Meath East — week of Mon, 2 Feb

What your Meath East TDs did this week

Mon, 2 Feb – 8 Feb 2026 · 4 TDs · 1 bill voted on · 68 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-02-04 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 79–63

Voted for 1 Gillian Toole

Voted against 1 Darren O'Rourke

Did not vote 2 Helen McEntee · Thomas Byrne

Darren O'Rourke — Sinn Féin 1 vote · 68 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 68 total

Education 46 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she will inform the youth organisations funded by her Department of allocations for 2026 across the various headings such as youth service grant, UBU, and youth information centres; if she will prioritise improving the support for existing projects and work over new projects, bearing in mind the significantly increased costs for this work indicated by the voluntary youth work sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8532/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide dedicated financial support to voluntary youth work organisations to meet the employer contribution costs relating to MyFutureFund (auto-enrolment) in 2026 and beyond, given that this is a flagship project of the Government in ensuring proper sustainable pension coverage for workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8533/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [7380/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when refurbishment works at a school (details supplied) will be completed. [7381/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if parents whose children receive home tuition are the employer of the tutor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7430/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if parents whose children receive home tuition are technically the employer of the tutor; the persons responsible for ensuring that the tutor has engaged with the new pension auto enrolment legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7431/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children on Register 14 of TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7782/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children awaiting assessment via AEARS in order to be added to register 14 on TESS; the percentage of whom are identified as having AEN/SEN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7783/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of special classes sanctioned in 2025 and up to the 2nd tranche in 2026 that require modular buildings or building work prior to opening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7791/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the budget for modular buildings; if there is a set amount per year; the way it is decided and allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7792/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the process for families who missed the NCSE’s October 2025 deadline for eligibility letters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7793/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools awaiting tender approval in the additional school accommodation scheme currently; the number of those applications that are listed as special class accommodation; the highest, lowest, median and average length of time it takes to obtain approval from the first date of submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7794/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered instructing schools with special classes to assign a teacher to coordinate said classes; to specify a minimum number of administration hours per class for that teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8067/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide the number of times that section 37A of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 has been used to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8068/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of fee paying schools across the State which have one or more special classes, by primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8069/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of Deis schools across the State which have one or more special classes, by primary and secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8070/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the NCSE will provide the special class numbers, by primary and post primary schools, by county, for each of the years 2020 to date in 2026, in tabular form; the reason this data is not made publicly available. [8071/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department has made home tuition conditional on a student having a psychological report which must be completed within the past six months of seeking home tuition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8072/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of successful home tuition applications in each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form. [8073/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of persons which were successful in applying for home tuition in 2025 and to date in 2026. [8074/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a full autism class in primary school receives €4,020 annually (year on year funding), meanwhile full autism classes in post primary schools receive €0.00 in annual funding despite having the same number of students as primary school; and if she plans to ensure both primary and post primary autism classes are funded equally. [8075/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that the NCSE will provide accurate numbers of the students in post primary schools that have a recommendation requiring a special class placement but do not currently have that placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8076/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in post primary school with an autism diagnosis, requiring a special class, which are waiting on a special class placement since transitioning from primary to post primary school. [8077/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will direct the NCSE to provide specific CPD on the way in which to run post primary autism classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8078/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school which gives priority enrolment to a post-primary autism special class, to students already enrolled in the school (details supplied) contravenes either the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 or circular 0039/2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8102/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to the release of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, the progress made in mapping youth services and facilities against population data, in identifying areas most in need of capital investment due to service gaps, and in establishing a structured approach to incorporating youth perspectives and community feedback in planning and evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8375/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, when she expects to progress the development of a multi-annual capital investment programme to support both new and existing youth spaces, including coordination with relevant departments, agencies, and local authorities; her views that the €20 million for youth services is sufficient to develop new youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8376/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, the number of youth services she anticipates that €20 million across the period will realistically delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8377/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth in the context of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026–2030, if she will address concerns regarding the comparatively low allocation of funding for youth services despite growing demand and the recognised need for dedicated youth places and spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8378/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, to provide a breakdown of the105 projects that are to progress to tender or construction over the course of 2026 and 2027 totalling over €1.6 billion; if she will provide the number of the 27,000 additional and modernised school places which will be for children with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8379/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, to provide the details the contingency fund is expected to cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8380/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, the amount which is expected to be provided out of the minor works and ICT grant each year from 2026 to 2030; the amount each individual school should expect to receive form these grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8381/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, to provide a breakdown and location of the 25 projects prioritised under the Modular Accommodation Programme to meet urgent additional capacity requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8382/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth following the publication of the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for 2026-2030, the funding which will be provided to the provision of additional special classes to meet annual needs each year through just repurposing existing accommodation. [8383/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a county by county breakdown of newly established special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8546/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8636/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8637/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8638/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8639/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8640/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the Large Scale Project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8641/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her announcement of 105 priority school building projects in the first tranche of the NDP rollout, what this means for other projects; if projects such as the Large Scale Project at a school (details supplied) will be delayed due to funding and other practical constraints; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8642/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 27 January 2026, if she will provide details on the National Youth Sector Reference Group as well as a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8773/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 27 January 2026, if she will provide details on progress in drafting an operational action plan to support implementation of the strategy; the timeline for engagement with stakeholders involved in the delivery of these actions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8774/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 27 January 2026, if she will provide more information on the design of a consultative forum, from 2026 onwards, that will concentrate on the identification of policy priorities, outputs, and outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8775/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 27 January 2026, her plans to meet with youth organisations, to discuss their priorities and understand the value of their work and the challenges they face; when she intends to get stakeholder input to inform the development of the implementation plan for Opportunities for Youth, the national strategy for youth work and related services, which is currently in development; the timelines for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8776/26]
Housing 4 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 was signed into law; the date on which the commencement order will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 482 of 9 December 2025, the date on which homeowners in County Meath will be able to apply to the defective concrete block scheme and conditions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of an Inland Fisheries Ireland survey conducted in 2025 which notes that salmon stocks on the Boyne and Kells Blackwater river has seen a catastrophic collapse, down to 10% of the conservation limit for the catchments; if, considering that salmon are a qualifying interest in the Boyne/Kells Blackwater SAC, he will consider it appropriate at this time to publish an SAC management plan to aid the recovery of the Boyne/Kells Blackwater salmon to favourable status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8128/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 27 January 2026, in view of the Court of Justice of the EU ruling on case C-444/21 EU Commission v Ireland if he will deliver individual conservation plans for each SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9119/26]
Foreign 3 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to visit Denmark prior to Ireland holding the presidency of the Council of EU. [7376/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department's stance on the digital omnibus proposal, in its current form, as published by the European Commission; the proposed changes or concerns they have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7871/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures her Department is taking to address the impact of the climate crisis globally, and to support poorer nations in adapting. [7870/26]
Social 3 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of calls received by the national community welfare scheme in each month of 2025, in tabular form. [7379/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that despite paying PRSI at the appropriate rate, widows in receipt of the widow and bereaved partners pension are not eligible for illness benefit; if he has any intention of changing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8558/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason pensions and social welfare payments cannot be paid together or at the same time, with the exception of carers allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/26]
Finance 2 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated cost if the stamp duty on first-time house buyers on houses valued at less than €370,000 was scrapped based on 2025 figures. [7383/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated yield if the stamp duty increased to 5% on the portion of houses that were sold in excess of €1 million based on 2025 figures. [7384/26]
Justice 2 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of promotions from Sergeant to Inspector rank within An Garda Síochána which occurred in 2025, in tabular form. [7385/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of competitions that were held in 2025 for sworn Gardaí to apply to join divisional roads policing units; and the number of Gardaí, by rank that applied for each competition, in tabular form. [7386/26]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children waiting for their initial CDNT appointment in CHO8, in tabular form. [7382/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a person avails of domestic violence leave under the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, the information they must provide to their employer; if the employer is allowed to ask questions to establish eligibility for domestic violence leave; the documentation or evidence which an employer can lawfully request to support a claim to this entitlement; the general data protection regulation, GDPR, protections which are taken into consideration during this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7489/26]
Health 2 questions
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons based at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan as of 26 January 2026, in tabular form. [7377/26]
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant obstetrician and gynaecologists based at Hollies Street Maternity Hospital as of 26 January 2026, in tabular form. [7378/26]
Rural 2 questions
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available through his Department for community festivals such as a festival (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7869/26]
- 2026-02-05 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when another round of category 1 funding for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will be announced; the criteria that will apply; the measures in place, to ensure a fair distribution of funds; the date on which applications will open and close; if projects which were previously unsuccessful will be allowed to re-submit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7868/26]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach for an update on the programme for Government. [3648/26]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2026-02-04 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of persons that visited Trim Castle in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [7375/26]

Gillian Toole — Independent 1 vote · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Helen McEntee — Fine Gael 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.

Thomas Byrne — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 0 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.