Cavan-Monaghan — week of Mon, 17 Nov — Watch Them Work

What your Cavan-Monaghan TDs did this week

Mon, 17 Nov – 23 Nov 2025 · 5 TDs · 5 bills voted on · 76 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Arts (Recognition of Comedy) (Amendment) Bill 2024

2025-11-19 · 2 votes · Sinn Féin PMB

A bill to amend the Arts Act 2003 to recognise the art of comedy

A sub-amendment · motion passed 69–83

Voted for 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Voted against 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 83–70

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Cost of Motoring

2025-11-19 · 1 vote

The motion · motion failed 70–82

Voted for 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Voted against 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Reduction of Voting Age to Sixteen Years) Bill 2025

2025-11-19 · 1 vote · Social Democrats PMB

A bill to amend the Constitution

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 86–65

Voted for 3 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell · Niamh Smyth

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil

2025-11-18 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 83–67

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Did not vote 1 Niamh Smyth

Nomination of Member of Government

2025-11-18 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 88–69

Voted for 2 Brendan Smith · David Maxwell

Voted against 2 Cathy Bennett · Matt Carthy

Did not vote 1 Niamh Smyth

Brendan Smith — Fianna Fáil 6 votes · 13 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 13 total

Health 4 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if urgent consideration will be given to the provision of services at a health care facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63714/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health with consideration for the findings of national and international research, the measures that will be implemented to deal with the impact of loneliness on all age groups, as loneliness is considered a major public health issue internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64112/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if it is proposed to develop a strategy to help prevent loneliness as a public health policy priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64113/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the outcome of the work to date of the Loneliness Taskforce, which was established in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64114/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that a project (details supplied) will be included in his Department’s sectoral plan for the 2026 to 2030 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63476/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that a project (details supplied) will be included in his Department's sectoral plan for the 2026 to 2030 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63475/25]
Taoiseach 2 questions
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on water quality will next meet. [58231/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach for a report on the work of the shared island unit. [48516/25]
Culture 2 questions
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when details of the next community sports facilities fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64199/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the outcome of discussions he has had with ComReg and with telecommunications companies in relation to the need to strengthen the telecoms network following storms in recent years and the loss of services for customers, in many instances over a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64200/25]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will give detailed and urgent consideration to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of recent additional costs on a sector that provides very significant employment throughout the country and is a critical component of the overall national economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64174/25]
Foreign 1 question
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions at the recent General Affairs Council with reference to the EU multi-annual budget (2028-2034); and the need to protect funding for the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65065/25]
Justice 1 question
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the progress of an investigation (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64670/25]

Cathy Bennett — Sinn Féin 6 votes · 17 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 17 total

Health 5 questions
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health if there has been any change to the dermatology services in Monaghan Hospital; if the service has ceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64073/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the provision of dermatological services in Monaghan Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64206/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a CT scan service in Monaghan Hospital; if a feasibility study has been conducted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64279/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health if she will report on the provision of breast cancer services in County Monaghan. [64519/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Health the WTE orthodontist positions in County Monaghan; the WTE equivalent vacant and the duration thereof; and the number of people on waiting lists to access services for a period of 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12 months+. [64520/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has changed the policy in relation to the provision of modular units to schools which require additional space; if so, the rationale for this decision; if not, the reason a school (details supplied) has been informed that a modular unit will not be provided to accommodate students enrolled for 2026, including additional place for a second class for autistic children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62719/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether prefabs are being added to a school (details supplied) to facilitate the lack of school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64057/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has plans in place for a new community special school for County Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64058/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the projects identified in the strategic rail review with regard to Monaghan that he intends to progress; and the status of same. [63068/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Clontibret to the Border road project; and the estimated time to completion. [63069/25]
Finance 2 questions
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish receipts or projected receipts from the EU Multiannual Financial Framework in the years 2019 to 2027, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64049/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total Irish contribution or projected contribution to the EU Multiannual Financial Framework in the years 2019 to 2027, by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64050/25]
Agriculture 2 questions
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied for compensation in relation to TB in the years 2023 to date in 2025; the number of whom received compensation; the number who received payments within three weeks of having submitted all required documentation, by year and by county; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64033/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1453 of 4 November 2025, if the allocation of €5 million will allow for all farmers within the cohort known as the so-called forgotten farmers to participate; if it will allow for payments fully in line with those they were previously denied access to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64734/25]
Culture 2 questions
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he intends to reopen the basic income for the arts scheme to new applicants. [64552/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the allocation to arts funding in 2025 and 2026 [64551/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to correspondence received from Monaghan County Council, the funding available for the dredging and cleaning of the rivers Bunnoe and Finn due to ongoing flooding concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62938/25]

David Maxwell — Fine Gael 6 votes · 3 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 3 total

Children 2 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the age profile of CDNT service users in Cavan and Monaghan, in written and tabular form. [63517/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the strategy regarding recruitment and retention in the CDNT team within the HSE, in line with projected caseload numbers. [63519/25]
Health 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the minor injuries unit in Monaghan closes for check-ins at 7 p.m., despite being advertised as open until 8 p.m.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63525/25]

Matt Carthy — Sinn Féin 6 votes · 29 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 29 total

Justice 8 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he intends to take in relation the continued use by some District Courts of charity donations to allow motorists to avoid convictions for penalty point offences, including in cases of those driving at speeds significantly in excess of speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64249/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidences of students holding an immigration stamp 2 permission that have been found to be in breach of the restrictions on working hours (20 hours per week during term time) for each of the past five years, and in 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64306/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish immigration residence permissions issued to students pursuing educational courses in the State in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, by type of educational course, university or English language school, and by country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64307/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish immigration residence permissions issued to students pursuing educational courses which have been terminated in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64308/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inspections carried out of English language schools by immigration officials in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64309/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of all reviews and assessments that have been carried out by his Department into the quality and standard of courses provided by English language schools in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64310/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inspections carried out by immigration inspectors of compliance with minimum standards of English for students applying for Irish immigration residence permissions in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64311/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Irish Prison Service is in the process of shutting down the bakery workshop in Mountjoy; the reason for this; the projected annual costs of buying bread for the prisons from another source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65064/25]
Children 4 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the system of age verification used by Tusla for separated children seeking international protection to ensure it is sufficiently robust to address child protection concerns and the potential risks associated with placing adults in accommodation designated for minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63491/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the discussions she has had with Tusla regarding age verification processes for separated children seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63492/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of those initially classified as separated children seeking international protection who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18, who were initially placed in Tusla accommodation, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63493/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of those initially classified as juveniles who were subsequently determined to be over the age of 18 who were initially placed in Oberstown Children’s Detention Centre, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63494/25]
Transport 3 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the earliest estimated construction start and end dates for the N2 Clontibret to the Border and N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road projects. [63066/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will be providing additional funding Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for road resurfacing in 2025; and the total allocations to each council in 2026. [63067/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his response to the introduction of a fixed fare strategy by operators in the taxi sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62737/25]
Education 3 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) has been unsuccessful in securing additional SNA allocation; if she will ensure that this decision is reviewed with a view to increasing the SNA allocation as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62899/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the application from a school (details supplied) for emergency special classroom sanction considering the urgent need for a dedicated special classroom; if she will ensure approval for this request so that the additional classroom will be operational for the 2026-2027 academic year, or sooner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62900/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of Church of Ireland schools in the diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh; the number therein that currently have a special classroom; the number therein that have applied for a special classroom; if there are proposals to grant any remaining Church of Ireland schools in the same diocese a special classroom for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62901/25]
Housing 3 questions
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessments his Department has carried out on the impact of students studying English language courses on housing pressures in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64303/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his Department’s strategy in relation to the housing needs of students studying on English language courses in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64304/25]
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of students studying on English language courses who were housed in the private rented sector; who were housed in designated student accommodation; who were staying with host families; and who were in other types of accommodation, in the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64305/25]
Culture 2 questions
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps that Monaghan County Council should take to secure funding for a swimming pool in Carrickmacross. [64392/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will outline his proposals regarding the continuation of the basic income for the arts scheme. [64393/25]
Health 2 questions
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health if she will commission a feasibility study into the provision of CT scans in Monaghan hospital. [64412/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the opening hours of the minor injuries unit in Monaghan Hospital; and the latest time at which a person may present themselves for care. [64411/25]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide funds to facilitate the dredging and cleaning of the Bunnoe and Finn rivers arising from ongoing flooding concerns impacting landowners and road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62936/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 11 June 2025, whether the review of means testing in the social protection system has been completed; if he now intends to amend the current weekly means limit for the increase for qualified adult allowance for recipients of the State pension and to increasing the current means limit of €100 which has been in place for several years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64144/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total allocation to TAMS in the years 2019 to 2026, by year; the indicative allocation for 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64036/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount that was spent in each of the past five years, and in 2025 to date, in promoting Ireland as a destination for foreign students to study at either in third level or in English language schools in the State, broken down by the country in which the promotion took place, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64312/25]

Niamh Smyth — Fianna Fáil 4 votes · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Housing 3 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62765/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a case for a wastewater treatment plant (details supplied) can be reviewed; if he will provide an update on the working group; the stage the works are at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62952/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will examine their situation regarding the local authority home loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63046/25]
Health 3 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a local councillor regarding a case (details supplied); if she will address the issues raised in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63215/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review the case of persons (details supplied); if she will address the ongoing shortfall in their approved home support hours and the absence of weekend and emergency cover; the measures being taken to ensure continuity of care when regular carers are unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63677/25]
- 2025-11-20 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if she will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding an accident and emergency charge issued by Cavan General Hospital; her views on whether the application of this charge was correct in circumstances where the patient could not be admitted due to the unavailability of beds;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64711/25]
Transport 2 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the decision on the RSA compensation claim could be expedited; if consideration will be given to reimbursing the cost of two additional driving lessons booked, one the day before and one on the morning of the cancelled test, which proven unnecessary due to the last-minute cancellation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62859/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review congestion on the M3 approaching the Clonee/Damastown sections given it affects the 109X Cavan-Dublin Bus Eireann service (details supplied); if he will examine the feasibility of providing a dedicated bus lane on this approach to improve journey times and service reliability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63702/25]
Justice 2 questions
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the options available to regularise the person’s immigration status to allow them to continue their education and take up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63481/25]
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the process for naturalisation for a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63602/25]
Climate 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will review matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the specific questions raised therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62886/25]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application for a person (details supplied); if the decision will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63280/25]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2025-11-18 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a SUSI grant application; if he will provide an update on the person’s appeal application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63723/25]
Social 1 question
- 2025-11-19 Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if a request (details supplied) can receive consideration in view of the person's medical circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64038/25]