Laois — week of Mon, 15 Sept

What your Laois TDs did this week

Mon, 15 Sept – 21 Sept 2025 · 3 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 23 questions · 49 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-09-17 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 84–65

Voted for 2 Sean Fleming · William Aird

Voted against 1 Brian Stanley

Brian Stanley — Independent 1 vote · 16 questions · 12 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 16 total

Social 5 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports being made available to school workers who are directly affected by the current strikes that is, bus escorts, who will not be in receipt of payment for the duration of the ongoing strikes by school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47786/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will be extending the current educational sector worker applications for all those affected until the strike issues are resolved regarding school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47787/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering making payments to those affected by the current strike issues available under the basic supplementary welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47788/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider reviewing the means assessments of those applicants who are directly affected by the current school secretary and caretaker strikes, to remove any means applied following their return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47789/25]
- 2025-09-18 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider allowing those on primary social welfare payments, such as disability allowance, to receive half rate payments on bereaved partners pension, or vice versa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49498/25]
Agriculture 4 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to recognise the need to put greater emphasis on policies and supports for the tillage sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48627/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to put in place a realistic support scheme for the viability of tillage farming, to increase the percentage of farmland tilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48628/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to broaden the scope of the TAMS in order to allow for the grant aiding of a wider range of machinery used by tillage farmers to be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48629/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to improve the regulations and licensing system for milling of animal feed, to ensure that feedstuff labelled as Irish does not contain GMD imported produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48630/25]
Culture 3 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the research programme undertaken by his Department in relation to basic income for the arts; the cost-benefit analysis that is being prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has developed a successor scheme to the pilot basic income for the arts scheme; if so, if this will be brought forward as part of Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport If he will consider extending the current basic income for the arts scheme long-term and open it up to new applicants if no successor scheme is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48289/25]
Climate 2 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding provided to projects and initiatives in County Laois from the National and European Just Transition Funds, by recipient’s, the amount granted to each, the purposes for which is to be used, to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49076/25]
- 2025-09-18 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the amount of funding provided to projects and initiatives in County Laois from the national and European just transition funds, under the various headings, to date in 2025, by recipients; the amount granted to each, and the purposes for which it is to be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49377/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the proportionality assessment completed by her Department relating to the standards and criteria implemented on 11 July, 2025, by CORU, regarding the standards of proficiency for counsellors and psychotherapists, and the criteria for education and training programmes for counsellors and psychotherapists adapted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48471/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-09-18 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the commitment the Government have given to increase defence spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/25]

New lobbying 12 returns

HAIL - Housing Association for Integrated Living Housing
- Invitation to HAIL Annual Report Launch
Nursing Homes Ireland Health
- TD's and Senators attended our Oireachtas day on the 12th June and met with NHI members.
National Forum of Family Resource Centres CLG Children and Youth Affairs
- The Family Resource Centre National Forum held a political engagement event on the 28th of May in Dublin.
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group.
Fórsa trade union Education and Training
- Letter and emails seeking support for Fórsa's campaign seeking public sector pension status for school secretaries and caretakers. There was also a briefing held for Oireachtas members in the Oireachtas AV room.
Alice Public Relations Housing
- Housing Alliance Campaign: focusing on the role Approved Housing Bodies are playing to help solve the housing crisis and their vision for the future
Uplift Defence
- Uplift members were asked to send emails and make phone calls to members of the Dáil Defence Committee, asking them to support Irish neutrality. Letters were also sent to all Fianna Faíl TDs asking them to support neutrality.
Liquid Gas Ireland Energy and Natural Resources
- Outreach to relevant stakeholders to introduce Liquid Gas Ireland’s newly appointed Senior Director for Government Affairs and Policy, Alan Farrell, and highlight LGI’s policy priorities for rural consumers and businesses.
Irish Cancer Society Budgetary matters
- Pre-Budget Submission priorities
Family Carers Ireland Community
- FCI Pre- Budget Submissions 2026
Muiriosa Foundation Health
- Disability Service Providers lobby Governand and local public representatives to support the pre-Budget 2026 Campaign spearheaded by the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers to highlight issues facing people with ID and autism, and their families, including the critical sustainability issues that are facing these organisations providing support services
Irish Bioenergy Association Energy and Natural Resources
- Briefing for political representatives in Buswell's Hotel, Dublin on the biomethane sector and the policy / support requirements for the mobilisation of the sector.

Sean Fleming — Fianna Fáil 1 vote · 5 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 5 total

Education 2 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special education units in primary and secondary schools in Laois; the number of children in these units at primary and secondary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49043/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of teachers, overall staff numbers and number of students at two schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49045/25]
Climate 2 questions
- 2025-09-18 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Department’s plans to support the development of biomethane. [48951/25]
- 2025-09-18 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans bolster the storm resilience of the electricity grid. [48952/25]
Culture 1 question
- 2025-09-17 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department will provide and support funding for the purchase of a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/25]

New lobbying 1 return

The Wheel Community
- The Wheel hosted launch event for our Pre-Budget Submission 2026. It comprised a panel discussion with speakers from community and voluntary organisations and an overview of The Wheel's priorities for Budget 2026. We invited Ministers, TDs and Senators from the most relevant departments and joint Oireachtas committees and several attended in person.

William Aird — Fine Gael 1 vote · 2 questions · 36 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 2 total

Housing 2 questions
- 2025-09-17 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider introducing an exemption of commercial rates on registered charity shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48874/25]
- 2025-09-17 Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures his Department is taking to introduce an exemption of commercial rates on registered charity shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48875/25]

New lobbying 36 returns

The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA · 11 returns Agriculture · EU Affairs
- Nitrates Derogation - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- ACRES - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Bovine TB - Spring Lobbying 2025
- Farmer Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Ready to Lead Programme 2025
- GAEC-2 - IFA Spring Lobbying 2025
- Dog Control & Sheep Worrying
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
- GAEC-2 Appeals
- Mercosur Trade Deal
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Care Alliance Ireland Social Protection
- Sent Pre-Budget Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection. This Submission was invited by the Committee as part of the annual Pre-Budget process. We have registered this lobbying with each member of the Committee out of an abundance of caution.
Irish Heart Foundation Health
- Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Energy and Natural Resources
- Supports for Energy Poverty
Property Owners Association of Ireland Limited (IPOA) Housing
- To outline issues facing landlords in the private rental market.
The Wheel · 2 returns Community
- Policy staff from The Wheel were invited to address the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development regarding our Pre-Budget Submission 2026.
- The Wheel hosted launch event for our Pre-Budget Submission 2026. It comprised a panel discussion with speakers from community and voluntary organisations and an overview of The Wheel's priorities for Budget 2026. We invited Ministers, TDs and Senators from the most relevant departments and joint Oireachtas committees and several attended in person.
Age & Opportunity Justice and Equality
- Pre-budget Submission (for 2026 Budget)
221+ Patient Suport Group Health
- Update to members of Oireachtas on 221+ work
Hanover Media Strategy Limited Sports and Recreation
- AV Room Briefing Event to discuss the ongoing policy challenges in the sports sector
Neurological Alliance of Ireland Health
- Call for Investment in Budget 2026 to begin to implement the commitments to the development of neurorehabilitation services within the current Programme for Government
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited Budgetary matters
- Presented Irish Rural Link Pre-Budget Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection and Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
JTI Ireland Limited Trade
- Seeking the opportunity to brief public representatives on the extent and impact of illegal trade of tobacco products.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association Agriculture
- INHFA Vice President JohnJoe Fitzgerald and Chair Pheilim Molloy attended a meeting with Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food to discuss dog control
Horse Sport Ireland Agriculture
- Issues and challenges facing sport horse sector
Liquid Gas Ireland Energy and Natural Resources
- Outreach to relevant stakeholders to introduce Liquid Gas Ireland’s newly appointed Senior Director for Government Affairs and Policy, Alan Farrell, and highlight LGI’s policy priorities for rural consumers and businesses.
Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association Agriculture
- Dog Control
Tirlán Ltd Agriculture
- Tirlán highlighted the importance of the Nitrates Derogation to Ireland's grass-based dairy model of production on behalf of farm families and sought that the concerns of farmers are listened to.
Irish Cancer Society Budgetary matters
- Pre-Budget Submission priorities
Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association Agriculture
- Meeting of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food on dog worrying.
Irish Hotels Federation Tourism
- Seeking Government measures to support the continued recovery of Ireland's tourism and hospitality industry
Family Carers Ireland · 2 returns Community
- Programme for government- to advance carers issues within the Dáil
- FCI Pre- Budget Submissions 2026
Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) Social Protection
- Bereaved Partner’s Bill 2025
Macra na Feirme Agriculture
- Macra's prebudget document launch and lobby day
Muiriosa Foundation Health
- Disability Service Providers lobby Governand and local public representatives to support the pre-Budget 2026 Campaign spearheaded by the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers to highlight issues facing people with ID and autism, and their families, including the critical sustainability issues that are facing these organisations providing support services