Longford-Westmeath — week of Mon, 20 Mar — Watch Them Work

What your Longford-Westmeath TDs did this week

Mon, 20 Mar – 26 Mar 2023 · 5 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 62 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Education (Inspection of Individual Education Plans for Children with Special Needs) Bill 2022

2023-03-22 · 1 vote · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to amend the Education Act 1998 to grant additional functions to the Inspectorate to examine and report to the Minister on the prevalence and standard of individual educa…

full description

A bill to amend the Education Act 1998 to grant additional functions to the Inspectorate to examine and report to the Minister on the prevalence and standard of individual educational plans for children with special educational needs on an annual basis; and to provide for related matters.

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 78–73

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

Eviction Ban

2023-03-22 · 4 votes

A sub-amendment · motion passed 93–56

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

A sub-amendment · motion failed 72–78

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

The motion · motion passed 83–68

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

The motion · motion passed 83–68

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

Kevin Boxer Moran — Independent 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Micheál Carrigy — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Peter Burke — Fine Gael 5 votes · 8 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Health 3 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if allowances will be made when calculating a fair deal application by a family for an adult son (details supplied) residing in the home who is over 21 years of age and has special needs, if he will acknowledge it is grossly unfair to consider their maintenance in the calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12850/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the options that are open to front-line staff contracted by the HSE during the Covid-19 pandemic who have not received their recognition payment (details supplied); how staff in similar roles, but in different HSE areas, have received the payment; the reason some companies contracted by the HSE are not applying for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12963/23]
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will outline what contingency plans are in place to ensure the continuous supply of Ozempic, a medicine for diabetes patients; what measures are in place to distribute the existing stocks of Ozempic to pharmacies and patients who are prescribed this medicine for medical diabetes grounds as opposed to other uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/23]
Education 2 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project, (details supplied); if she will advise what is the current position with the project; when contracts will be signed and the project progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12690/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a pick-up location on a school bus route in County Westmeath will be reconsidered, given that there are more suitable locations in the immediate vicinity in the interest of child safety and safe road usage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13036/23]
Children 2 questions
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if outstanding payments owed to a premises (details supplied) can be made urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14322/23]
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if outstanding payments owed to a premises (details supplied) can be made urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14323/23]
Environment 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to create a public amenity at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13495/23]

Robert Troy — Fianna Fáil 5 votes · 34 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 34 total

Health 8 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of a long wait for orthodontic surgery in CHO8 (details supplied). [12512/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently reinstate primary care services at Clonbrusk Primary Care Centre, Athlone, for all service users who have recently had their service transferred to Longford Primary Care Centre; and if he is aware that the primary care centre in Longford has had a substantial increase in service users without any additional resources being put in place to this point. [12742/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify when the proposed primary care centre for Ballymahon, County Longford, will be operational and fully staffed; if he agrees that primary care service users who had been attendees at Clonbrusk Primary Care Centre, Athlone, should be reinstated at that facility until such time as the Ballymahon service is operational. [12743/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when an HSE employee (details supplied) will receive their Covid bonus payment. [12803/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify when the Covid bonus payment will be made to a person (details supplied). [13065/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a transitional nursing home payment is extended for a person (details supplied). [13263/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the funding that is provided to meals on wheels services and consider increasing their allocated funding, given they provide invaluable services to communities and are urgently in need of more support. [14423/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form in each CHO region the current number of home helps employed; the nuance of vacancies; if there are plans to hire additional numbers; and his views on the optimal number to be employed in this critical service. [14567/23]
Education 6 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently expedite an emergency works application for a school (details supplied). [12590/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if he will consider introducing a timebound appeals process for schools appealing to the NCSE, in order that they might have a prospective date by which they will receive a response. [13148/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education when each primary school will be advised of the amount they have been allocated under the new free book scheme; and when each school can expect to receive payment. [13159/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if he will consider introducing an annual schedule of grants and their pay-outs in order to provide schools with more clarity in an often-confusing process that is, the bus escort grant being paid in July, despite schools paying for buses for months in advance of this date. [13162/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on Project Nore, in particular in relation to schools (details supplied). [13923/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the introduction of the free schoolbooks scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13924/23]
Foreign 3 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the current situation in Myanmar; the action Ireland is taking at international level in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13646/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action Ireland is taking to protect people from persecution on account of their religious beliefs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [12659/23]
Public Expenditure 2 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide a clear timeframe as to when the OPW will have all the flood defence measures completed in Athlone, given this work was to have been completed by the end of 2022 and has yet to happen; the reason for the delay; and when the work is now scheduled for completion. [12488/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the way his Department is handling rapidly increasing insurance premiums for individuals whose homes reside in the OPW's new fluvial tile, given many of these people are unable to obtain a quote from alternate insurance companies. [13171/23]
Justice 2 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the steps his Department is taking to ensure that shooting sports are not severely handicapped given the Firearms Expert Committee suggestion for stricter guidelines; and the measures that will allow law-abiding competition shooters to continue with their sport. [13174/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if he has engaged with various airlines to see the additional measures that can be introduced to ensure all passengers passports/verified copy of passport is available to the authorities on arrival in Ireland. [14564/23]
Defence 2 questions
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the independent review into a group (details supplied); when the report will be published; the actions he will be taking in respect of the report; and if all the recommendations be implemented. [14165/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there will be a new army headquarters in Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14164/23]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects to appoint a new CEO of the IDA. [14565/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail current vacant positions across Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, that is, the position, location and period each has been vacant; and the measures in place to fill these positions. [14566/23]
Tourism 2 questions
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the specific grants available for a sports club to install a lift and-or stairlift facility to allow members access an upstairs clubhouse facility. [14500/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the energy upgrade and efficiency grants available to sports clubs that incorporate a clubhouse facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14503/23]
Environment 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps his Department is taking to stop the decline of trout and other fish stock in the River Shannon, which has hurt by recreational fishing and slowed the fishing tourism business along the river. [13170/23]
Social 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure all social welfare payment officers will refrain from advising and encouraging people to have their payment paid by EFT to a nominated bank account rather than through the post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13413/23]
Children 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 1 March 2023, if an assessment has been carried out to support the decision not to extend eligibility criteria for the accommodation recognition payment, given that at a time of a shortage in property, all offers should be considered. [13138/23]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address persisting inequalities in the receipt of pensions across higher education institutions, namely for individuals in the technological university sector and certain research staff who are still ineligible to join the public sector pension scheme. [13865/23]
Rural 1 question
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the possibility of funding a remote working hub at Moate, County Westmeath as part of the town centre first policy. [13991/23]
Housing 1 question
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will publish the criteria local authorities must apply when evaluating to purchase properties under the NTQ scheme or if it is based on criteria set locally. [14568/23]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently open a round of GLAS to accommodate the 14,000 farmers who have not been able to apply to the ACRES scheme but were part of GLAS in previous years. [14504/23]

Sorca Clarke — Sinn Féin 5 votes · 13 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Education 3 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the current status of the Phase 1 application from December 2022 by a school (details supplied) for proposed essential works to this growing school where places are in increasing demand. [12615/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the application by a school (details supplied) for the urgent provision of additional accommodation, which the school was informed in December 2022 was in the final stage of its assessment given the nature of the application. [12616/23]
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of children from Ukraine currently living in Mullingar, County Westmeath who are availing of school transport and to which school, in tabular form. [13262/23]
Defence 3 questions
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence given that the ceremonial handover of two inshore patrol vessels from New Zealand has taken place, the estimated additional crew, by rank, required to put these vessels to sea; and the duration and location of any familiarisation and training for crew before they can enter service. [13837/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken to date regarding the Workplace Relations Commission ruling in December 2020 to roll out anti-discrimination training course and materials for all Defence Forces personnel with staff responsibilities due to be completed by the end of 2022. [13839/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed update on the current status of the report from the Independent Review Group into allegations of abuse in the Defence Forces. [13838/23]
Social 2 questions
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of letters issued to recipients of any payments authorised by her Department, per month in the years 2022 to date in 2023, and all associated costs, requesting the recipient transfer to bank payment from collection via the Post Office Network, in tabular form. [13875/23]
- 2023-03-23 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the way a person (details supplied) can adequately complete a disability allowance application. [14445/23]
Rural 2 questions
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what her Department has done in relation to the provision of multi annual funding for meals on wheels service providers to allow for planned growth in line with increasing demand; and the progress that has been made to date in relation to standardisation of funding across the sector. [14318/23]
- 2023-03-22 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of meals on wheels services that were excluded from any measures introduced by this Government to meet the exceptional growth in the cost of electricity overheads. [14319/23]
Housing 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide further details on the plan recently announced in the media, of a scheme similar to the tenant in situ for households that are above the social housing income limits. [13538/23]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made on the issue of pension provision for research staff grades who do not have access to public service pensions in higher education Institutions, particularly in relation to the technological university sector (details supplied). [13110/23]
Health 1 question
- 2023-03-21 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when the mobile BreastCheck unit last operated in Mullingar; the reason it will not return to this highly populated area until late in 2023, given that the journey to Tullamore is a 40km roundtrip with irregular and infrequent transport links. [13577/23]