I acknowledge the extraordinary Cara Darmody. She is such an amazing campaigner and advocate for her brothers, Neil and John, and for all young children awaiting an assessment of need across the country. I also mention Cara's dad Mark and her mum Noelle. They are both amazing parents and carers to Neil and John. Living so close to Cara and the Darmody family, I have engaged with her, especially over the past four years. I have been so impressed with her passion, commitment, intelligence and steadfast determination …

Since I first entered this Chamber, the extension of Scoil Aonghusa Special School, Cashel, has been a key priority for me. The current situation has enormous implications for the 150 students with complex special needs who attend this centre of educational excellence. Approval by the Minister of a 14-classroom modular extension and ancillary facilities, announced in this Chamber on 27 February in response to a parliamentary question from me, came as a huge boost to everybody involved in the school. It is news they…

Recently published data reflecting a consistent increase in waiting times for driving tests is deeply concerning. I welcome the Minister of State's opening statement and thank him. This has been a focus for him since his appointment and, as Chair of the Oireachtas committee on transport, I look forward to working with him. The RSA's target of a ten-week average waiting time is not being met. One year ago, it was 15 weeks. In January, it had risen to 21 weeks, and by last month, it was more than 24 weeks. In my home…

Serious questions surround an IPAS contract recently signed with Dundrum House Hotel, putting 277 IPAS applicants into a village with a population of only 200. There are four real concerns. First, there are ownership disputes currently before the High Court. Second, the contract was signed with a company that was only incorporated in January this year and has no Irish shareholders or directors. Third, section 5 is currently the subject of judicial review. Fourth, the site is under investigation by Tipperary County …

Yes, and to the PAC.

It is important that we maximise the impact of our Presidency of the European Union next year. It is such an important event for Ireland. Perhaps the Taoiseach will provide an update on the preplanning of our Presidency. Have there been any discussions of key priorities for our Presidency, having regard to the timing of the Presidency? It will include the next round of discussions on the multi-annual financial framework, with pressures on increased spending in the areas of defence, climate and digitalisation. Can t…

The lack of HSE ophthalmology services across south Tipperary is deeply concerning and is a growing source of frustration. This follows the planned retirement of a consultant ophthalmologist in August of last year. In correspondence that I received from the HSE on 14 January, it was confirmed that the post has been approved and is currently in the recruitment process. I appeal to the Government to intervene directly. The Minister will agree it is unacceptable that children across my constituency have been left with…

I ask the Minister for an update on the delivery of a completely new modular build of 18 classrooms with facilities to meet the accommodation crisis at Scoil Aonghusa national school in Cashel, County Tipperary. This centre of excellence has been waiting since 2015 to proceed to design and planning stage. The current situation is having enormous implications for the 150 students with complex special needs who attend this school. As the Minister knows, this has been my number one priority since entering this Chamber…

I welcome that confirmation. It is a huge boost to everybody involved in the centre of excellence that is Scoil Aonghusa. I acknowledge all the team in the school who do such fantastic work that creates such a positive environment for these young students to reach their maximum ability in. The board met on Tuesday night last and obviously welcomed this approval. As I said, they have been waiting for this since 2015. I think some further clarity is being sought. There are 24 teaching posts in the school. Only six ex…

I thank the Minister. As I said, I am conscious we are talking about a physical building but of course Scoil Aonghusa and many other special schools around the country are so much more than that. They are the positive environment in which our children, especially children with special needs, can reach the maximum of their ability. I wish to acknowledge in the Chamber the principal and her amazing team of teachers, nurses, ancillary staff, the board, volunteers and everybody associated with Scoil Aonghusa. Will the …

I begin by offering my congratulations to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle on his elevation. I hope his new role does not distract him from continuing to represent my in-laws in Kilkenny city, namely John and Noeleen Breen.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I also pay tribute to former councillor Joe Bourke, from Templemore, who passed away this evening. I had Joe Bourke here in Leinster House a number of weeks ago. Unfortunately, Joe had not been well. I had the distinction of serving with Joe on Tipperary County Council and on the Southern Regional Assembly. He was a man of exceptional traits and character and a real positive force within his community. I am thinking of his family and extended family this evening. On 10 February, m…

I welcome the engagement launched by the Minister for Finance with the HSE and the fact that he has asked his departmental officials to examine the matter in conjunction with Revenue. In the event of an update following that engagement, will the Minister update the House?

Would the Minister of State agree there is an extremely important role that can be played by local authorities and local enterprise offices, LEOs, in terms of accelerating the digital agenda? They have a relationship with their SMEs on the ground. I am conscious that many small SMEs do not have the requisite capacity and could benefit greatly from better engagement with local authorities and local enterprise offices.

Could the Taoiseach provide an update on the new proposed Garda station in Clonmel and tell me whether a contractor has been appointed? I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to provide funding for 5,000 additional gardaí during the lifetime of this mandate. Ensuring law and order is also a challenge for towns and villages in rural Ireland, including my constituency of Tipperary South - towns like Tipperary, Cashel, Cahir, Clonmel, Carrick-on-Suir and Fethard. It is so important that we strengthen…

I ask for an update on URDF funding. My hometown of Clonmel is ready to submit an application. That application is shovel-ready. To date there has been an investment of more than €1 million by Tipperary County Council. The project focuses on the regeneration and re-imagination of the public realm in the town centre within the historic heart of Clonmel. This funding is crucial to towns like Clonmel in terms of realising our ambition to be key regional economic drivers, as set out in the region's economic spatial str…

I will follow earlier precedent, this being my maiden speech, to thank the people of south Tipperary for putting confidence in me to be their legislator and parliamentarian at the national level. I am very much looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead, and I am always conscious of the trust placed in me by the electorate of south Tipperary. I want to reflect on the role of local authorities having regard to recent weather events, not just Storm Éowyn but also, for example, the cold snap in early Ja…