Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 9 Feb

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 9 Feb – 15 Feb 2026 · 5 TDs · 7 bills voted on · 327 questions · 3 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

Defamation (Amendment) Bill 2024

2026-02-11 · 1 vote · Govt (Justice)

A bill to provide that defamation actions in the High Court shall not be tried with a jury

full description

A bill to provide that defamation actions in the High Court shall not be tried with a jury; to give effect to Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) in so far as it relates to defamation proceedings; for those and other purposes to amend the Defamation Act 2009; and to provide for related matters.

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 77–66

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

Voted against 1 Eoghan Kenny

Did not vote 3 Ken O'Flynn · Pádraig O'Sullivan · Thomas Gould

Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026

2026-02-11 · 1 vote · Govt (Housing)

A bill to require the provision of certain information to a tenant and the Residential Tenancies Board on the commencement of a residential tenancy

full description

A bill to require the provision of certain information to a tenant and the Residential Tenancies Board on the commencement of a residential tenancy; to oblige tenants to allow access to a dwelling for purposes connected with an intended transfer of the dwelling; to make provision in relation to the setting of rents under residential tenancies; to provide for, and limit, the circumstances in which landlords can terminate certain tenancies of dwellings, including during and at the end of a tenancy of minimum duration; to provide for the frequency with which rent reviews may occur; to require certain information to be included in the residential tenancies register and the published register; to provide for the sharing of certain information by the Residential Tenancies Board with the Minister for Social Protection, the Revenue Commissioners and Sustainable Energy Ireland - the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; to repeal certain provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004; for those purposes to amend that Act; to provide for certain changes in relation to the eligibility for financial contributions under the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022; for those purposes to amend that Act; to amend provision in relation to short term letting constituting material change in use requiring development consent; for that purpose to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Act 2024; and to provide for related matters.

The motion · motion passed 73–68

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

Voted against 1 Eoghan Kenny

Did not vote 3 Ken O'Flynn · Pádraig O'Sullivan · Thomas Gould

Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Committee and Remaining Stages

2026-02-11 · 3 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 69–81

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 69–81

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

The motion · motion passed 80–70

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

Regulation of Drones Bill 2025

2026-02-11 · 1 vote · Green Party PMB

A bill to provide for the regulation in the public interest of the private and commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones

full description

A bill to provide for the regulation in the public interest of the private and commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones; to create an additional consideration for issuance of a National Planning Statement; to require local authorities to prepare objectives for the management of unmanned aircraft system operations; to permit any person, a local authority or the Environmental Protection Agency make a complaint to the District Court with respect to the emission of noise from certain privately or commercially operated unmanned aircraft system or systems causing annoyance; to amend the Planning and Development Act 2024; to amend the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (as amended); and to provide for related matters.

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 82–68

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

Bord Bia

2026-02-11 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 89–61

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

The motion · motion passed 88–61

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

Cost-of-Living Crisis

2026-02-11 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 80–69

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

The motion · motion passed 80–69

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-02-10 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 85–68

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 11 votes · 14 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 14 total

Agriculture 3 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on his Departments research and analysis of the current closed period model for the restriction of slurry and chemical fertiliser; if issues have been highlighted by farmers to his Department in relation to this model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10190/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the provision of a more flexible model of the closed period for the restriction of slurry and chemical fertiliser, in order that farmers can work with Ireland’s unpredictable weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10191/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the provision of a condition based model on a computer or smart phone application in conjunction with Met Éireann rainfall reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/26]
Finance 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the total 2025 tax receipts in income tax, VAT and corporation tax; the way in which these compare to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9957/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the capital acquisition tax rules in order that those who are childless can leave a greater amount to loved ones in their will without a large tax bill being incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9958/26]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration will be given by his Department working in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on matters relating to the cross-Border enforcement of consumer protection and road safety laws to assist those who purchase and import second hand cars from Northern Ireland and the UK and ensure that car dealers in these jurisdictions are held accountable should any issues arise after the purchase of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10272/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration will be given to the provision of a cross-Border mechanism with Northern Ireland and the UK to ensure cross-Border enforcement of consumer and road safety laws during the purchase and import of second hand vehicles, and ensure that car dealers in these jurisdictions are held accountable should any issues arise following the purchase and import of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10273/26]
Justice 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to confirm when a citizenship application will be completed, in view that it is 40 months since the application (details supplied) was first lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9647/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a citizenship application will be completed in view that it is over 30 months since the application (details supplied) was first lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10134/26]
Public Expenditure 2 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the initiatives his Department is undertaking to speed up the delivery of infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11082/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if additional funding will be made available for flood relief schemes; if he will consider expediting proposed flood relief schemes for Cork city given they have been ongoing for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11081/26]
Education 2 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has secured a permanent site for a school (details supplied) which has been in interim accommodation for approximately 20 years; if the school is included on any current or forthcoming school building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11062/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of a school’s (details supplied) application under the additional accommodation scheme and emergency works schemes; when a decision will issue on whether it can proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11061/26]
Social 1 question
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if a domiciliary care allowance review for a mother in respect of her daughter (details supplied) has been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11259/26]

New lobbying 1 return

Retailers Against Smuggling Finance
- Tackling illicit trade

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 11 votes · 23 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 23 total

Education 15 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there are plans to bring forward legislation to ensure that adequate provision is made for Irish medium education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10138/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she can provide confirmation regarding the full scope of funding for a project (details supplied); if her Department intends to fund and deliver the project in line with its own original brief and the planning permission granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10185/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a project (details supplied); if her Department plans to fund and deliver the project within the current planning permission of March 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10203/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department plans to establish a Gaelcholáiste in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10466/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10974/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a breakdown of the amount spent on applications for school building projects at stage before submitting 2B, that were not on the priority list 2026/2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10976/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the assistance her Department is giving schools where State agencies formed part of the further information required for a school to move to submitting 2B application for school building project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10977/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for choosing schools that are not at tender or construction stage in placing them on priority list 2026/2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10978/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10999/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the Government’s decision-making processes for assisting children in State examinations with specific learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10098/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who have applied for special educational needs classes and schools; the number of classes allocated; the number of children still waiting for a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10101/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the decision-making processes within her Department on the allocation towards youth services through the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, 2026-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10103/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the decision-making processes on allocations of school building projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10100/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on giving secretaries and caretakers pension parity and leave entitlements; the possible solutions being put forward by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10102/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the Government’s decision-making processes on voluntary contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10099/26]
Culture 7 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his Department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11267/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his Department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11268/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11269/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11270/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport 672. the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11271/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11272/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to his department's consideration of a ban on social media access for person under the age of 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11273/26]
Health 1 question
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health for an update on the application for appropriate accommodation for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11141/26]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 1 vote · 272 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 272 total

Health 113 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the criteria and process by which community based mental health and counselling services can be formally recognised by the HSE for referral purposes; and the steps being taken to ensure that primary care teams in Cork have access to and are actively referring to accredited local services to address waiting lists. [9198/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of progress reports her Department committed to publishing under the review’s governance framework; the number that were actually published; to provide copies of same; to explain any failure to comply with the reporting commitments given to Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9295/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the interRAI Single Assessment Tool will be fully operational nationwide for residents in long-term residential care; to provide the original implementation timeline; the current timeline; the reasons for repeated delays.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9296/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason interRAI assessments are not currently used to determine NHSS funding levels, despite Government acceptance of needs-based funding; whether she accepts that nursing homes continue to be funded on flat-rate pricing regardless of resident dependency.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9297/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents nationally have been assessed using interRAI to date; what percentage this represents of the total NHSS population; whether she accepts that the current dataset is insufficient to justify further delay in reform.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9298/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any legislative amendments required to link NHSS funding to interRAI-determined care needs have been drafted; the reason; and when such legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas. [9299/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason no resource utilisation group or case-mix pricing model has been introduced for long-term residential care, despite explicit recommendations and international precedent; and whether her Department has set a definitive implementation deadline. [9300/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the international models of dependency-based nursing home funding have been examined by her Department; which were deemed suitable for Ireland; and why none have been adopted. [9301/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when a National Safe Staffing and Skill Mix Framework for nursing homes will be finalised; to provide the date the pilot commenced; the number of pilot sites;the reason the framework remains in pilot stage several years after acceptance.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9302/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any funding uplift has been provided to voluntary nursing homes to meet the staffing expectations emerging from safe staffing pilots; and if not, how providers are expected to absorb rising staffing costs. [9303/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that voluntary nursing homes are being held to rising regulatory and clinical standards without any binding national staffing ratios or corresponding funding. [9304/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the average weekly cost per resident in public nursing homes compared with NHSS-funded voluntary and private homes; and whether she accepts that public units frequently operate above NHSS price ceilings. [9305/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the Department last published a full variance analysis of actual public nursing home costs against NHSS ceilings, as recommended in the value for money review; and to provide the most recent data. [9307/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health which recommendations from the independent review examining the role of voluntary organisations in publicly funded health and social care, published in 2019, have been implemented to date; and to provide timelines for those outstanding.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9311/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason no multi-annual funding framework has been introduced for voluntary healthcare providers despite explicit recommendations; and whether she accepts that this undermines workforce planning and financial sustainability. [9312/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has established the formal partnership model with voluntary providers promised in the 2019 review; and if not, the reason that commitment has not been honoured. [9313/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has quantified the administrative and compliance burden imposed on voluntary nursing homes in recent years; whether any funding has been provided to offset these additional requirements. [9314/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that increasing reporting, compliance and governance obligations have not been matched by increased frontline funding for voluntary providers. [9315/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she was advised, at any point between 2020 and 2025, that there was no Department of Health or HSE policy governing the collection, verification, or publication of data relating to gender identity services for children and young people; the dates on which any such advice was provided; the officials or offices that provided that advice; and the actions, if any, she directed in response. [9328/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department conducted or commissioned any formal governance, risk, or child safeguarding assessment addressing the absence of routine data collection, outcome monitoring, or longitudinal follow-up in paediatric gender identity services prior to approving or revising policy or models of care since 2020; and if not, to outline the rationale for proceeding with policy development in the absence of such assessments. [9329/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department receives, holds, or reviews data relating to the total annual revenue generated from car parking charges at Cork University Hospital; and if so, to provide the figures available to her Department for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9344/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any policy guidance, circulars, or directions to the HSE regarding the permitted or intended use of revenue generated from hospital car parking charges; and if so, to outline the expenditure categories to which such revenue may be applied, including maintenance, staffing, capital works, or payments to third-party operators; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9345/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance, reporting, and oversight arrangements in place, by which her Department assures itself that revenue generated from hospital car parking charges is properly accounted for, audited, and used in accordance with public financial procedures; and to outline the specific mechanisms by which such assurance is obtained in respect of Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9346/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the current status of the Programme for Government commitments relating to hospital car parking charges, including daily caps and flexible or reduced-rate parking arrangements; to specify which commitments have been implemented to date; which remain outstanding; the reasons for any delay; and the expected timeline for delivery of outstanding commitments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9347/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, commissioned, or relied upon any assessment, review, or analysis of the impact of hospital car parking charges on patients and families attending large regional hospitals with extensive catchment areas, including Cork University Hospital; and if so, to provide details of such assessments and their findings; and if not, to state whether any such assessment is planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9348/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the process by which her Department reviews, updates, or revises its standard responses to parliamentary questions on hospital car parking policy; and to state whether any substantive policy or administrative changes have occurred since January 2024 that would warrant updated guidance or revised responses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9349/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of residential properties currently owned by the Health Service Executive which are vacant; the number deemed surplus to requirements; the length of time each property has been vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9367/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the policy framework governing the retention, disposal, or repurposing of vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive; when this policy was last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9368/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what formal engagement has taken place between his Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Land Development Agency regarding the potential transfer or reuse of vacant HSE-owned residential properties for housing purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9369/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to identify the principal legal, financial, or administrative barriers preventing the timely reuse or disposal of vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive; the steps being taken to address these barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9370/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the annual cost to the State of maintaining vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive, including security, insurance, and maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9371/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has received, requested, or reviewed the expert group assessment commissioned by the HSE Chief Clinical Officer on the implications for Irish gender healthcare services of the final Cass Review; when this assessment was completed; whether it has been submitted to the HSE Chief Executive Officer for consideration; and when she expects this assessment to be published or otherwise made available to the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9413/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the assessment of the final Cass Review completed by the HSE-appointed expert group will be treated as binding clinical guidance, advisory evidence, or background material only for the purposes of national healthcare policy; whether she has issued or intends to issue any direction regarding its status within the development of the national Model of Care for Gender Healthcare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9414/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim clinical governance, safeguards, or policy instructions are currently in place for the provision of gender healthcare services to children and adolescents pending the publication and consideration of the completed expert group assessment of the Cass Review; whether any changes to clinical practice have been paused, amended, or permitted during this interim period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9415/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the Department’s formal policy and methodology for evaluating international clinical guidance prior to its consideration or adoption within national healthcare frameworks; whether any such formal evaluation was undertaken in respect of the WPATH Standards of Care between 2018 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9416/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance framework under which funding for chronic pain services is currently allocated, given that the HSE has confirmed that funding decisions are made at regional level without national expenditure data; when this decentralised approach was approved by her Department; and the oversight mechanisms her Department has in place to ensure consistency and equity of access to chronic pain services nationwide. [9472/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she accepts that the absence of national-level expenditure data for chronic pain services represents a gap in financial oversight; when her Department last formally requested national expenditure data from the HSE for chronic pain services; and the actions she is taking to ensure that comprehensive national financial reporting is put in place. [9473/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date by which her Department will require the HSE to implement mandatory national reporting on chronic pain services, including expenditure, activity, and outcomes across all health regions; and whether this reporting will be standardised and published as part of the National Performance Report. [9474/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has specified, or intends to specify, a minimum national dataset for chronic pain services, including waiting times, consultant capacity, referral pathways, and treatment modalities; and when such standards will be issued to the HSE. [9475/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what assessment her Department has made of regional variation in access to specialist chronic pain services following the establishment of the six health regions; and the measures she will take to prevent inequitable access to care based on geographic location. [9476/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she intends to ring-fence funding within chronic pain services for older adults, in light of evidence showing high prevalence of untreated chronic pain in this cohort; and if not, how her Department will ensure that the needs of older people with chronic pain are prioritised consistently across all health regions. [9477/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive records the actual duration of trolley waits exceeding 24 hours for emergency department patients; if not, whether such information is captured within hospital patient administration or emergency department information systems but not collated centrally; when the Minister became aware that maximum trolley wait times are not recorded or reported; and whether he considers the absence of this data compatible with effective patient safety oversight and hospital performance management. [9478/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what national information systems are used by the Health Service Executive to record emergency department patient flow and trolley wait times; whether those systems are technically capable of recording precise wait durations beyond 24 hours; and if so, the reason such data is not routinely extracted, analysed, or published on a hospital-by-hospital basis. [9479/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether he has issued, or intends to issue, any direction to the Health Service Executive to begin recording and publishing maximum trolley wait times by hospital for emergency department patients; if not, the reason for this decision; and whether he will commit to implementing such reporting as part of national urgent and emergency care oversight. [9480/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether he accepts that the failure to identify and monitor the longest emergency department trolley waits limits the ability of the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health to detect extreme delays that may present patient safety risks; and the alternative safeguards are relied upon in the absence of maximum trolley wait-time data. [9481/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has examined emergency department wait-time reporting standards in comparable health systems; whether the non-recording of maximum trolley wait durations aligns with international best practice; and if not, what steps are planned to address this gap. [9482/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has formally approved any national governance or clinical policy framework for gender identity services for children and young people provided by the Health Service Executive; if so, the date of that approval; and if not, the reason no Department-approved framework is currently in place for services involving minors. [9483/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the date of the most recent Department-led review, audit, or evaluation of governance and safeguarding arrangements for gender identity services for children and young people; whether that review was internal or external; and whether its findings were provided to her Department for policy or regulatory action. [9484/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued mandatory national safeguarding, clinical governance, or diagnostic standards for gender identity services for children and young people; whether compliance with such standards is a condition of service provision; and how compliance is monitored or enforced at national level by her Department. [9485/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department is aware that structured national datasets for gender identity services for minors, including referral volumes, diagnostic profiles, treatment pathways, and outcomes, are not currently in place; and whether she considers the absence of such datasets compatible with evidence-based healthcare planning and safeguarding obligations. [9486/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she has issued, or intends to issue, a ministerial policy direction requiring the establishment of national datasets for gender identity services for children and young people; and if so, the proposed scope, governance arrangements, and timeline for implementation. [9487/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that responsibility for national policy, safeguarding standards, and governance frameworks for services involving children rests with her Department rather than with clinical programmes established by the Health Service Executive; and how that responsibility is exercised in the context of gender identity services for minors. [9488/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the evidence base underpinning current or proposed models of care for gender identity services for children and young people; whether international reviews or guidance were considered in that assessment; and whether any such assessment has been formally documented. [9489/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department receives routine reports from the Health Service Executive on governance, safeguarding, activity levels, and outcomes relating to gender identity services for minors; and if not, the steps she intends to take to ensure appropriate ministerial oversight of services involving children. [9490/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mean and median waiting time, by hospital group, for a first outpatient assessment in publicly funded chronic pain services at end-December 2025; and the number of persons on those waiting lists in each hospital group. [9503/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting longer than six months and longer than twelve months, by hospital group, for a first outpatient assessment in publicly funded chronic pain services at end-December 2025. [9504/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the longest waiting time recorded nationally at end-December 2025 for a first outpatient assessment in publicly funded chronic pain services; and the hospital group and hospital in which that longest waiting time occurred. [9505/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE or the National Treatment Purchase Fund hold waiting-list data for publicly funded chronic pain services in time bands, including persons waiting longer than six months and longer than twelve months, for first outpatient assessment lists; and if not, the reason such time-band data is not produced where mean and median waiting-time data is produced. [9506/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant-led publicly funded chronic pain clinics in each hospital group; the approved whole-time equivalent staffing complement for each clinic at end-December 2025; and the number of unfilled posts at that date. [9507/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has any centrally approved governance, compliance, or safeguarding framework applicable to non-statutory bodies that receive direct funding from her Department, excluding bodies funded through or overseen by the HSE; and if not, to state when the absence of such a framework was last examined by her Department and the reason no framework is currently in place. [10006/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the minimum governance, reporting, and compliance standards are required by her Department to be applied by departmental line units when overseeing non-statutory bodies funded directly by her Department, excluding HSE-funded bodies; whether those standards are set out in written Departmental policy or guidance; and how her Department assures consistency of oversight across line units. [10007/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what risk assessment, safeguarding assurance, and service-quality oversight mechanisms are operated directly by her Department in respect of non-statutory bodies receiving direct Departmental funding, separate from financial audit, expenditure controls, or post-hoc review by the Comptroller and Auditor General. [10008/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out any internal review, audit, or evaluation since 2020 of the adequacy of its governance and oversight arrangements for non-statutory bodies funded directly by her Department; and if so, to provide the date of each review, the scope of the review, and the principal findings. [10009/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive has completed, or is in the process of completing, any National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics Rapid Review, Health Technology Assessment, or other formal evaluation for tirzepatide (mounjaro) and semaglutide (wegovy) for obesity or weight management; the date on which each assessment commenced; the current stage reached in each case; and the expected month in 2026 in which a pricing and reimbursement decision will be brought to the HSE senior leadership team. [10654/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Health Service Executive or her Department has prepared, commissioned, received, or reviewed any cost-effectiveness analysis, budget impact analysis, or economic model relating to the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines for obesity or weight management, including semaglutide and tirzepatide; whether any such analysis includes modelling of downstream cost offsets relating to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or related complications; and if so, to provide the title, authoring body, and completion date of each such analysis. [10655/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the policy or decision framework used by the Health Service Executive when considering prevention-based outcomes, including reductions in the future incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in medicines reimbursement decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and whether the Department has issued, or intends to issue, policy guidance on how long-term prevention savings are weighted in value-for-money assessments. [10656/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken or commissioned any assessment of the equity implications of current access arrangements for GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines for obesity or weight management, including the extent to which access is determined by capacity to pay out of pocket rather than clinical need; and whether the forthcoming national obesity strategy will include policy commitments on equitable access to evidence-based pharmacological treatments for obesity. [10657/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the eligibility criteria, prescribing settings, and clinical governance requirements applying to the managed access system under which liraglutide (Saxenda) is reimbursed under the General Medical Services and Drugs Payment Schemes; and to provide the number of patients approved under this pathway in each of the years 2024 and 2025, and to date in 2026. [10658/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current policy position of her Department on whether GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines for obesity or weight management should be eligible for reimbursement under the Drugs Payment Scheme, subject to health technology assessment and clinical governance; whether any policy review is under way in the context of the development of the new national obesity strategy; and the expected publication date of any updated policy position arising. [10659/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the national obesity strategy currently in development will explicitly address the role of pharmacological treatment for obesity, including eligibility, reimbursement pathways, and equity of access; and whether she will outline how medicines policy is being aligned with the objectives of that strategy. [10660/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department recognises that, for some people with disabilities and people receiving home-care supports, pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically required to ensure safe medication administration and compliance; whether any national clinical guidance, policy circular, or Department-approved criteria exist to determine when such supports are clinically indicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10668/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken, or commissioned, any patient safety or risk assessment regarding the withdrawal or non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs for people with disabilities or cognitive impairment who rely on such supports in a home-care setting; the findings of any such assessment; and if none has been undertaken, when such an assessment will be completed. [10669/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has carried out a disability impact assessment, equality impact assessment, or human rights analysis in respect of the non-funding of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, under the long-term Illness scheme; and if she will confirm whether the implications for people with disabilities living independently or with home-care supports were formally considered. [10670/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department first became aware that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, were being provided to patients in practice while pharmacies claimed phased dispensing fees; the policy, governance, or compliance actions that were taken by her Department at that time; and if she will outline the Department’s oversight responsibilities in respect of ensuring patient safety during any subsequent policy or fee changes. [10671/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what interim safeguards or guidance have been issued by her Department to ensure that patients with disabilities or complex medication needs do not experience disruption to medication compliance supports during the current pause in changes to phased dispensing arrangements; and whether clinicians or pharmacists have discretion to continue such supports where clinically indicated. [10672/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the mechanism that exist, or are being considered, whereby a clinician, pharmacist, or multidisciplinary care team may formally certify that monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, are clinically necessary for an individual patient; and whether such certification would permit continued provision without cost to the patient under existing schemes. [10673/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which the non-funding of pharmacist-prepared blister packs aligns with national home-care policy objectives that support independent living for people with disabilities and older persons; and whether her Department accepts that medication compliance supports form an integral part of safe home-based care. [10674/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when her Department’s examination of the use of monitored dosage systems, including blister packs, will conclude; whether formal policy proposals will be published; and if she will commit to ensuring that any future framework explicitly addresses the needs of people with disabilities and those receiving home-care supports. [10675/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of residential properties currently owned by the Health Service Executive which are vacant; the number deemed surplus to requirements; the length of time each property has been vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10678/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the policy framework governing the retention, disposal, or repurposing of vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive; when this policy was last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10679/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the formal engagement that has taken place between his Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Land Development Agency regarding the potential transfer or reuse of vacant HSE-owned residential properties for housing purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10680/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to identify the principal legal, financial, or administrative barriers preventing the timely reuse or disposal of vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive; the steps being taken to address these barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10681/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the annual cost to the State of maintaining vacant residential properties owned by the Health Service Executive, including security, insurance, and maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10682/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the dates since 1 January 2024 her Department formally reviewed governance or patient-safety risk indicators relating to Children's Health Ireland; the division of her Department which conducted each review; whether a written briefing note, minute, or record was produced in each case; and where those records are held. [11249/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed, since 2023, the timelines and completeness of responses provided by Children's Health Ireland to requests for information from Members of the Oireachtas; whether any compliance issues were identified; and the actions, if any, which were taken by her Department as a result. [11250/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a central register or inventory of reviews, audits, investigations, or independent reports relating to Children's Health Ireland; when that register was last updated; and whether she will publish a schedule listing the titles, commissioning bodies, and dates of such reports. [11251/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether decisions on the publication or non-publication of reports relating to Children's Health Ireland are recorded in written form within her Department; which office or grade is responsible for those decisions; and whether any standard criteria are applied when determining publication. [11252/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of written briefings relating to governance, patient safety, or organisational risk in Children's Health Ireland which were submitted to her Department in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and whether she will provide a breakdown by subject matter. [11253/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether emergency ambulance responses to clinical status 1 purple and red calls where the response time exceeds 60 minutes are classified by her Department or the HSE as patient safety incidents; if so, the number of such incidents recorded in each of the past three years; if not, the clinical and governance rationale for not treating such delays in life-threatening emergencies as patient safety incidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11387/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when she was first informed that response times exceeding 60 minutes for clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls are not included in published National Ambulance Service performance indicators; whether this issue was raised with her Department by the HSE or the National Ambulance Service; the date on which this occurred; and the actions she has taken since becoming aware of this omission in national oversight. [11388/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide, for each HSE region, the percentage of clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls responded to within target timeframes in each of the past 12 months; whether her Department has assessed the causes of persistent regional variation in emergency ambulance response performance; and the specific national actions in place to address inequity in emergency response times between regions. [11389/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the National Ambulance Service performance framework in which 55 percent of clinical status 1 red emergency calls fail to meet response time targets represents an acceptable standard of emergency care; the clinical or policy basis on which the current red call target was set; and whether any review of that target has been undertaken in light of patient safety considerations. [11390/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the formal escalation, intervention, or corrective measures which are triggered when the National Ambulance Service response time targets for clinical status 1 purple or red emergency calls are not met at national or regional level; whether any such measures were triggered during 2025; and if not, the way in which compliance with emergency response targets is enforced in practice. [11391/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether median response times for clinical status 1 purple and red emergency calls are collected by the National Ambulance Service; if so, to provide the median response times for each of the past 12 months by HSE region; and if not, the methodological reasons median response times are not used alongside averages in assessing emergency ambulance performance. [11392/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting commencement of a home support package in Cork City and County, by Community Healthcare Network area, at the end of each month from January 2024 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11400/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of existing home support recipients in Cork City and County who are awaiting additional approved hours; the average waiting time for those hours to be delivered; and the steps being taken at national level to reduce these delays. [11401/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons on home support waiting lists nationally, by CHO area, at the most recent reporting date; the criteria used by her Department to assess regional equity in home support provision; and whether Cork has been identified as a high-pressure area requiring targeted intervention. [11402/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the assessment her Department has undertaken of home support workforce capacity in Cork City and County, including recruitment, retention, and attrition rates; how these factors are impacting waiting lists; and what workforce planning measures are being implemented to address shortages. [11403/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours funded nationally and in Cork city and county for each year from 2022 to date; the number of hours actually delivered; the gap between funded and delivered hours; and the reasons identified for any persistent underspend or delivery shortfall. [11404/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the extent to which delays in home support provision are contributing to premature admission to long-term residential care; whether any cost-comparison or value-for-money analysis has been conducted; and if she will publish any such assessment. [11405/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance mechanisms which exist within her Department to monitor home support waiting lists; how frequently data is reviewed at ministerial level; and what accountability measures apply where waiting lists remain persistently high. [11406/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national targets exist for maximum waiting times for home support services; if not, whether she intends to introduce such targets; and the timeline for achieving measurable reductions in waiting lists in Cork city and county. [11407/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which current home support waiting list levels align with Sláintecare commitments to care in the community; whether her Department accepts that prolonged delays undermine that policy objective; and what corrective actions are planned. [11408/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what population-based demand modelling her Department uses to project future home support needs; whether Cork’s ageing profile has been factored into capacity planning; and whether additional funding or staffing allocations are planned for 2026. [11409/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide, for each year from 2020 to 2025 inclusive, the total gross expenditure met from Vote funding under the treatment abroad scheme in respect of patients aged under 18 years; the number of prior authorisations approved in each year for this age cohort; and the aggregate expenditure per year associated with those approvals. [11439/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department categorises or tracks treatment abroad scheme expenditure by treatment type or clinical category, including gender-related healthcare; and if so, to set out the categories used, the year in which such categorisation commenced; and how this information is used for expenditure control and policy oversight. [11440/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the expenditure-control framework applied by her Department to the treatment abroad scheme since 2020, including whether any annual or multi-annual budget ceilings, control totals, or sanction limits have been set at Departmental level; and if not, the reason no such ceilings apply to this area of Vote expenditure. [11441/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to detail the governance and approval chain within her Department and the HSE for managing treatment abroad scheme expenditure, including the name of the responsible Division in her Department, the budget holder accountable for TAS expenditure, and the role of the Department’s Eligibility Unit in monitoring or approving budget variances. [11442/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to list all audits, reviews, or value-for-money examinations conducted since 2020 by or on behalf of her Department, the HSE Internal Audit function, or the Comptroller and Auditor General that included the treatment abroad scheme; and for each audit to provide the year conducted, scope, principal findings, and whether any recommendations were made regarding expenditure control or governance. [11443/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that neither her Department nor the HSE currently operates any national key performance indicators governing recruitment clearance timelines, including Garda vetting, occupational health clearance, HR approval stages, or the time from job offer to commencement; whether she considers the absence of such KPIs compatible with effective workforce planning and patient safety; and if she will outline the policy rationale for not requiring the measurement of recruitment clearance timelines across the public health system. [11453/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she will issue a formal policy direction to the HSE to introduce mandatory national key performance indicators for recruitment clearance and appointment timelines, including external candidate onboarding; whether such KPIs will apply uniformly across all health regions; and the quarter and year by which full national KPI reporting on recruitment timelines will be operational. [11454/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the impact of recruitment control measures introduced in 2023 and 2024 on clearance delays, vacancy persistence, and service delivery; whether the absence of clearance-timeline KPIs has limited the State’s ability to quantify those impacts; and if she will publish any internal reviews, analyses, or briefings undertaken by her Department on recruitment delays arising from centrally imposed controls. [11455/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the way in which national accountability for recruitment performance is maintained following the establishment of six health regions under Sláintecare, in circumstances where recruitment clearance timelines are not measured at national level; whether she accepts that devolving workforce autonomy without national clearance benchmarks weakens oversight; and the steps being taken by her Department to ensure consistent, transparent measurement of recruitment timelines across all regions. [11456/26]
Justice 31 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he or his Department have considered any legislative proposals aimed at strengthening sentencing outcomes for offences involving assaults on members of An Garda Síochána, in light of conviction and sentencing trends recorded by the Courts Service for the years 2021 to 2025; and if not, the reasons no such policy action has been taken. [9219/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to set out the Department’s current projections for the annual cost of accommodating international protection applicants over the next five years, including any internal estimates indicating expenditure of up to €1.5 billion per annum referenced in briefing material prepared for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9382/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the governance, compliance, and enforcement framework applying to private providers contracted to supply accommodation for international protection applicants, including the number of providers found to be non-compliant since 2022, the total contract value involved, and the sanctions applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9385/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to detail the State’s reliance on emergency accommodation for international protection applicants, including the average nightly cost, average duration of stays, and total annual expenditure on emergency accommodation for each year since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9386/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an impact assessment has been completed on the expected effect of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact on the number of international protection applications to Ireland from 2027 onwards, including any projections in the range of 22,000 to 24,000 applicants per annum, and the associated accommodation and budgetary implications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9387/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department operates a defined accommodation capacity threshold for international protection applicants; if not, the rationale for the absence of such a threshold; the way in which intake levels are aligned with available accommodation capacity and public expenditure limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9388/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the absence of a disaggregated cost breakdown for expenditure on international protection accommodation and related supports exceeding €4 billion since 2022, including separation of payments to private accommodation providers, expenditure on State-owned accommodation, ancillary service costs, and administrative costs, is consistent with the public financial management and audit standards applicable to his Department; whether this matter has been raised with or examined by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9400/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the total number of private accommodation providers contracted by the International Protection Accommodation Service in each year from 2022 to date; the aggregate annual expenditure paid to private accommodation providers in each of those years; the number of providers accounting for the highest proportion of that expenditure; the average nightly cost per person paid under such contracts; the proportion of contracts entered into without an open competitive tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an average length of stay of 24.8 months in International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation is consistent with EU best practice and the objectives of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum; the target average length of stay envisaged under current Government policy; the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of each additional month an international protection applicant remains in State-provided accommodation beyond that target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9402/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procurement reference number, procurement route, and approval pathway used by the Irish Prison Service for each engagement with podcasts, influencers, or media outlets between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9403/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each engagement by the Irish Prison Service with podcasts, influencers, or media outlets since 1 January 2020, whether the expenditure was procured through an Office of Government Procurement framework, an open competitive process, a competitive quotation process, or a sole supplier arrangement; and if he will provide the number of engagements under each category. [9404/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the criteria applied by the Irish Prison Service in determining that a sole supplier arrangement was justified for any podcast, influencer, or media engagement since 1 January 2020; and to confirm whether written sole supplier justifications were completed in each such case. [9405/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to confirm the grade and role of the approving officer within the Irish Prison Service or the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration who authorised each sole supplier engagement with podcasts, influencers, or media outlets since 1 January 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9406/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Irish Prison Service applies expenditure aggregation rules across multiple payments to the same supplier within a financial year for the purposes of public procurement compliance; and if he will outline the way this policy was applied in respect of podcast, influencer, or media engagements since 2020. [9407/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any internal audit, compliance review, or governance assurance process within the Department or the Irish Prison Service examined expenditure on podcasts, influencers, or media services since 1 January 2020; and if so, to specify the year in which each review occurred and its scope. [9408/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the governance and oversight arrangements in place where the Irish Prison Service commissions or co-produces media content, including podcasts, as part of recruitment or rehabilitative initiatives; and to confirm whether such arrangements are treated as advertising expenditure or commissioned content for procurement purposes. [9409/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the reasons an e-tender process commenced in 2025 in respect of services provided by experts by experience was paused; to specify the authority under which the pause occurred; and to confirm whether expenditure continued during the period in which the tender process was paused. [9410/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Department has issued any guidance, circulars, or internal instructions to the Irish Prison Service since 2020 regarding the procurement of media, podcast, influencer, or public relations services; and if so, to specify the dates on which such guidance was issued. [9411/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he is satisfied that the governance, approval, and procurement controls applied by the Irish Prison Service to podcast, influencer, and media engagements since 1 January 2020 provide value for money and full compliance with public procurement requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the number of scrambler bikes and quad bikes seized or detained by An Garda Síochána in each of the past three years, broken down by Garda division, including Cork City and Cork North divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10816/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total number of scrambler bikes and quad bikes seized by An Garda Síochána in each of the past three years; and the average number of vehicles seized per incident. [10817/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases involving the seizure of scrambler bikes or quad bikes that resulted in a prosecution file being prepared by An Garda Síochána in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10818/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to list the youth diversion or community-based prevention programmes currently in place to address the antisocial use of scrambler bikes and quad bikes; the locations in which these programmes operate; the annual funding allocated; and the Garda divisions where no such programme is currently available. [10819/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether, in the awarding, renewal, or continuation of contracts or payments under the International Protection Accommodation Services, his Department assesses company-law compliance at group level, including the compliance status of any parent or holding company of a contracting entity; and if he will outline the governance checks applied. [11421/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether failure by a parent or holding company of an International Protection Accommodation Services contractor to file annual returns with the Companies Registration Office within statutory timeframes is treated as a material governance or compliance risk by his Department; and if he will detail how such risks are evaluated. [11422/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether State payments under International Protection Accommodation Services contracts may continue to be made to a subsidiary company where a parent or holding company is non-compliant with Companies Registration Office filing obligations; and what safeguards or conditions apply in such circumstances. [11423/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the oversight, escalation, or remedial measures available to his Department where group-level governance or compliance issues arise in respect of International Protection Accommodation Services contractors; and whether corrective action is required prior to the continuation of payments. [11424/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has reviewed the governance and compliance framework applied to International Protection Accommodation Services providers in light of increased public scrutiny of accommodation contracts; and if he will outline any changes made or under consideration to strengthen assurance on the use of public funds. [11425/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the past five years concerning alleged animal cruelty offences; the number of investigations commenced; the number of animals seized; the number of files submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions. [11427/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has undertaken any policy, legislative, or regulatory review of the State’s framework for addressing insurance fraud and organised compensation fraud; the primary statutory provisions currently relied upon for this purpose; whether any gaps or weaknesses in that framework have been identified at departmental level; and whether proposals for legislative reform or enhancement are under consideration. [11444/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has commissioned, received, or considered any research, reviews, or Law Reform Commission material relating to sentencing policy for insurance fraud and fraudulent personal injury claims; whether sentencing guidelines or statutory sentencing frameworks have been examined in this context; and whether legislative reform proposals are under active consideration. [11446/26]
Children 30 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases, in each of the past five years where Tusla initiated emergency child removal proceedings and where one or more material allegations were subsequently withdrawn, admitted being unfounded, or corrected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9372/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the safeguards in place to ensure that emergency child protection applications made by Tusla are based solely on verified and contemporaneous evidence; whether her Department has assessed the impact of later-withdrawn or incorrect allegations on District Court decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9373/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases, in each of the past five years, in which Tusla child protection proceedings involved a parent with a diagnosed autism spectrum condition or intellectual disability; whether additional safeguards or assessment protocols apply in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9374/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the mandatory training requirements for Tusla social workers in respect of autism, neurodiversity, and disability awareness; the frequency with which such training is refreshed; and whether compliance with these requirements is monitored by her Department. [9375/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the disciplinary procedures that apply where a Tusla social worker provides inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information to a court; the number of disciplinary actions taken in such circumstances in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9376/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the statutory and policy thresholds applied by Tusla when seeking emergency removal orders under the Child Care Act 1991; whether her Department has reviewed the proportionality and consistency of their use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9377/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the governance arrangements governing the reliance by Tusla on hospital-based child protection reports when initiating emergency proceedings; whether there is a requirement for independent verification prior to court applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9378/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has undertaken any review of cases where emergency child removals were later found to be based on incorrect or withdrawn allegations; the redress mechanisms available to affected families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9379/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department collects and publishes aggregate data on withdrawn allegations, failed emergency applications, or post-hoc corrections in Tusla child protection cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9381/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average and median duration, in each of the past five years, that children under one year of age remain in State care following emergency removal; the proportion of such children returned to their parent or parents within three months, six months, and twelve months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9389/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide the outcomes, in each of the past five years, of emergency child removal cases involving children under one year of age, including the number resulting in reunification with a parent or parents, long-term care orders, adoption, or guardianship arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9390/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department or Tusla conducts any independent review, audit, or quality-assurance process of emergency child removal decisions involving children under one year of age; whether such processes examine evidential accuracy, proportionality, and decision-making thresholds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9391/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department conducted a formal review of the 2023 University College Dublin report on sexual exploitation risks faced by children in residential and emergency care; the date on which any such review commenced and concluded; the unit or division within her Department responsible; whether the review was documented; and if she will publish the findings. [11382/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of recommendations contained in the 2023 University College Dublin report on sexual exploitation risks faced by children in residential and emergency care; the number accepted by her Department; the number implemented to date; the number outstanding; and the reasons any recommendations remain unimplemented. [11383/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the policy, regulatory, or national guidance changes that have been introduced by her Department since 2023 in response to the University College Dublin report on sexual exploitation risks faced by children in residential and emergency care; the date each change took effect; and the way in which compliance is monitored. [11384/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department sets national policy in relation to the prevention of children absconding from residential care and special emergency arrangements; whether sexual exploitation risk is a mandatory policy consideration within that framework; and when the policy was last reviewed. [11385/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she or her officials have received briefings, reports, or submissions since 2021 concerning links between absconding from care and sexual exploitation risk; the number of such briefings; and the actions taken following receipt. [11386/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she accepts that the absence of any national metric or reporting requirement for the escalation of high-priority unallocated child protection cases limits effective ministerial oversight; whether her Department has assessed the governance or child-protection risks arising from the fact that such escalations are not recorded or reported at national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11410/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assurance mechanisms that are in place within her Department to confirm that risk-escalation procedures for high-priority unallocated child protection cases result in timely allocation; whether any internal or external audit, review, or evaluation has been conducted of escalation outcomes in 2023 or 2024; and if not, the reason no such assessment has taken place. [11411/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she receives regular reports, briefings, or summary data on the number or duration of high-priority child protection cases that remain unallocated following escalation; the form in which any such information is provided; and if no such reporting occurs, the way in which ministerial assurance is maintained in respect of these cases. [11412/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is satisfied that existing national policy arrangements governing the escalation of high-priority unallocated child protection cases provide sufficient transparency, consistency, and accountability across Tusla regions; whether her Department has reviewed the adequacy of these arrangements; and if she will outline any reforms under consideration. [11413/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has issued any guidance, circulars, or policy instructions to Tusla concerning the monitoring or reporting of escalation activity for high-priority child protection cases; whether compliance with such guidance is reviewed at Departmental level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11414/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department tracks outcomes for young people who exit State care at 18 after having spent more than 10 years continuously in care; what data is held on housing stability, education attainment, employment status, and engagement with aftercare services for this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11415/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any internal or external review has been undertaken to assess outcomes for young people who spent the majority of their childhood in State care and subsequently aged out at 18 years-of-age; the findings of any such review; and if no review has taken place, the reason this has not been conducted. [11416/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she accepts that the absence of longitudinal data linking length of time in State care with post-18 outcomes limits effective evaluation of the State’s care and aftercare systems; whether her Department has identified this as a governance or accountability gap; and if she will outline any steps being taken to address it. [11417/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the effectiveness of aftercare policy is evaluated for young people who have spent long periods in State care prior to turning 18; the assurance mechanisms which exist at Departmental level to assess whether aftercare supports are sufficient for this cohort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11418/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department uses data on length of time spent in State care, including children who have been in care for more than 10 or 15 years, to inform aftercare planning and resource allocation; and if not, the reason such data is not used for this purpose. [11419/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has examined the absence of a statutory mechanism allowing early years providers to lawfully disclose and assess serious safeguarding concerns relating to staff conduct which does not meet the criminal threshold; whether she accepts that this represents a gap in the current safeguarding framework; and if she will outline any proposals to address this issue. [11460/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has considered how a statutory safeguarding-disclosure framework for the early years sector could be designed to protect children while also ensuring fair procedures, independent assessment, appeal rights, and proportionality for staff;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11462/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is satisfied that the current statutory and policy framework governing safeguarding in Early Years services fully gives effect to the principles of Children First, particularly in circumstances where serious concerns arise outside the criminal justice threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11465/26]
Finance 15 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has approved, or intends to approve, in principle, any policy direction arising from the Revenue Commissioners' consultation on the modernisation of withholding taxes, including professional services withholding tax and relevant contracts tax, that would involve increased reporting frequency or real-time or near-real-time integration between businesses' accounting or financial systems and the Revenue Commissioners; if he is satisfied that such an approach would be proportionate for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those operated by non-professional bookkeepers; if a cost-benefit or behavioural impact assessment has been carried out at policy level within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of applications received and approved under (a) Transfer of Business relief and (b) Returned Goods Relief in respect of construction tools brought into the State by returning Irish citizens in each of the past five years; the number refused in each case; and the principal grounds for refusal. [10001/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will outline the position in respect of Irish citizens returning to live and work in the State as employees in the construction sector who bring personally owned tools with them from non-EU countries; and if he accepts that such individuals are excluded from Transfer of Business relief under current rules. [10002/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the impact of Customs Duty and VAT charges on construction tools on the return of skilled Irish tradespeople from outside the EU, in light of acknowledged labour shortages in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10003/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the average processing time for applications under Transfer of Business relief involving tools of the trade; the documentation most commonly outstanding or queried by Revenue; and whether any guidance has been issued to streamline applications for returning Irish citizens. [10004/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to extending relief from Customs Duty and VAT on tools of the trade to returning Irish citizens employed in the construction sector who do not meet the sole-trader criteria for Transfer of Business relief; and if not, the reason for this position. [10005/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has commissioned, requested, or plans to commission a stand-alone socio-economic analysis of consumers who access high-cost credit in the State, including analysis of income levels, employment status, welfare dependency, and exclusion from mainstream banking; and if not, the rationale for relying on regulatory reviews that do not include such borrower profiling when forming policy in this area. [10701/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department or the Revenue Commissioners have undertaken, commissioned, or estimated any compliance cost, systems-integration cost, or administrative burden for small and medium-sized enterprises arising from proposals discussed in the public consultation on the modernisation of withholding taxes, including any move toward real-time or near-real-time reporting; and if not, whether such analysis will be completed before any policy decision is taken. [10702/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the average private motor insurance premium charged to learner drivers in each of the past five years, by age cohort; whether his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland monitors or analyses the impact of age-neutral learner driver pricing models on affordability and proportionality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11162/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the oversight mechanisms in place within the Central Bank of Ireland to assess whether motor insurance pricing models, particularly those applied to learner drivers, comply with consumer protection principles on fairness, proportionality, and transparency; whether any thematic reviews have been undertaken in this area since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11163/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of motor insurers currently authorised to write private motor insurance in the State; the number of those insurers that actively provide quotations to learner drivers; whether the Central Bank assesses effective market participation where large cohorts of consumers face limited or prohibitively expensive access to cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether learner drivers are recognised by his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland as a distinct consumer cohort for the purposes of insurance affordability and access; whether any assessment has been carried out on the societal and economic impact of high learner-driver premiums on families, older first-time drivers, or returning emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11165/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the Central Bank of Ireland requires motor insurers to provide consumers with a clear explanation of the principal factors driving quoted premiums, particularly where exceptionally high premiums are issued to learner drivers; whether any regulatory guidance has been issued in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11166/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he has considered introducing additional regulatory safeguards or guidance to ensure learner driver motor insurance premiums are evidence-based, proportionate, and transparent; whether any policy review is planned in conjunction with the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11167/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the pension increases payable in respect of former Department of Posts and Telegraphs service under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme are classified by his Department as current expenditure or capital expenditure; and the reason such expenditure would be subject to external scrutiny beyond the Department. [11434/26]
Transport 14 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport when the regulations he has indicated will implement a total ban on the use of scrambler bikes and other off-road vehicles in public places will be made and commenced; whether the draft text of those regulations has been finalised; and if he will provide the anticipated commencement date and scope of the proposed prohibition. [11393/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the governance controls in place to monitor and regulate the use of VIP or platinum packages by DAA board members, whether these are classified as benefit-in-kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9288/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether any audits or internal investigations have been carried out into the personal use of VIP services by DAA board members, and if so, to publish the findings. [9289/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of any instances where VIP packages at DAA have resulted in personal expenditure by board members exceeding €30,000 annually, and if he will make a statement on the accountability measures. [9290/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department has been made aware whether through complaints, reports, or other communications of any potential misuse of VIP services by DAA board members; and if so, what action was taken. [9291/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if his Department provides any specific guidance or policy on the acceptable use of DAA facilities or VIP packages by board members; and if he will make a statement on the policy framework. [9292/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to set out, in respect of the Blarney, Glanmire and Ballyvolane growth corridors in Cork City and County, which public transport and sustainable transport projects have received Ministerial approval to proceed to planning, design, or delivery; which of those projects have capital funding allocated under the current National Development Plan or Capital Plan to 2030; and the project stage each approved scheme is currently at. [10010/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the formal delivery milestones, timelines, or reporting requirements his Department has set for the National Transport Authority in respect of transport infrastructure and service delivery for the Blarney, Glanmire and Ballyvolane growth corridors to 2030; and the way his Department monitors compliance with those expectations. [10011/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport in respect of the Blarney growth corridor, to detail the Ministerial decisions taken to date regarding the proposed Blarney or Stoneview rail station and associated public transport infrastructure; whether funding has been approved in principle or allocated for planning or delivery; and the indicative sequencing for progression within the lifetime of the current Capital Plan. [10012/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport in respect of the Glanmire growth corridor, to outline the public transport and bus priority measures approved by his Department for progression under BusConnects Cork or related programmes; whether these measures have secured Ministerial funding approval; and the timeframe within which his Department expects those schemes to advance through planning and delivery stages. [10013/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to clarify whether the Ballyvolane growth corridor is included or excluded from planned public transport or sustainable transport investment programmes to 2030; the policy or planning basis for that position; and whether any proposals relating to Ballyvolane have received Ministerial consideration or approval for funding, planning, or assessment. [10014/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether he has received formal proposals from the Minister for Transport regarding the prohibition or restriction of scrambler bikes in public places; when these proposals will be published; and the expected commencement date of any resulting regulations. [10846/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has reviewed the adequacy of existing statutory powers available under current legislation to address the illegal use of scrambler bikes and quad bikes in residential and urban areas; whether any legislative gaps or limitations have been identified; and whether proposals for legislative amendment or consolidation are under development. [11447/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 249 and 250 of 4 February 2026, the exact date on which he intends to bring the heads of the Bill addressing the Dublin Airport passenger cap to Government for approval; the Cabinet meeting at which approval of the general scheme is expected to be sought; the month and year in which publication of the Bill is expected; the earliest date on which the legislation is expected to be enacted, based on the current drafting and legislative timetable; and if the proposed legislation will expressly override or disapply the existing passenger cap planning condition and set out the statutory position regarding the consideration of that condition by the Irish Aviation Authority in future slot allocation decisions. [10683/26]
Public Expenditure 11 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the oversight mechanisms in place within his Department to ensure that public procurement processes are protected from bid-rigging and cartel behaviour; whether any red-flag or data-screening systems are used across State procurement frameworks; and if he will provide details of same. [9323/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Office of Government Procurement has issued guidance, training, or mandatory protocols to contracting authorities on identifying and responding to suspected cartel or collusive bidding behaviour; the date of the most recent guidance issued; and the level of compliance across Departments and State bodies. [9324/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department maintains or has access to centralised data on bidding patterns for large State contracts across sectors; whether such data is analysed for indicators of anti-competitive behaviour; and if he will outline any plans to strengthen data-driven oversight in this area. [9325/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department has considered the fiscal risk posed to the Exchequer by cartel activity and bid-rigging in public procurement; whether this risk is reflected in any expenditure control, value-for-money, or public spending review processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9326/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 420 to 422 of 4 February 2026, the aggregate amount of pension contribution under-deductions relating to serving Ministers and Ministers of State that remains outstanding as of 31 January 2026; the aggregate amount repaid to date; and the number of cases in which any balance remains unpaid, noting that no individual or personal data is sought. [10712/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the longest repayment period approved by the National Shared Services Office in respect of pension contribution under-deductions affecting serving Ministers and Ministers of State identified following Government formation in January 2025; and the standard maximum repayment period applied elsewhere across the public service for comparable pension under-deduction cases. [10713/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether interest, surcharges, or other financial adjustments apply to pension contribution under-deductions recovered from serving Ministers and Ministers of State; whether the same financial conditions apply to other public servants in under-deduction cases; and if there is any difference, the policy authority under which that difference arises. [10714/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any repayment arrangements approved for serving Ministers or Ministers of State in respect of pension contribution under-deductions identified in early 2025 extend beyond the individual's current term of office; and if so, the number of such arrangements, stated on an aggregate basis. [10715/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the date on which the pension contribution under-deduction issue affecting Ministers and Ministers of State was first identified by the National Shared Services Office; the date on which affected officeholders were notified; and the date on which corrective payroll measures were fully implemented. [10716/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department has reviewed or audited the operation of payroll and pension contribution controls within the National Shared Services Office following the identification of pension under-deductions affecting serving Ministers and Ministers of State; and if so, the findings and recommendations, stated in summary form. [10717/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any guidance has been issued to public bodies regarding the protection of defined benefit pension schemes from being used to address funding shortfalls or restructuring costs; and whether RTÉ has been assessed for compliance with such guidance. [11372/26]
Enterprise 11 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has received any briefings, reports, or risk assessments from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding cartel behaviour or bid-rigging in public procurement for State-funded projects; the dates of any such briefings since 2022; the sectors concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9320/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has undertaken or commissioned any assessment of the estimated cost to the Exchequer arising from cartel activity or bid-rigging in public procurement; whether any modelling exists estimating price inflation attributable to such practices; and if he will outline any findings available to his Department.. [9321/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the legislative or policy measures are currently under consideration to strengthen the detection and deterrence of cartel behaviour in public procurement, including any proposals to enhance the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s access to procurement data held by public bodies; and the expected timeline for any such measures. [9322/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether there is a formal interdepartmental framework in place between his Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to address cartel behaviour in public procurement; when such arrangements were established; and the way accountability and reporting are structured. [9327/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the statutory, policy, or administrative basis on which his Department considers that responsibility for commissioning residential construction productivity metrics, including residential-specific gross value added and labour input indicators, rests exclusively with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and to confirm whether his Department accepts any shared responsibility for ensuring that productivity in the residential construction sector is measurable for enterprise, labour-market, and competitiveness policy purposes. [10743/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has, at any time since 2022, formally considered requesting the Central Statistics Office to develop residential-specific construction productivity indicators; whether any internal advice, briefing note, or submission was prepared on this issue; and, if no such consideration occurred, the reasons residential construction productivity has not been treated as a priority data requirement for enterprise and competitiveness policy. [10744/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has sought advice from the Central Statistics Office or Eurostat on the feasibility of publishing residential-specific construction productivity data within the existing EU statistical framework; whether any barriers were identified; and if no such engagement has taken place, the reason his Department has not explored available statistical or regulatory pathways to enable more granular productivity analysis in a sector central to national economic performance. [10745/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has defined any sector-level performance indicators for the Built to Innovate initiative, beyond firm-level project assessments; to measure impacts on residential housing output, construction timelines, or unit delivery costs; and if not, the reason his Department satisfies itself that the initiative contributes meaningfully to national housing delivery and productivity objectives. [10746/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the rationale for scheduling the first independent external evaluation of the Built to Innovate initiative for 2027, notwithstanding that €6.8 million in public grant approvals have already issued; and to confirm whether his Department considered commissioning an earlier evaluation to inform decisions on programme continuation, expansion, or redesign. [10747/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether any further funding allocations or programme expansions under the Built to Innovate initiative will proceed in advance of an independent external evaluation; whether his Department has considered making future funding contingent on demonstrated sector-level productivity or housing delivery outcomes; and if not, the governance arrangements relied upon to ensure value for money for additional Exchequer funding. [10748/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the cross-departmental data analytics working group established under Housing for All has assigned clear Ministerial accountability for the measurement of residential construction productivity; whether any recommendation was made to establish a dedicated residential productivity framework; and if no such recommendation was adopted, the reasons. [10749/26]
Agriculture 10 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out by his Department, or on its behalf, relating specifically to the welfare of exotic animals kept as pets, including reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and non-domesticated mammals, in each of the years 2020 to 2025 inclusive; the number of non-compliances identified; the number of animals seized; and the number of prosecutions initiated arising from such inspections, in tabular form. [9496/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department maintains disaggregated records relating specifically to inspections, seizures and enforcement actions involving exotic pets, distinct from other animal welfare cases; and if not, the reason such records are not maintained. [9497/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out clearly which public body holds lead statutory responsibility for the routine inspection and enforcement of animal welfare standards in respect of exotic animals kept as pets in private ownership; and how responsibility is apportioned between his Department, local authorities, and any other State bodies. [9498/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has conducted or commissioned any formal risk assessments since 2015 relating to zoonotic disease, public health risk, or biosecurity threats arising from the private ownership of exotic pets; if so, to provide the dates, scope and issuing bodies of such assessments; and if not, the reason no such assessments have been undertaken. [9499/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary inspectors employed by or available to his Department who have formal training or recognised expertise in the treatment and welfare of exotic species; and whether his Department has identified any gaps in national capacity to deal with the seizure, treatment or rehoming of exotic animals. [9500/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of investigations carried out by his Department since 2020 into the sale or supply of exotic pets through online platforms; the number of breaches identified under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019; and the enforcement actions taken in each year. [9501/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will initiate a specific, time-bound review of the regulation of exotic pets in Ireland, separate from the general Animal Welfare Strategy, including consideration of positive or prohibited species lists; and if so, the proposed commencement date and reporting timeline. [9502/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out by his Department in each of the past five years relating to equine welfare, including cases involving neglect, mistreatment, abandonment, or tethering; the number of horses seized, euthanised, or otherwise removed from owners following such inspections; the number of prosecutions initiated under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 arising from equine welfare breaches; and if he will make a statement on whether current inspection and enforcement levels are sufficient. [11426/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regulatory and enforcement framework governing the breeding, keeping, and welfare of dogs used for hunting purposes; the number of inspections carried out by his Department or on its behalf in each of the past five years in respect of dog breeding establishments and private dog keepers; the number of enforcement actions taken, including seizures and prosecutions; and whether he considers current controls sufficient to prevent animal cruelty and unlawful hunting practices. [11428/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department maintains a central database or cross-agency mechanism to identify repeat offenders under animal welfare legislation; if not, whether consideration has been given to introducing such a system; and if he will make a statement on how repeat offenders are currently identified and restricted from continued animal ownership. [11430/26]
Culture 10 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the statutory basis under which his Department is required to approve pension increases payable in respect of former Department of Posts and Telegraphs service under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; the specific legislative provisions relied upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11431/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the date on which the proposed 2.1 percent pension increase for members of the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme was formally submitted to his Department for approval; the actions taken since receipt; the reason the increase has not yet been approved or paid; and if he will provide a timeline for decision. [11432/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether NewERA has any role in the approval or scrutiny of pension increases payable under the Éircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; the statutory or administrative basis for any such involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11433/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to confirm which Minister holds final decision-making authority for approving and releasing State-funded pension increases payable under the Eircom superannuation defined benefit pension scheme; whether any other Minister or agency can delay payment once approval is sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11435/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has obtained legal advice regarding the State’s obligations under section 46(4) of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983 in respect of pension conditions for former Department of Posts and Telegraphs staff; and whether that provision continues to be regarded as operative. [11436/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has assessed the differential treatment in pension increases applied to members of the Eircom Superannuation Defined Benefit Pension Scheme who retired before and after January 1984; whether such differential treatment has been legally examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11437/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether she was informed of any proposal by RTÉ to alter the use, governance, or charging structure of the RTÉ defined benefit pension scheme; the date on which she was so informed; the nature of any consent sought or given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11368/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight mechanisms in place within her Department to ensure that pension assets accrued for the benefit of contributors are not used, directly or indirectly, to offset operational or legacy costs of a public service broadcaster; and whether those mechanisms were engaged in relation to RTÉ in the past five years. [11369/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether her Department has sought or received any legal advice regarding the permissibility of charging broadcaster costs to a pension scheme sponsored by a public body; and if so, whether she will outline the conclusions reached.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11370/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether she accepts that any perception of interference with pension funds undermines public confidence in RTÉ governance; and what steps she is taking to ensure transparency and accountability in the broadcaster’s treatment of deferred pay and pension obligations. [11371/26]
Education 8 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown, by year and school level, of the number of reported incidents involving students bringing weapons onto school premises over the past five years; the number of suspensions and expulsions arising from such incidents; the guidance issued by her Department to schools in relation to disciplinary responses where weapons are involved; whether she is satisfied that the current approach adequately protects the safety of students and staff; whether consideration has been given to introducing a clear national zero tolerance policy for weapons in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10213/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department maintains, receives, or collates any national dataset on the number of children in mainstream primary and post-primary schools who are placed on reduced or partial timetables for reasons related to additional or special educational needs; if so, the number recorded in each of the past five years, broken down by year and school level; and if not, the rationale for the absence of such a dataset given her Department’s statutory responsibility for educational inclusion and oversight. [10810/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools are required, under Departmental circulars, guidance, or policy, to formally notify her Department or an agency under her remit when a child ceases attending mainstream education, or is placed on a reduced timetable, due to the school stating it cannot meet the child’s additional or special educational needs; when such requirements were last reviewed; and if no such mandatory reporting requirement exists, whether she accepts this represents a governance gap. [10811/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to set out the legal basis, Departmental policy position, and any issued guidance governing the use of reduced or partial timetables for children with additional or special educational needs; the circumstances in which such timetables are considered permissible; the maximum duration envisaged under policy; and the safeguards in place to ensure reduced timetables are not used as a substitute for the provision of appropriate in-school supports. [10812/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth what mechanisms her Department uses to monitor and oversee cases where children with additional or special educational needs are no longer attending mainstream schools on a full-time basis, including cases involving reduced timetables, home tuition, or alternative provision; the specific indicators or thresholds that trigger Departmental review; and how accountability is enforced where unmet needs, rather than parental choice, are the primary driver. [10813/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department tracks educational pathways for children who exit mainstream schooling due to unmet additional or special educational needs, including subsequent placement in alternative education programmes, home tuition, or no provision; and if not, whether she will commit to establishing a tracking mechanism to ensure no child is effectively excluded from education without visibility or oversight. [10815/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the formal role of special educational needs organisers in cases where a child’s attendance at mainstream school is reduced or discontinued due to unmet needs; whether SENOs have authority to require schools to maintain full-time attendance where supports are lacking; and how her Department measures the effectiveness of SENO interventions in preventing de facto exclusion. [10844/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has conducted, commissioned, or plans to undertake a policy review of reduced timetables and informal exclusionary practices affecting children with additional or special educational needs; the timeline for any such review; and whether the review will include mandatory reporting, data collection, and enforceable safeguards. [10845/26]
Foreign 6 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will give a clear and unambiguous commitment to the House that Ireland will stand by its position regarding the EU–Mercosur trade agreement (details supplied); and if she will confirm that the Government recognises the wider significance of this case for other EU trade agreements, including CETA, where Ireland was given explicit assurances on sovereignty, democratic consent, and constitutional limits. [8871/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the process by which the Saint Brigid’s Day 2026 advertising and digital media campaign was commissioned by her Department; the officials or units involved in its commissioning and approval; the date on which final approval was given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9996/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the policy objectives underpinning the portrayal of Saint Brigid in the Department’s Saint Brigid’s Day 2026 advertising and digital media campaign; the guidance or criteria applied when determining how religious or cultural figures are represented in State-funded campaigns; and if she will provide the documentation or policy framework governing such decisions. [9997/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the oversight mechanisms, safeguards, or review processes that are in place within her Department to ensure that religious figures associated with Irish heritage are not used in a manner that could reasonably be regarded as ideologically partisan or disrespectful to their historical and religious context in State-funded promotional material. [9998/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has received complaints or representations from members of the public regarding the Saint Brigid’s Day 2026 advertising or digital media campaign; the number and general nature of such complaints to date; and the steps, if any, are being taken to review, amend, or withdraw material that has caused offence. [9999/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she considers it appropriate for the Department to use religious figures in State-funded campaigns without explicit reference to their religious identity; and whether she intends to review departmental practice in this area in light of public concern. [10000/26]
Housing 6 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when his Department will provide a directive to local authorities to increase the fresh start mortgage initiative, in line with rising property prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11153/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that treating income earned by local authority tenants under the tenant rent-a-room scheme as reckonable for the purposes of calculating differential rent significantly reduced participation in the scheme; whether this impact was assessed prior to the scheme’s introduction; and whether he will now introduce a mandatory national income disregard for differential rent purposes to remove this disincentive. [11394/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department carried out any formal impact assessment, cost-benefit analysis or behavioural modelling prior to the roll-out of the tenant rent-a-room scheme for local authority tenants; and, if not, how the Department satisfied itself that the scheme would deliver additional housing supply in practice. [11395/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional rooms his Department projected would be made available nationally under the tenant rent-a-room scheme at the time of its launch; the number of rooms actually delivered during the first twelve months of operation; and whether the scale of any shortfall has been examined at departmental level [11396/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reported breaches of wildlife protection legislation in each of the past five years involving illegal hunting, coursing, or the use of dogs to kill or injure protected wildlife; the enforcement actions taken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service or other authorised bodies; and whether the Minister has assessed the effectiveness of existing penalties as a deterrent. [11429/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the scheduled commencement of revised rent control and rental sector reforms on 1 March 2026, whether all necessary statutory instruments required to give effect to those reforms have been finalised; whether any instruments remain in draft; and whether the Department is satisfied that full operational readiness has been achieved for commencement on that date. [11451/26]
Further and Higher Education 5 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Irish citizens who returned to the State as a direct or indirect result of the “Build Back Home” advertising campaign run by his Department in 2024 and 2025, respectively; the methodology used by his Department to measure campaign outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9491/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department carried out any cost-benefit analysis, value-for-money assessment, or post-campaign evaluation in respect of the “Build Back Home” advertising campaign conducted in Canada, Australia, and the United States in 2024 and 2025; whether any key performance indicators were set in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9492/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the procurement process used for the “Build Back Home” advertising campaign in 2024 and 2025; the advertising channels utilised, including digital platforms, recruitment platforms, and media buys; the total expenditure per channel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9493/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated additional cost incurred by students and their families in the 2025 academic year arising from the level of the student contribution fee prior to Budget 2026; whether his Department quantified this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected timeline and fiscal pathway by which his Department intends to meet the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government; whether further reductions are planned beyond Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9495/26]
Defence 1 question
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence if she is aware that members of the Defence Forces with over 21 years’ service are currently being discharged; if she is aware of any directives from her Department to discharge up to 1,000 personnel from the Defence Forces; and if any member of the Defence Forces who wishes to remain in service will be afforded the option to do so, particularly given the ongoing retention challenges within the Defence Forces. [9781/26]
Climate 1 question
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has examined regulatory or legislative measures governing the retail sale of aerosol spray paints, including age-restriction or point-of-sale controls, as an environmental protection, waste-reduction, or anti-vandalism measure; whether comparative analysis of other jurisdictions has been undertaken; and whether regulatory reform is under consideration. [11450/26]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 9 votes · 7 questions · 1 new lobbying return

Questions asked 7 total

Taoiseach 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Migration and Social Affairs will next meet. [3770/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach for an overview of the' Budget 2026: Spotlight on Disability' report recently published by his Department. [3771/26]
Education 2 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a list of the new school builds commenced since 2023 where pre-school childcare has been co-located with the mainstream school setting, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10572/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the new building at a school in Glanmire, County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10571/26]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any consideration or investigation is underway since Budget 2026 to assess the appropriateness of a VAT reduction to stimulate the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9540/26]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of flood relief schemes commencements since 2020; the total cost of each to date per scheme; the average length of time spent in pre-planning consultation prior to each of these works commencing, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10558/26]
Social 1 question
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on the amount of money expended by his Department on fuel allowance, per annum, in each of the years 2022 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11294/26]

New lobbying 1 return

Retailers Against Smuggling Finance
- Tackling illicit trade

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 9 votes · 11 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 11 total

Health 5 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health for an update on the abolition of parking fee charges in hospitals. [9674/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the amount paid in parking fees to each of the Cork hospitals in 2024 and 2025 respectively, in tabular form. [9676/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the process for the involuntary admission of a child on the grounds of mental health crisis. [10366/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the location and number of adolescent mental health beds in Cork. [10367/26]
- 2026-02-11 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether a general practitioner (GP) with a GMS contract can allow another GP in their practice, or a regularly employed locum, see a GMS patient; whether there are set hours for GPs under the GMS contract or if they can work to a minimum number of hours; and whether there is any provision for the agreement of a GMS contract for less than 40 hours. [10711/26]
Finance 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he has met with the Revenue Commissioners to discuss the proposed derelict sites charge. [10022/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he plans to reduce interest rates being charged to mortgage holders who mortgages were sold to non-bank lenders after the financial crash. [10023/26]
Housing 2 questions
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether funding is available for independent mediation between communities and local authorities. [9197/26]
- 2026-02-10 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has met with stakeholders on the implication of SI 374/2024. [9679/26]
Education 2 questions
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason so many schools in Cork awaiting school buildings were not included on the priority list or supplementary priority list. [10021/26]
- 2026-02-12 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the opening of the special school in Carraig na bFhearr. [10020/26]