Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 8 Sept

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 0 votes · 274 questions · 6 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 274 total

Health 66 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will review the supports available to Irish patients who undergo surgery abroad under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive and return with serious complications, in particular where surgical error is involved; if she will outline the entitlements such patients have for aftercare, corrective surgery, or clinical support; and if she will consider the introduction of a formal aftercare policy for patients returning from approved cross-border procedures. [44531/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted an impact assessment of the latest increases in private health insurance premiums, particularly in view of the concurrent launch of so-called "cheaper" plans which reportedly restrict access to many public and private hospitals and may offer diminished coverage: if she is satisfied that sufficient regulatory oversight exists to prevent consumers from being misled by plans that appear affordable in premium terms but are materially inferior in protection; and the discussions her Department or the Insurance Authority have held with insurers in relation to pricing transparency, benefit structures and consumer safeguards. [44722/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of all mental health allocations made since Budget 2024, including the amount drawn down by the Health Service Executive regions to date and which projects or community services remain unfunded [44821/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will publish legislation to prohibit commercial sunbed use, following the public consultation closing on 3 October 2025; and the provisions that will be included for existing operators. [44822/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total over-expenditure on capital health projects in 2023–2025; and the updated timelines and costs for University Hospital Limerick and Merlin Park, Galway. [44883/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will consider introducing a national gonorrhoea vaccination programme in Ireland, similar to the newly launched NHS England initiative which offers a world-first vaccine roll-out through sexual health clinics; if any assessment has been made by the HSE or NIAC regarding the applicability of this vaccine in an Irish public health context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44924/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will publish a contingency plan to address the growing backlog of hospital maintenance and refurbishment requests across the South-South west hospital group, including a hospital by hospital breakdown of deferred works. [45022/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the targeted surge measures that are funded for Cork University Hospital and the south/southwest region for September–December for example, additional step-down capacity, short-stay surgical hubs and weekend diagnostics (details supplied); and the weekly KPIs admissions, LOS and 12-hour breaches that will be published for CUH from September. [45422/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current total projected out-turn cost of the National Children’s Hospital, including the €1.88 billion envelope for construction and equipment, the €362 million allocation for ICT and commissioning and any additional notified claims or liabilities; and if the €853 million in additional contractor claims has been accepted, contested, or set aside in Departmental risk projections. [45424/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the status of contractor claims relating to the National Children’s Hospital, including the €107 million paid to BAM in July 2024 under bond; the total number and value of claims submitted; proportion accepted, rejected or in legal dispute; and the Department’s current exposure to further litigation or arbitration. [45425/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current target date for substantial completion of the National Children’s Hospital given the revised programme to 30 September 2025; and the earliest realistic date for patient services to commence given the nine-month commissioning period indicated by Children’s Health Ireland. [45426/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if Children’s Health Ireland has been granted early access to the National Children’s Hospital to begin equipment installation and systems testing; if not, the specific obstacles preventing such access; and the timeline for resolution to avoid further delay. [45427/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health her Department’s assessment of the risks associated with transferring patients to the new National Children’s Hospital during winter months, as advised against by Children’s Health Ireland; and the contingency measures to mitigate clinical and operational risks if the commissioning period overlaps with the November to March window. [45428/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the publication schedule for monthly progress reports on the National Children’s Hospital; the number and value of variation orders; the number of rooms accepted to substantial completion standard; the updated risk register; and the independent assurance reports furnished to her Department and the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee. [45429/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to detail the costs incurred in the naming and branding of the National Children’s Hospital, including the reported €4,500 spent on the June 2025 naming process; and if further public funds are expected to be allocated to marketing, naming, or rebranding before the hospital opens. [45430/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current number of children on waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida surgery; the length of time each child has been waiting; and the number of surgeries cancelled or rescheduled in the past three years, disaggregated by reason for cancellation. [45441/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the 2017 Government commitment that no child would wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery has not been delivered; and the new binding guarantees that will now be made to ensure no child experiences such delays in the future. [45442/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the parents of a child (details supplied) were at any stage informed of their child’s removal from the urgent waiting list; the clinical and administrative basis for this decision; and the measures being introduced to ensure that parents are fully informed and consulted before any such removal in the future. [45443/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to the establishment of a statutory inquiry into the governance of Children’s Health Ireland in relation to paediatric spinal surgery delays and oversight of orthopaedic services; and if the scope of such an inquiry will include accountability for unmet ministerial commitments. [45444/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic surgeons employed by Children’s Health Ireland; the annual caseload capacity of each; the number of unfilled consultant and theatre nursing posts in this area; and the immediate steps being taken to recruit and retain additional clinical expertise. [45445/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered arrangements with overseas hospitals to provide treatment for Irish children currently on spinal waiting lists; if not, the reason; and if so, the details of any negotiations or agreements reached to date. [45446/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to publishing monthly, publicly accessible reports on paediatric spinal surgery waiting lists, including numbers, average wait times, cancellations, and rescheduled procedures, in order to ensure transparency and accountability. [45447/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the psychological and bereavement supports being provided to families whose children have died while awaiting treatment; and if these supports are standardised across all Children’s Health Ireland sites. [45448/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reasons a child reported as being at risk of sexual abuse in the Dublin south central area was left on a waiting list for over 14 months without allocation to a child welfare officer, despite a second referral being made within one month; and if she will outline the measures being taken to ensure that such delays are not repeated in future cases. [45546/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline her Department’s official position on the definition of biological sex and gender; whether she accepts that biological sex is immutable apart from rare intersex conditions; and if she will clarify whether the HSE’s training materials reflect official departmental policy or an ideological interpretation. [45610/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the rationale for HSE funding and promoting pronoun awareness training modules which state that “biological sex can change over time, in light of the established scientific consensus that biological sex is determined by chromosomes and does not change during a person’s lifetime. [45611/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the cost to date of HSE-funded pronoun and gender identity training programmes, including those provided by FDYS youth service under the social Inclusion budget; if she will provide a breakdown of costs by year; and the justification for allocating public health funding to these initiatives. [45612/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she is satisfied that HSE training content which discourages the use of terms such as mother and father, parent, or guardian is compatible with maintaining clear communication in clinical and family health contexts, particularly in paediatrics, maternity services, and elder care. [45613/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she considers it appropriate that HSE training instructs staff that persistent refusal to use new or neo-pronouns requires re-education, and if she will clarify whether disciplinary processes are envisaged for staff who, on conscientious or scientific grounds, believe there are two biological sexes. [45614/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way the HSE reconciles its training materials that describe biological sex as a spectrum with standard medical science which recognises male and female biological categories, alongside a small number of intersex conditions; and if she will provide the scientific or clinical sources underpinning the HSE’s position. [45615/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has consulted with medical, psychiatric, and endocrinological experts in the preparation of its pronoun and gender identity training materials; if so, if she will publish those expert reports; and if not, if she will provide a reason such consultation was not undertaken. [45616/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether HSE staff are mandated to display pronoun badges, alter their email signatures, or otherwise publicise their pronouns; and if she will clarify whether participation in pronoun disclosure practices is voluntary or compulsory for HSE employees. [45617/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has considered the risk of patient confusion or diminished trust in clinical settings arising from HSE staff introducing themselves with pronouns, and whether an impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate effects on patient care. [45618/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether it is the role of the HSE to promote contested ideological views on sex and gender, as opposed to focusing on the delivery of medical care and the promotion of evidence-based health education. [45619/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will examine HSE training modules on gender and pronouns to ensure that they accurately reflect biological science and do not compromise the clarity of communication essential in healthcare settings. [45620/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the current pathway by which a person in Ireland who suffers a serious adverse reaction following vaccination may obtain compensation, including whether any ex-gratia or statutory routes exists; the number of cases compensated by the State since 2000; the total amounts paid, itemised by year and vaccine, if available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45666/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of a State vaccine injury compensation scheme; the target go-live date; the proposed administrator; whether the scheme will be statutory or administrative; whether it will be retrospective to vaccinations administered since 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45667/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the proposed standard of proof for eligibility under any State vaccine injury compensation scheme; whether determinations will operate on the balance of probabilities; whether presumptive conditions will be listed on a “vaccine injury table” with defined time-to-onset criteria, as used in comparable international schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45668/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will publish draft heads of bill or scheme rules for public consultation before commencement of a State vaccine injury compensation scheme; the planned appeals mechanism; whether appeals will lie to an independent tribunal; the expected average decision time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45669/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether legal costs in any State vaccine injury compensation scheme will be borne by the scheme for unsuccessful as well as successful applicants subject to basic merit thresholds, in line with international comparators; the projected annual budget impact and contingency provision for the first five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45670/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the number of suspected adverse reaction reports for vaccines received by HPRA in each year from 2019 to 2025, disaggregated by vaccine, seriousness, age band and outcome; and to confirm the number of these cases that proceeded to any form of compensation or settlement. [45671/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any planned State vaccine injury compensation scheme will cover non-COVID vaccines in the National Immunisation Programme; how childhood, HPV, influenza, and adult booster vaccines will be treated; whether coverage will extend to off-schedule but HSE-administered vaccines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45672/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a State vaccine injury compensation scheme will include a tax-free lump-sum model, periodic payments, or both; the proposed award calibration for death, severe disability, loss of earnings, care, medical costs, and rehabilitation; whether indexation will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45673/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish an annual report on vaccine adverse events and compensation, integrating HPRA pharmacovigilance data with scheme outcomes; to include rates per million doses administered by vaccine and year; and to benchmark Ireland against the EU and the UK. [45674/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will publish FSAI analysis for 2015 to 2025 on saturated-fat trends in mass-market products including chocolate, ice cream and frozen desserts; and if she will indicate whether Ireland has met the 10% reduction target under the reformulation roadmap [45699/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will mandate a temporary “Recipe changed on [date]” front-of-pack notice where the primary fat changes to a higher-saturated-fat ingredient i.e. switch to coconut or palm, with thresholds and category guidance. [45700/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will direct the HSE to run a short public information campaign explaining saturated fat guidance in plain language, aligned with WHO/EFSA. [45701/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish an annual report on vaccine adverse events and compensation, integrating HPRA pharmacovigilance data with scheme outcomes; to include rates per million doses administered by vaccine and year; and to benchmark Ireland against the EU and the UK. [46187/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the scheme will include non-financial supports, including medical cards, counselling, vocational rehabilitation, and independent case-management for successful applicants and their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46188/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which GPs and vaccinators will be informed about the new scheme; the patient-facing information materials to be provided at the point of vaccination; and the process for informed consent updates once the scheme commences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46189/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the scheme will recognise injuries following mixed-brand or heterologous schedules where causation apportionment is complex; the approach to multi-dose temporal associations; if a proportional liability model will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46190/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the data-sharing arrangements between the scheme administrator, the HPRA, the HSE, and the Department for actuarial forecasting and safety signal detection; to confirm compliance with GDPR and patient confidentiality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46191/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish an initial actuarial and sensitivity analysis for the scheme, using international experience on applications per million doses, success rates, average award and administration costs to include a worked example using the US figure of approximately one compensated case per million doses distributed over 2006-2023 as a comparator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46192/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if the scheme will include a fast-track process for clearly table-listed injuries, target decision times for those cases, and performance metrics to be reported quarterly to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46193/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if adverse events following vaccination administered outside HSE settings but within the State, or administered abroad to Irish residents, will be eligible; the way in which domicile and jurisdiction will be assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46194/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if deaths temporally associated with vaccination will be eligible where a coroner's verdict is inconclusive but medical evidence supports probability; the evidentiary threshold; the role of independent medical experts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46195/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide a legal analysis of the way in which the proposed scheme will interact with existing tort remedies; if acceptance of an award will bar subsequent civil action; if structured settlements will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46196/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if interim payments will be available pending final determination; the criteria for hardship; the process for periodic review of awards where clinical status changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46197/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to publish scheme governance documents, including conflict-of-interest policies, panel selection criteria for medical assessors, and external audit arrangements; the way patient representatives will be included in oversight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46198/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of missed or delayed cancer detections identified following the cytology review of a hospital (details supplied); and if she will order an independent nationwide audit to protect patient safety [46261/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she has considered introducing a structured screening programme for prostate cancer, similar to BreastCheck and CervicalCheck, given international evidence and recent high-profile cases highlighting the consequences of late diagnoses. [46373/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the public information campaigns that are in place to encourage men over 50, or those in high-risk categories, to request PSA testing from their GP; and if she will consider funding a targeted awareness initiative. [46374/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of prostate cancer cases diagnosed at stage three or four in each of the past five years; and the steps being taken to improve earlier detection rates. [46375/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department will review whether men without regular GP access are at a disadvantage in accessing PSA testing; and if alternative access pathways will be considered. [46376/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has conducted a cost–benefit analysis of introducing routine PSA screening for men in certain age brackets, in terms of both survival outcomes and reduced treatment costs for late-stage cancer. [46377/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health in view of the CSO showing Ireland’s population reached 5.38 million, driven by net migration of 79,300 in a single year, the specific hospital beds places that will be delivered by the Government in 2026 to keep pace with this surge. [47967/25]
Justice 55 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if, given increasing public concern and anecdotal reports, he is aware of instances of individuals who have claimed asylum in the Republic of Ireland who are also travelling to and from the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, after having made similar claims in that jurisdiction; if there is any evidence that such individuals may be in receipt of social welfare or State supports from both jurisdictions concurrently; and the bilateral mechanisms currently in place between Irish and UK authorities to monitor and prevent potential cross-Border fraud of this nature, particularly following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. [44729/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of the operations of an IPAS accommodation provider (details supplied), specifically the locations of all accommodation centres or buildings currently operated by this provider under contract with his Department; the breakdown by nationality of the residents currently housed in each of the centres; to supply any Health Information and Quality Authority inspection reports, compliance notices, or incident reports relating to these centres, in tabular format. [44794/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being considered to introduce mandatory sentencing for those convicted of assaulting Gardaí, particularly in light of the recent spike in knife-related attacks.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44884/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown of all vacant properties currently owned or controlled by his Department or any agency under its remit; if he will furnish a list of these properties, by Dáil constituency; and the duration for which each property has remained vacant and any intended future use. [44919/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the breakdown, by Garda division of the number of An Garda Síochána Reserve members currently enrolled and active nationally; the number of reserve personnel deployed in each division over the past 12-months; the total number of operational duty days performed by reserve members in that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44941/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda reserve members assigned to Cork city, as of 31 May 2025; the number of these actively deployed. [44973/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if details on a series of matters (details supplied) will be provided in relation to the total amount expended by the State on legal aid or legal representation for individuals applying for asylum or international protection provided in each of the years from 2015 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45007/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the value of all payments made by his Department to a company (details supplied) from 1 January 2023 to date in 2025; to provide a breakdown by quarter of each payment specifying the purchase order number, date of payment, description of goods or services, cost centre or programme under which the payment was made; the location of the accommodation or service provided; the procurement process used in each instance indicating whether it was an open competitive tender, framework call-off, negotiated procedure, direct award, or emergency derogation; and the details of any performance inspections, compliance audits, or contract-management reviews carried out in respect of the services provided by this company during the period, including the date and outcome of each review, in tabular form. [45111/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown of recorded incidents of assault, harassment or other violent crime in the State in each of the past five years; provide a breakdown of this data by the nationality of the alleged offender; and the location of the offence (details supplied). [45112/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedures by which An Garda Síochána records the nationality of alleged offenders and victims in criminal cases; whether the data is published on a regular basis; and if not, his plans to make such information publicly available to ensure transparency and informed public debate. [45113/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the remit and operational status of Fiosrú, the newly established police oversight body; whether it has been engaged in any independent reviews (details supplied) of serious or unsolved cases since its formation; and the way in which its independence, resourcing and reporting lines are being maintained to ensure effective Garda accountability. [45118/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of the number of offences under s.2 and s.3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 and relevant Public Order Act 1994 provisions where the victim’s nationality was recorded as Indian, with monthly and Garda division breakdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45130/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of recorded hate related crimes and incidents flagged with bias motivation to race, ethnicity and nationality for the period 11 February 2025 to 11 August 2025; the subset where victim nationality was Indian; and the number of charges citing hate aggravation under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, indicating prosecutions initiated and any available court outcomes, with a division-level breakdown. [45131/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide comparative figures for the same offence categories and period (details supplied) for Irish nationals and to provide details of the five most frequently recorded non-Irish victim nationalities; to provide the data quality profile, that is rates of unknown or not recorded for nationality and ethnic/cultural background fields; the current recording guidance to members, and whether she will commit to quarterly publication of disaggregated statistics and to placing the underlying tables in the Oireachtas Library. [45132/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of the number of incidents recorded at facilities from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, by month, as logged by An Garda Síochána on the PULSE system and by his Department or its contractors in incident reports categorised by incidents (details supplied) by month, in tabular form. [45341/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the number of incidents at facilities (details supplied); the number of Garda call-outs; the number of incidents resulting in arrests, charges; files submitted to the DPP; and the status of prosecutions including outcomes where available for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, in tabular form. [45342/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of victims by cohort that were recorded, including residents, staff or contractors, members of the public, and members of An Garda Síochána, with confirmation of any recorded injuries at facilities (details supplied); the number of exclusion orders, evictions from the facilities, or transfer decisions arising from serious misconduct; and the number and outcome of any appeals for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, in tabular form. [45343/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the policing and overtime costs attributable to facilities for the period 1 January to 31 August 2025, including the deployment of public order units; the total cost to his Department for security provision at the facilities; and the cost of contracted on-site security or supplementary security personnel (details supplied). [45345/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will confirm whether his Department's official figures for incidents at facilities (details supplied) in the period 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, match figures reported in public discourse; the reason for any variance including definitional or classification differences. [45346/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if she will publish the corrective action plan timelines for non-compliant IPAS sites (details supplied), the inspection cadence for Cork centres and a summary of resident safeguarding indicators now monitored in real time. [45421/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projected ten-year whole-life cost for the State’s purchase and operation of a hotel and campus (details supplied), including capital upgrades, security, on-site health, education and transport supports; the current on-site headcount; the 2025 monthly operating cost; and the cost comparison with a counterfactual lease model presented to Cabinet. [45468/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if addresses (details supplied) in Cork are currently being used as accommodation under State contracts for the purposes of housing persons experiencing homelessness and/or persons seeking international protection; and, if so, the name of the company or organisation operating each facility under contract with the State. [45471/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the maximum accommodation capacity in each facility (details supplied); the current number of residents in each; and the breakdown of those residents, by category that is, homeless persons, persons seeking international protection, or other. [45472/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the duration of State contracts currently in place for each property (details supplied) in Cork; the date each contract commenced; and the anticipated date of expiry or renewal. [45473/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total cost to the State of the contracts relating to each property (details supplied) in Cork; the average monthly or annual payments made to each contractor or operator; and if value-for-money assessments have been carried out. [45474/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the monitoring and compliance arrangements in place for contracted accommodation facilities (details supplied) in Cork; the frequency of inspections; and the findings of any inspections conducted in the past 12-months. [45475/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are plans to extend, expand or alter the use of accommodation facilities (details supplied) in Cork; and, if so, the expected timelines and objectives. [45476/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address the current overcrowding in Cork Prison, which is operating at 133% of its capacity with 98 prisoners without access to beds; and if he will confirm the contingency plans in place to ensure humane and safe treatment of all prisoners. [45531/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in view of the fact the national prison system is accommodating almost 900 more inmates than its designed capacity, the Government’s strategic plan to resolve this overcrowding including whether it plans to expand existing facilities, construct new accommodation and increase the use of alternatives such as community sanctions. [45532/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the statistics on the proportion of the prison population held on remand pending trial compared with convicted prisoners; and the reforms being considered to reduce remand numbers particularly for non-violent offences, through measures such as bail reform or expanded use of community-based alternatives. [45533/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has implemented in whole or in part, the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice in respect of a decarceration strategy, and if so, the impacts to date on occupancy levels and recidivism. [45534/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has commissioned or received evidence regarding increased assaults or risks to prison officers as a result of overcrowding in Irish prisons; and the measures being taken to safeguard the health, welfare, and safety of prison staff under such conditions. [45535/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department is examining international best practice in prison design and management, such as the adoption of normalisation models and architectural reforms that have been linked with improved rehabilitation outcomes; and if he intends to pilot such approaches in the State. [45536/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to balance the Government’s aim of penal reform and reduction of prison overcrowding with the need to protect the public, safeguard victims of crime, and maintain public confidence in the justice system. [45537/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the most recent figures on calls made to An Garda Síochána relating to domestic abuse incidents in 2024 and to date in 2025, by region; the measures that are being taken to address this reported surge in cases. [45541/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prosecutions brought in 2023 and 2024 under domestic violence legislation; and whether the Department has identified gaps in the criminal justice process that contribute to under-prosecution or attrition in such cases. [45542/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current waiting times for victims of domestic abuse seeking access to refuge accommodation; and the plans his Department has to increase refuge capacity in line with recommendations from Safe Ireland and the Istanbul Convention obligations. [45544/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the training and support measures that are being put in place for gardaí handling domestic abuse calls, in particular in cases involving repeat incidents or high-risk victims, to ensure consistency of response across all Garda divisions. [45545/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications received; the number approved; the number of dependants admitted under the International Protection Act 2015 for each of the years since 2019; and if he will publish the internal business case referenced in documents released to RTÉ under freedom of information. [45556/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason records on additional staffing and funding for international protection applications were withheld until compelled by appeal under FOI; and if he will commit to ensuring that future asylum related data is published proactively and in full. [45557/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether family reunification rights under the International Protection Act 2015 are being applied more broadly than the statutory definition in view of recent court rulings; and if he will set out his Department’s position on this matter. [45558/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the legislative framework on family reunification in view of the fact that approvals now average 2.5 dependants per applicant, effectively doubling asylum intake numbers. [45559/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has considered introducing thresholds or conditions, such as financial capacity, housing availability, or integration requirements, before family reunification rights can be exercised. [45560/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued, executed, and left unenforced in each of the years since 2020; and whether the suspension of deportations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increased asylum applications. [45561/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether persons that arrived in the State without identification documents are subsequently permitted to exercise family reunification rights; and if so, the way in which identity verification of family members is conducted in such cases. [45562/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which Ireland’s family reunification provisions compare with those in other EU member states in terms of categories of relatives admitted and the average numbers approved per application. [45563/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has conducted a national capacity assessment to determine the sustainable intake level under asylum and family reunification combined, given constraints in housing, health, and education services. [45564/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the additional funding allocated since 2022 to manage the increase in asylum and family reunification applications; and the projected expenditure for 2025 to 2027. [45565/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment made of the cost implications for healthcare provision associated with family reunification; and whether his Department has commissioned a service impact study on this matter. [45567/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has prepared an inter-departmental strategy, in cooperation with the Departments of Justice, Housing, Health and Education, to coordinate the arrival and integration of family reunification beneficiaries; and if not, if she will bring forward such a plan. [45568/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Personal Insolvency Acts with specific reference to the high proportion of over-50s now seeking debt solutions will be reviewed; and his plans for a dedicated insolvency track for older borrowers whose income capacity is structurally diminished as they approach retirement. [45599/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applicants currently awaiting a first-instance decision; the average and median waiting times; and the steps being taken to reduce these waiting times to under 12-weeks in line with practices in other EU states. [46530/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of deportation orders issued in the past three years; the number enforced; and the obstacles preventing full enforcement of deportation orders. [46531/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has assessed whether the reduction of the waiting time for labour market access permits has contributed to an increase in the volume of international protection applications; and if so, to provide the data underpinning this assessment. [46532/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the protections and contingency housing supports currently in place in Ireland for asylum seekers; and if he intends to review these. [46818/25]
Children 23 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a weekly progress update and schedule of expected milestones for the forensic excavation of the Tuam mother and baby home site; and the psychological and communication supports that are being provided to affected families. [44819/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide an updated national breakdown of average monthly childcare costs, by county; her views on recent reports that these now exceed average mortgage repayments in many areas; if she considers this compatible with the Government’s stated objective of supporting working families; and if she will outline any plans for further subsidy increases or structural reforms to address the affordability crisis. [44922/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will initiate an independent operational and financial review of Tusla in light of its reported €68 million budget overrun and a 30% year-on-year increase in demand for services; and if she will outline how her Department intends to ensure continuity of support for vulnerable children and families during this period of fiscal stress. [44935/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Budget 2026 will include targeted investment to reduce childcare costs, given recent reports showing that average childcare payments now exceed mortgage repayments in most urban areas; and the projected fiscal cost of implementing a universal childcare cap or subsidy model. [44937/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to confirm Tusla’s projected budget overrun for 2025; to provide a breakdown of the reported €67.8million overspend across core service categories, such as separated children seeking international protection, fostering, residential care, and legal representation; and to state whether she intends to appoint an independent external review of Tusla’s financial and operational governance. [44972/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare services that exited or declined core funding by county and service type in 2025 to date; the number of enrolled children affected; and the reasons recorded by her Department or local city/county childcare committees (details supplied). [45122/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications under the 2024/2025 fee increase assessment process; the number of approvals and refusals; the median and interquartile range of approved increases; and the average impact on parents net weekly fees after NCS subsidies. [45123/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality following implementation of the September 2025 fee cap, if she will provide details of the maximum capped fees by hours band including the €295 week cap for 40–50 hours; the compliance and enforcement regime; the expected coverage share of services and children; and any sanctions for breach (details supplied). [45124/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to publish modelling by decile of household income and typical hours of parents net costs in September 2025 combining the new caps with NCS universal that is €2.14/hour up to 45 hours; and income-assessed subsidies up to €5.10/hour (details supplied). [45125/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the additional core funding provision being made to offset the sectoral pay floor increase to €15 an hour and related grade uplifts; and to provide her Department’s estimate of the marginal cost per full-time place. [45126/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the quarterly dashboards showing average gross fees by county and care type; the average net fees after subsidy and participation rates in core funding, drawing on the Pobal Early Years Data Warehouse. [45127/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in view of the reported 16,593 children awaiting completion of disability assessments, if she will provide a breakdown of the number of children awaiting an initial assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005, and the subsequent follow-up assessments, by CHO area, at the end of quarter 2 2025; the average and longest waiting times for each category of assessment; the number of assessment officers, therapists, psychologists, and other relevant professionals employed by the HSE to carry out these assessments in each CHO area; the additional funding allocated in each of the past five years to address assessment backlogs; the specific measures with timeframes her Department and the HSE are implementing to reduce the backlog and ensure compliance with statutory assessment timeframes; and whether she will commit to introducing a statutory right to assessment within a guaranteed maximum timeframe. [45139/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the definition applied by Tusla in classifying a case as “medium priority”; if she is satisfied that the current system of prioritisation adequately protects children in situations where there are repeated referrals or escalating risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45547/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average waiting times for the allocation of child protection cases across each Tusla area, with particular reference to Dublin South Central, and if she will provide comparative figures for 2023 and 2024. [45548/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific measures introduced by Tusla that have reduced the percentage of unallocated cases in Dublin south central from 54 per cent in February 2024 to 34 per cent at the time of the HIQA inspection; and if she will confirm whether those measures are being applied nationally. [45549/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide details of the number of clinical and therapeutic staff employed by Tusla to provide support services to children at risk of sexual abuse; the number of vacancies; and if she will outline the Department’s plans to close the staffing gap. [45550/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the interim supports, therapeutic or otherwise, that are made available to children at risk of sexual abuse in circumstances where case allocation is delayed; and if she will confirm whether there are protocols in place to ensure that no child goes without support during a prolonged waiting period. [45551/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the compliance timelines and performance metrics that have been agreed with Tusla following the recent HIQA inspection in Dublin South Central; and if she will confirm how the Department is monitoring delivery against those commitments. [45552/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department intends to introduce mandatory reassessment triggers, for example, automatic re-prioritisation following a second referral, in order to ensure that escalating risks to children are addressed without undue delay. [45553/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of the training and continuous professional development provided to Tusla frontline staff to assist them in identifying and responding to risks of sexual abuse; the adequacy of current provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45554/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the findings of HIQA that children at risk of sexual abuse in Dublin south central were not receiving timely safety planning or therapeutic support; and the reforms being prioritised within her Department to address this systemic failure. [45555/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has considered the introduction of specific incentives, such as bursaries, training supports, or targeted recruitment campaigns, to encourage more men to enter the early years and preschool education sector, where there are critical staffing shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45947/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will urgently review the adequacy of supports for community-based childcare services in light of the closure of a service (details supplied) in Midleton, County Cork; the actions she intends to take to prevent further closures of early years services nationally; if she accepts that's the current funding and policy measures are failing to sustain services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46178/25]
Education 20 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the ongoing issues regarding school transport provision in the areas of Whitechurch, Blarney, and Upper Glanmire; the immediate measures being taken to ensure that children attending schools (details supplied) can access school bus places for the 2025-2026 academic year given that a number of families in these areas have been unable to secure transport and now face significant logistical and financial difficulties as a result. [44943/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider extending the home tuition scheme, or the introduction of alternative departmental supports, to allow qualified teachers to provide educational provision for students who are unable to attend mainstream school due to school refusal or the lack of an available school place, through the establishment of educational hubs, where a small number of tutors would work collectively from a shared premises; whether such a model could be formally recognised under existing education policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45710/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department holds figures for the number of children currently availing of the home tuition scheme; if so; if she will provide these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45717/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the body that has overall responsibility for the operation of the school transport scheme; the role of her Department and the role of Bus Éireann in the delivery of the scheme; if she will report on the adequacy of capacity and the number of eligible children who were unable to secure a seat for the current school year; and if she will review the eligibility criteria particularly for rural areas and provide an update on the appeals process for parents whose children have been refused transport. [45833/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered the introduction of gender balance quotas, or other targeted measures, to encourage greater male participation in the teaching profession, including in the early years and preschool sector, given the significant gender imbalance and ongoing staffing shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45945/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department holds statistics on the gender breakdown of teachers and educators at early years/preschool, primary, secondary, and third level; and if she will provide the most recent available figures. [45946/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of cases in which funded, purpose-built, special education units in primary schools are being used to house a mainstream classes rather than the intended special education provision; and if she will outline the steps her Department will take to address this matter ensuring that children requiring specialist support are provided with the facilities and services originally intended. [46461/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the monitoring and follow-up procedures, in place to ensure that schools are using Department-funded, purpose-built special education units for their intended purpose; and if she will provide details of how compliance is checked both at the time of project completion and on an ongoing basis. [46462/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions or sanctions that are available to her Department when a school uses a purpose-built special education unit for purposes other than that for which funding was granted; and if she will outline how the Department ensures accountability for public expenditure in such cases. [46463/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline how her Department ensures that children who were due to be accommodated in a special education unit, but are instead placed full-time in a mainstream class, receive the level of specialist support, resources, and therapeutic input they are entitled to. [46464/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department holds figures on the number of primary school pupils nationally who were placed on reduced school hours during the 2024-2025 academic year; and if she will provide a breakdown by county. [46465/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of cases where primary school pupils were placed on reduced school hours for the entire 2024-2025 school year; and if she will outline what steps her Department is taking to address such practices, given that reduced timetables are intended to be short-term and exceptional. [46466/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the monitoring and oversight mechanisms that her Department has in place to ensure that reduced school hours are only used in line with Department guidelines; and if she will outline how compliance is tracked across schools. [46467/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the assessment her Department has carried out on the educational, social, and emotional impact on children placed on reduced school hours for extended periods; and if she will confirm whether additional supports are made available to such children. [46469/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions or sanctions available to her Department in cases where schools fail to comply with the guidelines on reduced school hours and maintain children on reduced timetables beyond what is permitted. [46470/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training and qualifications required of teachers assigned to special education units in primary schools; if she will confirm the number of teachers currently working in such units that have completed specialist training in special education; and if she will outline the steps being taken to ensure that all teachers in special classes have the necessary qualifications to meet the needs of the children that are teaching. [46471/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training and qualifications required of special needs assistants working in special educational units in primary schools; if she will provide details of any compulsory or optional training programmes supported by her Department; and if she will outline how her Department ensures that SNAs in special classes are equipped with the skills and supports necessary to meet the complex needs of the children in their care. [46472/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth given the UK’s severe shortages of qualified physics teachers, affecting more than a quarter of state schools, if she will outline strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of STEM educators, particularly in remote areas such as Blarney, Mallow, and Glanmire. [46817/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to support families and schools affected by the early closure on Thursday, 23 October, due to polling requirements; and if additional childcare provisions or compensations will be put in place. [47536/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth in view of the CSO showing Ireland’s population reached 5.38 million, driven by net migration of 79,300 in a single year, the specific school places that will be delivered by the Government in 2026 to keep pace with this surge. [47966/25]
Housing 17 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delivery schedule for major housing projects under the National Development Plan, including an account of the number that have been delayed by judicial review proceedings or planning appeals since January 2024. [44818/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered introducing a targeted support scheme for individuals and families who lost their homes as a result of the 2008–2013 financial crisis, including those who voluntarily surrendered their properties or were subject to court-ordered repossession; if such individuals are eligible for assistance under the current first home scheme or help-to-buy initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44923/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the budget, staffing, and operational plan of the newly formed Asian Hornet Management Group; the timelines for implementation, public outreach campaigns, and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms. [45356/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the government plans to introduce specific policies to support first generation homeowners or young families, in view of the campaign by a person (details supplied) highlighting housing affordability challenges faced by younger demographics.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45357/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific strategies and resources being mobilised following the recent Asian hornet sighting in County Cork to both eradicate potential nests and safeguard biodiversity, the honeybee population and the substantial economic impact experienced elsewhere in Europe. [45374/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the tenure mix that is, social, cost-rental, affordable purchase of Cork City Council’s 823-home pipeline at the Railyard (217) and Creamfields (606); the projected first-occupation dates; if modern methods of construction, including mass-timber will be facilitated through procurement and building-control guidance; and any funding streams to de-risk timber adoption at scale. [45420/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department conducted an assessment of the impact of family reunification arrivals on demand for social housing and emergency accommodation; and if additional housing units have been earmarked for this purpose. [45566/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has guidelines regarding the distance from work, school, and family supports when placing families in emergency accommodation; if his attention has been drawn to cases where families are placed at such distances that daily commutes of several hours are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific multi-annual allocations, by county for water and wastewater enabling works required to meet the 300,000 homes target by 2030; the scheme names, expected completion dates and dependencies identified by Uisce Éireann; and if he will publish quarterly progress dashboards. [46127/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the county and local authority-level breakdown of Q2 2025 new dwelling completions, apartment share and pipeline indicators for Cork city and county; and if his Department projects the 2025 completions target to be met, given CSO data showing a 35% year-on-year increase in Q2 completions and a doubling in apartments. [46515/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the immediate and medium-term biosecurity actions, beekeeper guidance, public reporting protocols and funding for surveillance and eradication of the Asian hornet in Munster for the next 12-months given confirmation of an Asian hornet nest in Cork. [46516/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail the operational plan, budget and timelines for eradication, surveillance and public communications following the first confirmed Asian hornet nest in Cork city, including the role of Cork City Council and beekeeper networks; and if weekly situation updates for August–October 2025 will be published. [46607/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with four Cork city council projects shortlisted for national innovation awards if he will pledge additional national funding or recognition for award-winning local government initiatives, particularly those advancing energy efficiency, community resilience, and climate awareness. [46811/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the extension of rent pressure zones announced on 10 June 2025 was not given legal effect until 20 June 2025; if he will publish the Departmental advice he received warning of risks to tenants during this gap; and the monitoring the Department undertook of rent increases in non-RPZ areas during that period. [46924/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has assessed the risk that the new “reset to market rent” provisions will incentivise economic evictions; the safeguards in place to prevent abuse of this provision; and if he will consider mandatory proof-of-market requirements and strengthened penalties for landlords found to be misusing resets. [46925/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the level of proactive enforcement carried out by the Residential Tenancies Board on rent pressure zone compliance since June 2025; the number of sanctions imposed; and his plans to strengthen Residential Tenancies Board resources to allow for rolling compliance inspections, rather than relying on tenant-led complaints. [46926/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the CSO showing Ireland’s population reached 5.38 million, driven by net migration of 79,300 in a single year, the specific housing units, that will be delivered by the Government in 2026 to keep pace with this surge. [47968/25]
Finance 15 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the Government’s overall policy in relation to the protection of households and businesses from aggressive debt collection practices by financial institutions such as a firm (details supplied); and the steps being taken across Government to ensure that debt recovery is conducted in a fair, proportionate and transparent manner consistent with the rights of debtors. [46994/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance his response to the imposition of new US tariffs on EU exports, particularly pharmaceuticals; if an assessment has been made of the impact on Ireland’s corporate tax receipts and foreign direct investment strategy; and if he will provide details of any measures to diversify Ireland’s tax base and reduce overdependence on a small number of multinational contributors. [44844/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance to publish any internal Departmental analysis regarding potential changes to capital gains tax and its projected impact on SMEs, family farms and intergenerational wealth transfer. [44882/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering a temporary reinstatement of the 9% VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses in response to the current wave of closures and industry distress; and if not, the reason. [44889/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government is considering a targeted liquidity loan scheme or tax deferral programme for viable small businesses under pressure from rising costs, particularly in the food, hospitality, and personal services sectors; and what the eligibility criteria for any such scheme would be. [44891/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners are currently processing an increased number of insolvency-related filings in the hospitality sector; and to provide the number of such filings received in Q2 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. [44892/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance whether there are proposals in development to adjust Group B and Group C thresholds under the capital acquisitions tax regime in Budget 2026, in order to address fairness concerns raised by carers and childless individuals; and whether he has published, or intends to publish, cost modelling on the impact of such reforms. [44974/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance to consider establishing a State-supported legacy debt resolution scheme to address unsustainable celtic tiger era mortgages that continue to impact households over the age of 50. [45600/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance to provide an updated assessment of Irish household debt-service ratios after the August cut and current gilt-yield dynamics of a bank (details supplied); his view on spillovers to Irish banks’ funding costs and mortgage rates ahead of Budget 2026. [46612/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the role Ireland will play in EU regulatory decisions in such contexts as oversight for diaspora bond approvals has shifted to Luxembourg; and if this change prompt reassessment of Irelands financial regulatory mandate. [46824/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given in Budget 2026 to reducing VAT on essential food items, in view of Eurostat figures showing Irish food inflation running at 5% in August 2025, nearly three times the headline rate of inflation. [46826/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if he has assessed the potential budgetary exposure of Ireland under any proposed EU compensation or adjustment fund for farmers affected by the EU-Mercosur trade agreement; and if he will publish this assessment. [46953/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland will be required to contribute to the financing of the proposed €3 billion EU package for agriculture linked to the Mercosur agreement; and the proportion of this liability that will fall on the Irish taxpayer. [46954/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if a firm (details supplied) is in full compliance with Central Bank regulations governing debt collection; and the steps being taken by the Central Bank to ensure that financial institutions do not engage in practices that may constitute harassment of debtors. [46993/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance what economic and reputational impact is expected from Israel’s transfer of EU bond prospectus approval to Luxembourg; whether there are plans to amend Ireland’s financial regulatory framework to reflect evolving political sensitivities; and how the Government will respond to public criticism of central bank policies. [47538/25]
Enterprise 13 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the breakdown of the total number of business closures recorded in the State since 1 April 2025, disaggregated by industry sector and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44886/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific supports financial or otherwise that have been introduced by the Government since March 2025 to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality and retail sectors facing closure; and if any further emergency measures are being considered in light of recent data indicating over 3,250 business closures to date in 2025. [44887/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has received representations or data from representative bodies (details supplied) in relation to the closure of over 200 cafés and restaurants in 2025; and what the Government’s response has been to these concerns. [44888/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the Department has undertaken any economic impact assessment of SME closures in the hospitality and retail sectors in 2025, and to publish the findings of any such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44890/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will provide a sectoral impact assessment of the new 15% US tariffs on Irish goods; to identify which Irish industries, including agri-food and pharmaceuticals, are most exposed to this trade development; and the contingency supports being considered for vulnerable SMEs with export exposure to the United States. [44913/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department intends to conduct a review of the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022, with particular regard to its effectiveness in protecting low-paid hospitality workers; if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance regarding the taxation of tips under the current legislation; if he will examine the feasibility of introducing a statutory exemption from taxation on genuine customer gratuities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44920/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department is tracking the rate of business closures in the independent retail and hospitality sectors in Cork city since January 2025; if he will provide a breakdown, by business type; and the supports or crime prevention initiatives being developed to assist small business owners affected by cost pressures and anti-social behaviour. [44936/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will assess adopting France’s shrinkflation disclosure model; and report to the Oireachtas on options to require in-store notices for at least two months after a content reduction that raises unit price. [45702/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his plans to increase maximum penalties and resourcing for Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to police unit pricing and pricing promotions following the 2024 prosecutions; and to provide timelines for any legislative changes. [45703/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to update UCPD guidance to treat unflagged material recipe changes as potentially misleading omissions. [45704/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in view of youth unemployment at 12.2% more than double the national average, the steps the Government will take to prevent a lost generation. [46263/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in light of significant truck driver shortages reported in Cork, up to 40 vacancies locally, the measures that will be taken to fast-track HGV licensing, streamline cross-departmental employment permits, and support sectoral recruitment in Cork’s haulage industry. [46810/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps being taken to stimulate investor confidence especially in high-growth sectors in Cork and the Munster region with Q2 venture capital investment plunging 80% to €116.5million [46822/25]
Foreign 12 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government’s position on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement in light of its potential impact on Irish beef exports valued at €2.8 billion annually; and if Ireland will formally oppose the agreement at Council level. [46945/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has assessed the risk that the concession of 99,000 tonnes of beef and 180,000 tonnes of poultry imports under the Mercosur agreement will depress farmgate prices for Irish producers; and to publish that assessment. [46946/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland intends to use its voice at EU Council to oppose the EU-Mercosur agreement on grounds of its negative impact on Irish agriculture; and if he has raised this objection formally with the European Commission. [46948/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consultation that has taken place with Irish farm organisations regarding the Mercosur deal; and if their concerns have been incorporated into Ireland’s negotiating position. [46949/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, given increasing public concern and anecdotal reports, he is aware of instances of individuals who have claimed asylum in the Republic of Ireland who are also travelling to and from the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, after having made similar claims in that jurisdiction; if there is any evidence that such individuals may be in receipt of social welfare or state supports from both jurisdictions concurrently; and the bilateral mechanisms currently in place between Irish and UK authorities to monitor and prevent potential cross-Border fraud of this nature, particularly following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. [44730/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the average turnaround times for passport applications submitted in Cork city and county since 1 May 2025; and whether he has considered expanding regional passport processing capacity. [44825/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the potential impact of Northern Ireland’s invocation of the ‘Stormont Brake’ on cross-border trade and regulatory alignment; and if he will provide details of any contingency plans to safeguard the economic and logistical integrity of trade flows between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. [44845/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the Government plans to publish the updated version of the Israeli Settlements (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill; whether any diplomatic representations have been received from the United States Congress in relation to the measure; and if he will clarify Ireland’s position should the country be designated by U.S. authorities under anti-boycott legislation. [45116/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of times reports, statements or other documents authored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have contained the term “sexual and reproductive health and rights” (SRHR) from the period 2016 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45708/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to safeguard Common Travel Area provisions and Northern Ireland peace-process commitments given recent UK policy shifts including refugee application suspension and ECHR departure advocacy. [46825/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he accepts that the €3 billion compensation package referenced in discussions on the Mercosur agreement amounts to a redundancy scheme for Irish farmers rather than a structural safeguard; and if he will categorically reject the agreement on that basis. [46951/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assessment that has been made of the precedent the Mercosur trade agreement would set for future EU trade deals, particularly in respect of trading away European agricultural standards in exchange for geopolitical concessions. [46952/25]
Transport 12 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he has received complaints, internal correspondence, or protected disclosures concerning potential breaches of corporate governance, conflicts of interest, or procedural irregularities during the recent appointment of a chief executive at a State-owned port company under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44811/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department was formally informed by members of the board of a State owned port company of any divergence of views, allegations of conflict of interest, or concerns regarding adherence to statutory or advertised criteria during the recruitment of a new chief executive; and the actions, if any, that were taken in response. [44812/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether the candidate ultimately appointed as chief executive of a State owned port company met the advertised requirements, specifically the need for substantial commercial experience at or near CEO level within a complex, customer facing B2B organisation with a significant infrastructure asset base; and if his Department undertook any independent review of compliance with the eligibility framework. [44813/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the Department maintains specific protocols or published guidance for identifying and managing potential or perceived conflicts of interest involving members of selection panels in semi-State executive recruitment processes; and whether such protocols were followed during the recent executive appointment at a State owned port company [44814/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has received and reviewed the most recent external governance evaluation of a State port company where serious internal disagreement was recorded during a senior executive recruitment process; and if he will publish or present to the Oireachtas Transport Committee the findings of the review alongside any available records of internal board performance self-assessments conducted during the same period. [44815/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide statistics on the number of major national or regional transport projects currently delayed due to judicial reviews; and if he plans to introduce legal reforms or expedited processes to prevent long-term stalling of essential infrastructure projects. [44914/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the details of the NTA funding profile if the Lehenaghmore Road improvement scheme, by quarter through completion; the KPI targets for bus journey-time reliability and cycle counts at Forge Hill/Matthew Hill; and the contingency arrangements to maintain access for residents and businesses during phased works (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45419/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the expected ridership in year one of the TFI Local Link route 530, Fermoy to Mallow starting 18 August and route 255 Kinsale to Cork west on 25 August; the integration with Cork BusConnects corridors and TFI 90-minute fare policy; and the metrics for first-last-mile connectivity in rural Cork for bike parking and on-demand links. [45423/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the projected ridership levels for Quarter 4 2025 of the TFI Local Link route530 between Mallow and Fermoy; and if a follow-up survey on rural access to education and healthcare will be published to assess impact in the northCork region. [45440/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to report on NTA and Bus Éireann punctuality and planned service changes for Routes 223-225 and associated local link additions; and to commit to an autumn performance plan covering the Ringaskiddy–DePuy catchment, Glanmire, and Mallow links. [46611/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport in light of significant truck driver shortages reported in Cork, up to 40 vacancies locally, the measures that will be taken to fast-track HGV licensing, streamline cross-departmental employment permits, and support sectoral recruitment in Cork’s haulage industry. [46809/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport in light of reported HGV driver shortages including up to 40 vacancies in Cork and the burdensome licensing and permitting processes, if he will commit to inter-departmental reforms to expedite licensing and recruitment. [46823/25]
Public Expenditure 11 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has received any reports or notifications of irregularities in claims made under the parliamentary activities allowance during the period January to June 2025, particularly in relation to payments claimed for Deputies who were suspended from their parties or publicly declared as sitting as independents during that period. [44878/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the protocols governing the eligibility criteria for inclusion in a party’s parliamentary activities allowance claim; if a public declaration of independent status by a Deputy obliges the party to revise its allowance claim accordingly; and if so, the notification requirements that exist. [44879/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if any portion of the €424,696.10 in parliamentary activities allowance paid to a political party between January and June 2025 is currently under review or subject to repayment, in light of reports that a Deputy (details supplied) was not sitting with the party during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44880/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if a formal review will now be undertaken into the monitoring, audit and compliance structures associated with the parliamentary activities allowance, in order to ensure taxpayer funds are not being misused through continued claims in respect of suspended or departed members. [44930/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide details of the conflict of interest, related party disclosure, and recusal protocols currently in place for special advisers appointed under the Public Service Management Act 1997 and other relevant legislation; the procedures by which advisers are required to declare any immediate or extended family connections to companies or entities in receipt of State contracts; the way in which such declarations are recorded, monitored, and audited; the number of instances since 1 January 2023 in which a recusal or reassignment of duties has occurred on conflict-of-interest grounds; and if he will make available anonymised statistical data on compliance with these requirements for each of the years from 2023 to date in 2025. [45140/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide details of the controls and due diligence processes applied by the Office of Government Procurement and individual contracting authorities to identify and manage potential high-risk related party connections in the award of public contracts, particularly in sensitive policy areas such as migration and asylum accommodation; if these processes include systematic cross checking of beneficial ownership registers, special adviser declarations, and lobbying returns; the criteria by which a contract is designated for enhanced scrutiny; the number of cases since 1 January 2023 in which red flag findings were escalated to the Standards in Public Office Commission or the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make publicly available anonymised annual statistics on the incidence and management of such cases. [45141/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the total annual expenditure by the State on the non-profit and NGO sector for each of the past five years, disaggregated by Department and agency. [46638/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the reason the State closed the Benefacts database in 2021; the evaluation that was undertaken prior to its closure; and his plans to replace it with a new independent oversight body. [46640/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Government will consider re-establishing an independent mechanism for tracking and publishing the flow of public monies to the non-profit sector, given that Ireland remains without such a body since 2021. [46641/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has analysed how Ireland’s public expenditure on NGOs compares with other European Union member states as a proportion of GDP; and if he will publish these findings. [46644/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the safeguards that exist to ensure value for money in the disbursement of public funds to NGOs, in the absence of an independent national database. [46647/25]
Climate 9 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in view of the most recent data showing that over 300,000 households are now in arrears on their energy bills and given mounting reports that families are being forced to choose between paying for electricity or groceries, if consideration will be given to reintroducing targeted energy credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44786/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason for the cancellation of the €250 universal energy credit in budget 2026; if a cost–benefit analysis was conducted comparing universal versus targeted relief; and the estimated number of households adversely impacted by the change. [44912/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the current Government strategy to support households facing rising energy costs in the absence of universal credits; and if further supports such as winter fuel allowances, insulation grants, or reduced VAT are under consideration for vulnerable households. [44915/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the status of the investigation into the mass fish mortality on the River Blackwater in north Cork; the preliminary Marine Institute test results; the suspected pollutant class; the affected river length; the estimated mortality; and if a compensation scheme for angling clubs and river stewardship groups is being prepared. [46129/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the immediate measures that will be taken to relieve households and businesses in Cork from disproportionately high energy costs, given the rising cost of electricity bills driven by grid charges. [46379/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the means by which he is planning to synchronise local infrastructure investment in Cork to maximise benefits in energy resilience, cost relief, and renewable uptake, with the Celtic Interconnector due for completion in 2028. [46382/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the immediate investigatory and remediation measures that are being deployed in response to the largest-ever fish kill in the River Blackwater; and the means by which affected communities and ecosystems will be supported. [46396/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the projected timeline for connection and activation of the Celtic Interconnector’s subsea cable, with laying now underway; and the means by which the benefits will be communicated and leveraged for regional investment. [46399/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason Irish households are paying 30% above the EU average for electricity, with annual bills €350 higher; and if this cost burden is being factored into the forthcoming energy poverty strategy, particularly given that 301,000 households were in arrears as of July 2025. [46828/25]
Social 8 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department will update the reference baskets used for means tests and payments to reflect higher grocery inflation given headline CPI of 1.7% year-on-year but food inflation of 4.7% in July 2025; and if not, the reason. [45469/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the interaction between personal insolvency arrangements and pension entitlements with a view to ensuring that older people in financial distress are not left without adequate income in retirement. [45602/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expand the Money Advice and Budgeting Service to include a specialised support stream for over-50s, focusing on pension rights, the fair deal nursing home scheme and debt management in later life. [45603/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of measures being considered to address the emotional and mental health impacts of debt stress on older people facing insolvency; and whether additional counselling supports will be funded through MABS or other services. [45604/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of international protection applicants in receipt of the daily expenses allowance who are also in employment; the measures in place to prevent double payment or welfare dependency; and the policy rationale for continuing the allowance when applicants have income from work. [46533/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total cost to the Exchequer of the daily expenses allowance provided to international protection applicants in each of the past three years, broken down by those in employment and those not in employment. [46534/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection given the 1.8 per cent rise in inflation and its disproportionate impact on low-income families, if he will commit to indexing core social welfare schemes and supports in Budget 2026, to protect against further cost-of-living erosion. [46808/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the logistics and communication plans to ensure timely delivery of the scheduled fuel allowance payments beginning week of 22 September 2025 particularly for older and vulnerable households in Cork and surrounds. [46821/25]
Agriculture 6 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of landowners affected by ash dieback disease who have received compensation to date; the support available for replanting and if he will introduce a new financial support scheme for affected forestry owners. [44918/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps the Government is taking to support Irish whiskey producers affected by the imposition of new trade tariffs by the United States; whether specific contingency supports or export diversification strategies are being developed to protect this key indigenous sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45115/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessment that has been made of the impact on Irish dairy processors and farmers from substitution of dairy fat with vegetable fats in “ice cream/frozen dessert” categories sold in Ireland; and if he will consider protected descriptions that distinguish dairy-based from vegetable-fat products for consumer clarity. [45705/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the support being provided to Irish importers to comply with the EUDR for palm oil and cocoa by 30 December 2025; and how compliance will be verified at the border and at retail. [45706/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to offset rising input costs of fertiliser, feed and energy that are contributing directly to higher grocery prices; and if EU tariffs on Russian fertiliser will be mitigated to protect Irish consumers. [46827/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to ensure that beef, poultry, sugar, and ethanol imports from Mercosur states will be subject to enforceable equivalence in animal welfare, traceability, and climate standards. [46947/25]
Culture 3 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a strategic plan is under development to support the revitalisation of the night-time economy in Cork city and surrounding towns; and if grant supports or regulatory changes are being considered to assist cultural venues, late-night transport, and local business reopening. [44916/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the feasibility of a proposal (details supplied); if he has plans to enhance location identification in rural and tourist areas. [45164/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport with recent high-profile player transfers (details supplied), and Cork City FC receiving a financial windfall from a sell-on clause, if he will consider establishing a Community Sports Investment Fund to ensure such financial gains are reinvested locally, promoting youth development and local sports facilities. [46816/25]
Rural 2 questions
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will detail the criteria by which NGOs are selected for multi-annual funding; the proportion of total State NGO funding allocated to small, volunteer-led organisations; and the proportion concentrated in the largest 100 NGOs. [46642/25]
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether his Department has conducted any assessment of duplication or overlap among State-funded NGOs; and if so, if he will publish those findings. [46645/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s plans to replace Ireland’s primary overseas deployment following the UNIFIL drawdown concluding in 2027, including candidate missions under UN, EU, or NATO-partnership frameworks; the projected deployment strength and cost profiles for 2026–2028; and the status of triple-lock reform proposals and timelines. [46514/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-09-08 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in view of volatile CAO points locking students out of medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, the number of additional places that will be created for 2026, particularly in UCC and MTU. [46264/25]

New lobbying 6 returns

Alcohol Action Ireland Health
- Alcohol health information labelling
Creative Retail Distribution Limited · 2 returns Taxation
- Support for Classification of HHC as a Schedule 1 Controlled Drug
- Email concerning the E-liquids Products Tax and concerns around the mechanism chosen to implement the tax via self-declaration rather than as a tax-stamp. Hale also referred to research commissioned from KPMG which raised several important policy considerations around the E-Liquids products tax including the potential for a surge in illicit and grey market sales.
The Alliance for Zero Carbon Heating · 3 returns Energy and Natural Resources · Budgetary matters
- To discuss the development of planned legislation to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme (RHO)
- To inform stakeholders and members of the Oireachtas of TAZCH policy document communicating the importance of low carbon liquid fuels in planned legislation to indroduce a Renewable Heat Obligation Scheme (RHO)
- To communicate TAZCH pre-budget submission proposing the equalising of VAT on home heating oil, including HVO to the rate applied to gas

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Questions asked 54 total

New lobbying 8 returns

Questions asked 52 total

New lobbying 9 returns

Questions asked 274 total

New lobbying 6 returns

New lobbying 7 returns

Questions asked 8 total

New lobbying 7 returns