Carlow-Kilkenny — week of Mon, 15 Jan

What your Carlow-Kilkenny TDs did this week

Mon, 15 Jan – 21 Jan 2024 · 5 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 25 questions · 270 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2024-01-17 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 78–61

Voted for 4 Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · John McGuinness · John Paul Phelan · Malcolm Noonan

Voted against 1 Kathleen Funchion

Did not vote 3 Catherine Callaghan · Natasha Newsome Drennan · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages

2024-01-17 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 55–76

Voted for 1 Kathleen Funchion

Voted against 4 Jennifer Murnane O'Connor · John McGuinness · John Paul Phelan · Malcolm Noonan

Did not vote 3 Catherine Callaghan · Natasha Newsome Drennan · Peter 'Chap' Cleere

Catherine Callaghan — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor — Fianna Fáil 2 votes · 6 questions · 69 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 6 total

Health 2 questions
- 2024-01-17 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when an increase to the fees payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the community ophthalmic services scheme will be implemented, given a pilot scheme is in operation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56456/23]
- 2024-01-17 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the significant rise in sexually transmitted diseases (details supplied); if he intends to launch a new public health campaign to highlight this rise and encourage safe sex practises and testing; the status of the new national sexual health strategy; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56593/23]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2024-01-18 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to further promote a culture of lifelong learning within the workforce, focusing on increasing the lifelong learning rate from the current rate of 9% to 18% by 2025; what the current rate is in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1965/24]
- 2024-01-18 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the total allocation of capital grants, devolved capital grants and the further education capital grants to the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1964/24]
Justice 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice if the review of the current two year allowable timeframe for making a claim to the Criminal Injuries Board compensation scheme has been completed; if persons who were outside the timeframe may apply at a date in the future; if the two year limit is in force for minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1571/24]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the ACRES payment will be issued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56419/23]

New lobbying 69 returns

County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG · 5 returns Community · Public Expenditure and Reform · Economic Development and Industry · Trade
- Chamber are partnered with Down Syndrome ireland Carlow on the national Employment Programme, helping to connect individuals who have Down Syndrome with meaningful employment opportunities
- We are beguinning to see the improvements in our town centres albeit long overdue including new planting, new roundabout enhancements, public realm and parks, tackilng of fderelict sites
- Challenges for Busienss owners next year are well signposted. Increased employment costs through statutory pension, enhanced sick pay, increased wages etc
- Carlow is continuing to grow and develop and it is vital that we support this with enhanced and supported spending in the right areas. We need to get a tenant into the new IDA Advances Site
- International Carlow - An Exploration of the International Reach and Connections of Companies around Carlow report was launched at the Presidents Lunch
SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency CLG T/A SAFE Ireland Justice and Equality
- Issued Safe Ireland Christmas Card to all members of the Oireachtas
Youth Work Ireland Children and Youth Affairs
- Informing members of our submission on the Action Plan for Youth Services
Macra na Feirme Agriculture
- Macra Pre Budget submission
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Health
- Pandemic special recognition payment
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) Children and Youth Affairs
- 12 December 2023 Email issued to the members of the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about the proposedreferendums on ‘family’ and ‘care’, with FLAC’s preliminary analysis of the Referendum Bills attached.
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ALLIANCE - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND LIMITED Budgetary matters
- Secure investment in measures that tackle child poverty in Budget 2024
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 35 returns Agriculture · Taxation · Finance · Environment
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)
- Taxation measures to support farm succession, transfer and partnerships - Rates of Stamp Duty
- Young trained Farmer Stamp duty Relief
- Succession Tax Credit
- Consanguinity Relief
- Agricultural/Business Relief Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) Values
- Agricultural relief for the Genuine Farmer
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Emission Efficient Equipment
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Solar Leases
- Wind Farms
- CGT - Restoration of Indexation Relief
- Renewal of Agri-Tax Reliefs
- Removing Discrimination in the Tax System - Universal Social charge for the Self-Employed
- Farmers' Charter of Rights
- IFA Protests at Government "Think-Ins" re: Nitrates Derogation
- Measures to Support Farm Enterprises - Farm Schemes
- Young trained Farmer Reliefs
- Taxation measures - Rate of Class S Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
- Forestry & Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)/Stamp Duty Relief
- Taxation - Agricultural Relief - Removal of Individual Qualifying Criteria
- Taxation measures to support farm succession, transfer and partnerships - Pensions
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Entrepreneur Relief
- IFA Budget 2024 Submission - Measures to Support Farmers Through Brexit
- Taxation measures to Mitigate Income Volatility - Agricultural Rainy Day Fund
- IFA Budget 2024 Submission - Measures to mitigate increased cost of production and general inflationary pressures
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Renewable Energy Microgeneration Support
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action
- Taxation - Organic Farm Schemes
- Extending 10-year Ownership and Usage Period for Capital gains Tax (CGT) Retirement Relief to spouse for Lifetime Transfers
- Interaction of Capital gains Tax (CGT) Entrepreneur Relief and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Retirement Relief
- Investment in Renewable Energy
- Removing Discrimination in the Tax System - Residential Zoned land Tax
- Health and Safety - Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT)
- Tax Credit for Research Trials/Demonstration Farms
- Tax Treatment of Payments Received for Use of Forestry Land by a Third Party
ALDI Ireland Economic Development and Industry
- Shared copy of ALDI report with invitation to discuss if desired
Hanover Media Strategy Limited · 2 returns Transport
- Meetings and correspondence on the current taxi supply challenge in urban and rural Ireland and potential solutions.
- Correspondence regarding the Taxi Supply Shortage
Irish Penal Reform Trust Justice and Equality
- Meeting of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Penal Reform on 18 Oct 2023 in the AV Room Leinster House.
Uber Transport
- Meeting and correspondence on the current taxi supply challenge in urban and rural Ireland and potential solutions.
Ibec · 2 returns Economic Development and Industry · Food
- Enterprise and investment priorities for the South East region
- Drinks Ireland policy priorities for 2024
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland · 3 returns Health
- Christmas Cards sent to several Oireachtas members
- Pre-Budget submission sent to Oireachtas members
- Invitation to launch of National MS Respite Centre Business Case sent to Oireachtas members
Treoir (Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and their Children) Social Protection
- Briefing to members of the Oireachtas to raise awareness of Kinship Carers and their needs
Irish Cancer Society Health
- Breast cancer awareness
Ability West Employment
- To raise awareness with public representatives around the issues pertaining to lack of pay parity between Section 38 and Section 39 Organisations
National Youth Council of Ireland Social Protection
- Rate of jobseekers' allowance for all young people aged under 25 years
The Asthma Society of Ireland Health
- Invitation to attend the Asthma Society's 50th anniversary event at the Alex Hotel
National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability Budgetary matters
- Calling for funding in Budget 2024 to ensure the sustainability of vital services for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism under the overarching themes of Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities and Equitable Resourcing
The Irish Society for Autism Health
- Made a submission on the provisions of the Autism Bill to Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and separate communication with Sean Canney.
Rehab Group · 3 returns Budgetary matters · Health · Education and Training
- Rehab organised a campaign around the priorities outlined in our pre-budget submission
- Oireachtas members and Councillors attended the 'Cup of Care' fundraising event in their local RehabCare facility on the 20th October 2023.
- Engagement with Minister Simon Harris and members of Oireachtas to seek a sustainable funding model for the National Learning Network
Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association · 2 returns Health
- (1) Budget 2024 - the need for funding of new medicines. (2) Likely no provision for new developments funding to HSE for new medicines in Budget 2024. (3) Absence of funding for new medicines in Budget 2024. (4) Concerns relating to absence of funding for new medicines. (5) Trends in expenditure on medicines and savings so far under IPHA Framework Agreement 2021.
- (1) Reimbursement process improvements under consideration in the Mazar's Working Group. (2) Delays within Medicines Reimbursement System. (3) Preparation for negotiation of a Framework Agreement in 2025. (4) Process for allocation of funding to HSE for 2024 in relation to medicines.
Independent Broadcasters of Ireland Communications
- Briefing to all Oireachtas members on the current state of news & current affairs on Independent Radio

John McGuinness — Fianna Fáil 2 votes · 8 questions · 61 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Social 4 questions
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a non-means tested illness benefit. [56311/23]
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the category of insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied) for the period they worked in the HSE qualifies them for an invalidity pension; and if their record of contributions will be provided. [1030/24]
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension, now under appeal (details supplied), will be expedited and approved. [1031/24]
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for a full State pension (contributory) as currently they are in receipt of a part payment; and if a record of their contributions will be provided. [1122/24]
Education 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the position of administration school principal will be retained at a school (details supplied) in Kilkenny until such time as the building works are completed.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1601/24]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issues relating to the records of cattle owned by a person (details supplied) will be resolved as a matter of urgency as all information has been provided to his Department by the herd owner. [1598/24]
Health 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide age-appropriate products (details supplied). [1617/24]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2024-01-17 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action he is taking to provide the same level of financial support to apprentices undertaking construction metal fabrication and engineering metal fabrication courses as both courses are similar but currently apprentices on one course are being paid €745 per week and the other is paid €545; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1369/24]

New lobbying 61 returns

Irish Beef and Lamb Association · 2 returns Agriculture
- ICBF indexes changes
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation star indexes changes
County Carlow Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism CLG Trade
- International Carlow - An Exploration of the International Reach and Connections of Companies around Carlow report was launched at the Presidents Lunch
ActionAid Ireland Foreign Affairs
- Sent ActionAid's climate policy report "How the Finance Flows" by email to members of the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, to the Committee on Environment and Climate Action, and to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, and sent letters about the report to Tanaiste Micheal Martin, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe and an Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
Property Owners Association of Ireland Limited (IPOA) Budgetary matters
- Budgetary measures required to prevent the exodus of residential landlords.
Shine Health
- Nicola Byrne (Shine CEO) met the below included DPOs at the Ploughing event in Carlow and informed them about Shine's services with specific focus on the Green Ribbon campaign.
Macra na Feirme Agriculture
- Macra Pre Budget submission
Society of the Irish Motor Industry Taxation
- Budget 2024 - the key issues for SIMI in Budget 2024 is taxation and incentive policy in relation to motor vehicles, particularly Electric Vehicle (EV) Supports and EV charging infrastructure and in relation to tax, no increases in VRT, Road Tax or BIK in Budget 2024.
Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Health
- Pandemic special recognition payment
RGDATA Employment
- Employment costs and the threat to local enterprises
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 38 returns Taxation · Agriculture · Finance · Environment
- Taxation measures to support farm succession, transfer and partnerships - Rates of Stamp Duty
- Young trained Farmer Stamp duty Relief
- Succession Tax Credit
- Consanguinity Relief
- Agricultural/Business Relief Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) Values
- Agricultural relief for the Genuine Farmer
- Budget 2024
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Emission Efficient Equipment
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Solar Leases
- Wind Farms
- CGT - Restoration of Indexation Relief
- Renewal of Agri-Tax Reliefs
- Removing Discrimination in the Tax System - Universal Social charge for the Self-Employed
- Budget 2024 Briefing
- Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)
- Farmers' Charter of Rights
- IFA Protests at Government "Think-Ins" re: Nitrates Derogation
- Measures to Support Farm Enterprises - Farm Schemes
- Young trained Farmer Reliefs
- Taxation measures - Rate of Class S Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI)
- Forestry & Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)/Stamp Duty Relief
- Taxation - Agricultural Relief - Removal of Individual Qualifying Criteria
- Taxation measures to support farm succession, transfer and partnerships - Pensions
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Entrepreneur Relief
- IFA Budget 2024 Submission - Measures to Support Farmers Through Brexit
- Taxation measures to Mitigate Income Volatility - Agricultural Rainy Day Fund
- IFA Budget 2024 Submission - Measures to mitigate increased cost of production and general inflationary pressures
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action - Renewable Energy Microgeneration Support
- Taxation measures to support Climate Action
- Removing Discrimination in the Tax System - Definition of Agriculture
- Taxation - Organic Farm Schemes
- Extending 10-year Ownership and Usage Period for Capital gains Tax (CGT) Retirement Relief to spouse for Lifetime Transfers
- Interaction of Capital gains Tax (CGT) Entrepreneur Relief and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Retirement Relief
- Investment in Renewable Energy
- Removing Discrimination in the Tax System - Residential Zoned land Tax
- Health and Safety - Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT)
- Tax Credit for Research Trials/Demonstration Farms
- Tax Treatment of Payments Received for Use of Forestry Land by a Third Party
ALDI Ireland Economic Development and Industry
- Shared copy of ALDI report with invitation to discuss if desired
Ibec Economic Development and Industry
- Enterprise and investment priorities for the South East region
JTI Ireland Limited Trade
- Seeking the opportunity to brief public representatives on the extent and impact of the illegal trade in tobacco products.
Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland Finance
- Budget 2024 Briefing
American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Taxation
- Submission to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
Ability West Employment
- Email send to public representations in relation to the Section 39 pay parity issue and impending strike that was threatened in October 2023
The Asthma Society of Ireland Health
- Invitation to attend the Asthma Society's 50th anniversary event at the Alex Hotel
National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability Budgetary matters
- Calling for funding in Budget 2024 to ensure the sustainability of vital services for people with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism under the overarching themes of Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities and Equitable Resourcing
Rehab Group · 2 returns Budgetary matters · Education and Training
- Rehab organised a campaign around the priorities outlined in our pre-budget submission
- Engagement with Minister Simon Harris and members of Oireachtas to seek a sustainable funding model for the National Learning Network
Independent Broadcasters of Ireland Communications
- Briefing to all Oireachtas members on the current state of news & current affairs on Independent Radio
Credit Union Development Association Banking and Financial Institutions
- Amendments to the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022.
Vincent Jennings/Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA) Budgetary matters
- Budget 2024 did not contain any retailer-specific reliefs, CSNA needed to make various Ministers aware of how those in our SME retail businesses are affected by Government policy directions.

Natasha Newsome Drennan — Sinn Féin 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Peter 'Chap' Cleere — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.