Meath West — week of Mon, 28 Apr — Watch Them Work

What your Meath West TDs did this week

Mon, 28 Apr – 4 May 2025 · 3 TDs · 6 bills voted on · 64 questions · 4 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 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Voted against 1 Aisling Dempsey

The motion · motion passed 86–64

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

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 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Special Education

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

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 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Voted against 1 Aisling Dempsey

The motion · motion passed 103–49

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 87–66

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-04-29 · 1 vote

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

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Aisling Dempsey — Fianna Fáil 8 votes · 10 questions · 2 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Education 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education if she will consider expanding the solar for schools programme beyond the current 14 panel limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19280/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education the reason there is a limit of 14 panels per school under the solar for schools programme. [19281/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Education if it is possible for a secondary school to request to be assessed for DEIS status when it is in close proximity to a DEIS primary school and many of the primary school pupils will attend that secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19282/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a person (details supplied) does not qualify for a septic tank grant; the reason Meath is omitted from all septic tank grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19228/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the inclusion of grade 1 homes in the pyrite scheme, as committed to in the Programme for Government. [20160/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs in IDA supported companies in Meath at the end of March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21403/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a new mid-east regional enterprise plan will be published soon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21402/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of schools in Meath now eligible to receive hot school meals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Protection the means by which he will ensure that the social protection system is work-friendly; that welfare traps which inhibit people from taking up work are removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21640/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Justice the average wait time for post-mortem reports in counties Kildare, Meath and Cavan. [19289/25]

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
Parkinson's Ireland Health
- Various politicians were lobbied to support increased HSE section 39 funding for Parkinson's Ireland.

Johnny Guirke — Sinn Féin 8 votes · 18 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 18 total

Health 5 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in University Hospital Waterford, now managed by Dublin and South East Hospital Group within ten working days of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [18899/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the total number of people triaged as non-urgent who attended a symptomatic breast disease clinic; and the proportion who were offered an appointment in University Hospital Waterford, now managed by Dublin and South East Hospital Group within 12 weeks of the date of receipt of a letter of referral in the cancer office, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, in tabular form. [18900/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for carer funding and for a carer provision for HSE home support in each month of 2025 in Meath, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19708/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for carer funding and for a carer provision for HSE home support in CHO 8; the average wait time per case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19709/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting for home support in CHO 8 for longer than one month, longer than three months, longer than six months, and longer than twelve months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19710/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the amount in motor tax revenue collected in Meath in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [19109/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the number of EV charging spaces available at all local authority offices, broken down by location, the provider in each instance of the charging infrastructure and whether the spaces are open to members of the public, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19110/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the current wait time for driving tests in the driving test centres in Meath; the wait time for re-tests; the number of people currently awaiting tests in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19111/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the number of pilot schemes run under the revised school transport scheme for 2025-2026; the current stage of each pilot run under the revised scheme; when the revised school transport scheme for 2025/2026 will be ready; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19078/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education the steps taken in Meath to ensure all children that require a school place have the possibility of securing a place in an ASD class or ASD unit in a school for the next academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19079/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she will outline, given the significant disparities in terms and conditions between school secretaries and their peers, including the lack of sick pay, family leave, and equitable pension rights, the steps she is taking to ensure that school secretaries receive the same employment benefits as special needs assistants and teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19080/25]
Children 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people waiting for carer funding and for a carer provision for HSE home support in each month of 2025 in Meath, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19116/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people waiting for carer funding and for a carer provision for HSE home support in CHO 8; the average wait time per case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19117/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people waiting for home support in CHO 8 for longer than one month, longer than three months, longer than six months, and longer than twelve months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19118/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under the town and village renewal scheme in County Meath in 2024, and the grant approved for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19112/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in Meath in 2024; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; the completion date for each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19113/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the proposed sale of Bord na Móna recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19119/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue collected in Meath in each of the past five years from local property tax, in tabular form. [19108/25]

New lobbying 1 return

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

Peadar Tóibín — Aontú 8 votes · 36 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 36 total

Health 9 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when a response will issue to an urgent email sent to her (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18929/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if the case of a child (details supplied) will be examined; if she was aware of this issue; and if there is a scheme this family can access to help get funding for treatment. [19238/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied). [19268/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if she will explore a cross-Border paediatric pathology service, given that a service exists in Dundalk but those in the North need to utilise a service in Liverpool; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19292/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of national independent review panel reports underway currently, by CHO area, and by the type of service under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20046/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health her views on the incident that occurred in St. Joesph’s adolescent psychiatric unit; the number of children who were left without placement; the measures being taken on the issue; when it is envisioned all the children will be offered alternative placements; the steps that will be put into place to ensure that where another situation such as this arises, the most vulnerable children would not be left without a placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20608/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of national independent review panel reports underway currently, by CHO area and, by the type of service under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20754/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of national independent review panels launched in each of the past ten years, by CHO area and, by the type of service reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20755/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if she will provide a list of the pseudonyms ascribed to each person subject to a National Independent Review Panel (NIRP) since the NIRP was established; and the titles of each report generated by the NIRP since it was established. [20756/25]
Children 7 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care who have reported being sexually abused in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025. [20961/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of community disability network teams across the country which are fully staffed and the number which are not. [20957/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children reported missing from State care in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, and the total number of those who have never been located. [20958/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care currently in special emergency arrangements in the State. [20959/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of money paid by the State to the providers of special emergency arrangements for accommodating children in State care, in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025. [20960/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail, on a monthly basis, the number of incidents that have been recorded at all IPAS centres in Ireland in 2024 and 2025 under the following headings: violence towards staff, violence towards residents, physical altercations, threats to kill or threats of violence towards staff, threats to kill or threats of violence towards residents, general threatening behaviour, drug taking or residents being caught in possession of drugs and fire. [19120/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount funding has been allocated for administration under core funding; the supports available to childcare providers to help with compliance with the financial reporting requirement; and the case management support that is available to providers in difficulty. [19288/25]
Finance 4 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the hierarchy in the thresholds in relation to the tax-free threshold for capital acquisition tax and the treatment of childless individuals under its terms; how it is equitable that childless individuals are treated in such contrasting terms to those who have children and seeking to pass on assets to them; if he will publish any documentation that screened the policy for discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19283/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his plans to make joining a private pension scheme more advantageous to the ordinary worker and that relief is not only on PAYE but also on PRSI and USC for employee pension contributions and that age related thresholds are revisited so that younger employees can be encouraged to join. [19284/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have carried out, or have plans to carry out a study into the increase of the small gifts exemption; and the estimated costs and the number of people who may avail or benefit from the increase. [19285/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will allow taxpayers with children in their care to use all their spouses’ tax-free allowance if their spouse does not work or the remainder if their spouse earns less than the threshold to ease the burden on working families and to make it financially more viable for one parent to stay at home if they so wish. [19286/25]
Education 4 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education how many children have been expelled from school in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, in national and secondary school, in tabular form; and how many of these had a mental ill health diagnosis or disability. [18906/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education how many children have been suspended from school in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2025, in national and secondary schools, in tabular form, and how many of these had a mental ill health diagnosis or disability. [18907/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that have received funding for a transport escort in relation to the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs; the number of have applied and been unsuccessful; and the funding awarded to each school for the purpose of employing an escort. [19293/25]
- 2025-04-30 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the financial supports that will be available to special needs assistants as part of the redeployment scheme for special needs assistants should their redeployment take place a distance away from their previous post. [21625/25]
Social 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [20319/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have appealed the Department's decision to refuse them the humanitarian assistance payment in light of Storm Éowyn; the number of these appeals which have been successful; if his attention has been drawn to any cases where there were two applicants with identical applications and circumstances but one was refused assistance while the other was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20966/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has plans to alter, abolish or change the means test on the carer's allowance; and if so, the date upon which these changes will come into effect. [20967/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will review the current access policy at the Bus Éireann depot in Drogheda, County Louth, which currently prohibits taxi access; if he is aware that the depot is located at the junction of two main roads and requires passengers including elderly individuals and those with mobility issues to cross at least one of these busy roads while carrying luggage; if he is further aware that there is space under the ownership of Bus Éireann at this depot which could be used to provide a safe and accessible drop-off and pick-up point for taxis and other vehicles; and if he will intervene to ensure that accessibility and passenger safety are prioritised at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18934/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the long wait times in Navan for an invitation to complete a driving test (details supplied); the measures being taken to address this issue; and the reason there is such a difference in timelines from Navan. [20600/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if an applicant for international protection has their application refused, if they can leave the State and enter the North of Ireland over the land Border without informing relevant authorities. [19287/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if it is his Department’s policy that Common Travel Area rights extend only to Irish citizens and British subjects; and if so, the measures in place to protect those rights. [19291/25]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated to ACRES; and the amount actually paid out in ACRES payments in each of the past five years and to date in 2025. [18872/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied to ACRES; the number who have received payments and the number of outstanding ACRES payments in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18873/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered setting up a rainy day fund which may be used in the event of a trade war to support struggling businesses. [20965/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of how electricity costs are impacting SMEs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20964/25]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20955/25]

New lobbying 1 return

Social Justice Ireland Public Expenditure and Reform
- Letter with a copy of Social Justice Matters 2025 sent with a request for a meeting.