Dublin South-West — week of Mon, 24 Mar — Watch Them Work

What your Dublin South-West TDs did this week

Mon, 24 Mar – 30 Mar 2025 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 38 questions · 6 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2024: Céim an Choiste

2025-03-26 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 67–88

Voted for 2 Ciarán Ahern · Seán Crowe

Voted against 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Did not vote 1 Paul Murphy

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 67–88

Voted for 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Voted against 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Social Housing Tenant In Situ Scheme

2025-03-26 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 87–71

Voted for 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Voted against 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

The motion · motion passed 87–70

Voted for 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Voted against 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Triple Lock Mechanism and Irish Neutrality

2025-03-26 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 87–69

Voted for 2 Colm Brophy · John Lahart

Voted against 3 Ciarán Ahern · Paul Murphy · Seán Crowe

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2025

2025-03-26 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 47–109

Voted for 1 Seán Crowe

Voted against 4 Ciarán Ahern · Colm Brophy · John Lahart · Paul Murphy

The motion · motion passed 110–47

Voted for 4 Ciarán Ahern · Colm Brophy · John Lahart · Paul Murphy

Voted against 1 Seán Crowe

Ciarán Ahern — Labour Party 7 votes · 6 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 6 total

Education 2 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education if her Department will approve emergency funding for a DEIS Band 1 school (details supplied) which is due to run out of money from 1 April 2025, meaning it will not be able to pay its basic bills and may face closure unless such funding is approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13335/25]
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education to outline, in light of a widely-reported funding crisis at a school (details supplied), the number of primary schools which have contacted her Department this school year about serious funding challenges; the number of such schools which are designated as 'DEIS' schools; if her Department has an emergency fund to assist schools in financial crisis; and to further outline, in the absence of such a fund, how the longer-term viability of schools in financial crisis can be addressed. [14784/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied that providers under the Hot School Meals Programme are not required to provide his Department with details of their preparation methods for meals provided under the programme; his views on whether the Food Safety Authority of Ireland guidelines and regulations (details supplied) are robust enough to ensure that all meals provided to schools under the programme are of good quality and meet a strong nutritional standard; if he is aware of reports or ultra-processed foods being provided under the programme; if he plans to address same; the steps he is taking to improve the nutritional content of the meals being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13318/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to address the amount of food waste and single-use disposable plastic packaging under the Hot School Meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13319/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reduce the significant waste generated by campaign posters and cable ties during election campaigns; if he will consider a reduction in the number of posters a candidate may erect or consider designating certain locations for election posters, or any other similar measures; and if he will consider a colour-coded or tagged system of cable ties to ensure all cable ties are removed and disposed of appropriately post-election. [13700/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health when the free HRT scheme, which was committed to in Budget 2025, will commence; if she will arrange for women who should have benefited from the scheme since 1 January 2025 to be reimbursed any expenses accrued up to the formal commencement of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14902/25]

Colm Brophy — Fine Gael 7 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

John Lahart — Fianna Fáil 7 votes · 3 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 3 total

Social 1 question
- 2025-03-25 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has considered addressing the disparity in benefits eligibility between individuals who have paid PRSI contributions at Class ‘D’ for the majority of their careers and those who have paid Class ‘A’ contributions for a shorter period; if any review is being conducted to ensure fairness in access to dental and optical benefits for long-term contributors under Class ‘D’; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14212/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-03-26 Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware that in previous times, the Defence Forces used to make available marquee community organisations for family and community day events, and also erected and removed such marquees for the group; whether such a facility remains in place; and if so, how a community group in the constituency of Dublin South West can go about availing of this [14348/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-03-27 Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views in relation to the record number of greyhounds euthanised at races in the last year; the steps it is intended to take, or that have been taken, to deal with this significant problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14782/25]

New lobbying 3 returns

Endometriosis Association of Ireland · 2 returns Health
- Email Invitation to Annual Conference
- Status of National Framework
Bloomfield Health Services Health
- Mental Health Services at Bloomfield Health Services

Paul Murphy — People Before Profit-Solidarity 6 votes · 27 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 27 total

Transport 6 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of learner drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024 who failed to comply with the requirement to surrender their learner permit to the Road Safety Authority and were summoned to court for failing to comply; the number convicted and the penalties imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13540/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when real time, complete information on court driver disqualifications will flow between the courts, the Road Safety Authority, the Irish Motor Insurance Database, Insurance Ireland and An Garda Síochána to become streamlined in order that An Garda Síochána will be able to access real time and complete data at the roadside, of all who are disqualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13541/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to various instances of driving tests being delayed in some cases for several months; if he will instruct his Department to take necessary steps to ensure these delays are reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13597/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will supply a breakdown of the number of drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024; the number of those drivers who surrendered their licence to the Road Safety Authority’s national driver licence service PO box to have the conviction of disqualification endorsed on their driving licence record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14628/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024 who failed to comply with the requirement to surrender their licence to the Road Safety Authority and were summoned to court for failing to comply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will supply a breakdown of the number of learner drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024; the number of those learner drivers who surrendered their learner permit to the Road Safety Authority’s national driver licence service PO box, as required by law, to have the conviction of the disqualification endorsed on their driving record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if sufficient funding will be provided to two schools (details supplied) to ensure they can continue to operate. [13660/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education how many schools in Dublin 11 expressed an interest in opening a specialist class in the past year or academic year, and how many of these applications were refused; the reasons for any refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14261/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education how many schools in Dublin 11 were approached by the National Council for Special Education to open a specialist class, and what percentage of those schools declined; the reasons given for these refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14262/25]
Justice 3 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to cases of delayed delivery of personal items to prisoners when they are being transferred between the Midlands Prison and the progression unit in Mountjoy (details supplied); if the Minister will instruct his Department to investigate this and ensure prisoners are able to receive their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of drivers disqualified in court each year from 2020 to 2024 who failed to comply with the requirement to surrender their licence to the Road Safety Authority and were summoned to court for failing to comply; the number convicted and the penalties imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/25]
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice whether he will agree to meet with the family of a person (details supplied) whose family are campaigning for an independent inquiry. [14713/25]
Children 3 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of the extremely long waiting times children are facing when dealing with their assessment of needs, which restricts their access to vital services; if she will instruct her Department to take all necessary steps to ensure waiting times are shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13601/25]
- 2025-03-26 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of a case (details supplied) in which a family have had their subsidised childcare hours slashed from 45 to 31 due to underattendance caused by frequent illness of the child; and if she will instruct her Department to look into this issue and ensure the family has appropriate childcare. [14328/25]
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether any direction, guidance or advice has been given to any Tusla staff or members of the national special care referrals committee in relation to reducing the number of applications for special care. [14711/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the recommendations outlined by PLACES in 2024 regarding pregnancy loss; if she will implement these recommendations; if so, to outline specific recommendations to be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13567/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13968/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the change to HSE-supplied pull-ups and the concerns surrounding their reduced size, quality, absorbency, and suitability for children with disabilities; if she will instruct her Department to ensure that pull-ups provided are fit for the needs of the children that use them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14199/25]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress of his Department’s investigation into the animal welfare issues raised in a recent investigation into Irish pig farms by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13711/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the case of persons (details supplied); if he will instruct his Department to take all necessary measures to ensure existing animal rights legislation is enforced and regular inspections of facilities are conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13314/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a dispute between workers and an employer (details supplied); if he will instruct his Department to investigate the matter and ensure workers know their rights and are receiving a fair wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14229/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that a business is facing the prospect of making over one thousand security officers redundant by going through the liquidation process (details supplied); if he will ensure that workers are protected in the case if redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14230/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the reviews of both the scheme to support national organisations and the C (community) and V (voluntary) pillar funding schemes; when the reviews will be completed and finished; the engagement he has had with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/25]
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the future of the dormant accounts fund; the plans in place to support those projects and programmes currently funded by the dormant accounts fund when the funding finishes; the discussions he has had on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13876/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that will be taken to address high dropout rates from apprenticeships, such as increasing pay, abolishing fees and ensuring access to off the job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14352/25]
- 2025-03-27 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will take action to ensure that no apprentice is paid less than the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14351/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the outsourcing of jobs within Departments; how much this has cost; if there will be a move to cut back on outsourcing in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13423/25]

New lobbying 1 return

Polio Survivors Ireland Justice and Equality
- Responded to an email from TD

Seán Crowe — Sinn Féin 7 votes · 2 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 2 total

Education 1 question
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the severe financial difficulties at a school (details supplied) due to the inadequacy of its capitation grant; the measures she will take to ensure funding is guaranteed to the end of the school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13305/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-03-25 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of an issue relating to the communication between Solas and TU Dublin which has delayed at least one apprentice in qualifying for their craft certification; and the measures that will be taken to rectify this and prevent its reoccurrence for other much needed tradespeople. [13776/25]

New lobbying 2 returns

Endometriosis Association of Ireland · 2 returns Health
- Email Invitation to Annual Conference
- Status of National Framework