Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 7 Apr — Watch Them Work

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 7 Apr – 13 Apr 2025 · 5 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 61 questions · 2 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

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

2025-04-09 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 65–83

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Thomas Gould

Water Services (Repeal of Water Charges) Bill 2025

2025-04-09 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 64–83

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Thomas Gould

Protecting the Irish Economy Against Increasing Trade Tariffs

2025-04-09 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Did not vote 1 Thomas Gould

The motion · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Did not vote 1 Thomas Gould

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-04-08 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 87–70

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

Voted against 3 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 5 votes · 9 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 9 total

Education 4 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the number of additional special school places that have been provided for Cork for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17213/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to confirm the details of the new special school for Cork based in Carrignavar and, in the interim, Fermoy; when applications for the school will open; the way parents can apply for children for same; if criteria have been developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17212/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when they can proceed to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16906/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a school place for a child (details supplied) with additional needs be made available for the school year 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17580/25]
Environment 2 questions
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action his Department is taking to reduce the timeframe for the SEAI warmer homes scheme application process, in view that the timeline for each stage has steadily increased over the past 12 months, whereby it is now taking approximately 24 months from approval to completion, in view that many applicants are elderly, live in low BER-rated property and require their property to be urgently updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18008/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the rollout of renewable energy, in particular in relation to his commitment to engage with farmers on new business opportunities in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm that consideration would be given to permitting a child (details supplied) attending an ECCE service before commencing primary school in the autumn to continue to attend a school aged childcare facility during the easter break and summer months, as the family have been informed that due to new Tusla regulations, this is no longer possible, but the facility have confirmed to the family that a place would be available for the child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16656/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been any engagement between his Department and the Department of Health in respect of adopting a joint approach about the management and maintenance of burial grounds which are under the management or control of the Department of Health or HSE, with a view to adopting a joint approach as to how these burial grounds would be best managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16955/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when she intends to publish the review of cardiac services; when Ireland will develop a new national cardiovascular disease strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18193/25]

New lobbying 1 return

Smarmore Castle Private Clinic Health
- requesting help and info in relation to health insurers refusing to cover the services

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 5 votes · 20 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 20 total

Education 8 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the local bargaining process in the primary education sector; if she will provide an update on the 19 costings submitted in August 2024 under this process by an organisation (details supplied) as the lead union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17161/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure new teachers in training are trained to deliver high-quality teaching to children of all abilities, including those with special educational needs, to better meet the needs of growing number of students with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17162/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure teachers currently working in the education system are trained to deliver high-quality teaching to children of all abilities, including those with special educational needs, to better meet the needs of growing numbers of students with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17163/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to increase the capitation grant per child, for each school, to meet the growing demands on schools due to the rising cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17164/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education the training and the type of training that has been provided to senior cycle teachers for senior cycle reform to begin in September of this year; if there has been training provided for the use of AI in the 40% AAC; and the extent of the communication with the teaching unions since January 2025. [17160/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if there are grants available, outside of minor works grants, for schools to install accessible playgrounds on their site to encourage learning through play for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16888/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education if there are grants available, outside of minor works grants, for schools to install accessible playgrounds on their site to encourage learning through play for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16887/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education what her plans are to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to "collect data to create more targeted, effective services for children with special needs"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17244/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-04-09 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test could be fast tracked for person (details supplied). [17770/25]
- 2025-04-09 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if there is a statutory obligation on local authorities or agencies within his remit to carry out noise abatement studies on national secondary routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17771/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland has any plans to introduce traffic calming measures at Clonbanin Cross, Mallow, County Cork, as there are a number of businesses operating in the area and high speed traffic is causing safety issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18188/25]
Environment 2 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a preserved pension; if advice will be provided on the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17297/25]
- 2025-04-09 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a statutory obligation on local authorities or agencies within his remit to carry out noise abatement studies on national secondary routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17772/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 974 of 5 February 2025, the plans currently in place to increase funding for the Cork/Kerry region to expand the number of residential placements for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16606/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following the Disability Capacity Review published in 2021, to outline the number of additional residential places that have been opened since; the number of which have been allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16607/25]
Health 2 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health why person (details supplied) is not entitled to the CGM sensors reimbursement scheme considering their new diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16713/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health how many ambulances have had to make calls to Cobh, County Cork, over the last three years, and what the response time was; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17253/25]
Tourism 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he plans to develop a multi-cultural centre in Cork city to provide a venue for cultural events in Cork city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16884/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice if consideration will be given to reducing the €300 immigration registration fee paid by international students in third level colleges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16883/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat animal welfare issues relating to the treatment and abuse of horses and ensure a higher standard and compliance with animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/25]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 5 votes · 1 question · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Housing 1 question
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the detailed expenditure for the purchase of the Ukrainian community cars through the network of local development companies; the number of cars purchased for this purpose; the number of drivers that have been employed for this purpose; if all the vehicles and drivers have been used for this purpose; if any vehicles have remained unused; if any drivers have been paid for work that was never executed; the amount allocated for the scheme; and the amount of this allocation that was used for this purpose. [18300/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 4 votes · 15 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 15 total

Health 8 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking, as per the Programme for Government commitments, to undertake a review of the drug reimbursement process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17359/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the situations where private health insurers are in some cases covering access to drugs and orphan drugs for their clients and the very same drugs are not available to public patients; if he is aware of this two tier approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17360/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the full budget for new medicines was drawn down by the HSE in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17361/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of new medicines approved per annum in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17362/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the overall extent of pharmaceutical expenditure per annum in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17363/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the protocols and processes available or used by pharmacists to return unused medicines or to redistribute any paid for, yet unused medicines in the wider pharmacy sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17364/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the value of drugs, particularly orphan drugs, that go unused for one reason or another per annum; the way her Department is attempting to limit the wastage and number of medicines that expired unused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17365/25]
- 2025-04-09 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide the annual expenditure on pharmaceutical treatments by the HSE in 2024; the expenditure on new medicines for the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17737/25]
Education 6 questions
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the steps taken in Cork county and city to ensure all children who require a place have the possibility of securing a place in a special class or special school for the next academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17159/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on plans for a Department of Education site at Brooklodge, Glanmire, Cork; the progress made to locate a special school at that site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17158/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of the new extension at a school (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17439/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to ensure that communication between NCSE and her Department’s building unit is operating effectively given the severe lack of special school places in 2025 and commit to a review to ensure that such a scenario does not materialise again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17440/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will undertake a review of the way in which we provide special education classes and special school places for children with additional needs given that the nature of how we undertake assessment of needs is an all year round process that does not conform to the policies surrounding mainstream enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17441/25]
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if her Department’s building unit provides for additional headroom capacity in the area of special needs given that the children present with a diagnosis on an all year round basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17442/25]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2025-04-08 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the child poverty programme in his Department. [13753/25]

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 16 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 16 total

Education 10 questions
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether school transport has been put in place for the temporary special school facility in Fermoy. [18099/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether the temporary special school facility in Fermoy will be open in September. [18100/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether Uisce Éireann has granted sanction for a proposed special school (details supplied). [18101/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether wastewater treatment will need to be upgraded for the opening of a proposed special school (details supplied). [18102/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of places to be open in a proposed school (details supplied). [18103/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the number of children currently without a space in an ASD class, and without a special school place, respectively, with an address in Cork for the 2025-2026 school year. [18104/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education for an update on the proposed extension to a school (details supplied); and whether this will include an entrance at Lagan Grove. [18105/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education to consider extending the free schoolbooks scheme to include tablet devices at second level. [18228/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 4 March 2025, the status of the engagements undertaken with the school to date to progress the school’s development plan. [18230/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if there is any assistance her Department can provide in securing an SNA post in a school with relevant qualifications. [18232/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the number of children with an address in Cork whose parents have received notification of a review into hip dysplasia surgeries. [18106/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by each of the Cork hospitals to taxi firms in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [18184/25]
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether a patient who is to be transferred between healthcare facilities via taxi could instead be driven by a family member or friend. [18185/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether consideration has been given for a dumping taskforce to tackle dumping in Cork city. [18098/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of times, in each of the past 24 months, that the Naval Service could not run planned sailings because of staffing or capacity constraints. [18097/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-04-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE based full-time in the NTA offices on Horgan’s Quay in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [18183/25]