Dublin Fingal West — week of Mon, 29 Sept

What your Dublin Fingal West TDs did this week

Mon, 29 Sept – 5 Oct 2025 · 3 TDs · 3 bills voted on · 73 questions · 0 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 1 Robert O'Donoghue

Voted against 1 Grace Boland

Did not vote 1 Louise O'Reilly

Insurance Costs

2025-10-01 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 60–82

Voted for 1 Robert O'Donoghue

Voted against 1 Grace Boland

Did not vote 1 Louise O'Reilly

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2025-09-30 · 1 vote

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

Voted for 1 Grace Boland

Voted against 2 Louise O'Reilly · Robert O'Donoghue

Grace Boland — Fine Gael 3 votes · 59 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 59 total

Health 20 questions
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the plans to increase funding for community-based mental health services that support school-aged children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52479/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the supports which are available for parents and guardians of students experiencing mental health challenges; the way in which these are communicated to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52480/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department is ensuring mental health supports are available to students from diverse backgrounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52481/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current policy regarding the availability of weight loss medications, for persons on low incomes, including those with medical cards; the plans to expand access to these medications for persons who do not have diabetes but are struggling with obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52482/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure equitable access to clinically approved weight loss drugs for lower-income earners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52483/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health for an update on the HSE’s assessment of the inclusion of weight loss medications for non-diabetic patients on the reimbursement list for medical card holders; the timeframe for a decision on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52484/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has considered the potential impact on health inequalities if weight loss drugs remain inaccessible to lower-income groups; the measures being explored to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52485/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce the average diagnostic delay for endometriosis; the plans to introduce public awareness campaigns and GP training to support earlier intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52381/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the interim measures being put in place to support mothers experiencing severe perinatal mental health difficulties while the dedicated mother and baby unit is under development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52380/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment of Ireland’s first inpatient Mother and Baby Mental Health Unit at St. Vincent’s University Hospital; the expected timeframe for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52724/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department plans to ensure equitable access to specialist perinatal mental health services for women in larger towns such as Skerries and Balbriggan; and if outreach or satellite services are being considered. [52725/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels of specialist perinatal mental health teams in Dublin maternity hospitals; if additional funding will be allocated to expand these services in line with population growth and demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52726/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which perinatal mental health services are being integrated with primary care, public health nursing, and community mental health teams to ensure continuity of care for mothers before and after birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52727/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department has considered extending postnatal mental health follow-up beyond the current six-week period, in line with recommendations from the MAMMI study and HIQA’s National Maternity Experience Survey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52728/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the practical steps being taken, and future planned actions, to expand specialist endometriosis services and improve support services for women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52729/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the implementation of the National Endometriosis Framework; the status of the five regional hubs and two supra-regional centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52730/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the number of funded posts currently filled in each of the regional and supra-regional endometriosis centres; if her Department has a timeframe for full staffing of these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52731/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if she will commit to funding and expanding access to expert-led excision surgery for endometriosis patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52732/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department collects data on the number of women travelling abroad for endometriosis treatment under the EU cross-border directive; if not, whether she will commit to tracking this data to better understand unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52733/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department is ensuring that endometriosis patients have access to multidisciplinary care teams, including physiotherapists, psychologists, dietitians, and pain specialists; if additional funding will be allocated to expand these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52735/25]
Education 15 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the remote area grant will be offered to families whose children qualify for a concessionary school bus ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51204/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the implementation of the school transport review, especially the implementation to the changes of the radius for post primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51205/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used to select the pilot areas for the school transport review pilot scheme in 2024/2025. [51206/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider additional schools or areas for inclusion in the next phase of the school transport review pilot scheme; and if so, the application process for a school or community to express an interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51207/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the means by which requests for safety reviews of bus stops used for school buses are processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51208/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the requirement of school transport being considered as part of the NCSE registration process for special education classes for 2025/2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51209/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of concessionary tickets issued to families living in the Dublin Fingal west constituency for the 2024/2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51210/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school bus tickets issued to families living in the Dublin Fingal west constituency who were eligible for school transport for the 2024/2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51211/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the details of the special transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51212/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the details of the remote area grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51213/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which her Department ensures that students in rural or disadvantaged areas have equal access to mental health supports in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52474/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the training and resources provided to teachers and school staff to identify and support students experiencing mental health difficulties; if there are plans to expand these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52472/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is a standard protocol for schools to follow when a student presents with mental health concerns; the way in which her Department monitors compliance with these protocols; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52473/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to support students transitioning from primary to post-primary school in terms of mental health and well-being; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52475/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to introduce or expand peer support programmes or student-led mental health initiatives in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52476/25]
Transport 10 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation timeline for the next generation ticketing system; the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure the project is delivered on schedule and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52160/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to simplify fare structures to ensure equity train and bus fares, in particular for those commuting to and from Dublin Commuter zone 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51534/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to simplify fare structures to ensure equity train and bus fares, in particular for those commuting to and from Dublin commuter zone 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52161/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the timelines for implementation of the Bus Connect plan for the Dublin Fingal west constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51187/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the service report for 2023, 2024 and 2025 for the bus routes 33/33x and 33a, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51188/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will ask the NTA to consider putting triaxle buses back on the 33x route to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51189/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm Dublin Bus have taken into consideration the NTA's recommendation to improve the capacity of the 33 bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51190/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if the schedule fix planned by Dublin Bus for the number 33 bus route will be implemented in October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51191/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the National Transport Authority to increase capacity on the 9:00 am four-carriage commuter service from Drogheda to Connolly Station, in view of the sustained and growing passenger demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51993/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the exact methodology that was used to assess the appropriateness of the Bus Connects proposal in relation to the removal of bus route 33; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51999/25]
Social 5 questions
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the current policy whereby domiciliary care allowance ceases at age 16, requiring families to apply for disability allowance, which is means-tested on the household, resulting in many families losing financial support for their child with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52467/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider extending the upper age limit for domiciliary care allowance to 18 years of age, to ensure continuity of support for young persons with disabilities and their families, particularly in cases where the means test for disability allowance results in ineligibility for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52468/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans to reform the transition process from domiciliary care allowance to disability allowance, with a view to reducing the financial hardship experienced by families who no longer qualify for support due to the means test applied to disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52469/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families who lose all State support when their child turns 16 and domiciliary care allowance ends, due to not meeting the means test for disability allowance, in tabular form; the measures being considered to address this gap in support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52470/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider introducing a non-means-tested payment or transitional support for young persons with disabilities who are no longer eligible for domiciliary care allowance and do not qualify for disability allowance due to household means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52471/25]
Culture 4 questions
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the inclusion of larger rural towns such as Skerries in the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52736/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has assessed the disparity in broadband access between urban centres and larger rural towns within County Dublin, such as Skerries; the steps being taken to ensure equitable digital infrastructure across the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52737/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the means by which his Department is co-ordinating with both National Broadband Ireland and commercial providers such as companies (details supplied) to avoid duplication and ensure efficient roll-out of fibre broadband in towns like Skerries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52738/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will publish quarterly progress reports on the fibre broadband roll-out in larger rural towns, including Skerries and Balbriggan; if he will ensure local representatives are kept informed of delays or changes to roll-out schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52739/25]
Public Expenditure 2 questions
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he and his Department will consider the small piece of land behind Lusk Garda Station for a community building which could house community groups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51249/25]
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he and his Department have identified a site for a driving test centre in North County Dublin which would cater for the growing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51250/25]
Children 2 questions
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to address the waiting times for students referred from schools, to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52477/25]
- 2025-10-01 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department is working with schools to promote early intervention and prevention in youth mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52478/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-09-30 Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department have completed the work needed to allow the apartment and duplex defects remediation scheme be reviewed for pre-legislative scrutiny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51298/25]

Louise O'Reilly — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Robert O'Donoghue — Labour Party 3 votes · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Defence 7 questions
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department is satisfied that sufficient budgetary foresight was applied when barriers to recruitment for the Reserve Defence Forces were removed, given that internal documents show that, by November 2024, the existing budget was already insufficient to pay reservists for the remainder of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52674/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence given that the budget for reserve training and support days was €3.01 million and exhausted during 2024, and supplementary funds assigned earlier in the year proved inadequate, will he provide for the reasons the supplementary funds were insufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52675/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the estimates of the full-cost implications of recruitment, including increases in medicals, induction, training, support and pay for the remainder of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52676/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the additional funding which has been allocated, or is planned to be allocated, in budget 2026 or via other mechanisms to ensure reservists are paid in a timely manner even during periods of unexpected recruitment growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52677/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps his Department is taking to ensure that recruitment surges do not lead to budget shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52678/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has considered adjusting the categorisation or employment status of reservists, including PRSI or other employment rights, to recognise the levels of service reservists provide, which appear to exceed the statutory or budgeted number of days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52679/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will confirm whether all reservists who were not paid in full in late 2024 have since been paid in full; the timeframe for outstanding payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52680/25]
Culture 6 questions
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider transferring certain State services, such as voter registration, motor tax payments, or cash collection, to An Post with a view to supporting its long-term viability, preventing further post office closures, reducing pressure on other public services and allowing people with lower levels of digital literacy skills to still have a place they can do their business. [52487/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is adopting to ensure that independent radio and broadcasters have fair access to funding in budget 2026, particularly in underserved or rural areas; the means by which he plans to support current affairs and local news provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52422/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will engage with the Minister for Finance in advance of budget 2026 to introduce targeted fiscal measures to improve affordability and participation in sport, including tax relief on sporting membership fees and a reduced VAT rate on sport and exercise classes, in order to encourage greater participation across all age groups and communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52424/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will outline the steps his Department is taking, in conjunction with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, to support the reactivation of the nightclub sector; if he will address the sharp decline in the number of operating nightclubs from 522 in 2000 to just 83 today; if he will consider measures around licensing hours, insurance, and running costs, to help revitalise the night-time economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52426/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the work of the night-time economy adviser; if consideration is being given to expanding the role or appointing regional night-time economy co-ordinators; the means by which the Department intends to support the development of a vibrant and safe night-time economy nationwide; if he will indicate a timeline for when such an expansion might be resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52425/25]
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps his Department is taking to ensure that all State-funded sporting bodies have robust safeguarding protocols in place; that all bodies are fully accountable to the Oireachtas; and that all bodies operate with transparent compliance timelines, in light of recent controversies at the Football Association of Ireland. [52488/25]
Children 1 question
- 2025-10-02 Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will prioritise the provision of community based, not-for-profit early education and school age childcare services in public buildings, such as schools, over corporate, for-profit providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52672/25]