Mon, 16 Mar – 22 Mar 2026 · 5 TDs · 0 bills voted on · 54 questions · 0 new lobbying filings
Ciarán Ahern — Labour Party
0 votes ·
20 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked20 total
Transport8 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the number of each category of train tickets for Dublin Connolly-Sligo services that were sold in 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that have used ParkWest and Cherry Orchard train station for each month of 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20587/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the nature of refurbishment works carried out at Dun Laoghaire dart station in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20588/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for transferring responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination from the RSA to his Department following completion of Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 given this was not indicated in the plan itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21337/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport whether a transfer of staff occurred following the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department; if so, the roles transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21338/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to detail the additional staffing and resources provided to his Department following the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21339/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the structure of the road safety division within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21340/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of the engagements his Department has had with the Road Safety Authority, and the dates and nature of these engagements, since the transfer of responsibility for overall strategy development and coordination of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 from the RSA to his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21341/26]
Health4 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health whether an application for the inclusion of a cancer medicine (details supplied) in the HSE reimbursement scheme has been received; if she will expedite its inclusion when and if received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18391/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times to see a consultant paediatric nephrologist at CHI Crumlin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20589/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times to see a consultant rheumatologist at Tallaght University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20590/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health the key measures in the Day Services Capital Plan for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20591/26]
Education2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an Emergency Works Grant application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18336/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 25 September 2025, whether the Department has completed its review of the requirement to establish a new school at a site (details supplied) following the granting of planning permission for a large residential development in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19042/26]
Social2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of cases in which individuals with hearing impairments are being quoted over €5,000 for new hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19284/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase financial supports available for individuals in need of hearing aids; if he will consider increasing the level of support available under the treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19285/26]
Enterprise1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if in view of recent increases in oil prices (details supplied), he has had any engagement with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to request that they investigate price-gouging among suppliers; if not, whether he intends to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18974/26]
Justice1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of cases in which an individual was caught driving unaccompanied on a learner's permit in each of the past five years; the number of repeat offences; the number of these cases which resulted in the suspension of a license, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20698/26]
Further and Higher Education1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding eligibility criteria for the free fees Initiative to students who were born in and are citizens of Ireland but have not lived here for three of the previous five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18734/26]
Public Expenditure1 question
2026-03-19Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of historic and prehistoric sites in the charge of the Office of Public Works which are inaccessible to the public; to provide a list of such sites, and an explanation as to the reasons they are inaccessible to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21192/26]
Colm Brophy — Fine Gael
0 votes ·
0 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Quiet week — no questions filed or new lobbying returns.
John Lahart — Fianna Fáil
0 votes ·
16 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked16 total
Health5 questions
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the services being provided at Ballyboden Primary Care Centre; the services that remain in deficit there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18243/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart 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; whether 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. [18387/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the way funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026–2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [18388/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart 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. [18389/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health whether, 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. [18390/26]
Education4 questions
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the Teaching Council’s recognition of the postgraduate programme “iPGCE with iQTS: SEND – Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Education with International Qualified Teacher Status (SEND)” delivered by Coventry University through NITE in England; whether completion of this qualification allows a graduate to register as a primary special education teacher in Ireland; the criteria used by the Teaching Council in determining recognition of international teaching qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18523/26]
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will urgently review the stalled Emergency Works Grant application submitted in March 2025 by a school (details supplied). [21183/26]
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth the status of the long-delayed major capital project for a school (details supplied); the reasons for the continued lack of meaningful engagement with the boards of management despite fifteen years of progression attempts; and when her Department will provide clear timelines to allow this urgently needed redevelopment to proceed, in view of the worsening condition of both school buildings. [21184/26]
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to support a school (details supplied) in delivering the six autism spectrum (AS) classes they have committed to establishing under their new build, given that existing AS classes are operating in unsuitable prefabs separate from the main buildings; and if she will confirm the way her Department will ensure that children with additional needs in the community can access purpose-built, safe and inclusive accommodation without further delay. [21185/26]
Finance3 questions
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reasons motor insurance premiums can rise significantly for policyholders who have had no claims, no accidents, no penalty points, and no change in their risk profile; the factors that contribute to premium increases in such circumstances; the steps being taken to ensure that motor insurance pricing remains transparent and proportionate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20685/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason the removal of deemed disposal was excluded from Budget 2026, despite official recommendations; if he is minded to reform or abolish this policy; and the timeline, if any, for reviewing it, particularly as this issue affects not only professional investors but also responsible savers trying to build long-term financial security. [20799/26]
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has undertaken any analysis of the impact that the higher, deemed-disposal capital gains tax rate on index funds has on retail investor behaviour and capital market participation; if consideration would be given to aligning the capital gains tax rate and realisation rules for index fund investors with those applied to individual shareholdings to ensure tax neutrality across comparable asset classes; and in the context of encouraging low risk, long-term savings and investment, if he believes it is equitable that individual index fund investors face both a higher tax rate and a deemed realization of gains, unlike those investing directly in shares or property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20800/26]
Children3 questions
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will acknowledge that while it has been stated that legislation prevents the release of records relating to mother and baby homes, the relevant legislation was previously amended through the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters) Records Act 2020 to allow adopted persons and mothers access to information about themselves; if this demonstrates that the law can be amended where necessary; and if, in circumstances where the current legislative framework is viewed as preventing transparency and access to historical records, she will consider further amending the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20993/26]
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given that the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters) Records Act 2020 was previously amended to allow adopted persons and mothers access to information relating to themselves, if she accepts that this demonstrates that the legislative framework governing the archive can be amended where necessary; if she will consider introducing further legislative amendments to allow the wider release of the mother and baby homes archive with appropriate safeguards such as the redaction of personal data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20994/26]
2026-03-19Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has received legal advice indicating that the wider mother and baby homes archive cannot be released even where personal data and identifying information are redacted; if she will outline the legal basis for the continued sealing of the archive for 30 years; if she will confirm whether alternative approaches, including systematic redaction of personal data, have been formally examined as a means of facilitating broader access to the records while protecting privacy rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20995/26]
Justice1 question
2026-03-18Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding an application (details supplied) for a join family visa application. [18914/26]
Paul Murphy — People Before Profit-Solidarity
0 votes ·
16 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked16 total
Health6 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will instruct her Department to review the current reimbursement scheme, making drugs such as vyloy available for reimbursement. [18372/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy 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; whether 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. [19957/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which funding will be allocated within the proposed regional structures under the draft National Drugs Strategy 2026-2029; whether deprivation, social exclusion and patterns of entrenched drug-related harm will be formally weighted alongside population in determining resource allocation; and if she will publish the criteria to be used by HSE Health Regions in making funding decisions. [19958/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy 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. [19959/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether, 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 which 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. [19960/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the plans and progress in relation to the provision of appropriate staffing at the primary care centre being built at Citywest. [20687/26]
Climate5 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the oversight of works done by SEAI recommended contractors when the works are 100% funded by Government grants and who ensures the work is completed to standard. [19091/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment given the statutory requirement under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 to publish an annual update to the Climate Action Plan, can he clarify the precise legal and scientific basis for the delay in publishing the updated Plan for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19827/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in light of correspondence from five senior climate and legal academics disputing his justification for the delay of the updated Climate Action Plan, the specific evidence or advice that underpins his position. [19828/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the revised timeline for publication of the updated Climate Action Plan; and the way in which he assesses the impact of this delay on Ireland’s ability to meet its legally binding 2030 emissions reduction targets. [19829/26]
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment given the Environmental Protection Agency’s assessment that current and planned measures will result in Ireland missing its 2030 targets by a significant margin, the additional measures being prepared to close this gap. [19830/26]
Justice2 questions
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if turning off recommender algorithms by default and banning them completely for under-18s was considered by his Department as a tool for countering the emerging threat of nihilistic extremism in the context of the EU Internet Forum attended by the Minister of State with special responsibility for international law, law reform and youth justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19108/26]
2026-03-19Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he agrees with the recommendation of a report commissioned by him called An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland, which states that "the responsibility for the prosecution of offences should be removed from the Gardaí and all future Court proceedings should be conducted by legal professionals" (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will bring forward legislation to implement this recommendation. [19188/26]
Defence1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the implementation of the Regeneration and Development Plan of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18641/26]
Education1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she is concerned about the proposed move of a special school (details supplied); to outline where the school will be relocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18851/26]
Housing1 question
2026-03-19Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money allocated to South Dublin County Council for retrofitting of local authority housing stock in each of the years 2024, 2025 and 2026. [21160/26]
Seán Crowe — Sinn Féin
0 votes ·
2 questions ·
0 new lobbying returns
Questions asked2 total
Climate1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason that the replacement heat pump grant was announced by the SEAI as allowable from 3 February 2026, only for a later announcement to say that this was not the case. [18338/26]
Health1 question
2026-03-18Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a pricing and reimbursement application has been received by the HSE for zolbetuximab (Vyloy®); if the national assessment and decision process has begun; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19668/26]