Meath West — week of Mon, 12 May — Watch Them Work

What your Meath West TDs did this week

Mon, 12 May – 18 May 2025 · 3 TDs · 4 bills voted on · 52 questions · 16 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Childcare

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–65

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Parental Choice in Education

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 84–65

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

The motion · motion passed 87–62

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Housing and Critical Infrastructure

2025-05-14 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 82–66

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

The motion · motion passed 83–66

Voted for 1 Aisling Dempsey

Voted against 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

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 2 Johnny Guirke · Peadar Tóibín

Voted against 1 Aisling Dempsey

Aisling Dempsey — Fianna Fáil 7 votes · 3 questions · 6 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 3 total

Health 2 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health her plans to expand specialist services in endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24155/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase the network of menopause clinics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24156/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the number of children who benefited from supports under the national childcare scheme in 2022, 2023 and 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24368/25]

New lobbying 6 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
Cuala Senior Care Limited Health
- Launch of new brand used to bring attention to home care
Samaritans Ireland Health
- Impact Report 2024 and Understanding Our Callers research launch
Meath Youth Federation CLG Children and Youth Affairs
- Informing political representatives on local youth issues
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 EU Affairs
- Farming Issues - European Parliament

Johnny Guirke — Sinn Féin 7 votes · 10 questions · 4 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 10 total

Transport 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport in light of the recent High Court case regarding CIE pensions, where the High Court put an obligation on both CIÉ and the active members to ensure that the scheme is fully funded on an ongoing basis to comply with sections 44(1) and (2) of the Pension Act 1990 meaning CIÉ has an obligation to comply with these sections of the act today, did CIÉ have the same obligations to comply with these sections of the Pension Act 1990 in 2009, and again in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure that local, regional and national roads in Meath are adequately maintained; if he has considered conducting a review into the state of the local, regional and national road network in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24681/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Navan rail project; if he intends to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24682/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline any new methods of road repair, road upgrade technology, or modern methods of road construction that are currently in use, or under consideration for use in the State; if he will provide funding to local authorities to purchase this equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24683/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the redress payments to victims of historical abuse are expected to be paid out; the timelines or procedures in place to ensure timely and fair distribution of these payments; the steps being taken to address any delays or barriers that may impact access by victims to compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23240/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide an update on the expected timeline for the completion and full operationalisation of the redress scheme for victims of historical abuse; the key milestones or deadlines that have been set; the steps being taken to ensure that the scheme is accessible, fair and inclusive for all survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23241/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the scoping inquiry into restorative justice and entitlements for historical abuse survivors is expected to conclude; the criteria or standards that will be used to determine the scope of entitlements; the way in which the findings of this inquiry will inform the development of restorative justice programmes that are accessible to all survivors without arbitrary or discriminatory pre-conditions, covering all schools whether run by religious orders or lay teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23242/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if she will consider the introduction of a regulatory framework for the currently unregulated role of physician assistants, enabling this role to be formally integrated into the healthcare system at a time when skilled staff are required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24252/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if she will consider lifting the recruitment embargo to allow for the employment of physician assistants already in training or in clinical placements in hospitals here, at a time when skilled healthcare staff are required to be retained in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24253/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health in relation to the long awaited inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate, why the data regulations have yet to be signed off on, which would finally enable the formal commencement of this inquiry after many years of delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24692/25]

New lobbying 4 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
Meath Youth Federation CLG Children and Youth Affairs
- Informing political representatives on local youth issues
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.

Peadar Tóibín — Aontú 7 votes · 39 questions · 5 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 39 total

Health 13 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the average ambulance response time in County Meath in each of the past ten years; and the steps she is taking to decrease ambulance response time in the region. [24054/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish-qualified nurses recruited by the HSE in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [24055/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times has the State Claims Agency paid the legal costs and-or compensation incurred by a private company such as a clinic (details supplied) in each of the past ten years; and amount that has been paid out by the State Claims Agency for legal costs and-or compensation for a private company in each of the past ten years. [23257/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of non-invasive pregnancy test providers that supply the Irish market; the number of these that are located abroad; the number of these that do not have a doctor who engages with clients; the number that do not have a nurse who engage with clients; the regulations in place to ensure that these non-invasive prenatal testing providers have a doctor who physically meets with each mother in order to provide a diagnosis and a prescription; if regulations cover foreign providers; the regulations governing this area; and the State body that confirms that all of these providers fulfil regulations. [23271/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of prescription weight loss drug providers that supply the Irish market; the number of these that are located abroad; the number of these that do not have a doctor who engages with clients; the number that do not have a nurse who engage with clients; the number that provide a prescription on the basis of a website form; the number for which regulation is in place to ensure that these prescription weight loss drug providers have a doctor who physically meets with each patient in order to provide a diagnosis and a prescription; if these regulations cover foreign providers; the regulations governing this area; and the State body that confirms that all of these providers fulfil regulations. [23272/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of beds in each private hospital nationwide are currently occupied by a patient who first presented to a public hospital, but was transferred by the HSE for taxpayer paid care, treatment or tests to a private hospital. [24249/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who received treatment in a private hospital in the State at a cost to the taxpayer in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [24250/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of private clinics currently operating in rooms in public hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24251/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an urgent CAMHS assessment following GP referral, given their severe behavioural challenges and significant educational disruption. [24401/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason CAMHS is refusing to assess a child (details supplied). [24402/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the emergency mental health supports currently in place for autistic children presenting with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. [24403/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the coordinated care pathways available for children with multiple diagnoses, such as ASD, epilepsy, and speech delays, who are ineligible for CAMHS and awaiting disability services. [24404/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health whether her Department will intervene in the case of a child (details supplied). [24405/25]
Justice 10 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of whole-time and part-time prison chaplains working in each prison, in tabular form. [23478/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant chaplain posts in each prison, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of vacant IPAS accommodation beds under paid contract with the State; the location of these vacant IPAS beds; the total cost to the State of these vacant beds. [23543/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of IPAS accommodation beds under paid contract with the State that have been vacant for each of the past five years; the location of these vacant IPAS each of the past five years; and the total cost to the State of these vacant beds for each of the past five years. [23544/25]
- 2025-05-14 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if there are currently any plans to open accommodation for refugees or asylum seekers on the grounds of St. Davnet's Hospital Campus, Rooskey, Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24549/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who left the force within five years of joining the force, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [24062/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who have left the force over the past five years; and the number of gardaí recruited to the force in the same period. [24061/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has carried out any research as to the minimum and maximum potential pensions cost to existing gardaí who apply for the job of Garda Commissioner. [24976/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if there will be any change to the pension penalty being applied to gardaí who apply for the newly advertised position of Garda Commissioner. [24977/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if he has analysed any possible threat to national security of employing a candidate from outside the Garda force as the new Garda Commissioner. [24978/25]
Housing 5 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for a planning application to be fully processed from start to finish by An Bord Pleanála for each of the last five years. [23277/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the longest wait time for a planning application to be fully processed from start to finish by An Bord Pleanála for each of the last five years. [23278/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning applications that have waited longer than six months; 12 months; 18 months; 24 months; 32 months to be fully processed from start to finish by An Bord Pleanála for each of the last five years. [23279/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to reduce the rate of vacant local authority homes across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24060/25]
- 2025-05-15 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department collates data on the total number of persons on local authority housing waiting lists across the country, and, if so, to furnish that figure. [24059/25]
Education 4 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports being provided to a child (details supplied). [24406/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department will provide immediate assistance to a child (details supplied). [24407/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary school children currently on reduced timetables due to unmet additional or behavioural needs; and the steps being taken to address this. [24408/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the NCSE or Tusla have been asked to provide direct intervention in the case of a child (details supplied). [24409/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if an extension until 12 of June 2025 will be provided to a person (details supplied) for an electric taxi grant application.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23225/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if there is provision for a person to take a paper version of the driver theory test, and to outline all the supports available for those who have difficulty accessing the computer-based test.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the supports that are in place to assist persons with disabilities or mental health challenges in taking the driver theory test; if provision is made for a scribe, or special needs assistant, for such persons during the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24014/25]
Taoiseach 2 questions
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with rural affairs and community development will meet. [15703/25]
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the new projects that will be delivered under the shared island scheme in the next five years. [15702/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection to state who was awarded the contract to provide the auto-enrolment pension system; the amount the contract was for; when the contract starts; and if the auto-enrolment system is postponed, the payments, if any, that will be made to the service provider during the postponed timeframe. [23273/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-05-13 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department have spent on encouraging Irish construction workers to return to Ireland; if he will outline any financial incentives for those workers to return; the amount of construction workers that have returned to Ireland in the each of the past five years and if his Department has done a cost-benefit analysis on programmes seeking construction workers to return home. [23484/25]

New lobbying 5 returns

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.
Monkstown Abbey Road Residents Association Transport
- Promoting community consultation on local planning housing and traffic issues
Irish Council for Civil Liberties · 3 returns Justice and Equality
- Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024
- Artificial Intelligence
- Historic Human Rights Violations