressions of interest would have been sought. These are ongoing. It takes more than two years to get an EV charging station installed at a commu…

The Minister of State mentioned the EU JTF. This is a fund we need to focus on in terms of delivery. It is far too slow and creating serious frustration. In reality today, we have a greater variety of electric cars and they are more affordable, but there is still range anxiety. Until we can get the network delivered, we will not address that. More than ever before, we need to consider a network o…

12. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if usage data relating to the National Enterprise Hub is able to demonstrate the more popular or accessible business supports; if such information will help shape future supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32944/25]

I thank the Minister of State for the update. I fully agree with her. When the Minister of State shares that information, she is essentially giving an insight into what is happening in the market. However, if a business owner sits in front of a computer and is looking for information, they do not necessarily know what they are navigating for. We need to be sharing that detail on the website's home…

I thank the Minister of State. She might not believe this but sometimes, I get feedback that the grant systems are too good to be true. When you get an applicant that has gone through the likes of an energy efficiency grant, how seamless it is and how easy it is to apply and get the payment, that feedback needs to get out there more. We will see an increase in that regard. No one can doubt what pr…

I commend the progress the Government has made in public health over recent years, leading the way with many global initiatives. Alcohol labelling is a welcome initiative but I have concerns around the timing of its implementation. From a domestic perspective, there is growing uncontrollable uncertainty regarding global trade, and the Irish whiskey sector has found itself in the eye of the storm. …

I would like an update on the extent to which parents or next-of-kin of adult children with a disability are consulted on future care and the provision they receive.

I thank the Minister of State. The future and provision of care as to how a parent's or guardian's loved ones will be looked after, particularly after they have passed, is something that keeps people up at night. The appointment of decision-making capacity and assistance with it is important, but there needs to be an element of understanding that the next of kin, where there is one, is given the o…

I acknowledge the efforts the Minister of State has made in this area. I recently met with the Muiríosa Foundation. The work it does in this space is commendable and is very welcome in terms of the initiatives it is bringing forward, particularly to encourage individuals with a disability into the workplace, into education and into different services. There is an element of needing to ensure there…

48. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the proposed changes to the triple lock will impact on Ireland’s policy of being militarily neutral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30705/25]

97. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the latest figures for school completion rates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30703/25]

Will the Minister provide an update on the latest figures for school completion rates?

I firmly believe the Minister has made great strides on the issue of school completion. Initiatives such as free school books, hot meals, transport and even the school clothing and footwear allowance announced this week are all helping to encourage more people to stay engaged in education. Youth services have an important role to play as well. Some of the initiatives Laois and Offaly Education and…

While we see an increase in the youth population in Offaly, we also see an increase in youth dependency rates. That is a call more than ever before to see this funding allocated where it is needed most. In the context of the Minister’s previous role as Minister for Justice, if we can ensure this funding is allocated and effective, we mitigate the possibility of antisocial behaviour, mental health …

117. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the number and type of trade promotion events he has participated in since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25107/25]

I thank the Minister. I met with agriculture students and teachers at Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, at the Intro to Ag initiative in recent days. I have also met with producers and farmers. It is clear that they are extremely proud of the high regard for Irish produce across the world. However, there is also a level of innovation today within this sector is best in class. I…

While other speakers made reference to the threat of TB, there is also the threat of trade tariffs. We need to remove the barriers in our control, one example of which is alcohol labelling. We need to look at growing our existing markets as well. France and Germany have similar populations, yet we export three times the produce to Germany that we do to France. I have to question why that is the c…

I start by welcoming Josie, Jacek, Cillian and Eabha along with their teachers, Ms Lavin and Ms Keyes, and congratulating them on their outstanding achievement as European debating champions. Reports this week from the national claims information database have highlighted further increases in motor insurance premiums. This is no doubt an added financial strain on motorists at a time when there ar…

This afternoon, I attended an event in Buswells Hotel hosted by Engineers Ireland, where it was stated that 65% of the children in our primary schools today will work in jobs that do not exist yet. I recently attended Banagher College to celebrate the Laois-Offaly ETB STEAM showcase event that recognises more inspiring projects in robotics, coding and virtual reality; initiatives that are truly re…