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Paul Lawless

Ireland · Official source

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2,217 records where Paul Lawless is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years

Question· writtenPQ 747asked

747. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41403/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

747. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41403/26]

Question· writtenPQ 746asked

746. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41402/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

746. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41402/26]

Question· writtenPQ 475asked

475. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41405/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

475. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [41405/26]

Question· writtenPQ 408asked

408. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40824/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

408. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40824/26]

Question· writtenPQ 325asked

325. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40919/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

325. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40919/26]

Question· writtenPQ 147asked

147. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39412/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

147. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39412/26]

Question· writtenPQ 93asked

93. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39413/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

93. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39413/26]

Question· writtenPQ 44asked

44. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39398/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 28 May 2026

44. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39398/26]

Question· writtenPQ 31asked

31. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40447/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 27 May 2026

31. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40447/26]

Question· writtenPQ 915asked

915. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether livestock trailers fall within the scope of investments permitted under Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 governing CAP Strategic Plans, given that other member states fund such equipment through CAP rural development measures; if he will consider their inclusion in future TAMS tranches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39629/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

915. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether livestock trailers fall within the scope of investments permitted under Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 governing CAP Strategic Plans, given that other member states fund such equipment through CAP rural development measures; if he will consider their inclusion in future TAMS tranches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39629/26]

Question· writtenPQ 914asked

914. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the approach taken in other EU Member States, where livestock trailers and similar mobile livestock handling equipment are funded under CAP Pillar II investment schemes; if he will assess whether Ireland's TAMS framework could be aligned with these European precedents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39628/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

914. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the approach taken in other EU Member States, where livestock trailers and similar mobile livestock handling equipment are funded under CAP Pillar II investment schemes; if he will assess whether Ireland's TAMS framework could be aligned with these European precedents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39628/26]

Question· writtenPQ 913asked

913. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the competitive disadvantage faced by farmers in the Republic of Ireland compared with those in Northern Ireland, where grant aid is available for livestock trailers; if he will consider measures to address this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

913. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the competitive disadvantage faced by farmers in the Republic of Ireland compared with those in Northern Ireland, where grant aid is available for livestock trailers; if he will consider measures to address this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/26]

Question· writtenPQ 912asked

912. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will undertake a review of the TAMS eligible item lists to ensure they reflect modern farm safety needs, including the potential inclusion of livestock trailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39615/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

912. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will undertake a review of the TAMS eligible item lists to ensure they reflect modern farm safety needs, including the potential inclusion of livestock trailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39615/26]

Question· writtenPQ 911asked

911. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39614/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

911. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39614/26]

Question· writtenPQ 910asked

910. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39613/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

910. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39613/26]

Question· writtenPQ 909asked

909. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39612/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

909. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39612/26]

Question· writtenPQ 908asked

908. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39611/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

908. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39611/26]

Question· writtenPQ 873asked

873. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40040/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

873. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40040/26]

Question· writtenPQ 872asked

872. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40037/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

872. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40037/26]

Question· writtenPQ 871asked

871. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40036/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

871. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40036/26]

Question· writtenPQ 870asked

870. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40035/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

870. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40035/26]

Question· writtenPQ 869asked

869. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40034/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

869. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40034/26]

Question· writtenPQ 868asked

868. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40033/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

868. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40033/26]

Question· writtenPQ 867asked

867. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40032/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

867. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40032/26]

Question· writtenPQ 866asked

866. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40026/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

866. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40026/26]

Question· writtenPQ 806asked

806. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39319/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

806. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39319/26]

Question· writtenPQ 805asked

805. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39318/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

805. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39318/26]

Question· writtenPQ 804asked

804. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39316/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

804. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39316/26]

Question· writtenPQ 803asked

803. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39315/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

803. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39315/26]

Question· writtenPQ 802asked

802. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39314/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

802. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39314/26]

Question· writtenPQ 801asked

801. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39313/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

801. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39313/26]

Question· writtenPQ 800asked

800. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39312/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

800. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39312/26]

Question· writtenPQ 799asked

799. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39311/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

799. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39311/26]

Question· writtenPQ 798asked

798. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39310/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

798. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39310/26]

Question· writtenPQ 732asked

732. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40173/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

732. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [40173/26]

Question· writtenPQ 598asked

598. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39724/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

598. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39724/26]

Question· writtenPQ 597asked

597. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39723/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

597. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39723/26]

Question· writtenPQ 596asked

596. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39720/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

596. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39720/26]

Question· writtenPQ 584asked

584. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39525/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

584. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39525/26]

Question· writtenPQ 583asked

583. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39524/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

583. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39524/26]

Question· writtenPQ 582asked

582. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39523/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

582. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39523/26]

Question· writtenPQ 581asked

581. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39522/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

581. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39522/26]

Question· writtenPQ 578asked

578. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39518/26]

Ireland · Dáil Éireann · 26 May 2026

578. Deputy Paul Lawless 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. [39518/26]