Galway West — week of Mon, 6 May

What your Galway West TDs did this week

Mon, 6 May – 12 May 2024 · 6 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 50 questions · 15 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2024-05-08 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 74–59

Voted for 3 Catherine Connolly · Hildegarde Naughton · Éamon Ó Cuív

Voted against 1 Mairéad Farrell

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

Catherine Connolly — Independent 1 vote · 23 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 23 total

Education 9 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason no regulatory impact assessment was conducted in respect of the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; her plans to complete and publish an RIA in advance of Committee Stage of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20712/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the additional benefits over those of the 'ordinary medical card' that accrue if a person is in possession of an 'enhanced medical card', as proposed by the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20713/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the analysis undertaken to establish the number of survivors who may be entitled to an enhanced medical card pursuant to the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 already in possession of a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20714/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the balance of funds remaining in the residential institutions statutory fund; the purposes for which those monies will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20715/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of applications approved by Caranua which remain incomplete; the length of time those applications have been ongoing; the timeline for the completion of those application/works, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20716/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the outstanding balance owed by religious congregations further to the 2002 indemnity agreement and the additional commitments after 2009 following the publication of the Ryan report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20717/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to extend the special education diploma allowance to include eligible teachers who started working post-2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20831/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason all survivors of industrial and reformatory schools and certain residential institutions will not be eligible for supports under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21038/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason persons to whom the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 applies and persons who received a payment under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme are to be excluded from the Supports of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21039/24]
Foreign 5 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 7 March 2024, the details of Ireland’s financial and in-kind assistance to Ukraine since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20855/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 7 March 2024, for an update on Ireland’s plans to support South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice; if Ireland’s Declaration of Intervention has been filed to date; if not, when it will be filed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20856/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 7 March 2024, the timeline for when Ireland will formally recognise the State of Palestine; the details of his engagement at EU level on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20857/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement to date both at bilateral level with his Israeli counterpart, and at EU level, with regard to the designation in October 2021, which remains in place, of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement at EU level to seek a review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/24]
Rural 5 questions
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the implementation to date of the policy for the islands; if she has received any reports or updates to date from the monitoring committee for the implementation of the policy for the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20765/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20761/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 5 March 2024, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the dates of all meetings to date; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 5 March 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mor on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of the preliminary business case; if the consultant has been appointed to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20764/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inisbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/24]
Defence 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the first update report of the Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was promised by March 2024; if the report has been completed to date; if the report has been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20632/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a status update on the development of the revised Strategic Framework for the Defence Forces from 2025 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21054/24]
Social 1 question
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 20 February 2024, to provide an update on the long-term carers’ contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20174/24]
Health 1 question
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the benefits provided by a medical card and an enhanced medical card (as available to some persons pursuant to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/24]

New lobbying 1 return

Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Highlighting the need for further resources to support the implementation of key strategies for neurological conditions. Highlighting the need for Consultant Neurology services in 5 regional hospitals across Ireland

Hildegarde Naughton — Fine Gael 1 vote · 0 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 3 returns

Ossory Youth CLG Children and Youth Affairs
- Increase Funding for Community and Voluntary Sector who are delivering services for the state e.g. YDP, UBU, Section 39, To ask that a funding model be developed agreed and costed so that organisations can pay staff and can fully cover the costs of providing services as set out in SLA with Departments and intermediary bodies. To look for additional funding to support sibling programme for siblings of children with disabilities
Waterford Leader Partnership CLG Agriculture
- Funding for Social Farming projects
Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Highlighting the need for further resources to support the implementation of key strategies for neurological conditions. Highlighting the need for Consultant Neurology services in 5 regional hospitals across Ireland

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 · 13 questions · 6 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Justice 3 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline, from the reopening of the Garda College in 2014, the total number of gardaí recruited through the Public Appointments Service. [20252/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the average number of gardaí for each of the years between 2020 and 2023 inclusive; and the average number of sergeants employed by An Garda Síochána in each of those four years. [20254/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the date and location of the next citizenship ceremony; the number of ceremonies that will take place in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20606/24]
Transport 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to confirm if he will respect the recent High Court judgement (details supplied) in relation to the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme, and if the pensioners will be awarded their long awaiting pension increase without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he can confirm that CIÉ will immediately comply with its legal obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/24]
Education 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she has she any plans to reinstate the special education diploma allowance in full on 1 September 2025 through the local bargaining fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20741/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will consider engaging with Bus Éireann to allow flexibility to secondary school students who take part in after-school activities to use regular Bus Éireann services with their school transport ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20849/24]
Housing 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department compiles data on the number of qualified tradespeople employed in each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes built directly by each local authority in each of the years 2021 to 2023, in tabular form, broken down by whether they were delivered by direct labour employed by the local authority or through subcontracting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/24]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the criteria or considerations that the Government evaluates when deciding on membership in European Research Infrastructure Consortia, such as EATRIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20757/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set up an interdepartmental working group to consider the benefits of Ireland joining EATRIS, the ERIC for translational research, given that research falls under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20758/24]
Foreign 1 question
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 30 April 2024, if there are alternative documents that can be supplied in a case where a person is not in contact with their parent and cannot provide current identification for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20558/24]
Rural 1 question
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the Cappahoosh mountain trail in Connemara, which received funding through the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; the status of the project; when it is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20658/24]

New lobbying 6 returns

Translational Medicine Alliance Ireland Education and Training
- Translational Research in Ireland
Trinity College Dublin Students' Union · 3 returns Education and Training · Housing
- Meeting with Mairead Farrell 25 April 2024
- Met with Mairead Farrell about the Back to Education Allowance Report
- Engaged in meeting with Mairead Farrell on housing issues concerning TCD students
North West Hospice Charity CLG Justice and Equality
- Gambling Regulation Bill
Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Highlighting the need for further resources to support the implementation of key strategies for neurological conditions. Highlighting the need for Consultant Neurology services in 5 regional hospitals across Ireland

Noel Grealish — Independent 0 votes · 6 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 6 total

Transport 3 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a dedicated funding scheme aimed at incentivising commercial bus operators to purchase alternatively fuelled vehicles; or alternatively, if he will enhance the funding under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme to support commercial bus operators to make the transition to EVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20616/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline how much funding was made available for buses under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20619/24]
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider eliminating the cost of toll-charging during off-peak periods for shared mobility vehicles, for example, taxis or car rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20874/24]
Health 2 questions
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if a person's personal financial contribution under the fair deal scheme includes a contribution based on assets, when the person is not the legal owner of the property, but would have succession rights while still alive, but if the applicant passes away before his remaining siblings he will not have any entitlement to a share of the property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20466/24]
- 2024-05-09 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if, in relation to his recent statement (details supplied) that a consultant psychiatrist had been recruited by the HSE for children's gender healthcare and that a new team is being built up by the HSE, he will identify the post that has been filled; the person selected to fill the post; where the consultant and the new team will be based; when the HSE appointment and the new team will commence services; to provide details of the membership of the new team to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21030/24]
Finance 1 question
- 2024-05-08 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he will help Ireland reduce carbon emissions and encourage a modal shift by reducing the tax applicable to e-bikes and other relevant modes of transport that decarbonise the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20875/24]

New lobbying 2 returns

The Medical Protection Society Limited Justice and Equality
- Highlighting our campaign on the human and financial cost of clinical negligence, and asking representatives to write to the relevant Ministers
Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Highlighting the need for further resources to support the implementation of key strategies for neurological conditions. Highlighting the need for Consultant Neurology services in 5 regional hospitals across Ireland

Seán Kyne — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 2 returns

Gaeloideachas · 2 returns Education and Training
- Rún 21.1: Fine Gael calls for the reintroduction of the teaching through Irish allowance
- Rún 21.4: Go n-aithníonn an Ard Fheis seo an tábhacht a bhaineann le Gaelscoileanna agus Gaelcholáistí agus go dtacaíonn sí le bearta chun rochtain náisiúnta ar oideachas trí Ghaeilge a chinntiú.