Wicklow — week of Mon, 30 Jan — Watch Them Work

What your Wicklow TDs did this week

Mon, 30 Jan – 5 Feb 2023 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 77 questions · 17 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages

2023-02-01 · 3 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 66–74

Voted for 2 Jennifer Whitmore · John Brady

Voted against 3 Simon Harris · Stephen Donnelly · Steven Matthews

Did not vote 2 Edward Timmins · Pat Casey

Amendment again put: · motion failed 64–74

Voted for 2 Jennifer Whitmore · John Brady

Voted against 2 Simon Harris · Steven Matthews

Did not vote 2 Edward Timmins · Pat Casey

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 74–66

Voted for 3 Simon Harris · Stephen Donnelly · Steven Matthews

Voted against 2 Jennifer Whitmore · John Brady

Did not vote 2 Edward Timmins · Pat Casey

Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2021

2023-02-01 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to amend the Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006 to make provision for an entitlement to bereavement leave to an employee who is a bereaved parent of a child who has died a…

full description

A bill to amend the Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006 to make provision for an entitlement to bereavement leave to an employee who is a bereaved parent of a child who has died and to provide for related matters.

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 73–64

Voted for 3 Simon Harris · Stephen Donnelly · Steven Matthews

Voted against 2 Jennifer Whitmore · John Brady

Did not vote 2 Edward Timmins · Pat Casey

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2023-01-31 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 73–56

Voted for 3 Simon Harris · Stephen Donnelly · Steven Matthews

Voted against 2 Jennifer Whitmore · John Brady

Did not vote 2 Edward Timmins · Pat Casey

Edward Timmins — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Jennifer Whitmore — Social Democrats 5 votes · 34 questions · 4 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 34 total

Transport 12 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to including proposals for the extension of the DART to Wicklow town in the current project remit for the DART+ Coastal South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4275/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the steps involved in the approval process to extend the DART to Wicklow town; the timelines required to undertake those steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4276/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the proposed station modifications at Bray and Greystones to enhance train service capacity, as indicated in the NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042; if he will provide a timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4277/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when a formal decision will be made on the deployment of battery-operated carriages to service Wicklow town; the infrastructural changes that would be required on the line to enable the usage of those carriages; the earliest date by which battery-operated carriages would be operational on the Wicklow town line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4278/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the preparation of local transport plans for Arklow and Wicklow-Rathnew; if any other towns in Wicklow will be considered for transport plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when the feasibility study on the re-opening of Avoca train station will begin and be completed; if he will provide an outline of what the study will consider; if a public consultation will form part of the study; if this study will include nearby stations such as Glenealy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4280/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the plans for the N81 road as an identified core bus corridor; if problematic congestion sections have been identified and the timeline for their remediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4281/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the increased investment being made on LocalLink services in Wicklow, including future plans for service extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4282/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the provision of a summer LocalLink service from Arklow to Greystones to service the coastal route including Brittas Bay, Maghermore and Wicklow town, to meet the demands of visitors to the beaches and to assist with traffic congestion during peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4283/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the extension of the Luas to Bray; if he will outline the enabling infrastructure required for this extension; if he will provide a timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4284/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the use of battery-operated train carriages to improve the train service to Arklow town; the infrastructure that would need to be put in place to enable that to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4301/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that the 102 bus from Malahide to Sutton has frequently not turned up, leaving passengers stranded; and the reason that this is occurring. [4640/23]
Education 12 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) was included in the bundle of schools tendered in June 2022 with a view to commencing the project onsite in early 2023, as was promised; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4588/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the new build of a school (details supplied) has been sent to tender; if so, if she will provide details of the stage the process is at; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4589/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the timeline on a school (details supplied) project in order that milestones can be tracked; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4590/23]
- 2023-02-01 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there are any plans for her Department to recognise gender identity on school management information systems, given that the Central Statistics Office is planning on recognising gender identity other than male and female in the 2027 census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4964/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the school build for a school (details supplied), including but not limited to a timetable for establishment of a design team, site purchase, submission of planning permission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5259/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will establish a design team for the new build of a school (details supplied) to operate in parallel with the finalisation of the purchase of the site in order to expedite the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5260/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if the master plan has been completed for a site (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5261/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will conduct a safety audit of the road crossing at the entrance of a school (details supplied) in view of the serious accident that happened to a student there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5262/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will provide school bus transport for a school (details supplied) to enable students access the site used for PE, which is currently a 20 minute walk each way for the duration that the school remains in its temporary accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5263/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the security review conducted at a school (details supplied); when that review will be made available to the school and recommendations implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5264/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will detail the consultation that has occurred between her Department and Wicklow County Council over the past year in relation to the new school build for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5265/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the spend by her Department in the provision of temporary school accommodation in County Wicklow for primary and secondary schools on an annual basis for the years 2010 to 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5266/23]
Health 7 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of child flu vaccine doses acquired by the HSE for the 2022-2023 winter period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4029/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of child flu vaccine doses distributed by the HSE for flu for the 2022-2023 winter period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4030/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of child flu vaccines which expired in January 2023; the number disposed of; the means of disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4031/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of childhood flu vaccines distributed by GPs, pharmacists and walk-in clinics in the winter 2022-2023 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4032/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the payment of pay increases under the terms of the public pay deal to home care assistants in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has calculated the additional cost burden on the healthcare system due to an increase in hyperemesis gravidarum patients presenting at emergency services to get an initial cariban prescription from an obstetrician consultant instead of their GP (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage directly with an organisation (details supplied) the Irish College of General Practitioners and other expert bodies on the best way to implement the cariban reimbursement scheme in a manner which prioritises and maximises hyperemesis gravidarum patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4040/23]
Environment 2 questions
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of approved connection agreements entered into by EirGrid for the purposes of data centre connection on an annual basis from 2010 to 2022; the number and maximum import capacity each of those which have been granted connection agreements but have yet to be connected; the location of those connection points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5313/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of any register of data centres, including their location, energy and water requirements, held by any public entity; and if not, his views on whether a register should be available to assist with capacity planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5314/23]
Children 1 question
- 2023-01-31 Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the practice of requesting non-refundable monetary deposits in exchange for places in crèche services; if his Department has put in place any conditions to prevent this practice from occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/23]

New lobbying 4 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Invitation - Buswell Hotel Meeting in Dublin, providing them with a fact sheet on Self-Catering in Ireland and an ISCF position paper
Oxfam Ireland Foreign Affairs
- Foreign affairs policies specifically Climate Justice, Business and Human Rights, Vaccine access, Sustainable Food systems
The Asthma Society of Ireland Health
- Access to timely diagnosis – call for adequate resourcing of pulmonary function laboratories Cost burden and disruption risk for Home Oxygen Users due to Energy Crisis – call for support and guidance
Cairn Homes plc Housing
- General conversations with various DPOs (listed below) on the Irish residential construction industry, the broader housing market and specific Cairn sites.

John Brady — Sinn Féin 5 votes · 36 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 36 total

Defence 16 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels, respectively, of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4516/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels, respectively, of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4517/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current total strength of Air Corps personnel; the breakdown of the number of qualified military pilots, cadet pilots in training, qualified military aircraft maintenance technicians, qualified military avionics technicians and military apprentices in training of both aforementioned disciplines. [4518/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols which have been cancelled to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4520/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current number of women in the Defence Forces who are currently serving overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4521/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women members who have left the Defence Forces in 2023, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4522/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4523/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Reserve Defence Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made towards implementing the working time directive for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5155/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5156/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s response to the change in practice where the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will no longer allow his Department to retain budget savings arising from the shortfall in the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of fully-qualified doctors in the Defence Forces; the establishment figure for doctors in the Defence Forces; the number that are currently active in Ireland at this time; the roles they are employed in; the number of locums that are being used by the Defence Forces; the number that are serving abroad; the specific missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5157/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place or under discussion for the role of the Defence Forces in Mali, particularly given the volatile and mutable nature of the security situation in the wider Sahel region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5159/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made to date on the strategic defence review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5161/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are plans to review the security and safety of Irish troops serving in Lebanon following the death of a soldier (details supplied), particularly with growing geo-political tensions in the region, and the potential impact of events outside their area of operations on the Irish Defence Force Forces in southern Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5158/23]
Foreign 10 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether efforts to further the search for peace in Palestine have been further hampered as a consequence of the inflammatory rhetoric and actions emanating from the newly elected Government in Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4613/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being put in place to ensure that there will be no unnecessary backlog in the issuing of passports in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4614/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he proposes to take or is willing to support against Israel following the destruction of aid supplied by the EU and Ireland to Palestine by Israeli forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4406/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the Government is undertaking within the international community to attempt to bring about a peaceful conclusion to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4408/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the Government’s response to the ongoing crisis in the Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the Government’s response to the newly announced EU civilian mission to Armenia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the Government is undertaking to secure the release of a person (details supplied) from captivity in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4407/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application for a child (details supplied) given that the application has passed the target issue date and the applicant’s date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4096/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the Government is taking to raise at an EU level the issue of the continued unjust detention of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs If he will provide an update on plans to open an Irish Embassy in Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4777/23]
Education 10 questions
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the reason there is currently no SENO in an area (details supplied) at present; when it is likely that this post will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4718/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the number of NEPS child psychologists in Wicklow at present, broken down by each area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4719/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the number of special educational needs organisers currently in place in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4720/23]
- 2023-01-31 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the current number of ASD places in both primary and secondary schools in Wicklow; if there are plans to increase capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4721/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the process to develop a school (details supplied) given that agreement has been reached in principle with the landowner of a 9.3 acre site; if a parallel process can commence for the design of the new school and the final purchase of the site by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5272/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if the 9.3 acre site that has been identified for a school (details supplied) is to meet the needs of that school only; if it is intended for the site to be shared with a primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5273/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if the development of the new school (details supplied) will be bundled with any other schools; the process that will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5274/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if any sites have been identified for a new primary school in Bray, County Wicklow; if there have been discussions with Wicklow County Council on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5275/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been taken on an application by a school (details supplied) to cover transportation costs to get students to and from a community centre for physical education due to no availability in their current temporary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5276/23]
- 2023-02-02 Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been taken on an application for funding by a school (details supplied) to increase security measures at it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5277/23]

New lobbying 3 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Invitation - Buswell Hotel Meeting in Dublin, providing them with a fact sheet on Self-Catering in Ireland and an ISCF position paper
Oxfam Ireland Foreign Affairs
- Foreign affairs policies specifically Climate Justice, Business and Human Rights, Vaccine access, Sustainable Food systems
Cairn Homes plc Housing
- General conversations with various DPOs (listed below) on the Irish residential construction industry, the broader housing market and specific Cairn sites.

Pat Casey — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 3 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Invitation - Buswell Hotel Meeting in Dublin, providing them with a fact sheet on Self-Catering in Ireland and an ISCF position paper
Mchugh property holdings limited · 2 returns Development and Zoning
- Downzoning of lands in Coolough Road Galway city Planning Ref 22/314
- Downzoning of lands in Coolough Road Galway city - Planning Ref 22/314

Simon Harris — Fine Gael 5 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Invitation - Buswell Hotel Meeting in Dublin, providing them with a fact sheet on Self-Catering in Ireland and an ISCF position paper