Cathy Bennett TD
Sinn Féin · Cavan-Monaghan constituency
All recent activity captured from oireachtas.ie's public open-data feeds — debate contributions and parliamentary questions. Links open the official record on the Oireachtas website.
Parliamentary questions
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Staff
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the ongoing discussions in relation to pay parity and pensions for caretakers and secretaries; if a resolution has been reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportElectric Vehicles
Asked the Minister for Transport the number of public electric vehicle chargers in operation in each county in each of the years 2020 to date, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportElectric Vehicles
Asked the Minister for Transport the target numbers for public electric vehicle chargers for each county in each of the years 2020 to 2030, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignDepartmental Data
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of EU transposition deadlines relevant to her Department in the years 2019 to date in 2026; if such deadlines were met; if not, the date by which they will be transposed; the value of any penalties incurred, by deadline and by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportPublic Transport
Asked the Minister for Transport if there are any agreements for cross-Border travel between transport services in this State and the North of Ireland regarding the use of public travel cards; if Leap cards, iLink cards, or other public transport smart cards are recognised in all 32 counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditurePublic Sector Staff
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of settlement agreements sanctioned by his Department which would need to comply with Circular 09/2018, in the years 2020 to date; the number of which contained a confidentiality clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthMedicinal Products
Asked the Minister for Health the timeline for a decision by the HSE drugs group regarding the reimbursement of risdiplam for adults living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignDiplomatic Representation
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her proposals to expand the Irish diplomatic footprint in areas with a growing diaspora community
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for ForeignDiaspora Issues
Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on her engagements regarding facilitating easier return to Ireland for emigrants.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for RuralEU Funding
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will report on his engagements regarding the LEADER programme under the next EU budgetary cycle.
- May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for RuralDepartmental Policies
Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will report on the implementation of rural proofing.
- May 20, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportEU Presidency
Asked the Minister for Transport the mechanism or fora of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union through which he plans to raise issues of reciprocal recognition of driving licences of third countries and related matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 20, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingGrant Payments
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that exist to replace windows in a private dwelling housing a young autistic child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Policies
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his engagements with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingHousing Provision
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the proposals and associated targets to deliver age-friendly housing in counties Cavan and Monaghan.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Equipment
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her Departments position on secondary schools requiring the compulsory purchase of laptops or tablets for pupils in school; if she can confirm that without these devices the school can refuse to provide books as normal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Equipment
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the time it takes her Department to process an application for assistive technology for a child in primary and in post primary school; the number of applications for assistive technology received in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeDomestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe in which refuges will open in both Cavan and Monaghan.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeDomestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of domestic violence refuge spaces within the State; the number of safe home units; and the number of each he intends to be operational by year's end.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureDepartmental Budgets
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding from the carbon tax allocated to his Department since 2020; and the amount expended.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureCommon Agricultural Policy
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on their engagements regarding CAP post-2027.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingDepartmental Policies
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding with an organisation (details supplied) and his Department, in light of the recommendations of the Independent Advisory Committee report published under Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan by Minister of State Christopher O'Sullivan, which emphasises the importance of engaging communities and supporting NGOs, citizen science, and local groups as key delivery partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingWildlife Regulations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has engaged with representative countryside, conservation and rural stakeholder organisations, farming organisations, hunting associations and game management groups, regarding proposed EU restrictions on lead ammunition; and if he will detail the engagement undertaken to date.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeDepartmental Communications
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether all recognised national firearms user representative organisations were invited to participate in the Firearms Forum established by his Department; and if he will outline the basis on which invitations and appointments were made.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthNursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Asked the Minister for Health if her Department could review Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland processing timelines and introduce enforceable service standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthNursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Asked the Minister for Health if she could establish a streamlined pathway for nursing and midwifery applicants trained in Ireland and the North of Ireland, improve transparency and communication obligations to applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthNursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland
Asked the Minister for Health if her Department could assess the impact of current delays on national workforce planning and service delivery within the nursing and midwifery sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHospital Facilities
Asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which they intend to have an MRI scanner operational within Monaghan Hospital.
- May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationThird Level Fees
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the cost of third level fees in each of the years 2024, 2025, 2026; if he intends to reduce fees; and the timeframe in which such will be delivered.
- May 12, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationStudent Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to ensure adequate provision of accommodation for students.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureDepartmental Strategies
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the manner in which Ireland’s International Sports Diplomacy Strategy supports the work and goals of his Department given his recent comments (details supplied).
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for CultureArtists' Remuneration
Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will report on the operation of the basic income for the arts scheme.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for DefenceDefence Forces
Asked the Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; the figure required under level of ambition 2 of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and the total number in 2019 and currently.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for DefenceDepartmental Policies
Asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe in which she plans to dismantle the triple lock neutrality protection.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthAmbulance Service
Asked the Minister for Health the number of paramedic vacancies that currently exist within the National Ambulance Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthAmbulance Service
Asked the Minister for Health the reason candidates on panel NRS14276 have not yet been assigned posts with the National Ambulance Service; when those candidates can expect to be placed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 07, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthAmbulance Service
Asked the Minister for Health whether delays in placing qualified paramedics are affecting ambulance availability, staffing levels, and response capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 06, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialSchool Meals Programme
Asked the Minister for Social Protection when he plans to compile and publish a pre-approved list of suppliers for schools participating in the Hot School Meals Programme (details supplied); if he will ensure that, in developing these county-based supplier lists, priority is given to local suppliers using locally sourced produce, in order to support sustainable food systems, reduce food miles and strengthen local economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 06, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialSchool Meals Programme
Asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he will put in place to ensure that the Hot School Meals Programme supports local employment, delivers freshly prepared meals on a daily basis and ensures the programme supports sustainability and local economic development across all eligible providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseTourism Industry
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the number of bed nights available in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- April 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EnterpriseTourism Policy
Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will report on his proposals to cultivate cross-Border tourism.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Costs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her proposals to address the increased costs borne by parents putting through primary and secondary education in the 2026-2027 academic year.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Funding
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her proposals to ensure that primary and secondary schools are adequately funded in the 2026-2027 academic year.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenChildcare Services
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the proposals to address the gap in levels of funding for childcare against the increased costs borne by providers.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for ChildrenDisabilities Assessments
Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in Cavan and Monaghan that received an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe in the years 2024 to date; and the number that did not.; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationStudent Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to ensure adequate provision of accommodation for students.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher EducationThird Level Fees
Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of third level fees in each of the years 2024, 2025, 2026; his plans to reduce fees; and the timeframe in which such will be delivered.
- April 23, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Admissions
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a plan is in place to ensure all 6th class primary school students with disabilities will have a place in secondary school in September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- April 21, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHealth Services
Asked the Minister for Health the reason the free contraception scheme excludes women older than 35 years-of-age.
- April 21, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthHospital Procedures
Asked the Minister for Health the timeframe in which she intends to deliver provision of MRI scans at Monaghan Hospital; and if she has considered providing for CT scans at Monaghan Hospital.
Dáil contributions
- May 28, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- May 28, 2026StatementCompetition and Consumer Protection Commission – Financial Statements 2024
- May 27, 2026MotionFiscal Planning Framework for Economic Certainty: Motion [Private Members]
- May 26, 2026MotionCost of Disability: Motion [Private Members]
- May 21, 2026StatementClimate Action Fund – Financial Statements 2024
- May 21, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- May 20, 2026DebateNational Treasury Management Agency (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Second Stage
- May 20, 2026MotionDefence and Neutrality: Motion [Private Members]
- May 19, 2026StatementNational Biodiversity Week: Statements
- May 19, 2026MotionEvictions and Rent Hikes: Motion [Private Members]
- May 19, 2026DebateNGOs Active in Sierra Leone and Liberia: Discussion
- May 14, 2026DebateIndustrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026: Second Stage
- May 14, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- May 14, 2026StatementFinancial Statements 2024: National Treasury Management Agency
- May 14, 2026DebateIndustrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026: Second Stage
- May 12, 2026StatementInternational Nurses Day: Statements
- May 12, 2026DebatePeace Building in the Middle East, Reflecting on Ireland's Peace Process: Discussion
- May 07, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- May 07, 2026StatementFinancial Statements 2024: National Oil Reserves Agency
- May 07, 2026StatementEurope Day: Statements
- May 06, 2026DebateBuilding Climate Resilience and Flood Risk Adaptation: Discussion (Resumed)
- May 06, 2026OrderofbusinessAn tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
- April 30, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- April 30, 2026StatementFinancial Statements 2024: Children's Health Ireland and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board
- April 30, 2026StatementSupports for Hauliers and Supply Chains: Statements
- April 29, 2026DebateDriver Licences
- April 28, 2026DebateThe GAA's Work Internationally and with the Diaspora: Engagement with the Gaelic Athletic Association
- April 23, 2026DebateBusiness of Committee
- April 23, 2026DebateHospital Insourcing Funding Arrangements: Discussion
- April 22, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 22, 2026StatementPost European Council Meeting: Statements
- April 21, 2026QuestionAmbulance Service
- April 21, 2026DebateCurrent Situation in Afghanistan: Discussion
- April 15, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
- April 15, 2026StatementFootball: Statements
- April 15, 2026MotionTackling Soaring Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members]