Written answers

Thursday, 26 February 2026

  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      4. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the commitment to "Introduce Pay Related Parents Benefit and explore other payments where a similar model...
    • Disability Issues
      10. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to combat poverty among disabled individuals and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/26]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      15. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting time in the last five years to award maternity benefit; paternity benefit; parents benefit; and if he will...
    • State Pensions
      16. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to urgently address the anomaly that exists for senior citizens being disqualified from entitlement to the State pension...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      17. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress that has been made on the introduction of pay-related carers benefit; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Meetings
      20. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of meetings and correspondence that he and his Department have had with the Department of Finance following the...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of men, and number of women, who applied for parent’s benefit in the past three years; and if he will make a...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      22. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will provide an update on the planned extension of the fuel allowance scheme to families in receipt of the working...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      23. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in light of the recently published consumer price index figures, his plans to alleviate hardship through increases to core...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      25. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he intends to carry out a comprehensive review of means tests across the social welfare system; and if he will make a...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      26. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      27. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will conduct a full review of the CE scheme to ensure that placement processes are efficient, responsive, and supportive...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      28. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of domiciliary care allowance applications refused over the last three years, by county; the number of those...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      30. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the timeline and expected impact of the increases to the carer’s allowance income disregards due to take...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      31. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has given consideration to updating the communications allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15411/26]
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      33. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has given consideration to removing means testing for people with an end-of-life cancer diagnosis for access to social...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      34. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in County Mayo claiming carers allowance; and if that number has increased or decreased over the past...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      35. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the percentage of domiciliary carer's allowance rejections that were overturned on appeal in Cork in 2025. [14269/26]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if his Department considers the condition known as long-Covid an occupational injury; and what social protection entitlements...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      38. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of men who applied for paternity benefit, and the number of women who applied for maternity benefit, in the past...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      39. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of families getting the working family payment who now qualify for fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      40. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether he will expand and promote access to the wage subsidy scheme, including consideration of its availability to...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      41. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of the working family payment in Dublin that will benefit from the extension of the fuel allowance;...
    • Pension Provisions
      42. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of the auto-enrolment pension scheme; how any initial teething problems have been managed;...
    • School Meals Programme
      43. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which food provided under the Hot School Meals Programme is sourced from Irish producers; the current...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      44. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he intends to ensure that any disregards, means testing and income thresholds for secondary benefits including back-...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      45. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to increase the top-up payment for participants on community employment schemes, TÚS, and rural social schemes...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      47. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to update the emergency response payment, recognising that apartments are becoming a significant proportion...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      48. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the progress in extending illness benefit to the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Welfare Payments
      49. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount his Department spent on child-related payments in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/26]
    • Community Welfare Services
      50. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review changes made to access to community welfare officers in light of the difficulties being experienced in...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      51. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review the exclusion of self-employed workers from illness benefit, despite their payment of PRSI. [15646/26]
    • Community Welfare Services
      52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will examine the need for set clinic times for the community welfare officer in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, given the...
    • Social Welfare Application Forms
      54. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which he is enhancing application processes within his Department, and providing additional resources where...
    • Disability Issues
      55. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the action being taken by his Department, in liaison with other Government departments, to increase...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      56. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to the introduction of a support payment for those who are required to take leave due to a...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      57. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which he will ensure that every effort is made to support individuals transition from welfare into further...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      58. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his Department’s current wait times on social welfare appeal decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      59. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State...
    • Rural Schemes
      60. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to increase the numbers participating in the rural social scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      61. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in County Mayo claiming disability allowance. [15140/26]
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      62. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review and change the current unfair means test calculation on certain State benefits, including the pension...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      63. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current average processing times for carer's allowance; the steps his Department is taking to reduce delays and barriers...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      64. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason pensions and social welfare payments cannot be paid together or at the same time, with the exception of carer's...
    • Disability Issues
      65. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people in Dublin that are currently in receipt of disability allowance; if they will benefit from the planned...
    • Employment Support Services
      66. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to publish a new employment strategy to help those most distant from the labour market into the workforce; and if he...
    • State Pensions
      67. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to review the changes to the qualifying criteria for the State pension (contributory) introduced in 2012; and if he...
    • Pension Provisions
      68. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to deal with the pensions issues for former An Post and Eir workers. [15634/26]
    • School Meals Programme
      71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider a pilot project to develop a model for community-driven provision within the Hot School Meals Programme;...
    • Pension Provisions
      72. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the MyFutureFund; the number who have been enrolled to date in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Child Poverty
      73. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he would consider tabulating his annual child poverty target with the material deprivation rate together with the rate at...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the plans to further reduce the minimum hours worked requirement for the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      75. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of carers in Dublin who will benefit from the changes to the means test criteria announced in Budget 2026; his...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      76. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people in receipt of unemployment benefits who have faced a reduction in their payments due to non-participation...
    • Community Welfare Services
      77. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding access to community welfare officers and offices, the average waiting time for appointments; if there is a shortage...
    • Youth Unemployment
      78. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the new action his Department is taking to reduce high levels of youth unemployment in the economy; and if he will make a...
    • Community Employment Schemes
      80. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to provide increased flexibility to local community employment, TÚS, and rural social schemes; and if he will...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      81. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlements widows and bereaved partners have from his Department; if he has any plans to revisit their entitlements; and...
    • Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
      82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has given consideration to a tailored accessible weekly welfare payment for victims and survivors of rape, domestic,...
    • Disability Issues
      83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation regarding...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to introducing a pay-related maternity benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Public Transport
      103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has examined ways of fast tracking the introduction of contactless payment on public transport from its current...
    • Taxi Regulations
      104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on all meetings he has held with taxi representative groups, other stakeholders in the taxi industry, and meetings with any...
    • Road Network
      105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to examine a dangerous junction in Farranfore village, County Kerry, at the point where the Currow road and the Firies/Castlemaine road...
    • Rail Network
      106. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline any plans, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, to provide an earlier weekday rail service from Ballinasloe...
    • Driver Licences
      107. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department is taking to ensure that returning Irish emigrants who have exchanged their Irish driving licence for a foreign...
    • Public Transport
      108. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on actions being taken to improve accessibility on public transport, including further reducing the period...
    • Dublin Bus
      109. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of electric buses owned by Dublin Bus that are not in current use; the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Rail Network
      110. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase train capacity to alleviate overcrowding for Kildare commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Traffic Management
      111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the measures being taken to ease commuter traffic on the M7 from Carlow-Kilkenny to Dublin return; and if he will make a...
    • Rail Network
      112. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagements he has held with CIÉ to re-establish a catering facility on the Galway-Dublin rail service; and if he will make a...
    • Road Network
      113. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the remaining sections of the Athenry relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/26]
    • Bus Services
      114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will fund the expansion of Local Link services in Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14233/26]
    • Rail Network
      115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to engage with Iarnród Éireann on the reason on a regular basis, DARTS do not have the maximum number of possible carriages at...
    • Public Transport
      117. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the new dedicated statutory body that has been approved for the Metrolink project; the reasons the project could not be...
    • Rail Network
      118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the ongoing review of timings at the level crossings in Athenry; the scope and expected completion date of this...
    • Legislative Process
      119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill; when it will be introduced and to give; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Road Network
      120. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport taking into account the heavy dependence on the non-national road network in counties Cavan and Monaghan, if he will consider as a matter...
    • Public Transport
      121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a timeline for a full rollout of contactless card payments for LUAS, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and other public...
    • Bus Éireann
      122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action that will be taken to improve the reliability of the 132 and the 133 Bus Éireann regional/commuter service; and if he...
    • Public Transport
      123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the introduction of a fare cap for Young Adult Card holders travelling within commuter zones, similar to the daily...
    • Rail Network
      124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding is made available to introduce an earlier train from Boyle to Sligo, something Irish Rail wish to do to...
    • Weather Events
      126. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to make our transport infrastructure resilient to extreme weather events. [15486/26]
    • Road Network
      127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether additional funding will be made available to local authorities, in 2026 specifically to repair potholes and other road damage...
    • Road Safety
      129. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the Abnormal Load Working Group, in particular consideration being given by the working group to the current regulations...
    • Rail Network
      130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on the extension of the rail line from Athenry to Claremorris; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/26]
    • Road Network
      131. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on emergency, additional roads funding for Wicklow and Wexford local authorities following the significant damage caused by...
    • Bus Services
      133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a full update on Cork BusConnects, and the shorter term plans to improve the reliability of the bus service in Cork city and...
    • Road Network
      134. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the 2026 grant allocations to local authorities for roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15162/26]
    • Bus Services
      135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting time for new bus stop/shelters infrastructure approvals in Cork; if additional capital funding will be made available...
    • Rail Network
      136. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if train services from Heuston Station to County Laois will be expanded so as to have additional late-night services; and if he will make...
    • Public Transport
      139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the 414 Barna-Galway service outlined in the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan as an 'existing route' never operated;...
    • Driver Test
      141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an outline of his most recent engagements with the RSA in relation to the opening of the new driver test centre in...
    • Bus Éireann
      142. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with the NTA on measures to address overcrowding and missed journeys on the 115 service, particularly for Kilcock...
    • Road Projects
      143. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the proposed N25 Midleton to Youghal (Castlemartyr and Killeagh Bypasses) project; and if he will make a...
    • Bus Services
      144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve bus route coverage, frequency and reliability in outer urban and suburban areas; and the way his Department is...
    • Air Services
      145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken regarding the changing of the PSO contract for flights between Donegal and Dublin which has resulted in a drastic...
    • Rail Network
      146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided to commence construction on Dart+ South West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/26]
    • Weather Events
      149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give urgent consideration to the request of counties Wicklow and Wexford, for an emergency adverse weather fund for the...
    • Dublin Bus
      150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the ongoing engagement he is having with Dublin Bus in relation to capacity issues, delays and ghost buses; and if...
    • Road Network
      151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the deteriorating road conditions in Galway East, particularly where safety concerns have been raised (details...
    • Road Safety
      152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the funding to facilitate road safety measures on the N25 from Glenmore to Waterford will be released; and if he will make a...
    • Road Network
      153. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will urgently increase funding allocations to local authorities for the community involvement scheme; and if he will make a...
    • Rail Network
      154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the 4 North Project; and if his Government is prepared to fund such a much needed proposal; and if he will make a...
    • Bus Éireann
      155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on when the promised increase in the 132 Bus Éireann regional /commuter service, which was scheduled for April 2025,...
    • Public Transport
      156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the establishment of a transport security force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15613/26]
    • Rail Network
      158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the latest update on the progression of the Dart+ West Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15143/26]
    • Public Transport
      159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department is planning to ensure that the Luas Green Line and other public transport providers will have the...
    • Dublin Bus
      160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport which Dublin BusConnects routes will commence in 2026; when these routes will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Public Transport
      161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures in place to ensure that passengers receive clear, accurate and up-to-date information in real time across all public...
    • Dublin Bus
      162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update regarding the provision of a reliable and frequent bus route from Hollystown, Dublin 15 to Dublin city centre; and if he...
    • Rail Network
      163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the dangerous overcrowding on the Wexford-Dublin commuter train; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Airport Policy
      164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on his plans to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/26]
    • Public Transport
      165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide funding to extend a service to Tyrrelstown-Hollywoodrath (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Rail Network
      167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions that have taken place regarding the provision of an early-morning train service between Longford and Sligo that would...
    • Air Safety
      168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on the issue of permission to operate for commercial delivery drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15475/26]
    • Road Safety
      169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next tranche of the Safe Routes to School Programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15461/26]
    • Rail Network
      170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his Department's position on the proposed rail service to Shannon Airport, via a spur from Sixmilebridge. [15350/26]
    • Public Transport
      171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on any planned upgrades or improvements to the TFI app, particularly in relation to its usability; and if he...
    • Road Network
      172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a year-on-year update on roads improvement and maintenance funding for County Meath for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the...
    • Bus Services
      173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of ongoing capacity issues on the No. 424 bus in Connemara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15536/26]
    • Legislative Process
      174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he and his Departmental representatives will meet with local stakeholders regarding long-promised revision of the Dublin Carriage...
    • Road Projects
      175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the safety and upgrades works to the N81 road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/26]
    • Rail Network
      176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional carriage capacity on trains will be provided along the Adamstown to Heuston Station route at peak hours; and if he will...
    • Bus Services
      179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the rollout of Galway BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15563/26]
    • Taxi Regulations
      180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on recent research by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission that indicates that 57% of consumers believe there are...
    • Road Projects
      181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will prioritise the upgrades needed on the N25 given the unacceptable number of deaths on the road over the past few years and the...
    • Cycling Policy
      182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the pilot cycle lane between Moone and Timolin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/26]
    • Regional Airports
      183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to support the growth of regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15487/26]
    • Road Network
      184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the funding allocation to Louth County Council for the roadworks programme this year; if it is anticipated that additional...
    • Bus Services
      185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the start date for the 199 local link bus in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15538/26]
    • Road Safety
      187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a single digital application and payment point for road hauliers for use when applying for abnormal load permits, which...
    • Bus Services
      189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of ongoing capacity constraints and overcrowding on the NX bus service between Navan and Dublin, despite the current 20...
    • Air Services
      191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times a plane (details supplied) landed in Ireland; and if the State has a record of passenger manifests from these...
    • Departmental Schemes
      192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the work underway to develop the new needs-based, grant-aided vehicle adaptation scheme intended to replace the disabled...
    • Road Projects
      194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progress to date in relation to the N/M20 Limerick to Cork motorway project; and if he will make a statement...
    • Regulatory Bodies
      195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will review the IAA’s interpretation of regulations regarding fatigue and factoring for ICG SAR aircrew, and urgently...
    • Airport Policy
      196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the experience of local residents in relation to lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a...
    • Rail Network
      197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans to improve facilities such as rain shelters, disability access, and toilets in Ballybrophy and Portarlington train stations...
    • Road Projects
      199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the Northern Ring Road and his plans to reduce congestion in Cork city. [14271/26]
    • Bus Éireann
      200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether Bus Éireann in Cork currently have a full cohort of drivers. [14270/26]
    • Taxi Regulations
      201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Competition and Consumer Protection Commission findings that consumers are suffering due to a failure to facilitate...
    • Road Network
      202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to designating the R312 in Mayo as a strategic regional road; if he will provide the funding required to upgrade the...
    • Dublin Bus
      203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure the NTA and service providers such as Dublin Bus are adequately resourced to ensure punctuality of routes across...
    • Rail Network
      204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being undertaken to introduce an hourly train service between Waterford and Dublin, in line with the Strategic Rail Review; and...
    • Taxi Regulations
      205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to comment on the CCPC’s recommendation for the removal of barriers to companies (details supplied) fully entering the Irish taxi...
    • Rail Network
      206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of planned investment works at Millstreet railway station; the timeline for any upgrades to accessibility, parking...
    • Public Transport
      207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on the measures he is taking to improve real-time service updates on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Road Network
      208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons counties Cavan and Monaghan have experienced a reduction in local and regional roads funding allocations in 2026 compared to...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Legislative Process
      209. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill ; and when it is expected that the Bill will come before the...
    • Departmental Data
      210. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No.189 of 19 February 2026, and reply that her Department has “no affiliation with the referenced...
    • Development Contributions
      211. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department calculates, or can calculate from grant financial reports held by her Department, the aggregate proportion of...
    • Departmental Funding
      213. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, a breakdown of Ireland’s core contributions to multilateral organisations by recipient...
    • Development Contributions
      218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide the number of instances in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 in which funding provided under Ireland’s Official...
    • Middle East
      221. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to confirm receipt of a letter from a cross-party group of parliamentarians from Ireland and Britain in relation to the situation in...
    • Passport Services
      222. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the timeline for the relocation of the Cork passport office; the overall cost of this relocation process, including the terms of the lease;...
    • Departmental Inquiries
      224. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an application for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16154/26]
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Waste Management
      225. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has engaged with local authorities on the use of CCTV, drones and other technologies to catch those...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      226. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the basis on which the renewable heating obligation rates of 1.5% and 3% were determined; and whether these levels will...
    • Departmental Inquiries
      232. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 197 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he...
    • Recycling Policy
      233. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the actions his Department is taking to provide for the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of...
  • Department of Defence
    • Defence Forces
      234. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the projected strength of the Permanent Defence Forces for each of the years 2026, 2027 and 2028, broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Departmental Inquiries
      240. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional measures his Department implemented upon failing to meet the Phase 1 death reduction targets in Vision Zero; and if he...
    • Bus Services
      241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's plan to purchase new buses for the BusConnects Cork plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15659/26]
    • National Transport Authority
      244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on discussions between his Department and the National Transport Authority in relation to funding of the PSO...
    • Transport Costs
      245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department’s budget is sufficient for new services to be provided in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Contracts
      246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the contract agreed between the State and a company (details supplied) is due to expire; if there is a buyout/ release clause for...
    • Bus Services
      247. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the compulsory purchase order for a bus corridor scheme in Dublin 12 (details supplied); the date of commencement...
    • Rail Network
      249. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progression of plans to develop a rail spur to Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Funding
      250. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the 2026 funding allocation of €500,000 towards the N2 Ardee to South of Castleblaney Bypass, for 2026, the stage...
    • Road Projects
      251. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the 2026 funding allocation of €1,200,000 towards the N2 Clontibret to the Border road scheme, the stage that this...
    • Bus Services
      252. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether BusConnects has a target average speed for bus routes during peak commuter hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Road Projects
      253. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the purpose of the €2 million allocation towards the Athenry relief road project in the recent road allocations; and if he will...
    • Taxi Regulations
      254. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures currently being considered in the context of reform of the local area hackney licence scheme; if a working group within his...
    • Flood Relief Schemes
      256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide significant emergency funding for Carlow and Kilkenny to repair and reconstruct roads damaged by recent flooding; and...
    • Active Travel
      257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of active travel initiatives funded by the National Transport Authority in Kilkenny since 2020; the initial cost estimate for...
    • Road Traffic Offences
      259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether any post-implementation review has been conducted by his Department of the Road Traffic Act 2024 provisions relating to graduated...
    • National Transport Authority
      266. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether his Department requires the National Transport Authority to collect and report vandalism data for public transport infrastructure...
    • Public Transport
      268. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether key performance indicators or contractual provisions within the national bus shelter contract include targets relating to...
    • Bus Services
      271. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the entire funding drawn down and spent by Galway City Council from the NTA for the Bus Stop Enhancement Programme in 2024 and 2025; and...
    • Bus Éireann
      273. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Bus Éireann plans to increase the fleet serving Galway city routes for which Bus Éireann hold the route licence; and if he...
    • Driver Test
      274. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of booked driving tests cancelled by the RSA in the years 2023 to 2026, in tabular form; the reasoning for the cancellation of...
    • Departmental Meetings
      275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the first meeting of the National Working Group on Geographical Zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Public Transport
      277. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the disciplinary procedures in place for senior management in State transport bodies (details supplied) in the event of failure of...
    • Electric Vehicles
      278. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the input provided by his Department or ZEVI into the development of the private wires legislation on the subject of making it possible...
    • Bus Services
      279. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procurement process for bus shelters; the average cost of a bus shelter over the last ten years, broken down by year; and if he will...
    • Road Network
      280. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total roads funding allocated to each county over the last ten years, broken down by funding category, by year, by county, the total...
    • Legislative Process
      281. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will make a...
    • Rail Network
      282. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed rail link between Donegal and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16139/26]
    • Bus Services
      285. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a bus shelter at bus stop number 4895, Fernleigh Close, Diswellstown Road, Carpenterstown, Dublin 15; if so, can the...
    • Local Authorities
      287. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if exceptional funding packages will be made available to local authorities that were affected by storm Chandra, namely Tipperary county...
    • National Transport Authority
      288. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on his most recent meeting with the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16279/26]
    • Bus Services
      289. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the roll-out of Phase 8 of the BusConnects programme; when he expects the roll-out to commence; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Meetings
      291. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of his engagements to date with CIÉ, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and...
  • Department of Finance
    • Urban Development
      292. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on the expansion of the living city initiative; when the new expanded plan will open for new applicants from the five new regional centres; and...
    • Tax Code
      293. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered a review of the carbon tax, with a focus on fairness, affordability and rural impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tax Credits
      294. To ask the Minister for Finance to review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding child credits. [15735/26]
    • Tax Code
      295. To ask the Minister for Finance whether his Department has undertaken any analysis of the impact of Capital Acquisitions Tax Group A thresholds on the intergenerational transfer of...
    • Tax Exemptions
      296. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered the inclusion of music producers as a new category who would benefit from the artists tax exemption scheme, particularly...
    • Fiscal Policy
      297. To ask the Minister for Finance when the ISIF intends to review its regional city-specific investment programme launched in 2022; if the investment programme will be extended to include...
    • Tax Code
      298. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of rental properties that have availed of the tax incentive for small-scale landlords who undertake retrofitting works in respect of 2024, and any...
    • Revenue Commissioners
      299. To ask the Minister for Finance for the last four years, to date, the number of nitrous oxide canisters seized by the Revenue Commissioners; and the cost of disposing of these canisters, in...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Pension Provisions
      300. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will provide a timeframe for a decision on the pension increase of 2.1% for Eir (formerly Eircom and Telecom...
    • Office of Public Works
      301. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an exhaustive list of flood related compensation paid from the OPW’s vote allocations over the past ten years and any...
    • Departmental Data
      302. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether, following the removal of ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 under the revised Infrastructure Guidelines, his Department...
    • Departmental Funding
      311. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update regarding investment in critical infrastructure in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15931/26]
    • Flood Relief Schemes
      313. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on flood relief schemes in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15933/26]
    • Waterways Ireland
      316. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Ordinary Summer Level (OSL) for Tarmonbarry Upper Lough was set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15991/26]
    • Flood Risk Management
      317. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason meeting minutes for the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group have not been updated on the website...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Work Permits
      319. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reform the work permit regulations concerning the visa process for non-EEA dental nurses allowing them to practise in the...
    • Living Wage
      320. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the decision to delay the introduction of a living wage will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/26]
    • National Standards Authority of Ireland
      321. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether there is an Oireachtas liaison email address for the National Standards Authority of Ireland which sits under his Department;...
    • Tourism Policy
      322. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which the new tourism policy A New Era for Irish Tourism will support tourism development in Carlow; and if he will make a...
    • Industrial Development
      324. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of international IDA visits to regions over the past ten years, broken down by city and county and by year; and if he will...
    • Job Losses
      326. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contact he and his Department have had with a company (details supplied) following the announcement of significant job losses in...
    • Tax Code
      327. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • National Development Plan
      328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she expects any of the sectoral plans under the NDP to be revised, with particular focus on education; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Schools Building Projects
      329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an urgent project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; the timeline for this project to go to construction;; and if she will...
    • Qualifications Recognition
      330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide clarification regarding the refusal of incremental credit to a teacher for previous teaching experience in a private school (details...
    • School Admissions
      331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department and the NCSE will engage with persons (details supplied) to ensure an appropriate school place is provided; and if she will...
    • School Accommodation
      332. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the additional school accommodation application submitted by a school (details supplied); when her Department expects to complete...
    • Teaching Qualifications
      333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on whether the postgraduate master’s in education (PME) refund scheme will open for applications; the...
    • School Staff
      334. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the implementation of the teacher supply measures announced in April 2025, including proposals to allow for...
    • Irish Language
      335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to consider the creation of a Gaelscoil in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15776/26]
    • Schools Building Projects
      336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to reduce delays in delivering permanent accommodation for rapidly growing schools; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Special Educational Needs
      338. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to publish in full the current national criteria, weighting factors, assessment instruments and decision thresholds used by the National Council...
    • Schools Building Projects
      342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of all school building projects in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15937/26]
    • School Staff
      344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline efforts underway within her Department to increase the supply of primary and secondary school teachers; the specific breakdown of the...
    • Departmental Circulars
      347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department can issue a national circular stating that electric scooters are not permitted on the grounds of primary schools; and if she...
    • Employment Rights
      348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the categories of teachers providing substitution cover who do not have their hours of work set out in their pay slip from her Department; her...
    • Special Educational Needs
      352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the breakdown of the new special classes announced to date for the 2026 Academic Year according to the NCSE categories of special class; and if...
    • Schools Building Projects
      353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on upgrades to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16072/26]
    • Special Educational Needs
      354. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the opening hours for a school (details supplied); to confirm that all students attending the school are doing so on a full school day basis; and...
    • National Council for Special Education
      355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consultation and co-creation involved in the production of the SNA Toolkit 2024, produced by the National Council for Special Education, for...
    • Schools Building Projects
      357. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the capital project for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16220/26]
  • Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
    • Raidió Teilifís Éireann
      358. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport whether, in light of the proposal by RTÉ to amend regulation 20 of the RTÉ superannuation scheme to permit scheme...
    • Sports Organisations
      363. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Sports Funding
      364. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the full list of grants provided per project, including the detail of where top-up funding was provided, under...
    • Sports Organisations
      365. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport to urgently assist a club in County Kerry in respect of a legal matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
    • Legislative Process
      366. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 387 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Invasive Species Policy
      367. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to review SI 374/2024 given concerns that have been raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Rental Sector
      368. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether, prior to the commencement of the Room for a Student – Local Authority Tenancies Scheme on 1 December 2023, his...
    • Heritage Projects
      369. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on Ireland's engagement with the Year of the Normans; and the activities planned. [16084/26]
    • Water Services
      370. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the Raheen group water scheme in County Clare requires planning permission to replace certain piping in their system before...
    • Housing Schemes
      372. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will clarify eligibility criteria for a Local Authority home loan; if a person who is the primary earner and applicant...
    • Departmental Data
      373. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the lead authority performance reports for Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 2025 will be published; and to give a commitment to...
    • Derelict Sites
      374. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of properties and sites under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, by local authority for each of the years 2022 to 2026,...
    • Departmental Schemes
      379. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount that was paid out in the vacant property refurbishment grant, by county, in 2022 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in...
    • Housing Provision
      382. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to deliver affordable housing for counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Housing Schemes
      384. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current status of the legislative or departmental guidelines regarding the restructuring of legacy shared ownership loans...
    • Departmental Meetings
      385. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government how many times he, or officials in his Department met with representatives of the CIF since the last general election, and to...
    • Departmental Contracts
      387. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide a list of state-financed maintenance contracts where a particular company carry out works (details supplied); and...
    • Fire Service
      393. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the planned new fire station for Bagenalstown, County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Housing Provision
      395. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of households currently on the social housing waiting list in Carlow in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of...
    • Planning Issues
      398. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his response to concerns in relation to planning reform and judicial review (details supplied). [16101/26]
    • Defective Building Materials
      399. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government given the recent confirmation that homes in Dublin Fingal west are now to be included in the defective concrete blocks grant...
    • Local Government Reform
      400. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the most recent Local Democracy Taskforce meeting; if he can provide an update on the...
    • Legislative Measures
      401. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his response to concerns (details supplied) regarding changes in residential tenancy laws; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Housing Provision
      402. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he can provide an update on consideration of buying homes in the Connemara area (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Legislative Measures
      403. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will...
    • Inland Fisheries
      404. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to confirm if Lough Corrib and the River Corrib in County Galway still retain their “salmonid waters”...
    • Water Supply
      406. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the grant scheme for private wells at domestic dwellings to allow for houses where Uisce Éireann have...
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      407. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will review a jobseekers benefit payment for a person (details supplied). [15729/26]
    • Departmental Data
      409. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of clients classified as beneficiaries of temporary protection who were referred to the National Employment...
    • School Meals Programme
      417. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a nutritionist has been appointed to oversee the school hot meals scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Social Welfare Payments
      418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider awarding domiciliary care allowance to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
    • Employment Support Services
      421. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports being put in place for those who may lose their jobs at a company (details supplied) following the announcement...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Work Permits
      422. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to review the case of a person's right to work (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15734/26]
    • International Protection
      423. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the full extent of non-compliant procurement in international protection accommodation from 1 January 2022 to date in 2026; and...
    • Ukraine War
      425. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons for the accommodation recognition payment scheme's tax-free status and lack of means-testing for Ukrainian hosts;...
    • An Garda Síochána
      426. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bikes reported as stolen in Dublin in 2025; the number of prosecutions recorded; the number of bikes recovered by...
    • Family Reunification
      427. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing times for family reunification applications under the International Protection Act 2015; the number of...
    • International Protection
      428. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the first instance and appeal recognition rates for international protection applications from Georgia, Brazil, and India for...
    • Legislative Programme
      432. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether he proposes to introduce any amendment to the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Communications
      433. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which the working Group established to advise on the appropriate indexation rate for Periodic Payment Orders...
    • An Garda Síochána
      434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of newly qualified Gardaí allocated to County Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      436. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether he has issued any policy direction, guidance, or formal interdepartmental coordination framework since 1 January 2025...
    • Legislative Measures
      437. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered delegated powers for enforcement in environmental, public order and other offences (details supplied); and...
    • An Garda Síochána
      440. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures that are in place for cross-border and transnational checking as part of the Garda vetting process. [16081/26]
    • Departmental Inquiries
      447. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16160/26]
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Aquaculture Industry
      448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence determinations issued by the Department in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively; to provide a breakdown...
    • Animal Welfare
      449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider legislation to make it illegal to give away live animals for prizes to stop animal suffering, like was introduced...
    • Departmental Inquiries
      450. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions his Department is taking to tackle an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15792/26]
  • Department of Children, Disability and Equality
    • Defective Building Materials
      451. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to correspondence regarding the matter, will she commit to visiting childcare facilities in Donegal affected by defective...
    • Ombudsman for Children
      452. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure that the decision of the Ombudsman in relation to a person (details supplied) is put into effect; to ensure the...
    • Health Services
      453. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to commit to providing a national brain injury case management service to reach every person with a brain injury regardless of...
    • Nursing Homes
      454. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans and the timeline to phase out long-term care in a nursing home for younger people with disabilities; and if she will make...
    • After-School Support Services
      455. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail her plans and timeline to expand AIM support to children with additional needs in afterschool settings to ensure that they...
    • Departmental Data
      456. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the roll out of regional assessment hubs; the location and status of each; the details of who will be...
    • Care Orders
      457. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department formally requires Tusla, under the oversight agreement or any governance framework, to provide annual or...
    • Child Protection
      458. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether emergency child removal decisions under sections 12 and 13 of the Child Care Act 1991 are explicitly identified within...
    • Departmental Inquiries
      461. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has, at any time since 2013, issued a general policy direction under section 8 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      462. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total Exchequer expenditure in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 on placements purchased from...
    • Child Safety
      463. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department maintains a formal risk register entry relating to reliance on privately operated children’s...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      465. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department maintains or receives a consolidated annual report aggregating safeguarding, compliance, or regulatory...
    • Childcare Services
      467. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in Carlow. [15956/26]
    • Departmental Inquiries
      469. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she will take to support a vital residential and respite service in Meath (details supplied); and if she will make a...
    • Sports Facilities
      470. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the input, she has to ensure that sports facilities around Ireland are made increasingly accessible, in particular when it comes to...
    • Departmental Inquiries
      471. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the legal charge (lien) placed on properties in respect of the Early Years Services Building Blocks Extension Grant in 2025; the...
    • Disability Services
      473. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a funding stream will be made available for charities to provide a purpose-built day services centre for adults with autism and...
  • Department of Health
    • Health Services
      475. To ask the Minister for Health if she will expedite the provision of a new maternity unit at University Hospital Kerry given the clinical risks to both mother and baby due to the location of...
    • Cancer Services
      477. To ask the Minister for Health to give a detailed progress report with regard to the provision of a new permanent oncology and haematology unit at University Hospital Kerry, and if she will...
    • Health Services
      478. To ask the Minister for Health her current plans to ensure that those on the standard public service sick leave scheme due to contracting Long Covid can gain access to other HSE schemes; and...
    • Health Service Executive
      479. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the commitment contained in the HSE Service Plan, published in December 2025, which states that a community...
    • Departmental Data
      480. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of beds which are currently closed in all community hospitals in Donegal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      482. To ask the Minister for Health if a site has been identified yet for the new hospital in Limerick; If not, the timeframe; the proposed new Board to progress the project which been...
    • Hospital Facilities
      483. To ask the Minister for Health when the Government changed the policy on the co-location of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital with the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; if she now...
    • Tribunals of Inquiry
      484. To ask the Minister for Health following the dissolution of the CervicalCheck Tribunal, the full costs of the Tribunal from inception to dissolution, by cost type by year; the number of...
    • Departmental Reviews
      485. To ask the Minister for Health the plans which have been established to fund the implementation of the National Review of Cardiac Services; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Health Strategies
      486. To ask the Minister for Health the funding which has been made available for the national stroke strategy; what the funding is being used for; the actions being implemented in 2026 and 2027...
    • Health Service Executive
      487. To ask the Minister for Health the costs of ensuring adequate national capacity to deliver cardiac rehabilitation to all patients for whom it is recommended, ensuring that staffing and...
    • Health Services
      489. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the expansion of cardiac rehabilitation services for HSE West and North-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15696/26]
    • Departmental Reviews
      490. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 427 and 428 of 13 November 2025, if she will advise on the outcome of the review conducted by her officials in relation...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      491. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on an appointment for a person (details supplied). [15717/26]
    • Departmental Inquiries
      492. To ask the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the work of the non-statutory inquiry into the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in...
    • Mental Health Services
      493. To ask the Minister for Health if she will confirm the current number of mental health inpatient beds in each RHA; the additional beds that have been promised to meet shortfalls; the...
    • Health Strategies
      494. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in developing a national eye health workforce strategy under Sláintecare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Proposed Legislation
      495. To ask the Minister for Health if she will introduce independent prescribing legislation for qualified optometrists [15739/26]
    • Healthcare Policy
      496. To ask the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking in preparation in the context of 50% of the global population being short-sighted by 2050; and if she will make a statement...
    • Health Services Staff
      497. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to expand training places and HSE employment for optometrists, orthoptists, and ophthalmologists; and if she will make a...
    • Abortion Services
      498. To ask the Minister for Health if she will immediately reassess the safety and clinical appropriateness of telemedicine abortion services in light of rising concerns regarding coercive...
    • Health Service Executive
      501. To ask the Minister for Health the health and social care professional training or degree programmes which are reviewed, validated, recognised or otherwise regulated, standardised, or...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      502. To ask the Minister for Health the measures her Department intends to take to support healthcare workers who continue to suffer ongoing health complications as a result of contracting...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      503. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15781/26]
    • Departmental Data
      504. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused approval for cover under their medical card; if she will review the case which has been appealed by the GP;...
    • Health Services Staff
      505. To ask the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence in respect of a person (details supplied) who has been informed that the night-time rate payable to their personal assistants...
    • Health Screening Programmes
      506. To ask the Minister for Health when she expects screening for spinal muscular atrophy will commence; the progress being made by the Beneluxa initiative in treating these patients; and if she...
    • Cancer Services
      507. To ask the Minister for Health when the next round of grant supports will be made available to the National Cancer Control Programme through the National Alliance; and if she will make a...
    • Hospital Facilities
      508. To ask the Minister for Health the current plans for the proposed elective hospital at the Merlin Park site in Galway city; the number and type of beds to be delivered as part of the current...
    • Hospital Equipment
      509. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on ICT improvements for patient files across hospitals to ensure patient files are up to date, especially for review case appointments;...
    • Medicinal Products
      510. To ask the Minister for Health the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, cost per QALY gained, time horizon applied, and discount rate used in the full health technology assessments...
    • Health Service Executive
      515. To ask the Minister for Health to outline how often the HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme meet; for an update on the application of a specific centre under the...
    • Hospital Staff
      516. To ask the Minister for Health in addition to staff being transferred from Killarney District Hospital, how many new jobs will be created in the new Killarney Community Hospital, when will...
    • Hospital Facilities
      517. To ask the Minister for Health when the new development in St. Columba's Hospital will be open and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15831/26]
    • Child Safety
      518. To ask the Minister for Health whether the provision of direct Exchequer funding by her Department to any non-statutory body is conditional upon the recipient maintaining a formally adopted...
    • Gender Recognition
      520. To ask the Minister for Health whether she has received the completed report of the expert clinical group examining the implications for Ireland of the Cass Review; on what date it was...
    • Health Services
      523. To ask the Minister for Health whether a formal methodological review, evidence appraisal, or structured policy evaluation of international clinical guidance, including the WPATH Standards...
    • Departmental Reports
      524. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the expert clinical group report examining the implications for Ireland of the Cass review was submitted to the HSE chief executive officer;...
    • Health Services
      525. To ask the Minister for Health the formal interim clinical governance arrangements, safeguards, or policy instructions currently apply to gender healthcare services for children and...
    • Gender Recognition
      527. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved a national dataset, reporting framework, or outcome measurement standard for gender identity services provided to children...
    • Healthcare Policy
      528. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the formal methodology used by her Department and the HSE when evaluating international clinical guidance prior to consideration or incorporation...
    • Health Service Executive
      530. To ask the Minister for Health whether, under the Health Service Executive National Service Plan 2026 approved by her, her Department requires the HSE to collect, retain and report to the...
    • Ambulance Service
      532. To ask the Minister for Health whether it is Departmental policy that an ambulance response exceeding 60 minutes to a clinical status 1 purple or red emergency call does not, of itself,...
    • Medicinal Products
      548. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 11 February 2025, and noting that the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics completed a full health technology...
    • Ambulance Service
      553. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved, directed, agreed to, or otherwise authorised any performance reporting methodology under the Health Service Executive...
    • Healthcare Policy
      560. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1121 of 7 February 2026,to provide a detailed implementation schedule for each recommendation contained in the Emerging...
    • Departmental Functions
      568. To ask the Minister for Health the governance framework within her Department for oversight of the Public Only Consultant Contract since its introduction in March 2023; including the...
    • Departmental Contracts
      569. To ask the Minister for Health the key performance indicators and outcome measures used by her Department to assess whether the objectives of the Public Only Consultant Contract are being...
    • Departmental Reports
      570. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any formal reporting requirements, policy directions, or data specifications to the HSE in relation to monitoring consultant...
    • Departmental Policies
      572. To ask the Minister for Health what interim monitoring or assurance mechanisms her Department relies upon where complete hospital-group-level reporting of consultant evening, weekend and...
    • Departmental Reports
      573. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department receives, on a scheduled and recurring basis, written reports from the Health Service Executive specifically relating to gender identity...
    • Health Service Executive
      574. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has required the Health Service Executive to provide any dedicated safeguarding assurance report, audit report, or governance review...
    • Departmental Policies
      576. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a formal monitoring or compliance framework to assess the timeliness and completeness of responses provided by bodies under...
    • Healthcare Policy
      577. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has recorded, since 1 January 2023, any concerns, warnings, or internal assessments regarding the adequacy or timeliness of responses...
    • Departmental Reports
      578. To ask the Minister for Health whether decisions relating to the publication or non-publication of reports concerning Children’s Health Ireland are recorded in writing within her...
    • Health Services Staff
      580. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has established, approved, or required any national key performance indicators relating to recruitment clearance timelines across the...
    • Ambulance Service
      581. To ask the Minister for Health the average ambulance response time in County Carlow and County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15960/26]
    • Meals-on-Wheels Services
      583. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a list of all HSE-funded meals-on-wheels services in Cork; the funding they have received for 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if she will make a statement...
    • Public Expenditure Policy
      584. To ask the Minister for Health to specify the statutory provision, regulation, circular, or formal policy instrument under which elective procedures without medical indication are authorised...
    • Departmental Reviews
      585. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted, commissioned, or received any review assessing whether decisions by the six HSE health regions to authorise elective...
    • Departmental Investigations
      586. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted any assessment of the impact on waiting lists, theatre utilisation, or paediatric surgical capacity arising from the...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      587. To ask the Minister for Health to state under which programme headings, service plans, or budget subheads expenditure on elective procedures undertaken without medical indication is...
    • Medical Cards
      588. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted any internal policy or distributional analysis of the impact of maintaining current medical card income thresholds for...
    • Health Services
      592. To ask the Minister for Health the number of External Governance Reviews undertaken pursuant to Sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004 between 2022 and 2024 that identified material...
    • Budget 2026
      596. To ask the Minister for Health the total funding allocated in Budget 2026 for the provision of eating disorder services; the breakdown of this allocation, including funding for existing...
    • Eating Disorders
      598. To ask the Minister for Health the number of deaths recorded in 2024 and 2025 in which an eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other specified feeding or eating...
    • Health Service Executive
      599. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of apprentices employed by the Health Service Executive in 2025 and projected for 2026 in (a) social work, (b) social care work, and (c)...
    • Health Services Staff
      601. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved any workforce planning model or projection which quantifies the projected staffing shortfall to 2030 in social work, social...
    • Health Service Executive
      602. To ask the Minister for Health whether any formal policy decision has been taken to fund apprenticeship expansion in the health and social care professions without a dedicated subhead or...
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      603. To ask the Minister for Health whether any evaluation has been undertaken by her Department to assess the value-for-money and workforce impact of the Level 9 Social Work apprenticeship...
    • Health Services
      604. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a current hospital-by-hospital list of all publicly funded chronic pain management services; to specify in respect of each hospital whether a...
    • Health Services Waiting Lists
      605. To ask the Minister for Health to provide, by HSE Health Region, the average waiting time and the longest waiting time for a first outpatient appointment in a publicly funded chronic pain...
    • Health Services
      606. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients, by Health Region, referred outside their region of residence in the past 24-months due to the absence of a local chronic pain service...
    • Health Services Staff
      607. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of approved consultant posts in the specialty of Pain Medicine and Consultant Anaesthesiologist with a special interest in Pain Medicine; the...
    • Health Services
      608. To ask the Minister for Health whether all publicly funded chronic pain services operate in accordance with a nationally approved clinical model mandating multidisciplinary care; if not, to...
    • Healthcare Policy
      609. To ask the Minister for Health whether, following publication of the final Cass Review into gender identity services for children and young people in the United Kingdom, her Department...
    • Health Services
      614. To ask the Minister for Health whether the evaluation of the iPain Centre pilot at Beaumont Hospital has been completed; the date on which it was finalised; whether the evaluation has been...
    • Health Services Waiting Lists
      615. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved or endorsed any maximum acceptable waiting time threshold for access to primary care occupational therapy services; whether...
    • Departmental Funding
      616. To ask the Minister for Health whether she accepts that operating a service at 75% of funded ceiling constitutes a failure of workforce planning at departmental level; and the specific...
    • Medicinal Products
      617. To ask the Minister for Health if the drug sky clarys (omaveloxolone) used for the treatment of Friedreichs ataxia will be made available under licence in Ireland; if she will outline the...
    • Health Services
      618. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved a workforce planning model quantifying the additional whole-time-equivalent occupational therapy posts required in Cork...
    • Health Services Staff
      619. To ask the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has submitted, in 2024 or 2025, a formal funding request to her Department seeking approval for additional occupational...
    • Health Services Waiting Lists
      620. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has set a policy standard for maximum waiting times in adult and paediatric primary care occupational therapy services; whether 12-weeks...
    • Health Services Staff
      621. To ask the Minister for Health the funded whole-time-equivalent ceiling for occupational therapy posts in Cork South-West primary care services for each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and...
    • Health Services Waiting Lists
      622. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted or commissioned any assessment of the impact of primary care occupational therapy waiting times exceeding 39-weeks on...
    • Medical Cards
      623. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive maintains data on medical card refusal rates disaggregated by age cohort; if so, whether she will...
    • Healthcare Policy
      625. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department currently receives routine, standardised reports from the Health Service Executive on gender identity services for minors, including...
    • Health Services
      630. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to return oncology services to Saint Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny from UPMC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16073/26]
    • Vaccination Programme
      631. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a model for a vaccine damage scheme; the timeframe for the commencement of a scheme; and if she will make a...
    • Health Service Executive
      632. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a HSE webpage is currently unavailable (details supplied); the length of time that it has been down; the timeline for it going live again; and if...
    • General Practitioner Services
      634. To ask the Minister for Health the contingency plan in place for the provision of general practitioner services in Ratoath and Dunboyne County Meath, pending the retirement of general...
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      635. To ask the Minister for Health the number of capital projects submitted to the HSE estates for Waterford city and county from acute, primary, community, mental health and other services over...
    • Health Services Staff
      637. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE staffing positions working in the cardiac services at UHW; the number assigned to each of the cath labs; the breakdown of the staff, by...
    • Hospital Services
      639. To ask the Minister for Health the number of new acute inpatient hospital beds delivered at UHW over the past ten years, broken down by year and location of beds; and if she will make a...
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      641. To ask the Minister for Health the number of capital projects submitted to the HSE Estates from acute, primary, community, mental health and other services over the past ten years, the...
    • Legislative Process
      645. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 571 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Health Services
      646. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1072 of 21 January 2026, the number of incidents reported against service users by level of reported harm by year...
    • Defence Forces
      648. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted a study of mortality of serving or former members of the Air Corps to ascertain if they are in line with the general...
    • Health Services Staff
      650. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department receives routine comparative reports from the HSE detailing recruitment clearance timelines, vacancy duration metrics, and regional...
    • Departmental Investigations
      651. To ask the Minister for Health whether any assessment has been undertaken by her Department of the potential impact of the absence of nationally standardised recruitment clearance timelines...
    • Health Services Staff
      652. To ask the Minister for Health the devolution of recruitment autonomy to the six health regions under Sláintecare is reconciled with the constitutional principle of ministerial...
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      653. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed new maternity hospital development at University Hospital Kerry, including provision of direct theatre access from the...
    • Hospital Services
      655. To ask the Minister for Health whether it has been brought to her attention that women requiring emergency caesarean section at University Hospital Kerry must currently be transferred via a...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Departmental Funding
      656. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total capital allocation approved to date for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction at Mount Lucas; the amount...
    • Departmental Functions
      657. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the performance and evaluation framework for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction; the date...
    • Departmental Policies
      659. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy rationale for commencing capital works on the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction prior to finalisation of...
    • Departmental Reports
      660. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reporting structures applicable to the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction, including the frequency of reporting...
    • Departmental Funding
      661. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total capital funding allocated to each technological university since they were established, broken down by TU, by year, a list of the...
    • Departmental Projects
      662. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of all capital projects submitted to her Department from SETU; the status the projects are at including appraisal, design,...
    • Legislative Process
      663. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 686 of 19 February 2026, if the information requested can be provided; and if he will make a statement on...
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Departmental Schemes
      664. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when details of the next CLÁR programme will be announced; the proposed changes to the criteria; and if he will make a...

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