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opposed to energy credits, so it is interesting. A lot of the measures we introduced last year were targeted, like the living alone allowance and the qualified child increment lump sum and the working family payment. Some of the progressive measures I introduced with the additional tax credits

feeding tube. The power in their home in Swords was out for five days. Close by, an elderly man in his 90s who lives alone without supports was in the same situation, with no connection to the outside world. The most vulnerable people were hit the worst. Many … other means. A local hotel allowed residents in to use their facilities, showers etc., but those with mobility issues could not avail of that because, once again, the most vulnerable people were affected. The Government needs to step up to protect the lives and well-being of people

charge of managing this national emergency and that there was leadership at a time of heightened anxiety and uncertainty. It would have allowed the Taoiseach and the Ministers from the relevant Departments to come into the Dáil to explain their co-ordinated response to the unfolding crisis. Important … what was being done to identify the most vulnerable, including the elderly, families with young children, people with serious medical conditions and those living alone and left without light, heat and water in some of the remotest parts of the country. These are the things we rightly would

energy regulator since 2021; — the record-breaking profits that electricity generating companies have made in recent years which they have been allowed to keep in full, combined with ESB's refusal to make appropriate use of their €898 million profit last year in response to this national crisis … safe. Presenters kept going throughout the night with updates, warnings and the outages. That was apart from the company they provided for people living alone, in fear of the worst storm ever. What is the Government going to do to acknowledge the vital role played by local, regional

this country? In the past year alone, 69,000 people have left Ireland to go overseas for a better future. This is not because they cannot find jobs here - they have jobs - but because they cannot afford or find anywhere to live. When the Minister of State sits … here? It is clear it is the investment funds. They are raking in the profits while ordinary people are left behind. The Government allows these funds to avoid paying taxes and to bulk purchase homes that should be available for families to buy. The Government allows them

community and they need to be respected, so I echo the calls in the motion to bring forward a scheme to allow those to be assisted in those sectors as well. Without our local radio stations, many would not have known how to be reconnected, get information … year-old who was in contact with my office. There was no family near to where this person lived and he was alone without power for ten days. This 85-year-old was in poor health, with no light, heat or warm water for ten days. That

available by the Department of children to those services. We know that €331 million is being spent by the State in this year alone in core funding across almost 4,200 early years services. There is an unprecedented €1.37 billion in total funding to the sector this year … real commitment by the Department to these children if it is prepared to allow children go without a vital ECCE service for weeks or months at what is a vital time in their lives? The implication here is that if a service closes for whatever reason, there

rent freeze or a ban on eviction and very little in the way of strengthening renters' rights, such as implementing model tenancy agreements, allowing tenants to rent unfurnished properties and not forcing them to pay more than a month's rent as a deposit. That is something … Bank analysis that these schemes disproportionately benefit people on higher incomes. The Labour Party believes in an active State because the private sector alone does not have the capacity to deliver the homes we need. The Davy report states we will need 93,000 homes per year

workers benefit from each new technological breakthrough. One of the key challenges will be to ensure that a system is in place to allow the gains of AI advancement and proliferation to be fairly distributed rather than being concentrated at the top. AI in the workplace must benefit … ordering a takeaway, getting shopping delivered or a taxi home from a night out, online platforms have transformed the way we live. Platform work must be regulated in line with the EU platform work directive, and gig and platform workers must have access to information about their

full licence, in fairness - without ever having done a driving lesson. It makes no sense. I have an agricultural background. People know I live on a farm. The tradition in agriculture is that many people go in straightaway at the age of 16, not 17, to get their … Carrigtwohill project. I could list them. About 44 projects, I think, were caught up in funding uncertainty last year alone. This should not be allowed to occur. I ask that the new Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, carry out the commitment - it was one I sought

water tanks. Last year alone, more than €420 million worth of wind energy was effectively earthed. This is enough to provide real relief for thousands of families struggling to keep their homes warm. At the same time, more than 550,000 households live in energy poverty. This … taxpayer. Instead, it simply ensures that we use what we are already generating, but is currently going to waste, to improve lives. Let us recognise the opportunity here. Ireland has the chance to lead the world in how we use renewable energy to tackle energy poverty. We have

That is why I am committed to supporting farm incomes. An increased Vote provision of €2.1 billion in 2025 will allow my Department to provide increased targeted supports for the beef, dairy beef and sheep sectors in 2025. In recent weeks, I have attended a number of farm … blocking minority of 35% of the EU population would be needed to prevent the Mercosur trade deal from going through, so acting alone, with our 5 million population, is not going to decide this. France is opposed, however, and Austria is in that space. What the likes

involuntary admission process, modernise provisions related to consent to treatment, provide enhanced safeguards for people accessing inpatient treatment, and provide a new, stand-alone Part that relates exclusively to the care and treatment of children and young people. The Bill will also introduce, for the first time … launch of the second implementation plan for Sharing the Vision, which is being developed in partnership with key stakeholders, including the voice of lived experience, which remains central to the delivery of policy. The next implementation phase will run to the end of 2027 and provides us with

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, must be accessible on an equal basis with others in the community in which they live; and - the Government is committed to ensuring that each child with a special educational need has an appropriate school place, in line with their … accommodated in our mainstream schools with supports. In addition, 28,000 children are in either a special class or special schools. Since 2020 alone, the number of special classes and schools has grown significantly. I am not saying it is where it needs to be. We have

Social Protection if Irish residents in receipt of a British pension are entitled to social welfare supports such as the fuel allowance, living alone allowance and other supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/25

Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance will be increased given many senior citizens are finding it increasingly difficult to survive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6912/25

Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give due consideration to extending the living alone allowance to those in receipt of pensions as a qualified adult (for example, cases where the other spouse or partner is in nursing-home care