Longford-Westmeath — week of Mon, 4 Nov

What your Longford-Westmeath TDs did this week

Mon, 4 Nov – 10 Nov 2024 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 91 questions · 1 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Equitable Beef Pricing Bill 2020

2024-11-06 · 1 vote · Aontú PMB

A bill to ensure the provision of an equitable price for beef to farmers operating in that sector in order to ensure that it is a sustainable means for them to earn a livelihood

full description

A bill to ensure the provision of an equitable price for beef to farmers operating in that sector in order to ensure that it is a sustainable means for them to earn a livelihood; and to provide for related matters.

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 57–69

Voted for 1 Sorca Clarke

Voted against 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2024-11-05 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 72–58

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages

2024-11-05 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 75–55

Voted for 3 Joe Flaherty · Peter Burke · Robert Troy

Voted against 1 Sorca Clarke

Did not vote 2 Kevin Boxer Moran · Micheál Carrigy

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 3 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Robert Troy — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 35 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 35 total

Health 12 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE staffing embargo is still in place across all hospitals; and specifically, if there is an embargo in place for the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, where there are currently severe staff shortages in various departments that urgently need to be addressed. [44056/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance waiting times across each of the CHO regions. [44361/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the reason a hospital has resisted using a charter medical service to clear waiting lists (details supplied) [44362/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for cataract surgery in the Royal Victoria, Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [44364/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, will return to using charter medical for five days' rapid access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44365/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a vaccine for RSV virus. [44366/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a vaccine for the shingles virus. [44367/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 17 October 2024, which was not answered sufficiently, if all National Ambulance Service staff, including those promoted to management positions are being paid fully in line with ruling 19131 of the Labour Court. [45155/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if there are categories of management within the National Ambulance Service that are currently receiving the advanced paramedic allowance; the particular roles which are receiving this allowance; and the number of members of management in the National Ambulance Service receiving the allowance. [45156/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery for a person (details supplied). [45158/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when additional home help hours will be put in place for a person as a priority (details supplied). [45203/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [45246/24]
Children 7 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will he publish the environment impact assessment statement for the proposed development at Lissywollen, Athlone, County Westmeath. [44368/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on work-life balance for parents and carers and repealing Council Directive 2010/18/EU has been transposed into Irish law. [44826/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in Athlone; and how that compares to the national average across similar sized towns. [45094/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in other large towns (details supplied) and/or are planned for those locations in 2025. [45095/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding the proposed Midlands accommodation centre in Athlone, the security measures that will be put in place when the centre is operational to ensure the safety of the applicants and local residents. [45096/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the countries of origin of the international protection applicants that will be based in the proposed Midlands accommodation centre. [45097/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that it is only single males that are going into the proposed Midlands accommodation centre in Athlone. [45098/24]
Finance 4 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the number of companies who availed of KEEP each year since its introduction, in tabular form. [44358/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of the section 23 allowance in each of the years 2007 and 2008, in tabular form [44359/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if an existing property, which is derelict can qualify for the help-to-buy scheme. [45607/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to increase the help-to-buy scheme and assist first-time buyers further with the cost of deposits. [45608/24]
Housing 3 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will approve applications for refurbishment funding which are currently pending with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (details supplied). [43930/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to further extend the development contributions waiver scheme. [44619/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any means whereby a clearly vacant and derelict property can qualify for the croí cónaithe grant after a period of one year. [45606/24]
Education 2 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a teacher will receive payment (details supplied). [44357/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the catchment area of a school (details supplied); and the school that residents of Ardmore Hills are in the catchment area of. [45710/24]
Social 2 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently investigate a serious anomaly in an application for invalidity pension (details supplied). [43927/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will urgently approve a social welfare appeal for an invalidity pension payment (details supplied). [44492/24]
Justice 1 question
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice the vetting process that will be conducted on the international protection applicants that are due to be placed in the Midlands accommodation centre in Athlone. [45099/24]
Rural 1 question
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the outdoor recreation application by a group (details supplied). [45238/24]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2024-11-06 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student will be allowed to carry a failed exam subject into next year (details supplied). [45317/24]
Environment 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure the SEAI grant eligibility for a person (details supplied) is reviewed. [45677/24]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an application for the power up grant can be accepted from a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45603/24]

Sorca Clarke — Sinn Féin 3 votes · 56 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 56 total

Education 22 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the commitment given in the programme for Government to hold a citizens' assembly on the future of education. [44829/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if it has been brought to her attention that students from the Republic are missing out on college places in the UK, including Northern Ireland, because of the junior cycle marking scheme. [44968/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education as per her recent press release extending the therapy pilot scheme to schools seeking DEIS status, how many therapists this involves; the frequency at which they will be available to these schools; and when it will commence. [44969/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of additional routes that have been added for the school year 2024-25. [44971/24]
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the actions taken since September 2024 to ensure that every child who is seeking a school place has one. [44970/24]
- 2024-11-05 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sorca Clarke den Aire Oideachais cén fáth ar fágadh Gaelscoileanna ar nós Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh in Iarthar Bhéal Feirste amach as Scéim RAISE, atá páirtmhaoinithe ag Tionscnamh an Oileáin Chomhroinnte, agus 60% de dhaltaí na scoile ag fáil béilí scoile saor in aisce. [44272/24]
- 2024-11-05 D'fhiafraigh Deputy Sorca Clarke den Aire Oideachais cad é an t-ionchur a bhí ag an Aire Oideachais Norma Ní Fhoghlú maidir le déantús agus critéir na scéime, agus maidir le roghnú na scoileanna féin, i Scéim RAISE atá i bhfeidhm ó thuaidh, agus cad é an tosaíocht a ceanglaíodh le haghaidh Gaelscoileanna a chomhlíonann na príomh-chritéir maidir le bochtanas. [44273/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if her Department received EU funding for current or capital works projects in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if so, the projects that were funded and by how much, in tabular form. [45640/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of staff members employed to support the school completion programme in Wexford in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45641/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of capital funding her Department provided to a school (details supplied) in 2023 and to date in 2024 in tabular form. [45642/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the additional capacity that will be provided to a school (details supplied) in order to increase the number of children to be able to attend this special school for the 2025-2026 school term. [45643/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed; and the estimated cost of these works. [45644/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the amount of funding that has been provided to schools in Limerick under the emergency works scheme for the period of 1 January 2023 to 1 October 2024, in tabular form. [45645/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of staff members employed to support the school completion programme in Clare in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45646/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the funding provided for capital projects in Longford and Westmeath schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45771/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers employed in Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45772/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school students enrolled in Longford and Westmeath schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45773/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school teachers employed in Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45774/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school students enrolled in Longford and Westmeath schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45775/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the funding provided through the ICT grant to Longford and Westmeath schools in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45776/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the funding provided for NEPS services in Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45791/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received from schools in Longford and Westmeath under the major capital works scheme; and the number granted to date in 2024. [45794/24]
Children 9 questions
- 2024-11-05 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action he and his Department will take to ensure that the historical pay increments for the staff of St. Christopher’s Services, Longford, are honoured, the reported possible industrial action can be averted and the needs of those in Longford and the surrounding counties who attend St. Christopher’s can continue to be met by this vital service. [44257/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people in Longford and Westmeath, that are currently waiting an appointment for early intervention, broken down by therapy; the number that are waiting less than 6, 6-12 and those that are waiting more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45790/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people awaiting an occupational therapy appointment in each of the CDNTs in Longford and Westmeath; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3- 6. 6-12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45782/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people awaiting a speech and language therapy appointment in each of the CDNTs in Longford and Westmeath; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3- 6. 6-12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45783/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people awaiting a psychology appointment in each of the CDNTs in Longford and Westmeath; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3- 6. 6-12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45784/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people awaiting a first appointment in each of the CDNTs in Longford and Westmeath; the number who have been waiting less than 3, 3- 6. 6-12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45785/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of respite hours provided to families in Longford and Westmeath over each of the past 12 months; the total number that has been provided each month since March 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of overnight respite beds for children and adults, respectively in Longford and Westmeath in 2019 and 2024, in tabular form. [45787/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided to the Midlands Regional Hospital for child and adult respite, respectively in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45788/24]
Health 8 questions
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the nature of capital works projects that were carried out at Mullingar Regional Hospital in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the future capital works scheduled to be carried out at this hospital over the next two years. [45648/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to recruit one WTE staff grade audiologist and one WTE senior grade audiologist for the public health service. [45649/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing 1,000 additional intensive homecare packages. [45650/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE registrars in cardiothoracic surgery at CHI Temple Street in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45651/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to recruit one WTE staff grade podiatrist and one WTE senior grade podiatrist for public health service. [45652/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people on the waiting list for ophthalmology in Longford and Westmeath; the average waiting time for appointment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45789/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatients in Longford and Westmeath. [45800/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health for an update on the air ambulance service moving from Athlone to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45801/24]
Social 4 questions
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an urgent needs payment in Longford and Westmeath. [45795/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for a supplementary welfare allowance in Longford and Westmeath. [45796/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for an urgent needs payment in Longford and Westmeath, by reason, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date respectively, in tabular form. [45797/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community welfare officers employed in Longford and Westmeath in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [45798/24]
Justice 3 questions
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed penalty notices that Gardaí issued for parking on a footpath in each Garda division to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45637/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí, by rank, attached to each divisional roads policing unit as of 29 October 2024, in tabular form. [45638/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardaí currently working in each of the Garda stations in Longford and Westmeath, by rank, in tabular form. [45799/24]
Housing 2 questions
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in Longford and Westmeath in each of the past five years; the total amount planned for 2024; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45777/24]
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applicants for the Rebuilding Ireland home loan, local authority home loans from Longford and Westmeath; the total number that have been successful; the total number that have been refused, the average time from application to decision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45778/24]
Transport 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of new train drivers recruited by Irish Rail in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number of train drivers that left Irish Rail during the same period, in tabular form. [45639/24]
Finance 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacant WTE posts, by job title, currently at the Financial Service and Pensions Ombudsman; and the estimated timeframe in which each of the vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [45653/24]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of EV charging points at each OPW heritage site; and the 2025 budget allocation to increase the number of EV charging points at OPW heritage sites. [45636/24]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost if the budget for the Green for Micro Programme were doubled. [45655/24]
Tourism 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she last met the Chief Executive of Screen Ireland; and the issues discussed. [45654/24]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to Longford County Council and Westmeath County Council for the control of horses in each of the first six months of 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [45779/24]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose-built student accommodation units available in Longford-Westmeath in September. [45792/24]
Rural 1 question
- 2024-11-07 Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, currently at the Charities Regulator; and the timeframe for when each of the vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [45647/24]

New lobbying 1 return

Catholic Education Partnership CLG Education and Training
- Proposed Primary Curriculum Subject Specifications