I thank the Minister of State for the response. I want to acknowledge all of the work she has been doing within her portfolio in supporting older people and mental health. I accept that she was given a script today but the background to me raising this matter in the Dáil is the lack of a progress report from the HSE up to 6 October. We are now in mid-November and still there is no update on this. It is disappointing that the Department of Health could not have furnished a more up-to-date outline of the situation wi…

Each year, we witness the graduation of numerous young farmers through the "green cert" programme. Not only are these individuals environmentally conscious but they also possess the essential knowledge and skills needed to transition the practices on their farms towards more eco-friendly ones. However, significant barriers exist. Once such obstacle is the failure of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to grant concessions for farmers under the age of 40 who possess their own herd number. Regrettably,…

Mayo relies heavily on the local improvement scheme and we have a diverse road network like those of County Cork and County Kerry, and I am sure it is the same in the Minister's constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. This is a really important issue that councillors raise with Oireachtas Members. I support the call for the Department of Transport to match-fund any funding that is presented by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This needs to be addressed. Many residents in Mayo are in dire need of this sche…

The town and village renewal scheme has played a crucial role in breeding new life into numerous towns and villages nationwide, and this transformation is particularly visible in my constituency of Mayo. In July of this year the Minister introduced the 2023 town and village scheme, which presents a significant opportunity for communities to secure investment in their local towns and villages. It also aligns with the Government's commitment to advancing rural Ireland as outlined in Our Rural Future. Will the Ministe…

I appreciate the Minister's response and her hard work in securing the €205 million in budget 2024. Mayo County Council has shortlisted several projects of significant importance in the 2023 scheme and I brought one such project to the attention of the Taoiseach last week with regard to the urgent need of the Order of Malta in Castlebar to demolish and rebuild its headquarters. It has submitted a funding request of €500,000. This group has been serving the community in Castlebar for the past 80 years. Securing this…

With regard to the Minister's support, last year another €1.1 million was delivered for seven projects under the Mayo town and village renewal scheme. I vividly recall the Minister visiting the old courthouse building in Balla with me during her visit to the Connacht Gaelic Athletic Association centre of excellence in the county where a big dome was delivered under the rural regeneration and development fund. There has been a sprinkle of projects delivered in all parts of Mayo and that has to be appreciated and ack…

Yesterday, I listened in to the Western Development Commission meeting, which recently had research completed by the University of Galway where 44% of respondents said that remote working was key to their future employment. Remote working and the hubs have been a game-changer, especially in rural Ireland. It has repopulated many towns and villages. In a relatively short time, when Covid-19 hit us, we had a huge migration of people from our major cities or from across in the UK or Australia or America moving back ho…

Across Mayo, one prevalent issue concerning our town playgrounds is their maintenance. Over time, after several years of use, the equipment and surfaces within many playgrounds deteriorates and sometimes poses safety hazards. As a young father, I spend much time in playgrounds with my two-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old. A dedicated grant scheme would ensure that our playgrounds are consistently maintained to the highest standard. I ask the Minister to consider such a grant scheme.

I thank the Minister for her response. In my county there is a challenge with maintaining our playgrounds. Certainly the local authority responds differently to the schemes in place. We have difficulty with the upkeep. We have had an influx of playgrounds in recent years. Mayo has one of the highest number of playgrounds in the country, which is good news, but it is very important that the community is supported in maintaining a sense of pride to ensure it can draw visitors and tourists. Some local communities come…

I thank the Minister. Mayo County Council has in the past made applications for funding but if we look at the number of playgrounds that need refurbishment and enhancements, I suggest that we should have a dedicated programme in place that would not only be designed to maintain inclusive and accessible equipment for children of all abilities but would also ensure that local authorities know the places in most need of playgrounds and could submit applications on their behalf. Funding is difficult for some local auth…

Today I am rallying support for a really important project in Castlebar concerning the Order of Malta. It has given stalwart support to our community for the past 80 years. It has applied for €500,000 under the 2023 town and village renewal scheme, which is required to rebuild its new headquarters. It is a project that stands with Mayo County Council and has been submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development for consideration. Its current headquarters is on the brink of collapse. Securing this fund…

I acknowledge the announcement of the recent approval of social housing developments in County Mayo, with 33 units to be constructed on Turlough Road and a further 75 units proposed for Snugboro in Castlebar. These initiatives will undoubtedly contribute to alleviating the social housing shortages in the area. The pipeline in the years ahead also looks positive. However, the absence of affordable housing units within the projects stands out as a missed opportunity for many aspiring homeowners in our community. Desp…

I want to take up the Minister on the capital investment programme and acknowledge the work he has done in terms of the substantial investment of €69 million across three pillars. I want to focus on pillar two, with €20 million being allocated in 2024 and additional €25 million in 2025 for existing and new services. I want to touch upon rural and remote communities. I am working with people on Achill sIland, where young families have no services available to them across large distances. In fact, childcare options a…

Ireland's response to the influx of individuals from Ukraine and other conflict-ridden regions has been remarkably commendable. It showcases our deep-rooted dedication to humanitarian principles and a willingness to offer a safe and very welcoming haven for those who are in dire straits. Central to this is robust collaboration and communication among all involved. What steps has the Minister taken to improve information sharing among communities?

I thank the Minister of State for his response. It is good to hear about the establishment of the community engagement team, which is central. For many communities, it is really all about transparency and co-operation, especially across Government bodies, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, community collectives and volunteer organisations. That is really important and is fundamental in the context of providing ongoing supports for refugees to ensure they are integrated effectively. Given the evident pressures on…

I commend the Minister of State on his efforts within his Department. It is not an easy task in terms of liaising with all of the different local authorities. Previously, when we did engage with local authorities, there was a commitment around additional resources. What is the status of the current competition within local authorities? Have many local authorities completed their full allocation of resources to complement their community engagement teams? Through thoughtful planning and the allocation of adequate re…

It will be eight years this Christmas since Crossmolina had its devastating flooding. The residents still do not know the status or the timeline of their flood relief scheme. This uncertainty is causing a great deal of distress. The unfortunate delay surrounding this project is causing immense frustration and anxiety to the Crossmolina community. Consultants retained by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform have recommended seeking supplementary information from the Co…

I raise my deep concern around the alarming rise in vaping among schoolchildren, especially the widespread use of disposable vaping devices. In recent weeks, I have received numerous calls from concerned teachers and parents regarding the escalating prevalence of vaping among students in primary and secondary schools. The issue is not confined to school grounds but is also evident in public spaces where students congregate and engage in vaping activities. The case of a ten-year-old child caught vaping in a primary …

A pressing concern that is affecting the heart of our tourism and hospitality sector in Mayo and beyond is an acknowledgment of the pivotal role the sector has played in supporting our communities and the State's humanitarian effort, especially in response to the Ukrainian crisis. As we know, approximately 30,000 beds, of which 25,000 are hotel beds, have been taken out of circulation to accommodate refugees under the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. While we stand in solidarity …

I am delighted to get the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I stand in strong support of the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023 and its provisions to cement the Government's promises made in budget 2024. This Bill represents a diligent effort - and I commend the Ministers, Deputies McGrath and Donohoe - to ensure that our national financial backbone remains sturdy, fair and responsive to the needs of our citizens. The cutting of income tax and USC highlights our Government's consistent mission to ensure that hard-wo…