The free electricity allowance remains fixed at €20 a year; exactly the same level since 2013, yet electricity prices have increased substantially in that period, reducing the real value of the support. This is affecting not only older people but also those who have disabilities and those who are living alone. It is part of the programme for Government to review the household benefits package. What plans does the Minister have to increase the free electricity allowance in order that it better reflects the energy co…

I acknowledge the headway made on the broader household package. I welcome the fact that it is being examined. In particular, I draw the Minister's attention to the electricity allowance. When the allowance was set in 2013 it had the capacity to buy 1,526 units of electricity per year. Today, that same €420 payment covers no more than 450 units of electricity. That is more than a 70% reduction in the capacity of the allowance, which is impacting not only on pensioners but also on people with disabilities and people…

Making improvements to the overall burden of fuel costs is positive, and the fact that there will be different measures to do that. I want to draw the Minister's attention in particular to the electricity aspect of it because the allowance that was there provided people with the capacity to buy a certain amount of electricity and its value has eroded over time. I will briefly stay focused on the electricity aspect of it. Could that be increased? Could it be linked with a certain number of units of electricity such …

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 Emer Currie - To discuss the abolition of the deemed disposal rule. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss access to planned residential placements for adults with intellectual disabilities. Deputy Duncan Smith - To discuss the loss of the remains or partial remains of unidentified bodies. Deputy Paul Lawless - To discuss the future of a school in County May…

One speaker.

The Select Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport has completed its consideration of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2026 and has made amendments thereto.

I welcome Mr. Robert Watson to Leinster House and to the Gallery, from where he has been observing proceedings this morning. Fáilte romhat, Robert.

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 Thomas Gould - To discuss the bus service in Cork city. Deputy Ryan O'Meara - To discuss the establishment of an SATU in the HSE Mid West region. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for the development of Bunclody Community College, County Wexford. Deputy John Clendennen - To discuss the cumulative regulatory burden and rising cost of doing busi…

Seanad Éireann has passed the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2026, without amendment. Seanad Éireann has passed the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, without amendment.

Sin é, a Theachta. Tá an t'am caite.

I need to raise with the Taoiseach the straw incorporation measures and the delays from the Department of agriculture in approvals. There is fine weather. Tillage farmers are focusing in on the harvest. There have been no approvals issued by the Department of agriculture for the straw incorporation measure at this point. Farmers have nominated lands that they plan to harvest in the days and weeks ahead. The chopping will be done as part of the harvest. Tillage farmers have seen one difficult year after another and …

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 John Connolly - To discuss the development of an injury unit clinic in Galway. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the national semiconductor plan. Deputy Shane Moynihan - To discuss the provision of a new school building at Scoil Chrónáin. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss the increasing processing times for residence permit renewals. Deputy Rory Hearn…

There is a supplementary question from Deputy Malcolm Byrne.

Question No. 7 in the name of Deputy Ó Cearúil is being taken by Deputy Malcolm Byrne.

I raise the very serious accommodation difficulties that Coachford National School is experiencing. The school has done everything asked of it. The board, principal, staff and parents have all worked together to accommodate significant growth in pupil numbers, but they are now at a point where there is simply nowhere left to go. The numbers tell the story. The school had approximately 109 students in 2020, and it is expected that there will be 171 pupils in September. That is an increase of more than 57% in just se…

I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the fact that the permanent building project is progressing. There is quite a bit of work to do on that. The difficulty remains in the here and now. The fundamental question is where these children will be accommodated while everybody is waiting for that building to be put in place. The school has already stretched every available space in the existing building and nobody could reasonably say the board has not done everything possible to make things work. Enrolment in the sc…

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 Martin Daly - To discuss plastic and reconstructive surgery services in Roscommon University Hospital. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss longer opening hours of the X-ray department at weekends in the minor injury clinic in Louth County Hospital. Deputy Colm Burke - To discuss actions to reduce the risk to children who require MRI scans under anaesthe…

Let us keep the momentum going. An Teachta Martin Daly is next. His matter relates to plastic and reconstructive surgery services at Roscommon University Hospital.

Family reunification for people recruited here for critical skills is an issue I have raised here previously and it still has not been addressed adequately. I am constantly getting people into my office raising their situation with me where they are waiting for their spouse and children 18 months and more. It is very difficult on families. What immediate action can be taken to reduce those delays?

First, I acknowledge the headway that is being made on it. On the idea that most are within target, for many that is not their lived reality. To put it in context, these are the people who are caring for our elderly in our nursing homes, caring for us in our hospitals, maybe doing the NCT on our cars and maybe even cultivating our food on our farms, and they are not able to have their family around them. Many of them, Indians and Filipinos, who have been in contact with me on it are telling me of experiences of 18 …