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Social enterprises in Louth can access supports through the LDC network, Dormant Accounts Fund, SICAP, LEADER, the Community Services Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Local Enterprise Offices and Department of Social Protection schemes. The Minister also highlighted procurement supports and the National Enterprise Hub, with applications for a new CSP intake under assessment.
The legislation would create a special fast-track process for a strategic gas reserve near Cahiracon, Co. Clare, so the Minister can approve it directly to help protect Ireland’s energy supply in an emergency. It would set out public consultation, environmental checks, and a decision process with the planning rules normally used for major projects set aside for this one project, while still requiring environmental assessment and allowing court challenges. It matters because it is meant to speed up a potentially important energy-security project, but it also raises the stakes for how environmental concerns and public input are handled.
The bill would give the Transport Minister power to lift or change the passenger limit at Dublin Airport if it is judged to be harming the economy, air links or Ireland’s reputation, while still requiring environmental checks first. It lets daa ask for that change, requires An Coimisiún Pleanála to assess possible impacts on the environment and protected habitats, and allows public submissions before any order is made. It also blocks future local planning bodies from reimposing a passenger cap, while keeping noise-related flight limits and related planning protections separate.
The Bill sought to let local authorities appoint a single household waste operator, set franchise terms, require landlords to ensure waste contracts, and provide hardship waivers. Labour, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Greens and some independents backed it, arguing the current privatised system is costly, dysfunctional and worsens dumping, congestion and poor service in dense urban areas. The Minister of State opposed it, saying Government is already carrying out an independent feasibility study on franchise models and that major reform should wait for evidence-based review. The Bill did not get Government support at Second Stage.
Swords’ rapid housing growth is being outpaced by transport, wastewater and community infrastructure, with calls for stronger co-ordination, while Government says major projects and funding are already under way to support sustainable development.
Bunclody Community College’s long-delayed redevelopment, still at stage 2b with most classrooms in prefabs and a split campus, drew calls for urgent action, but the Minister offered no timeline beyond ongoing review and future prioritisation.
Deputy O'Gorman argued that a Luas green line extension is essential to support planned housing at Dunsink. The Tánaiste said he would raise the case with the Transport Minister and look at possible capital funding routes.
Deputy Hearne raised concerns about threats to Dublin Fire Brigade's emergency response framework and asked for Government engagement. The Tánaiste said he would ask the Minister to engage with the relevant bodies and report back.
Deputy Whitmore argued that recent legal aid reforms were ill-considered and were causing court delays and refusals by solicitors to do free legal aid work. The Tánaiste defended the changes, saying fees were being increased and reform was necessary, while both sides sparred over evidence and political criticism.
Deputy Stanley urged urgent capital funding to open an eight-unit refuge, citing escalating domestic abuse and multiple women killed. The Tánaiste backed the need for action and said domestic, sexual and gender-based violence must have full attention.
Deputy Nolan raises an urgent case of a distressed teenager in Offaly awaiting CAMHS support, and the Tánaiste says the Minister of State will engage with the HSE and the system must better handle complex cases.
Witnesses said Traveller accommodation in Wexford is undermined by poor reporting, weak consultation and a largely ineffective LTACC. They called for stronger national oversight, an independent or longer-term chair, mandatory regular meetings, proper agendas and minutes, and real accountability for delivery and spending. Personal testimony highlighted homelessness, overcrowding, cultural needs around family living and mobility, and the failure of choice-based letting to work for many Travellers, especially older people and those with literacy or digital access difficulties. Members broadly accepted that the current system is too fragmented and that the LTACC needs structural reform rather than more empty consultation.
The Minister reported modest recruitment growth to 7,823 personnel, 289 inductions so far in 2025 and 16,510 applications, while pledging further investment in housing, pensions, equipment and infrastructure, including the Curragh.
Senator Harmon urged action on Bessborough in Cork, including possible negotiation, compulsory purchase, publication of burial records and an inquest. Senators Higgins and O'Reilly voiced support.
Senator Brady called for stronger rules governing the euthanising of animals after reports from farms in Roscommon and Clare.
Senator Nelson Murray highlighted bowel cancer waiting times, saying the target is 28 days and contrasting national concern with strong recent performance in Navan.
Senator Ryan criticised repeated delays to BusConnects Limerick, saying residents want delivery rather than more plans and seeking a clear start date. The Minister of State said the new network is progressing, with 61 electric buses already in service and further implementation details due later this year, while promising to raise the Senator’s concerns with the Minister.
The Minister outlined climate-action school refurbishment funding, with 297 projects approved and the next tranche due October 2026, while promising to follow up on Thurles and Nenagh school applications.
Senator Costello criticised DMURS-led road narrowing and parking removals in Tallaght as causing congestion and accessibility problems, while the Government said DMURS is a living document and promised a broader review and consultation, including disability input.
Funding and planning for an Tuairín i mBéal an Daingin school extension remain under review at stage 2b, with no firm timeline yet, while the Department says priority will go to urgent special-education accommodation and other ready projects.
Dublin Mid-West school building projects were reviewed, with Scoil Chrónáin’s tender progressing, Lucan Community College phases advancing, and the Department promising future prioritisation for urgent, overcrowded and condition-affected schools.
Coláiste Daibhéid’s urgent accommodation project remains in the ASA pipeline under review, with roof-leak safety concerns acknowledged, but no firm delivery date given beyond prioritisation in 2026-27 and possible tendering thereafter.
The issue was whether Sacred Heart school, Granard, should be included in DEIS plus despite exclusion from the initial list, with the Minister insisting the appeal is limited to national enrolment-data checks and will be decided shortly.
Senator O'Reilly replied to earlier speakers on acquired brain injury, delays in energy support and other matters, agreeing that services and responses need improvement. The Chair corrected him for skipping Senator Scahill, who had raised the fraud issue.
Senator Scahill described the rise in scam texts, WhatsApp messages and emails, saying fraud is now affecting a large share of the public.
After another visitor welcome, Senator Davitt suggested that rather than only expanding surveillance, businesses with suitable shopfronts should be supported by grants to improve security.
The Chair welcomed students to the Gallery, and Senator Costello and Senator Nelson Murray praised the Adams brothers' marathon challenge to raise awareness and funds for frontotemporal dementia. Senator Nelson Murray also began to mention Navan rail at the end of her contribution.
Senator Tully raised a 12-year-old boy's delayed treatment in Cavan General Hospital and alleged that no doctor came despite repeated calls overnight.
Cork urgent needs payments rose slightly in early 2026 versus 2025, but Thomas Gould argued the scheme is underused amid rising energy and living costs, while Dara Calleary said supports like fuel allowance and additional needs payments remain available.