70. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons claiming job-seekers allowance who are new to Ireland and have never worked in Ireland prior to claiming the allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67175/26]
32. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been an increase in the number of persons qualifying for the carers allowance on each of the occasions when the qualification threshold has been relaxed, or each occasion where the income disregard has increased; and if he will outline the number of new persons successfully claiming the allowance after each change to the criteria. [67173/26]
26. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons combined who are actively claiming job seekers benefit, job seekers allowance and job-seekers pay related benefit; and if he will outline trends over the past five years such as whether more or less people are claiming unemployment-related social welfare this year compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67166/26]
126. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the number of collisions involving trains in Ireland in each of the past ten years. [67174/26]
223. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to ensure that nurses who successfully complete internship programmes within the HSE are provided with opportunities to continue their careers within the public health service, her plans to improve the retention of newly qualified nurses in view of ongoing recruitment and staffing pressures across hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67601/26]
217. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified nurses who completed their internships in 2026 and subsequently applied for nursing positions within the HSE; the number offered temporary and permanent posts respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67585/26]
212. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of reports that approximately 88 intern nurses (details supplied) were interviewed for nursing positions in Galway University Hospital in 2026, but that fewer than ten were offered employment; if she will clarify the number interviewed; the number offered positions; the number currently awaiting contracts or confirmed start dates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67596/26]
164. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns raised by families affected by paediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections; whether consideration is being given to the development of clinical guidance or care pathways for affected children; whether officials from her Department, the HSE, or relevant clinical specialties will attend forthcoming educational and awareness events relating to these conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67333/26]
558. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the total annual cost to the HSE of providing uniforms to Healthcare Assistants over the past five years, in tabular form; whether any assessment has been undertaken of the financial impact on staff of requiring them to purchase their own uniforms; and if she will provide details of any consultation undertaken with recognised trade unions prior to any decision to discontinue the provision of uniforms. [66537/26]
515. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of patients from County Mayo transferred from Mayo University Hospital to other hospitals due to bed capacity constraints in each of the past three years and to date in 2026; the hospitals to which patients were transferred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66335/26]
461. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of halal slaughter and processing activity taking place in a factory (details supplied); the number and type of animals slaughtered in accordance with halal requirements in each of the past five years; the total tonnage of meat produced from such slaughter; the meat processing plants or slaughter facilities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66424/26]
180. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether consideration is being given to a review of benefit-in-kind arrangements for employees residing in rural areas who are required to undertake significant business mileage and who have limited access to suitable electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66980/26]
179. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether, in advance of Budget 2027, consideration is being given to retaining, extending or modifying the €10,000 original market value reduction for benefit-in-kind purposes in recognition of the continuing lack of adequate charging infrastructure and limited electric vehicle suitability for many rural employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66982/26]
178. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the extent to which the practicality of electric vehicle usage for workers operating in rural and regional areas was examined prior to changes being made to company car benefit-in-kind reliefs; whether concerns regarding journey distances, charging availability and charging downtime were considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66967/26]
173. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether any lands owned by an organisation (details supplied) are included on Residential Zoned Land Tax maps; the number and area of such lands; whether Residential Zoned Land Tax has been assessed or is payable in respect of those lands; the amount assessed or payable in each year since the introduction of the tax; whether any exemptions, exclusions, submissions or appeals have been made in respect of those lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66647/26]
434. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the reason the annual €3,000 grant scheme for men's sheds was not made available this year; the reason for its discontinuation; whether any alternative funding supports have been put in place for men's sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66260/26]
265. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the financial supports currently available to assist low-income households with healthcare-related access costs, including travel and accommodation expenses associated with attending medical appointments or receiving treatment; if she will provide details of any eligibility criteria and application processes for such supports; if consideration is being given to expanding these supports in light of the increased cost burden on households accessing healthcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66225/26]
81. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently waiting on an assessment of need under the Disability Act 2005, by county; and the longest length of time a child currently on the list has been waiting for an assessment. [64907/26]
27. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total amount of funding transferred from the NORA levy to the Climate Action Fund (CAF) in each of the years from 2020 to 2025; the projected transfer for 2026; the total annual expenditure drawn down from CAF over the same period; the current unspent balance remaining in the fund’s account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64909/26]
8. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a report issued by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council titled the Hidden Costs of Inaction July 2026, which warned of the costs Ireland will face in financial penalties if we fail to meet our climate targets; if he will outline the likely costs; and the margin by which costs are projected to be missed. [64910/26]
1380. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is will to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); if she is aware that the patient was advised by that on 8 September 2026 that appointments were being cancelled due to a lack of available beds; the number of appointments cancelled on that date; the reasons; the steps being taken to reschedule affected patients as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65437/26]
1512. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the suspension of the Diploma in Apiculture programme at the University of Galway; whether any engagement has taken place between his Department and the university regarding the future provision of apiculture education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65477/26]
1366. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have been removed from a GP patient list in each of the past five years, by county; the measures in place to support patients who cannot secure a place with another GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65389/26]
1315. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the protocols in place at Mayo University Hospital regarding the transfer of admitted patients from the emergency department to inpatient wards during overnight hours; whether restrictions apply to the movement of patients to available ward beds overnight; and the measures being taken to improve patient flow and reduce overcrowding in the Emergency Department. [65100/26]
1314. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in microbiology, haematology and related laboratory services at Mayo University Hospital during overnight hours; whether the HSE has assessed the impact of laboratory staffing levels on turnaround times for infectious disease testing, including COVID-19 and influenza testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65099/26]
1313. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns regarding staff fatigue and burnout arising from staffing levels in the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital, particularly during night shifts; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the impact of staffing levels on patient safety and staff wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65097/26]
1312. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare assistants rostered on night duty in the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital on each night over the past 12 months; whether a staffing review has been conducted regarding overnight healthcare assistant cover in the department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65096/26]
1511. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding mechanisms that exist or are planned to support specialist educational programmes which contribute to national biodiversity, pollinator protection and environmental sustainability objectives, including programmes in apiculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65478/26]
1510. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken by his Department to address the funding shortfall facing higher education institutions; the impact this shortfall is having on continuing and adult education programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65479/26]
1509. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has assessed the impact of funding pressures within the higher education sector on the viability of specialist or niche programmes, particularly those relating to biodiversity, environmental sustainability and rural skills development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65480/26]
1508. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether education and training boards, micro-credential programmes, lifelong learning initiatives or other further education and training funding streams may be utilised to support the delivery of specialist programmes in areas such as apiculture and pollinator conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65481/26]
1316. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are available to staff in Mayo University Hospital to raise concerns regarding patient safety, staffing levels and workplace practices; the protections available to employees who raise such concerns; whether the HSE has reviewed compliance with its protected disclosure and speaking-up policies in the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65101/26]
1166. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of complaints regarding care standards, patient dignity and infection control practices at Mayo University Hospital following a surgery on 13 August 2026 (details supplied); whether a patient was required to change for surgery in a public toilet due to bed shortages; whether concerns regarding post-operative supervision, privacy during wound examinations and infection prevention procedures have been investigated; the findings of any such investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64461/26]
1165. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in the surgical day ward at Mayo University Hospital compared with approved levels; the number of complaints received in 2026 concerning patient supervision, discharge procedures and complaint handling; whether a review has been undertaken following reports of patients being discharged without written discharge information or adequate post-operative support; and the actions being taken to address these concerns. [64462/26]
1159. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the training, competency assessment and governance requirements that must be met before a staff member who is not employed as a theatre operative can perform duties within an operating theatre environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64455/26]
1157. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has received reports, complaints, industrial relation concerns or patient safety concerns regarding multi task attendants covering theatre operative duties at Mayo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64456/26]
1156. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the HSE permits multi-task attendants (grade 6015) to undertake the duties of theatre operatives (grade 6013) within acute hospitals; if such arrangements are in place at Mayo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64454/26]
1155. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of student nurses who graduated from nursing programmes in County Mayo in each of the past five years; and the number who subsequently obtained employment in Mayo University Hospital. [64430/26]
1150. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified nurses who applied for nursing positions in Mayo University Hospital in each of the past five years who were interviewed and offered employment. [64431/26]
1148. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of complaints regarding care standards, patient dignity and infection control practices at Mayo University Hospital following surgery on 13 August 2026; whether a patient was required to change for surgery in a public toilet due to bed shortages; whether concerns regarding post-operative supervision, privacy during wound examinations and infection prevention procedures have been investigated; the findings of any such investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64427/26]
1147. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses recruited to Mayo University Hospital in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by permanent, temporary and agency appointments. [64428/26]
1146. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing vacancies currently approved in Mayo University Hospital; and the number currently filled. [64429/26]
1145. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE maintains records of consultants working outside their registered speciality; the number of such consultants currently employed in each acute hospital; and whether any review has been undertaken of the practice at Mayo University Hospital since 2021. [64389/26]
1144. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of serious concerns raised by a patient regarding standards of care, patient dignity, privacy and infection prevention practices in the surgical day ward at Mayo University Hospital following surgery on 13 August 2026; whether the HSE has investigated these allegations; if any breaches of patient dignity, privacy or infection control procedures were identified; the actions that have been taken as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64395/26]
554. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a teacher (details supplied); and if she will outline the measures being considered to retain experienced teachers in the profession, particularly in rural schools, amid the ongoing teacher shortage. [64979/26]
356. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the number of daily services in each direction on the Ballina to Galway corridor that the National Transport Authority determined would be required following the withdrawal of Expressway Route 52; whether the authority is satisfied that the current level of service on the corridor meets the needs identified in its determination report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65812/26]
355. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority has assessed passenger demand and capacity on the Ballina to Galway corridor since the withdrawal of Expressway Route 52 on 24 May 2026; if reports of passengers being unable to board services due to capacity constraints have been examined; and the measures that are planned to increase capacity and service frequency on the corridor. [65813/26]
333. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration will be given to revisiting previously approved infrastructure proposals for the replacement of level crossings at Knockaphunta (XM250) and Kilnageer (XM240) in County Mayo, where planning permission for bridge infrastructure was previously granted but the projects did not proceed. [65579/26]