Galway East — week of Mon, 24 Feb

What your Galway East TDs did this week

Mon, 24 Feb – 2 Mar 2025 · 4 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 79 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-02-25 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 88–62

Voted for 2 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

Did not vote 1 Seán Canney

Albert Dolan — Fianna Fáil 1 vote · 68 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 68 total

Public Expenditure 16 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has access to data that identifies the top contractors by total payments received from public procurement contracts within the State, broken down by year; if this information is collected centrally or if it must be sourced from individual contracting authorities, listing the top suppliers by total payments made to them for each of the past five years, in tabular form. [7388/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if suppliers awarded public contracts across different contracting authorities are assigned a unique universal identifier to track total payments received across all State bodies; if not, the reason a standardised identifier is not in use; and if his Department has considered introducing a centralised supplier tracking system to improve transparency and oversight of State expenditure on procurement. [7389/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department uses any metrics or evaluation systems to monitor whether suppliers successfully deliver on public procurement contracts they are awarded; if so, to provide details on the way supplier performance is assessed across contracting authorities; and if not, the reason supplier performance is not systematically tracked at a national level. [7390/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the way his Department becomes aware of cost overruns in public procurement contracts; if cost overruns are centrally monitored, audited, or formally reported to his Department by contracting authorities; and if not, to clarify whether contracting authorities are required to notify his Department when contract costs exceed the original award value. [7391/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the datasets and systems his Department uses to track public procurement spending. [7392/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the way his Department assesses value for money in procurement without a centralised tracking system given his Department does not track final contract costs against the contract award value; and the enforcement mechanisms that exist to address cost overruns and procurement inefficiencies. [7393/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the way his Department ensures procurement transparency, efficiency, and accountability without a national system to compare contracted and actual costs; the metrics or KPIs it uses to evaluate procurement performance; and the way it fulfils its role in National Development Plan oversight. [7394/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, if his Department actively monitors compliance with the requirement to publish purchase orders over €20,000; if all oversight responsibility is entirely delegated to the Information Commissioner; and if so, if his Department receives regular reports or updates from the Commissioner on compliance levels. [7395/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, if his Department has ever communicated with the Information Commissioner regarding non-compliance issues related to the publication of purchase orders over €20,000; and if so, to provide details of any recommendations or actions taken as a result. [7396/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, the reason his Department cannot compile a definitive list of all public bodies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if he will provide details on any challenges or barriers preventing such a list from being maintained; and if he will confirm the way the Government ensures that all required bodies comply with their reporting obligations if no formal register exists. [7397/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, the reason certain public bodies are able to produce quarterly prompt payment reports while failing to publish purchase orders over €20,000 on the same schedule; and if this discrepancy indicates a lack of enforcement or a failure to standardise reporting obligations across public bodies. [7398/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, the way instances of non-compliance with the publication of purchase orders over €20,000 are identified; if compliance is proactively monitored; if not, if it is only addressed when complaints are made; and if he will provide data on the number of non-compliance cases identified in the past five years. [7399/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, if any penalties or corrective actions have ever been applied to public bodies that failed to publish purchase orders over €20,000 as required. [7400/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 404 of 22 January 2025, if his Department plans to introduce legislative or policy changes to address the gaps in monitoring and enforcement of purchase order publication requirements; and if not, the reason no such measures are being considered. [7401/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7511/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7529/25]
Transport 8 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7516/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7534/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport when the proposed Athenry to Tuam local link service will be fully implemented; when the draft timetable will be finalised and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7980/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the cause of the delays in the construction of the Athlone-to-Galway greenway; whether a consultant has been appointed to oversee the project; if not, when is a consultant expected to be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7986/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the rationale behind Transport Infrastructure Ireland objecting to one-off dwellings that apply for planning permission with a shared entrance on national routes; if he can issue a directive to prevent this from continuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/25]
- 2025-02-26 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed local link bus route between Tuam and Athenry, County Galway; the current status of the route plan; when the National Transport Authority expects to implement this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8455/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing severe overcrowding on the morning train services from Athenry to Galway city; if he will engage with Iarnród Éireann to explore options for increasing capacity on this route to accommodate the growing demand from commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8866/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on plans for a bus service between Athenry and Galway city; the reason the National Transport Authority has not provided further information or a timeline for the proposed three-times-daily service that was mentioned months ago; and if he will commit to ensuring that a town of over 5,000 people is adequately served by public transport. [8867/25]
Environment 4 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7504/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7522/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will confirm the total capacity, in MW, of all new flexible gas-fired power generation plants under construction since November 2021 (details supplied). [7984/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of premises that remain unconnected under the National Broadband Ireland rollout plan; the estimated timeline for full completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7985/25]
Housing 4 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7509/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7527/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the temporary waiver on development contributions payable to local authorities for those building homes in 2025; if he has assessed the impact that these contributions have on individuals trying to commence home construction, particularly in rural areas; and if he will consider further measures to alleviate financial barriers for those seeking to build their own homes. [7983/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if funding has been allocated to local authorities in 2025 to continue the acquisition of properties under the tenant-in-situ scheme; if so, the amount allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/25]
Social 4 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7513/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7531/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the remaining schools will be able to avail of the free school meals programme; the timeline for its full implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7981/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for humanitarian assistance that have been received by his Department in the wake of storm Éowyn; the number that have been processed; the number that have been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8593/25]
Children 4 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7500/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within her Department and agencies under the aegis her Department of in each of the past five years. [7518/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration has been given to concerns raised by parents regarding financial penalties imposed when they choose to collect their children early from crèches, despite having paid for full-time care; if there are any measures in place to ensure fairness in such policies; and if she will engage with childcare providers to explore a more flexible approach that reflects the needs of families while supporting the sustainability of early childhood education services. [7982/25]
- 2025-02-26 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application for an accommodation centre (details supplied); if community consultation will form part of any considerations of this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8584/25]
Taoiseach 3 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the establishment of a Cabinet committee on water quality to co-ordinate water quality improvements across all sectors; and when it will hold its first meeting. [4437/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7514/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7532/25]
Defence 3 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7501/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7519/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to review the pension entitlements of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8683/25]
Enterprise 3 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7503/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7521/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the appeals process for the Power Up grant will be opened; and if his Department has provided any guidelines for applicants on how to submit an appeal. [8865/25]
Agriculture 3 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7499/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7517/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial assistance can be provided to farmers for the purchase of backup generators and water pumps, given the increasing need for resilience against power outages; whether a scheme similar to the fodder support scheme could be introduced to support these purchases; and if not, whether generators and water pumps could be added to the TAMS 2 scheme, recognising that while solar panels are included, they are ineffective during power outages. [7979/25]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7506/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department in each of the past five years. [7524/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Finance to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7505/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Finance the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7523/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7502/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within her Department and agencies under the aegis her Department of in each of the past five years. [7520/25]
Tourism 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7515/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7533/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7510/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7528/25]
Health 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7508/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within her Department and agencies under the aegis her Department of in each of the past five years. [7526/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7507/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7525/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide data on the final cost of public procurement tenders where his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department acted as the contracting authority in each of the past five years, indicating the number of tenders where the final cost was under, on, or over the contract award value at the time of tendering, in tabular form. [7512/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount spent in excess of the contract award value for all public procurement tenders within his Department and agencies under the aegis his Department of in each of the past five years. [7530/25]

Louis O'Hara — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 10 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Social 3 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection when the extreme weather event assistance scheme will be established; who will qualify for support under this scheme; if assistance will be granted to businesses, clubs, farmers and others affected by storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection the payment rates under the new jobseeker's pay related benefit scheme; if top-up payments will be made for any dependents an applicant has; if people are able to apply for the current jobseeker's benefit scheme from 31 March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7897/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection if Irish residents in receipt of a British pension are eligible for bonus payments issued by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8079/25]
Environment 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if hydrotreated vegetable oil for home heating will be approved for consumer use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8001/25]
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department are examining solutions to allow solar PVs to continue to generate electricity to power homes during power outages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8002/25]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration could be given to covering the deer fencing grant under the climate resilient reforestation scheme. [7905/25]
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 876 of 5 February 2025, if eligibility for back-up power take-off generators applies to all farmers including small beef and sheep farmers; if he will consider providing for fixed diesel generators under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8810/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial supports available for the construction of a community crèche; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7718/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of speed camera warning signs for the new static speed cameras that have been installed, particularly on the N17 and the N14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8749/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-02-27 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 370 of 18 February 2025, to clarify the data used in determining educational disadvantage; if numbers of students from the Travelling community is used as part of that data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8824/25]

Peter Roche — Fine Gael 1 vote · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Seán Canney — Independent 0 votes · 1 question · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Social 1 question
- 2025-02-25 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if a low-income household, where some members are in low-income employment and not in receipt of social protection, can access fuel allowance; if all members of a household need to be in receipt of social protection payments before fuel allowance will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7721/25]