The Garda vetting process is in urgent need of reform and is proving frustrating for volunteers in community groups and sporting organisations. I acknowledge and recognise the importance of Garda vetting in order to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults. I understand its main objective is to indicate whether somebody has a criminal record or is a threat to a vulnerable person. If someone wants to coach with their local GAA, they need Garda vetting. If they want to get involved in coaching the local soccer cl…

It was a great weekend for my constituency. The Carlow intermediate and Kilkenny senior camogie teams won the Leinster finals, which was a massive achievement. I am very much involved with both counties and teams, so I wish all of them very well. Commiserations to the Taoiseach on Cork’s harrowing defeat, but I am sure they will bounce back. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, particularly in rural constituencies. I welcome the significant increase in gardaí on the beat on Dublin streets. I have no…

Chap on CAP is the correct term. As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture, I welcome these statements on the Common Agricultural Policy and Ireland's CAP strategic plan. Fianna Fáil believes the Irish family farm is the social, economic and cultural pillar of our rural communities and that is why we are committed to ensuring CAP remains strong. The current CAP provides €9.8 billion to Ireland for the period 2023 to 2027 but a strong, well-funded CAP supports farm incomes and food security while contributing meani…

Like previous speakers, I have serious concerns about the significant delays to driving tests across my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. A solution to this issue needs to be accelerated as soon as possible. We have to allocate new testers to locations throughout the country that are experiencing long delays. The delays drivers in Carlow and Kilkenny are facing are just not acceptable. People spend months and months learning how to drive. It costs a lot of money but they are then met with a long waiting time for the…

The N25, a critical artery that runs through Kilkenny and the south-east region, has long been plagued by an alarming number of traffic collisions. It has seen 11 fatalities, four of which happened since the proposed upgrade was suspended or paused in 2022. The volume of traffic on the route has increased significantly to almost 15,000 vehicles per day. Kilkenny County Council has progressed the necessary upgrade to stage 2 of the project approval process at an already significant cost, but we need to show the peop…

I welcome the opportunity for statements on the importance of higher education. I am a huge advocate of lifelong learning. A cornerstone of Ireland's economic success has been our highly skilled and talented workforce. Since we embraced FDI and enabled access to second level education for all, knowledge and talent have been the pillars of our economic strategy and have served this country very well. Ongoing investment in further and higher education is core to our ambition to deliver sustainable economic growth. Th…

Kilkenny is also open for business. Last year, we got great news in the sunny south east region with the announcement of a new veterinary medicine programme to be established in the campus of Kildalton agricultural college in Piltown, County Kilkenny, a venue the Taoiseach visited with me last year. It brings with it a multimillion euro capital expenditure for Kildalton, which will be a huge boost to south Kilkenny, including Kilkenny's agri and education sectors, and a game-changer for veterinary students who no l…

First of all, I congratulate the victorious Kilkenny minor camogie team on winning the all-Ireland on Sunday, a fantastic achievement. I pay tribute to all the players, the panel, the backroom team, the management, the executive and, in particular, all the parents who go above and beyond in travelling and bringing their children around the country. To get that reward is fantastic, and the whole of Kilkenny is very proud of them, so massive comhghairdeas to all involved. I welcome the opportunity for statements on C…

What are the Minister's views on the €45 million allocated under budget 2025 to support further increases to the minimum rates of pay in the childcare sector, a measure which will ensure providers can continue and improve the pay for staff of the childcare providers?

I appreciate the Minister's comments and her clarification and confirmation that the money is ring-fenced. Does the Minister agree that for children to achieve their full potential, they need opportunities for care and education, that key to ensuring the availability of these opportunities is the retention of qualified staff and early educators in the childcare sector, and key to this is increased rates of pay for the staff? Reports of the talks on the employment regulation order, which is necessary to implement th…

What impact does the Minister foresee if her Department is prevented from passing on the pay increase to childcare staff? I know the money is ring-fenced but if the Minister is not in a position to do it, what impact would that have? More importantly, would it be unlikely that future budgets would provide for pay increases in the sector? The provision of €45 million in 2025 is fantastic, but if we cannot get that allocated, what impact will that have on future budgets? To ensure every child has the best possible st…

I will take the opportunity to congratulate Willie Mullins on his fantastic achievement. This is the first time I have spoken in the House since his incredible achievement in the Grand National last Saturday.

His horses came first, second, third, fifth and seventh. It was huge. I know there was a fantastic celebration and homecoming last night in Closutton and Leighlinbridge. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend as I was in Dublin. It is an achievement that needs to be acknowledged formally in the House. He is a fantastic ambassador and like me, has strong Kilkenny connections, being originally from Goresbridge. I acknowledge Willie Mullins, Patrick Mullins and the whole team for everything they have done. It is magn…

All development indicators, such as population, jobs and infrastructure, show Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick cities developing at a much faster rate than Kilkenny, Waterford, Carlow and the south-east region. If we continue to focus on growth in and around Dublin without addressing the specific development challenges facing other regions, such as the economic underperformance of the south east, this will have negative consequences that could further add to growth pressure in the wider Dublin region and inhibit m…

I wish to briefly raise the issue of the Graiguenamanagh flood relief scheme. It is my own town. In 2016, there was a devastating flood event which wreaked havoc and mayhem on many families and businesses in Graiguenamanagh. Funding was approved by the Minister of State in his previous term as Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW which was much welcomed and received. In March 2020, a design team was appointed to come up with a scheme but five years later and we have not even gone for planning permissio…

I congratulate the Ministers of State on their new roles. I have not had the opportunity to formally congratulate them previously. I am seeking an update on the refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Kilkenny Castle.

I welcome the significant investment in Kilkenny Castle in recent years. I look forward to continued investment being made in the years ahead. Kilkenny Castle is a jewel in the crown of the south east. Visitor numbers are absolutely through the roof every year. The castle is a fantastic asset on our doorstep and is worth a huge amount to the local economy. The Minister and Ministers of State are always welcome to Kilkenny, especially if they bring the cheque book. We will welcome them any time. Last Sunday, I had t…

If people want to cycle, they can do so. That is not a problem. In Kilkenny, we are proud of our heritage, history and culture. The continued investment in Kilkenny Castle is most welcome. As stated, over the course of the summer, I would love to welcome the Minister and the Ministers of State to Kilkenny city. We will take a tour of the castle. They will be able to explore everything that is brilliant about our wonderful city.

As a proud rural TD representing the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, I am acutely aware that there are many stresses for farmers a lot of which are outside their control. As a result, farmers are considered a group at risk of developing mental health issues. With the pressures of farming increasing, one in four farmers faces burnout. These are all over my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny in the likes of Glynn, Ballymurphy, Kilmaganny, Bennettsbridge, Drummin, Ballyragget, Stonyford and Hugginstown. Last year DCU's …

I welcome these statements today on youth diversion. As we know, the programme for Government commits us to investing strongly in preventive measures, including youth justice programmes, while strengthening our laws. We have to commit, and I am committed, to building stronger, safer communities in my constituency, namely Carlow–Kilkenny, and nationally. Diverting vulnerable children away from a life of crime and giving them an opportunity to build a better future themselves is absolutely key to this. Youth diversio…