Donegal — week of Mon, 12 Feb — Watch Them Work

What your Donegal TDs did this week

Mon, 12 Feb – 18 Feb 2024 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 61 questions · 2 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Reform of the Television Licence Fee Model

2024-02-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–57

Voted for 2 Charlie McConalogue · Joe McHugh

Voted against 2 Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 2 Charles Ward · Pat the Cope Gallagher

The motion · motion passed 78–56

Voted for 1 Joe McHugh

Voted against 2 Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 3 Charles Ward · Charlie McConalogue · Pat the Cope Gallagher

Business Costs for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

2024-02-14 · 1 vote

Amendment again put: · motion passed 73–64

Voted for 2 Charlie McConalogue · Joe McHugh

Voted against 2 Pearse Doherty · Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Did not vote 2 Charles Ward · Pat the Cope Gallagher

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2024-02-13 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 67–56

Voted for 1 Charlie McConalogue

Voted against 2 Pádraig Mac Lochlainn · Thomas Pringle

Did not vote 3 Charles Ward · Pat the Cope Gallagher · Pearse Doherty

Charles Ward — 100% RDR 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Charlie McConalogue — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 0 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 2 returns

The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) Ltd · 2 returns Agriculture · Environment
- Submission from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) – to request a meeting to discuss structural development and funding opportunities for the Agricultural and Forestry Contractor Sector in Ireland.
- Submission from the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) – to request a temporary closing date extension and leniency for FCI members who are engaged in hedge management operations after March 1, 2024.

Pat the Cope Gallagher — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Pearse Doherty — Sinn Féin 3 votes · 19 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 19 total

Finance 7 questions
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 352 of 17 January 2024, regarding the decision by the Tax Appeal Commissioners that the Revenue Commissioners had been applying the wrong test for normal residence in VRT cases with the Revenue Commissioners confirming that the same test had been applied in similar cases; how many persons have had the wrong test for normal residence applied; how many persons have paid penalties or tax as a result of this wrong test being applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost, through tax revenue foregone, of the BIK exemption for employer contributions for PRSAs which was introduced through section 22 of the Finance Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7396/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if, with respect to Committee Stage of the Finance Act 2022, with regard to what was then section 18 of the Finance Bill 2018 regarding the removal of benefit-in-kind charge from employer contributions to PRSAs and PEPPs, his views and response regarding queries made by this Deputy that this provision of the legislation would provide an opportunity for aggressive tax planning by proprietary directors; his assessment of whether the then Minister for Finance provided an accurate response with respect to the issue raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7397/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the maximum amount, in nominal terms, that a company or proprietary director can fund a single PRSA through an employer contribution in a single year with full tax deductibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7399/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the recommendation of the Report of the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group of 2020, that “the differential treatment of the PRSA for funding purposes should be abolished, employer contributions should not be subject to BIK”, was implemented in whole or in part; his views on whether the manner in which this recommendation was partially implemented in Finance Act 2022 by the then Minister for Finance created an opportunity for aggressive tax planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7401/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department have received any correspondence from the Revenue Commissioners or any other body regarding section 22 of the Finance Act 2022 in relation to the opportunity it creates for aggressive tax planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7402/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the appropriateness of a company or proprietary director withdrawing up to €2.15 million from a company in a single year through an employer contribution to a PRSA, and availing of full tax deductibility, including corporation tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7404/24]
Education 5 questions
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the urgency in finding a resolution to the issue of children and parents crossing the road to attend a school (details supplied) in Donegal, given that another near fatal incident occurred recently; if she plans to deal with the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6039/24]
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with the promised SEN provision for a school in Donegal (details supplied), which includes an extension to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6390/24]
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 21 November 2023, if she will provide an update and a timeframe for an extension to a school (details supplied) consisting of an additional modular classroom, which was approved in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/24]
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with the promised SEN provision for a school (details supplied), which includes an extension to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6140/24]
- 2024-02-14 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be granted an ASD unit on its premises; if she is aware of the importance of this matter given that the closest school with an ASD room will no longer have spaces in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6841/24]
Health 2 questions
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a bed can be provided for a person in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/24]
- 2024-02-14 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if Donegal Mental Health Intellectual Disability Service will provide help and support for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/24]
Housing 2 questions
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of the situation with respect to six houses in Annagry, County Donegal, lying vacant; if he and his Department have plans to address their vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6962/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update regarding the issue of mortgageability as it relates to homeowners impacted by defective concrete blocks and the defective concrete block redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6963/24]
Social 1 question
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on commitments made to introduce a mortgage interest supplement for those with insufficient income tax liability to avail of the mortgage interest tax credit introduced in the Finance Act 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6554/24]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1814 and 1813 of 17 January 2024, when full responses will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/24]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if flood relief plans or river drainage works are planned to deal with the repeated flooding of the area between Ballyshannon and Belleek, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7400/24]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn — Sinn Féin 4 votes · 12 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 12 total

Education 4 questions
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in the construction of the new school building at a school (details supplied); if any plans are in place to address this delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6399/24]
- 2024-02-13 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil cinneadh déanta maidir le líon na sraithphictiúir atá le déanamh ag daltaí atá ag ullmhú don Ardteist; an bhfuair a Roinn aon chomhfhreagras ó dhaltaí ag léiriú míshástacht faoin mbrú a chuireann an 20 sraithphictiúir reatha orthu; agus cé na hiarrachtaí atá ar bun aici chun an brú i measc an chúigiú agus an séú bliain a laghdú. [6037/24]
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in the construction of a new school building (details supplied); if any plans are in place to address this delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6428/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if plans are in place to provide an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, room for a school (details supplied) that requires such an addition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7340/24]
Health 2 questions
- 2024-02-13 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health what services or financial supports are available from the State to patients in County Donegal who have to travel for hospital treatment outside of their county; and if he can clarify whether the transport for patients to Sligo Hospital Eye Clinic has now been curtailed or cancelled. [6318/24]
- 2024-02-14 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if no current or future residents of the SRU unit, Old Convent Road, Carndonagh, County Donegal will be forced to move against their and their family’s will and that day services at the unit will be reinstated; and if he will ensure that the meeting requested of HSE officials, local public representatives and affected families is facilitated at the earliest opportunity. [6895/24]
Social 2 questions
- 2024-02-14 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy her Department has regarding wages derived from a limited company and how they are assessed and treated in relation to means tested social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6732/24]
- 2024-02-14 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the policy her Department has regarding profits held in a limited company and how they are treated and assessed in relation to means tested social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6733/24]
Housing 2 questions
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason he continues to expect engineers to sign off on remediation recommendations for the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme, based on I.S 465, when there is clear scientific evidence that this standard is no longer fit for purpose. [6616/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commit to making changes to the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme in response to the growing evidence that the scheme will not be accessible for most affected families, and in line with his commitment to review the scheme after six months. [6615/24]
Transport 2 questions
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect an invite for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7152/24]
- 2024-02-15 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport following his recent meeting with members of Donegal County Council, if he will make changes to the national policy that denies planning permission to applicants in Donegal who would have to access on to the N56. [7333/24]