Offaly — week of Mon, 28 Apr — Watch Them Work

What your Offaly TDs did this week

Mon, 28 Apr – 4 May 2025 · 3 TDs · 6 bills voted on · 54 questions · 1 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 against 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

The motion · motion passed 86–64

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

Unnecessary Hip Surgeries at Children's Health Ireland

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

Special Education

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

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 against 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

The motion · motion passed 103–49

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

Final Draft Revised National Planning Framework

2025-04-30 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 87–66

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-04-29 · 1 vote

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

Voted for 2 John Clendennen · Tony McCormack

Did not vote 1 Carol Nolan

Carol Nolan — Independent 0 votes · 33 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 33 total

Children 7 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of hotel rooms which are currently being occupied by asylum seekers and being paid for by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18523/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if reports that a company that had applied for a contract to manage an IPAS facility at a site in Coolock (details supplied) has decided not to proceed with its application are accurate; if the State will now withdraw from the ongoing High Court case brought by persons seeking an injunction against the use of the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19498/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a timeline for when she expects the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 to be presented for debate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19704/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the weekly and monthly IPAS statistic reports include homeless international protection applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20224/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify the precise criteria that must be fulfilled by a company or an organisation before it is awarded a contract to provide international protection accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm that it is possible for a company or an organisation with no prior experience in providing accommodation services to apply for and receive a departmental contract for the provision of international protection accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20240/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the number of companies or organisations with no prior experience in providing accommodation services that have been awarded a departmental contract for the provision of international protection accommodation; the total value of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20241/25]
Justice 5 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of private companies (details supplied) purporting to offer assistance to asylum seekers to submit applications for leave to remain, and charging them fees of over €2,000 for such assistance; and if his Department monitors or regulates the activities of such companies in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18527/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 999 of 22 January 2025, if he is now in a position to provide data requested from the Garda Commissioner by his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18624/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the way in which his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department verifies that those subject to voluntary deportation orders have left the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide data for the period 2020 to date on the number of international protection applicants who have made an application for protection at International Protection Offices without being in possession of valid or complete documentation; the number of those who made an application while being in receipt of false or invalid documentation during the same period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19921/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of flights facilitating deportation that have taken place in the last 12 months; the number he anticipates to take place by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20050/25]
Health 5 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19323/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason the relevant data regulations have yet to be signed off on which would finally enable the formal commencement of the non-statutory inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of childbearing potential in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19786/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if she will recognise fibromyalgia as a long-term disability for the purposes of healthcare, in line with a recent decision taken on this matter in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21038/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the reason chiropody services in general practice for people with diabetes have been discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21851/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if an impact assessment was carried out prior to the decision of the HSE to withdraw chiropody services in general practice for people with diabetes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21852/25]
Foreign 4 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all dates on which he was outside of the State from 25 February 2025 to 7 April 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18524/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the State recognises Hamas as a terrorist organisation; his views on whether this group should be removed from any position of power in Gaza; his further views on whether it would be satisfactory for that organisation to be in any position of authority in any future independent Palestinian State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason passport cards issued by his Department are not accepted by the automated passport check gates at Dublin Airport and other airports in the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18526/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether he or his predecessor, in recent discussions with Mahmoud Abbas, raised the issue of when the next Palestinian Authority election might take place, in view of the fact that Mr Abbas has ruled without elections since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18712/25]
Tourism 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated total number of hotel rooms in the State in each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18520/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the present policy in relation to the role of RTÉ in the production of Irish language content, and whether he feels there is any unnecessary duplication of functions or services between RTÉ and TG4 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18714/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding allocated by his Department to an organisation (details supplied) from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20179/25]
Further and Higher Education 3 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider increasing the parental income threshold for SUSI grant applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18707/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications made to SUSI for the 2024-2025 academic year that were rejected on the grounds of household income exceeding the limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18708/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide data on the number of second level students from DEIS schools who have proceeded to an approved PLC, or undergraduate or post graduate course during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18709/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the work of her Department’s schools reconfiguration for diversity initiative; the staff assigned to the initiative at Department grade level; the number of schools currently being assisted to transfer from denominational patrons to multi-denominational patrons in response to the wishes of local school communities; the locations of these schools, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18706/25]
- 2025-04-30 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to investigate the urgent concerns of a school with respect to the failure of her Department to provide it with an ancillary grant (details supplied); if she will direct her Department to answer the questions repeatedly put to it by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21616/25]
Housing 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any limitations apply to the purchase of existing property within Gaeltacht areas; if any current rules in force are satisfactory and achieving their policy aims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18522/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or his Department is aware that families are being prevented from cutting turf on Barroughter Bog, County Galway, Clonmoylan Bog, County Galway and Ardgraigue Bog, Killimor, by order of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; if will he take steps to ensure that a contractor engaged to cut turf for these families will be given access to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21166/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated value of imports from the so-called “occupied territories” within Israel in each year from 2020 to 2024, by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18713/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when band 2 funding will be disbursed as part of the Dormant Account 2024 Growing Social Enterprise Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19785/25]

John Clendennen — Fine Gael 8 votes · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Housing 4 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the proposed revisions and timeline to Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) for Dwellings and Technical Guidance Document F (Ventilation) following public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21221/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and percentage of eligible applicants for the housing development and contribution waiver that have completed their respective housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21226/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses that are eligible for the housing development and contribution waiver built have yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21227/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units in Offaly that are eligible for the housing development and contribution waiver but have yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21228/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made at introducing personalised budgets so that persons with a disability may access services and supports that best suit their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20434/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement she has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his Department with regard to the housing adaptation grants for persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20435/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with the Road Safety Authority regarding efforts to reduce the wait times for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21224/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the current number of driver testers assigned to each of the driving test centres in County Offaly; the number of additional driver testers proposed to be assigned to each of these test centres following recent recruitment; the timeline of when they will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21225/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if plans are in place to increase the number of work permits for HGV mechanics beyond the quota of 200, which has already been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits for HGV mechanics have been refused since the quota of 200 has been reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21220/25]
Further and Higher Education 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of score requirement to apply for admission to a course (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21222/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans in place to increase the number of places available to undertake a MSc occupational therapy (professional qualification) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21223/25]
Environment 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the sale of Bord na Móna Recycling Limited to an Irish recycling provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21218/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-04-29 Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/25]

Tony McCormack — Fianna Fáil 8 votes · 7 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 7 total

Children 2 questions
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide an update on the provision of residential disability services in County Offaly, particularly in relation to capacity issues, waiting lists, and the availability of appropriate placements for children and young adults with complex needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20767/25]
- 2025-04-29 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide an update on the delivery of disability services in County Offaly, particularly in relation to access to assessment of need, early intervention, and supports for families with children who have additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20768/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the status of IDA land bank acquisitions in County Offaly, particularly in light of his recent visit to the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the roll out of the power up and increased cost of business grant schemes, including the level of uptake by businesses in County Offaly; any plans to expand or adapt these supports to meet local enterprise needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the range of back-to-work supports available to jobseekers in County Offaly; the measures being taken to improve uptake and access to schemes such as the back to work enterprise allowance and the part-time job incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20774/25]
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial or in-work incentives currently available to support individuals in County Offaly transitioning from welfare into employment, particularly in low-income or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20775/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-05-01 Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Education the way in which a school (details supplied) is expected to pay for essential caretaking services for the school if this funding is not made available by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21847/25]

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