Cavan-Monaghan — week of Mon, 17 Feb — Watch Them Work

What your Cavan-Monaghan TDs did this week

Mon, 17 Feb – 23 Feb 2025 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 70 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill 2024: Report and Final Stages

2025-02-19 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 101–55

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Provision of Special Education

2025-02-19 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 87–69

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

The motion · motion passed 87–70

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Housing Crisis

2025-02-19 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 88–69

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

The motion · motion passed 88–69

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-02-18 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 84–67

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Brendan Smith — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 8 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Taoiseach 3 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on any recent discussions with Prime Minister Starmer. [1681/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the 42nd British-Irish Council in Edinburgh in December 2024. [1682/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach the plans in place to increase staffing levels in the shared island unit within his Department. [1683/25]
Environment 3 questions
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that will be implemented and the level of increased investment proposed to strengthen such infrastructure, In view of the reference in the National Risk Assessment 2024 to disruptions to the availability of critical infrastructure including energy and telecommunications networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6800/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that will be implemented to reduce risks to an essential and sustainable energy supply for this State in view of the reference in the National Risk Assessment 2024 relating to investment requirements concerning energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6803/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proposed investment in the electricity grid; if there are specific proposals to update the grid particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6804/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress to date in Ireland securing access to the US E3 visa programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5733/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant aid will be provided for group water schemes to facilitate the installation of generators, in view of the difficulties that have arisen with power outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7092/25]

Cathy Bennett — Sinn Féin 6 votes · 11 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 11 total

Environment 5 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount the State has invested in Eirgrid, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5637/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his considerations in relation to the greater undergrounding of electricity infrastructure in rural Ireland, in response to the largescale service interruptions which arose due to Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5638/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his proposals to increase the capacity of local electricity infrastructure, to sustain the impact of adverse weather events without mass power outages, such as those experienced in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5640/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his intentions to improve local electricity infrastructure and ensure increased redundancy to mitigate the impact of adverse weather events. [6706/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his engagements with Eirgrid. [6705/25]
Health 2 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health to outline the public health response/contingency planning regarding significant adverse weather events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5635/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the basis upon which healthcare students on a placement or internship will be granted or refused payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5636/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of and value related to dual-use export licences granted to end users based in Israel, by quarter, since Q3 2023; and his engagements with Cabinet colleagues in relation to such. [6708/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to storm Éowyn and the supports available to local businesses adversely impacted as a result. [6707/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason social welfare accounts were suspended in County Monaghan during Storm Éowyn; the recourse available to those part-time workers who lost payments due to being unable to submit a job seekers declaration; the contingency plans which were in place prior to Storm Éowyn; their proposals to introduce more effective redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5641/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the official engagements in his Ministerial diary, and that of any Minister of State in his Department, for the week ending 16 February 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/25]

David Maxwell — Fine Gael 6 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Matt Carthy — Sinn Féin 6 votes · 42 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 42 total

Justice 18 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of bench warrants outstanding in each Garda division as of February 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5543/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of those from whom immigration status was revoked from as a result of a criminal conviction in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5544/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of non-EU nationals who had their visas revoked as a result of involvement in criminality in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5545/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of removal orders in respect of non-EU nationals who had their visas revoked as a result of involvement in criminal activity in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5546/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of removal orders under the European Communities Free Movement of persons regulations 2015 in respect of EU nationals who represented a danger for public policy or public security where their conduct represented a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the details of all official engagements and meetings attended by him, and Ministers of State within his Department during the period since 1 November 2024 and 9 February 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5709/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the details of each time his Department or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in the years 2022 to date; the purpose, value and duration of each contract in relation to public bodies under the aegis of his Department; when any further reports are expected to be received and published, by year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5710/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the total strength of An Garda Síochána, by region and division for each of the years 2011 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5712/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of emergency calls made to An Garda Síochána reporting domestic abuse in each of the years 2011 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5713/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he has corresponded with the family of a person (details supplied) since his appointment; when he intends to meet with the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5721/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if all reports of the investigations carried out by the An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission were considered by the scoping exercise in relation to the death of a person (details supplied); if not, if this is compatible with the terms of reference of the scoping exercise, which specifically requested that all such reports be taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5722/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he will request the An Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission to provide the family of a person (details supplied) with the section 101 report compiled in respect of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5723/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the total number of domestic abuse refuge beds, by county, in each of the years 2019 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; his targets for delivering additional spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6015/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice to clarify, regarding comments he made on a television programme (details supplied) on Monday, 12 February 2025 that parts of Dublin were not safe, the specific Garda districts within the Dublin Metropolitan Region he was referring to; what actions he is taking to address the concerns for public safety that he referred to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6055/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of the current membership of An Garda Síochána who will be eligible to retire by 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6637/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he will establish a forum for stakeholder engagement on firearms licensing and related matters, similar to the previous firearms consultative panel that was previously in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6812/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); if he intends to meet with this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6813/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to reform the processing procedures for firearms licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6814/25]
Children 9 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is intended to extend the accommodation recognition payment for hosting refugees from Ukraine beyond 31 March 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6016/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many beneficiaries of temporary protection are in accommodation supported by the accommodation recognition payment, in tabular form through the Irish Red Cross Pledge Campaign, the offer-a-home scheme operated by local authorities, or by private arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6017/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she has considered how the decision of the British government to cut funding for its Homes for Ukraine scheme and other schemes aimed at Ukrainians in Britain will impact on correspondence schemes in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6018/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a prohibition on those people availing of the accommodation recognition payment from offering or paying an additional financial sum, above the €800 State subsidy per month, to the owner of the property; the way this is regulated; if there have been any instances whereby his Department was informed of this practise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6885/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of one-on-one speech and language appointments provided to a child (details supplied) since January 2020; the dates of these appointments; if this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional speech and language appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6905/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which a child (details supplied) was referred for an OT assessment; the date on which such an assessment was carried out; the number of OT appointments that have been provided since that assessment; the dates of these appointments; if this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional OT appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6906/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which a child (details supplied) was referred for an psychological assessment; the date on which such an assessment was carried out; the number of psychological appointments that have been provided since that assessment; the dates of these appointments; whether this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional psychological appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6907/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of staffing at Cavan CDNT to include overall established staffing WTE allocation, current WTE positions filled and current WTE positions vacant; the breakdown to include staffing WTE allocations, current WTE positions filled and vacant in respect to physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administration and other relevant roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6908/25]
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of staffing at Monaghan CDNT to include overall established staffing WTE allocation, current WTE positions filled and current WTE positions vacant; the breakdown to include staffing WTE allocations, current WTE positions filled and vacant in respect to physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administration and other relevant roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6909/25]
Transport 5 questions
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the cost per local authority that has been incurred to replace speed limit signage in respect of recent legislative changes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to allocate the necessary funds to progress road projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6566/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the current earliest start and completion dates regarding the N2 Clontibret to the Border and N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6567/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether planned upgrades to the N2 Clontibret to the Border and N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Roads would enhance road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6568/25]
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the basis upon which those over 75 years must present a medical fitness report in person at an NDLS centre; if he has considered facilitating the submission of such as part of the online renewal process; if he has given consideration to or engaged with Cabinet colleagues regarding potentially subsidising the cost of such generally or in the case of medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6569/25]
Health 4 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if a clinical nurse manager (CNM2) will be allocated to the Carrickmacross adult mental health services at the Carrickmacross primary care centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5549/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the last date in which a clinical nurse manager was allocated to the Carrickmacross adult mental health services; the reason this post was not continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5550/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the WTE staff of different grades and positions currently in place at the Carrickmacross adult mental health services; the corresponding figures for January 2020, January 2021, January 2022, January 2023 and January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5551/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) receives an urgent procedure at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6185/25]
Defence 3 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of persons in the Permanent Defence Forces, by the county of their primary residence in 2011, 2016, 2020, and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5705/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of persons in the Reserve Defence Forces, by the county of their primary residence in 2011, 2016, 2020, and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5706/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of premises operated by the Defence Forces which have been closed since 2011, by premises, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5707/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if they will outline the once-off additional payments announced under Budget 2025; if the Department has made available any such additional payment to persons who have transferred from invalidity pension to the contributory pension on the basis of their health having not improved arising from the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6573/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline his efforts to oppose the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [4447/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-02-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, further to the fallout of Storm Éowyn, he will advance policies to ensure that new powerlines are undergrounded when feasible. [5751/25]

Niamh Smyth — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 9 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 9 total

Health 3 questions
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review the case of a person (details supplied) and ensure a place in a hospital unit. [5798/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5938/25]
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) scheme, originally scheduled for rollout in January 2025, will be implemented; the reason for the delay; the steps being taken to resolve the lack of clarity between her Department and a union (details supplied) to ensure pharmacists can dispense HRT products free of charge as planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6059/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the qualifying criteria for the primary medical certificate, particularly in relation to stroke patients, who may have significant mobility limitations but do not meet the existing narrow criteria; if consideration will be given to amending the eligibility requirements to better reflect the challenges faced by individuals who have lost the use of one hand and one leg on the same side due to stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6060/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and an update provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5692/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a family income supplement application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5661/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-02-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will address the lack of access to essential services for children diagnosed with autism, specifically in the case of a child (details supplied) diagnosed in May 2024 who was recommended psychology, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy in his assessment of need but has been unable to access these services due to long waiting times, lack of service provision, and staffing shortages; if urgent measures will be taken to provide timely intervention for this child and others in similar circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5812/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason there is no movement on apprentices (details supplied) waiting on their next phase of training. [6575/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-02-19 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has considered introducing financial incentives for landowners to maintain rights of way and mass paths, similar to Scotland’s CLÁR program; if any funding initiatives exist or are planned to support the preservation of these historic routes; if the digitisation of maps by Ordnance Survey Ireland (now under Tailte Éireann) has resulted in the omission of rights of way and mass paths that were previously included in older Cassini maps; if so, the rationale for their exclusion despite public funding for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6592/25]