Paul Lawless TD
Aontú · Mayo constituency
All recent activity captured from oireachtas.ie's public open-data feeds — debate contributions and parliamentary questions. Links open the official record on the Oireachtas website.
Parliamentary questions
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for Public ExpenditureOffice of Public Works
Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the number of vacant properties which are owned by the OPW; the total economic value of the empty properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Staff
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will list the occasions on which she has met with representative groups of SNAs to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Staff
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the pause on the review of special needs assistant allocations is still in place; when she expects that review to proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Schemes
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the concerns among parents regarding the apparent withdrawal or reduction of access to Department-funded summer camps in primary schools; the reason children who have previously attended and benefited significantly from these summer programmes are now unable to access them in 2026; if changes have been made to funding, eligibility criteria or delivery of such summer programmes; the number of schools that offered Department-funded summer camps in 2024 and 2025 compared to those scheduled to offer them in 2026; the steps she will take to ensure that children are not deprived of valuable educational and social opportunities through these camps; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for SocialPension Provisions
Asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to some individuals in receipt of invalidity pension that may be financially worse off by taking up limited part-time employment (for example, 5 hours per week), due to travel costs and potential impacts on their payment; the measures in place, or under consideration, to ensure that recipients are not financially disadvantaged or discouraged from engaging in suitable employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureFood Labelling
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to ensure that food labelling regulations accurately reflect the country of origin for meat, dairy and other agricultural products sold in Ireland; whether any review of labelling standards has been undertaken or is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthFood Labelling
Asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland to prevent the misuse of Irish food labelling, including the labelling of imported products as Irish-origin; the number of investigations or enforcement actions taken in respect of misleading food labelling in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 28, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthFood Labelling
Asked the Minister for Health whether the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has identified specific categories of food products where mislabelling or misleading origin claims are most prevalent; the enforcement mechanisms available to the FSAI in such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for TransportRoad Traffic Accidents
Asked the Minister for Transport for a record of all reported accidents, collisions, or safety incidents that have occurred at or in the vicinity of the unmarked traffic islands in Ballindine, County Mayo, on the N17, over the past 20 years; if road safety audits or assessments have been carried out at this location; and if there are plans to install appropriate road markings or safety measures at this site.
- May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthMinisterial Communications
Asked the Minister for Health if she will list the dates upon which she has met with or corresponded with the CEO of the HSE since she took office.
- May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthMinisterial Communications
Asked the Minister for Health if she will list the dates upon which she has met with or corresponded with the CEO of HIQA since she took office.
- May 27, 2026PQ to Minister for HealthMinisterial Communications
Asked the Minister for Health if she will list the dates upon which she has met with, or corresponded with the CEO of a company (details supplied) since she took office.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for TaoiseachCabinet Committees
Asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will meet next.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for FinanceTax Rebates
Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has conducted any analysis regarding the amount of rebates and tax credits which people are entitled to, but do not claim; the amount which goes unclaimed each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for FinanceInsurance Industry
Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2025-2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for FinanceTax Yield
Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount the Government is projected to take in via the various taxes on fuel and energy in 2026; and the corresponding figure for each of the past ten years.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for FinanceTax Yield
Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of VAT collected on building materials and construction services in each of the past ten years.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Policy
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her position on the increasing practice in post-primary schools of requiring students to purchase a personal laptop as part of their education; if such a requirement is mandated, recommended, or optional under Department policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationState Examinations
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if any element of the junior certificate cycle or leaving certificate curriculum requires students to have access to a personal laptop outside of school; if project work associated with the revised senior cycle programmes can be fully completed using existing school information technology facilities; and if she will clarify her Department's guidance to schools in this regard.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationDisadvantaged Status
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on schools including schools participating in DEIS requiring families to purchase high-cost digital devices.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Policy
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if guidance has been issued to schools regarding procurement models for digital devices, including rental schemes, leasing arrangements, or shared-use models; if schools are permitted to recommend specific suppliers or devices; and the safeguards in place to ensure value for money and avoid undue financial pressure on families.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationState Examinations
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her assessment of the impact of the revised senior cycle programme, particularly the increased emphasis on continuous project-based assessment across multiple subjects; the way she intends to address concerns that this has created an expectation that students must have access to a personal laptop; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Costs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the planning or impact assessment carried out by her Department prior to the introduction of the revised senior cycle programme in relation to students' access to digital devices; if the financial burden on families of providing laptops was considered; and the measures put in place to mitigate this.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Costs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the additional resources, funding, or supports that have been provided to post-primary schools to meet the increased digital and project work demands arising from the revised senior cycle programme; and if such supports are intended to remove the need for families to purchase personal laptops.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationEducation Costs
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department considers it necessary for each post-primary student to have their own personal laptop in order to fully participate in the revised senior cycle programme; and if not, the alternative arrangements that should be in place within schools.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Admissions
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the legal basis for her Department's position that guidance on best practice arrangements for opt-outs arise only from the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018, given that section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998 already requires that students not attend instruction in any subject contrary to the conscience of a parent or student; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Admissions
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is satisfied that her Department's current approach does not create a two-tier system resulting in less favourable treatment of parents and students seeking to exercise conscience-based opt-out rights under section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998 in respect of non-religious instruction, including instruction objected to on religious or moral grounds, compared with those seeking to opt out of religious instruction under section 62(7)(n), where detailed Departmental guidelines have been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for EducationSchool Admissions
Asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether, in light of Departmental circulars indicating that opt-out arrangements for SPHE/RSE are a matter for individual schools, if she is satisfied that this approach does not reproduce the same difficulties previously identified in respect of religious instruction opt-outs, including inconsistency between schools, lack of transparency for families, and impractical or penalising arrangements; whether her Department will issue clear national guidance on conscience-based opt-outs under section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998 for non-religious subjects, including SPHE, RSE, wellbeing and other curriculum areas; if not, the reasons therefore; #and if she will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for HousingBuilding Regulations
Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the potential for supporting domestic reed harvesting for thatching, given that Ireland has abundant natural reed beds, yet thatchers are forced to import reed due to lack of capacity and support; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps being taken to address ongoing difficulties in the enforcement of court ordered maintenance arrangements, particularly in cases where repeated non-payment occurs but arrears are cleared immediately prior to court hearings, resulting in matters being struck-out without judicial consideration of the pattern of breaches.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration is being given to reforms that would allow courts to examine patterns of repeated non-compliance with maintenance orders, even where arrears have been discharged shortly before a hearing, in order to prevent the system being used to avoid accountability.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures in place to protect individuals from incurring significant legal costs in pursuing enforcement of maintenance orders, particularly where proceedings repeatedly collapse due to last minute payments; and whether reforms are being considered in this area.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average time taken to bring enforcement proceedings for maintenance arrears before the courts; and whether delays in progressing such cases are being examined as part of broader justice system reform.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the supports available for lay litigants in family law proceedings, particularly those seeking to enforce maintenance orders without legal representation; and whether additional measures are planned to ensure they are afforded fair access and adequate time before the courts.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the frequency with which attachment of earnings orders are granted in maintenance cases; and whether the threshold for granting such orders is being reviewed in light of repeated non-compliance scenarios.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any assessment has been carried out into whether individuals with higher incomes or professional standing are better able to delay or avoid enforcement of maintenance obligations; and the safeguards that exist to ensure equality before the law in such cases.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Department has examined the broader social and emotional impact on parents and children arising from prolonged enforcement disputes in family law; and the supports that are available to affected families.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeFamily Law Cases
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration is being given to the establishment of a more robust, centralised system for the collection and enforcement of maintenance payments, similar to models in other jurisdictions, to reduce reliance on repeated court applications.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the statutory responsibility for individuals who are released from prison with no fixed abode, including whether responsibility rests with the Irish Prison Service, the Probation Service, or the relevant local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the person or body responsible for monitoring, supporting, and supervising individuals released from prison who are placed in private emergency accommodation, including whether responsibility rests with the property owner, the local authority, the Probation Service, or another State agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rehabilitation supports provided to individuals released from prison who are placed in private emergency accommodation; whether these supports are delivered by qualified professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a risk assessment is carried out prior to placing an ex-prisoner in emergency accommodation, including assessment of the individual's offending history, risks to the community, and proximity to schools, preschools, and facilities for vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any categories of offence are considered too high risk for placement in multi-occupancy emergency accommodation; if so, to list those categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of reports of anti-social behaviour linked to emergency accommodation facilities in Knock, Balla, Crossmolina, Swinford or other locations in County Mayo where ex-prisoners have been housed; to outline the actions taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the safeguarding measures in place to protect local communities, including children and vulnerable adults, when individuals with criminal convictions are placed in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for JusticeEmergency Accommodation
Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a breakdown for each of the past five years, including to date in 2026 of the number of prisoners released with no fixed abode; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Schemes
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if livestock trailers, including cattle trailers, are currently excluded from eligibility under the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes; the rationale for their exclusion given their central role in farm safety and animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Schemes
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the approach taken in Northern Ireland, where agricultural capital grant schemes include livestock trailers as eligible items to support safer transport of animals; if he will assess whether similar supports should be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Schemes
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he acknowledges that livestock trailers are subject to significant wear and tear and that outdated trailers pose risks to animal welfare, farm safety, and road safety; if he will consider expanding TAMS to incentivise the upgrading of such equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- May 26, 2026PQ to Minister for AgricultureAgriculture Schemes
Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides scope to include livestock trailers as eligible capital investments under TAMS; if his Department will review this possibility in light of farmer concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dáil contributions
- May 28, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
- May 27, 2026MotionExtension of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion
- May 27, 2026MotionFiscal Planning Framework for Economic Certainty: Motion [Private Members]
- May 26, 2026MotionCost of Disability: Motion [Private Members]
- May 20, 2026MotionDefence and Neutrality: Motion [Private Members]
- May 19, 2026StatementNational Biodiversity Week: Statements
- May 19, 2026MotionEvictions and Rent Hikes: Motion [Private Members]
- May 13, 2026DebateDeer Management: Discussion
- May 12, 2026StatementInternational Nurses Day: Statements
- May 12, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
- May 06, 2026OrderofbusinessAn tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
- April 29, 2026DebateFertiliser Input Costs in the Agricultural Sector: Discussion
- April 29, 2026MotionRemediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022: Motion
- April 29, 2026MotionFamily Law Transparency, Child Welfare, and Reform of the In Camera Rule: Motion [Private Members]
- April 28, 2026DebateSeaweed Harvesting and Licensing: Discussion
- April 28, 2026QuestionRenewable Energy Generation
- April 28, 2026StatementOur Rural Future: Statements
- April 23, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 22, 2026DebateDefinition of Farmer within the Afforestation Scheme: Discussion
- April 22, 2026QuestionsCeisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
- April 22, 2026MotionEarth Day: Motion [Private Members]
- April 21, 2026MotionSpecial Education: Motion [Private Members]
- April 16, 2026QuestionClimate Change Policy
- April 15, 2026QuestionCabinet Committees
- April 15, 2026MotionTackling Soaring Energy Costs: Motion [Private Members]