Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD

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

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Transport
  Rail Network

  Asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the local authorities in Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone can be assisted by his Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland to advance plans to connect Letterkenny to Derry and Tyrone by rail and to progress the potential of the All-Island Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Transport
  Traffic Management

  Asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Social Welfare Payments

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishery Harbour Centres

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current and capital annual budget allocated for the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for each of the years 2025 and 2026; the estimated cost of increasing this budget by 5% and 10% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Marine Institute

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total current and capital annual budget allocated by his Department to the Marine Institute for each of the years 2025 and 2026; if he will provide a breakdown of any additional co-funding or external program funding channelled through his Department to the institute in those years; the projected cost of increasing this overall budget allocation by 5% and 10% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fisheries Protection

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total annual budget allocated to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority for 2026; if he will provide a breakdown of this allocation between current operational expenditure and capital expenditure; the total funding drawn down by the authority in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Aquaculture Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current and capital annual budget allocated to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board for 2025 and 2026; the baseline financial allocation required to increase this budget by 10% and 15% respectively, to assist with operational capacity, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 18, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishing Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has examined the introduction of a time limited inshore weather and safety compensation scheme for active inshore fishing vessels affected by prolonged unsafe sea conditions, reduced safe fishing days and climate driven weather disruption; whether Met Éireann, the Marine Institute or any other relevant body has been asked to provide scientific evidence linking specific weather events, swell conditions, storm patterns or other climate related disruption to quantified income losses or additional costs for the inshore fleet; if his Department has assessed if such events could be formally recognised by national authorities as a natural disaster, adverse climatic event or exceptional occurrence for the purposes of EU State Aid rules; if his Department has sought guidance or pre notification engagement with EU Directorate-General for Competition or Directorate-General MARE on such a scheme under the EMFAF, the Fishery Block Exemption Regulation, the Fisheries State Aid Guidelines, or any other applicable route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Work Permits

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if Ukrainian refugees here can continue to participate in State employment schemes under the temporary protection transition scheme.

• June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
  Immigration Policy

  Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the financial criteria for a Stamp 4 status for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland under the temporary protection transition scheme is €29, 432 per person or per family.

• June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
  Visa Applications

  Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review and advise on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 16, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishing Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the eligibility criteria for aquaculture producers and vessel owners under the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme, including the requirement for vessels to be on the Irish fleet register; if alternative criteria will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 11, 2026PQ to Minister for Justice
  Community Employment Schemes

  Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Ukrainian refugees who are currently participating in community employment schemes, TÚS employment schemes or rural social schemes will be eligible to remain in Ireland under the new temporary protection transition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Departmental Reviews

  Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other countries allow their citizens to claim seafarer’s tax back or avail of seafarer’s allowance without a requirement that they are at least 161 days at sea or with reference to the port of commencement or destination; and if he plans to review this allowance.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Wildlife Protection

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will agree to the request for the public release of the research commissioned into the threats to the native Irish honeybee (apis mellifera mellifera) due to the introduction of imported honeybees into Ireland; if he will facilitate the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 and ensure that all members of the Oireachtas receive copies of the research findings in advance of any further debate on the Bill.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  School Transport

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if provision will be made for private bus operators working under contract for Bus Éireann to apply for the fuel allowance/support scheme, as the current online application system only appears to provide an option for hauliers; and if she will clarify how eligible private bus companies can apply for this support.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 26 May 2026, if she can confirm a date by which her officials will have responded to the school’s Stage 2B submission (details supplied).

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Culture
  Sports Facilities

  Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 656 of 26 May 2026, if he will confirm the percentage of the overall capital cost of building a swimming pool/ leisure centre does a local authority have to contribute when they are in receipt of a grant under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Social Welfare Benefits

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility criteria for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), specifically the requirement that entitlement ceases when a child reaches 16 years of age; whether consideration is being given to extending eligibility to age 18, particularly for lifelong conditions such as Type 1 diabetes where significant care needs continue beyond age 16; the number of children in receipt of DCA whose entitlement ceased on reaching 16 years of age in each of the past five years; the number who subsequently applied for disability allowance; the number of those applications approved and refused; the average processing time for such applications; the estimated cost of extending the DCA eligibility from age 16 to age 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Social Welfare Eligibility

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the 18.5 hour weekly work limit attached to Carer’s Allowance eligibility in circumstances where carers wish to remain in employment, particularly in professions such as teaching where standard working hours exceed the permitted threshold; if consideration has been given to introducing greater flexibility for qualified professionals who cannot access part-time posts; and if he will outline any plans to examine the impact of current rules on carers seeking to maintain employment while continuing in their caring role; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• June 09, 2026PQ to Minister for Social
  Social Welfare Eligibility

  Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will undertake a review of the means test for disability allowance, with particular regard to the assessment of a partner’s income; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the way in which plans can be advanced for a new school (details supplied) on the new site offered free of charge to the State, within the town boundaries of Milford.

• May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  School Facilities

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to advance the delivery of new school facilities (details supplied) that have been long delayed.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Cross-Border Co-operation

  Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the renewed efforts toward a UK–Ireland cross-Border work framework, particularly addressing remote work taxation.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Finance
  Banking Sector

  Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is aware that persons and families that are resident in the Republic of Ireland and working in Northern Ireland are being turned down for a mortgage by lenders in this State because they are not working in this State; and if he will progress the development of standardised underwriting approaches for cross-Border incomes.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) for which they have full planning permission, including accommodation for four new special classes for autistic pupils and 16 mainstream classrooms.

• May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for Culture
  Departmental Funding

  Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has the power or discretion to fund a capital project allocation to a local authority backed project without match funding from that local authority.

• May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Climate
  Fisheries Protection

  Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the scientific and policy basis for the introduction of the three-pollack daily bag limit for recreational anglers; the extent to which Irish specific IMREC data and inshore sampling work, including evidence of high catch and release rates and low retained catches by charter and recreational anglers, was considered before the Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law No. 1028 of 2026 was signed; the consultation that took place with the recreational sea angling and charter sector; whether comparable restrictions are being applied to commercial pollack removals and pollack taken for bait; whether the measure will be subject to a formal review in light of updated Irish data and its impact on coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 21, 2026PQ to Minister for Defence
  Naval Service

  Asked the Minister for Defence if she will confirm that the Naval Service fisheries monitoring centre is adequately resourced to perform its responsibilities throughout the Irish EEZ.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Housing Provision

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when his Department will provide the funding to Donegal County Council to proceed with affordable housing projects in the county.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when a scheme will commence to relocate nine families, living in defective concrete block homes away from a location (details supplied); and when his Department officials will consult with the homeowners on the design of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  School Accommodation

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department will provide the funding to replace two derelict prefabs at a school (details supplied) that urgently need replacing ahead of the next school term in the autumn, in a school campus that is already extremely limited for space.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Departmental Reviews

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed the impact that reductions in ESOL and related community based English language supports will have on primary and post-primary schools in County Donegal, particularly schools with Ukrainian pupils and families who require English language support; whether schools will receive additional English as an additional language, special education, home school liaison, translation or integration supports where adult ESOL provision is reduced; whether any teaching, support or ancillary posts in schools are expected to be affected by changes in supports for Ukrainians after March 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Housing
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will bring forward the necessary regulations that will allow for side-by-side construction of homes under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to allow some families to remain in their defective home while a new home is built on an adjacent site.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Inshore Fisheries

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he, his Department, or officials have engaged with the European Commission, including Commissioner Costas Kadis, DG MARE and/or DG Competition, regarding the possibility of securing approval, exemption, derogation or other flexibility under EU State aid and fisheries funding rules to allow Ireland to introduce a targeted financial support scheme for the inshore fisheries sector, including supports for weather related lost fishing days, climate adaptation, income stabilisation and public good environmental measures; if he will publish or summarise the outcome of any such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher Education
  Further and Higher Education

  Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the decision to end or substantially reduce ESOL provision for Ukrainians and other learners in County Donegal from March 2027, including classes delivered in community and resource centre settings; if he will provide the ESOL allocation to Donegal ETB in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the projected allocation for 2027; the number of ESOL learners, class hours, tutors and venues supported in Donegal in each of those years; the number of tutors expected to lose hours or employment as a result of the reduction in funding; whether transitional or replacement funding will be provided to allow learners to continue ESOL for at least a further two years where they have not yet reached a level of English sufficient for employment or independent living, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 19, 2026PQ to Minister for Further and Higher Education
  Further and Higher Education

  Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that will apply for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine who are already enrolled in higher education, further education, PLC, Springboard, adult learning or upskilling courses in the 2026/2027 academic year; whether existing students will be supported to complete their courses; what supports will be available to mature Ukrainian students who have begun upskilling or reskilling in order to enter employment; and if he will provide a clear public guidance note for affected students and education providers in County Donegal and nationally.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishing Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will work with his ministerial colleagues and the relevant Departments to introduce a financial stabilisation scheme for inshore fishermen similar to the basic income scheme available to artists.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fisheries Protection

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, to ensure that the Fisheries Monitoring Centre is adequately resourced to perform its responsibilities throughout the Irish EEZ; and to provide statistics on inspections of vessels in the zone for the past five years, by year, to illustrate this point.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Fishing Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide information on the fuel support scheme that will be made available to fishermen.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Defective Building Materials

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she aware that the ongoing crisis relating to defective concrete blocks continues to have a profound impact on students and staff across Donegal ETB schools;if she will request her Department to accede to the request from Donegal ETB for an additional guidance counsellor allocation for a defined period; expansion of the home school community liaison (HSCL) provision; enhanced financial supports for school uniforms and student participation; increased access to after-school study and meals provision; additional supports for extracurricular and out-of-school activities; expanded access to National Educational Psychological Service; strengthened School Completion Programme supports; enhanced staff well-being and counselling supports; and additional supports for school leadership teams managing these challenges.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the major extension project at a school (details supplied); and her Department’s response to the proposal from Donegal ETB to construct a new school building on an adjacent site.

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  Schools Building Projects

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the plans for the future development of a school (details supplied).

• May 14, 2026PQ to Minister for Education
  School Staff

  Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the way in which her Department can assist Donegal ETB with the serious staffing challenges that they face and have conveyed to her Department.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Aquaculture Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications are awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is an update on prioritisation to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Aquaculture Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence determinations issued by his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Aquaculture Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that are awaiting determination with his Department ; the efforts that are being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Aquaculture Industry

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications processed with appropriate assessments completed by the Marine Institute and his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Departmental Schemes

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when will the sustainable aquaculture scheme be open for applications in 2026; will the eligibility criteria be revised given the unreasonable delays in the aquaculture licensing system which is impacting aquaculture producers awaiting licensing renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• May 13, 2026PQ to Minister for Agriculture
  Departmental Funding

  Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the European Commission has now triggered Article 26 of the EMFAF Regulation allowing for compensation for fisheries and aquaculture for income forgone and additional costs during exceptional events, will the Minister establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers facing increased costs impacting their business such as, increase in feed costs, energy costs, transport & logistics costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dáil contributions

• June 17, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• June 16, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• June 10, 2026Debate
  Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2026: Second Stage
• June 10, 2026Debate
  Vote 30 - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
• June 09, 2026Debate
  Proposal for Inshore Fisheries Income Stabilisation and Climate Compensation Scheme: National Inshore Fishermans Association (Resumed)
• May 28, 2026Question
  Schools Building Projects
• May 27, 2026Motion
  Fiscal Planning Framework for Economic Certainty: Motion [Private Members]
• May 26, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• May 20, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• May 20, 2026Motion
  Defence and Neutrality: Motion [Private Members]
• May 19, 2026Debate
  Marine Protected Areas - International Best Practice: Discussion
• May 19, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• May 14, 2026Question
  Fishing Industry
• May 14, 2026Question
  Fishing Industry
• May 12, 2026Debate
  Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2026: Second Stage [Private Members]
• May 12, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• May 06, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• April 30, 2026Question
  Air Services
• April 29, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
• April 29, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
• April 29, 2026Motion
  Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022: Motion
• April 28, 2026Debate
  Seaweed Harvesting and Licensing: Discussion
• April 28, 2026Statement
  Our Rural Future: Statements
• April 28, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• April 21, 2026Orderofbusiness
  An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
• April 21, 2026Debate
  Impact of Climate Change on Fish Stocks: Discussion
• April 15, 2026Questions
  Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
• April 14, 2026Debate
  Sea Fisheries Protection and Legislative Framework for Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority: Discussion (Resumed)