802. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of overdue assessments of need in County Mayo for each year from 2021 to 2025; the reasons for the significant increase; the measures being taken to address the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33038/26]
441. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth to clarify the policy regarding transport provision for special schools; the reason a special school in County Mayo has had to fundraise for a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33062/26]
440. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the ongoing training and support that is provided to teachers and SNAs in County Mayo to enable them to support children with complex needs, particularly in cases where therapy services are understaffed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33061/26]
439. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the Department's plan to ensure that all children identified as requiring a special class or special school placement in County Mayo for September 2026 will be accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33060/26]
438. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in County Mayo who are expected to attend mainstream schools with SNA support in September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33059/26]
437. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children in County Mayo who have been identified by psychologists and SENOs as requiring a special class or special school placement for September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33058/26]
436. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a full breakdown of all special classes in County Mayo, including the number of places in each class, current occupancy levels, and projected availability for September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33057/26]
397. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the current structure of principal release-day clusters to ensure that the calculation of base posts reflects the full scope of a principal’s management responsibilities, including the co-ordination and oversight of special needs assistants or SNAs, bus escorts and teaching staff; if she will consider including these roles in the staffing thresholds used to determine release-day allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32451/26]
396. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the continued exclusion of principals appointed after 2015 from receiving the secretarial allowance for acting as secretary to the board of management, given that principals appointed before this date continue to receive the allowance for carrying out the same statutory duties; whether a review of this inequity is under way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32450/26]
392. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the timeframe within which a decision is made to establish a new school transport route where a cohort of pupils - currently 14 - have applied; and whether arrangements can be put in place, in advance of the upcoming academic year in September, given the clear and ongoing need for safe and reliable transport. [32430/26]
391. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether pupils attending a school (details supplied) who reside in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, are considered eligible for school transport under the school transport scheme where their nearest school was unable to offer places due to capacity constraints, as confirmed in writing by the local school; and the way in which such cases are assessed. [32429/26]
390. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a request submitted on behalf of a school (details supplied) seeking the establishment of a dedicated school transport route from Ballyhaunis; whether this request has been assessed by her Department or Bus Éireann; and if she will outline the current status of this request. [32428/26]
338. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she accepts that providing no more than ad hoc supervision, or requiring a child to sit in the same classroom while instruction contrary to conscience is delivered, is inconsistent with the State’s duty to vindicate parental rights under the Constitution; the way in which upcoming guidance will address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32160/26]
337. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will ensure that any Departmental guidance on opt-out arrangements covers all conscience-based opt-outs and does not create an artificial distinction between families who invoke the same statutory right in respect to different elements of the curriculum given that the same practical and rights-based issues arise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32159/26]
336. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to her commitment to develop guidance on best practice arrangements for pupils in denominational schools whose parents request that they do not attend religious instruction, if she will ensure that this guidance is framed in order that it expressly covers all conscience-based opt-outs under section 30(2)(e) of the Education Act 1998, and not only religious instruction, or alternatively that equivalent guidance is issued for non-religious content; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32158/26]
235. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether he intends to review age-related tax supports in advance of Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32857/26]
234. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated fiscal cost of restoring the former age exemption limits to their pre-2011 levels, adjusted for inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32856/26]
233. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department has assessed the cumulative impact of inflation since 2011 on the disposable income of older taxpayers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32855/26]
232. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the year in which the former age exemption limits for taxpayers aged 65 and over were removed from the income tax system; the rationale for their removal at that time; whether any assessment was carried out on the impact of abolishing these exemption limits on older taxpayers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32854/26]
231. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the rationale for maintaining the age tax credit at its current level for over a decade despite sustained inflation and rising living costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32853/26]
230. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance when the age tax credit was last increased; its value at the time of introduction; whether it has been adjusted since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32852/26]
229. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the current age-related tax supports available to individuals aged 65 and over, including the age tax credit and any remaining exemption mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32851/26]
106. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for increasing the school bus fees for 2026, while simultaneously shortening the payment window, with parents now required to pay by 8 May, compared with early June last year; and the reason no instalment or phased payment system is available to support families during the ongoing cost-of-living pressures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31008/26]
1034. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the infection prevention and control procedures in place at Mayo University Hospital when a confirmed case of Covid-19 is identified on a ward; whether all patients and staff are tested and appropriate isolation measures implemented in such circumstances; if she is satisfied that these procedures are being consistently followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29750/26]
1033. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current visitor policy at Mayo University Hospital; the way in which visitor numbers and visiting times are enforced on wards where patients are medically vulnerable; whether any reviews have been undertaken following concerns about overcrowding and disturbance to patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29749/26]
1032. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the cleaning and hygiene standards currently in place at Mayo University Hospital; the frequency with which wards, bathrooms, floors and patient surfaces are cleaned; whether these standards meet national infection prevention and control guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29748/26]
1031. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with cleaning and hygiene protocols at Mayo University Hospital; whether any audits or inspections relating to cleanliness have been carried out at the hospital during 2024 and 2025; if any deficiencies were identified; if she will provide details of any remedial actions taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29746/26]
1015. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which quality assurance, risk management and clear accountability are maintained in radiography training settings where tutor capacity is inadequate or responsibility is shared across multiple staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29669/26]
1014. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which her Department ensures that radiography students, staff, patients and the public are protected in accordance with radiation safety requirements when dedicated radiography practice tutor capacity is insufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29668/26]
1013. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the rationale for creating multiple new managerial posts in each region to oversee radiography placements while no additional radiography practice tutors have been appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29667/26]
1012. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she will clarify whether there is a policy shift underway from the dedicated radiography practice tutor model to a broader practice educator model involving all radiographers; the rationale for such a shift; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29666/26]
1011. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the way in which the Department ensures compliance with HSE governance principles and HIQA standards in radiography training environments, given reports that responsibility for student supervision is becoming diffuse and that dedicated radiography practice tutor roles are not being expanded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29665/26]
1010. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that radiography students are currently placed in clinical sites without any dedicated radiography practice tutor in place; the steps she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29664/26]
1009. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason radiography student numbers increased in September 2025, with a further increase planned for September 2026, without any corresponding increase in the number of radiography practice tutors; the impact this has on training capacity and safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29663/26]
911. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the submission of Disability Supports Application Management Tool (DSMAT) forms by disability service providers in County Mayo; the extent to which providers are meeting DSMAT submission requirements; to identify any providers with outstanding or overdue submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30901/26]
876. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the taxation and excise arrangements arising from the Government's fuel support package announced in April 2026, insofar as they relate to marked gas oil, commonly referred to as green diesel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30389/26]
717. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the Croí Cónaithe grant process so that applicants may draw down funds on the basis of a completion certificate issued by a qualified local engineer, rather than being required to submit all receipts prior to payment, noting that applicants will still be required to retain all receipts for potential random audits to ensure full accountability and compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30363/26]
568. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the capacity pressures within the visiting teacher service for the visually impaired, in light of recent presentations to the Oireachtas by advocacy groups (details supplied); the measures being taken to ensure timely and adequate support for children with visual impairments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30196/26]
522. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department does not accept or give appropriate weight to an individual professional report which clearly states that a child (details supplied) requires assistive technology in order to access the curriculum; and to outline the basis on which such recommendations are being deemed insufficient to meet the Department's criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29671/26]
521. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 24 February 2026, to provide an update on the review of the assistive technology scheme referenced, including the process being followed and the anticipated date for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29670/26]
262. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department collects or monitors data on the rate of youth emigration; the number of post-graduates who remain in the country after achieving their degree; and the number who leave, from each faculty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/26]
213. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department collects or monitors data on the rate of youth emigration; the number of post-graduates who remain in the country after achieving their degree; and the numbers who leave, from each faculty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22144/26]
214. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a neurology appointment in Galway University Hospital, given they have been waiting for two years; the current waiting times for neurology appointments at the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28846/26]
92. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the specific analysis her Department has carried out on the decision by Bus Éireann to double school transport fees for the 2026-2027 academic year; if she has examined the disproportionate impact this increase will have on working families who have no alternative transport options; if she accepts the widespread concern being expressed by parents that such a steep rise during a cost-of-living crisis is unreasonable and risks pricing families out of essential school transport; if her Department plans to review, or reverse this increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28817/26]
87. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will outline the process and responsible parties for ensuring that appropriate safety measures, including clinically recommended restraint or harness systems, are put in place for a child (details supplied) with additional needs who has been removed from school transport on safety grounds; the reason for delays in securing clinical assessment and equipment; the body responsible for coordinating between the CDNT, SENO, school and Bus Éireann; the expected timeframe for reinstating transport once a safety concern has been raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28786/26]
282. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of tax on fuel, in money value, collected by the Government in each of the past ten years and to date in 2026, by tax-type. [26567/26]
258. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of carbon tax, in money value, collected by the Government in each of the past ten years and to date in 2026. [26566/26]