Catherine Connolly

91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection when the means test for carer’s allowance will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/25]

Tá fhios againn go mothaíonn na cúramóirí baile nach bhfuil mórán tacaíocht á fháil acu ach amháin an liúntas cúramóra, agus fiú ansin tá means test i gceist. Cén uair a bheidh an Aire ag fáil réidh leis an tástáil achmhainne? Tá riachtanas ann fáil réidh leis.

Tá sé ceart go leor, fuair mé an cheist i mBéarla.

I thank the Minister. It is more than a year since the carer's referendum was overwhelmingly rejected. Almost 74% of those who voted said "No". The big issue that came up was the abolition of the means test on foot of the figure the Minister referred to of more than 99,000. Of course, many other carers get absolutely nothing. There are some suggestions that the figure in this regard is as high as …

I do not doubt the bona fides of the Minister, but the referendum was overwhelmingly rejected because of the false narrative that was played out, hypocrisy and a failure to recognise that we cannot function as a society without carers, the vast majority of whom are women and are not paid. We need to recognise that. While I welcome the changes that have been made, which are positive, it is an utter…

An interdepartmental committee was set up on this.

On this.

I ask the Minister to clarify the position for me.

I understand there was a review of the carer's allowance.

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Joanna Byrne - To discuss unsafe working conditions at the ambulance station in Drogheda. Deputy Gary Gannon - To discuss the lack of suitable after-school facilities in Dublin 1. Deputy Brian Brennan - To discuss the Government's …

Bogfaimid ar aghaidh go dtí an tríú saincheist agus an Teachta James O’Connor.

I did my best to read through the report. I have two minutes so I cannot do it justice, but I have certainly read it. I would like to welcome it but I cannot. When you look at it, the words, such as "sustainability", are good, but you then realise it is business as usual. It is significant that in a few days' time we will - I will not say celebrate - recall that we declared a climate and biodivers…

I do not have the cluster of amendments in front of me but we are speaking about taking away the right to jury trials. I wished the Minister the very best in his new career but I cannot but go back and read out his speech. I do not know how he is going to get around that, other than by the fact that he now has power or, as has been alluded to already, has been captured by the Department. I do not …

The Minister also has a choice.

I also commend the Minister for his honesty and openness but that raises all the more questions. He is a member of a party and he has the views that he formed, based on his research and experience, that this was a bad decision, but he is now asked to leave that aside and go with what the party is telling him. That is extremely worrying, not just for this debate but for many other debates and issue…

Táim ag díriú isteach ar mhuintir na Palaistíne agus an cinedhíothú atá ar siúl inár n-ainm fad is atáimid anseo ag caint agus briathra milse, bhreátha ag na hAirí gan beart ar bith. Inné sa chúirt, dúirt Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, "Israel has closed all crossings and it has turned Rafah itself, once a refuge for almost 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, into a post-apocalyptic wasteland." At the week…

It is our responsibility.

We have an obligation to prevent genocide and not to be complicit in genocide. It is our job to do something. It is particularly our job as a country that was colonised. That is exactly what has happened with Israel's colonisation of Gaza and, more widely, Palestine. As a republic and an independent sovereign state, we have a duty to take action. Doctors Without Borders has described the area as …

You do not know because you have not inspected them.

I have asked you to inspect them.

That is not true.

Is masla é sin do chosmhuintir na tíre.

The Minister would have to read them first.

10. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the Oileáin Árann decarbonisation zone in County Galway has achieved the required 7% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; the status of the implementation plan to achieve the reduction; the resources allocated to Galway County Council in this regard; and if he will make a s…

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 20 February 2025, the extent to which the decarbonisation zone in Galway city has achieved the required 7% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; the status of the implementation plan to achieve the reduction; the resources allocated to Galway City Co…