157. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme will be launched; the expected scale and scope of the programme; the way in which his Department assesses and prioritises applications in terms of local impact, participation levels and community need; the way in which the programme will continue to support grassroots clubs and voluntary organisations, which play a vital role in sustaining sport and physical activity at local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1453/26]
588. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on progress regarding the proposed new 60-bed community nursing unit for Cashel, County Tipperary; if the site option appraisal and architect’s report referred to in correspondence to this Deputy on 2 September 2025 have now been completed; if a preferred site has been identified; and the next steps and indicative timeframe for advancing the project to design and construction stages. [3258/26]
471. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of drivers intercepted by Gardaí in 2025 who were arrested and charged with drink driving on the day of the offence; the number prosecuted; the number disqualified in court; and the number who had their driver number captured in court on conviction. [3210/26]
470. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of registered owners of vehicles detected speeding in 2025 who nominated another person as the driver at the time of the offence; the number of nominated drivers who were issued with a fixed charge notice (FCN); the number who failed to pay the FCN; the number summonsed to court; the number convicted; and the number who had their driver number recorded in court. [3209/26]
469. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fixed charge penalty point notices issued by An Garda Síochána to the registered owner of a vehicle following a speeding offence detected by a speed camera in 2025; the number of owners who failed to pay the fine; the number summoned to court; the number convicted; and the number of driver numbers recorded by the court on conviction. [3208/26]
468. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of fixed charge penalty point notices (FCPNs) issued by gardaí on interception of speeding drivers, by Garda division, in 2025; the number of drivers who failed to pay the FCPN; the number summoned to court; the number that were convicted; and the number who had their driver number captured by the court. [3207/26]
467. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of roads policing vehicles, by Garda division. [3206/26]
466. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí who graduated and were sworn in as full members of An Garda Síochána from the Garda college in 2025. [3205/26]
465. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of gardaí working in roads policing units on 31 December 2025, by Garda division; the total number that were assigned to roads policing units each month in 2025; the number of transfers, resignations and retirements from roads policing units in 2025; the current number of gardaí in each roads policing unit to date in 2026; if that number includes officers not on active duty; and the number of members who are not currently in active duty in road policing, by roads policing unit. [3203/26]
464. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of GoSafe speed camera vans in operation in 2025; if that number has been increased now to cater for the 390 additional GoSafe speed camera zones operational since 1 January 2026; and the number of monitoring hours per month across the national network of GoSafe camera zones in 2025. [3202/26]
301. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the current number of learner permit holders on their third or subsequent learner permit; if the RSA has written to these permit holders to inform them of the new rules (S.I. No. 527/2025) coming into effect on 1 November 2026; and if so, the details of what the RSA has communicated in these letters. [3257/26]
300. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the current number of second permit holders; if the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has written out to all second learner permit holders to inform them of the new rules (S.I. No. 527/2025) that will apply to them from 1 November 2026; if the RSA has informed them that application for a third learner permit will require them to have undertaken a driving test in the previous two years. [3256/26]
299. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the IT systems that will need to be changed to introduce the new provisions to restrict the use of multiple learner permits from 1 November 2026, as reported by the RSA to the Oireachtas Committee on Transport on 8 October 2025; and the proposed date for each of the 11 necessary changes to IT systems to be completed before the new system goes live on 1 November 2026. [3255/26]
293. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on his Department's work with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to increase the maximum prison sentence for dangerous driving causing death from 10 to 14 years following a meeting with Minister of State at the Department of Transport (details supplied); and if he has now examined the practice in Northern Ireland whereby the maximum sentencing is 14 years. [3211/26]
238. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which his Department's Value for Money and Public Spending Code units have reviewed the projected cost per kilometre of the MetroLink project; if international comparators including the inflation-adjusted cost of the Madrid Metro network expansion have been assessed; if he will publish the outcome of this benchmarking; the measures in place to ensure cost discipline in large-scale transport projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66276/25]
211. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if a comparative cost analysis with major European metro systems, including projects such as Madrid Metro expansions, has been completed by or on behalf of National Transport Authority in relation to the MetroLink project; when this benchmarking will be published and made available to the Houses of the Oireachtas (details supplied); the way in which value for money is being assessed at this stage of the project, prior to Approval Gate 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1451/26]
152. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the direct oversight and cost-control measures his Department is exercising over the MetroLink project during the pre-procurement phase (details supplied); the way in which he will ensure that projected costs remain proportionate and justifiable where no final capital envelope has yet been published; the specific cost-efficiency disciplines are being imposed on Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority ahead of Approval Gate 2; if the Government will be asked to approve a maximum cost ceiling before tenders are received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1452/26]
6. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection to explore the possibility of reducing the minimum hours of the wage subsidy scheme from 15 hours to ten hours (details supplied). [1439/26]
2603. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding access to SUSI grant support for students enrolled on part-time higher education programmes which carry a full academic workload of 60 ECTS credits per academic year; whether consideration has been given to amending eligibility criteria to take account of the actual academic intensity of such programmes rather than their part-time designation alone; whether exceptional or discretionary arrangements are available for a student who is experiencing financial hardship in these circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/26]
2376. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to specify where within a hospital (details supplied) the three level 2 palliative care rooms will be located; and if she will confirm whether their location has been agreed with relevant clinical stakeholders, including specialist palliative care providers. [1189/26]
2375. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the three dedicated level 2 palliative care rooms at a hospital (details supplied) will be co-located within the same area of the building; and if not, to outline the rationale for any alternative configuration. [1188/26]
2374. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current status of the governance model for the three dedicated level 2 palliative care suites at a hospital (details supplied); and if she will outline how clinical governance, operational oversight and integration with specialist hospital-based palliative care services will be structured. [1187/26]
2373. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she will request the HSE to provide the most up-to-date room fit-out designs, architectural plans and technical specifications for the three level 2 palliative care rooms at a hospital (detail supplied); and if she will confirm whether these designs fully meet national standards for level 2 palliative care provision. [1186/26]
2372. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to confirm that the Health Service Executive remains fully committed to engagement with the established working group comprising the HSE, and organisations in relation to the provision of three level 2 palliative care beds at (details supplied); and if she will outline the proposed schedule and format for ongoing engagement with these groups. [1185/26]
1972. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a child who is under the care of a local children’s disability network team (CDNT), but unable to access occupational therapy through that team due to staffing shortages or prolonged waiting lists, may access occupational therapy through primary care without losing their place or ongoing eligibility with the CDNT; if there is a national HSE policy governing this situation; if parents are being advised, formally or informally, that accessing primary care services may result in discharge from CDNT services; the way in which consistency is being ensured across community healthcare organisations, CHOs, in the application of this policy; and the steps that are being taken to ensure that families are not penalised for seeking timely therapeutic supports for their children where CDNT capacity is limited. [1000/26]
1950. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the process by which books are selected for inclusion in the My Little Library initiative; if there is a formal mechanism for Irish authors or publishers to submit titles for consideration; the way such information is communicated publicly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [75019/25]
1716. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has examined how other common-law jurisdictions address court fees and costs in constitutional or public-interest litigation; and whether any such models are being considered in an Irish context. [1076/26]
1715. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has assessed the potential chilling effect of court fees and adverse costs exposure on individuals seeking to vindicate constitutional rights; and if so, to provide details of any such assessment. [1075/26]
1714. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration has been given to introducing reduced or waived court fees in the Superior Courts for proceedings that raise bona fide constitutional or public-interest issues; and if so, to outline the options examined. [1074/26]
1713. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether S.I. No. 492/2014 (Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court (Fees) Order 2014) is currently under review; and if not, whether he intends to initiate a review having regard to access to justice considerations. [1073/26]
1712. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the basis on which the State and State bodies are exempt from certain court fees under S.I. No. 492/2014; and whether consideration has been given to the impact of these exemptions on equality of arms between the State and private litigants. [1072/26]
1711. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the policy rationale underpinning the current level and structure of court fees applicable in the superior courts; and how this rationale reflects the constitutional right of access to the courts, particularly in cases involving alleged breaches of constitutional rights. [1071/26]
1576. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanisms in place to monitor the risk of poverty and social exclusion among people with disabilities following Budget 2026; and the way in which these align with Ireland's obligations under the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. [1599/26]
1575. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will give consideration to the introduction of a targeted winter payment for people with disabilities to address additional disability-related costs during peak winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1598/26]
1574. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection whether the adequacy of the fuel allowance for people with disabilities, particularly those with higher heating needs, has been reviewed in light of winter energy costs; and if additional targeted measures are under consideration. [1597/26]
1573. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to targeted transitional or seasonal supports for people with disabilities following the withdrawal of once-off cost-of-living payments provided in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1596/26]
1572. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has undertaken an assessment of the cumulative impact of Budget 2026 measures on households where a person is in receipt of disability allowance, particularly those living alone; and if he will publish any such analysis. [1595/26]
1571. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of work to introduce a cost of disability payment; when he expects to move from research and design to implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/26]
1483. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a review the operational rules of the vacant property refurbishment grant which is planned in 2026; and whether such a review will specifically examine applicant eligibility with a view to increasing delivery of above-the-shop and town centre housing. [2152/26]
1482. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he agrees that restricting the vacant property refurbishment grant to individuals limits the ability to bring multiple units back into use in a single development; and if he will consider introducing a parallel stream of the scheme for multi-unit or mixed-use properties owned by non-individual entities. [2151/26]
1481. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has undertaken any analysis comparing the vacant property refurbishment grant with other housing activation schemes that permit applications from companies or delivery partners; and if he will publish or outline the findings of any such analysis. [2150/26]
1480. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he accepts that the current requirement that the vacant property refurbishment grant be paid only to individuals is acting as a barrier to town centre regeneration; and if he will outline the changes, if any, that are under consideration to ensure the scheme aligns with the objectives of the Town Centre First policy. [2149/26]
1479. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications approved to date under the vacant property refurbishment grant for over-the-shop or upper-floor accommodation; the number refused, by county, on the basis of applicant status; and whether consideration has been given to amending the scheme to better unlock the significant vacant residential potential above commercial premises in town centres. [2148/26]
1478. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for limiting eligibility for the vacant property refurbishment grant (including above-the-shop accommodation) to individual applicants only; whether he accepts that this restriction is limiting the scale and pace of delivery of homes in town centres; and if he will outline any plans to extend eligibility to companies, approved housing bodies or small-scale developers. [2147/26]
1235. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the severe accommodation pressures currently facing a primary school (details supplied), which has expanded from a two-teacher to a three-teacher school. [1771/26]
942. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if the Office of Public Works has received or is considering proposals for the use of a vacant OPW-owned building physically adjoining a primary school (details supplied); if the OPW has assessed the suitability of this building for educational use in light of the school's overcrowded conditions and lack of special education and sensory space; and the steps being taken to ensure that State-owned property assets are deployed in a manner consistent with child safeguarding, efficient daytime use, and local educational need. [1772/26]
940. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if, in light of increasing visitor numbers to Athassel Abbey, County Tipperary, he will direct the Office of Public Works to assess current public access arrangements at the site; whether options such as a kissing gate or similar controlled access solution, successfully implemented at Hoare Abbey will be examined to improve safety for visitors; and the anticipated timeframe for such an assessment. [1569/26]
794. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering the rolling out of further average speed zones nationwide; the lessons from existing zones regarding the effectiveness and suitability or otherwise of this measure as a road safety initiative in respect of various categories of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2293/26]
701. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the total number of serious injury collisions in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; if the data published by the RSA for each year includes data on serious RTC casualties held by hospitals and GPs with that provided by gardaí. [1472/26]