Galway West — week of Mon, 6 Nov — Watch Them Work

What your Galway West TDs did this week

Mon, 6 Nov – 12 Nov 2023 · 6 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 99 questions · 5 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages

2023-11-08 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 49–67

Voted for 1 Catherine Connolly

Voted against 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 4 John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

Housing

2023-11-08 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 67–53

Voted for 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 5 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

The motion · motion passed 67–53

Voted for 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 5 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

Home Care Workers and Home Support Scheme

2023-11-08 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 66–54

Voted for 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 5 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

The motion · motion passed 67–53

Voted for 2 Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Did not vote 5 Catherine Connolly · John Connolly · Mairéad Farrell · Noel Grealish · Seán Kyne

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2023-11-07 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 70–58

Voted for 1 Hildegarde Naughton

Voted against 2 Catherine Connolly · Mairéad Farrell

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

Catherine Connolly — Independent 2 votes · 30 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 30 total

Health 7 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1046 of 20 September 2023, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; the status of the land transfer and if it has concluded to date; the expected timeline for the development of the primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48437/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1921 of 11 September 2023, if he will provide an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; the status of the development of the pre-tender business case, including the Draft Project Brief and Draft Procurement Strategy; the timeline for when he expects the project to complete Stage 2 of the Public Spending Code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48435/23]
- 2023-11-07 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Sláinte an aithníonn sé na deacrachtaí atá roimh chainteoirí dúchais Ghaeilge i gcóras sláinte a chaitheann leo amhail is go bhfuil Béarla acu, cén obair atá ar bun ag a Roinn le cinntiú go bhfreastalófar ar riachtanais na gcainteoirí sin ag gach céim den chóras sláinte; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48531/23]
- 2023-11-07 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil an t-ainm fearainn moleanbh.ie nó a chomhionann ceannaithe ag an Roinn nó ag Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte le cinntiú go mbeidh an suíomh mychild.ie agus an t-ábhar a ghabhann leis ar fáil go hiomlán trí Ghaeilge don phobal; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48532/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out an audit of the provision of long-term residential care for older persons in Galway city and county provided by HSE West, to include an assessment of the number of beds vacant in each facility, the number of people on waiting lists in each facility and the average wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any recruitment process underway to increase staffing levels in the Áras Mhic Dara community nursing unit in Carraroe to facilitate the use of all available beds in the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48473/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 21 September 2023, the status of the examination by the HSE of the completed SAR/PBC for the new emergency department, women and children’s block at University Hospital Galway; if the HSE has completed the examination to date; the timeline for the delivery of the new emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48434/23]
Justice 6 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice her plans to extend the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive to Palestinian nationals living in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem; the representations she has made at EU level in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48777/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the current contractual arrangements for the appointment or provision of translators throughout the international protection process, in particular with regard to translators for oral appeal hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48772/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is aware of current difficulties encountered by applicants, solicitors-barristers for applicants, IPO presenting officers and International Protection Appeals Tribunal members with the standard of translators provided and appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48773/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of complaints raised in relation to translators and translation services in the international protection process since 2020; the stages within the IP process at which these complaints have been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48774/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has sought any improvements at any stage from translation service providers on foot of any complaint; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48775/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of oral appeal hearings that have been adjourned or rescheduled due, in full or in part, to poor-quality translators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48776/23]
Foreign 5 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure the safe passage of Irish citizens from the occupied Palestinian territories, including those family members and dependants who do not hold Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48778/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his intentions for Ireland to act as a broker of resolution to the causes of the conflict in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48779/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the prospect of violence spreading into a regional conflict in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48780/23]
- 2023-11-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the devastating consequences of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, he will instruct Ireland's representative at the United Nations to initiate a uniting for peace initiative in accordance with Resolution 377 of 3 February 1950 to call for an emergency session of the General Assembly to discuss a permanent and sustainable ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49003/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a British RAF surveillance aircraft (details supplied) was authorised to fly along the west coasts of Donegal and Mayo within Irish territorial waters on 3 November; if so, when and why approval was given for this flight, given that it is likely that this aircraft was on an intelligence gathering mission, in contravention of Irish Government prohibition on such flights by foreign military aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49127/23]
Children 4 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1492 of 11 September 2023, when the mother and baby institution redress scheme will be open for applications; the timeline for when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48449/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for the implementation of each of the three recommendations in the special report by the Ombudsman for Children, “Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision” (October 2023); the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48454/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the introduction of a payment equivalent to child benefit for all children in the international protection process, as promised in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48432/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 4 July 2023, the status of the review of the projected timelines for the implementation of the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service; if the review has been completed to date; the timeline for the publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48433/23]
Housing 3 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to section 9 of the Land Development Agency Act 2021, the details of any reports he has received to date from the Land Development Agency or a subsidiary DAC with regard to progress towards achieving the purposes of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48427/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has responded to date to the Galway Social Housing Taskforce Chairperson’s Report on Progress to end-2022; the details of any engagement between his Department, Galway City Council and Galway County Council with regard to resolving the staff retention issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied), which found that only 27 properties were available within standard/discretionary HAP limits nationwide, the lowest number recorded across the 31 such reports carried out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48429/23]
Transport 2 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 24 October 2023, whether any steps were taken to establish if an aircraft (details supplied) was transporting US soldiers and/or weapons or munitions while travelling from the USA to the Persian Gulf, as this aircraft was on contract to the US military using US Transportation Command call sign CMB504 and was likely to be on a mission to support the Israeli attacks on Gaza, and on its return journey to the USA it landed at US Naval Air Station Jacksonville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the reason two train stations, Balbriggan and Skerries, have been excluded from the TFI 90-minute €2-ticket scheme, resulting in an inequity for many commuters travelling to Dublin city centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47707/23]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it has been brought to his attention that approximately 100 engineers have recently come to Ireland from Israel to work with Intel; if it is the case that Israel is to be a key partner in the development of Ireland's weapons industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47945/23]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the correspondence he has received in relation to the use of the snare "body restraint", which is causing untold suffering to Ireland's protected badger population (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47705/23]
Tourism 1 question
- 2023-11-09 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad teaghlach a chothaigh scoláirí an samhradh seo faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge agus atá fós ag fanacht ar íocaíochtaí faoin scéim; cén céatadán de na teaghlaigh a chothaigh scoláirí faoin scéim an samhradh seo agus atá fós ag fanacht ar íocaíochtaí faoin scéim; cén uair a gheobhaidh siad íocaíocht; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar aon athbhreithniú atá ar siúl ag a Roinn maidir leis an scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [49254/23]

New lobbying 1 return

Irish Deer Commission Justice and Equality
- Raise concerns about proposed changes to firearm licensing and consequences for deer management

Hildegarde Naughton — Fine Gael 6 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Irish Deer Commission Justice and Equality
- Raise concerns about proposed changes to firearm licensing and consequences for deer management

John Connolly — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Mairéad Farrell — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 17 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 17 total

Further and Higher Education 7 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures his Department is implementing to address the issues raised by the motion passed by Seanad Éireann (details supplied) relating to precarious work in higher education; if any of the policy solutions recommended by Seanad Éireann have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47848/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, if he will outline the conditionality, if any, that will be applied to Universities accessing this funding in terms of their obligations to set an affordable rates of rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47923/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, if he will outline whether this model of delivery will differ from the existing model, or whether it is a continuation albeit with additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47924/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, it is stated that he recently "received approval to extend this lending to Technological Universities", so if he can confirm that the TU's borrowing will now deemed to be off balance sheet, and can he outline when they will be permitted to undertake their own borrowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47925/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, considering that the Department of Housing carried over the full 10% of last year's capital budget, if he foresee any difficulties in terms of the capacity to spend this additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/23]
- 2023-11-08 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an aithníonn sé go gcaithfear dul i ngleic leis an eisiamh a chruthaíonn an struchtúr reatha don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, agus go bhfuil gá le beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais ón oideachas luathbhlianta go dtí an tríú leibhéal a fhorbairt atá bunaithe ar an bhFráma Tagartha Comónta Eorpach, agus a chuireann páirtchumais agus próifílí inniúlachta míchothroma na bhfoghlaimeoirí sna scileanna teanga i gcuntas, chun deis a thabhairt d’fhoghlaimeoirí le riachtanais bhreise litearthachta díriú ar scileanna cumarsáide labhartha sa Ghaeilge agus deimhniúchán a bhaint amach sna scileanna sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48880/23]
- 2023-11-08 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an oibreoidh sé i gcomhar leis an Aire Oideachais chun beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais ón oideachas luathbhlianta go dtí an tríú leibhéal a fhorbairt, atá bunaithe ar an bhFráma Tagartha Comónta Eorpach, lena chinntiú go dtabharfar rochtain dóibh siúd le riachtanais bhreise foghlama ar fhoghlaim na Gaeilge de réir a gcuid riachtanas agus cumas; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48881/23]
Finance 4 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if parents who are currently renting themselves and also paying the rent for their children in student accommodation will receive the tax credit once for the accommodation in which they are based, or twice to include the student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47594/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if students who are currently paying for student accommodation but are not currently in employment and paying tax through that employment can avail of the renter's tax credit; and if so, how this will function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47595/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if the change in the renter's tax credit which allows for students living in digs accommodation to avail of the tax credit requires the landlord to be registered with the RTB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47596/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if it is the case that PhD research students are excluded from the new student renters' credit; if so, if he can outline the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47666/23]
Housing 3 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details, for each of the 31 local authorities, on the number of inspections for minimum standards of private properties carried out in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the number of enforcement orders made; the reason for each of the enforcements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47708/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the tenant-in-situ scheme for renters on social housing waiting lists who have been issued an NTQ; if he is satisfied with the implementation of the scheme up until this point; if he plans to offer any additional support to local authorities to prevent renters from entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49258/23]
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the retrofit programme for local authority housing; if any delays in the programme have been brought to his attention; if his Department has issued advice to local authorities on how to handle relevant maintenance issues in homes that have not been retrofitted yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49259/23]
Education 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made on the issue of 'fair post-primary redeployment for teachers'; the plans going forward to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48419/23]
Health 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health how many patients are on the orthodontic assessment waiting list in Galway; how long the current waiting time is; how many patients are on the orthodontic treatment waiting list; what the current wait time is; if there are currently any unfilled clinical positions in the Galway service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47464/23]
Rural 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can outline the next steps in the completion of the pier in Inis Meáin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47624/23]

New lobbying 1 return

Irish Deer Commission Justice and Equality
- Raise concerns about proposed changes to firearm licensing and consequences for deer management

Noel Grealish — Independent 0 votes · 4 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 4 total

Justice 2 questions
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have been prosecuted for illegally selling coal in Ireland in each of the years 2019 to 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47309/23]
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of people granted free legal aid in criminal cases in each of the past five years, by category of main offence which the defendant was charged; the number of people granted free legal in each of the last five years, broken down by the number convicted and the number found not guilty. [47760/23]
Finance 1 question
- 2023-11-07 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the rent tax credit can be claimed by a single person who is renting a property for themselves and, at the same time, in respect of their child, for whom the parent is paying for rental accommodation while the child is a full-time student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47703/23]
Housing 1 question
- 2023-11-09 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which companies must secure Agrément certification; must subcontractors secure this certification to supply to other companies; the process involved in securing certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49213/23]

New lobbying 1 return

Irish Deer Commission Justice and Equality
- Raise concerns about proposed changes to firearm licensing and consequences for deer management

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

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.