142. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider the designation of broadband as an essential service, particularly in light of its critical role in healthcare, remote monitoring, education, and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/26]
141. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight or regulatory measures in place to ensure that providers do not unduly restrict access to essential broadband infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15267/26]
140. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will engage directly with service providers, including Eir, regarding internal policies or procedural barriers that may be preventing or delaying connections to homes and estates, including situations where the objection of a single neighbouring property can impede broadband access for multiple households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15266/26]
139. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of the serious difficulties being experienced by households in accessing adequate broadband services, particularly in circumstances where reliable connectivity is essential for the operation of medical devices within the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15265/26]
1068. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she has any updates on incentives to expand and improve access to GP care in rapidly developing towns, such as Skerries; if she has any plans to reassess the existing cap on GMS or GP visit cards in light of recent population growth not meeting the demand for GP care; if she is aware of any existing or future mitigation measures for recipients of GMS or GP Visit Cards who have difficulty accessing care due to the financial barriers and the existing patient caps around GMS or GP Visit Cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14959/26]
1005. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the average annual cost to the State of supporting a person aged under 65 years in a nursing home compared with a community-based residential placement, and living independently with funded personal assistance or home-care supports; whether a cost-benefit analysis has been conducted comparing these models of care; to publish any such analysis, or state when it will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14536/26]
1004. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the average weekly, and annual cost, per resident aged under 65 years in publicly operated nursing homes, and privately operated nursing homes, for each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive; and the variance in cost between each sector, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14535/26]
1003. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the total cost to the State of funding nursing home care for persons aged under 65 years under the nursing homes support scheme (Fair Deal) in each of the years 2021 to 2025 inclusive and to date; the number of such residents in each year; and the average annual and weekly cost per resident, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14534/26]
902. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the average percentage increase in pay for the lowest paid early years staff that is, those earning within the first quintile of the pay distribution between 2022 (pre-ERO) and 2025 (the most recent ERO), for each staff grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14984/26]
880. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department or the HSE has examined whether current nursing homes support payment structures create a financial incentive for the admission of persons aged under 65 years to nursing homes, rather than to community-based alternatives; and if no such examination has been undertaken, whether the she will commission this research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/26]
879. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to move away from institutional and congregated models of care, including the ongoing placement of younger adults with intellectual disabilities in nursing homes, towards community-based housing models with flexible, onsite supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14533/26]
869. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assurances that can be given to families that their adult children with intellectual disabilities will continue to live with dignity, security, and appropriate supports when parents are no longer able to advocate on their behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/26]
868. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department works with housing authorities to ensure that independent living does not result in isolation, loneliness, or loss of community for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/26]
867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which disability housing policy ensures continuity of friendships, routines, and social connections for adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly where families can no longer provide full-time advocacy or care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14429/26]
866. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department will support a pilot project (details supplied) which would allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently while accessing supports only as needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14428/26]
865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she acknowledges that independence for adults with intellectual disabilities includes the right to live with dignity, choice, and proximity to friends and community, rather than solely focusing on individual tenancies dispersed across wide geographic areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14427/26]
808. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if reforms relating to the licensing of nightclubs, and any other provisions relevant to the night economy, are included in the Intoxicating Liquor Bill currently being drafted in his Department, and described in the current Government legislative programme as a 'Condensed Bill to introduce certain key reforms from the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022'; if not, the reason; when he expects to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/26]
679. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria which will be used to determine which councils receive support under the tenant in situ scheme; whether Dublin Fingal will receive sufficient funding to continue protecting tenants at risk of losing their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14781/26]
678. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the shift from an acquisition tenant in situ target approach in 2024 to a capped funding allocation in 2025 is intended to reduce social housing acquisitions overall; and if so, the alternative strategies in place to meet the housing needs of those threatened with homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/26]
677. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which he reconciles concerns about local authority “over-reliance” on the tenant in situ scheme with the ongoing urgent housing needs; the guidance or additional resources which are being provided to councils to ensure that at-risk tenants can remain in their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14779/26]
676. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the Government has any plans to introduce a replacement scheme or alternative supports for tenants who would have been eligible under the tenant in situ programme, in order to prevent families from entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/26]
675. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason funding for the tenant in situ scheme is being cut, particularly in Dublin Fingal where allocations have fallen sharply from 131 homes in 2024 to just 36 in 2025; the measures being taken to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness are not left without support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14777/26]
674. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocation for the tenant in situ scheme for 2026, including the amounts allocated to each local authority; and the measures in place to ensure that tenants at risk of homelessness, particularly in Dublin Fingal, are protected given the sharp drop in funding and the lack of an alternative scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14776/26]
664. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether housing for all targets include provision for adults with intellectual disabilities who can live independently with supports; if not, whether he will commit to reviewing this gap in view of ongoing reliance on unsuitable housing options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/26]
663. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planning, land-use, or local authority supports that will be made available to enable a community-based housing model that is neither a congregated setting nor a residential institution, but a fully integrated neighbourhood within a wider housing estate supporting adults with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14469/26]
662. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with the HSE, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality, and local authorities to ensure that housing delivery for people with disabilities aligns with individualised supports rather than institutional-style provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14468/26]
661. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether current housing policy adequately recognises the need for housing models that allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live near friends and established support networks, rather than being placed in isolated or inappropriate settings such as nursing homes or scattered housing far from their community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14467/26]
660. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding streams, including capital assistance scheme, housing for all measures, or other capital programmes, which could be accessed by disability-led or family-led groups seeking to develop accessible, non-institutional housing models that prioritise dignity, choice, and community integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14466/26]
659. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered or supported small-scale, clustered or integrated housing developments specifically designed for adults with intellectual disabilities who wish to live independently while remaining close to their peers and community, such as a proposed development of 15–20 universally designed homes in Balbriggan, County Dublin (details supplied). [14465/26]
332. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the laws and regulations governing the disposal of waste and rubbish by trawlers and fishing trawlers into Irish sea; in particular, the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that are in place to ensure compliance; the penalties that exist for vessels found to be illegally dumping waste at sea; to outline any recent prosecutions or actions taken against offending vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/26]
482. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if heifers remained in the trucks while waiting to be loaded onto the vessel, or were they taken to an assembly centre where they were unloaded, rested, and fed when they were exported from Ireland to Libya on 5 January 2025 (details supplied); if they were held at an assembly centre; if so, which centre(s) were used; the reason for the extended duration of the voyage; if there was adequate feed on board to cover the additional three days; the stage of pregnancy the heifers were at the time of transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13758/26]
1099. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the guidelines for e-cigarettes/vaping on public transport, in hospitals, and so on; her plans to update these guidelines; the mechanisms for enforcement of such measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12005/26]
989. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way the 6% public sector target aligns with broader national strategies for the employment of people with disabilities; the plans to extend similar targets to the private sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12336/26]
988. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the results of public sector progress towards the 6% target will be published; the format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12333/26]
987. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted audits or inspections to monitor compliance with the disability employment targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12331/26]
986. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality which public sector bodies have met the 6% employment target for people with disabilities as of 1 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12330/26]
974. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the recent death of a horse in a sulky race (details supplied); the current legal status of sulky racing in Ireland; if there are measures to better regulate this practice; his plans for better animal welfare regulations, particularly in the equine sports sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/26]
869. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps being taken on the Government commitment to introduce pay-related parent's benefit; a timeline for the introduction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12702/26]
738. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he accepts that the absence of clear adult safeguarding policies may discourage participation in sport, particularly among women and vulnerable adults; the steps that will be taken to make adult safeguarding compliance a condition of public funding, governance approval, and accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/26]
737. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the guidance, supports, or training that are provided by his Department or Sport Ireland to assist sporting organisations in developing robust adult safeguarding and anti-harassment policies; and whether ongoing funding is dependent on participation in these programmes and implementation of policy standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12323/26]
736. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will review the governance and safeguarding conditions attached to Sport Ireland funding to ensure that adult participants are protected from bullying, harassment, and stalking within sporting organisations; and if he will consider making full compliance with adult safeguarding policies a mandatory requirement for receipt of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12322/26]
735. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which complaints of bullying, harassment, or stalking involving adult participants in sporting organisations are currently overseen or monitored at both a national level; and community level; whether adherence to clear adult safeguarding procedures is a condition of ongoing public funding and governance compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12321/26]
734. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if Sport Ireland requires national governing bodies and other funded sports organisations to implement and enforce adult safeguarding frameworks comparable to child safeguarding standards; and if he will commit to linking future funding allocations to compliance with these adult safeguarding obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12320/26]
733. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the requirements currently placed on sporting organisations both nationally and at a community level in receipt of public funding to have adult safeguarding policies that explicitly address bullying, harassment, and stalking between adult members; and whether funding will be contingent on the implementation and regular review of such policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/26]
732. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of the lack of comprehensive adult safeguarding policies within certain sporting organisations, particularly in relation to bullying, harassment, and stalking of adult members; the way in which compliance with robust adult safeguarding frameworks is linked to eligibility for public funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/26]
653. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of any discrepancy between the acceptance/calculation of incremental credit applications between primary and secondary school teachers teaching abroad in non-EU states; if this discrepancy differs on whether the school is public or privately run; if her Department is preparing any changes to this process to allow for more teachers abroad to return home to appropriate pay and conditions; if she will investigate a particular case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12296/26]
571. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the evaluation mechanisms in place to assess the impact of increased public sector employment of people with disabilities on social inclusion and economic participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12337/26]
570. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way the Government plans to ensure transparency and accountability for meeting targets on disability employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12335/26]
569. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if individual public sector bodies are required to publish annual reports on their disability employment numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12334/26]