2026-03-18Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department are supporting and assisting Irish citizen residents in the Gulf region, specifically in relation to those who are eager to return to Ireland but are worried in regard to their employment contracts, in terms of repercussions that they can face for ‘breaching’ their contract of employment and leaving the region. [19802/26]
Transport1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport the inspection or monitoring which is undertaken by his Department to ensure that approved driving lessons are in compliance and accurately recording the completion of lessons in the drivers log book; if he is concerned whether some instructors may be filling in log books without the lessons having been completed in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18737/26]
Jerry Buttimer — Fine Gael
0 votes ·
0 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.
Micheál Martin — Fianna Fáil
0 votes ·
0 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.
Pádraig Rice — Social Democrats
0 votes ·
59 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked59 total
Health48 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the reason newly qualified paramedics have not been offered permanent contracts and instead have been informed that they must reapply for their current roles; if she was informed about the decision in advance; her views on this change to National Ambulance Service (NAS) policy; if she has engaged with the NAS regarding this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18406/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she intends to instruct the National Ambulance Service to reverse the decision not to offer newly qualified paramedics permanent contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18407/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, to outline the proposed governance, funding flows and accountability arrangements for the regional structures within the HSE health regions; if the local drug and alcohol task forces will retain independent governance and decision-making authority over locally delivered programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18408/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health how funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; if deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE health regions in making funding decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18409/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the specific measures that will be put in place to protect the independent, community-led role of local drug and alcohol task forces under the proposed regional governance arrangements in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18410/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if, under the proposed regional structures in the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029, all public funding for community-based drug services, including local drug and alcohol task forces, will be pooled at HSE health region level; the safeguards that will be put in place to prevent dilution of funding to areas of high deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18411/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of people directly employed to work in her Department, by grade. [18413/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the running cost of the Mount Carmel surgical hub in 2025; the allocation for this hub in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19304/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual running cost of each surgical hub once open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19305/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the total capital allocation for each surgical hub since the programme was initiated, by hub. [19306/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if any of the specific actions outlined can, or will, be advanced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19307/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the prohibitively high cost of hearing aids; if this will be dealt with in the new national hearing care plan; the timeline for publication of this plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19308/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the Programme for Government commitment to expand the RSV immunisation programme; the steps she is taking to deliver this commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19309/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the RSV immunisation programme for infants; if a proposal is being considered (details supplied); her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19310/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if specific information, training or education is provided to general practitioners with respect to neurodiversity (details supplied); his plans to provide such information, training or education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19616/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 5 March 2026, the sites in which the 7 WTE staff provided for under 2025 PrEP funding are working; if funding has been provided for additional staff in PrEP services in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20180/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will use the opportunity of the forthcoming United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) fifty-ninth session on 13 to 17 April 2026 to showcase Ireland's positive experience of reforming law and policy and expanding access to reproductive health and rights, including at events and discussions sponsored by Member States and international organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 5 March 2026, to provide further information regarding the Women's Health Service (details supplied); to provide details of the supports provided to sex workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20583/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the EOLAS programme (details supplied) will be funded and delivered on a national basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20596/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21216/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of children a waiting list for speech and language therapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21217/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the status of the audit of governance and equity in patient access and waiting list management at CHI; the timeline for completion and publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21200/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the wider look back of an individual consultant announced last month following phase one of the independent external review of the paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI and Dublin hospitals (details supplied); if this has begun; the timeline being worked towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21201/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update regarding the 62 patients recommended for further clinical follow-up following phase one of the independent external review of the paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI and Dublin hospitals; if all 62 have had their follow-up appointments; if not, the timeline for completing all follow-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21202/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the current timeline for completion of phase two of the independent external review of the paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI and Dublin hospitals (details supplied); if this work will be concluded by the end of 2026; if she will publish phase one when the full report is complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21203/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for physiotherapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category; and time waiting, in tabular form. [21204/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21205/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for ophthalmology by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21206/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for audiology by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21207/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for podiatry by health region and integrated healthcare area, and age category; and time waiting, in tabular form. [21208/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for community psychology services by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21209/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for counselling services by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21210/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for CAMHS by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21211/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for dietetics by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21212/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages by health region and integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [21213/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages in each month in 2025 and to date in 2026, by health region and integrated healthcare area, in tabular form. [21214/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of patients of Children's Health Ireland who received spinal surgeries through outsourcing arrangements in a private hospital in 2025 and to date in 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21219/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if any further patients of Children's Health Ireland have undergone spinal surgeries abroad through outsourcing arrangements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21220/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will publish a report by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21221/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to address the shortcomings identified in the regulatory framework for emergency services practitioners and providers (details supplied); the steps she has taken since she was first informed of this issue in September 2025; if she has met with the chairperson of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council regarding this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21222/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 2673 of 29 July 2025, if any work has been carried out to develop standard diagnostic policies or guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21223/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder services or initiatives in each of the years from 2020 to 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21224/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to an organisation in 2026 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21225/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of optometrists providing services to medical card patients under the community ophthalmic services scheme in January of each year since 2020, by HSE Health Region, in tabular form. [21226/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the budget for each hospital in 2025, in tabular form. [21227/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of beds utilised by the HSE in private nursing homes in the HSE Mid West region in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, by site, in tabular form. [21228/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the number of private nursing home beds utilised by the HSE in the Mid West region without a prior agreement in place in 2025 and to date in 2026, by site, in tabular form. [21229/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide further information with respect to the acquisition of a site in Raheen, Limerick to progress Option B from the Health Information and Quality Authority’s review of the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in HSE Mid West (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21230/26]
Social3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason people in receipt of disability allowance, unlike people in receipt of invalidity pension, do not automatically transition to the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18412/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to reclassifying maternity credits as paid contributions for the purposes of treatment benefit eligibility; if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to reclassifying maternity credits as paid contributions for the purposes of treatment benefit eligibility; if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/26]
Education2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth if plans have advanced for a new school building in Cork (details supplied); to provide clarification on the delays associated with the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19612/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 5 March 2026, to provide the timeline for when a school (details supplied) will receive further guidance on a report; if she is aware of the lack of communication the school has received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19895/26]
Justice2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there will be any further extensions to the travel confirmation notice with respect to Irish residence permits (details supplied); the steps he is taking to permanently address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20241/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been brough to the delays associated with the visa applications of a group of Iranian scholars (details supplied); if his Department has been in contact with these individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20796/26]
Children2 questions
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21215/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT, by health region and integrated healthcare area, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [21218/26]
Climate1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the funding opportunities available for projects relating to citizen science; if his Department have engaged with groups promoting citizen science projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/26]
Transport1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 7 July 2025, for a status update on the proposed pedestrian bridge connecting Tramore Valley Park in Ballyphehane in Cork, if the project has moved past the concept stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/26]
Séamus McGrath — Fianna Fáil
0 votes ·
17 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked17 total
Health6 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health if she will review the level of autism-specific training available to general practitioners; if she will consider providing additional supports or educational resources to primary care practices to ensure accurate, respectful, and evidence-based engagement with autistic and neurodivergent patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18718/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to comment on the National Ambulance Service’s departure from its established practice of offering permanent contracts to paramedics upon completion of training; and the basis for issuing short-term specified purpose contract extensions to newly qualified paramedics while requiring participation in an internal recruitment competition for permanent posts. [19572/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to review the process for the drugs payment scheme with respect to claims for CPAP, assisted breathing device (details supplied). [19824/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to consider including stiff person syndrome on the long term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19903/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health to clarify the position with respect to healthcare workers suffering from long-Covid and Critical Illness Protocols. [20331/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the planned Douglas Health Centre; and when it is expected to proceed to construction. [20338/26]
Transport3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to provide an up-to-date status on the CIÉ superannuation scheme for those who have not received an increase in their pension for the past 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve road safety and significantly reduce the number of fatalities on Irish roads; and to consider reviewing the role of the RSA. [20191/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding his plans to facilitate kerbside home electric charging points for residents who do not have a driveway; and the plans to allow householders channel a wire across the footpath. [20342/26]
Education2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding the proposed building extension for a school (details supplied). [18994/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a school in Cork City to accommodate children with additional educational needs (details supplied). [20240/26]
Housing2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to his recent announcement that over 11,000 social homes have been retrofitted since the introduction of the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme; to provide a breakdown on a local authority basis of the number of social homes that have benefitted; the allocation to each local authority to the end of 2025 under the scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the way in which savings or deposits should be treated in an application for social housing given the application form does not seek information on savings, only income, yet applications get refused when the Local Authority becomes aware of savings over a certain limit which seems undefined. [19902/26]
Climate1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he would support the continuation of the reverse vending machine grants under the Re-Turn scheme for retailers who set up business after the end of 2025 deadline. [18996/26]
Finance1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to consider introducing a tax relief for PAYE individuals who engage the services of an accountant for the purposes of their tax return and incur fees (details supplied). [19019/26]
Social1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the funding of a training course for a person (details supplied) by her Department and Turas Nua. [18857/26]
Justice1 question
2026-03-19Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of civilian staff employed by An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2023 to 2025; and to provide an update on recruitment for 2026 given civilian staff can play a significant role in keeping Garda stations open and accessible. [20578/26]