13. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will increase his departmental budget allocation in budget 2027 to those in receipt of the State pension, in response to the increased cost of living as a result of the conflict in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31283/26]
Sentiment score: 0.10
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire for that response. I absolutely welcome all the measures he outlined that were contained in budget 2026 and that had a good impact on the State pension and those in receipt of it. However, what I really need to stress is that we are not living in ordinary times. There is a war raging in the Middle East. It is affecting everyone across Europe and in Ireland. There is no end in sight. What I am hearing from State pensioners in Carlow and Kilkenny is their worry and anxiety about what the winter is going to bring and how they are going to manage. We are all aware that people who are in receipt of the State pension, be it contributory or non-contributory in nature, have contributed to this country. They paid into the pot in the hope that they would be able to sustain themselves in their latter years, not in the context of living any kind of extravagant lifestyle but just so they would not have to worry about paying household bills and everyday expenses. If it is not going to be possible to increase the pension, what will it be possible for the Department to do?
Sentiment score: -0.05
I welcome the Minister's focus on the fuel allowance. It is a very good scheme but is not agile enough to cope with the increases that are going to happen. The Minister said, "if this ... [war] continues". It will no doubt continue into the winter and it might still be with us this time next year. That is what I understand and feel, and our State pensioners are feeling that too. They would like more communication and a chance to know what measures might be possible to alleviate the worry and anxiety they are feeling. Bear in mind that said worry and anxiety are then passed on to their adult children, which means that entire families are concerned about this. It is also really important to recognise that these State pensioners, and pensioners in general, are on fixed incomes. They do not have any option or any other avenue whereby they can supplement the income they have. In fact, I sat with a lady last week who was in tears because she is dipping into her savings - money she thought she would be able to give as an inheritance to her children and grandchildren. Now she is utilising it for everyday cost-of-living expenses. I appreciate the work the Minister is doing, but I would love it if we could have some communication to allay the fears of our older generation, the people who helped to build this country.
Sentiment score: 0.05
105. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding for increased car parking facilities in Carlow and Muine Bheag train stations in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31281/26]
Sentiment score: 0.10
Is the Minister considering providing funding for increased car parking spaces in Carlow and Muine Bheag train stations in County Carlow, particularly in light of the ongoing fuel crisis in Ireland as a result of the war that shows no sign of abating, to try to give 7,000 commuters an alternative to taking their cars to work?
Sentiment score: -0.84
The Minister of State is correct. Carlow is a thriving university town. I have also been calling for increased train services from Carlow - actually from Waterford all the way through Kilkenny to Dublin and vice versa. We need to have a change of focus. I welcome the report that has been done by Iarnród Éireann and the desire to have park-and-ride facilities throughout the country. However, in the current geopolitical environment, the Government as a whole needs to have a greater sense of urgency. While I appreciate all the measures it has brought in so far, in Carlow and Kilkenny there are approximately 7,000 people who commute by car and whose journeys to work and back home last more than 60 minutes. What is happening is that commuters are arriving at Carlow train station with the desire to take the train and there are no car parking spaces available. In that light, this is an immediate and urgent call I am making.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I really welcome that very positive response and the proactive and ambitious plans for the future for rail networks through Carlow and into Kilkenny. I attended a meeting in Mullinavat this week. This is kind of separate from my question, but while I have the opportunity, I will mention that there is an disused train station in Mullinavat. It would be very interesting to explore whether we could recreate a stop there to help alleviate the pressure that has been experienced due to the reduction in the service of Expressway route 4. When we talk about car parking spaces in train stations, will the Department consider multi-storey car parking for train stations like the one in Carlow or in Bagenalstown that are short on space and that do not really have the capacity to expand into the surrounding area? There are a number of schools around Carlow train station. If that was possible, we might consider putting solar panels on our car parking spaces, as happens in many other European countries.
Sentiment score: 0.35