Mon, 28 Jul – 3 Aug 2025 · 3 TDs · 0 bills voted on · 263 questions · 1 new lobbying filings
Grace Boland — Fine Gael
0 votes ·
246 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked246 total
Children36 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the cross-departmental strategies being developed to make parenthood more accessible and less burdensome. [42553/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total spend by her Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40853/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by her Department and agencies under its aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40873/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if all external legal fees incurred by her Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41497/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41515/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41533/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41551/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the internal oversight that exists within her Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41569/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41587/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41605/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will be working alongside the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to support and implement the “Action Plan for Women in Business”, drawn up by Enterprise Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41948/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted the assessment of access referenced in the Programme for Government to finance and financial services for women from minority groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41952/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the establishment of maternity, paternity and adoptive leave policies for all elected representatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42041/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement her Department have had with childcare providers to determine how to reduce the administrative burden on providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42042/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress her Department has made in trying to reduce the administrative burden on providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42043/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on planned changes to the planning guidelines for childcare facilities to facilitate more applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42044/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the transformation of the supply management unit into a forward planning and delivery unit to determine the supply of childcare needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42045/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made to purchase or build state owned childcare facilities to create additional needs in areas who have the most unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42046/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made by her Department to develop State-led childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme in Dublin Fingal West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42047/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made by her Department to host state led after school care and support start up supports for groups involved in after-school activities in Dublin Fingal West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42048/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress that has been made on the review of the 2001 Childcare Facilities Guidelines for Planning Authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42162/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeline of implementation of the centralised portal on pay transparency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42165/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department encourages the take-up of statutory leave for fathers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42166/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the plans her Department are working on to tackle the falling birth rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42167/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress being made to ensure the Review of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare operating system in Ireland will be ready for publication in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42168/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to address and mitigate against the impact of the motherhood penalty on women in the workplace, particularly in relation to: income inequality and pay progression, barriers to promotion and career development, access to affordable childcare and flexible working arrangements, and measures to support women returning to the workforce after maternity leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42539/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline any cross-departmental efforts underway to tackle the structural contributors to the motherhood penalty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42542/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the timeline for the establishment of the National Agency for Early Learning and Childcare; the interim measures being taken to address the affordability crisis in childcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42546/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the fiscal supports being considered by her Department to alleviate the burden of childcare costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42547/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being considered to promote more equitable sharing of childcare responsibilities between parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42549/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider introducing a cap or ban on administrative fees charged by crèches for placing children on waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42812/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to regulate non-refundable administrative fees in the early childhood education sector; whether any guidelines or oversight mechanisms are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42813/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has conducted any impact assessment on how unregulated crèche administration fees affect low-income families access to childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42814/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to consider mandating transparency in how administrative fees are used by childcare providers; whether such fees should be refundable or deductible from future childcare costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42815/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to introduce the €200 a month cap for childcare fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42816/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a child (details supplied) will be called for their assessment of need appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43127/25]
Health29 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the total spend by her Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40838/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if she will give due consideration to expanding Ireland’s medical card scheme to cover psychotherapy, both short-term and long-term, through a reimbursement model for accredited private therapists, as currently medical card holders can access up to eight free counselling sessions via the HSE’s Counselling in Primary Care programme, which does not address those who suffer from chronic health conditions requiring ongoing therapy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40859/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by her Department and agencies under its aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40882/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if all external legal fees incurred by her Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41506/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41524/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41542/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41560/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the internal oversight that exists within her Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41578/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41596/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41614/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current general practitioner to population in the Fingal area, particularly in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk; how this compares to the national average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41900/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the steps her Department is taking to address the capacity constraints of GP services in Fingal where population growth has outpaced GP supply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41901/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the number of public health contracts, by general practitioner in Fingal, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41902/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the plans her Department has to expand general practitioner training placements or incentivise practice establishment in high growth areas such as Balbriggan, Rush and Lusk, where demand is increasing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41903/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the work her Department is undertaking to tackle the declining fertility rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42551/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the criteria required to open a DDoc service in the north of Swords; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43224/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the information provided to women requesting to terminate a pregnancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43225/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the plans to improve the treatment of patients with symptoms of endometriosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43226/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the total numbers of patients referred to the endometriosis hubs nationwide since they opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43227/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the number of patients referred to the endometriosis hubs by location since their opening, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43228/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of the age ranges of patients referred and receiving treatment in the endometriosis hubs nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43229/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the average wait time patients for an appointment in the endometriosis hubs once referred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43230/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the number of patients referred for surgery from the endometriosis hubs waiting on a date for surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43231/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the plans to expand endometriosis care for women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43232/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the plans to open more endometriosis hubs across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43233/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health to confirm if all parts of the Assisted Human Reproductive Bill 2022 have been enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44010/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has plans to reopen the Laura Brennan catch up HPV vaccine programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44011/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health what plans are underway within her Department to improve access to lymphoedema treatments and early intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44012/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Women’s Health Action Plan 2024-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44013/25]
Justice17 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40840/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40884/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41508/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41526/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41544/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41562/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41580/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41598/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41616/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the number of incidents involving unauthorised drone activity near Dublin Airport that have been reported to An Garda Síochána since the deployment of counter-drone technology by the DAA; the number of these incidents that have resulted in investigations, prosecutions or other enforcement actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41623/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the implementation of initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of women in An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41953/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the additional resources that have been redirected within his Department to assist the South African applicants who now need a short term visa to visit Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43258/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for short term visas received by his Department from South African citizens since the need for a visa to visit Ireland was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43259/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for short term visas submitted by South African citizens that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43260/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications for short term visas submitted by South African citizens that were unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43261/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current turnaround time to process short term visa applications from South African citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43262/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of short-term visa applications from South African citizens processed within the advertised turnaround times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43263/25]
Finance15 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40835/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40879/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41503/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41521/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41539/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41557/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41575/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41593/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41611/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance the means by which the delivery of the “Women in Finance” initiative will be delivered; if there is a timeframe for the delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41947/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the work carried out by her Department to examine the barriers facing farming women within the taxation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41950/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an updated assessment of the sustainability of Ireland’s public finances in light of the ESRI’s warning from June this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42590/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance the contingency plans in place should corporate tax receipts from US multinationals decline significantly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance to outline the governance and deployment criteria for the future Ireland fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42592/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider in advance of Budget 2026 raising the maximum tax relief credit on health insurance premiums, presently capped at €200, in view of the substantial increases in health insurance costs over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42726/25]
Transport14 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40858/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40889/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41513/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41531/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41549/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41567/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41585/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41621/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport further to the deployment of counter-drone technology at Dublin Airport, if he will provide data on the number of drones detected and disabled or otherwise neutralised by the DAA on a daily, weekly or monthly basis since the introduction of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41622/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance with the EU’s TEN-T regulation requiring a mainline rail link to Dublin Airport by 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42859/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the Government's strategy to avoid potential EU infringement proceedings and fines related to the lack of a mainline rail link to Dublin Airport. [42860/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the absence of a mainline rail link to Dublin Airport aligns with Ireland's climate and sustainable transport commitments under the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42861/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the work his Department has carried out to ensure Ireland’s aviation sector are meeting the commitments outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42863/25]
Enterprise14 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40834/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41502/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41520/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41538/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41556/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41574/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41592/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41610/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the work carried out by his Department to support the “Action Plan for Women in Business”, drawn up by Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41949/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the work carried out by his Department to implement the “Action Plan for Women in Business”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41951/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports in place to ensure that working mothers are not disproportionately penalised in terms of promotion and pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42550/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment how the Government is preparing for the potential negative economic impact arising from US trade policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42593/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the means by which the delivery of the “Balance for Better Business” initiative will be delivered; if there is a timeframe for the delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43049/25]
Housing14 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40839/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40883/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41507/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41525/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41543/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41561/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41579/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41597/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and the total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41615/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage her Department’s plan on actively promoting the inclusion of women and minorities into political roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42040/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress his Department has made to reform planning conditions for childcare facilities to open in areas of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42163/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the issues facing the residents of Red Island, Skerries, regarding pyrite remediation applications, which his Department was assisting with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42164/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the targeted policies being introduced by his Department to support young adults in accessing affordable housing, to enable family formation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to streamline planning processes for critical infrastructure projects like the Metro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42862/25]
Public Expenditure12 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total annual expenditure on external legal fees by all Government Departments and agencies under their aegis, for each of the past five years; the steps being taken to monitor and control such expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40848/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of public bodies that reported legal costs exceeding €50,000 in any of the past three years; the purpose of these legal services; whether any central oversight exists to ensure value for money in procurement of legal services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40849/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he has considered introducing guidelines or a centralised legal services framework to control escalating legal costs across the public service; if so, the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40850/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that public bodies adhere to the public spending code when procuring legal services; how compliance is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40851/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40885/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41509/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41545/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41563/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41581/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41599/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41617/25]
Further and Higher Education11 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40837/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40881/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41505/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41523/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41541/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41559/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41577/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41613/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans he has to advance education, training and maintenance of new digital skills, particularly STEM subjects, to assist girls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41956/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work his Department has carried out on the review of the gender equality action plan for higher education referenced in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42039/25]
Foreign10 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40836/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40880/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41504/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41522/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41540/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41558/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41576/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41612/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department launched a communications strategy in South Africa to advise South African citizens of the need for a short-term visa to visit Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43264/25]
Defence10 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40856/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41500/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41536/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41554/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41572/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41590/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41608/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the implementation of initiatives to promote the recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/25]
Culture10 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40855/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41499/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41553/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41571/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41589/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41607/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of funding that was last awarded by his Department to support female sports at both national and local levels that promote one club ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41954/25]
Social10 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40842/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40857/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40887/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41529/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41547/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41565/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41583/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41601/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41619/25]
Climate9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40854/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41516/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41534/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41552/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41570/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41588/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41606/25]
Education9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total spend by her Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40833/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by her Department and agencies under its aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40877/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if all external legal fees incurred by her Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41501/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41519/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41537/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41555/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the internal oversight that exists within her Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41573/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41591/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41609/25]
Agriculture9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if he will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40852/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40872/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41496/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41514/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41532/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41550/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41568/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41586/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41604/25]
Rural9 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total spend by his Department on external legal services in each of the past three years; the main areas of legal activity for which external advice was sought; if she will provide a breakdown by case or category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; how fees are monitored for compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41528/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41546/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41564/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41582/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; if not, the reason such options are not considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41600/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/25]
Taoiseach8 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements in each of the past three years by his Department and agencies under its aegis. [40888/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach if all external legal fees incurred by his Department, and by any bodies under its aegis, are charged at negotiated discounted rates; and how fees are monitored for compliance. [41512/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach if his Department conducts regular benchmarking, or market testing, to ensure that the rates paid for legal services, solicitors and barristers, represent value for money for the taxpayer. [41530/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach to detail the procurement processes used when engaging external legal firms and barristers, including whether panels are used; how often these are refreshed; the criteria used for selection and performance review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41548/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach if his Department has conducted any audits or reviews in the past five years on legal fee spend; if so, to publish the findings or summaries of those reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41566/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach the internal oversight that exists within his Department to monitor the scope, duration, and cost escalation of legal services once engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41584/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach if his Department makes use of capped fee arrangements, fixed-fee briefs, success-based fee models or other such arrangements in its legal engagements; and, if not, the reason such options are not considered. [41602/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Grace Boland asked the Taoiseach whether any legal engagements have exceeded their initial estimated or approved cost in the past three years; if so, the number of such cases and total overrun; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41620/25]
Louise O'Reilly — Sinn Féin
0 votes ·
2 questions ·
1 new lobbying return
Questions asked2 total
Social1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for social welfare payment delays on 7 and 14 July 2025; the way in which the issue was rectified; the measures taken to prevent a recurrence; if both delays were caused by the same issue or by different issues; the steps that have been taken to prevent these issues from reoccurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/25]
Justice1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that a person born in Ireland after 2004 to non-Irish parents (one of whom is now a citizen) has to apply for citizenship to obtain a passport; if he can provide details of any supports that are in place to help with the financial cost of obtaining citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43052/25]
New lobbying1 return
Irish National Organisation of the UnemployedEmployment
Meeting with Louise O'Reilly TD
Robert O'Donoghue — Labour Party
0 votes ·
15 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked15 total
Social3 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection with reference to the programme for Government’s commitment to ‘examine how the social protection system can better support people fleeing domestic violence’ to outline the achievements to date to support victims of domestic violence and future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42129/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of recipients of the domestic violence rent supplement since it was introduced in 2020, in tabular form; the learnings from the first five years of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42130/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to the introduction of a dedicated 'safe fund', similar to the fleeing fund in the UK, to provide immediate (non means tested) financial assistance to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence who need to leave abusive situations; if this measure can be considered as part of Budget 2026 to ensure that victims have access to emergency cash payments for essential items such as clothing, food, transport or temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42131/25]
Culture2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of initial applicants for the basic income for artists payment; the number of initial applicants rejected for the basic income for artists payment; the number of initial applicants rejected for the basic income for artists payment, but were successfully able to appeal their rejection; the number of successful applicants for the basic income for artists payment, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40774/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a contact list of all State and semi-State bodies connected with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43129/25]
Justice2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of reports that new mothers recovering from C-section surgery, and those with serious illness in direct provision (details supplied), are being required to attend communal dining areas for meals, even when medically unfit to do so; if he will outline the measures in place to ensure that new mothers in recovery, and those unable to get to dining areas due to illness, will receive adequate care and dignity in accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41323/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the current use and regulation of special exemption orders, SEOs, for licensed premises; the number of SEOs granted in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, the associated costs to venue operators, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42362/25]
Agriculture2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a contact list of all State and semi-State bodies connected with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43128/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of people engaged in the food production industry, broken down by county and age demographics, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44110/25]
Children2 questions
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given the Government’s commitment to expanding affordable and accessible early education and school age childcare, if she will outline the role her Department is playing in coordinating with the National Development Plan to ensure the delivery of public childcare facilities as part of strategic housing developments on publicly owned land; if consideration has been given to ring-fencing spaces for public childcare in LDA-led developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43115/25]
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an update of any planned or ongoing review of core funding for the early childhood education and care sector; whether the review will address concerns regarding sustainability, staffing costs and capacity pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43116/25]
Transport1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or the National Transport Authority collects or has access to data on footfall in nightlife areas, particularly in urban centres, for the purpose of assessing public transport demand between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.; if he will make this data available for 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form, to inform future planning of late-night and 24-hour public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42488/25]
Enterprise1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his views on the impact of dynamic pricing practices in the sale of tickets to cultural, entertainment, recreational and sporting events; his plans to support and bring forward to Second Stage the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) (Amendment) Bill 2024, introduced by the then Deputy Jim O’Callaghan, Senator Timmy Dooley and Deputy Niamh Smyth, which proposes to prohibit dynamic pricing by primary ticket sellers and ensure that consumers pay the price originally advertised at the point of sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42338/25]
Housing1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently reconsider the significant reduction in funding to the tenant in situ scheme allocated to Fingal County Council, reported to have been cut by more than 50%, and funding already allocated, given that this scheme remains one of the few effective mechanisms currently preventing families from falling into homelessness, particularly in the absence of sufficient stock of social and affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41482/25]
Health1 question
2025-07-29Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has formally notified her Department that the national biological treatment service for rabies, specifically the service responsible for assessing persons potentially exposed to rabies and delivering critical biologic prophylaxis, has ceased operations as of July2025 due to retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43926/25]