Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 29 Sept

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 29 Sept – 5 Oct 2025 · 5 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 205 questions · 1 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Industrial Relations (Boycott of Joint Labour Committees) Bill 2025

2025-10-01 · 1 vote · Labour Party PMB

A bill to amend the provisions relating to the constitution of joint labour committees, so as to provide for cases where organisations of employers or of workers fail or refuse …

full description

A bill to amend the provisions relating to the constitution of joint labour committees, so as to provide for cases where organisations of employers or of workers fail or refuse to engage in consultation with the Labour Court prior to the appointment of representative (employers) members or representative (workers) members, as the case may be; and to provide for connected matters.

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 61–81

Voted for 3 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Insurance Costs

2025-10-01 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 60–82

Voted for 2 Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Eoghan Kenny

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-09-30 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 75–61

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Did not vote 1 Thomas Gould

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 3 votes · 18 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 18 total

Defence 4 questions
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total amount of funding allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces for the years 2019 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52889/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the proposed reduction in pay of current Reserve Defence Force members for activities including marching drills and firing range practice, in particular taking into account the affect it may have on current members and recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52890/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action his Department is taking to ensure that the budget for Reserve Defence Forces for the coming year is sufficient to ensure the continued payment of current RDF members and the increase in recruitment numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52891/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of new recruits to the Reserve Defence Force for the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52892/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current status of a person’s medical card appeal (details supplied); if consideration will be given to awarding the medical card appeal [52142/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether she has set a deadline for the finalisation of the design for the elective hospital in Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, Cork; the deadline for the planning application submission for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52405/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans in place for a neurorehabilitation unit in Cork to include 20 post-acute inpatient neurorehabilitation beds, in 2026, in line with HSE proposals in order to address the lack of any existing service in the south-west region, given that the population has increased substantially in the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52406/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress to date regarding the N20-M20 Limerick to Cork motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51598/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the enhancement of commuter rail services in Cork, in particular when the new stations at Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry and Tivoli will be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51599/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration will be given to a regular review of all school transport routes, in particular those that are deemed to be at capacity but where spaces have been identified, in view that these available spaces could be awarded to concessionary pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51579/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the action her Department and Bus Éireann are taking to ensure that all school transport routes are being fully utilised, in particular those which are deemed to be at full capacity but where spaces have been identified, in view of the high demand for concessionary places on the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51578/25]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to a review being undertaken on the current TB income supplement scheme, in particular in respect of the criteria where income supplement is payable in cases where disease breakdown results in the removal of at least 9.5% of dairy cows in a herd in the relevant restriction period, given that this percentage threshold is not reflective in real terms of large farm holdings who fall short of same and incur a huge financial loss with no compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51983/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if regular reviews are being undertaken by his Department on the criteria, terms and conditions of TB compensation schemes, in view of the prevalence of TB outbreaks nationally and the increased need for financial supports for affected farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51984/25]
Culture 2 questions
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the co-ordination between his Department and the Department of Health, in particular in the delivery of community-based and national health promotion programmes assisting people on how they can identify supports in improving their mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52512/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the assertion in the pre-budget submission by the Federation of Irish Sport that physical activity reduces chronic diseases and mental health pressures, easing the burden on the HSE, and that 97,000 cases of disease are prevented due to sport and physical activity annually resulting in healthcare cost savings of nearly €0.5 billion; his views on whether this data is further proof of the benefit of investing more in sport; if he will seek additional core funding for sport in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52511/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the publication of the rural housing guidelines; when publication can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52027/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a person’s (details supplied) carers allowance review in view of the fact it has been pending for some time; if he will give serious consideration to awarding the person the carers allowance given they provide a significant level of full time care to the person in question and the means test threshold has increased significantly since their initial application in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51530/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding in place for communities to apply for new-build community centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52136/25]

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 2 votes · 23 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 23 total

Education 7 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the Professional Masters in Education (Primary) is fully subscribed across current higher education providers; and if it is intended that the Professional Masters in Education will be extended to include more higher education institutions. [51306/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the stakeholders the NCSE consult with when creating the SNA review guidelines 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51307/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department have consulted with schools in relation to unifying the SNA allocations for the academic year 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51308/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training that has taken place to allow schools to implement the SNA review guidelines for 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51309/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has reservations regarding the NCSE's SNA review guidelines to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51310/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide all correspondence between the NCSE and her Department in relation to the SNA review guidelines 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51311/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department and the National Council for Special Education will urgently review the allocation of SNA support for a school (details supplied); and provide greater transparency on the way in which allocations are determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52868/25]
Health 5 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for a detailed update and specific timeframe on a CAMHS assessment for child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51304/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will fund the home support hours for children (details supplied), at the minimum back to home tuition support hours provided two years ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51305/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on an appointment for a person (details supplied) for a pain management clinic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52653/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on the waiting list for benign brain tumour surgery for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52709/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she intends to allocate funding in budget 2026 for post-acute inpatient neurorehabilitation beds in the south west in line with the programme for Government commitment to develop more specialist inpatient neurorehabilitation beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52869/25]
Justice 4 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeline of the implementation of regulations for periodic payment orders indexation rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51288/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the key recommendations that have been presented to him by the Garda Vetting Review Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52857/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when he will implement the key recommendations given to him by the Garda Vetting Review Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52858/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on if it is correct to implement recommendations to the Garda vetting process without the full report of the view group being finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52860/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made by the National Transport Authority on rolling out a promised nationwide automatic vehicle location system for all bus operators; how the reliability of the current system is measured; measures that have been undertaken to ensure that the operator cancels a bus service through their system so it does not appear on TFI live when the bus is not operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52162/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority refused to send a representative to address the Carrigaline Municipal District to discuss ongoing bus problems across the city following an invitation from said council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52163/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the number of people that have applied for the disabled parking permit over the past five years, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52692/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the reasons a research stipend of a PhD student cannot be included as income in an application for a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51450/25]
Climate 1 question
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in view of recent announcement that charities can apply for SEAI funding, the capacity or resource available to the charity sector to enable the making of an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52652/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans to end Army reserve pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52651/25]
Culture 1 question
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 27 June 2023, if there is an update on the matter in relation to the standards of products used to maintain all-weather pitches, and if there is a point of contact for clubs who have concerns regarding same before they invest further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52901/25]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 3 votes · 126 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 126 total

Justice 42 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of additional Gardaí assigned to Cork city and county since January 2024, by station. [51164/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost per modular unit at the time of project initiation in June 2022; the revised estimates subsequently adopted; the current average cost; and to set out the principal factors accounting for the increase, with an estimate of the contribution of each factor to the final cost. [51320/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons who, having already been granted international protection or leave to remain, continue to reside in State-funded IPAS accommodation; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of accommodating such persons in 2024 and projected cost for 2025; the number of such residents currently in employment; whether any contribution toward their accommodation costs has been sought or received from those in employment; and the policy measures being considered to require those with income to contribute to the cost of their accommodation, in line with the principle of fairness to taxpayers. [51738/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total sum, inclusive and exclusive of VAT, paid by the Irish Prison Service to the presenters of a podcast (details supplied) in 2025; the date on which the payment was made; and the budget line from which it was drawn. [51785/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procurement process used by the Irish Prison Service in commissioning promotional content from a podcast (details supplied); if a competitive tender process was undertaken; if so, the number of bids received; if not, the justification for direct award; and if he will make available the documentation supporting this decision. [51786/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the audience reach figures for a podcast episode (details supplied) funded by the Irish Prison Service, including total downloads, listener demographics, geographic distribution, and average listening duration, as reported back to the service. [51787/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications received for the 2025 prison officer recruitment campaign; the number of applicants who referenced a podcast episode (details supplied) when applying; and the number of candidates subsequently hired who referenced the podcast as their point of engagement with the Irish Prison Service. [51788/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the cost per applicant and cost per recruit arising from the Irish Prison Service’s podcast sponsorship with (details supplied); and the way in which the figures compare with the cost per applicant and recruit generated through other channels such as digital advertising, radio, or print media. [51789/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight and editorial approval process used in relation to the content of a sponsored podcast (details supplied); the number of edits requested by the Irish Prison Service; and the official or officials who signed off on the final broadcast version. [51790/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a post-campaign evaluation or audit of the Irish Prison Service’s podcast sponsorship was undertaken; if so, to provide the evaluation or audit report; and whether the campaign was assessed as achieving value for money. [51791/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Irish Prison Service intends to undertake further sponsored podcast partnerships or similar promotional arrangements in 2026 and beyond; and if so, the mechanisms which will be put in place to guarantee value for money and accountability in such spending. [51792/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for a list of all properties currently owned, leased, or otherwise used by an organisation (details supplied) or by any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, for the purpose of providing accommodation under contracts or funding arrangements with his Department, including through the International Protection Accommodation Services; and to confirm, in each case, whether the property is owned by the company, leased from a private landlord, or otherwise sourced. [52224/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the total value of contracts awarded to an organisation (details supplied), or to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, for the provision of accommodation under the International Protection Accommodation Services, by year from 2020 to date in 2025; and to outline whether these contracts were awarded by open tender, direct award, or emergency procurement. [52225/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the number of inspections or compliance checks carried out by his Department or its agents at properties operated by an organisation (details supplied), or its subsidiaries or affiliates, under IPAS contracts in each of the past three years; the number of deficiencies or breaches recorded; and the corrective actions required in each case. [52226/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out the due diligence procedures undertaken by his Department before entering into contracts with an organisation (details supplied), or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including checks on beneficial ownership, financial standing, and capacity to deliver accommodation in line with contractual standards. [52227/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and nature of complaints received by his Department, or by agencies reporting to it, in respect of accommodation operated by an organisation (details supplied), or its subsidiaries or affiliates, under IPAS contracts in each of the past three years; and to outline the steps taken by his Department to address such complaints, whether from residents, staff, or local authorities. [52228/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has carried out an assessment of the potential impact on migration into the State of the proposed introduction of mandatory digital identity cards for workers in the United Kingdom; and if he will publish the details of same [52412/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if contingency planning has been undertaken by his Department to address the risk of increased irregular migration into the State via the land border with Northern Ireland arising from changes in UK immigration enforcement policy; and if he will set out the measures considered. [52413/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade regarding the diplomatic and legal implications for Ireland of potential secondary migration flows into the State following UK immigration policy changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52415/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has directed his officials to develop protocols with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to monitor and address irregular migration across the land border arising from prospective changes in UK immigration enforcement; and if he will outline those protocols. [52416/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he has commissioned any legal analysis on the compatibility of existing Common Travel Area arrangements with the introduction of mandatory digital identity cards in the UK; and if he will publish that legal advice. [52417/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide details of any interdepartmental discussions his Department has held with the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, regarding the possible impact on asylum accommodation and welfare services of migration pressures linked to UK immigration reforms. [52418/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he intends to seek support or assistance at European Union level in the event that the State experiences a disproportionate increase in asylum or migration applications as a result of UK policy changes; and if he will set out the form such support might take. [52419/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has updated its risk assessments of international protection applications to account for the likelihood of individuals relocating from the United Kingdom into this jurisdiction in anticipation of stricter UK immigration enforcement; and if he will provide the findings. [52420/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will report to Dáil Éireann on the preparedness of the State’s immigration, border management and asylum systems to address any displacement of irregular migrants from the UK to Ireland following the introduction of mandatory digital identity cards in Britain. [52421/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has raised concerns regarding the circulation of asylum coaching materials; and the actions taken to address these concerns. [52787/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures in place in State-contracted accommodation centres to ensure that residents are not assisted by third parties in preparing fraudulent or coached asylum applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52788/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons and the number of family units who have received financial assistance under the State’s voluntary return programme, each year since 2009 and the total grant amounts paid in each year. [52767/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify the current maximum and minimum levels of financial assistance available to persons and family units under the voluntary return programme; and to confirm when these levels were last reviewed or amended. [52768/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average financial support paid per person and per family unit under the voluntary return programme in each of the past five years. [52769/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total administrative cost of operating the voluntary return programme in each of the past five years, including staffing, promotion and case management. [52770/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications made to the voluntary return programme in each of the past five years, the number approved, the number refused; and the number of approved applicants who subsequently did not depart the State. [52771/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the criteria and process used by his Department in assessing applications to the voluntary return programme; and the grounds on which applications are refused. [52772/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has commissioned or received any independent evaluations or audits of the effectiveness of the voluntary return programme since its introduction in 2009; and if so, to make such reports publicly available. [52773/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost per successful voluntary return in each of the past five years, including both grant support and administrative overheads, and to provide a comparison with the estimated cost of enforced deportations in the same period. [52774/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the top ten countries of nationality of those availing of the voluntary return programme in each of the past five years; and the number of returns for each nationality. [52775/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will commit to publishing an annual statistical report on the voluntary return programme, setting out in anonymised form the number of applicants, approvals, refusals, grant levels, nationalities involved, and overall expenditure. [52776/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the safeguards currently in place within the International Protection Office to detect coached or rehearsed asylum claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52782/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applications since 2020 that have been refused, withdrawn, or deemed in admissible following concerns about fabricated, coached, or inconsistent testimony; if he will provide this data on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52783/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the nature of the training provided to International Protection Office caseworkers in order to identify coached or scripted interview responses; and if he is satisfied that these procedures are adequate. [52784/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has identified the circulation of coaching documents, interview scripts, or similar materials for asylum applicants; the steps taken when such documents are discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the penalties or consequences for applicants who knowingly submit false or coached claims; and whether he intends to strengthen such measures to safeguard the integrity of the asylum system. [52786/25]
Health 21 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract surgeries carried out in Cork hospitals in 2024; the average waiting time for surgery; and the number of patients currently awaiting procedures in 2025. [51154/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times in Cork hospitals for hip replacement surgery, cataract surgery, and MRI scans; and the measures being taken to reduce backlogs. [51165/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of service users currently awaiting assessment by the National Gender Service (NGS); the number of service users who have been assessed since the establishment of the NGS and the age of the youngest service user assessed. [51239/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of service users who have applied for funding to undergo gender affirming surgery abroad; the total amount the HSE has spent to date on gender affirming surgery carried out abroad; and the age of the youngest service user who was successfully awarded funding for such surgery abroad. [51240/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will direct the HSE to provide a full explanation of the scientific and clinical rationale for including the phrase “anyone who identifies as a woman” in its information on menopause, given that menopause is a biological process experienced by females. [52370/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will instruct the HSE to release details of the peer-review process for its menopause guidance, including the names and qualifications of medical experts consulted, and to provide this information directly to Members of the Oireachtas. [52371/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of all information issued by the HSE on menopause; and if she will direct the HSE to remove any language that does not reflect established biological and medical science. [52372/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will direct the HSE to publish a list of external stakeholders, advocacy groups or consultants involved in shaping its menopause information; and to confirm whether any non-medical advocacy groups influenced the wording used. [52373/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to instructing the HSE to conduct a review of its menopause-related publications to ensure they are clear, accurate and fully aligned with biological science, and to report the results of this review to the Oireachtas. [52374/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will provide the guidelines issued by her Department to the HSE on the use of sex and gender terminology in medical information leaflets and online publications; and if she will direct the HSE to publish those guidelines in full. [52375/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she accepts that she bears ultimate responsibility for the accuracy and content of health information issued by the HSE, including its publications on menopause; and if she will confirm that such accountability cannot be delegated to the HSE. [52376/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of oncology drugs approved for use by the European Medicines Agency in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and to specify which of these are currently reimbursed under the public health system, which are only available privately, and the average waiting time from EMA approval to HSE reimbursement. [52823/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether there are cancer drugs currently accessible to private patients in Ireland which are not reimbursed for public patients; and the steps being taken to eliminate this disparity in access. [52824/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average time taken by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics and her Department to complete health technology assessments and reimbursement decisions on oncology drugs in the past three years; and whether target timelines exist to expedite access for public patients. [52825/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has entered into outcomes-based or risk-sharing agreements with pharmaceutical companies in respect of new cancer drugs; and if so, to provide details of the drugs concerned, the duration of the agreements, and the outcomes being measured. [52826/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the projected level of additional annual funding required over the next five years to ensure that all newly approved cancer drugs are made available to public patients in a timely manner; and whether ring-fenced oncology funding is being considered within her Department. [52827/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out any equality or impact assessment on disparities in access to oncology drugs between public and private patients; and if so, to publish those findings. [52828/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide comparative data on the time from European Medicines Agency approval to reimbursement for new oncology medicines in Ireland versus other EU member states; and to indicate whether Ireland is above or below the EU average. [52829/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she will publish in full the rationale, minutes, and assessments underpinning reimbursement decisions on oncology drugs since 2020; and if not, the reason for the continued confidentiality. [52830/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a national registry of oncology patients treated with newer cancer therapies is maintained; and if so, to outline how this real-world data informs reimbursement and future access decisions. [52831/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to accelerate the availability of oncology generics and biosimilars to reduce cost barriers for the public health system; and whether legislative or regulatory reform is being considered in this regard. [52832/25]
Education 13 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeline for the introduction of the revised primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51770/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the additional funding being provided to schools to support the implementation of the revised primary school curriculum, by teacher training, classroom resources and administrative supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51771/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department is putting in place to address the potential increase in workload for teachers arising from the revised primary curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51772/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of teachers and school leaders consulted in the development of the revised primary curriculum; the form such consultations took; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51773/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure that the revised primary curriculum adequately meets the needs of children with special educational needs and those in disadvantaged schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51774/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports that will be provided to rural and smaller schools to implement the revised primary school curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51775/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has conducted an assessment of the risks associated with the rollout of the revised primary curriculum, including teacher capacity and resource gaps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51776/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the evaluation framework that will be used to measure the effectiveness of the revised primary curriculum once introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51777/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline her Department’s position in circumstances where schools require pupils to wear uniforms but are not affording reasonable accommodation to children with additional needs or sensory sensitivities; the recourse available to parents in such situations; and if, further to Circular 0032/2017 on school uniform costs, she will consider issuing a new circular to schools and boards of management specifically emphasising the importance of reasonable accommodation for children in relation to school uniforms. [52760/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Department's working definition of the terms 'man', 'woman', 'male' and 'female' as used in official Departmental documents, policies, teaching materials or curriculum guidelines; if she will confirm whether these definitions are consistent with biological and legal definitions applied elsewhere in Government policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52864/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the redeveloped primary school curriculum, and the associated well-being strand, includes any definitions or references to gender identity, gender expression, or related terminology; if so, to provide the full text of such references; and if she will clarify whether these references are consistent with biological definitions of sex recognised in medicine and law. [52865/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm whether schools are instructed, formally or informally, to prioritise biological definitions of sex when teaching about puberty, reproduction, and human development; the way in which her Department ensures consistency between educational content and established medical and legal standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52866/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has consulted medical authorities, such as the Medical Council of Ireland or the HSE's clinical programmes, and legal authorities, such as the Attorney General's Office, when framing definitions or guidance relating to the terms 'man', 'woman', 'male' and 'female' for use in curriculum development or school policies; if she will provide details of such consultations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52867/25]
Agriculture 12 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement his Department had with Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding fish mortality events in the River Blackwater since 2024; and if continuous water quality monitoring has been considered at licensed discharge points. [51155/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received reports of fish mortality in the River Blackwater in 2025; and if continuous monitoring of licensed discharge points is being considered. [51168/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if meat products produced through ritual slaughter methods, including halal, are required under current regulations to be labelled as such; if not, the rationale for this omission; and if he will consider changes to ensure clear consumer information. [51353/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific meaning of the codes, such as 363 EC, found on packaged meat sold in Irish retail outlets; the extent to which these codes identify the method of slaughter; and whether the Department intends to make such information more transparent to consumers. [51354/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of his Department in ensuring that consumers are provided with accurate and accessible information on the origin, processing, and slaughter methods of meat sold in Irish shops and supermarkets, including where ritual slaughter has taken place. [51355/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for continuing to permit the slaughter of animals without pre-stunning for religious markets, given that other EU Member States have prohibited this practice on animal welfare grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52203/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of cattle and sheep slaughtered without pre-stunning in Ireland in each of the past five years; and if he will indicate the percentage of overall cattle and sheep slaughter that the figures represent. [52204/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to ensure that meat originating from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning is clearly labelled at retail and catering level, in order that consumers can make an informed choice. [52205/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department collects data on whether meat from animals slaughtered without pre-stunning is destined for domestic consumption or for export markets; and if not, the reason such data is not collected. [52206/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific inspection regime applied by his Department to abattoirs conducting slaughter without pre-stunning, including the presence of veterinary inspectors during operations; and if he will provide data on compliance or breaches recorded in the past five years. [52207/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commission a review of the policy permitting slaughter without pre-stunning, in view of EU developments, animal welfare considerations and public concern; and if he will report the findings. [52208/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if section 14 of the Slaughter of Animals Act 1935 has been applied to the slaughter of animals in relation to the production of Halal meat; and if any amendments, exemptions or specific regulations have been introduced to facilitate the practice of Halal slaughter within the context of this provision. [52258/25]
Housing 11 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the risk of rapid spread of invasive asian hornets with multiple confirmed sightings in Cork the contingency and monitoring plans his Department has; the funding allocated in 2025 for eradication or containment; and the way in which the Government will support beekeepers and agricultural/horticultural businesses in high-risk zones [52111/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to address delays in local authority housing transfers, particularly in Cork city and county, and the average waiting time for approved transfers in 2024-2025. [51150/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will review the current local authority housing transfer system, with particular reference to waiting times for approved transfers in Cork city. [51166/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an independent ecological damage assessment will be undertaken in respect of the River Allow, in view of its designation under the Munster Blackwater Special Area of Conservation (site code 0021700) and its blue-dot high-status objective; and when the assessment is expected to be completed and reported. [51226/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been formally informed by the Environmental Protection Agency and Inland Fisheries Ireland of recent reported incidents concerning the River Allow; if not, when such notification will occur; and the measures in place to ensure timely inter-agency communication in future. [51228/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social housing units completed in Cork City in each of the past three years, with a breakdown by municipal district. [51977/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Part V housing units delivered in Cork city since 2020; and the number located in Cork north central. [51978/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average waiting time for households on the social housing list in Cork city; the number of households waiting more than five years and more than ten years; and the measures being taken to reduce these waiting periods. [51979/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant local authority dwellings in Cork city as of the latest date available; the average turnaround time for re-letting; and the steps being taken to accelerate this process. [51980/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding allocated to Cork city Council for housing delivery in 2023 and 2024; and the projected allocation for 2025. [51981/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications made under the tenant purchase scheme in Cork city since 2022; the number which have been approved; and the number which remain pending. [51982/25]
Transport 6 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will commit to the development of an orbital bus service for Mallow to alleviate traffic congestion in the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48988/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date on the N72-N73 Mallow relief road scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51976/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for completion of the N/M20 Cork-Limerick motorway project; the projected total cost; and the extent of EU funding secured to date. [51153/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for delivery of the Dunkettle interchange completion and the North Ring road; and if funding has been ringfenced in 2025. [51167/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is preparing for changes under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) starting October 2025, particularly regarding border infrastructure, staffing, data protection, and contingency planning to avoid delays; and whether the Government has engaged with UK and port operators (e.g. Rosslare, Dublin) to coordinate transitions. [51832/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the frequency and causes of service cancellations and power outages on Irish Rail and Luas services in the past 12 months; the financial and operational measures being introduced to improve reliability; and whether his Department sets performance targets for these operators. [52762/25]
Public Expenditure 6 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide a full breakdown of the average cost of €436,000 per modular home delivered under the rapid build programme, separating the costs for build components (details supplied), in tabular form. [51319/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the procurement processes used for the award of contracts for modular units and site works under the rapid build programme; whether these were subject to open tender, restricted procedure, negotiated procedure without prior publication, or emergency procurement; and whether any independent value-for-money assessments or external cost benchmarks were carried out before contract award. [51321/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the benchmarking of cost per modular unit undertaken against comparable schemes in other EU member states or in the Irish private sector; to provide the outcome of that analysis; and if not, to explain the reason such benchmarking was not carried out given the scale of public expenditure. [51322/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will publish post-completion audit reports on the rapid build modular housing programme, including the Clonmel development, showing final actual costs against projected costs; and the expected timeline for publication of those reports. [51323/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures introduced within his Department to prevent similar cost escalation in future rapid-delivery housing projects; and to outline the governance arrangements in place to monitor expenditure and ensure accountability for value for money. [51324/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the date he will publish the promised sectoral investment plan related to the recently updated National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48989/25]
Enterprise 5 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has received reports of independent retailers facing closures in Cork city in 2024 to 2025 due to rising insurance costs, crime, or employment pressures; and if any supports are being considered. [51156/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has assessed the number of small retail closures in Cork city centre in 2024-2025; and the supports planned to address rising insurance and energy costs. [51172/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if Fáilte Ireland has considered a flagship anchor attraction for Cork city comparable to Kilkenny Castle or the Cliffs of Moher; and his Department's plans to support regional tourism. [51173/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if his Department has assessed the number of small retail closures in Cork city centre in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the supports that are planned to address rising insurance and energy costs. [51645/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in view of the announced €150 million facility (details supplied) in Blarney, County Cork, the timeframe for capital drawdown; the number of full-time jobs which will be created annually; the public support (grants, tax incentives, infrastructure) which have been committed; and the steps the Government will take to ensure local roads, water, housing and public services scale to match the development. [52109/25]
Foreign 3 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps the Government has taken to ensure that the new UK Ireland framework replacing the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 fully meets human rights standards, including provision for independent oversight, timely inquests, and proper disclosure of information; and how Ireland will support victim families in Northern Ireland who have called for truth and justice, including funding, access, and legal guarantees. [51345/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether the Government will table draft legislation in this Dáil session to give effect to the new UK-Ireland framework on the Troubles' legacy; whether Ireland will insist on full access to all documents held by UK State agencies; the safeguards in place to ensure victims' voices are central; and the projected budgetary and administrative implications for Garda, legal services, and victim support bodies. [51830/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the new joint legacy framework being advanced by the Irish and UK governments, if he will publish the legal text or draft legislation under consideration; to confirm if Irish citizens access to UK archives and military records will be guaranteed; and the resources (staffing, legal support, victim assistance) Ireland will allocate to support victims’ families, including in Northern Ireland. [52108/25]
Finance 3 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer in 2024 of the reduced 9 percent VAT rate for hospitality; and whether an analysis has been conducted on its effect on small business survival rates in Cork and Munster. [51152/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance the projected cost to the Exchequer in 2026 of mortgage interest relief and his Department's assessment of its impact on first-time buyers in Cork and Munster. [51169/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Finance if he has conducted an assessment of the likely impact on Irish pharmaceutical exports and State tax receipts of recent tariff announcements by the United States administration; and the contingency measures being considered in Budget 2026 to mitigate any fiscal risk arising from changes in U.S. trade policy. [52761/25]
Social 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department will review the eligibility of undocumented individuals for welfare benefits; and the safeguards which exist to ensure only lawful residents access payments. [51158/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures in place to verify residency and legal status in applications for social welfare payments; and if additional safeguards are being introduced in 2025. [51171/25]
Climate 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a systematic assessment will be carried out to quantify the number of fish killed in the recent River Blackwater incident; the engagement which has taken place with local stakeholders including angling clubs, farming bodies and community organisations; and when the resulting data will be reported and to whom. [51227/25]
Culture 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the means by which the purple flag accreditation for Cork city's night time economy contributes to tourism, safety, and local enterprise; the means by which funding is allocated for ongoing night time economy initiatives; and the evaluation mechanisms in place to assess the impact on businesses, public safety, transport, and community wellbeing. [51349/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 3 votes · 31 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 31 total

Health 10 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason funding was removed from the existing health research board funded national clinical trials office (details supplied) before an alternative was put in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51471/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the recommendations from the national clinical trials oversight group she plans to progress; the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51472/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to allocate funding in Budget 2026 for post-acute inpatient neurorehabilitation beds in the southwest in line with the Programme for Government Commitment to develop more specialist inpatient neurorehabilitation beds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51947/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health for an update on the elective hospital for Cork as of the end of September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51948/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) in Budget 2026, that are experiencing a significant increase in demand for services nationally, particularly in community based care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52141/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to pre-budget requests from an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52229/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be made available in budget 2026 to address critical staffing shortages and infrastructure gaps in CAMHS for young persons with moderate to severe mental health needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52230/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the total number of children on the CAMHS assessment waiting lists for each of the CHOs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52231/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the bed capacity across the hospitals in Cork; if she will provide an update on the commitment made in 2024 to provide an additional 472 hospital beds across Cork by 2031; the timeline for their delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52196/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the timeline and delivery of the new elective hospital for Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52195/25]
Transport 5 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the truck driver shortages in Cork; if his Department has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) regarding ongoing concerns they have with driver shortage; the impact that shortage will have on Christmas supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51671/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Cork northern ring road and the northern distributor road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51672/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if the practice of 2:1 spending public transport initiatives versus roads will continue or if there will be a review of this policy under the new National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38581/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of days the Jack Lynch Tunnel has been closed in 2025 to date; the nature of the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52233/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of scheduled tunnel closures for the Jack Lynch Tunnel for the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; the reason for the closures; the cost of maintenance over that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52234/25]
Children 4 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration will be given to restructuring the core funding model for childcare services with a view to providing additional funding to the scheme, to increase the cap on funding of €750,000 for larger childcare providers, to encourage them to remain in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51957/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if consideration will be given to restructuring the core funding model for childcare services with a view to removing the cap on funding for childcare providers, which has been reduced from €500,000 to €450,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51958/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of parents who have put in a complaint regarding their child not receiving an assessment of needs in a timely manner; the number upheld for the years 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52232/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the additional funding allocated to residential placements for adults with an intellectual disability in 2025; the number of places that will be provided in CHO 4; if additional funding will be allocated in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52235/25]
Culture 3 questions
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the vulnerability of Ireland’s undersea cable infrastructure as indicated recently by a person (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure those cables are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49095/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has had any recent engagement with the FAI regarding its search for a new location for a centre of excellence in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52197/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if consideration will be given to the Federation of Sport pre-budget submission request for a 10% compound increase in sport funding for the national governing bodies, local sports partnerships and other funded bodies over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52198/25]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the average time for processing employment permit appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51944/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of work permits issued in Ireland from 1 January to date in 2025, by nationality, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51945/25]
Education 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider increasing capitation funding for primary schools per pupil ahead of budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51498/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason an application for emergency works for a school (details supplied) was refused an increase in funding; if additional funding will be allocated to cover the cost of these works given the significant financial strain the works will put on the school and to acknowledge the increase in construction inflation; if the school has an opportunity to submit an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51992/25]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [48524/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the methodology and calculations used by his Department in assessing a professional added years application, submitted by a public sector employer on behalf of an employee, where such employee is classified as a "new entrant" per Government Circular 8/2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52055/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing time for employment based visa applications, by different categories such as short stay visit, short stay business and long stay employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51946/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for significantly reduced numbers allocated to the vocational training opportunities scheme programme for 2025/2026, when there is huge numbers of applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51378/25]
Rural 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 410 of 10 July 2025, for a further update on the works to a library (details supplied) as of the end of September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51991/25]

New lobbying 1 return

Childhood Cancer Foundation Health
- To ask TDs to submit a parliamentary question on the lack of paediatric bone marrow transplant currently available in Ireland

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 2 votes · 7 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 7 total

Transport 3 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the estimated timeline for delivery of the northern distributor road and the northern ring road in Cork. [51724/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on investigations into the use of Irish Air Space and Shannon Airport by those travelling to partake in the genocide in Gaza. [52273/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 90-minute fare roll-out in Cork. [52324/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children attending special schools in Cork for whom a school transport place has been sanctioned but a tender has not yet been awarded. [51810/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of tenders for the provision of school transport to special schools in Cork that were not filled which had been filled last year. [51811/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the expansion of a school (details supplied). [52331/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to send observer boats to the Global Sumud Flotilla given the presence of 22 Irish citizens. [52272/25]