Longford-Westmeath — week of Mon, 16 Oct — Watch Them Work

What your Longford-Westmeath TDs did this week

Mon, 16 Oct – 22 Oct 2023 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 61 questions · 1 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages

2023-10-18 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 60–74

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

Funding for Persons with Disabilities

2023-10-18 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 72–63

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 72–62

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories

2023-10-18 · 7 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 60–76

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 60–76

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 60–76

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 60–76

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 56–80

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 59–76

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 122–14

Voted for 4 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy · Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2023-10-17 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 72–57

Voted for 2 Joe Flaherty · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 3 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy · Peter Burke

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 10 votes · 5 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 5 total

Education 3 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the refund of a community contribution due to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44752/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that a school (details supplied) was covered by State indemnity since 2012 and therefore did not require building insurance, that it continues to be covered by such State indemnity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44756/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a person (details supplied). [45037/23]
Children 1 question
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will arrange to have invoices paid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44703/23]
Health 1 question
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the English qualifications which apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for nurses from abroad, and the restrictions which this is putting on foreign nurses from registering as nurses in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45239/23]

New lobbying 1 return

CBM Ireland EU Affairs
- A joint letter from Irish NGOs, co-signed by CBM Ireland, to Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence and copying the other DPOs listed below asking for the continued support of the Irish government in securing an increase in the EU’s humanitarian budget from 2024.

Robert Troy — Fianna Fáil 11 votes · 25 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 25 total

Health 5 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an ADHD assessment in Springfield, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [44714/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the very significant number of overseas fully qualified nurses who can only work as carers, because of a deficiency in their English fluency; and if he has considered how these persons could be supported to resume full nursing roles after a period in Ireland; and if he is aware of the claim that the standard of fluency in English required is higher here than in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44894/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason why a report (details supplied) cannot be accepted as part of an LTI application in view of previous reports approved on that basis. [45165/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a fair deal review (details supplied). [45573/23]
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will facilitate funding for a person to attend a facility (details supplied). [45923/23]
Transport 4 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on the new citylink service from Mayo to Dublin Airport servicing Athlone, and to confirm if this service accepts the free travel pass. [44958/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure the NTA prioritises resurfacing works on the N55 between Athlone and Ballymahon, as this main artery has not received substantial investment in some time. [44959/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure Transport Infrastructure Ireland prioritises measures to reduce traffic speed on the N55 at Tang, County Westmeath (details supplied). [44960/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA can provide a bus stop at Tang, County Westmeath. [44961/23]
Enterprise 3 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will urgently review the work permit situation for the meat production industry; if he is aware of the chronic workforce shortage which currently exists within this industry and the recruitment restrictions which currently exist; and if he will commit to increasing the meat producer general operative permit quota. [44891/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when construction will start on an advanced manufacturing facility in Co. Westmeath (details supplied). [44954/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the regional enterprise funds will open to applications. [44955/23]
Tourism 3 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on sports capital applications (details supplied). [45148/23]
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the action she is taking in relation to the reduction in tourist accommodation resulting from the refugee crisis. [45705/23]
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to promote the famine walkway. [45704/23]
Children 3 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional transport provisions that will be put in place at Temple Accommodation Centre, Horseleap, Moate, County Westmeath; if he is aware that some residents are having to pay substantial taxi fee's to get to medical appointment's as the transport provided is inadequate, and that there are instances at this facility where pregnant women have been unable to get to medical appointments. [44860/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the targeted funding which will be allocated to early years services in disadvantaged areas which was announced as part of Budget 2024. [45674/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline details of plans by his Department to broaden AIM's programme funding beyond the ECCE timetable. [45675/23]
Education 2 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review into school transport. [44909/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education further to a positive meeting between Board of Management of CBS, Mullingar and officials in the school building unit; and her plans to ensure that the application for additional accommodation is dealt with in a timely and innovative way to ensure the school can adequately accommodate the need of current students and the needs of a expanding town. [44910/23]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the progress on enabling technological universities to borrow to supply student accommodation. [45799/23]
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the status and timeframe for a centre of excellence for electric vehicle management in Mullingar. [45800/23]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a person (details supplied) should have entitlement to a portion of a Civil Service pension. [44753/23]
Social 1 question
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the reason a person in receipt of a partial contributory pension does not receive a full increase and only receives a pro rata increase; if she agrees that this leaves partial pension holders at a disadvantage in terms of cost-of-living increases. [44936/23]
Finance 1 question
- 2023-10-19 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will address an anomaly in vehicle registration system (details supplied). [45877/23]

Sorca Clarke — Sinn Féin 11 votes · 26 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 26 total

Education 14 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the provision of up to 6kW photovoltaic panels on all schools; when the scheme will be open for applications; and what the provisions of the scheme are. [45120/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the budget 2024 allocation of €7 million in additional capitation grants for schools; and detail the analysis that was undertaken by her Department regarding sufficiency of this amount. [45121/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the Budget 2024 allocation of €50 million for the school transport scheme between capital and revenue; and the details of additional capacity this will cater for and the priority for spending. [45122/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the engagement that her Department has had with school book publishers and the booksellers' associations regarding the Budget announcement of the extension of the school book grant scheme. [45130/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the Budget 2024 allocation of €4 million for additional supports for special schools between capital and revenue spent; and what are the planned areas for investment. [45129/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide the data that was used when determining the catchment area for a school in Ballyogan (details supplied), and the reason Ballyogan Estate has been excluded from the catchment area given the school is built within the estate. [45036/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill. [45118/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the breakdown per capita of what will be the allocation to 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of the Government’s expansion of the schoolbook grant; and if the criteria will be the same as that currently in place for primary schools. [45207/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education in relation to Budget 2024, if the Financial Support Services Unit will have any additional moneys available for schools that are facing financial hardship that sees a rapid increase in pupil numbers after 30 September 2023 cut-off date. [45208/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of allocation specifically to NEPS as contained in Budget 2024, which appears to state a reduction of funding of over €20 million. [45209/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the breakdown of the 1,000 AP posts in primary and post-primary schools. [45210/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education what funding her Department will allocate to the National Educational Psychological Service as part of Budget 2024. [45498/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils, who had direct involvement with psychologists of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) in the school years 2022/2023, 2021/2022, 2020/2021 and 2019/2020, in tabular form. [45516/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the pilot counselling programmes in primary schools in terms of pupils directly engaged, per year, in tabular form. [45517/23]
Health 7 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of approved nursing posts in the paediatric emergency department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [45123/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the recommended number of paediatric nursing posts in an accident and emergency department seeing more than 12,000 children a year. [45124/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of posts currently filled on a permanent basis by paediatric-qualified staff. [45125/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical nurse manager posts for the paediatric emergency department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [45126/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department staff in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar currently trained in the Irish childhood triage system. [45127/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health given the level of actual, compared to recommended staffing in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar if he feels that his Department is staffed to a safe level [45128/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health what funding his Department will allocate to the National Educational Psychological Service as part of Budget 2024. [45499/23]
Justice 2 questions
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the policies that are in place regarding support for minors attending court sittings in circumstances other than when they are witnesses. [45039/23]
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the engagement her Department have had with the Courts Service regarding the potential expansion or additional sittings outside of Dublin of specific children's courts. [45040/23]
Children 2 questions
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the funding announced as part of Budget 2024 under Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society which states "Funding will primarily focus on additional therapy assistant posts, additional supports across a number of targeted children's services and on the expansion of educational programmes in this area" if these additional therapy assistant posts will be utilised in a school setting. [45514/23]
- 2023-10-18 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the funding announced as part of Budget 2024 under Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society which states "Funding will primarily focus on additional therapy assistant posts, additional supports across a number of targeted children's services and on the expansion of educational programmes in this area" to provide details of which educational programmes are to be expanded. [45515/23]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2023-10-17 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason work permits have still not been made available to the meat processing industry. [45236/23]