Cork North-Central — week of Mon, 23 Mar — Watch Them Work

What your Cork North-Central TDs did this week

Mon, 23 Mar – 29 Mar 2026 · 5 TDs · 9 bills voted on · 87 questions · 0 new lobbying filings

Votes this week

National Oil Reserve Agency (Amendment) Bill 2026: Committee and Remaining Stages

2026-03-25 · 1 vote

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 58–85

Voted for 2 Eoghan Kenny · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Ken O'Flynn

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Energy and Fuel Costs

2026-03-25 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–67

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

The motion · motion passed 79–68

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Structural Reform of Child Welfare Governance

2026-03-25 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

The motion · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Cancer Services

2026-03-25 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

The motion · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

An Garda Síochána

2026-03-25 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

The motion · motion passed 79–69

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 4(2)) (Scheme Termination Date) Order 2026

2026-03-25 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 45–103

Voted for 2 Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Voted against 2 Colm Burke · Eoghan Kenny

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

The motion · motion passed 101–45

Voted for 2 Colm Burke · Eoghan Kenny

Voted against 2 Ken O'Flynn · Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

2026-03-24 · 1 vote

The week's Dáil business schedule · motion passed 85–63

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil

2026-03-24 · 1 vote

The motion · motion passed 84–66

Voted for 1 Colm Burke

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

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Financial Resolution No.1: Mineral Oil Tax

2026-03-24 · 2 votes

An amendment to the bill · motion failed 69–88

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

Voted against 1 Colm Burke

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

A budget financial resolution · motion passed 118–39

Voted for 3 Colm Burke · Eoghan Kenny · Ken O'Flynn

Voted against 1 Thomas Gould

Did not vote 1 Pádraig O'Sullivan

Colm Burke — Fine Gael 15 votes · 24 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 24 total

Education 6 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review an appeal under the emergency works programme for an application for a school (details supplied) that was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21621/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an additional accommodation project application by a school (details supplied); when they can proceed to the next phase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21623/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) will be permitted to progress from stage 2b of the additional accommodation scheme for a new building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21624/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) will be awarded funding to complete a project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21625/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an application by a school (details supplied) application under the additional accommodation scheme; when a decision will issue on whether it will proceed to the next stage, as the works are urgently needed by the school and its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21626/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of a school’s (details supplied) multiple applications under the emergency works scheme; when decisions will be issued in each case as the works are urgently needed by the school and its pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21627/26]
Agriculture 4 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to the introduction of salary bands for registered veterinary nurses to ensure that they reflect the qualification status, and in particular taking into account the additional hidden costs incurred by registered veterinary nurses annually including annual registration fee with the Veterinary Council of Ireland, the completion of 12 continuing veterinary education credits annually, in addition to long working hours, unpaid overtime and increasing workplace pressures;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to the introduction of salary bands for registered veterinary nurses to ensure that they reflect the qualification status, in view that the average salary for a registered veterinary nurse in Ireland remains significantly below the national average, despite completing Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 Degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to greater oversight of corporate veterinary employment practices to ensure fair competition and protect staff welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to the provision of funding supports to veterinary practices employing registered veterinary nurses (RVNs), enabling fair pay to RVNs without passing the entire cost onto pet owners and farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/26]
Health 3 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action her Department is taking in view of the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22057/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; whether patient advocacy organisations (details supplied) will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22058/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if her Department has engaged with private health insurers to review the operation of the coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22059/26]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding her Department's collaboration with other neutral EU countries to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East from an EU perspective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22476/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the action her Department has taken to date to ensure Ireland’s trade relationship with Middle Eastern regions has continued and stabilised since the start of the war in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22373/26]
Justice 2 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason for the refusal of a citizenship application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21567/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22161/26]
Rural 2 questions
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when applications for the next round of the community centre investment fund will open; whether it will be for new builds or refurbishments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21756/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when applications for the next round of the town and village renewal scheme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/26]
Climate 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if a register for vulnerable customers will be established for home heating oil to support those with challenging circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21614/26]
Transport 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22478/26]
Culture 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a group (details supplied) will be permitted to utilise the funding awarded to it under the 2023 Sports Capital Equipment Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21729/26]
Further and Higher Education 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration would be given to the inclusion of paid clinical placements for student veterinary nurses, similar to students in the HSE who receive approximately €21,399 (pro-rata) for their 36-week degree placements, while student veterinary nurse students complete months of full-time unpaid clinical work, which is no longer viable in the current cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/26]
Finance 1 question
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide an update on Ireland's transposition of the EU Alternative Investment Fund Management Direction; and if, as part of, or on foot of, the transposition, there will be updates to Ireland's regulatory framework to better facilitate the establishment of regulated retail Irish domiciled funds that can invest in Irish infrastructure and green energy, while also offering regulated retail access to these investment structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22729/26]

Eoghan Kenny — Labour Party 15 votes · 9 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 9 total

Transport 2 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will commission an investigation into utilising rapid bus transport as an interim measure to enhance services between Midleton and Youghal while discussions continue on reopening the rail Line there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22061/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Local Link services in north Cork, with regard to a service serving Ballyclough, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22452/26]
Enterprise 2 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is aware that non-EU post-primary and secondary school teachers are unable to meet the criteria for a general employment permit, owing to the requirement for job advertisements to be posted on multiple platforms while teaching roles are advertised only on specific education recruitment platforms; the steps he will take to reduce this barrier,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to give a minimum wage to all apprenticeships across the country so that no person is underpaid in work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22013/26]
Education 2 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth to detail the newly sanctioned special classes, broken down by county, with regard to the 387 approved classes announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that non-EU post-primary and secondary school teachers are unable to meet the criteria for a general employment permit, owing to the requirement for job advertisements to be posted on multiple platforms while teaching roles are advertised only on specific education recruitment platforms; the steps she will take to reduce this barrier,; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22261/26]
Health 2 questions
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the Cross Border Healthcare Directive; the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22624/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations (details supplied) will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22625/26]
Justice 1 question
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any changes will be made to the visa application process for students who receive placement on a course in an Irish third level institute; if their visa can be extended to match the years of their course length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22016/26]

Ken O'Flynn — Independent Ireland 15 votes · 39 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 39 total

Health 10 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently awaiting assessment for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports; the number awaiting provision of AAC devices following assessment; the average waiting time for such supports; and whether additional funding has been allocated to reduce delays. [21443/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether national policy or guidance exists governing the suspension of healthcare professionals employed in public hospitals when they are the subject of serious criminal allegations; the procedures that must be followed by the HSE once such allegations become known; and whether these procedures are currently under review following the recent case involving a doctor at University Hospital Limerick. [21597/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the oversight mechanisms that are in place within her Department to ensure that the HSE promptly implements protective workplace measures when healthcare staff are accused of serious criminal offences, including sexual offences; and whether her Department has requested a report from the HSE on the handling of the recent case at a hospital (details supplied). [21598/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the number of cases since 2015 in which a healthcare professional employed by the HSE was the subject of a criminal investigation relating to sexual assault or rape; the number of cases in which suspension from clinical duties occurred; and the policy criteria used in determining whether suspension is applied. [21599/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the national workplace protection protocols that are in place within the HSE to support healthcare staff who report sexual assault or violence perpetrated by colleagues; and whether her Department collects data on the number of such incidents reported annually. [21600/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether his Department intends to undertake a review of the disciplinary and safeguarding framework governing healthcare professionals in HSE employment, including coordination with the Medical Council, in light of the failure acknowledged by the HSE in the handling of a recent case (details supplied). [21601/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the barriers currently faced by patients in Ireland living with lipoedema, including the absence of a published national HSE care pathway, limited access to conservative management such as compression therapy and manual lymphatic drainage, and delays or difficulties accessing treatment through the Cross Border Healthcare Directive; what steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22009/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE working group established in 2023 to develop a national care pathway for lipoedema has completed its work; when the pathway is expected to be published; and whether patient advocacy organisations, including the Lipoedema Support Network Ireland, will be included in the development and implementation of this pathway [22010/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department intends to review the operation of private health insurers in relation to coverage for medically indicated liposuction procedures for lipoedema patients, in light of concerns regarding inconsistent decision-making, the use of criteria designed for lymphoedema rather than lipoedema, and practices that may result in patients being forced to rely on the Cross Border Directive for treatment. [22011/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health in light of reports of meningitis cases in the United Kingdom, the immediate steps being taken to monitor the situation and protect public health in Ireland; whether any cases have been identified in the State to date; whether the HSE has issued or plans to issue public health guidance or alerts; the current capacity and readiness of services to respond to any potential cases; whether there are sufficient stocks of, and access to, relevant vaccines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22269/26]
Finance 8 questions
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the estimated full-year and short-term Exchequer cost of a 25 percent reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel, including the associated reduction in VAT receipts arising from the lower pump price. [23348/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to detail the modelling undertaken by his Department on the expected reduction in average pump prices resulting from the proposed excise duty cut, including the assumed pass-through rate to consumers. [23349/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the alternative policy options considered by his Department to reduce fuel costs for households and businesses, including reductions in VAT on fuel, targeted rebates, or broader excise adjustments, and the estimated cost of each option. [23350/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the rationale for limiting the proposed excise reduction to a temporary and defined period, and whether longer-duration or scalable measures were considered in light of ongoing volatility in global oil markets. [23351/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide details of any distributional analysis carried out by his Department on the impact of fuel price increases and proposed mitigation measures on different income groups, including middle-income working households not eligible for social welfare supports. [23352/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether the Government’s current budget surplus influenced the scale and duration of the proposed fuel price interventions, and if so, how this assessment was balanced against current cost-of-living pressures. [23353/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the engagement undertaken at EU level regarding coordinated responses to energy price shocks, including any discussions on excise flexibility, VAT measures, or joint purchasing mechanisms. [23354/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide the range of oil price and supply shock scenarios currently being modelled by his Department. [23355/26]
Public Expenditure 7 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the reversal of the burden of proof provided for under the protected disclosures legislation applies only during formal adjudicative proceedings before bodies such as the Workplace Relations Commission and the courts, or whether it also applies during the administrative handling and investigation of disclosures by public bodies. [22387/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any guidance has been issued to public bodies advising that the evidential presumption relating to retaliation under the protected disclosures legislation should be applied when assessing disclosures internally; and if no such guidance has issued, whether the Government has considered whether the absence of such guidance may create inconsistencies between administrative decision-making and the evidential framework applied in litigation. [22388/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Government has assessed whether administrative decisions taken without applying the evidential presumption provided for in the protected disclosures legislation may expose the State to avoidable litigation risk where those decisions are later challenged in proceedings before the Workplace Relations Commission or the courts. [22389/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the Government has considered the interaction between the evidential presumption in whistleblower legislation and the Government’s State Litigation Principles, particularly the requirement that State bodies seek to avoid unnecessary litigation and protect public funds. [22390/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether the Government has reviewed whether the current interpretation of the burden-of-proof provisions in Irish whistleblower legislation fully reflects the objectives of Directive (EU) 2019/1937, particularly in ensuring effective protection against retaliation. [22391/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether any written guidance, circulars, or instructions have been issued to Departments, agencies, or prescribed persons regarding the application of the evidential presumption provided for under the protected disclosures legislation when assessing alleged retaliation during the administrative handling of disclosures; and if such guidance exists, whether he will provide details of the relevant guidance. [22392/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the current statutory and administrative procedures governing the dismissal of a civil servant at assistant secretary general level, including any requirements under legislation and civil service circulars for the notification of the civil servant with respect to a show cause letter; and to detail the way in which these procedures would be altered by the proposed civil service regulation and public service management (amendment) and miscellaneous provisions Bill listed in the Government’s Spring 2026 Legislative Programme (p.10), where its status is described as “ongoing”. [22482/26]
Social 6 questions
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the real-time verification mechanisms in place to ensure that recipients of social welfare payments, including child benefit and disability allowance, continue to meet residency requirements within the State; whether these systems include routine cross-checking with immigration, Revenue, and airline or travel data; and if he will outline any plans to introduce automated exit-tracking or enhanced data-sharing to prevent payments issuing to persons no longer resident in the State. [22753/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the total value of welfare overpayments made to persons not resident in the State in each of the past five years, broken down by scheme; the number of individuals involved annually; and the extent to which these figures represent identified fraud, administrative error, or delayed notification of departure. [22754/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the annual recovery rate of overpayments made to persons absent from the State; the average duration required to recover such funds; whether penalties, interest, or legal enforcement mechanisms are applied; and if he will outline measures to improve recovery performance. [22755/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards in place to ensure that child benefit payments are made only where eligibility conditions, including habitual residence, are satisfied; the number of child benefit claims identified as incorrectly paid to non-resident recipients in each of the past three years; and whether additional verification requirements are being considered. [22756/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of internal audits or compliance reviews conducted by the Department relating to payments issued to persons outside the State since 2022;the findings of these audits; and whether any systemic control failures were identified and addressed. [22757/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any legislative or regulatory gaps have been identified which allow welfare payments to continue after a recipient has left the State; and if he will outline any proposed legislative amendments to strengthen eligibility enforcement and prevent recurrence. [22758/26]
Children 4 questions
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current average caseload per clinician within Children’s Disability Network Teams; the recommended caseload level for such clinicians; and whether the Minister accepts that current staffing levels are preventing children with complex needs from receiving timely intervention. [21444/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the statutory and organisational purpose of Horizons as a Children’s Disability Network Team; whether Horizons currently has the staffing and funding necessary to fully meet the needs of children referred to the service; the number of children awaiting assessment and intervention, broken down by type of support (details supplied); the average and maximum waiting times for children to access each type of support; the sanctioned staffing levels for Horizons compared to the number of posts currently filled; her views on whether the current resource levels are sufficient to allow Horizons to fulfil its statutory and organisational obligations; the additional measures, including funding and staffing, are being taken to eliminate delays; and in light of a response received by this Deputy’s office on 13 March 2026, in which a network manager stated that service delivery is constrained by staffing and funding shortages, whether the Minister will confirm the steps being taken to ensure that no child is prevented from accessing essential disability supports due to insufficient resources. [21440/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of sanctioned posts within children’s disability network teams nationally and broken down by CHO area; the number of those posts currently filled; the number currently vacant; the grades affected, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists and therapy assistants; and the steps being taken to address these vacancies. [21441/26]
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently on waiting lists for assessment and intervention through each Children’s Disability Network Team, broken down by CHO area; the average waiting time for services; and the longest waiting time recorded. [21442/26]
Culture 1 question
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the projected overall budget envelope for the 2026 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund and whether this will exceed the €277.9 million allocated under the 2023 round. [22544/26]
Foreign 1 question
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department calculates the blended effective administrative and programme support cost rate across Ireland’s total official development assistance expenditure; and if not, whether she will commit to publishing an annual aggregate delivery cost ratio in order that the Oireachtas can assess value-for-money and financial oversight. [15721/26]
Education 1 question
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a child in Cork (details supplied) that has been without a school place since October 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23327/26]
Justice 1 question
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specific actions that were taken to implement the recommendations arising from an investigation (details supplied) into protected disclosures concerning dysfunctional reporting systems; and the audit or verification that has been carried out to confirm their effectiveness in practice. [23472/26]

Pádraig O'Sullivan — Fianna Fáil 0 votes · 1 question · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 1 total

Rural 1 question
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on a library project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/26]

Thomas Gould — Sinn Féin 15 votes · 14 questions · 0 new lobbying returns

Questions asked 14 total

Education 5 questions
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new admissions to special school policy outlined on 9 December 2025; whether this will be in place for the 2026/2027 school year; who the decision maker will be on admission to special school, and category of school suitable for a child who has not received an assessment of need. [22787/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether every school on the school therapists pilot project will automatically transfer to the education therapy support programme; whether these will retain existing staff on transfer; and whether these staff will reapply for their roles through the NCSE. [22789/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the new admissions to special school policy outlined on 9 December 2025; whether this will be in place for the 2026-2027 school year; and who will be the decision maker on admission to special school and category of school suitable for a child who has not received an AON. [22858/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether every school on the school therapists pilot project will automatically transfer to the Education Therapy Support Programme; whether they will retain existing staff on transfer; and whether these staff will reapply for their roles through the NCSE. [22860/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth the spend to date on the school attendance campaign; and the overall expected spend. [23356/26]
Children 2 questions
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether every school on the school therapists pilot project will automatically transfer to the education therapy support programme; whether these will retain existing staff on transfer; and whether these staff will reapply for their roles through the NCSE. [22788/26]
- 2026-03-25 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the new admissions to special school policy outlined on 9 December 2025; whether this will be in place for the 2026-2027 school year; and who will be the decision maker on admission to special school and category of school suitable for a child who has not received an AON. [22859/26]
Rural 2 questions
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Cork city Gaeltacht satellite town proposal. [22435/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether he is aware that Part 8 planning has been granted for Mayfield Library refurbishment but Cork City Council lack the funding to complete this. [22434/26]
Foreign 2 questions
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. [22432/26]
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action taken by the Government to make public their opposition to the killing of over 170 school children in a primary school in Iran. [22433/26]
Taoiseach 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing last met. [14265/26]
Justice 1 question
- 2026-03-24 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the stages of a citizenship application; and the average processing time for each stage. [22096/26]
Health 1 question
- 2026-03-26 Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health if she will be updating the evidence base in relation to alcohol sponsorship of sport, as was committed to in the 2014 'Report of the Working Group on Regulating Sponsorship by Alcohol Companies of Major Sporting Events'; if she is aware of recent research on how alcohol sponsorship of sports drives child and youth alcohol consumption (details supplied); and if she is aware that youth alcohol consumption now stands at 78%, only slightly down from 2002 when it stood at approximately 82% and was considered a public health crisis. [23466/26]