Is the Deputy serious? That is a disgraceful comment.

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I will try to address some of their queries and issues before making my statement. Deputy O’Callaghan again asked a broad question about whether Housing for All was working. We believe it is. It is taking time, but it is delivering positive results. The Deputy also raised the issue of relationship breakdown. It is a reality and has an impact on housing need. Its fallout is something that local authorities must try to help with it in terms of housing provision. Deputy Bo…

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this Topical Issue matter. At the outset, I would like to highlight that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for planning guidelines for onshore wind energy development. Following a recent transfer of functions from this Department, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for guidelines for offshore wind energy development in the context of that Department’s responsibility for marine planning. With reg…

On community engagement, supplementary to the wind energy guidelines, there is a code of practice for wind energy development in Ireland and guidelines for community engagement. I am of the view that under the Aarhus Convention and public participation directive that engagement should take place at an early stage of any process or development of onshore or offshore. That is important. On the onshore guidelines, my understanding is that the updated guidelines will be published in quarter 3 of this year, as I underst…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an cheist seo. He knows I am aware of the deep trauma that this has caused families in areas affected by defective concrete blocks. Seeing reporting as I have in the media, it has a significant impact on families. As the Deputy is aware, on 22 June 2023 the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022, the DCB Act, which provides for the enhanced grant scheme, and he adopted the related regulations on 29…

We will take on board those last few points. Regarding the date of 29 June, the Deputy will be aware that the review can take place. The Minister has consistently acted with empathy on this issue. He has shown that empathy in his engagement with affected families. The reconstitution of the working group is one part of it. There is also a subgroup, which met from January to April 2024 with a focus on the financial aspects of the scheme. That subgroup included representatives from Engineers Ireland, Insurance Ireland…

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle agus leis an Teachta O'Connor as an gceist seo a ardú. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I acknowledge Deputy Stanton's concerns as well about the east Cork boil water notice. The issue of safe drinking water has both national and local importance and I appreciate the Deputy's concerns for the communities affected. He will appreciate that the operation at Whitegate regional public water supply is a matter for Uisce Éireann, which has a statutory responsibil…

I thank the Deputy. As I outlined, there is a compensation mechanism for business customers. Certainly, I appreciate the points raised about the communities in east Cork affected by this because it is a huge inconvenience, to put it mildly, when a boil water notice is in place, even if it is just around issues of turbidity in the water supply. It still requires customers to boil the water before consumption. I am not sure whether Uisce Éireann has arranged the supply of potable water through tankers in any of the c…

I thank Deputy Griffin for his continued support for this initiative. He is correct that the purchase of Inch Strand by the NPWS on behalf of the State now forms part of the new Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, along with Derrynane, Conor Pass, Owenmore and Sceilg Mhichíl. The marine national park is a really important and wonderful initiative by the State. At the announcement, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I were clear that we want to develop a management plan for the entire national park and we are embarking on that …

That was a disingenuous comment.

That was a disingenuous comment by Deputy Guirke. I will follow this up with the National Monuments Service, liaise with the OPW on this matter and revert to the Deputy in due course.

I am taking this issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan. I wish to clarify that the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport, and neither the Minister or his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA works with the public transport operators that d…

The specific issues the Deputy has raised here are significant. I will speak to the Minister for Transport about the NTA engaging again on this. The Deputy has raised quite a few issues. Certainly the last thing Government wishes in terms of overall policy is to deter people from using public transport or put barriers in their way. It should be affordable, reliable and safe. That is critically important. Further engagement is required. I cannot speak specifically about the public consultation in respect of people i…

Go raibh maith agat, Seanadóir Ó Gallchóir, as an gceist ábhartha seo. I understand that the Senator’s question is on the provision of additional emergency State funding to local authorities to undertake repair and upgrade works on the local and regional road network in light of excessive rainfall in recent months and other climate change factors. Some of the issues he highlighted really are very challenging and they are reflective of the position in other parts of the country. As Senator Gallagher is aware and as …

I will, absolutely. As I stated at the outset, however, it is the function of the individual local authority to prioritise the funding and where the allocation goes, and to work with the Department in respect of particularly unforeseen circumstances such as the weather events we have spoken about and in terms of road repair or maintenance that could be impacted by the severe weather or rainfall events which unfortunately we are having all too often. In addition to this, the Minister has allocated over €16 million f…

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I had a wonderful visit to Howth portal tomb recently. Also known as Aideen’s Grave, it dates from the Neolithic period and is a recorded monument situated in the Howth demesne townland. Within a peninsula of great historical, archaeological and amenity importance, it is an important landmark. As a recorded monument, Aideen’s Grave is afforded protection under the National Monuments Acts and should the owners wish to carry out or cause or permit the carrying out of any wor…

As a recorded monument, Aideen's Grave is already afforded protection under the National Monuments Act. When the Historical and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 is commenced, I will give consideration to exercising powers under section 89(5), if necessary and appropriate, in this or any other instance. It is not something I can decide in advance.

I cannot give a specific timeline, but we are progressing it. I can try to revert to the Deputy with a timeline. Under section 89, the amendment would not alter the general position. The Minister has no role in imposing any public access to privately owned monuments. While dependent on the commencement of the Act and the new register that has to be established, the section will enable the Minister to formally ask the planning authority to consider using its powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000 to crea…

I thank the Deputies for the questions and for giving me an opportunity to outline how the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education continue to support children with special educational needs. Enabling students with additional needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is an ongoing priority for the Government. It is a priority to ensure all children have an appropriate school placement and that the necessary supports are provided to schools to cater for the needs of chil…

Regarding De La Salle College in Dundalk, my understanding is that, last October, five students were accepted into its ASD unit for the semester starting in September 2023. However, on 26 March of this year, the school called to state it could no longer offer a place to any of the students. The reason given to parents was that the Department of Education was not providing the promised classroom. Deputy Ó Murchú is correct about the typo in the date. It should read “Q4 2023”. The Department will continue to work wit…