Galway West — week of Mon, 7 Sept — Watch Them Work

What your Galway West TDs did this week

Mon, 7 Sept – 13 Sept 2020 · 6 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 126 questions · 11 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Report of the Committee of Standing Orders and Dáil Reform

2020-09-10 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 87–56

Voted for 3 Hildegarde Naughton · Noel Grealish · Éamon Ó Cuív

Voted against 2 Catherine Connolly · Mairéad Farrell

Did not vote 2 John Connolly · Seán Kyne

Cancer Screening

2020-09-10 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–64

Voted for 3 Hildegarde Naughton · Noel Grealish · Éamon Ó Cuív

Voted against 1 Mairéad Farrell

Did not vote 3 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Seán Kyne

The motion · motion passed 78–65

Voted for 3 Hildegarde Naughton · Noel Grealish · Éamon Ó Cuív

Voted against 2 Catherine Connolly · Mairéad Farrell

Did not vote 2 John Connolly · Seán Kyne

Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations 2020

2020-09-10 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 15–125

Voted for 1 Catherine Connolly

Voted against 3 Hildegarde Naughton · Mairéad Farrell · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 3 John Connolly · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

Catherine Connolly — Independent 3 votes · 41 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 41 total

Health 9 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the projections for demand for winter 2020/2021; the plans being put in place to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21173/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the likely additional demand for mental health services resulting from Covid-19 and the resultant lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home care packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21175/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the planned report on implementing automatic renewal of medical cards for the terminally ill will be published; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21176/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the report on the difference in funding between private and public nursing homes due to be published in 2019 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21177/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to of extending the remit of the Public Services Ombudsman to cover all nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21178/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the full commencement of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; the reason some sections are not enacted as of month end August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22081/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors and family support counsellors that have been hired to date with regard to the promised alcohol addiction treatment service in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22722/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if a building has been sourced for the promised alcohol addiction treatment service in Galway city; if so, when the treatment service will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22723/20]
Housing 8 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual cost of family hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21162/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to set a 14 day-limit on stays in family hubs to ensure all families are moved to more sustainable accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21163/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of land owned by the State that has been zoned for residential development; the estimated number of housing units that could be built on such land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21164/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households as opposed to the number of new HAP tenancies each year in receipt of HAP for the most recent date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21165/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual cost of moving all residents in direct provision to own-door housing covered by the housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21166/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to increase resources to local authorities to increase the rate of private rent inspections from less than 8% to 20% per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21167/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority voids by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21168/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason rent caps have not been reviewed in relation to the housing assistant payment since it was introduced in 2016; his plans to review same in view of ongoing national increases in rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21272/20]
Justice 8 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons in direct provision; the number of households in direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21171/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated additional cost of providing legal aid to victims of domestic and sexual violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21172/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of single rooms provided within the direct provision system; the criteria for allocation of single rooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22813/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons in direct provision housed in single, double, twin and triple rooms, in four-bed, five-bed and in rooms with more than five beds respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22814/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if the waiting period for labour market access for those in the international protection process will be shortened from nine months to three months, as recommended by the advisory group on direct provision in June 2020; if the validity for permission to work will be extended to one year at a time renewable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22815/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a person (details supplied) having links to anti-migrant groups; her views on whether this is compatible with their role as a member of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal; if she will authorise a review of all IPAT decisions made by the person particularly in relation to deportation orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22861/20]
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has formally identified a body to fulfil the role of independent inspectorate for direct provision centres; if this body will be empowered to carry out unannounced inspections of direct provision centres and emergency accommodation; and the criteria for the inspections. [22378/20]
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the engagement she has had on the planning and roll out of vulnerability assessments to asylum seekers within 30 days of application as required under EU law and as identified for fast-tracking in the June 2020 briefing note of the advisory group on direct provision; and the number of vulnerability assessments excluding physical health screenings that have been carried out in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [22377/20]
Media 4 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the local authorities employing biodiversity officers; the number of biodiversity officers employed by each of the local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21690/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the local authorities employing heritage officers; the number of heritage officers employed by each local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21691/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the breakdown in the expenditure of the local biodiversity grants scheme; the local authorities which are benefitting from the funding; the amount of funding provided under the scheme to each local authority involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21692/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding allocated to date in 2020 under the grant scheme for county heritage and biodiversity officers; the way in which the funding was divided between biodiversity and heritage officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21693/20]
Further and Higher Education 4 questions
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the president of NUI Galway on waiving the €295 repeat exam fee in view of the difficulties faced by students as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22641/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if asylum seekers will be exempted from non-EU and EEA university fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22642/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the analysis his Department has carried out with regard to the 20,000 CAO reapplicants whose college places could be jeopardised by inflated leaving certificate grades and the potential knock-on effect of inflated points requirements in 2020; if research has been carried out into inflating reapplicants’ grades to match the bell curve of 2020 leaving certificate grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22710/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which third level students can access financial support to buy laptops for online learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/20]
Children 2 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the estimated cost of increasing the number of domestic refuge spaces to meet the commitments of Ireland under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21169/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the estimated cost of increasing the number of domestic refuge spaces to meet the commitments of Ireland under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21170/20]
Transport 2 questions
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on the search and rescue carried out for two paddleboarders on 13 August 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22703/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if the review of the final air accident investigation unit report into the Rescue 116 helicopter crash which claimed the life of four air crew at Blacksod, County Mayo, on 14 March 2017 has been completed; if the review board has submitted its findings; his plans to publish the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/20]
Public 2 questions
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of the cost of the flood defence system installed in Clifden, County Galway, in 2014; if he will provide a copy of the Natura 2000 impact statement completed for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22719/20]
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be made available for flood defences for Tawin Island, County Galway; if so, when such funding will be available; if a Natura 2000 impact statement has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22720/20]
Foreign 1 question
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 385 and 386 of 28 July 2020, the scheme or regulatory structure under which the US military aircraft are conducted through Irish airspace en route to and upon departure from Shannon airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21242/20]
Social 1 question
- 2020-09-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to persons affected by severe flooding in the Clifden area of County Galway on 1 and 2 September 2020; the way in which such supports can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22717/20]

New lobbying 2 returns

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign Foreign Affairs
- Call on Government to take action to end Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza in light of COVID-19 crisis
Galway Regional Youth Federation Company Limited by Guarantee Children and Youth Affairs
- Seeking the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Hildegarde Naughton — Fine Gael 4 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Galway Regional Youth Federation Company Limited by Guarantee Children and Youth Affairs
- Seeking the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

John Connolly — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Galway City Community Network Community
- GCCN wrote to all Galway City Councillors to remind them of their obligations under the Public Sector Duty

Mairéad Farrell — Sinn Féin 4 votes · 10 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Health 4 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for the resilience fund from charities operating within the community and charitable sector; and the number of applications processed by the HSE. [22456/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that applied for Ireland’s call; and the number that were offered full-time positions versus agency positions in tabular form. [22457/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health his plans to build extra capacity for those that applied for Ireland’s call. [22458/20]
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the number of non-Irish full-time staff that have left since the onset of Covid-19; and the number that were replaced with agency staff. [22459/20]
Public 2 questions
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of special advisers employed in each Department; and the annual salary of each in tabular form. [23170/20]
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of special adviser positions in each Department; and the number currently vacant in tabular form. [23171/20]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to a scandal (details supplied) in the UK and the recent measures put in place by UK energy regulator, OFGEM, to protect consumers from unfair business practices in the pre-paid energy sector; and if his attention has been further drawn to similar unfair business practices in operation here and the potential need to protect consumers. [22455/20]
Media 1 question
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the number and location of all sales of lands and property owned by Údarás na Gaeltachta in County Galway in the past ten years; the price received by the State from each sale; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21180/20]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a list of those that lobbied for the amendment to negate the need to report infectious diseases in meat plants in 2016 will be provided. [22460/20]
Justice 1 question
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice if publicly available data is being collected on the nationality of those entering Ireland via flights from the United States of America. [16649/20]

New lobbying 2 returns

Galway Regional Youth Federation Company Limited by Guarantee · 2 returns Children and Youth Affairs
- Discussing services to young people and funding levels
- Seeking the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Noel Grealish — Independent 3 votes · 3 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 3 total

Housing 3 questions
- 2020-09-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provision being introduced to penalise tenants that have refused to pay rent while seeking the safeguard of emergency legislation on not terminating their lease and leaving a property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/20]
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the €1 million emergency injection which was announced on 11 October 2019 was allocated to Galway County Council; if it has not been allocated to address the immediate funding shortfall, the purpose of same; the reason for the delay in allocating this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23256/20]
- 2020-09-10 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which changes to local property tax will benefit County Galway further to a statement by the Minister of State with special responsibility for local government and planning on 11 October 2019 to that effect; the details of the changes to the tax in view of the fact that County Galway is the second biggest county in Ireland and has the second lowest funding per capita; when these changes will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23257/20]

New lobbying 1 return

Galway Regional Youth Federation Company Limited by Guarantee Children and Youth Affairs
- Seeking the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Seán Kyne — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 2 returns

Galway Regional Youth Federation Company Limited by Guarantee Children and Youth Affairs
- Seeking the retention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Comharchumann Fuinnimh Oileain Arann Teoranta Energy and Natural Resources
- Offshore wind generation