Galway East — week of Mon, 12 May — Watch Them Work

What your Galway East TDs did this week

Mon, 12 May – 18 May 2025 · 4 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 29 questions · 34 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Childcare

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

Parental Choice in Education

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 84–65

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

The motion · motion passed 87–62

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

Housing and Critical Infrastructure

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 82–66

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Voted against 1 Louis O'Hara

Trade Union Recognition Bill 2021

2025-05-14 · 1 vote · People Before Profit-Solidarity PMB

A bill to provide a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers who comprise at least 20 per cent of the employees in an employment (or any category within that empl…

full description

A bill to provide a legal mechanism for trade union recognition for workers who comprise at least 20 per cent of the employees in an employment (or any category within that employment).

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 66–82

Voted for 1 Louis O'Hara

Voted against 3 Albert Dolan · Peter Roche · Seán Canney

Albert Dolan — Fianna Fáil 7 votes · 4 questions · 15 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 4 total

Health 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the planned primary care centre for Portumna; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23779/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport why the direct bus service from Heuston Station to University College Dublin has been removed during off-peak times, particularly on Friday and Sunday evenings, when many college students rely on it to travel home for the weekend; if any consideration was given to the needs of students when making this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23570/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the exclusion of the Level 9 MSc (Agriculture) in Environmental Resource Management at University College Dublin from Schedule 2B of the Finance Act 2007, given that shorter, fee-based courses offered by private providers such as FarmEd.ie are currently accepted under this framework; and if, in this context, he will clarify why it has been suggested that Teagasc holds exclusive authority in determining programme eligibility for the educational pathways available to meet such a 'young trained farmer' requirement, given the reality of these private providers fulfilling the requirements for Schedule 2B inclusion. [23569/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his expectations for the delivery of affordable housing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24661/25]

New lobbying 15 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL)
Screen Producers Ireland Economic Development and Industry
- Introductory meeting with representative to provide overview of Screen Producers Ireland
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland Health
- Met with Deputy Albert Dolan to brief on issues affecting the MS community
Cogency Limited Employment
- Seeking information about proposed employment programme for people with disabilities
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 10 returns Agriculture
- ACRES - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation
- United States Trade Tariffs
- Bovine TB
- Rewetting of Peatlands
- IFA Galway Meeting
- Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Payments
- Urgent Support for Farmers Impacted by Storm Eowyn
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025

Louis O'Hara — Sinn Féin 7 votes · 24 questions · 3 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 24 total

Education 9 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 8 April 2025, if a decision has been made on a new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23984/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 848 to 850, inclusive, of 29 April 2025, the number of SNAs are based in mainstream schools; the number who provide supports that are not deemed as primary care needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24007/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 848, 849 and 850 of 29 April 2025, if there is an actual appeals process for SNA allocations separate to the review which is to determine if the correct process is followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24008/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 852 of 29 April 2025, what constitute a "demand in the area" for special classes; the way in which this is assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24009/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is considering expanding the eligibility criteria for SNA allocation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24966/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she is taking to help schools plan for children with diagnosed autism and other neurodivergent conditions before they enter school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24967/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions she is taking to address the inequity in supports that children with neurodivergent conditions receive in mainstream schools compared with those attending special schools, as raised by a local advocacy group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24968/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is considering mandating neurodiversity training for all teachers, both for those who have already qualified and those currently in training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24969/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is working to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to autism classes, as raised by a local advocacy group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24970/25]
Health 7 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if she will engage with the National Ambulance Service on the need for a 24/7 rapid response vehicle operated by advanced paramedics at Tuam ambulance base; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24027/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the actions her Department is taking to increase the number of dentists participating in the dental treatment service scheme across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24028/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if the operating hours for ultrasounds at University Hospital Galway will be expanded beyond the current operating hours of Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23711/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to re-advertise the tender for the construction of a primary care centre in Portumna, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24052/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health to outline her plans to provide an alternative to accident and emergency for people experiencing a mental health crisis; if this will be included in her Department's plan 'Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone' Implementation Plan 2025 - 2027'; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24255/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health if her Department will ensure that mental health records of people presenting to accident and emergency experiencing a mental health crisis are immediately referenced upon arrival; her plans to ensure that they are secured and monitored once they have presented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24256/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Health whether the cost of blood tests ordered and carried out by a dentist are covered by the medical card scheme; if there are specific types of blood tests ordered by dentists which are not covered by the medical card scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24895/25]
Housing 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the progress being made in the delivery of the wastewater treatment system for Craughwell, County Galway; if there is a site identified for the treatment plant; the expected delivery date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23427/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when the new wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24029/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the amount allocated to Galway County Council for social housing acquisitions for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24030/25]
Environment 2 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress his Department has made to complete action 8 of the Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 document, including the target to deliver an additional 2GW of flexible generation by the winter of 2025/2026; if the generation is being targeted to regions that are experiencing capacity shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24346/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions undertaken to reduce Ireland’s dependence on natural gas as the main form of flexible electricity generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24347/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) is eligible to claim the health expenses tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24210/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 29 April 2025 and following the transfer of Integration to his Department if he will review the contract singed to provide international protection accommodation at a location (details supplied) in light of the concerns expressed by the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is aware of cases where people with passes under the free travel scheme are being charged booking fees for some public transport services (details supplied); what actions his Department is undertaking to address these hidden booking costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/25]

New lobbying 3 returns

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Health
- National meals on Wheels Information Day to highlight the work of the Network and of Meals on Wheels providers
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
Uplift Justice and Equality
- Uplift members sent emails to their Sinn Fèin TDs asking them to ensure that Sinn Féin is a party that is welcoming, inclusive and who listens to the experiences and expertise of transgender people.

Peter Roche — Fine Gael 7 votes · 0 questions · 4 new lobbying returns

New lobbying 4 returns

Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL)
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Community
- Irish Rural Link Information Day in Buswells Hotel with presentations on Community response to Storm Eowyn and the impact it had on Rural areas
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture
- IFA Galway Meeting

Seán Canney — Independent 7 votes · 1 question · 9 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Education 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an application for additional special needs assistants at a school (details supplied) as the school authorities need to make arrangements to put new SNAs in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23981/25]

New lobbying 9 returns

Independent Broadcasters of Ireland Arts
- Implementation of fair and proportionate support for news and current affairs independent radio sector including proposals announced in last budget; calling for level playing field for radio vis a vis other sectors in regulatory and legislative proposals; promoting engagement and regular interaction with stakeholders.
Irish Self Catering Federation Tourism
- Registration for Short-term legislation Bill (STTL)
Samaritans Ireland Health
- Follow up concerning key priorities for the implementation and delivery of the programme for government
Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) Marine
- Letter from Fair Seas (of which SWAN is a partner) to the key politicians in the negotiations asking for the enactment of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) bill to be a clear commitment in the Programme for Government.
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland Health
- Reached out to former Health and Disability Committee members to invite to AV room briefing
Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Economic Development and Industry
- Identify barriers to the building of new homes
Rare Diseases Ireland Health
- Re-launch All Party Group on Rare Diseases. Update on the need for a new National Strategy for Rare Diseases, including background data on rare diseases in Ireland and the challenges that people living with rare diseases face.
The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA Agriculture
- Plant Health and Biosecurity for Forestry
Threshold Housing
- Draft Programme for Government