Dublin Fingal West — week of Mon, 28 Apr — Watch Them Work

What your Dublin Fingal West TDs did this week

Mon, 28 Apr – 4 May 2025 · 3 TDs · 6 bills voted on · 68 questions · 8 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024

2025-04-30 · 2 votes · Govt (Justice)

A bill to provide that defamation actions in the High Court shall not be tried with a jury

full description

A bill to provide that defamation actions in the High Court shall not be tried with a jury; to give effect to Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) in so far as it relates to defamation proceedings; for those and other purposes to amend the Defamation Act 2009; and to provide for related matters.

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 64–86

Voted for 2 Louise O'Reilly · Robert O'Donoghue

Voted against 1 Grace Boland

The motion · motion passed 86–64

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 2 Louise O'Reilly · Robert O'Donoghue

Unnecessary Hip Surgeries at Children's Health Ireland

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 1 Louise O'Reilly

Did not vote 1 Robert O'Donoghue

Special Education

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 1 Louise O'Reilly

Did not vote 1 Robert O'Donoghue

Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on Orders of Reference and Establishment of Committees

2025-04-30 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 67–86

Voted for 1 Louise O'Reilly

Voted against 1 Grace Boland

Did not vote 1 Robert O'Donoghue

The motion · motion passed 103–49

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 1 Louise O'Reilly

Did not vote 1 Robert O'Donoghue

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 87–66

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 1 Louise O'Reilly

Did not vote 1 Robert O'Donoghue

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-04-29 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 84–70

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 2 Louise O'Reilly · Robert O'Donoghue

Grace Boland — Fine Gael 8 votes · 28 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 28 total

Education 18 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the eligibility criteria and process for a school to utilise the additional school accommodation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18942/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the timeline in which a school can expect to receive approval to avail of the additional school accommodation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18943/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if her Department has a defined service level response time in which it responds to emails from principals of schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18944/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the steps a principal can take to escalate a query if they have not received response to emails sent to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18945/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct the NCSE to engage with parents of children who have been refused access to a reading school place in areas (details supplied), to find a suitable reading school place for their child for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18946/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct the NCSE to engage with parents of children who have been refused access to a reading school place in the Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Donabate and surrounding areas to find a suitable reading school place for their child for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18947/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct the NCSE to open additional reading school places to meet the demands of children living in areas (details supplied) for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18948/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will instruct the NCSE to open additional reading school places to meet the demands of children living in the Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock, Donabate and surrounding areas for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18949/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the qualifications needed for teachers to teach in reading classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18950/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education the qualifications needed for teachers to teach children in need of special education teaching hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18951/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will review the bus route which pupils from Ballyboughal, County Dublin to a school (details supplied) undertake, as the current bus stop is at an unsafe location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19324/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will review the current guidelines on the after-hours use of school buildings with a view to giving more control on the decision making process to the board of management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19325/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if her Department has engaged with the patron for a school (details supplied) in relation to the delivery of the autism classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20601/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the delivery of a school (details supplied) as planning permission has been granted by Fingal County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20602/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of the new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20603/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress her Department has made to progress the new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20604/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of the modular build special class for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20605/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the progress of the extension planned for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20606/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the establishment of the transport security force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21207/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport when he envisions the transport security force will commence its work on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21208/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on and recommendations arising out of the Dublin Bus pilot "New Safer Journeys"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21209/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the uptake in the building blocks extension grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20291/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in delivering on the commitment of capping childcare costs at €200 per month per child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20292/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recently launched business energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21239/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the input his Department had in the development of the business energy upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21240/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when rural planning guidelines will be sent to local authorities; if he will provide a timeline for commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21206/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice if his Department will have a role in establishing and managing the transport security force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21210/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that could be taken to increase the uptake of disability, equality and inclusion awareness training to help make the transition to employment for a person with a disability easier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21382/25]

New lobbying 2 returns

Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Support for the Delivery of the Commitment within the Programme for Government to rollout the remaining community Neuro-Rehabilitation teams
Prosper Fingal CLG Health
- Invitations sent to Fingal TD's for the annual Rush panto

Louise O'Reilly — Sinn Féin 8 votes · 24 questions · 4 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 24 total

Social 14 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person working as a school caretaker who is laid off for school closures is entitled to claim pay related jobseeker's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 10 April, the maximum age of an adoptee on their date of placement by which their parents or guardians are still eligible to receive the new baby grant; the exact definition of baby as pertains to the new baby grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19427/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the inequitable treatment of young widowed people in Ireland, particularly in the areas of taxation, financial supports, and access to essential benefits under current social protection policy; if he will consider retaining dual tax credits and rate bands for widows, widowers and surviving civil partners, extending financial supports to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners that reflect the long-term realities of supporting children through school and college, and the challenges widowed people face as sole caregivers and provide access to sick leave so as widowed people are not penalised for needing time to address their own health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19580/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will advise of the difference between a solemniser and a celebrant for the purpose of officiating at weddings and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19582/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the difference between a solemniser and a celebrant for the purpose of civil ceremonies; if both have to be registered in order to perform a ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19583/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) and provide support for this person to access their full entitlements to social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19584/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will disclose which groups have lobbied him regarding the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Act 2024, the automatic enrolment of workers into pension schemes, the timing and implementation of automatic enrolment, including all documentation, correspondences, meetings and minutes of meetings with lobbyists related to automatic enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the substantial reduction in income for some recipients of the widow’s/widower’s/surviving civil partner’s contributory pension when they reach the age of 66 and transition to the State pension and the hardship incurred as a result; if he is aware that this disproportionately affects women; if he will review this policy with a view to restoring the widow’s/widower’s/surviving civil partner’s contributory pension beyond age 66 where financial hardship persists; if he will commission an independent assessment into whether this policy constitutes age and/or gender-based discrimination under the Equal Status Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20607/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of concerns raised about the nutritional value of school meals; if he has considered utilising non-profit groups like an organisation (details supplied) for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that there is a disparity in the assessment of child maintenance across different forms of supports; if he will give consideration to standardising this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21758/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that qualified surviving cohabitants bereaved before January 22nd 2024 are not entitled to receive retrospective bereaved partner’s pension payments from before that date; if the Minister is aware of the number of qualified surviving cohabitants in this situation; if he is aware of the hardship endured by qualified surviving cohabitants over the years due to lack of access to a bereaved partner’s pension; if he will consider backdating payments to all qualified surviving cohabitants who apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21760/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give an update on the pension auto-enrolment scheme; when it will be rolled out; the cause for recent delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21762/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the hardship endured by adults aged 18-24 who are denied access to the full rate of jobseeker’s allowance; if he is aware of the impact this has on poverty rates among youth jobseeker’s allowance recipients; if he will consider abolishing the reduced rate for people aged 18-24 in light of this impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21764/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for disability allowance, between 2020 and the first quarter of 2025, in tabular form; the number of applications that were successful; the number of applications rejected; the number of rejected applications appealed; the number of appeals granted; the average length of time from application to final decision, per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21759/25]
Housing 5 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the forms of proof of ownership, apart from the deeds of a house, that are acceptable for accessing the derelict home grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options available for a person (details supplied) whose apartment, bought in 2022, has mould, pyrite, water ingress that has a broken heating system and windows that need replacing in order to be habitable by way of a grant; the options available for homeowners who find themselves unable to pay rising management fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19569/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide details of the manner in which once-off payments and once off commissions or bonuses are treated in the estimation of a persons entitlement to HAP; if he is aware that people who have spent years on the housing list are being removed due to a once-off payment which puts them over the limit, even though their salary is well below the threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20055/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the case of a family (details supplied) who are living in overcrowded accommodation, who are being removed from the housing list for being over the income limit, but have been turned down for an affordable housing scheme due to insufficient income; if he will propose a solution for this family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/25]
- 2025-04-30 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when people in Skerries will be able to access a scheme for remediation and compensation for homes built with defective blocks; if he is aware that they have been waiting a considerable number of years for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21463/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-04-30 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that anyone applying for the SUSI over the age of 23, still residing with their parents is automatically classed as a mature dependent student and means-tested according to the household income; if he is aware that the assumption of family support for adults living in their parental home who are not, themselves, legal dependents for the purpose of the SUSI grant means-test, leads to hardship and creates significant barriers to upskilling through third and higher level education; if he will consider abolishing the SUSI Grant's household means test for adults living in their parental home who are not legal dependents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21415/25]
- 2025-04-30 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that adults over 23 applying for the SUSI grant who are living in the parental home but are not, themselves, legal adult dependents, are classed as mature dependent students and subject to a means-test of the entire household income; if he is aware of the hardship that results from the assumption of family support for adults living in their parental home who are not legal adult dependents; if he is aware of the barriers to upskilling through third- and higher-level education this means-test and category of 'mature dependent student' creates for adults who are not legal adult dependents living in the parental home; if he will abolish the household means-test for adults over 23 who are living in the parental home but are not legal adult dependents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21438/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the Dart Plus Coastal North project; the estimated date for the roll out of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the tax relief claimed for advertising and marketing by a sector (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); if she believes that the treatment of this person is in line with the obligations of government under the UNCRPD, which provides for the right of disabled persons to live independently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20049/25]

New lobbying 4 returns

Irish Kidney Association · 2 returns Health
- Requested a PQ to be submitted seeking clarification on the qualifying criteria for the Solar PV for Medically Vulnerable Scheme
- Requested a PQ to be submitted asking if there are plans to revisit the current system of reimbursement of patients on home dialysis via Revenue
Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Support for the Delivery of the Commitment within the Programme for Government to rollout the remaining community Neuro-Rehabilitation teams
Prosper Fingal CLG Health
- Invitations sent to Fingal TD's for the annual Rush panto

Robert O'Donoghue — Labour Party 3 votes · 16 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 16 total

Tourism 4 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, in light of the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of a content levy on international streaming platforms under the revised Broadcasting Bill requiring Ministerial sign-off before any levy can be imposed, he will outline how the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of a content levy on international streaming platforms aligns with its stated objective of supporting Irish content creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19572/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an assessment has been made of the cultural and economic impact of postponing a revenue stream that could generate up to €20 million annually for investment in Irish film, television and digital media; the rationale for excluding RTÉ and TG4 from eligibility for the new media fund; how the Government intends to support these public service broadcasters in their efforts to innovate and serve diverse audiences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19573/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will commit to engaging in urgent consultation with Coimisiún na Meán, content creators and public broadcasters to develop a future-focused media strategy that protects consumers while holding global streaming platforms to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19574/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will publish the Coimisiún na Meán viability report into the content levy without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19575/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education the timeframe and date for the installation of the promised prefab building at a school (details supplied); if this prefab building will be installed on time for the September 2025 intake of children as promised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18642/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if she will acknowledge the disadvantage facing this year’s Leaving Certificate students compared to students who sat the Leaving Certificate in previous years if her Department’s proposed changes to the Leaving Certificate grading system are introduced; if her Department will proceed with these proposed changes despite these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19025/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently review the staffing allocation for the 2025/2026 school year at a school (details supplied), where the loss of a mainstream teacher will result in a merged 3rd and 4th class of 39 pupils, well above her Department’s average class ratio size of 23:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20041/25]
Children 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the average rates of pay for each grade or role within the early childhood education and care sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18791/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of the growing frustration among a union (details supplied) and early years educators due to the lack of progress on the new employment regulation order; if she has engaged with the employer representatives on the Joint Labour Committee to stress the urgency of concluding this process; the actions her Department is taking to protect the €45 million in ring-fenced funding for pay increases in the sector, particularly given that €860,000 per week—or €3.6 million per month—may be lost as a result of continued delays by employer groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20706/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason an eight-year-old child (details supplied) is still facing an 18-month wait for an initial speech and language assessment; the immediate steps that will be taken to address the excessive waiting times for children requiring essential developmental support; if the child will be given urgent access to speech and language therapy given their age and the fact no communication has been received from the HSE since the initial contact regarding Parliamentary Question No. 638 of 25 March 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20728/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a community neurorehabilitation team for central and north Dublin, as promised in 2019, and in line with the Programme for Government commitment and recent calls (details supplied), given the ongoing disadvantage faced by patients discharged from national centres who currently have no access to such a service locally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19909/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she will review the current HSE funding criteria for access to the weight management medication saxenda, in cases where it has been prescribed for clinically significant health reasons ; if she will consider allowing more compassionate and flexible discretion in individual cases, particularly where patients with serious chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma, and a history of cancer have demonstrated clear medical benefit from the treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20758/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if her Department will revise the current means testing system for medical cards to formally include the "cost of disability" as an allowable expense category in determining eligibility for the medical card. [21164/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student attending a school (details supplied) qualifies to apply to the CAO as a Gaeltacht applicant, in light of previous indications that students at boarding schools may not be eligible for this status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18787/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will acknowledge the disadvantage facing CAO applicants who are sitting their Leaving Certificate in 2025 compared to those who sat their Leaving Certificate in previous years; if his Department has plans to tackle this disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19026/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will enact legislation to enforce paying of royalties for musical artists whose compositions are used for training on artificial intelligence systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10142/25]

New lobbying 2 returns

Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Support for the Delivery of the Commitment within the Programme for Government to rollout the remaining community Neuro-Rehabilitation teams
Prosper Fingal CLG Health
- Invitations sent to Fingal TD's for the annual Rush panto