Cork South-Central — week of Mon, 3 Nov

What your Cork South-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 3 Nov – 9 Nov 2025 · 5 TDs · 2 bills voted on · 83 questions · 2 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill 2025: Committee and Remaining Stages

2025-11-05 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 61–72

Voted for 2 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire · Pádraig Rice

Voted against 1 Séamus McGrath

Did not vote 2 Jerry Buttimer · Micheál Martin

The motion · motion passed 93–41

Voted for 2 Pádraig Rice · Séamus McGrath

Voted against 1 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Did not vote 2 Jerry Buttimer · Micheál Martin

Education (Affordable School Uniforms Bill) 2025

2025-11-05 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 72–62

Voted for 1 Séamus McGrath

Voted against 2 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire · Pádraig Rice

Did not vote 2 Jerry Buttimer · Micheál Martin

The motion · motion passed 72–62

Voted for 1 Séamus McGrath

Voted against 2 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire · Pádraig Rice

Did not vote 2 Jerry Buttimer · Micheál Martin

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire — Sinn Féin 4 votes · 15 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 15 total

Defence 8 questions
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; his plans to bring forward a Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60896/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way in which the shortfall in critical staffing levels in the Defence Forces poses a national security risk; the efforts which are being made to resolve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60898/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the issue of chaplains, who are without representation despite working for, and being paid by, his Department. [60515/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline, further to recent Dáil debates, his views on past health and safety measures in the Air Corps; the potential engagements with interested groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60509/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capacity in the Naval Service, in terms of personnel, specialist personnel and fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60510/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the matter of entry level cadet pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60437/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the issue of pension entitlements for personnel who joined the Defence Forces after 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60508/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress his Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cybersecurity command and other actions related to cybersecurity contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60523/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the loss of a teaching post at a school (details supplied), which has now resulted in split classes and increased class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59698/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site (details supplied); when the new schools will be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59554/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps being taken to ensure a child (details supplied) receives a place in an appropriate ASD unit in a secondary school for 2026-2027. [60865/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Irish citizen who has been imprisoned for allegedly disrupting a facility in Ulm (details supplied); the engagement his Department has had with German officials in relation to this case and her response to the use of anti-gang legislation in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59553/25]
Finance 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the MV Matthew; when the vessel removed will be; the steps that have been taken to date to remove the vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58159/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of visa applications (details supplied); when a decision will be made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58158/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will fund remote ISL interpreting for patients availing of treatment abroad under the EU Cross-Border Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59555/25]

Jerry Buttimer — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 1 new lobbying return

New lobbying 1 return

Drury Health
- Request for meeting to discuss the role of insourcing in reducing waiting lists in the health service.

Micheál Martin — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Pádraig Rice — Social Democrats 4 votes · 54 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 54 total

Health 46 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the progress of the Working Group on the National Hearing Care Plan; if she has received the report from the Working Group that was due by end of Q2, as per the Terms of Reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57831/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2896 of 29 July 2025, to provide an update on the development of the framework to guide policy on the regulation of health and social care professionals into the future; the timeline she is working towards in completing this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58078/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason Greece and Romania have been excluded from the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme (ESAIS); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58079/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the criteria used for determining which healthcare centres were approved for endometriosis surgery under the endometriosis surgery abroad interim scheme (ESAIS); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58080/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to extending the free HRT scheme to men prescribed HRT for low testosterone levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58095/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58097/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58098/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58099/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58100/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, the reasons for the inclusion of a phrase (details supplied) in a definition in the Health Insurance (Amendment) and Health (Provision of Menopause Products) Act 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58101/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of patients of Children's Health Ireland who received spinal surgeries through outsourcing arrangements in a private hospital (details supplied), each year since 2019, by the public hospital from which they were referred, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58376/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the long-term illness (LTI) scheme, as committed to under Sláintecare; if her Department has begun this work; if she is conducting a standalone review of the LTI scheme, or if it will form part of the wider review of the eligibility framework, as committed to in the ‘Path to Universal Healthcare: Sláintecare and the Programme for Government 2025+; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58529/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health her views on the confirmation that the Director of the National Ambulance Service is in receipt of an advanced paramedic allowance (details supplied); if this is in breach of the criteria for claiming the allowance, given that a 2009 HSE circular states that advanced paramedics must ‘continue to practice advance paramedic skills in the HSE ambulance service’; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59184/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to publish the attendance rate of advanced paramedics to clinical status 1 calls (RED and PURPLE) from 2015 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form, in line with a 2012 HIQA recommendation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59185/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the total number of PURPLE, RED, ORANGE and YELLOW calls from 2020 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and the number that received an intermediate care vehicle response. [59186/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of Omega calls from 2020 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form; and the number that were completed by paramedic and advanced paramedic crews. [59187/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of transfers (category AS2 and AS3) that were completed by paramedic and advanced paramedic crews from 2020 to date in 2025, by year, in tabular form. [59188/25]
- 2025-11-05 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to “explore restrictions on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks, including a ban on their sale to children”; the work carried out to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60316/25]
- 2025-11-05 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a correspondence (details supplied); her views on the decision not to appoint a group to the expert advisory group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60320/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60552/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of children a waiting list for speech and language therapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60553/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she plans to bring forward legislation to implement two key legislative recommendations from the 2017 Sláintecare report related to accountability (details supplied); if not, to outline her reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60550/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages by health region and integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [60555/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages in each month to date in 2025, by health region and integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [60556/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges, by category and hospital, in tabular form. [60557/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for physiotherapy, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category; and time waiting, in tabular form. [60558/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60559/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for ophthalmology, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60560/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for audiology by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60561/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for podiatry, by health region and integrated healthcare area, and age category; and time waiting, in tabular form. [60562/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for community psychology services by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60563/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for counselling services, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60564/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for CAMHS, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60565/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for dietetics, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60566/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of GP training places on offer in each of the years from 2018 to 2025; and the number that have graduated from the training programme in each of those years, in tabular form. [60772/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of trainee GPs currently undertaking the National GP Training Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60773/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if there are the required number of accredited hospital training posts for all trainee GPs in the National GP Training Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60774/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the total number of GP practices in the State; and the number that are single-handed practices. [60775/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in the Central Mental Hospital Portrane, by grade, in tabular form. [60778/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts in the Central Mental Hospital Portrane, by grade, in tabular form. [60779/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting transfer from prison to the Central Mental Hospital Portrane, by prison and gender, in tabular from. [60780/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the average wait time for a transfer from prison to the Central Mental Hospital Portrane; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60781/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 778 of 21 October 2025, the number of posts required to achieve baseline implementation of phases 1 and 2 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (details supplied); to clarify the meaning of baseline in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60782/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of people on a waiting list for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by clinic; and the wait time to be offered a new appointment in each clinic, in tabular form. [60783/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further details regarding the proposed legislation referred to in media reports (details supplied); the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60888/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the timeline she is currently working towards in fully implementing the integrated financial management system (IFMS) across all HSE-funded sites; the date at which she expects the IFMS to be operational in all Section 38 hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60889/25]
Children 3 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she intends to allocate funding through the HSE to support the establishment of a dedicated counselling service for people living with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, as proposed by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59189/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60551/25]
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [60554/25]
Education 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a response will issue regarding a proposal from University College Cork (details supplied); for a timeline when the Department’s decision on the application can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59664/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his Department’s review of the current exempted development regulations; the timeframe for his proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60776/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding the cross-Border operation of small public service vehicle (SPSV); if there are plans to harmonise the relevant legislation north and south of the Border; the work carried out to date to progress a cross-Border regime for SPSVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60567/25]
Culture 1 question
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 14 October 2025, if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60507/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of alignment discussions on the Youthreach calendar year with the second level calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60771/25]

New lobbying 1 return

Drury Health
- Request for meeting to discuss the role of insourcing in reducing waiting lists in the health service.

Séamus McGrath — Fianna Fáil 4 votes · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Education 4 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the approved modular buildings for a school in Cork city (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58004/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update in relation to the underpayment of an ancillary services grant for a school (details supplied) in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58006/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position in relation to assistant principal allowances for a school (details supplied) in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58007/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of an application by a secondary school (details supplied) under the multi-annual climate action summer works scheme; and if she will expedite the application. [58666/25]
Finance 3 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reasons the deemed disposal issue relating to exchange-traded funds was not addressed in Budget 2026 and if he intends to address it in the future. [57770/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the ECB drops the tracker rate, for non-bank entities, when are these financial institutions required to drop the tracker rate to the customer. [58181/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered introducing a savings scheme similar to the UK’s individual savings account (details supplied). [59586/25]
Climate 2 questions
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the statutory bodies that are responsible for regulating and enforcing compliance with building and electrical safety requirements for the installation of microgenerators in domestic housing developments and for ensuring that such installations are correctly notified to ESB Networks. [58320/25]
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the respective roles of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, ESB Networks, Safe Electric and local building control authorities in regulating and enforcing compliance with building and electrical safety requirements for the installation of microgenerators in domestic housing developments; and the escalation or redress mechanisms available to homeowners where instances of non-compliance by developers are identified. [58321/25]
Transport 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to ensure a 24 hour public transport service is urgently developed to serve Cork Airport (details supplied); if he will consider a strategic Transportation Plan for Cork Airport to cater for future growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58668/25]
Housing 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory bodies that are responsible for ensuring that property developers comply with building regulations relating to the installation of solar photovoltaic microgeneration systems in new housing developments; the role of local building control authorities in verifying compliance with these regulations; and the enforcement or escalation mechanisms available to homeowners where non-compliance by a developer is identified after construction has been completed. [58322/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-11-04 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the review of PPO legislation; and the timeframe for same. [58165/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-11-05 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the main flood scheme for Ballinhassig, County Cork. [60150/25]
Defence 1 question
- 2025-11-06 Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific actions being undertaken to defend Ireland's maritime and undersea infrastructure. [60235/25]