Claire Kerrane TD

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding available for a post-primary school (details supplied) in a disadvantaged rural area travelling to China as part of an educational delegation, the first school in the West of Ireland to do so, to support the costs of the trip.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there is funding available for the upkeep of defibrillators in rural communities to support communities in ensuring these life saving devices are kept up to date and therefore, effective in an emergency situation; and if not, can a funding stream be examined.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will increase capitation for primary schools to better support them meet rising operational costs in Budget 2027.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider allowing family carers who are aged over 66 years and are in receipt of a State Pension to receive the full-rate carers acknowledging the care they provide is the same as care provided by a carer younger than them and supporting them as they age to keep their loved one at home, significantly saving the State; and if he will advise the cost to implement this for current recipients.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of the arrest of 47 people in Turkey (details supplied) following a series of raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists; if she will publicly condemn this action and if she will seek that the Government use the EU Presidency to highlight this injustice as a strong voice for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the SUSI Special Rate Maintenance Grant, if he will consider some flexibility, based on individual circumstance rather than a rigid income cut off, even allowing some lee-way on appeal depending on circumstances to better support people in education, especially where they live at home and their parents have modest pensions which put them over the income threshold, noting that in the North of Ireland and England there are taper elements to maintenance supports; and if he will consider some limited discretion or a taper process.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he is taking to ensure access for the self-employed to income support when they become ill.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement he has had on providing a State pension for foster carers; and the timeframe on this.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure an earlier train service for students and patients travelling to Sligo from Boyle in County Roscommon.

Asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools that will be included in round 5 funding under the Safe Routes to School programme.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason working family payment recipients cannot access the fuel allowance in two lump sums; and if he will consider this option (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health to provide the current waiting list figures for home care, both new packages and additional hours being sought, in County Roscommon and County Galway; the average waiting time; the length of time they have been waiting; and those longest waiting

Asked the Minister for Transport if a school (details supplied) will be included in Round 5 funding of Safe Routes to School Programme given the recently completed risk assessment concluded the risk to be "Very High" to ensure safety for all.

Asked the Minister for Transport his views on the decision by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) not to extend the proposed greenway beyond Clonmacnoise to Ballinasloe and County Galway; the reasons for TII’s decision to terminate the greenway at Clonmacnoise; to address the concerns regarding the exclusion of Ballinasloe and County Galway from the proposed route; and to clarify whether any further assessment of extending the greenway to Ballinasloe and County Galway will be undertaken.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will raise the income limit for those aged 65 years and over when it comes to paying tax on income to allow them to keep more of modest occupational pensions which they paid tax on while working and now do so again, to better support older people.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a new school project (details supplied); and a timeframe for next steps.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) who applied for the climate action summer works scheme in 2025 will be included in Tranche 2 funding given they are struggling with single pane leaking windows and receiving very high energy bills and are depending on this funding.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who are affected by TB in their animals and face loss of animals or wipe out of herds are advised and given information as to the believed reason for the outbreak; and any other information that might be helpful to them.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if work is ongoing in his Department on reducing the incidence of TB with a view to eradicating it entirely; the efforts for reduction and eradication; the additional measure that can be taken to reduce incidence; and the specific actions his Department are taking to make this happen.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure the National Fodder & Food Security Committee is reconvened to provide a clear pathway of actions around a fodder support scheme for farmers under pressure as a result of the long drought and fodder pressures.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the maximum national co-funding under the European Commission's recently announced €540 million fertiliser support package for farmers affected by the ongoing fertiliser crisis.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to advise when the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 will be progressed.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the eight locations for State-led childcare facilities.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will expand the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to include survivors who are currently excluded.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure Budget 2027 invests in not-for-profit residential care for children in the care of the State.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on her consultation with childminders.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of teachers who have taken up roles in primary schools possibly being left waiting six to eight weeks to be paid post appointment; the action he is taking to ensure the delay is not six to eight weeks as some teachers are being told; the actions that can be taken in the interim to financially support teachers; and the way in which he will ensure that this never happens again and the teaching panel is released earlier in the year.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of a new online tool (details supplied) to assist people with income supports and information on same; if he could point to any available funding to maintain such an essential service, which is rapidly growing in it use to ensure it remains available to the public.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to advise if there are protocols for prisoners during their time in prison for a crime (details supplied) regarding access to the public, being in public-facing environments and being in less secure areas with prison officers, such as staff canteens.

Asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding paid to date with regard to the road transporters support scheme; the number and percentage of applications which have been refused; and the grounds for refusal.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the Government has assessed the effectiveness of the current protected disclosures framework where a safeguarding or operational concern involves more than one public body, including Tusla, the HSE, and An Garda Síochána; and the mechanism that exists to ensure that a cross-agency disclosure routed through the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner is investigated as a cohesive, systemic issue rather than being fractured and returned to individual single-agency prescribed persons.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the impact of changes to citizenship requirements on spouses and parents unable to demonstrate financial independence due to caring responsibilities or lack of affordable childcare; if the impact on migrant women who interrupted their careers to raise children has been assessed; if transitional arrangements will be provided for families established in Ireland; and if the position of children growing up and integrating here, whose immigration status may restrict access to opportunities available to Irish and EU children, will be considered.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of continued frustration among childcare providers regarding the use of the HIVE system (details supplied) and the impact this administrative burden has on busy providers; and if she will commit to reduce such a burden.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of concerns being raised by providers regarding the new system for AIM (details supplied); if an AIM worker is expected to be sent home when a child is absent; and if she will ensure greater clarification for on the ground in settings for providers.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the rationale for changes to attendance for children in ECCE to register five days per week; the consultation that took place on this change before its implementation; and if she acknowledges the importance of flexibility in ECCE for parents and the difficulty for providers in enforcing attendance that may not suit parents and children in ECCE.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a detailed, itemised timeline for the implementation of the reforms cited in Departmental correspondence (ref: DCDE-MFO-01419-2026), including the review of the Missing Children in Care Joint Protocol, the update to the Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure, and proposed amendments under the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025; if she will specify which measures have formally commenced; their key operational milestones; and their expected completion dates.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the statutory, regulatory and inspection frameworks governing privately operated or externally contracted residential care settings, including section 38 and section 39 commissioned placements; whether any regulatory, transparency or reporting exemptions apply to commercial providers compared with State-operated services; and the specific legislative safeguards to ensure that profit motives do not compromise child safety, staffing ratios or governance standards in commissioned care settings.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assessment that has been undertaken of the increasing reliance on private, for-profit care providers in the provision of residential services for children, including placements commissioned under section 38 or section 39 arrangements or external private commercial providers; the proportion of children in State care currently accommodated through such external providers; the average annual cost to the State of such placements compared with equivalent public or not-for-profit provision; and if an assessment has been conducted on whether expanding public capacity would deliver better service.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the statutory protections available to frontline social care professionals, advocates, and members of the public who raise child-safeguarding concerns in good faith involving public bodies or publicly funded services; whether her Department has identified any evidentiary or legal gaps in those protections where concerns relate to multi-agency settings or external providers; and the legislative reforms being considered in this area.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the details of whether any automated technical mechanism currently exists within Tusla's case management system to cross-reference children identified as exhibiting indicators of trafficking or exploitation with children reported missing from care; and if the Government intends to introduce such a statutory cross-referencing mechanism as part of the ongoing review of the Missing Children in Care Joint Protocol.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the Government has undertaken, or intends to undertake, an independent joint audit of the operational handover and follow-up arrangements between An Garda Síochána and Tusla following emergency child removals under section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991; and the statutory framework that exists to ensure joint inspection and clear allocation of safeguarding responsibilities during and immediately following such interventions.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration has been given to establishing an independent, cross-agency statutory oversight mechanism for cases where responsibility for the safeguarding, care, or welfare of a child crosses organisational boundaries between Tusla, the HSE, and An Garda Síochána; the mechanism currently that exist to examine the actions and responsibilities of these public bodies collectively rather than separately; and if no such joint mechanism exists, the reason it has not been implemented.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the formal statutory or administrative mechanism that exists to ensure that children with complex co-occurring needs including severe intellectual disabilities, neurodivergence, or acute mental health crises are not left without an appropriate support plan where responsibility involves both Tusla under its welfare mandate and the HSE under its clinical and disability mandate ; and the way in which jurisdictional disputes regarding care responsibility and financial liability are resolved between these bodies.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the priority given to disabled people who become an orphan in relation to access to long-term residential care; the way in which this works; and if it is the same process State wide for everyone in such a circumstance.

Asked the Minister for Health when personnel in the National Ambulance Service, including paramedics, will receive the agreed pay increase and back pay that is due.

Asked the Minister for Health If her attention has be drawn to a case (details supplied); if she will clarify whether Roscommon Injury Unit is currently equipped and authorised to assess acute eye injuries in children: if so, the reason the child was directed elsewhere for assessment; and if not, the reason HSE information indicates that injury units can treat objects stuck in the eye and other minor eye injuries.

Asked the Minister for Health to outline the formal pathway for a child in County Roscommon who suffers an acute eye injury (details supplied).

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the conflict-of-interest, disclosure, recusal and post-employment safeguards apply in circumstances (details supplied); if any cooling-off period applies; and the procedures that exist to ensure that confidential information or relationships acquired during State employment cannot subsequently be used for private commercial advantage.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance given the increasing role of ISIF in making investments on behalf of the State, the policies and safeguards to ensure the State extracts maximum value from these transactions; the conflict-of-interest and post-employment policies which apply where an ISIF/NTMA employee involved in assessing, recommending or progressing an investment subsequently takes up a senior position as a fund manager on behalf of a company that has received that investment.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update for a child (details supplied) regarding the transition to primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will look at excluding private pensions available through employment for the differential rent scheme for local authority tenants and that such pensions would be included under superannuation excluded from assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if HAP will be accessible for renters who rent out modular homes in back gardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to extend the existing housing adaption grant for people with a disability to householders considering modular homes in their back garden to allow family members with a disability to live independently but close to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority (details supplied) can refuse a tenant (incremental) purchase scheme application on the basis that retrofit works have been carried out on the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 13 May 2025, if she is aware that members of the Defence Forces carried out military exercises at St. Brigid's Campus, Ballinasloe, during the early hours of 15 and 16 July 2026; whether advance notice of these exercises was provided to residents and businesses in the vicinity; if An Garda Síochána was notified in advance of the exercises; if she is aware that local Gardaí advised members of the public that they had not been informed of the exercises when concerns about loud noises were reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed new vehicle adaption scheme is replacing the existing disabled drivers and passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport when the necessary Statutory Instrument, to give the collective agreement made this year for CIÉ pensioners legal effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has looked at the double payment farmers make on farm plastics, once at time of initial purchase and second when properly disposing of it at plastic waste collection; if not, will the Minister agree to look at this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the timeline and process for her Department's commitment to ratifying the second optional protocol of the UNCRC; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding available to assist childcare providers with the costs of outdoor equipment, and indoor furniture such as Cots; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a person (details supplied) that has returned as planned to an ambulance base following a career break; if anything can be done to expedite this given his experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the HSE grants available for a para athlete who has been selected for the world championships in America for Para cycling having become national champion in Ireland to support his pre-worlds training camp and equipment for the bike, particularly equipment where there is nothing available from the Department of Sport or Cycling Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if there is an ongoing recruitment embargo within mental health services; the posts affected by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the lack of recognition of the condition functional neurological disorder (FND), if she will look at an awareness campaign internally in the HSE to ensure the condition can be more easily identifiable; if she will engage with FND Ireland on best way this could be achieved to ensure more awareness of the condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if as part of Budget 2027 she will consider additional funding (€1.8– €2.0 million) to fully staff the adult FND specialist hub at St James’s Hospital, Dublin.

Asked the Minister for Health if as part of Budget 2027 she will consider funding (€1.15 million) to establish the paediatric FND specialist hub at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), based at the new children’s hospital.

Asked the Minister for Health if as part of Budget 2027 she will consider initial funding (€0.75 million) for the first regional FND service (initial core team), based at Cork University Hospital.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a new school build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is concerned at decisions made for SNA allocations which are not meeting need in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if any mechanism exists to allow a late application to the road transport support scheme to be considered in exceptional circumstances where the application deadline was missed; if an appeals process, administrative review or other discretionary process is available; if he will give consideration to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will negotiate with her counterparts in Britain to ensure that all survivors of institutional abuse to include all schemes related to mother and baby institutions, industrial schools, and Magdalene laundries now living in Britain, who receive financial redress supports or any related settlements should be equally protected (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will negotiate with her counterparts in Britain to ensure that all survivors of institutional abuse to include all schemes related to mother and baby institutions, industrial schools, and Magdalene laundries now living in Britain, who receive financial redress supports or any related settlements should be equally be protected (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health the reason a drug (details supplied) is not accessible in Ireland to cancer patients despite approval by the European Medicines Agency and its accessibility in many other parts of the EU and in the North of Ireland, if she will examine this and make the drug available for cancer patients where their oncology team has recommended it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that survivors of industrial schools who hold enhanced medical cards are being charged for the preparation of blister packs for their prescribed medication; if she considers it appropriate that these vulnerable patients should incur such charges despite their enhanced entitlement to healthcare; if she will ensure that blister pack dispensing is provided free of charge to enhanced medical card holders who require it on clinical grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the funding to a service (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on the funding to a post (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on a primary care centre (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health if she will provide an update on a site (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to advise on the way in which funding of €5 million for the new SÍOL Programme for 2026 will be rolled out; when projects are required to be submitted from councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the hardship being caused to individuals experiencing lengthy delays in exchanging recognised foreign driving licences for Irish licences through the NDLS, particularly where these delays affect a person's ability to travel to work and maintain employment; whether additional resources will be provided to expedite the verification process with overseas licensing authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if disability grants are available for a para-athlete (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the sanctioning of AIM Level 7 support is not given until July (details supplied); the reason these decisions cannot be made earlier; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when there was last an increase in the rate paid for ECCE.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of increasing the rate paid to ECCE to €100 per child per week.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that ECCE providers are struggling to meet costs; and if she will look at an increase given the importance and success of ECCE and the need to maintain that.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has looked at lengthening the ECCE year to provide more to children and parents.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if ESF+ funding is available to support the expansion of family resource centres in terms of renovations of an empty building; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide a timeframe for a further update on efforts to end flooding at Lough Funshinagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will provide an update on OPW efforts to end flooding at Lough Funshinagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that there is currently no local link or public transport service operating between Taughmaconnell, County Roscommon and Athlone, County Westmeath; if his Department is aware that funding was not made available in 2026 for such a service; if he will consider funding the service in 2027 given the lack of public transport options impacting residents, students and workers travelling between the two areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he will acknowledge the significant financial difficulties faced by many pensioners who rely on older vehicles due to the lack of affordable public transport alternatives in rural areas; the challenges they face in meeting the increasing costs of vehicle maintenance, repairs, insurance and NCT requirements; and if he will consider introducing targeted supports or grants to assist older persons on fixed incomes to maintain roadworthy vehicles, given that existing incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles are beyond the financial reach of many pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport the number of grants for accessible vehicles available from the NTA that have been approved in a county in each of the past three years; the way in which applications are chosen for this grant; and if the county can be considered in the upcoming round of grants giving ongoing issues (details supplied) for our most vulnerable citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on an employment permit for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on an employment permit for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a decision will be made on a visa application (details supplied) where an Irish work permit is already granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a decision will be made on a visa application (details supplied) where an Irish work permit is already granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the ESF+ EIST funding scheme under the gender equality stream; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding is available in her Department to fund the renovation of family resource centres, where a building has been identified to expand the service in a town (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding is available in her Department to fund furniture, toys and outdoor equipment for early years services who have completed extensions to build capacity supporting them with high costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 485 and 486 of 28 May 2026, if room closures, rather than the service overall closure has any impact on core funding payable; if in the case of a multi-room service where different rooms close at different times, almost on rotation, whether this breached core funding rules, given the service remains open but rooms are closed continually; if this impacts core funding payable; if not, if she will review this in terms of core funding given the impact it has on parents and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications that have been received for support under the Sustainability Fund within her Department in each of the years since it was introduced; the number in each year approved; and the associated monetary amount paid to each provider.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the nature of funding support sought under successful applications under the Sustainability Fund within her Department in each of the years since it was introduced.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount set aside for the Sustainability Fund in her Department in each of the years since it was introduced; and the amount paid out in each of those years, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the grounds on which applications for funding under the Sustainability Fund were refused in each application since the fund was introduced.

Asked the Minister for Health whether she intends to make a device (details supplied) reimbursable for people with diabetes type 2, as those with type 1 have access to reimbursement; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of a request from a local group (details supplied); if she will outline the consideration that has been given to making vacant HSE properties in Ballinasloe available for community/youth groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the reason for the long delays being experienced by patients seeking to access their medical records given that under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure this timeframe is improved for patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason an applicant (details supplied) was deemed ineligible for DARE on the basis of not having a diagnosis of dyslexia and therefore, not meeting the “evidence of disability criteria” specifically stated as “dyslexia/significant literacy difficulties, when the application included at least two references to the applicant’s dyslexia diagnosis; if this application can be reviewed on this basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessment his Department has made of the contribution of pubs to employment throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure compliance with parking in disabled parking bays for holders of the appropriate blue parking badge; to ensure those who have a badge and therefore, have a need for such parking facilities can access it; that there are consequences for those without the badges who use this parking and proper enforcement of rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the updated Wind Energy Guidelines will be published.; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when Ireland's planning framework for wind energy development will be brought fully into alignment with current European Union environmental obligations and jurisprudence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans within the new guidelines for enhanced protections for peatlands, blanket bogs and other environmentally sensitive habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans for the introduction of comprehensive cumulative impact assessment requirements for large-scale wind energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department is engaged with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding potential reforms to Garda vetting and safeguarding-disclosure arrangements in the Early Years sector; and if he will outline the status of any such engagement.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of employees in the National Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Service on the date of commencement, specifying the number of GALs employed nationally; and the total number of employees who are on secondment or career break from Tusla.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current waiting time for registration of new creches/early years services with Tusla; the number of applications waiting to be approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 1203 of 14 April 2026, in cases where the holders of the enhanced medical cards for survivors of industrial schools are on long waiting lists so see consultants in regard to the services covered under the enhanced medical, if there has been engagement with the HSE in relation to what this may mean for access to care for these survivors, if they will receive appointments more quickly; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the deadline for applications for a letter of eligibility for developmental language disorder and speech sound disorder class is 1 October; when or the way in which this date was determined; if she will acknowledge this was not known by school principals, was not included in the relevant Circular (24/25) or correspondence from the NCSE; if she will review this deadline and respond to correspondence from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the roll-out of State-led childcare facilities; when the eight locations for this year will be chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will ensure increased investment in voluntary residential care services for children in the care of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of the childminding regulations will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of practising guardians ad litem that will be part of the new national service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is concerned at the very small number of childminders who have registered with Tusla; the steps she will take to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the introduction of a State pension for foster carers; the engagement she had with the Minister for Social Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he recognises the financial difficulties being faced by older persons and pensioners due to increases in rents under local authority differential rent schemes; if consideration will be given to introducing protections for pensioners and those on fixed incomes who are seeing their rents increase based on small increases to their social welfare income, including State pension, which may be their only income; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to advise who is responsible within her Department for the implementation of the EU Disability Card, if any organisations are involved in this process; the position regarding this; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 393 of 29 January 2026, if a copy of Tusla’s Personal Data Breach Policy and Breach Management Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and new staff guidance on reporting data breaches can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of all recorded incidents of Tusla 'personal data breaches' for 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down for each recorded incident (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on fixing phone coverage issues in Portiuncula Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1424 of 26 May 2026 and 1735 of 9 June 2026, as the question relates to medical card coverage, which comes under the Department of Health, and not the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, if she will consider seeking the extension of the medical card scheme to cover autism assessments for adults given the cost of such assessments can be a barrier for adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the lengthy waiting times for rheumatology outpatient appointments at Galway University Hospital; the steps being taken to reduce waiting lists for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain; and if she will provide an update on when a person (details supplied) who was placed on the rheumatology waiting list in October 2025, unable to work due to chronic pain, can expect to receive an appointment.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a decision will made on successful applications made under the scheme to support national organisations from 2026 to 2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport when payments under the road transporters support scheme will begin issuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of extending the parent’s leave and benefit by one week.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of one residential bed in the voluntary residential care service.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of removing the education condition for the payment of the aftercare allowance from 21-23 years and therefore, making the aftercare allowance payable from 18-23 years regardless of participation in education.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of providing a full State pension to every foster carer in the State.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost to the State of taking on the wages and associated costs for early years educators and school age care practitioners.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of increasing the funding made available for sponsored children in early years services to meet the actual costs of an early years place.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of extending AIMS to children under three years-of -age.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of extending AIMS to children in afterschool.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of increasing the foster care allowance by €1.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated full year cost of increasing the aftercare allowance by €1.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the costs associated with planning permission for rural one-off homes is being considered as part of examining rural planning and ahead of the publication of the Rural Planning Guidelines, if the Minister will look at this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the length of time it takes to apply for planning permission for rural one-off homes is being considered as part of examining rural planning and ahead of the publication of the Rural Planning Guidelines, as well as the process up to decision; if he will examine reducing this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a stamp one G renewal (details supplied) will be completed, given the applicant’s employer is seeking same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a decision will be made on a retention of residence EUTR5 application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of additional Gardaí who have been allocated to a town (details supplied), not the Garda division more widely, since 2020.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the provision of a refuge for County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the new national service for guardian ad litem will not accept records relating to children in their new service, and do not intend on holding records on children who have a guardian ad litem; her views on the importance of creating a safe and secure archive repository for records for these children, to have a record of their wants and needs, correspondence they may seek to share with a judge and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are plans to remove childcare facilities who are not in receipt of core funding, from ECCE and the national childcare scheme, given concerns have been raised by providers in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the processing time for reimbursement by the HSE for patients who travel to the Northern Ireland for medical treatment via the Cross-Border Directive.

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on access to givinostat; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will consider including mounjaro on the medical card scheme for medical card holders aged over 70; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the steps she will take to ensure that the HSE recognises and responds to the time-critical nature of Friedreich's ataxia during the current price negotiations for Skyclarys; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when a decision will be made on successful applications under CLÁR; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason an organisation (details supplied) is not receiving a fair and equal share in the allocation of public funding via his Department; the reason support appears to be diluted and re-directed to support the establishment of other organisations which seek to replace this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a school project (details supplied) approved in November 2024, but yet to progress; when the project will progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will engage with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs Migration on the way in which child safeguarding can be strengthened given the details of a case (details supplied) brought forward by a childcare provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will look at costs outside the control of Early Years providers who are in Core Funding, where costs have increased significantly, and they are not costs controlled by the provider (details supplied) meaning they are forced to make up the increase which in one case means an additional €26,000 annually; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider seeking the extension of the medical card scheme to cover autism assessments for adults given the cost of such assessments can be a barrier for adults; if she will ensure that adults with autism are diagnosed correctly and therefore not prevented from accessing supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason for such a short window for schools to apply for July Provision this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school (details supplied) has received reduced funding for July Provision, which parents are informed will limit the number of children who can take part; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the funding options available to an organisation (details supplied), whose young members will represent Ireland in Madrid in November in the world championships; and the timeframes for when such funding streams open.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, in light of the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines issued in July 2025 (details supplied) planning authorities are now permitted to expand settlement boundaries and zone land beyond existing built-up areas; whether this zoning headroom must be reconciled with, or takes precedence over, the compact growth priority set out under the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities published in January 2024 and the Revised National Planning Framework approved in April 2025, both of which reaffirm the Government's commitment to compact growth in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans for a rightsizing scheme for private homeowners, who own their own home but wish to downsize; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding a join family visa (details supplied); if consideration will be given to the circumstances of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current estimated wait time for applicants for type D family reunification visas; the additional resourcing requirements that are being considered or have been implemented, to deal with the current visa backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on plans for an OPW site (details supplied) following a meeting on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on plans for a permanent solution to flooding at Lough Funshinagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on a new school build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline her plans to expand capacity on school bus transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on an application for additional school accommodation (details supplied) which was acknowledged by her office in March 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will examine core funding guidelines, specifically in relation to temporary room closures (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will extend reporting obligations by early years providers in core funding in order that it is not just in cases in which there is a closure for more than four weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average time being taken currently (in weeks) to attain garda vetting to work in the early years and school age care sector as an educator; the number of applications that were received in 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of those applications have been approved and rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if, ahead of Budget 2027, she will look at the amount being offered for children in early years who are sponsored to raise the sponsorship amount to ensure it meets the actual cost associated with a childcare place to ensure that providers are not left covering the difference and ensuring that children who are sponsored can access a place at the same amount to any other child; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has received all outstanding reports from the previous special rapporteur on child protection; when these reports will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will seek an earlier implementation of the new EU disability card, to ensure those unable to access a blue disability parking badge because they are mobile can access one and acknowledge their disability, especially those with autism who are a flight risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the implementation of the new EU disability card; the status of implementing this card; the person or body that is leading this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of Tusla staff who have left their positions; and the number of Tusla staff currently out on sick leave to date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the chief social worker role within her Department no longer exists; if she will consider restoring this role given the huge challenges being faced by the State's care system, the reforms underway by Tusla and the concerns raised by same and given the importance of this role within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of social workers, social care workers employed by Tusla in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and the number of special care workers employed by Tusla in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of children to date in 2026 who have been allocated to a professional who is not a social worker, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people who have commenced the special care training programme, the number of these who have completed the three months in-classroom; and the number who have completed the three month supervised work placement; the number who dropped out at any point; and the number of these who have been offered a permanent contract, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the list of degrees held by persons who have commenced the Special Care Training Programme; the number of these people who came from overseas; the degrees the held, and the way in which these degrees are substantiated.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the checks that are carried out before security personnel are placed to work in special care units; the number of times a child has been restrained by security personnel; the way in which this is recorded; the person or body that governs their contact with children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any persons who entered special care to work as security personnel have since taken up a role as a special care worker.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider a unit in between residential care and special care to support children and young people as previously existed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number who have applied for the rolling recruitment campaign for social care workers within Tusla; and the number of these fully qualified.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will seek the powers of HIQA be extended to regulate and inspect private residential childcare services.

Asked the Minister for Health the number of social care workers and social workers waiting to register with CORU.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the medical card scheme to cover autism assessments for adults given the cost of such assessments can be a barrier for adults; if she will ensure that adults with autism are diagnosed correctly and therefore not prevented from accessing supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the position regarding access to a drug (details supplied) for people suffering with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; when this drug will be available for children and young people in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the backlog for patients needing vascular and cardiac procedures; the number of people in the State on such waiting lists; the actions that are being taken to reduce waiting times to ensure swift medical attention and to avoid the serious complications that can result for patients being forced to wait; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that are currently outstanding with CORU.

Asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for social worker and social care worker that are outstanding with CORU and remain to be registered by CORU.

Asked the Minister for Health the number of social workers who have been registered with CORU in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026.

Asked the Minister for Health the number of social care workers who have been registered with CORU in each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026.

Asked the Minister for Health the current processing time for applications to register with CORU for social workers and social care workers.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost to the Exchequer per annum of the standard five days of non-teaching time in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth when school caretakers will receive improved pay and terms and conditions of employment, as promised when they ended strike action; the status of this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has undertaken costings for additional non-contact time for early years settings under core funding; and if so, the details of any costings undertaken by her Department regarding the cost of non-contact (detail supplied) time for early years educators and school age care settings.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of an increase to the Graduate Lead Educator premium rate to €8.88; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has considered the cost of increasing the number of graduate lead educators working per room at a time under the core funding rules, as set out under Together for Better.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the estimated cost of bringing early years graduates Level 8 and 9 under public-sector pay and conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes developed, including by approved housing bodies, specifically for disabled people, and separately, people with an intellectual disability, by local authority, in the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will mandate local authorities to include targets for housing for disabled people, including intellectual disability, in their five-year plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will issue instructions to the passport office, when it comes to renewal passport applications for under 18s, to end the practice of the widow/bereaved partner/other parent having to re-submit death certificates and sworn affidavits during every passport renewal, and instead to have a one-off verification system in order that documents associated with a bereavement do not have to be re-submitted continually unless family circumstances change; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a new proposal from an organisation (details supplied); his response to same; if it will be considered ahead of Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role his Department has on the Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) Steering Group; the number of times this group met in 2025 and to-date in 2026; the role his Department places in oversight on this Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing estates that have had issues resolved via the Developer Provided Infrastructure (DPI) Steering Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No.380 of 7 May 2026, the reason for the delay to publish the Coroner's Report for 2025, which is due to be published on or before 1 February; when he received the report for 2025; the process that takes place between when he receives the report and when it is published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on plans to charge childminders and ECCE providers commercial rates; where this process is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on the options for parents using childminders who are not yet registered with Tusla in terms of them being able to access financial support with costs, especially given the very low number of childminders who have registered; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the review of childminding regulations will take place.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the process underway to select the first eight areas for State-led childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on a post for a behavioural therapist in CDNT9; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children referred to the National Placement Team in Tusla for whom a long-term residential placement has yet to be identified; and the length of time these children have been waiting.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children placed in special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of money allocated to voluntary, not-for-profit residential care services in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the companies who were paid for providing accommodation as special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the type of accommodation each provided, that is B&B, apartment, hotel and so on, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount spent on private companies who were providing accommodation as special emergency arrangements in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of additional residential beds that were to be delivered via Tusla’s plan in the voluntary residential sector; the way in which these beds were to be delivered without any funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a consultant post in a HSE service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the return of a CAMHS service in Ballinasloe, County Galway; the status of the business case for a consultant listed as a priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on HSE lands (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Action 11 of the HSE Position Paper (details supplied) led by HSE Health & Wellbeing; National Women and Infants Health Programme; ONMSD, which was due to be completed within eighteen months of publication, has now been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will confirm whether Action 11 of the HSE Position Paper which was due to be completed within eighteen months of publication, has now been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the price of HVO fuel, produced in the EU, including here in Ireland, has been inflated in line with diesel when there is no HVO crises; if he will conduct an analysis to assess the drivers of this increase and the impact on transportation in Ireland.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has considered a tax relief on student fees paid by parents who have no access to SUSI grants to ensure they can access some support for expensive third level fees; if he will examine this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has carried out analysis on the tax take on HVO fuel as a result of higher prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will bring forward the announcement of Schools to be awarded funding under the climate action summer works scheme 2026 (category 7 climate action & windows) rather than waiting until the end of the year, to support schools that are waiting on and relying on this funding for works; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the reason the SEAI solar PV for medically vulnerable households scheme for Electric Ireland customers is being advertised as a support available to customers who meet the outlined criteria, when in fact, those who meet the criteria are not guaranteed access to the scheme, which is instead a lottery; the rationale for the scheme being run like this; if he will seek that all those eligible can access the scheme by removing the lottery system; if not, that the advertisements be made clearer to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will sign an activity requiring consent in respect of three bogs (details supplied) to allow families to cut turf providing them with fuel for the winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how three bogs (details supplied) were designated special areas of conservation when the statutory instrument for each one was signed well after the required timeframe set out in Article 4, section (4) of the Habitats Directive, as ‘within 6 years of 1997’; how such statutory instruments can be valid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide figures for the funding allocated to a person (details supplied) in 2025 and for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health her plans to pass all stages of the Public Health (Single-Use Vapes) Bill 2025 before the summer recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to increase the number of craft apprenticeship meetings from six per year held; to issue the national craft certificates to ensure much needed recently qualified tradespeople can receive their certification without unnecessary delay allowing them to get started working after years of hard work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered excluding students' own income from summer employment/weekend work as part of the means test for SUSI grants; if he will examine the cost of removing it to better support families who have to pay fees in full, without support, due to the part-time work of the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the Coroner Report for 2025 will be published by his Department; the reason it has not been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the work of a committee (details supplied); if he will examine the issues raised, especially on the difficulty being experienced for US driver licence holders, who are Irish citizens and are returning home, where in some cases they had full Irish driver licences; if he will consider an exchange arrangement; if he will examine the system in place for Ireland and the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 29 March 2026, to provide an update on the outcome of her Department writing to all male Catholic religious congregation in Ireland seeking information on any members who are fathers; the responses received; and any follow up actions, or planned action(s); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be made available to Local Link to expand routes and additional services in County Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to add on an earlier Boyle to Sligo train to support students and those attending Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider putting early years on the critical skills list to encourage professionals to come to Ireland to work in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on an appeal submitted by a school (details supplied) regarding its SNA allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance appeal (details supplied) submitted in November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will consider extending the medical card scheme to cover ADHD assessments for adults given the cost of such assessments can be a barrier for adults; if she will ensure that adults with ADHD are diagnosed correctly and therefore not prevented from accessing supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there are any financial supports/grants for summer camps through Gaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to increase capacity on school transport to meet demand/need; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on a new build (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will include additional institutions to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of serious concerns raised in relation to the new national service for guardians ad litem; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications made to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to date in 2026; the number processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to open special care beds that are closed in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a review into childminding regulations will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on her engagement regarding possible charges of commercial rates to childminders and ECCE providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to meet the need for long-term residential care for disabled people in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Passport Service does not recognise the Irish language when on photographic ID, required for passport application, where the applicant applies with their name in English, as per their birth certificate; the reason the passport office does not recognise our first language as being the same name in English, as it is in Irish; if he will examine this and seek a change within the passport service; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise if the Vacant Above the Shop Grant will be made available to micro companies to ensure the widest take-up of this initiative to ensure it is a success, ensuring new and small businesses are not locked out of providing much needed accommodation in rural towns, especially in towns where there is a lot of dereliction and a demand for private rented accommodation; if not, if he will consider extending the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when an application (details supplied) will be decided on; and if no timeframe is available, the average processing times for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on ongoing reviews into maternity care at Portiuncula University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to advise if a business case for a CAMHS Clinic in Ballinasloe will be supported and expedited as quickly as possible to ensure a service is returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the implementation of the Lower Shannon Fish Passage Initiative; the stage implementation is at; if there is an implementation plan published and a timeframe for the implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is considering a new phase of supports for existing cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme applicants, as per correspondence issued to applicants; the stage this consideration is at; when applicants will be informed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2562 14 April 2026, if one letter could issue to foster carers to cover such travel while a child is in their care, rather than having to seek a letter for travel to the North of Ireland every time, noting that foster carers living near the border do not require such a letter to travel north and those living further away do; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount spent since January 2024 on a service (details supplied) the third party contracted external provider of phone and application services for the mother and baby payments scheme

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new applicants per week since January 2026 to the mother and baby redress scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of eligible applicants per institution listed for redress; and the number of actual applicants per institution to date.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage take up of applicants for Protestant and Catholic institutions for the mother and baby redress scheme.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update following engagement with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on an ongoing permanent solution to flooding at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the director of special care in Tusla has been removed from their post, the grounds for this removal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an increased allowance for special care has been rejected by the Department of Public Expenditure; Infrastructure; Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, if so, the reason for this; the action she will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason cuts have been made by an organisation (details supplied) impacting learners at another organisation; if he will examine this and reverse these cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if funding announced for sound barriers along the N6/M6 Athlone Bypass will apply to residents in Bay Lough and the County Roscommon side who are affected by consistent traffic noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to advise when the next update meeting from the OPW will take place regarding Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon in the County Council offices with the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the reason horticulture is not a qualifying sector for funding from Enterprise Ireland; if this can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 600 of 18 March 2026, the supports and services available under the enhanced medical card for survivors of industrial schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a NEPS psychologist in a school (details supplied) will be replaced to ensure that NEPS assessments can continue as needed for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the possible funding opportunities available to an organisation (details supplied) to promote an event; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the possible funding opportunities for the International Rally in February 2027.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider removing the personal independence payment (PIP) paid in England from the means test for Disability Allowance in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of people who participated in JobBridge

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if participants in JobBridge and JobPath accrued PRSI stamps while on these Schemes, if not, has the Department assessed the impact of this on participants, if credits could be given for time spent on said schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 26 March 2026, how the visa applications concerned have not been received and are now closed as per a reply in correspondence (details supplied) given his office advised the same visa applications had been received and were being processed.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports available to people in the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of children who are currently in the care of State, with a separate column for the number of unaccompanied minors, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children in foster care for each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of foster carers approved for foster care in each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of persons on waiting lists for long-term residential care in County Roscommon and County Galway, including the number of cases where there is only one parent living, and where the parents carers are over the age of 66 years-of-age.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of housing units that exist for long-term residential care for persons with a disability/intellectual disability in County Roscommon and County Galway.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a fee assessment process for early years providers in receipt of core funding for the current programme year, as committed to in Budget 2026, will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the stage the 2025/2026 fee increase process is at; when it will be communicated to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will commit to engage with an organisation (details supplied) on their funding request for 2026 given they did not receive what was sought in 2024 and 2025 to meet the needs of their services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the outcome of the little baby bundle pilot scheme by her Department in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a letter to travel is required in respect of children in State care by Tusla; the reason there is not the same right for all children in care or not to travel the island of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to adding Crohn's disease, which is life-changing and life-long, to the long-term illness scheme; if not, if this will this be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will seek feedback on a call made to the National Ambulance Service (details supplied) and information given by operator to the caller; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason horticulture is not a qualifying sector for LEADER funding; if this can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter.