Mon, 28 Jul – 3 Aug 2025 · 4 TDs · 0 bills voted on · 156 questions · 1 new lobbying filings
Barry Ward — Fine Gael
0 votes ·
46 questions ·
1 new lobbying return
Questions asked46 total
Children9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to cases whereby childcare centres that have no refund policies regarding deposits and upfront fees, regardless of the level of notice provided, when the child will not be taking up a place in their location; if this is permitted under their core funding contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41207/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the need to increase access to therapeutic supports for children in care, through expanded and fully resourced Tusla therapeutic hubs; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41776/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding pension security for foster carers; the actions she will take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41777/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the back to school allowance; if she will consider removing the means testing requirement for foster families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41778/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of foster carers regarding the rate payable under the foster care allowance; if she is conscious of the need to support foster carers in the context of rising costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41779/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of parents who fall under fee band F in relation to their childcare fees; if the advertised position of no family paying above €295 per week under new caps will apply to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41780/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any engagement with a group (details supplied) as part of the progression of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42479/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any independent reviews carried out into the Decision Support Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42480/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of members of the Judiciary in relation to the Decision Support Service (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that these concerns are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42482/25]
Defence6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what he believes the economic benefits to the Irish economy will be by signing up to the EU’s SAFE Mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41388/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the way in which Ireland's university research sector can benefit as a result of signing up to the EU’s SAFE Mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41389/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which he will ensure that current procurement process and guidelines for the Defence Forces will not hinder the quick and efficient implementation of both LOA2 and LOA3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41390/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding the development of a naval base in Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41781/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding any initiatives that seeks to encourage both recruitment and retention of personnel in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41782/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/25]
Transport6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the work being carried out by his Department regarding the regulation of drone delivery services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42306/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns regarding drone delivery services, including privacy and the use of camera data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42308/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns regarding drone delivery services related to excessive noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42309/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address concerns around drone delivery services regarding the potential safety risk (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42310/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the absence of reciprocal driving licence agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/25]
Education6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider an update to the leaving certificate Portuguese curriculum and examination to facilitate Brazilian students who speak a Brazilian Portuguese dialect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41182/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider allowing for Brazilian Portuguese to make up an equal part of the existing Portuguese leaving certificate curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41183/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the planning permission submissions for two post primary schools in Cherrywood; the status of each application including a timeline for their progression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41673/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the free schoolbook scheme for students in Junior Cycle years; if consideration has been given to including private schools as part of this initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42693/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the existing free schoolbook scheme for students in Junior Cycle years is under review; if it is proposed to expand this to parents who send their children to private schools but may still require additional financial support to buy schoolbooks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42694/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is conscious of the need to assist parents with the cost of school uniforms; if a Departmental missive could be considered to encourage the use of generic uniform clothing including gym apparel wherever possible could be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42695/25]
Justice5 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles available to An Garda Síochána, by type and age of each vehicle, which division it is attached to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41707/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles in use by An Garda Síochána that are fully electric; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41709/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of active members of An Garda Síochána, by district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41712/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the net change in the number of members of Garda Síochána since 2023, when retirements, resignations and new recruitments are taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41713/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progression of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024 as committed to in the Programme for Government; how this will provide safeguards against SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) suits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42398/25]
Health3 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 904 of 15 July 2025, if she will engage with a union (details supplied) to encourage the use of European-made medications wherever possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40998/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the protests seeking improvements in trans healthcare on 12 July 2025; the actions she has taken to engage with trans support groups on these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41238/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health if she proposes to allow for an independent complaints process under the Decision Support Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42481/25]
Climate2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will set out the provisions he intends to promote to facilitate the circular economy and the reuse and repair of household items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41177/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps he will take to reduce the cost of rented household appliances to promote the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41179/25]
Enterprise2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the IDA office in Taiwan will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the actions he is taking to address concerns related to the potential loss of jobs in the delivery sector due to the progression of drone delivery systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42307/25]
Further and Higher Education2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to create a student finance model that will provide interest-free loans to students that do not qualify for SUSI grants to support the associated costs of attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42401/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any comparative analysis has been done by his Department into the availability of State-backed low-interest loans, provided by other EU countries, to support students to afford expenses related to attending third level institutions separate to specific fees for their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42402/25]
Foreign1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/25]
Finance1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider proposing a reduction or eliminating the VAT on clothing repairs and on the renting of clothes to promote the circular economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/25]
Culture1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the poor availability of high-speed broadband an area (details supplied); the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/25]
Housing1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on any work being carried out by his Department into the population growth of seagulls; their migration patterns and status as a protected species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41633/25]
Social1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied); the actions he is taking to ensure that this behaviour is prevented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42182/25]
New lobbying1 return
One FamilyCommunications
Co-signed letter outlining engagement issues civil society orgs are experiencing with Oireachtas Committees
Cormac Devlin — Fianna Fáil
0 votes ·
48 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked48 total
Health9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of 20 individuals making a claim against the State (details supplied); if an update will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43360/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the case of 20 individuals making a claim against the State (details supplied); if an update will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43363/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the publication and implementation of the new Digital Health Strategy; the measures being taken to roll out shared electronic health records and expand digital diagnostics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43374/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health her Department’s engagement with EU counterparts on cross-Border healthcare cooperation; whether improvements are planned to the EU Cross-Border Directive scheme for Irish patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43375/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health her plans to improve diabetes care and prevention; including access to continuous glucose monitors, structured education programmes, and community-based supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43376/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the status of major health capital projects planned under the National Development Plan; whether updated timelines and budget allocations will be published as part of the 2025 review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43377/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the next phase of redevelopment at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; the funding status, additional bed capacity, and staffing plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43378/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the delivery of new elective-only hospitals in Dublin, Cork, and Galway; how these will contribute to the Government’s objective of eliminating waiting lists over 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43379/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health the progress made on implementing the Women’s Health Action Plan, including the expansion of menopause clinics and endometriosis care pathways; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43380/25]
Enterprise8 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the proposed marine tourism strategy; whether stakeholder consultation has commenced with coastal communities and tourism operators; and if the strategy will include supports for blueways, marina-based tourism and sustainable marine wildlife experiences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43370/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the status of the €250 million seed and venture capital scheme led by Enterprise Ireland; the intended timeline for deployment; and how it will contribute to the Government’s 300,000 job creation target by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43338/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when he expects to publish the proposed national life sciences strategy; whether it will include actions on workforce planning, infrastructure and supply chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43339/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress made in establishing the new small business unit within his Department; the anticipated functions and staffing level of the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the progress to date on developing strategic development zones to support regional enterprise and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43341/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether additional steps are planned to tackle rising levels of retail crime, as outlined in the programme for Government, including any co-ordination with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43342/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the expected timeline for launching further calls under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund; and whether future calls will prioritise AI, clean tech and SME collaboration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43343/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the updated Enterprise 2035 strategy will be published; whether it will contain sector-specific targets for indigenous exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43344/25]
Culture8 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress made in implementing the National Swimming Strategy; the number and location of pools or swimming facilities approved for investment to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43391/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the means by which Sport Ireland’s planned disability lead and associated grants to inclusive clubs will be resourced; the participation targets for people with disabilities under current policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43392/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if, as part of the new National Development Plan, consideration is being given to introducing a mid-scale infrastructure sports capital infrastructure fund to support sports clubs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans to expand supports for local and independent media, including changes to the sound and vision scheme, local democracy reporting, and funding for local radio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43395/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress to date in delivering high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million premises by 2026; the measures being taken to address remaining blackspots; how 5G and connected hubs policy will integrate with cultural and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of plans to introduce a culture card for 16- and 17-year-olds; the intended eligibility, value and distribution model; whether pilot schemes will be run through schools or youth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43397/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when updated capital allocations for national cultural institutions will be published in the context of the ongoing review of the National Development Plan; if priority works, including conservation, accessibility and digitisation, have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43398/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status of preparations for the public release of the 1926 Census records by the National Archives; the timeline for digitisation and publication; the staffing and funding allocated to support this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43399/25]
Education6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional special needs assistants and special education teachers employed by her Department for the academic year 2024-2025; the planned for recruitment for 2025-2026; how these will be allocated across schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43381/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the additional supports being put in place to support student mental health and wellbeing including access to counselling and mental health education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43382/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the review of the Anti-Bullying Action Plan; the new measures that are being introduced to address online and in-school bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43383/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the progress made in reforming the senior cycle curriculum; the subjects being prioritised for modernisation; how student, parent-guardian and teacher voices are being incorporated into the reform process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43384/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for achieving the Programme for Government commitment to reduce primary school class sizes to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43385/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the proposed new National Youth Strategy; and the supports being prioritised for early intervention, mental health, and youth homelessness prevention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43389/25]
Justice6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the progress of the construction of the new family court building at Hammond Lane, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43388/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the maintenance budget allocated for Garda-operated CCTV cameras in the Dublin Metropolitan Region for the years 2020 to 2025 inclusive; the number of cameras inactive for more than three months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43335/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed report on the Immigrant Investor Programme; the number of applications received by the Department since the programme’s inception; a list of all approved applications, with the date of approval, the relevant townland(s), and the amount invested; a list of all rejected applications, including the date and the reason for rejection; the number of applications still outstanding; the expected timeline for assessing and processing the remaining applications, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail the number of staff assigned to the section of the Department responsible for processing applications under the Immigrant Investor Programme, in each year from 2018 to date in 2025, including a breakdown by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43362/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a new capital programme for Garda stations is due to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43390/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the current visa requirements for Peruvian nationals visiting Ireland for short stays, in light of recent developments in the United Kingdom, which temporarily lifted such requirements in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44292/25]
Foreign4 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the preparations underway for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026; the key thematic priorities under consideration; the estimated staffing and budget allocations to support the Presidency across his Department and the permanent representation in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43364/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps his Department is taking to advance Ireland’s commitment to nuclear disarmament and arms control; including support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and other multilateral initiatives; the level of dedicated staffing and budget currently allocated to this policy area within the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43365/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures being taken to enhance consular services and modernise passport delivery for Irish citizens abroad; the current staffing levels and budget for passport and consular operations both centrally and at mission level; whether additional investment is planned under the Programme for Government commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43366/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of his Department’s engagement with the Irish diaspora, including any planned reforms to the Emigrant Support Programme; the annual budget allocated to diaspora affairs from 2020 to 2025; the number of staff assigned to diaspora outreach in Dublin and at mission level over the same period; whether additional resourcing is being considered to meet the evolving needs of Irish communities overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43367/25]
Defence2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on his Department’s engagement with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding the establishment of a forward operating base for the Naval Service at Dún Laoghaire harbour; the expected timeline for any formal designation of a base at the harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in light of the historical twinning of LÉ Eithne with Dún Laoghaire harbour, and the award of the honorary freedom of entry to its crew in 2017, he will consider twinning the new multi-role vessel with Dún Laoghaire upon its entry into service as the future flagship of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/25]
Children2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her position on the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43371/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made on the reform of Tusla and improvements to child protection services; the level of funding allocated to family support, foster care, and interagency coordination in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43387/25]
Transport1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken under the Transport Access for All Strategy to ensure universal accessibility across all modes of public transport; the level of funding allocated in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43386/25]
Housing1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made on the expansion of Ireland’s network of marine protected areas as committed to in the programme for Government; the proposed legislative and regulatory framework; whether engagement has taken place with fishers, harbour authorities and local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43369/25]
Agriculture1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government intends to support strategic investment in local marine infrastructure in areas such as Dún Laoghaire under the maritime regeneration, development and conservation fund; including the upgrade of small harbours, improvements to marine access and development of eco-tourism facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43368/25]
Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.
Richard Boyd Barrett — People Before Profit-Solidarity
0 votes ·
62 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked62 total
Justice15 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to intervene urgently to assist with an individual (details supplied) who has been displaced from Gaza alongside his family who are seeking to exit Gaza and come to Ireland. [40860/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to respond to concerns raised in relation to conditions for residents at a location (details supplied). [41232/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to engage with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that a humanitarian worker (details supplied) is evacuated from Gaza. [41236/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration If he will work with his counterpart at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that an individual and his family (details supplied) are evacuated from Gaza. [41242/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to intervene to ensure that a person (details supplied) who has been accepted for a place in UCD is granted a student visa to exit Gaza and take up their studies in Ireland. [41327/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to work which his counterpart at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that a person (details supplied) is granted a student visa for Ireland in order to take up their studies, with a clear pathway to being added to the exit lists from Gaza. [41332/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider extending document submission deadlines for visas in light of confusion over whether the INIS online portal is accepting document uploads. [41490/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of reports that the INIS online portal is informing visa and citizenship applicants that further information is required, without specifying what information is required. [41491/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to reports that the INIS online portal is informing visa and citizenship applicants that further information is required for an application, without specifying what information is required, considering that applications may be closed if the information is not received before a defined deadline, if he will consider reopening applications closed for this reason in order to give applicants an opportunity to upload the required documentation. [41492/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to consider issuing confirmation emails after documents have been successfully received through the INIS online portal. [41493/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that many applicants for visas and citizenship through the online INIS portal are experiencing stress as due to technical issues with the portal given it is unclear whether their documents have successfully been uploaded. [41494/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given that the Government considers conditions in Gaza to constitute a genocide, whether any senior official in his Department has been appointed to co-ordinate immigration permissions for Palestinians who might seek refuge in Ireland. [42409/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide information on how best to evacuate to Ireland a sick Palestinian woman who needs specialist treatment that is available here; if he will advise what visa she should apply for in these circumstances and if there are any special humanitarian visas that can be arranged given her serious health issues; to confirm what documentation etc., will be needed to accompany her application; if allowances are made for people who have lost everything including official documents during the ongoing genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42613/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to coordinate with his counterpart at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that a family connected with Irish citizens are evacuated from Gaza (details supplied). [43283/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to work with his counterparts at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that the family of a Palestinian individual living in Ireland (details supplied) are evacuated from Gaza. [43286/25]
Children11 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated total recurring and accumulated funding deficits reported by State-funded service providers across the childcare and disability sectors. [44326/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated total cost of aligning section 39 provider pay scales with pay scales in the statutory disability services sector. [44327/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated total cost of aligning section 39 pay scales with pay scales in the statutory health sector. [44328/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of increasing personal assistance hours by at least 270,000. [44329/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of increasing home support by 40,000 hours; and her views on the differences in unit costs between personal assistance and home support hours. [44330/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of prioritising 460 people under 65 with a disability to move from family homes, congregated settings and nursing homes into the community. [44331/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of transitioning all under 65s with a disability residential services need out of nursing homes and into community-based residential services. [44332/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to estimate the level of need for new disability residential service places in 2026; and the estimated costs of providing same. [44333/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to estimate the level of need for new disability respite service places in 2026; and the estimated costs of providing same. [44334/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to estimate the level of need for new disability day service places in 2026; and the estimated costs of providing same. [44335/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to estimate the level of need for new disability children’s services places in 2026; and the estimated costs of providing same. [44336/25]
Housing10 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to estimate the full year cost of the maintenance of local authority rented homes, broken down by local authority. [42731/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has made any funding available to local authorities to appoint vacancy officers to manage social housing voids; and if so, how much funding for each local authority. [42962/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacancy officers employed by local authorities nationwide, broken down by local authority. [42963/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated one-year cost of removing all income thresholds for social housing eligibility. [44343/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the potential for revenue raising through the application of differential rents to individuals on high incomes were the income thresholds for social housing eligibility removed. [44344/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated one-year cost of adding all social welfare payments to the income disregards for social housing eligibility. [44345/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated costs of establishing a monitoring body which will conduct regular inspections of private rental units to ensure compliance with local and national standards; and further to the costs of establishing this body, the potential costs of running it for one year. [44347/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated costs of establishing an independent Traveller-specific housing agency to oversee the delivery of culturally appropriate Traveller accommodation nationwide; and the estimated costs of delivering housing for all Travellers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. [44348/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated costs of building 66,910 homes on the 83 parcels of disused and underused land in public ownership identified by the Land Development Agency; and to provide an update on the status of these parcels (details supplied). [44350/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether it is consistent with national policy that a local authority in Dublin has voted to reduce the density of zoned housing on a vacant parcel of land (details supplied). [44352/25]
Social6 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if employers will be allowed to enrol higher rate taxpayers in a company pension scheme and other employees in My Future Fund; if so, if employees who move from My Future Fund to a company pension scheme (or vice versa) on a change in tax status, be allowed to transfer accrued funds to the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41890/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question 127 of 19 June 2025, the number of the estimated 200,000 higher rate taxpayers eligible for enrolment into My Future Fund that are projected to join the scheme when it goes live on 1 January 2026, (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41891/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the fuel allowance. [44325/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection to estimate the cost of expanding the fuel allowance to all people on a disability-related social protection payment; and of extending the heating season to 32 weeks. [44337/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated costs of linking the wage subsidy scheme to the national minimum wage; and the estimated costs of restoring the wage subsidy scheme to 70% of the national minimum wage. [44341/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reconfiguring disability allowance payments such that only the receiving individual’s personal income is assessable, and not their household’s and where “welfare cliffs” in the payment are designed such that no recipient will receive less income in aggregate if they take up work or take a promotion. [44342/25]
Foreign4 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to intervene to ensure that a person (details supplied) who is in Gaza and has a student visa for Ireland is added to the exit lists so that they can exit Gaza and take up their studies here. [41324/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the controls in place to prevent appropriation of Irish foreign aid by officials in a country (details supplied). [42522/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to coordinate with his counterpart at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that a family connected with Irish citizens are evacuated from Gaza (details supplied). [43284/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to work with his counterparts at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to ensure that the family of a Palestinian individual living in Ireland (details supplied) are evacuated from Gaza. [43287/25]
Education4 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for delays to review of SNA allocation at a school (details supplied), where parents are concerned that there are not enough resources to support their children's needs. [42027/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action she has taken to ensure that there will be an appropriate special class for a group of students (details supplied) in the Dún Laoghaire area. [42524/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 12 June 2025, if she will consider pausing the redesignation of mild general learning disability schools to reflect that they serve as centres of excellence for the management of subset of special education needs (details supplied) which will be less well met in mainstream schools even with additional supports, and that these service needs do not necessarily overlap with other categories of special education students [42727/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 12 June 2025, if she will consider pausing the redesignation of mild general learning disability schools to reflect that they serve as centres of excellence for the management of subset of special education needs (details supplied) which will be less well met in mainstream schools even with additional supports, and that these service needs do not necessarily overlap with other categories of special education students. [42728/25]
Transport2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated costs of upgrading bus infrastructure in order that buses can accommodate more than one wheelchair at a time. [44338/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated costs of abolishing fees for disabled persons’ parking cards. [44340/25]
Finance2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance to estimate the annual revenue that would be raised by a 5% and 10% levy on net profits of grocery retail chains with revenue in excess of €50 million annually; fast food chains with revenue in excess of €25 million annually; and if he will provide figures for both categories separately and combined, based on the most recent available data. [42956/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance given that states generally have access to cheaper finance than the private sector, to outline the differences in financing costs for the delivery of large social housing projects compared to large private housing projects (details supplied). [44353/25]
Health2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if they will ask the HSE and disability services to review the case of a disabled person (details supplied) who is not receiving the level of support and services they require to live independently, with a view to establishing a new care plan and providing the support and services they need, with a recurring 3-6 month review to ensure that the care plan is effective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41406/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost to the Health Service Executive of treating chronic diet related illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; and if he will provide a breakdown of cost estimates by illness type. [42957/25]
Rural2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department intends to carry out a feasibility study or impact assessment on a voluntary code for bilingual labelling and packaging, as committed to in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030; if a lead official has been appointed to oversee this work; and whether the Minister will now initiate this process in light of the Department of Health’s confirmation that it would be happy to support and assist such an initiative in relation to food information for consumers in response to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied); and if he accepts that, with only five years remaining in the Strategy, no meaningful progress has been made on this commitment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41273/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of whole-time equivalent staff in his Department, and at what grade, which have been dedicated to overseeing the roll out of bilingual labelling and packaging, as committed to in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030. [41281/25]
Defence1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to respond to concerns about the closure of a consultation on maritime security strategy (details supplied). [41199/25]
Public Expenditure1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a list of units in his Department and the budget, including staffing budget for each. [44324/25]
Agriculture1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the absence of figures for the number of euthanisations carried out at a dog pounds (details supplied), from February 2025 to date; and whether there is there a legal obligation to publish euthanisation numbers. [42028/25]
Further and Higher Education1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year costs of doubling the number of third level places available for therapeutic courses (details supplied). [44354/25]