Albert Dolan

The development levy waiver was a powerful initiative introduced by the Government to bolster housing supply and ensure a pipeline of housing delivery. We saw some of our largest commencement numbers ever last year, with more than 60,000 homes commenced, 9% of which were first-time, one-off homes. I come from and represent a rural constituency. I have a major concern with regard to couples or ind…

I am asking about one-off homes for self-builders who are taking on mortgages to build their homes. Let us call a spade a spade: they are contributing to the ultimate completion figures this Government wants to see. We want more units to be delivered. Self-builders make up almost 10% of those numbers on the basis of the commencement figures from last year. The development levy waiver was a huge s…

8. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24661/25]

One of the lead indicators of a country's future likely success is how many young people choose to stay. What are the Minister's expectations for affordable housing delivery in 2025, given it will be one of the key tools to ensure our young educated workforce can stay here?

The Minister of State, Deputy Cummins has visited the homes that have been delivered in Claregalway. It is a fantastic initiative and a fantastic price for people to be able to purchase a home. The problem is that in Galway East, we have not seen a single affordable home delivered yet. I know the Minister is aware of this. We need to see affordable homes delivered in towns such as Tuam, Athenry an…

Galway County Council is not short of ambition when it comes to affordable housing. Our chief executive set out an ambitious plan last year. At the time, I was a councillor. We approved loans for affordable housing across our local authority and sought departmental approval for them. We do not lack the ambition. We have the ambition to deliver the homes. In the town of Athenry, the county council …

12. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing issues affecting the rail service between Athenry and Galway city, including persistent capacity constraints, service delays, and overcrowding during peak times; and the specific measures being considered to improve reliability, increase service frequency, and add additional carriages to better accommodate growi…

One of our greatest assets in the town of Athenry is now becoming one of our greatest pain points. Train services into Galway city are wholly inadequate. We need to see significant investment in additional carriages arriving at Athenry. As mentioned previously, there are only two carriages going in on the first train in the morning. To put it bluntly, people are packed in like sardines. It is a c…

I agree that the passing loop is welcome but it points out a huge issue with how we manage infrastructure in this country. Galway County Council was granted urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding in March 2021 for that passing loop. It was March 2024 before Irish Rail submitted a planning application for the passing loop. I welcome that it is to commence construction this September…

Absolutely there can be no doubt that the economies of public transport have completely flipped the script over the last few years. We have seen fares come down and the cost of using a car has gone up. It makes more sense for people to use public transport. As the Minister of State well knows, Athenry is a booming town with huge growth potential over the coming years. We need to see a double track…

The Ceann Comhairle is speaking.

1. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the engagements he has had with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group in the days before, during and after storm Éowyn. [6356/25]

While the storm may be over, the impacts are still being felt heavily in Galway East and in the west of Ireland. In my own community of Monivea, our beautiful woods have been completely destroyed as have Coillte properties and community GAA facilities. What lessons have been learned and what actions will we take in the future? Just because the storm is over now does not mean we can forget about it…

1. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the engagements he has had with the National Emergency Coordination Group in the days before, during and after Storm Éowyn. [6356/25]

120. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice the plans in place for Garda stations in east Galway that currently have no gardaí assigned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12713/25]

I raise an issue currently in Galway East around Garda stations that currently have no gardaí assigned to them. These buildings are lying vacant and empty. I mention three in particular, namely, Ardrahan, Eyrecourt and Ahascragh. These Garda stations currently have no gardaí assigned to them. Are there any plans in place to ensure they are staffed and that they serve the communities they were buil…

I really appreciate the investment that is being made in An Garda Síochána and I appreciate the drive that is currently taking place to recruit more gardaí. I welcome the fact that those rural stations mentioned will be considered in future allocations. What is important as well is that these are fine buildings and they have an opportunity to provide accommodation for young gardaí. A big issue is …

I appreciate it is the Commissioner's role to allocate the divisional split across the country. One idea the Government could consider for the future is, similar to how in Galway County Council we have our rural library scheme whereby people can access books in their community on a weekly basis, we should have a community policing service where a van would go around to every community in Galway Ea…

Healthcare is not just about treating illness; it is also about enabling people to live longer, healthier and more independent lives. The future of healthcare must focus not just on hospitals and emergency care, but on prevention, early intervention and community-based supports. We are living longer than ever before but the challenge now is to ensure that these extra years we spend are in good hea…

3. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4437/25]

The nitrates derogation is vital to the viability of family farms into the future and to ensuring their productivity in my constituency of Galway East. The programme for Government clearly commits to retaining the nitrates derogation. That said, we have rising nitrates levels, legacy issues with old housing estates and boil water notices are becoming more common. If we are to put our best foot for…

Every town, every street and every public service should be built for everyone. For too many people in east Galway who are living with disabilities, that simply is not the case. We have all heard the stories of parents fighting tooth and nail to get basic supports for children who have been waiting years for essential therapies. Adults struggling to access home care are left to rely on family or t…

Artificial intelligence is not something coming down the tracks; it is already here. We are shaping how we do business, how our economy functions and how we interact as a society. The question is not whether we adopt AI but how we harness its potential for the greater good, ensuring that the risks are properly managed. In business and the economy, AI has the power to transform industries, improve …

Storm Éowyn was one of the most brutal storms to hit Ireland in living memory. In Galway we saw wind speeds of up to 183 km/h tearing down trees, damaging homes and leaving thousands without power and water. Families were left in freezing houses, businesses were forced to close and farmers struggled to keep operations running. It was a devastating event and for many the hardship went on for days. …

Tairgim: Go n-ainmneoidh Dáil Éireann an Teachta Micheál Martin chun a cheaptha ag an Uachtarán mar Thaoiseach. I move: That Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Micheál Martin for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach. As I was saying yesterday-----