Gnó an tSeanaid - Business of Seanad
Four matters were selected for discussion: school construction in Ballinasloe, the North-South interconnector, woodland biodiversity, and funding for family resource centres.
I welcome Peter and Zoe who work with the US Embassy. They are both welcome to Seanad Éireann along with visitors from a school in Booterstown. They are most welcome to Seanad Éireann today and I thank them for being here.
I have received notice from the following Senators that they propose to raise the following matters:
Senator Gareth Scahill - the need for the Minister for Education and Youth to make a statement on the current status and expected timelines for the delivery of the new school building project for Scoil an Chroí Naofa, Ballinasloe, County Galway.
Senator Sarah O'Reilly - the need for the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to make a statement on a potential underground alternative to the overhead North-South interconnector.
Senator Anne Rabbitte - the need for the Minister of State with special responsibility for nature, heritage and biodiversity to make a statement on the policies in place to protect biodiversity and natural heritage in woodland areas, in particular at Merlin Park Woods, Galway.
Senator Victor Boyhan - the need for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to make a statement on the increase in the minimum annual core funding level for family resource centres set out in budget 2026 and the establishment of ten additional centres across the country.
Senator Robbie Gallagher - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of additional funding for roads in the Cavan and Monaghan area.
Senator Nessa Cosgrove - the need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on the provision of adequate respite services so that all family carers can receive regular and appropriate respite free of charge at point of use.
Senator Mike Kennelly - the need for the Minister for Transport to make a statement on the provision of emergency funding for the N69 from Tarbert to Listowel and the Kilflynn area in County Kerry.
The matters raised by the Senators are suitable for discussion and I have selected Senators Scahill, O'Reilly, Rabbitte and Boyhan and they will be taken now. The other Senators may give notice on another day of the matters that they wish to raise.