Dublin Bay North — week of Mon, 17 Mar

What your Dublin Bay North TDs did this week

Mon, 17 Mar – 23 Mar 2025 · 5 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 55 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-03-19 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 84–69

Voted for 3 Barry Heneghan · Naoise Ó Muirí · Tom Brabazon

Voted against 2 Cian O'Callaghan · Denise Mitchell

Barry Heneghan — Independent 1 vote · 23 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 23 total

Health 7 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health to address the situation in relation to the drop-off zone at the entrance to the Mater Hospital Dublin (details supplied) which is now having an impact on the safety and wellbeing of patients; if she will make a commitment that the situation will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11877/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if the long waiting times for blood tests in Beaumont Hospital (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11991/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review and address the severe inadequacies in Ireland’s eating disorder services, particularly the lack of inpatient beds and the absence of integrated community-based supports; if he will commit to increasing the number of dedicated public inpatient beds for eating disorder treatment; and the immediate steps being taken to ensure those suffering from eating disorders have access to timely and appropriate care. [12948/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a campaign (details supplied) which calls for an end to the loophole in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 which allows zero-alcohol advertising, using the same master branding as full-strength equivalents, in places that are restricted under the 2018 Act; if she supports the campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12949/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints about the behaviour of nurses that have been made to the HSE, the Nursing and Midwifery Board and the Office of the Ombudsman in 2023 and 2024; and if she is satisfied that the current system for overseeing and acting on complaints against health and social care staff in the HSE is adequate. [12950/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health the immediate steps being taken to improve the treatment of individuals presenting at accident and emergency departments with suicidal ideation, including measures to ensure they are properly assessed, monitored, and provided with appropriate crisis intervention; and if there are plans to introduce dedicated emergency mental health response units outside of accident and emergency departments to better support individuals in crisis. [12951/25]
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 26 February 2025, the details of supports and services including advocacy that are provided to adults aged over 26 years that were in health board/HSE accommodation as a child, including disability residential homes; and if redress schemes or impending redress schemes to address the abuses including physical, emotional and or sexual harm many children may have endured in these aforementioned residential accommodations are in place. [13253/25]
Housing 4 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of local authority access officers; if this role is filled in each local authority; whether the role is full-time or part-time; and what grade the access officer role is in each Local Authority [11335/25]
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the role of accessibility officers in Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council; what oversight is in place to ensure future housing developments meet universal design standards; and if additional measures are being considered to improve accessibility in social and affordable housing projects. [12947/25]
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing in the Dublin Bay north constituency; if he is reviewing the delays in planning, procurement or funding allocation; and if he is considering new legislative changes to streamline the process to ensure targets are met. [12946/25]
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline, in light of the ongoing housing crisis, the Government’s plans to achieve the target of constructing 60,000 homes annually over the next 25 years; and how the Government intends to incorporate modern construction methods, such as modular housing, to expedite this process. [9496/25]
Social 4 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied); if he will support this query; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11902/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine subsidies for the elderly (details supplied) who cannot claim them because their children are still living at home due to the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11988/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to reviewing public sector sick leave policies to ensure greater flexibility for employees with disabilities who require extended leave due to their condition; if there are discretionary measures available to prevent employees from being placed on nil pay in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12952/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he plans to take to ensure that necessary and appropriate care is being provided to family members in the context of the planned expansion of the carer’s allowance. [12953/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Finance if he would consider allowing gym membership, or indeed any sporting membership, to be made tax deductible in the same way weight loss drugs are tax deductible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10985/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Finance the reason mortgage lenders and the banks have maintained mortgage rates in the face of an interest rate environment where the ECB has cut rates six times in the past nine months; when the banks will cut their rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11990/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 795 of 25 February 2025, wherein you stated that a total of €949,718.86 had been spent to end of 2024 on the administrative and staffing costs associated with the running of the Personalised Budget Demonstrator Pilot, considering that €3.5 million was made available to meet these stated costs over the lifetime of the Pilot, what will happen to the €2.55 million approximately unspent if the project does not offer a means for a wider roll-out of the model following the publication of the Evaluation Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11342/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on safeguarding issues at an organisation (details supplied); the specific steps she will take to ensure that such abuses are never repeated; and the mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that independent charities working with vulnerable populations are held to the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. [11878/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice the steps he will take to address high levels of anti-social behaviour, including youth vandalism and assaults, in the Belmayne-Clongriffin area; if he will consider making the Garda Youth Diversion Programme mandatory for at risk youths as currently voluntary engagement excludes those who need it most; if he will give a commitment that all Gardaí, not just juvenile liaison officers, are trained in early intervention and referrals, shifting the focus from arrests to proactive, preventative policing in collaboration with community groups. [12945/25]
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice whether consideration has been given to recognising a history of childhood abuse as a mitigating factor in judicial proceedings where a survivor retaliates against their abuser; and the reforms being considered to prevent prolonged adjournments of court cases which can cause significant distress to those with mental health challenges. [12944/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline for the installation of the fibre-to-the-home network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11989/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to regulate taxi apps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11100/25]

Cian O'Callaghan — Social Democrats 1 vote · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Health 4 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the progress of the promised additional 117 ICU beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11272/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the number of key organ donation personnel in intensive care units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11273/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she will take steps to increase the number of advanced paramedics being trained across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11463/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if she will ensure staff applying for the helicopter emergency medical service do not have to forfeit their advanced paramedic allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11464/25]
Finance 3 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the number of taxpayers to date that have applied to have their flat rate expenses reinstated, broken down to each tax category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11008/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers in each staff category that were in receipt of flat-rate expenses in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11009/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if clear guidance will be issued for taxi drivers who will be affected by the tax implications of the ‘reverse charge’ model operated by taxi app companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11271/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will take action to ensure price gauging practices are banned and added to the remit of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11387/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider adding voluntary organisations into the remit of the WRC in view of an inquest verdict (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11971/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a case (details supplied) where a child who requires a place in a reading school will not have one due to the lack of available places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11175/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education to examine the case of a child (details supplied) who is at risk of expulsion from primary school due to a lack of additional supports available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11544/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the progress being made to ensure that peoples using e-scooters dangerously are fined appropriately, or the e-scooter confiscated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11545/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if he will honour former Justice Minister Helen McEntee’s plans for a ban on the use of private counselling notes being used as evidence in cases of sexual violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11546/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the Community Centres Investment Fund will reopen for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12636/25]

Denise Mitchell — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 8 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Education 3 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education the status of a new school building (details supplied); the status of the appointment of a multi-disciplinary design team; the timeline for the overall project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11565/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education when the commitment in the Programme for Government that an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the school transport scheme is expected to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11824/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education to ensure that a child (details supplied) has a place in an autism class or special school as soon as possible as recommended by their local children’s disability network team; the provisions being made to ensure children in the Balgriffin and Belmayne area of north Dublin will have access to a special school in the near future; when additional autism classes or a special school will open; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12676/25]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the suspension of economic sanctions by the European Union on Syria is appropriate given the latest instances of appalling violence being carried out by Syrian government security forces and affiliated militias against men, women and children of minority communities in western Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12304/25]
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the correspondence or discussions he has had with representatives of the Republic of Lithuania in relation to that country’s formal withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12479/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail any instances in the past twenty years of a UN peacekeeping mission in which Ireland was to partake, being blocked or not proceeding due to a vote, or the use of a veto, at the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; when homeowners who already paid a fire remediation levy in respect of repairs to their own homes and complexes will see their remediation costs refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12262/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce wait times for blood testing appointments at Beaumont Hospital; if it is possible to provide auxiliary capacity to reduce the waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11211/25]

Naoise Ó Muirí — Fine Gael 1 vote · 5 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 5 total

Environment 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is scope to expedite the consent process required from a Minister to enact the pension increase received by An Post pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11595/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the misuse of e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11592/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education if she plans to approve a special learning difficulties reading class in north Dublin; the timeline for this expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11591/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures her Department has considered to expand childcare places in response to concerns in relation to accessibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11593/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the timeline for establishing the assisted human reproduction regulatory authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11594/25]

Tom Brabazon — Fianna Fáil 1 vote · 5 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 5 total

Finance 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Finance the engagement his Department has had with mortgage lenders regarding Irish mortgage rates, in light of the ECB cutting rates over the past nine months. [11813/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Education to provide an additional junior infant class in a school (details supplied); if she will examine the possibility of a new primary school for the south Portmarnock area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11098/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-03-19 Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) will be provided with transport to and from the daily unit at St. Michael’s House, Coolock hub. [11142/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to legislate for and implement a comprehensive remediation scheme including retrospective payments for defective apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-03-20 Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has examined the issue of file padding in the workplace, where employers fabricate or exaggerate disciplinary records to justify dismissal, demotion, or other adverse actions; if such practices will be recognised as a form of workplace harassment; if legislative measures are being considered to prevent and penalise such conduct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/25]