Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 16 Feb

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 16 Feb – 22 Feb 2026 · 5 TDs · 5 bills voted on · 269 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

International Protection Bill 2026

2026-02-18 · 10 votes · Govt (Justice)

A bill to provide for the entry into, and presence in, the State of persons seeking international protection, while having regard also to the power of the Executive in relation …

full description

A bill to provide for the entry into, and presence in, the State of persons seeking international protection, while having regard also to the power of the Executive in relation to these matters; to give effect to Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast); to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States’ law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147; to give further effect to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on the 28th day of July 1951 and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on the 31st day of January 1967; to provide for the gathering of information from applicants for international protection; to provide for the removal from the State of certain persons; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An Binse um Achomhairc i dtaobh Tearmainn agus Filleadh or, in the English language, as the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals and to provide for its functions; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as Oifig an Phríomh-Chigire Nósanna Imeachta Teorann um Thearmann or, in the English language, as the Office of the Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures and to provide for its functions; to amend, or repeal certain provisions of, the International Protection Act 2015; to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, the Immigration Act 1999, the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000, the Immigration Act 2004 and certain other enactments; and to provide for related matters.

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion passed 76–61

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 1 Eoghan Kenny

Did not vote 2 Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

The motion · motion passed 81–64

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 41–101

Voted for 1 Thomas Gould

Voted against 3 Colm Burke · Eoghan Kenny · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 39–103

Voted for 1 Thomas Gould

Voted against 3 Colm Burke · Eoghan Kenny · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 63–79

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 58–78

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 62–81

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 62–80

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 77–62

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Voted against 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 62–78

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Did not vote 1 Ken O'Flynn

Quality in Public Procurement (Contract Preparation and Award Criteria) Bill 2021 [Seanad]

2026-02-18 · 1 vote

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 62–78

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

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ban on Investment Funds Purchasing Family Homes

2026-02-18 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 78–62

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

The motion · motion passed 78–62

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Work Life Balance (Right to Remote Work) Bill 2026

2026-02-18 · 1 vote · Labour Party PMB

A bill to provide for an entitlement of an employee to remote working arrangements where reasonably practicable, for this purpose to amend the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneou…

full description

A bill to provide for an entitlement of an employee to remote working arrangements where reasonably practicable, for this purpose to amend the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, and to provide for related matters.

Whether the bill should proceed (Second Stage) · motion failed 57–82

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Voted against 3 Colm Burke · Ken O'Flynn · Pádraig O'Sullivan

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-02-17 · 1 vote

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

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 15 votes · 21 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 21 total

Health 8 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a new cardiovascular strategy; the expected timeline for its publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether a new national cardiovascular strategy will be produced; if it will include nationwide screening and early detection of structural heart disease, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk assessment programmes; how Ireland will align with OECD and EU recommendations (details supplied); if dedicated resources will be allocated to prevention and early detection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13453/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the estimate for immunisation has increased from €10,788,000 in 2025 to €54,377,000 in 2026 in the Revised Estimates for Public Services under primary care reimbursement services (details supplied); the cause for this increase in immunisation spend; the services or costs which fall under this increased allocation; whether any budget has been allocated for the expansion of adult immunisation programmes, such as RSV vaccination for older adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13594/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to progress the lymphoedema and lipoedema model of care further to successful outcomes from Proof-of-Concept services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13894/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the draft Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13895/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the aspects of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomic Medicine that will be progressed in 2026; the funding that will be required to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13896/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the aspects of the Hereditary Cancer Model of Care that will be progressed in 2026; the funding that will be required to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13897/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the implementation of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) screening within the national newborn bloodspot screening programme; the target date for the rollout of SMA screening to all newborns; the Government’s ongoing commitment to expanding the newborn screening programme to include additional rare diseases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13898/26]
Education 3 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to strongly consider an appeal under the emergency works programme for an application for a school (details supplied), that was refused, to repair the dangerous, flooded area outside the infant classrooms that children must negotiate four times daily to access the yard and any recreation area; that she would address the safety concerns of the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13458/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the decision to withdraw SNAs from a school (details supplied) will be overturned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13688/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the decision to withdraw SNAs from a school (details supplied) will be overturned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13689/26]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens currently detained in ICE custody in the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12495/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on her Department’s collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security in the United States regarding Irish citizens who have uncertain immigration status and may be at risk of detention by ICE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12496/26]
Housing 2 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he would consider introducing measures to assist people to downsize, in particular older people who have 3/4 bedroom houses and are unable to afford the maintenance and upkeep of a larger property;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11751/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration would be given to introducing measures to assist people to downsize, in view that many homeowners are unable to maintain larger homes and wish to downsize to smaller property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11752/26]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the measures undertaken by his Department to reduce the backlog for employment permit renewal applications given that the current processing timeline is approximately four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13143/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of people employed in State-supported companies (companies that are client firms of state agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta) at the beginning of 2026; whether this represents an increase since the beginning of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13144/26]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans to reduce the cost of childcare to €200 per month per child through the national childcare scheme; if she will consider options to cap costs for larger families, as per the Programme for Government; the timeline for this reduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12905/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a timeline for the implementation of European disability cards in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12904/26]
Defence 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the funding allocated to infrastructure projects at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork, as outlined in the recently published Strategic Framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12488/26]
Agriculture 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decision letters will issue to applicants of the third window for non-productive investments (NPI) available to participants in the co-operation approach of ACRES which commenced on 5 August 2025 and closed on 17 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12025/26]

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 15 votes · 18 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 18 total

Health 12 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in St. James's Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12746/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Beaumont Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12747/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in The Mater Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12748/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in St. Vincent's University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12749/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in University Hospital Galway (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12750/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Limerick University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12751/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Waterford University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12752/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Portiuncula University Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12753/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Cavan General Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12754/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide the scheduled days and times of all HSE and NPTF "in-sourced" procedures in 2025, from 1 January to 31 December, broken down by specialist areas in Louth County Hospital (details supplied); if the patients treated via an insourcing procedure were on a validated active waiting list waiting in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12755/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the staffing issues in HSE South West CAMHS-ID team (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13394/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide clarity on an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13395/26]
Education 4 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department can request the NCSE and SENO to engage with the family of child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11698/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if an extension was placed on a planning application for a school building project (details supplied) where further information was required, before going to tender approval; the status of the project in terms of lapsing of dates for planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12034/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department can intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) to ensure that adequate special needs assistants provision is obtained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13551/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department and the NCSE will engage with a person (details supplied) to ensure an appropriate school place is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13797/26]
Public Expenditure 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for an update on agreed increases to retired staff of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/26]
Culture 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on agreed increases to retired staff of Eir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12353/26]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 5 votes · 202 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 202 total

Health 95 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if as of 1 January 2026, the HSE has identified any binding constraints on laboratory surge testing capacity in the event of a declared public health emergency; and if so, to specify each constraint by category (staffing, reagents, equipment, logistics). [12077/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the maximum daily PCR and sequencing surge capacity currently available within the public health laboratory system; the peak surge capacity achieved during Covid-19; and the variance between the two. [12078/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any tabletop exercises, stress tests, or simulations of laboratory surge capacity have been conducted since 2022; to provide the dates; and to summarise the findings. [12079/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the specific actions, funding approvals, or implementation milestones have been approved by her Department arising from the ESG report published in October 2024. [12080/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 874 of 9 December 2026, the governance and data-collection arrangements in place to monitor the impact of the public only consultant contract since its introduction in March 2023 (details supplied). [12102/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE has carried out any clinical risk assessment of patients with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or home-care dependency who rely on pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems to safely self-administer prescribed medicines; if so, the date of such assessment; the persons that conducted it; and if she will publish the findings. [12152/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equality or disability impact assessment has been undertaken in respect of the exclusion of pharmacist-prepared monitored dosage systems from State funding under the long-term illness scheme, having regard to obligations to provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities; and if not, when such an assessment will be initiated. [12153/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the clinical or professional guidance her Department relies upon when stating that monitored dosage systems should be used only as a last resort; the source of that guidance; whether it has been formally adopted in Ireland; and if she will confirm whether any Irish clinical standard governs access to medication compliance supports for vulnerable patients living in the community. [12154/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the examination currently being undertaken by her Department into the use of monitored dosage systems will conclude; whether it will consider funding options where such systems are clinically indicated; and if she will commit to publishing a clear policy position with defined eligibility criteria and timelines. [12155/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she accepts that requiring patients with disabilities to privately fund essential medication compliance supports may undermine safe administration of prescribed medicines in home-care settings; and if she will outline the alternative State-funded supports are available to such patients where phased dispensing is clinically inappropriate. [12156/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres currently in use at Cork University Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital; the hours each of those theatres are open in each of those hospitals, in tabular form. [12260/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dentists, by grade, dental nurses, by grade and dental hygienists, by grade, post filled at each primary care centre and health centre within CHO4 as of 9 February 2026. [12261/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists registrars based at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital as of 9 February 2026, in tabular form. [12262/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason high dose vaccines have been omitted from the recommendations by NIAC as a viable alternative to standard dose vaccines for inclusion in the influenza season 2026/27, especially given that HIQA reviewed high dose vaccines as part of a cost effectiveness health technology assessment in early 2025 and concluded that high dose vaccine strategies were clinically more effective to standard dose vaccine strategies, across a number of clinical outcome parameters not least of which was significantly reduced hospitalisations an issue that has resulted in significant impact on our hospitals during the current 2025/26 flu season. [12695/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to list the countries where high dose vaccines have been commercially available since 2010, and if they are typically the preferentially recommended option over standard dose for adults aged 60 or 65 years and older in many of these countries; given that NIAC themselves also reviewed their own guidelines in mid-2025 without making any alterations, if she will explain the reason the Government didn't request NIAC to update recommendations last year to facilitate the public good for season 2026/27. [12696/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the reason the her Department did not request NIAC to update recommendations last year to facilitate the public good for flu season 2026/27, given that NIAC also reviewed their own guidelines in mid-2025 without making any alterations; if she will now seek to cancel the tender; the steps she will take to ensure that high dose vaccines are reviewed by NIAC immediately so they can be available in flu season 2026/27 to optimise public health, and in doing so thus reflect the narrative from the strategic sourcing and contracting division within the Office of Government Procurement regarding the requirement for a competitive commercial procurement landscape being crucial to delivering value for money to the state. [12697/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to ensure the current tender process for season 2026/27 will go ahead; the reason she would not consider the creation of a pathfinder programme, as developed for the temporary usage of monoclonal antibody in RSV for the past two seasons (details supplied). [12698/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Primary Care Reimbursement Service holds reimbursement claims data for salbutamol nebules dispensed under the general medical services scheme from 1 January 2025 to date; and if so, to provide the total number of claims and the monthly breakdown [13447/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Primary Care Reimbursement Service holds reimbursement claims data for alternative nebulised bronchodilator products dispensed under the general medical services scheme from 1 January 2025 to date; and if so, to provide the total number of claims and the monthly breakdown, including identification of the relevant product categories [13448/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the HSE conducted any national analysis of prescribing substitution patterns arising from reported shortages of salbutamol nebules since 1 January 2025; and if so, to provide details of the methodology used and any conclusions reached [13449/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the national monitoring framework which is in place within her Department or the HSE to assess the patient impact of essential medicine shortages under the general medical services scheme; and whether this framework includes tracking of clinical substitution, cost impact, or regional variation [13450/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any additional expenditure has arisen under the general medical services scheme as a result of prescribing alternative products due to salbutamol nebule shortages since 1 January 2025; and if so, to provide the estimated amount and the basis of calculation [13451/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide, the full list of all non-statutory bodies in receipt of direct funding from her Department in each of the past five years; the annual amount allocated to each body; the policy unit responsible for oversight of each body; whether a formal governance framework is applied by the Department to each body; and the statutory or administrative basis under which such oversight is exercised, in tabular form. [13606/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department requires non-statutory bodies in receipt of direct funding to maintain a Department-approved safeguarding policy, a designated safeguarding officer, mandatory reporting procedures to the Department in the event of safeguarding concerns, compliance with Children First Act 2015 obligations, where applicable, and periodic certification of safeguarding compliance to the Department. [13607/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a central risk register in respect of non-statutory bodies receiving direct Departmental funding, conducts formal risk assessments prior to the allocation of funding, applies a risk-rating classification to such bodies, requires annual risk statements from funded bodies; and has defined escalation procedures where governance or safeguarding risks are identified. [13608/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether funding agreements with non-statutory bodies include defined service-quality standards, measurable performance indicators, reporting obligations beyond financial statements, periodic compliance reviews conducted by Department officials and documented evaluation of service delivery outcomes. [13609/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the frequency with which policy units formally review governance documentation submitted by funded non-statutory bodies, whether site visits or structured compliance engagements are undertaken by Department officials; whether written governance assessment reports are generated by the Department; and the number of instances in the past five years in which funding conditions were revised, suspended, or withdrawn due to governance concerns. [13610/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to specify the oversight mechanisms operated directly by her Department in respect of non-statutory bodies receiving direct funding, separate from annual financial audit, expenditure controls and post-hoc review by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and to identify the policy framework governing such mechanisms. [13611/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of claims submitted under the General Medical Services Scheme, Drugs Payment Scheme and Long-Term Illness Scheme for salbutamol nebules or equivalent short-acting bronchodilator nebule products in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025; the number and value of such claims paid; the number and value rejected or unpaid; and whether she will provide the corresponding figures for claims processed under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements during registered shortage periods. [13629/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department or the Health Service Executive maintains centralised data on the number of patients whose access to reimbursable salbutamol nebules or equivalent substitute products was impacted during registered shortage periods in 2024 and 2025; if so, the number recorded; and if not, whether she intends to introduce a monitoring mechanism to quantify patient impact during essential medicines shortages. [13630/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any formal risk assessment, clinical safety review, or value-for-money analysis was conducted in relation to the ongoing shortages of salbutamol nebules during 2024 and 2025; whether contingency procurement arrangements were activated; and what governance structures are in place to ensure uninterrupted reimbursement access for essential respiratory medicines for medical card holders. [13631/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total expenditure incurred in 2024 and 2025 on salbutamol nebules and equivalent substitute products under the Community Drug Schemes; the additional expenditure, if any, arising from the use of Exempt Medicinal Products during shortage periods; and the budgetary provisions in place to manage future supply disruptions. [13632/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the 2021 consultant post in child and adolescent psychiatry approved under the National Gender Service Model of Care (2018), referenced in PQ 70457/25, included in its job description or person specification any requirement to adhere to WPATH Standards of Care; and if so, the exact wording of that requirement and the date on which it was first approved. [13641/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the governance and approval pathway by which any requirement to adhere to WPATH Standards of Care was authorised for inclusion in the 2021 consultant child and adolescent psychiatry post referenced in PQ 70457/25, including the Departmental or HSE national clinical governance structure under which such approval was granted. [13642/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the policy rationale, evidential basis, and clinical guidance relied upon when approving the 2021 consultant child and adolescent psychiatry post referenced in PQ 70457/25; and whether any written clinical safety assessment, risk assessment, or governance memorandum was prepared at the time of approval. [13643/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the Department or the HSE retains documentary records, minutes, memoranda, or correspondence relating to the approval of the 2021 consultant child and adolescent psychiatry post referenced in PQ 70457/25; and whether the Minister will confirm the existence of such records and their retention under national governance procedures. [13644/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken to fill the 2021 consultant child and adolescent psychiatry post referenced in PQ 70457/25; the dates of each campaign; and the policy-level reasons recorded for the campaigns being unsuccessful. [13645/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health when the review of the National Gender Service Model of Care (2018), referenced in PQ 70457/25, formally commenced; the governance structure overseeing the review; and the anticipated completion date. [13646/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the manner in which the findings of the Cass Review are being incorporated into the review of the National Gender Service Model of Care (2018); and whether the Minister will publish the terms of reference for that review. [13647/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health what national clinical governance arrangements currently apply to specialist gender healthcare services for children and adolescents while the National Gender Service Model of Care (2018) is under review; and whether any interim clinical guidance has been issued since publication of the Cass Review. [13648/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any future recruitment specifications for consultant posts in child and adolescent gender-related services will be required to align strictly with the revised National Gender Service Model of Care; and the national clinical governance structure that will approve such specifications. [13649/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the oversight role exercised by her Department in approving or reviewing national clinical models of care which inform consultant recruitment specifications; and whether the Minister retains ultimate policy responsibility for ensuring that such models align with international evidence and best practice. [13650/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted a formal risk assessment of the requirement that dispensing pharmacies must contact the primary care reimbursement service on a case-by-case basis to secure reimbursement approval for clinically equivalent substitute medicines during a formally declared shortage; whether any patient-safety analysis has been undertaken regarding potential delays in access to time-sensitive respiratory medicines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13652/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether there is a formal departmental policy providing for automatic reimbursement of clinically equivalent substitute medicines once the Health Products Regulatory Authority has listed a reimbursable product as being in shortage; if not, whether she will outline the policy rationale for the absence of such an automatic trigger mechanism; and whether consideration is being given to introducing same. [13653/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to set out the statutory, regulatory, or administrative basis under which Exempt Medicinal Products are supported under Discretionary Hardship Arrangements during medicine shortages; whether these arrangements are governed by published criteria; and whether her Department intends to place such arrangements on a formalised national footing. [13654/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the administrative burden placed on community pharmacies in circumstances where substitute reimbursement must be individually queried with the Primary Care Reimbursement Service; whether any review has been undertaken of processing times, approval rates or rejected applications in such cases over the past three years; and if she will provide the findings of any such review. [13655/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national clinical governance guidance has been issued by her Department or by the HSE in respect of reimbursement decision-making during shortages of time-sensitive respiratory medicines, including salbutamol nebules; whether such guidance addresses continuity of care, risk mitigation, and equity of access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13656/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions in the past three years on which medicines listed on the Community Drug Schemes Reimbursement List were formally declared in shortage by the Health Products Regulatory Authority; in how many such cases substitute reimbursement required discretionary approval; and whether her Department maintains a central register of such occurrences. [13657/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted any value-for-money or cost-comparison analysis between maintaining automatic substitute reimbursement mechanisms during shortages and operating the current discretionary case-by-case approval model; and if she will provide details of any such analysis undertaken since 2020. [13658/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any equity impact assessment has been conducted to determine whether patients without medical cards or without established drugs payment scheme eligibility face additional barriers in accessing substitute medicines during shortages; and whether she will outline any measures in place to prevent differential access arising from reimbursement mechanisms. [13659/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has engaged with representative bodies for community pharmacists, respiratory clinicians, or patient advocacy groups in relation to reimbursement continuity during medicine shortages; whether any formal consultation process has been undertaken since 2020; and if she will provide details of the outcome of any such engagement. [13660/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether she will commit to publishing a formal contingency reimbursement protocol setting out clear, automatic procedures for substitute medicine reimbursement where a reimbursable product is listed in shortage by the Health Products Regulatory Authority; and if she will indicate a timeframe for the development and publication of such a protocol. [13661/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2074 of 13 January 2026, to list all written directions, circulars, guidance notes, governance frameworks or performance requirements issued by her Department to the HSE since 2018 concerning the treatment abroad scheme, including prior authorisation governance, escalation rules for high-cost approvals, and the reporting of approvals and expenditure to the Department; and, if none, to state how her Department ensures formal oversight of high-cost overseas referrals funded from the Health Vote. [13690/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2074 of 13 January 2026, whether her Department receives any routine dataset or report from the HSE on treatment abroad scheme approvals and expenditure, including the number of applications received, the number approved, the number refused, the average cost per approval and total spend by year since 2018; and if so, to specify the reporting frequency, the responsible unit in her Department and the date on which such reporting commenced. [13691/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any written requirement to the HSE since 2018 to categorise treatment abroad scheme expenditure by procedure type for departmental governance and cost control purposes; and, if not, to state the reason her Department does not require procedure-level categorisation for Exchequer oversight. [13692/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved any national governance, safeguarding, and clinical governance framework for gender identity services for children and young people, including required standards, audit arrangements, and lines of accountability; and if so, to provide the title, date of approval, and the name of the unit responsible for monitoring compliance. [13693/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted or commissioned, since 2019, any risk assessment, safeguarding assurance review, or governance assessment of gender identity services for children and young people, including assessment of diagnostic governance, consent safeguards, data completeness, and clinical oversight; and if so, to provide the date, the commissioning body, and whether recommendations were issued to the HSE for implementation. [13694/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has completed any formal assessment since 2018 of the WPATH Standards of Care for the purposes of alignment with Irish health governance frameworks, including appraisal methodology, conflicts-of-interest screening, and evidence grading; and if so, to provide the date and the governance route by which the assessment was approved. [13695/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued any written instruction to the HSE to establish a national dataset for gender identity services for minors, including referral volumes, diagnostic profiles, treatment pathways, and outcomes; and if so, to specify the minimum dataset fields required, the legal basis relied upon, and the target date for national coverage [13696/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has approved a national KPI set for recruitment governance across services funded under the Health Vote, including vacancy definitions, clearance timelines, time-to-hire, and development post delivery; and if so, to list the KPIs, the definitions used, and the date of departmental approval. [13697/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2162 of 13 January 2026, whether her Department requires the HSE to provide recruitment and vacancy data to the Department on a standardised national template with consistent definitions across all regions; and if so, to provide the date such standardisation was introduced and the compliance arrangements in place. [13698/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2164 of 13 January 2026, whether her Department will require the HSE to report quarterly to the Department the estimated cost to the Health Vote of bed days lost associated with delayed transfers of care, including type E homelessness and housing support categories; and, if not, to state the reason cost reporting is not required for a clearly identified driver of hospital capacity loss. [13699/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2164 of 13 January 2026, whether her Department has approved any standard national methodology for calculating bed-day cost for governance and planning purposes, including the cost basis used and whether it is applied consistently across hospital groups; and if so, to provide the methodology reference and the date it was approved. [13700/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department requires maternity services to record and report, as a national patient safety governance measure, any instance where signs of life are observed following a termination of pregnancy, including whether any national data return is required from maternity hospitals to the Department or to a national programme; and if not, to state the policy basis for the absence of a mandatory national governance return. [13701/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has commissioned or overseen since 2019 any national clinical audit, serious incident learning review, or patient safety governance review in relation to reporting and governance arrangements for cases where signs of life are observed following a termination of pregnancy; and if so, to provide the number of reviews, the dates, and whether findings were provided to her Department. [13702/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to the reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 2312 to 2316 of 13 January 2026, whether her Department holds the HSE tender evaluation summary, cost-effectiveness analysis, and decision documentation underpinning the decision not to procure enhanced influenza vaccines for the 2025 to 2026 season; and if so, to state whether she will publish the non-commercially sensitive elements of that documentation in the interests of transparency. [13703/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the full list of national workforce Key Performance Indicators currently agreed between her Department and the HSE for 2025; the date on which each KPI was formally approved; the reporting frequency for each; and whether each KPI is published, in tabular form [13740/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the average time taken to fill funded vacant posts, from approval to commencement in post, is monitored at national level; if so, the most recent national figure; and if not, whether she will introduce a national time-to-fill benchmark as a matter of policy [13741/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to provide the number of funded vacant whole-time equivalent posts in each of the six health regions as of the most recent reporting date; and the corresponding vacancy rate expressed as a percentage of funded workforce [13742/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to state the total expenditure on agency staffing in each Health Region in 2024 and 2025 to date; and whether her Department has undertaken any analysis correlating agency expenditure with funded vacancy levels [13743/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health to outline the recruitment control measures introduced in 2023 and 2024; the policy rationale for those measures; and whether any impact assessment was undertaken regarding their effect on vacancy levels, service delivery, or patient waiting times [13744/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the current number of medicines listed as being in short supply on the national medicines shortage list maintained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority; the number of these classified as critical or without a clinically equivalent alternative; the average duration of shortages recorded in each of the past three years; and the steps being taken at Departmental level to reduce recurrence and duration of shortages [13762/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department maintains a formal medicines supply resilience strategy addressing strategic stockholding, diversification of supply chains, early warning mechanisms and substitution protocols; if so, when it was last reviewed; and if she will outline the key policy measures currently in force [13763/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department receives routine structured reports from the Health Products Regulatory Authority and the HSE regarding medicines shortages affecting chronic disease management, including respiratory conditions; the frequency and format of such reports; and how this information informs policy and budgetary planning [13764/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether automatic reimbursement mechanisms are in place under community drug schemes to ensure that where a reimbursable medicine is unavailable due to shortage, clinically appropriate substitute medicines are reimbursed without additional administrative burden on patients or prescribers; and if not, whether she will introduce such a mechanism [13765/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the patient safety, treatment interruption or cost implications arising from medicines shortages in the past three years; if so, the findings of that assessment; and if not, whether such an assessment will now be commissioned [13766/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has issued formal policy guidance to the Health Service Executive or to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics regarding the appropriate time horizon to be applied in health technology assessments where medicines are intended to reduce the long-term incidence of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13785/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department requires that lifetime modelling of avoided downstream healthcare costs, including reduced hospital admissions, surgical interventions, dialysis, and long-term disability supports, be incorporated as standard practice in value-for-money assessments conducted under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13786/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has undertaken any review of the balance between short-term budget impact considerations and long-term prevention-based savings in medicines reimbursement decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and whether any policy changes are under consideration in this regard. [13787/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the extent to which population-level disease prevention benefits are reflected in cost-effectiveness evaluations carried out by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive; and whether she intends to issue policy guidance clarifying how such prevention benefits are to be weighted in future reimbursement decisions. [13788/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any internal Departmental policy documents, circulars, or guidance notes exist concerning the incorporation of long-term prevention outcomes in medicines reimbursement decisions under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; and whether she will arrange for any such documents to be published. [13789/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department receives annual or quarterly statistical reports from the Health Service Executive on discretionary medical card approvals and refusals granted under the General Medical Services scheme in respect of persons aged over 70; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13798/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the data provided to her Department by the Health Service Executive on discretionary medical card decisions is disaggregated by age cohort, geographic region, and outcome; and if she will outline the categories of data routinely received. [13799/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards granted to persons aged over 70 following a means assessment in each of the years 2020 to 2025, inclusive; and the number of applications in that age cohort refused following discretionary assessment in each year. [13800/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has conducted any review, audit, or policy assessment since 2020 of trends in the exercise of discretion in medical card eligibility decisions affecting persons aged over 70; and if she will provide details of any such review. [13801/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national guidance or policy directives are issued by her Department to ensure consistency in the exercise of discretion under the medical card scheme; and if she will outline the governance arrangements in place to monitor consistency and equity of outcomes for older persons. [13802/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the financial impact on older persons who are refused discretionary medical card eligibility but granted a GP Visit Card; and if she will outline any policy considerations arising from such assessment. [13803/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total number of whole-time equivalent GPs practising in the State in each year from 2020 to 2025; the estimated population per GP ratio in each year; and whether demographic change, including inward migration, is factored into primary care workforce planning models. [13869/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the total amount of funding allocated in 2025 and to date in 2026 to commission external private providers under Service Level Agreements or Grant Aid Agreements for the provision of primary care level child and adolescent psychological interventions in HSE South West; and the breakdown of that funding by provider and agreement type. [13870/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents referred to external commissioned providers under Service Level Agreements or Grant Aid Agreements in HSE South West in 2025 and to date in 2026; the average cost per intervention episode; and the average number of sessions delivered per child. [13871/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the impact of the commissioning of external psychological service providers in HSE South West on primary care child psychology waiting lists; the reduction achieved in average waiting time in months; and the performance metrics used by the HSE to evaluate value for money and clinical outcomes under these agreements. [13872/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether it is Government policy to continue the commissioning of external private providers for primary care level child and adolescent psychological interventions beyond 2025; and how this commissioning model aligns with national workforce planning for publicly employed psychologists. [13873/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether all Service Level Agreements and Grant Aid Agreements entered into in 2025 in HSE South West for the provision of primary care child psychology services are subject to formal clinical audit; and if so, the dates of audits conducted and whether any compliance or performance issues were identified. [13874/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether her Department receives, holds, or reviews aggregated data from the Health Service Executive or the Primary Care Reimbursement Service on the exercise of discretion in medical card eligibility decisions following a means assessment; the total number of applications in which discretion was considered in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the number granted on a discretionary basis; the number refused following discretionary consideration; whether such data is disaggregated by age cohort including persons aged over 70; whether the Department analyses trends or regional variation in discretionary decision-making; and the policy, audit, or governance mechanisms in place to ensure national consistency in the exercise of discretion under the general medical services scheme. [13884/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether any formal reporting framework exists between the Health Service Executive and her Department in respect of discretionary medical card decisions; the frequency of any such reporting; whether performance indicators, audit reviews, or internal compliance checks are conducted in relation to discretionary refusals; and if she will outline the Department’s role in supervising the exercise of discretion under the general medical services scheme. [13885/26]
Children 25 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the current statutory framework governing Garda vetting requires mandatory re-vetting at defined intervals for individuals working in regulated child-care or early years settings; if so, to specify the legislative provision underpinning such requirement; and if not, whether legislative amendment has been considered [13461/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department receives, on an annual or periodic basis, aggregated statistical reports from Tusla on the number of emergency child removal applications made under Section 13 of the Child Care Act 1991; whether such reports include age breakdowns, including children under one year of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13613/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she requires Tusla, under any governance framework agreed with her Department, to report on the outcomes of emergency child removal proceedings, including rates of reunification, care orders, guardianship or adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13614/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department requires Tusla to conduct internal audit, quality assurance review, or evidential compliance review of emergency child removal applications; whether summary findings of such reviews are reported to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13615/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has sought or received any data from Tusla in the past five years regarding emergency child removal applications in which material allegations were subsequently amended, withdrawn, or corrected during proceedings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13616/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any national policy guidance, approved or noted by her Department, requires Tusla to apply additional procedural safeguards, specialist assessment protocols, or disability-informed practice standards when child protection proceedings involve a parent with a diagnosed autism spectrum condition or intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13617/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she has issued, or is considering issuing, any general policy direction to Tusla under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 in relation to evidential standards, proportionality thresholds, or quality assurance mechanisms in emergency child removal cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13618/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the Tusla Board is required to report to her Department on governance risks or systemic concerns arising from emergency child removal decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13619/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the figure of four governance or safeguarding concerns received since 2020, as referenced in correspondence to the Deputy, relates solely to concerns formally recorded by Tusla’s Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service in respect of registered children’s residential centres under Part VIII of the Child Care Act 1991; and whether any additional governance, safeguarding, compliance or oversight concerns have been recorded since 2020 in relation to private companies providing care services funded by the State outside that specific statutory inspection framework [13745/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department is formally notified when Tusla records governance or safeguarding concerns relating to privately operated residential centres; if so, the mechanism and timeframe for such notification; and what policy review, contractual oversight, or funding control measures are triggered at Departmental level following receipt of such notification [13746/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department maintains a centralised register or consolidated database of governance, safeguarding, compliance or regulatory concerns relating to private companies delivering care services funded in whole or in part by the State; if not, whether she will establish such a register in the interests of transparency, public accountability, and value-for-money oversight [13747/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total annual Exchequer funding paid to privately operated children’s residential centres in each year since 2020; and whether she has conducted or commissioned any risk assessment examining whether the scale of private provision presents governance, safeguarding, or systemic oversight risks [13748/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in State care who have been in care for more than two years, more than five years, and more than ten years; whether her Department sets any national policy targets, benchmarks, or key performance indicators in respect of time-to-permanency for children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13753/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has issued any written guidance, circulars, or policy directions to Tusla concerning the maximum duration a child may remain in voluntary care under section 4 of the Child Care Act 1991; whether any statutory or administrative time thresholds apply requiring escalation or court review after a defined period in voluntary care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13754/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any mandatory senior management review, independent permanency review, or Department-level reporting requirement is automatically triggered once a child exceeds a defined duration in State care, including two years or more; if so, the details of the relevant policy framework; and if not, whether she will introduce such a requirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13755/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality what proportion of children currently in long-term foster care are subject to adoption orders, enhanced guardianship, special guardianship, or other permanent legal arrangements; whether her Department requires formal consideration of adoption or guardianship once a child exceeds a defined duration in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13756/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department compiles or publishes data on the average and median duration of time spent in State care before permanency is secured; whether such data is reported to her on a periodic basis; and if she will outline the governance and oversight mechanisms through which time-to-permanency outcomes are monitored at Departmental level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13757/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department accepts that the Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance do not provide an express statutory basis for early years services to share serious staff-conduct safeguarding information between employers where the conduct falls short of a criminal threshold, including for recruitment references, suitability assessments, and risk management; and if she will outline the Department’s position on whether primary legislation is required to address this. [13879/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has conducted, commissioned or received any legal, policy, or regulatory review since 2020 on “lawful information-sharing” in the early years sector for safeguarding concerns relating to adults working with children, including analysis of data protection, employment law and fair procedures constraints; and if she will provide the title, date, and executive summary findings of any such review. [13880/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has considered establishing a statutory safeguarding-disclosure scheme for early years services, including (a) a defined threshold for disclosure based on risk to children, (b) independent assessment prior to any adverse finding, (c) notice to the staff member, (d) an appeal mechanism, (e) time limits and proportionality rules, and (f) oversight and audit arrangements; and if she will outline the options assessed and the preferred approach. [13881/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality what guidance her Department has issued to early years services on the recording, retention, and sharing of staff-related safeguarding concerns that do not meet the mandated reporting threshold, including guidance on risk assessments, internal investigations, and reference requests; and if no such guidance has issued, whether she will publish sector specific guidance in 2026. [13882/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has engaged with Tusla, the Data Protection Commission, and representative bodies for early learning and childcare providers on the practical barriers to safeguarding information-sharing about staff conduct across early years settings; and if she will provide the dates of engagement and the key issues raised. [13883/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she is formally notified, either directly or through structured reporting arrangements, of substantiated governance or safeguarding failures identified by Tusla in early years services that receive public funding; if so, to outline the reporting mechanism, frequency and thresholds for notification; and, if not, to state how she is satisfied that systemic safeguarding risks are escalated to ministerial level. [14828/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of occasions since 1 January 2020 on which substantiated governance or safeguarding failures in publicly funded early years services have been escalated to her Department at senior official level; the categories of concern involved; and whether any resulted in policy review, regulatory amendment, contractual revision, or funding sanction at Departmental level. [14831/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to set out the formal governance interface between her Department and Tusla in respect of oversight of early years services, including whether a structured compliance reporting template exists, whether trend analysis is conducted centrally, and whether aggregated safeguarding data informs policy development or funding decisions. [14832/26]
Education 18 questions
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the national criteria and methodology used by the NCSE in determining annual SNA allocations to primary schools; whether this methodology has changed for the 2026/27 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13225/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary schools notified of a reduction of two or more SNA posts for the 2026/27 school year and if she will provide a county-by-county breakdown [13226/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any impact assessment has been carried out on the educational and care implications of SNA allocation reductions; and if she will outline same [13227/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of SNAs allocated to primary schools in Cork for the 2024-2025, 2025-2026 and projected 2026-2027 school years respectively [13228/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether in recent special needs assistant review cycles, any revised guidance has issued to the National Council for Special Education distinguishing between level 2 and level 3 primary care needs for the purpose of determining reductions in SNA allocation; and if she will clarify the policy basis for any such distinction [13546/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the safeguards which exist within the special needs assistant review appeals process to ensure that schools are not discouraged from lodging appeals; whether any departmental guidance addresses the possibility of further allocation changes following an appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13547/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the quality assurance procedures that are in place within the National Council for Special Education to ensure accuracy in SNA allocation correspondence issued to schools; whether any internal review has taken place following instances of incorrect allocation notifications, and if she will outline the governance framework governing such communications. [13548/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth Education the current operational status of the special needs assistant redeployment scheme referenced in Circular 0032/2025; whether it is fully operational nationwide; and the way allocation reductions are managed in schools pending full implementation of the scheme [13549/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of primary schools in County Cork that have experienced a reduction in special needs assistant allocation following National Council for Special Education review during the 2024 and 2025 school years; and whether her Department is satisfied that reductions are being applied consistently and proportionately [13550/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has considered establishing a national reporting framework requiring schools to submit anonymised data on serious disciplinary incidents involving weapons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13620/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has issued specific national disciplinary guidance addressing incidents involving weapons on school premises, distinct from general critical incident guidance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13621/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth how her Department satisfies itself that current governance arrangements adequately monitor trends in serious safety incidents, including weapon-related incidents, in the absence of centralised data collection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13622/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any formal or informal guidance has been issued by her Department or by the National Council for Special Education in the 2025–26 review cycle indicating that pupils in fifth and sixth class in mainstream primary settings should not be considered eligible for special needs assistant support solely by reference to their class level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13779/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the eligibility criteria for special needs assistant allocation are based exclusively on documented care needs rather than age or class grouping; and to outline the current policy position governing this. [13780/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any revised circular, directive, operational instruction or internal policy guidance was issued to the National Council for Special Education or to Special Educational Needs Organisers in advance of the 2026 SNA review cycle altering the weighting of mainstream primary care needs; and if so, to provide details. [13781/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the SNA appeals mechanism permits a reduction in allocation beyond that originally notified where an appeal is submitted; and to outline the procedural safeguards in place to ensure that the exercise of the right of appeal does not expose schools to additional allocation loss. [13782/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has conducted any review of the operation of the SNA redeployment scheme for the 2025–2026 school year; to provide the number of SNA posts redeployed nationally in that period; and to outline how redeployment interacts with reductions notified to schools. [13783/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth the net national change in mainstream SNA posts, excluding special class allocations, between the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years; and to provide the number of primary schools experiencing a reduction of one or more full-time equivalent SNA posts for September 2026. [13784/26]
Housing 13 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date his Department decided to conclude centralised monitoring of the ‘room for a student – local authority tenancies scheme’ after December 2024; the analysis or performance metrics informed that decision; whether any formal submission, briefing note, or internal recommendation supported that decision; and whether he will provide the criteria used to determine that the scheme no longer required ongoing national oversight [13471/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the administrative costs incurred by his Department and local authorities in developing, promoting, and operating the ‘room for a student – local authority tenancies scheme’ between December 2023 and December 2024; whether any value-for-money review has been conducted; and whether the cost per additional room delivered has been calculated [13474/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the formal reporting framework now exists, if any, to provide his Department with ongoing national oversight of the scheme’s performance; whether any standardised reporting template has been issued to local authorities; and the way he satisfies himself that the scheme remains operational and effective across all local authority areas [13475/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department maintains an internal monitoring framework, dashboard or structured reporting mechanism which tracks the number of Notices of Termination issued in the private rental sector as a core housing performance indicator; if so, the frequency at which such data is formally reviewed at senior management or Ministerial level; whether any thresholds, trend analyses or risk alerts are applied to this data to identify emerging pressures in the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether a formal policy decision was taken in 2025 to reduce or limit the use of tenant-in-situ acquisitions under the Second-Hand Acquisitions Programme; if so, the date of that decision; whether Cabinet approval was sought; and the policy rationale underpinning the change [13854/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total capital allocation provided for tenant-in-situ acquisitions in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the originally approved allocation for 2026; whether any revised spending ceiling has been issued to local authorities for 2025 or 2026, by local authority. [13855/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of tenant-in-situ acquisitions completed nationally in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the number approved but not yet completed; and the number of applications refused or withdrawn in each year. [13856/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Department has undertaken any assessment of the impact of reduced tenant-in-situ acquisitions on entries into emergency accommodation in 2025; and if so, if he will publish that assessment. [13857/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any circular, directive or written guidance was issued to local authorities in 2025 limiting, prioritising or redefining the criteria for tenant-in-situ acquisitions; and if so, if he will provide a copy of that guidance. [13858/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether funding previously allocated for tenant-in-situ acquisitions has been reallocated to the Buy and Renew programme; the value of any such reallocation; and the policy justification for that shift [13859/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average acquisition cost per dwelling under the tenant-in-situ approach in 2023, 2024 and 2025; and how this compares to the average cost per dwelling under the Buy and Renew programme in the same period [13860/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Government intends to continue the tenant-in-situ approach as a core homelessness prevention measure in 2026; and if so, what target number of acquisitions has been set [13861/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual population increase in each of the years 2022 to 2025; the number of residential housing completions in each corresponding year; and whether the Department has assessed the impact of net migration on housing demand projections to 2030. [13868/26]
Justice 12 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of the regulations required to implement a functional periodic payment order framework; the reasons the anticipated Q4 2025 timeline has not been met; the revised timeline for signature and commencement of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12700/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has held any formal meetings since 1 January 2025 with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality regarding safeguarding-disclosure or re-vetting arrangements in the early years sector. [13462/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to opt into the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, his Department completed or commissioned any Ireland-specific written impact assessment, quantitative modelling exercise, or formal risk analysis examining the projected effect of participation in the Pact’s solidarity mechanism on the number of international protection applicants entering the State; and if so, the title, date of completion, and whether such assessment was submitted to Government prior to Cabinet approval [13682/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether, prior to the opt-in decision, his Department conducted any Ireland-specific analysis or modelling of potential secondary movements into the State from the United Kingdom, including movements across the Northern Ireland land border, arising from the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; and if so, the methodology used, the principal findings; and whether the analysis was reflected in Cabinet briefing materials [13683/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department prepared any written projections of international protection accommodation demand, reception capacity requirements, or associated public service pressures linked to Ireland’s participation in the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; and if so, the projected figures for the first three years of operation; and whether these projections were considered by Government prior to the opt-in decision [13684/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department prepared any fiscal impact analysis estimating the potential cost implications for the State arising from Ireland’s participation in the solidarity mechanism under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, including scenario modelling under high-inflow conditions; and if so, the estimated cost ranges identified; and whether such analysis was submitted to Government [13685/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a formal risk register, sensitivity analysis, or scenario-planning document was prepared by his Department prior to Ireland opting into the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; and if not, the reasons no structured Ireland-specific quantitative risk assessment was completed in advance of the Cabinet decision [13686/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he will publish any Ireland-specific impact assessments, modelling documents, briefing papers, or risk analyses prepared by his Department in advance of the Government decision to opt into the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; and if not, the grounds upon which publication is being withheld [13687/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Government operates a formal capacity-based planning framework linking annual inward migration projections, including asylum and temporary protection; if so, to provide details of the metrics used; and if not, whether he will introduce such a framework. [13862/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projected gross inward migration figures for 2026 and 2027, broken down by international protection applicants, beneficiaries of temporary protection, and family reunification. [13863/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time from initial international protection application to first instance decision; the average time to final determination including appeal; and the measures being implemented to reduce decision timelines in 2026. [13864/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of final negative international protection decisions issued in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of deportation orders signed in each year; and the number executed; and whether additional resources have been allocated to enforcement capacity in 2026. [13865/26]
Enterprise 8 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the justification for the continued roll-out of the built to innovate initiative, with €6.8 million in public grants approved to date, in the absence of an independent external evaluation and in circumstances where productivity impacts are currently measured only at firm level rather than across the residential construction sector as a whole during a national housing shortage. [7828/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has conducted, commissioned or received any regulatory impact assessment, economic modelling or internal policy analysis since 1 January 2021 examining the cumulative administrative and compliance costs arising from customs declarations, tariff classification requirements, VAT registration obligations or brokerage fees affecting Irish small and medium-sized enterprises exporting parcels to the United Kingdom and the United States; and if he will provide details of such analysis, including dates, authorship and whether it was published. [13706/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has estimated the average per-parcel administrative cost incurred by Irish SMEs exporting low-value consignments to (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the United States, including customs declarations, intermediary brokerage fees, VAT compliance and associated documentation; and if no such estimate has been undertaken, whether he intends to commission one [13707/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has engaged with the Revenue Commissioners regarding simplified customs procedures or reduced administrative burdens for micro-exporting SMEs reliant on parcel trade; the dates and nature of any such engagement; and whether specific policy proposals have been developed arising from those discussions [13708/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department holds data or has conducted analysis on the number or proportion of Irish SMEs for whom small-consignment parcel exports constitute their primary export channel; and if so, the findings of that analysis. [13709/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the Cost of Business Advisory Forum established in June 2025 has specifically examined customs compliance costs, parcel export brokerage fees, or international e-commerce administrative burdens as part of its remit; and if so, whether recommendations have been made or are under consideration by Government [13710/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether the forthcoming Enterprise 2035 strategy will contain specific measures aimed at reducing customs-related compliance costs for SMEs engaged in cross-border parcel trade; and if he will outline any draft policy proposals currently under consideration [13711/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of employment permits issued in 2025 by sector; whether each sector is classified as experiencing a verified skills shortage; and whether an updated labour market needs analysis has been completed for 2026 permit quotas. [13866/26]
Climate 8 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment which agency has statutory responsibility for the installation, operation and maintenance of continuous monitoring infrastructure on major rivers. [13828/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has conducted an assessment of Ireland’s current capacity to detect acute pollution events in real time; whether any gaps were identified following the Blackwater incident; and what corrective measures are now being implemented at policy level. [13829/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he intends to establish a formal national “Major Fish Kill Emergency Protocol” setting out mandatory inter-agency leadership, immediate catchment-wide chemical sampling requirements, and defined response time targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has reviewed the adequacy of enforcement provisions under the Environmental Liability Directive and the Industrial Emissions Directive in light of the inability to identify the pollutant or source in the Blackwater case; and whether legislative or regulatory amendments are under consideration. [13831/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department has commissioned an economic valuation of the 2025 Blackwater fish kill, including ecological loss, recreational impact, and restoration costs; and whether such valuation will inform future deterrence and enforcement policy. [13833/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether additional restoration funding will be allocated to the Munster Blackwater catchment in light of the 2025 fish kill; and whether revised environmental objectives or accelerated recovery measures are being considered under the Water Framework Directive. [13834/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether he will publish a detailed implementation plan responding to the recommendations contained in the independent review of the 2025 Blackwater fish kill; and if he will provide a timeline for delivery of each recommendation. [13835/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether his Department maintains data on the proportion of fish kill investigations since 2015 in which the pollutant or source remained undetermined; and whether policy reforms are being developed to reduce the incidence of undiagnosed cases. [13836/26]
Foreign 6 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in light of reports that up to six Irish citizens have been detained in United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities for periods of up to five months, and in view of the Taoiseach’s statement in Dáil Éireann that she became aware of one such case only following media reports, if she will address a number of related issues (details supplied) [12422/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has granted any form of recognition, accreditation, endorsement, or official status to the organisation (details supplied) ;whether any individual associated with that organisation has been authorised, formally or informally, to act in any diplomatic, consular, trade, representative, advisory, or quasi-diplomatic capacity on behalf of the State; whether her Department has at any time since 2015 provided funding, grants, sponsorship, financial assistance, logistical support, venue access, official branding approval, or any other material support to this organisation or to any entity associated with it; the total amount of public monies, if any, paid by her Department to this organisation or related entities in each year since 2015; whether this organisation has engaged in meetings, correspondence, or structured engagement with her Department or its officials; if so, the dates and nature of such engagement; and whether her Department has undertaken any assessment of the potential for public or international misunderstanding arising from the use by private organisations of diplomatic titles or terminology which may imply official State authority. [13761/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the aggregate proportion of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 that was retained by implementing partner organisations for programme support costs, overhead, administration, consultancy or management charges; and the blended effective overhead rate across total ODA expenditure for each of those years. [13886/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount of funding provided in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 through core contributions to multilateral organisations; the programme support cost percentage applied by each such organisation to Ireland’s contribution; and the resulting estimated monetary value of programme support costs deducted from those contributions in each year. [13887/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department applies any benchmark, ceiling, or reference range in respect of acceptable administrative or overhead cost ratios when approving grants under Ireland’s Official Development Assistance programme; if not, the rationale for the absence of such benchmarks; and whether any funded programme in the years 2022, 2023 or 2024 exceeded internally assessed acceptable thresholds for overhead or programme support costs. [13888/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of instances in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 in which funding provided under Ireland’s Official Development Assistance programme was subject to financial correction, recovery, suspension, or clawback following audit or evaluation findings; and the total monetary value involved in each year. [13889/26]
Transport 5 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department accepts that the Road Safety Authority data supplied in reply to Question No. 242 of 2026 shows an increase in serious injuries involving scrambler bikes on public roads between 2022 and 2025; whether his Department has conducted any trend analysis of this data; and if he will publish any such analysis. [12117/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or the Road Safety Authority holds or has access to data on serious injuries and fatalities involving scrambler bikes and off-road vehicles in public places other than public roads, including parks, housing estates and green spaces; if not, whether he will direct that such data be collated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed legislation commonly referred to as “Grace’s Law” to prohibit the use of scramblers and similar off-road vehicles in public places; the expected date of publication of the Bill; the proposed commencement timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12119/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has examined policy options to restrict the retail sale or supply of non-type-approved scrambler bikes for use by minors; whether any such proposals are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12120/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether, in light of the number of pedestrians and cyclists seriously injured in collisions involving scrambler bikes, his Department has assessed the wider public safety implications beyond road users; and the measures being developed to address these risks. [12121/26]
Public Expenditure 5 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the policy rationale for proposals to bypass ministerial involvement in the approval of major infrastructure projects; whether he accepts that these proposals represent a reduction in direct ministerial accountability to the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11927/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the proposed removal or reduction of ministerial decision-making roles in major infrastructure approvals is reconciled with the constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility to Dáil Éireann; and if he will outline the legal basis for this approach. [11928/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any formal assessment has been carried out by his Department to determine if delays in major infrastructure delivery are attributable to ministerial decision-making, statutory processes, or other factors; to provide details of any such assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11929/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the person that will bear political and administrative responsibility where a major infrastructure project approved under the proposed streamlined arrangements is delayed, over budget, or fails to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11930/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the mechanisms will remain in place to ensure democratic oversight, transparency, and parliamentary scrutiny of major infrastructure projects where ministerial involvement in approvals is reduced or removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11931/26]
Defence 5 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the estimated average cost to the Exchequer of recruiting, inducting and training a General Service Recruit in the Permanent Defence Forces, broken down by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps; the total estimated cost of recruits who did not complete training in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and the estimated cost of personnel who left the Permanent Defence Forces within 24 months of induction in each of those years [13749/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether her Department has set formal annual retention targets for the Permanent Defence Forces; if so, the specific percentage attrition ceiling or numerical retention target set for each service; the key performance indicators used to measure retention; and the most recent performance against each of those indicators [13750/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether service-specific retention targets have been set for the Naval Service and Air Corps in light of previous staffing pressures; the projected staffing levels required to meet full operational capacity in each service; and whether current recruitment and retention trends are sufficient to meet those projected requirements over the next three years [13751/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence the number of recruits discharged by purchase in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the average length of service at exit for such personnel; and the estimated financial impact on the Defence Vote arising from voluntary early departures within two years of induction [13752/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether changes to eligibility criteria for recruitment into the Permanent Defence Forces are under consideration; whether non-citizen eligibility expansion is being examined; and to outline the policy rationale for any such proposals. [13867/26]
Culture 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the indicative opening date for applications under the 2026 round of the Community Sports Facilities Fund, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme; whether applications will be submitted through the OSCAR online portal; the maximum grant amounts that will apply for local projects, regional projects, and equipment-only applications under the 2026 scheme; when the full scheme guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11974/26]
Social 1 question
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total actual expenditure incurred (as opposed to allocated or contracted amounts) to date in respect of clients classified as TPU and referred to contracted public employment services; to provide a breakdown of this expenditure by programme (Local Area Employment Services (LAES) and the National Employment Services (NES)); to outline the number of TPU clients referred under each programme during that period; the average cost per TPU client; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13899/26]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 15 votes · 8 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 8 total

Defence 2 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to resolve Defence Forces equipment deficits, as Ireland remains the only EU country without a sovereign military-grade primary radar system, leaving it unable to independently monitor its own airspace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12110/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken to deal with the recruitment and retention crisis in the Defence Force; when she expects staffing levels to reach 11,500 personnel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12111/26]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment , to provide a detailed update on his Department’s strategy to reverse the identified €1 billion year-on-year decline in tourism revenue; the timeline for the implementation of the 'A New Era for Irish Tourism' policy, specifically detailing how the €200 million allocated for product development will be prioritised to support regional tourism businesses currently struggling with high energy costs and reduced visitor spend."; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the immediate measures his Department is taking to mitigate the severe financial pressure on the small and medium enterprise sector following the cumulative impact of the national minimum wage increase to €14.15 and the commencement of the pension auto-enrolment scheme on 1 January 2026; if he will specifically address concerns from representative bodies that the Budget 2026 measures have failed to provide a sufficient 'cost of business' offset for labour-intensive sectors like retail and hospitality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/26]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address the growing crisis of 'childcare deserts', and the 40,000-long waiting list for children under three; if she will commit to a definitive date for introducing pay parity between early years graduates and primary school teachers to stem the exodus of qualified staff, which is currently preventing the opening of 17,000 unused childcare places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13309/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality regarding the impact of the change to guardians ad litem via the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 on the role and function of guardians ad litem in court proceedings; if she has any concerns regarding the effect of these legislative changes on the protection and representation of children’s best interests before the courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5960/26]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider addressing the deemed disposal issue relating to exchange-traded funds in budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13958/26]
Education 1 question
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm the total number of special needs assistants and whole time equivalents that were employed by the State in each of the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13565/26]

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 14 votes · 20 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 20 total

Education 9 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth to urgently review the case of a school (details supplied) that has suffered a significant loss in SNA numbers for the upcoming school year [12452/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether the new special school in Carraig na bFhearr will open. [13140/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of SNA provisions reduced from schools after the latest NCSE review, by county, excluding new posts sanctioned, in tabular form. [13336/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review the cuts to SNA provision in a school (details supplied) [13337/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cuts to SNA provision in a school (details supplied). [13338/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review the cuts to SNA provision in a school (details supplied) [13339/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth tthe number of SNAs to be redeployed in the 2026/2027 school year by county, in tabular form. [13340/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools who had SNA provision downgraded on review for the 2026/2027 school by county, in tabular form. [13341/26]
- 2026-02-18 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used to determine SNA eligibility for Level 1 and Level 2 needs children [13342/26]
Transport 3 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposal to make the BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) delivery drone zone over Cork City permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12019/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the Kerry Pike pedestrian improvement scheme has passed planning but only received €140,000 in funding from the NTA this year. [13589/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether planning for a road safety improvement project that requires acquisition of private land can be passed prior to any agreement for acquisition. [13591/26]
Defence 2 questions
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions she has taken to improve pay and conditions in the Defence Forces. [12457/26]
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions she has taken to resolve the issue whereby 85% of Defence Force buildings in Cork are uninhabitable. [12458/26]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average wait time in 2025 for a child to be seen for a first appointment by a CDNT. [12459/26]
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions she has taken to improve CDNT access in Cork. [12460/26]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of homes liable for the vacant homes tax, by county, in 2025. [12263/26]
Housing 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the maximum equity a person can hold in their home to still qualify for the mortgage to rent scheme. [12430/26]
Health 1 question
- 2026-02-17 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the requirements for a GP to obtain a GMS contract; and if they must fulfil any specialist training and the length of time that training takes. [11714/26]
Enterprise 1 question
- 2026-02-19 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the Cork city tourism plan and its implementation. [12462/26]