Mon, 16 Mar – 22 Mar 2026 · 3 TDs · 0 bills voted on · 99 questions · 0 new lobbying filings
Grace Boland — Fine Gael
0 votes ·
21 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked21 total
Children14 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of enduring powers of attorney registered and activated under the decision support service since its commencement in April 2023 and provide a comparison with those registered and activated in 2022 under the previous system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19112/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current average processing time for enduring powers of attorney applications submitted to the decision support service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19113/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to address the reported complexity and restrictive nature of the decision support service online portal, particularly for older people and those with limited digital access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19114/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the performance of the decision support service since its inception; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19115/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline any planned reforms or legislative changes to the new enduring powers of attorney regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19116/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 has been convened; the date of its first meeting; the membership of the Committee; the schedule of meetings for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19128/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the first Action Plan and detailed departmental actions, indicators and timelines under the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19129/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of the National Equality Data Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19130/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the Gender Flagship Technical Support Instrument toolkit developed to support gender responsive policy and budget planning is being incorporated into the implementation of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030; the extent to which it has been disseminated across Government Departments; the status of associated civil service training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19131/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the dedicated budget allocation for the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 for the years 2025 to 2027; the staffing resources assigned to support implementation; the level of additional funding provided to other Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19132/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 is being coordinated with related national gender equality frameworks including EU supported gender mainstreaming measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19133/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will commit to publishing aggregated childcare demand and capacity data, similar to the way information in education, housing and health planning is publicly shared, to support evidence-based planning and policy development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19295/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a ranking of local electoral areas showing where childcare unmet demand is highest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19296/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the status of work by her Department to develop projected childcare demand modelling based on population growth and housing development; the timeline for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19297/26]
Public Expenditure2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the source of funding used by the State to discharge financial penalties imposed on Ireland by the European Union arising from infringement proceedings, including failure to transpose directives within the required timeframe; whether such penalties are paid directly from the Exchequer or another central fund; whether the costs are subsequently recouped from the Vote of the Department responsible for the failure to transpose or otherwise comply with EU law; the total amount paid by the State in such penalties in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20485/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether a formal mechanism exists within Government to hold Departments financially accountable where financial penalties are imposed on the State by the European Union arising from failure to transpose directives or otherwise comply with European Union law within the required timeframe; if such a mechanism exists, the details of the arrangements in place, including any requirement for costs to be recouped from the relevant Department's Vote; if no such mechanism exists, whether consideration is being given to introducing such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20486/26]
Enterprise2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider establishing a national Exporter Recognition Symbol that Irish exporting firms could display at their premises, to highlight their contribution to the Irish economy and promote public awareness of Ireland’s export-led growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider incorporating a public-facing Exporter Recognition Scheme into the implementation of Ireland’s Trade and Investment Strategy 2022–2026, to help promote Ireland’s trading reputation domestically as well as internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19249/26]
Health1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department will send a delegation to participate in the United Nations Commission on Population and Development (CPD) fifty-ninth session on 13-17 April 2026 and share the unique journey and positive impacts of Ireland's progress with respect to law, policy and practice on reproductive health and rights in Ireland at associated side-events and panel discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19134/26]
Justice1 question
2026-03-19Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which his Department is supporting Cuan in advancing measures that allow victims to remain safely in the home while the abuser is required to leave, as highlighted in recent engagement with stakeholders and local representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20725/26]
Transport1 question
2026-03-19Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of the A spine rollout under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21363/26]
Louise O'Reilly — Sinn Féin
0 votes ·
14 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked14 total
Justice5 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how the child maintenance calculator will handle difficult issues that arise, such as putting a figure on lost income for parents who give up work to raise children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20896/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he intends the child maintenance calculator to be one-size-fits-all; if he has given consideration to how it will deal with self-employed people with variable incomes; how it will deal with edge cases - for example, those with lower liquid assists but with property or land, such as farmers; or those with non-salary income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of workers who retired from the public service in each of the last three years who have a fast accrual element to their public service pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21552/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether figures arising from the new 'child maintenance calculator' are intended as guidance only; the extent to which they will be used as guidance; if they may influence judicial decision-making, and to what extent; if they will be somehow legally binding or required; what the underlying calculations are; the evidence used for these calculations; the full extent of which people, staff, or organisations were consulted as to how figures would be tabulated and as to how certain variables would be weighted; if he will publish the full extent of the research undertaken by his Department that has been drawn on to create the calculator; and whether these calculations will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20907/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether future revisions of the child maintenance calculator will incorporate cost-of-living and necessary expenditure considerations; whether the formula of the child maintenance calculator will be benchmarked to inflation; whether international best practice models are being reviewed as part of this reform; the consultation that took place with single parents and family law practitioners prior to implementation; how his Department plans to monitor outcomes for children affected by this model; if he is aware of the disproportionate rates of poverty and material deprivation affecting children in single parent households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20908/26]
Housing4 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No’s 148,149,150,151,152 of 16 July 2025, if he will provide this Deputy with a complete copy of the Department/NPWS’s correspondence concerning gulls and public health and safety with the HSE in 2017 as cited in his reply; if he will also provide copies of any consistent/similar correspondence that his Department/NPWS has had with the HSE in respect of wild bird species subject to lethal control nationally under the general derogation for the past forty-plus years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18320/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No’s 148,149,150,151,152 of 16 July 2025, and his statement in his reply that he is satisfied that the NPWS carries out their functions in a balanced and measured manner in line with the legislative provisions for the protection of wild birds, if he will confirm that he is also satisfied that, since the withdrawal of the proactive, protective derogation (that ran from 2017-2023), schools that have nesting seagull colonies on their roofs must apply to his Department/NPWS for licences to protect schoolchildren from attack and injury by seagulls, a policy reversal with multiple negative consequences for schools and the children in their care; his views on whether this derogation should be re-instated with immediate effect, and prior to the 2026 seagull breeding season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18321/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued any public notices that it is perfectly legal under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 (Amended) to remove nests from occupied buildings provided they do not contain eggs or hatched chicks; if no such public notice has been issued, and as the Oireachtas has legislated for this entitlement, will he direct his Department/NPWS to issue such a public notice in the interests of adherence to normal public service standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18322/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a summary of all wildlife licences granted in the period 2019 to 2025 in respect of herring gulls and removal of their nests and eggs, such a summary to include the licence date, location, the reason for which licences were sought, the approved control actions; the specific legal grounds for the granting of the licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18323/26]
Education2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 16 July 2025 and her predecessors reply in the context of the protection of school children, in addition to her Department’s undertaking “to review this matter with the HSE to determine whether there is a need to communicate further guidance on this matter to schools in the coming term”, if she will provide this Deputy with a copy of all of the undertaken review correspondence with the HSE and the outcomes therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18317/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth in the context of the protection of school children, is she aware of the fact that the previous Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage/National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), upon the advice of his then Department/NPWS, withdrew the proactive, elective Derogation Regulation, ; her views on whether the derogation must be restored with immediate effect, before the 2026 breeding season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18318/26]
Defence1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Defence the number of workers who retired from the public service in each of the last three years who have a fast accrual element to their public service pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18967/26]
Public Expenditure1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the cost of restoring the supplementary pension for public service workers with an entitlement to fast accrual for the workers who retired in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18968/26]
Children1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in the context of the protection of school children, is she aware of the fact that the previous Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage/National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), upon the advice of his then Department/NPWS, withdrew the proactive, elective Derogation Regulation, ; her views on whether the derogation must be restored with immediate effect, before the 2026 breeding season [18319/26]
Robert O'Donoghue — Labour Party
0 votes ·
64 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked64 total
Education18 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures in place to ensure that primary school teachers receive mandatory training in supporting children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; whether she will outline the level of ADHD-specific training currently required in initial teacher education and continuing professional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18835/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department monitors the way in which schools support children with ADHD who are awaiting HSE psychological services; the interim educational supports that are available to such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18836/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the guidance that is issued to schools regarding classroom strategies for children with ADHD, including movement breaks, sensory supports, and differentiated instruction; whether this guidance is mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18837/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether additional special educational teaching hours can be allocated to a child with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis who is experiencing significant emotional dysregulation and academic difficulty, pending access to psychological services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18838/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will detail the process by which schools can apply for additional special needs assistant support where a child with ADHD presents with emotional regulation difficulties and potential risk factors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18839/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department has assessed the impact of long waiting lists for HSE occupational therapy and psychology services on children’s educational outcomes; the findings of that assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18840/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the oversight that exists to ensure that children diagnosed through private providers following referral under the HSE’s assessment of need process receive timely recognition and educational supports within the school system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18841/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will consider introducing mandatory ADHD awareness modules for all primary school staff, including training on executive functioning difficulties, sensory regulation, and trauma-informed approaches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18842/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the mechanisms in place to address situations where a child with ADHD is repeatedly disciplined for behaviours arising from their disability; whether her Department monitors exclusion or suspension rates for neurodivergent pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18843/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether schools are provided with sufficient funding for classroom supports such as sensory tools, fidget aids, and environmental adaptations; if she will consider ring-fenced funding for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18844/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a child with mixed abilities who accepts a placement in a mainstream primary school and is granted access to a special needs assistant automatically forfeits their place on a special school waiting list; if she will clarify the policy position in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18883/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of mixed-abilities special education classes that will be required from September 2026 in the constituency of Fingal West; the number of children currently identified as requiring a place in such classes in September 2026; the measures being taken by her Department to ensure that sufficient places are provided to meet this demand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18911/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if financial assistance is available to parents who are required to make long journeys following on from the cessation of a bus service (details supplied) in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18953/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the grant or allocation provided to schools (details supplied) for each substitute teacher cover has increased in each of the past 20 years; to provide a year-by-year breakdown of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19251/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of funding currently allocated to post-primary school for the employment of substitute teachers (details supplied); the basis on which this allocation is calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19252/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the allocation for substitute teacher cover (details supplied) has remained unchanged over the past two decades despite increases in salary scales and cost-of-living pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19253/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the changes that have occurred in substitute teacher daily rates and salary scales over the past 20 years (details supplied); if she will provide a breakdown of these changes by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19254/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the ongoing review of the special needs assistant contract will be completed; if this review will include consideration of updated qualification and skills requirements for the role; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20052/26]
Housing15 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of shark fin products and derivatives under Irish Law; the person or body responsible for enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20058/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing homelessness crisis and the Government's decision to restrict the tenant-in-situ scheme; the specific alternative mechanism put in place at the time of the restriction to prevent tenants at risk from entering homelessness; the date this mechanism become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19236/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing homelessness crisis and the Government's decision to restrict the tenant-in-situ scheme, the number of households that would previously have qualified under the tenant-in-situ scheme that have since presented to homeless services following the restriction of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19237/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing homelessness crisis and the Government's decision to restrict the tenant-in-situ scheme, the evidence-based assessment, risk analysis or modelling carried out by the Department prior to the decision to restrict the scheme, particularly in relation to projected increases in homelessness presentations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19238/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing homelessness crisis and the Government's decision to restrict the tenant-in-situ scheme and given the continued rise in homelessness figures, will the Minister acknowledge that restricting the scheme has exacerbated housing insecurity and commit to urgently restoring the tenant-in-situ scheme in full, pending the introduction of a more effective homelessness prevention measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19239/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing homelessness crisis and the Government's decision to restrict the tenant-in-situ scheme, the projected additional number of households expected to enter homelessness in 2026 as a direct consequence of the policy change if the scheme is not going to be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19240/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the analysis undertaken by his Department comparing the cost to the State of providing emergency homeless accommodation with the cost of preventing homelessness through the tenant-in-situ acquisition scheme operated by local authorities and the housing agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19335/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average annual cost to the State per household placed in emergency accommodation, including hotels, B and Bs and family hubs in the years 2020 to 2025 inclusive, in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19336/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average capital cost per dwelling acquired under the tenant-in-situ scheme, including purchase price, legal fees and refurbishment costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19337/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost to the Exchequer over a five-year period of supporting a household in emergency accommodation compared with the cost of acquiring a property under the tenant-in-situ scheme for that household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has conducted or commissioned value-for-money or cost-benefit analysis comparing, emergency accommodation expenditure, and, homelessness prevention measures such as tenant-in-situ purchases. [19339/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure on emergency accommodation in each of the years, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the total expenditure on tenant-in-situ acquisitions over the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19340/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will publish any internal reports or analysis undertaken by the Department or the housing agency comparing emergency accommodation and the tenant-in-situ scheme approaches [19341/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the statutory oversight mechanisms that exist where a property managing agent appears to be operating in place of, or without effective oversight from, an owners' management company in a residential estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20006/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to governance concerns raised by residents in relation to the management of an estate (details supplied), including the role of a managing agent and the apparent absence of regular AGMs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/26]
Further and Higher Education7 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the closure of the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) since 3 February 2026; who made the decision to close the programme; the basis on which the decision was taken; and what has changed to allow students to return on a restricted timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20276/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether the decision to close the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) was based on a formal engineering report, risk assessment or other professional advice; if so, when the advice was received; if he will provide details of the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a full record of all closures, restricted timetables, or reduced provision affecting the Youthreach programme at a location (details supplied) during the 2025/2026 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who authorised the restricted timetables and early closures affecting the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) during the period August to November 2025; the reason these measures were implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20279/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who authorised the two-week period of half-day provision at the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) in November 2025 related to the canteen issue; and the alternative arrangements were considered to maintain a full programme timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20280/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the oversight or intervention that was undertaken by SOLAS and the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board when it became apparent that the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) was experiencing repeated closures and restricted provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20281/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that will be taken to ensure that students attending the Youthreach centre in at a location (details supplied) are not academically disadvantaged due to the loss of programme time during the 2025/2026 academic year. [20282/26]
Culture6 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has met with representatives of a union (details supplied) who represent workers in RTÉ; if so, the dates; if he will provide a summary of the matters discussed in relation to the proposed workforce reduction and restructuring plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the mechanisms that will be in place to ensure that where production is outsourced to the commercial sector, there is full transparency and accountability regarding the expenditure of public funds, including safeguards to ensure that such arrangements do not result in reduced public oversight or diminished value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19203/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he agrees with the findings of a recent report (details supplied) that take up of fibre to the home broadband continues to be below average amongst older people and amongst small businesses; if so, the policy measures his Department are pursuing to encourage the commencement of the process of copper switch-off which would have a significant impact in driving take up of fibre to the home amongst these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20268/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being undertaken by his Department to promote the take up of fibre to the home fibre broadband amongst Irish SMEs, considering data which suggests adoption remains low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department supports the prioritisation of the switching off of copper broadband technology; to set out the measures his Department have taken or supported to achieve this objective; if his Department has a national target date for when all copper broadband will be switched off within the State; if not, the reason there is no such policy objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20271/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the relevant building and telecommunications regulations are now legally aligned with the terms of the Gigabit Infrastructure Act; the guidance available to developers to support their compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20272/26]
Climate3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether the EU-wide digital recreational fisheries reporting system, RecFishing, which was launched on 9 January 2026, pursuant to the revised EU Fisheries Control Regulation, will be rolled out in Ireland; and whether it will be compulsory for all recreational anglers in Ireland to register and record their catches using the associated mobile application once the system becomes operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18325/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding Ireland's draft Social Climate Plan; when the draft plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the second consultation process for Ireland's draft Social Climate Plan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20527/26]
Transport3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that app-based taxi platforms provide accurate information and prevent misleading practices that inflate fares (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18980/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport in view of his plans for a forum to reduce congestion, whether he is aware that the ESB has moved staff from its airport offices back to the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport in view of his plans for a forum to reduce congestion in Dublin, his views that the Government funded Institute of Public Administrations plans to secure multi million euro prestigious offices in the city centre should be paused; his views that consideration should be given to decentralisation to an alternative site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20066/26]
Agriculture3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any discussions or expressions of interest with his Department for any future octopus farms in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20057/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of warnings from EU farm organisations that the price of EU-produced fertilisers has increased by approximately 25% in the past month compared with the 2024 average, and given that fertilisers account for between 15% and 30% of horticulture farmers’ input costs on average, the steps he is taking to support growers and the horticulture sector who are already facing severe pressure from rising input costs and negative margins across the arable sector for the third consecutive year; and the measures being considered to mitigate the impact of escalating fertiliser prices on the viability of growers and horticultural producers. [20735/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific measures his Department intends to take to address the growing number of reported dog attacks on sheep and other livestock, including whether current dog control legislation and enforcement mechanisms are sufficient to protect farmers animals and livestock welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20584/26]
Public Expenditure2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the expected completion date of the works on the Round Tower in Kells, County Meath; when the protective wrap will be removed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if any consideration has been given by him for the publicly funded Institute of public administration plans to acquire new multi million euro offices to be paused in light of the continued housing crises or decentralised in light of the Dublin congestion crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20068/26]
Justice2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the remedies that are available to homeowners where an owners' management company does not appear to be functioning effectively, including where annual general meetings are not being held for multiple years and residents are unable to obtain information on governance structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20007/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the obligations on owners' management companies under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 in relation to holding annual general meetings, agreeing annual budgets with members, and ensuring that homeowners have appropriate representation and oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20009/26]
Health2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if there are any discussions or plans to move the HSE Environmental Health Inspectors under the remit of the Food Safety Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20059/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health in light of reports that some pharmacies are now charging patients for the delivery of prescription medications, if she will outline the funding or supports currently available to ensure that patients who are unable to travel to their local pharmacy, particularly older people, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas, can continue to access their prescribed medicines without additional financial burden; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18240/26]
Finance2 questions
2026-03-19Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the continued rise in fuel prices which is placing severe financial pressure on families and workers across the State; whether he has considered the introduction of an emergency cost-of-living payment to support households affected by these increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will outline any discussions he has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure, , Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Minister for Social Protection regarding additional supports to assist households struggling with rising fuel costs; whether the Government is considering a temporary reduction in fuel excise or VAT as a measure to alleviate pressure on families and commuters; and if he will provide a timeline for any proposed cost-of-living interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21257/26]
Enterprise1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being undertaken by his Department to promote the take up of fibre to the home fibre broadband amongst Irish SMEs, considering data which suggests adoption remains low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20270/26]