1516. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if ministerial guidelines, circulars or internal instructions exist specifying acceptable forms of landlord verification for rent supplement and related supports; if so, to publish them; and to clarify whether alternative evidence from licensed property agents is permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74082/25]
1515. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of rent supplement, housing assistance payment and supplementary welfare allowance claims that were closed, suspended or disallowed, due to failure to provide proof of property ownership; and the number of such cases where this arose from landlord or letting-agent non-cooperation in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74081/25]
1514. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason confirmation of landlord identity and ownership from a licensed property agent, including the beneficial owner’s details and the agent’s PSRA licence number, is not accepted as sufficient evidence for rent supplement and related schemes; and the legal basis for requiring alternative documentation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74080/25]
1513. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which the “reasonably required” test under Article 23(1)(a) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007 is applied when requesting documentation from tenants; and if consideration is given to a tenant’s legal or practical ability to obtain the information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74079/25]
1512. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the statutory basis on which his Department requires rent supplement or supplementary welfare allowance applicants to submit property ownership documentation, including local property tax records, insurance policies, title deeds or mortgage statements; and to identify the relevant provisions of SI No. 412/2007 relied upon in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74078/25]
697. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the DART+ North Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1374/26]
510. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if active travel investment programmes can fund walking infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73985/25]
684. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to when the full figures for student immigration on Stamp 2 Visas will be available for 2025; if his attention has been drawn to any recent closures of any institutions which provide the courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes , or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland ; if there are any plans to reduce the overall number of Stamp 2 Visas issued to English-language students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71469/25]
271. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the current M50 and Eastlink toll exemptions for motorcycles to all tolled roads; the plans to adjust the annual motorbike road tax for example from €88 to €100 in exchange for nationwide toll access; the plans to provide motorcyclists with the ability to pre-pay or post-pay online, linked to their registration plate, avoiding the need to stop at toll pay points; the plans to develop a weather-resistant toll tag specifically designed for motorcycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71692/25]
120. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the public transport provision serving Garristown and the surrounding rural areas of north County Dublin; if he will consider extending or adapting the 192 bus service, or introducing a new local loop route from Ashbourne through Ballymadun, Nutstown, Adamstown and Newhaggard, returning to Ashbourne; to examine the feasibility of providing a door-to-door Local Link service to assist residents, particularly older and isolated individuals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70647/25]
1091. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed whether low apprentice pay, lack of equipment supports, and ineligibility for education grants disproportionately impact female apprentices in sectors such as hairdressing; if he will commit to addressing these inequities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69024/25]
1090. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises that hairdressing is a high-skill, future-proof profession unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence; the way in which his Department plans to invest in and support such apprenticeships, which provide long-term, human-centred employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69023/25]
1089. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentices, including apprentice hairdressers, are deemed ineligible for SUSI grants on the basis that they are "working", despite earning training-level pay far below a living wage; if he will review eligibility criteria to ensure apprentices are not financially penalised; and if he will report on any planned changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69022/25]
1088. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentice hairdressers are currently unable to access funding supports for tools and equipment essential to their training; if he will consider the creation of a dedicated equipment grant for apprentices in the hairdressing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69021/25]
1087. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that apprentice hairdressers are currently paid as little as €7 per hour, with no incremental increases over the four-year duration of the apprenticeship; if he considers this consistent with the Government's stated ambition to expand and professionalise the apprenticeship sector; the actions he will take to ensure fair and progressive pay for apprentice hairdressers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69020/25]
846. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the immediate actions, such as extended clinic hours, outsourcing of scans, or temporary capacity expansion, which are being considered to reduce the backlog of 9,000 women awaiting follow-up appointments; the projected timeline for clearing this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69047/25]
845. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the way in which current waiting times for breast cancer follow-up appointments align with the targets set out in the National Cancer Strategy; the accountability measures which exist for persistent breaches of these targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69046/25]
844. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the recruitment, staffing, and capacity challenges contributing to delays in breast cancer follow-up appointments; the number of vacant consultant, radiographer, and breast care nurse posts nationally; the plan to address these gaps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69045/25]
843. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health when funding will be formally allocated to replace outdated breast diagnostic equipment; the reason for the delay in confirming this funding; and whether the 2026 capital plan includes specific ring-fenced investment for breast cancer services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69044/25]
842. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the status of out-of-date, old or non-compliant diagnostic equipment in breast cancer assessment units; the number of machines requiring replacement or upgrade; the timeline for bringing all breast units in line with modern clinical standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69043/25]
841. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the clinical consequences identified by her Department and the HSE regarding prolonged delays in breast cancer follow-up appointments; the number of cases that have breached the recommended urgent referral timeframe; the measures which are being implemented to safeguard early detection and timely diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69042/25]
840. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health her views on the fact that approximately 9,000 women are currently waiting up to 10 weeks or longer for a follow-up appointment after being referred by their GP for suspected breast cancer; the reason such delays are occurring; the clinical risk posed by these waiting times; the actions she is taking to ensure that urgent breast care referrals are assessed within recommended timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69041/25]
589. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which institution maintains a mandatory national register or list of qualified foreign-language interpreters or court-approved interpreters; and if no such register exists, the reason for this and if his Department intends to create one in line with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69079/25]
588. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the regulatory body, responsible for overseeing the profession of foreign-language translators and interpreters in Ireland, including the setting of professional standards, enforcement of ethical codes, or oversight of training and competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69078/25]
587. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration who currently determines if an individual is or is not considered a qualified interpreter or a court-approved interpreter in Ireland, in the absence of a State-mandated certification system; whether any criteria, vetting standards, or qualification requirements are applied by the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, or other public bodies when procuring interpreting services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69077/25]
586. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there is no State-run accreditation system or accrediting body for foreign-language translators and interpreters in Ireland, despite their critical role in the criminal justice system, immigration processes, healthcare, education, and other public services; and if the Department has plans to introduce statutory regulation or minimum qualification standards for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69076/25]
264. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport when improvements will be made to the E1 bus service serving the Northwood area of Dublin 9, given persistent reliability issues, including repeated no-show or ghost buses and extended gaps in service despite the route being scheduled to operate every ten minutes; if he will engage with the National Transport Authority regarding these failures; and if he will ensure that measures are put in place without delay in order that commuters in Northwood receive a consistent and dependable service as originally planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70035/25]
175. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the recent spate of fishing vessel incidents and losses involving small vessels under 15 metres operating along the Dublin, Meath, and Louth coasts, including a fatality off the Louth coast in 2023, several recent rescues by the Skerries and Clogherhead Lifeboats, and other groundings and tow-assists; the oversight, inspection, and enforcement measures currently in place for this category of vessel; if he is satisfied that existing safety, equipment, and training requirements are adequate; and if he will direct his Department and BIM to review compliance levels and take action to address any systemic safety issues identified in this fleet to help prevent further fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70052/25]
153. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the ongoing uncertainty faced by homeowners affected by the defective block scheme; if Fingal County Council is to be included in the scheme; to provide details on the expected timeline, administrative arrangements, and any forthcoming guidance for local authorities and applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68231/25]
727. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the capital funding programmes under his Department, including the Community Centres Investment Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the LEADER Programme, that are open to applications from family resource centres seeking to acquire, construct, or refurbish permanent buildings; the typical levels of funding available; the application requirements for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67550/25]
519. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the results/rollout of ongoing the PRAISE-U (PRostate Cancer Awareness and Initiative for Screening in the European Union) study; if there will be any efforts to bring in a free prostate cancer screening service similar to the existing BreastCheck and CervicalCheck programmes for breast and cervical cancers following the results of this study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67316/25]
331. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Planning Statement for planning for rural housing will be published (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67543/25]
307. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide information on the current oversight guidelines for estate agents in allocating bids on housing; if there are any regulations in existence for transparency on how properties are sold via estate agents; if there are any forthcoming regulations on improving transparency on how properties are sold via estate agents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67272/25]
264. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding has been sanctioned in the capital budget, or any other budget, for the building of the new educational campus (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67713/25]
205. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will be fully developed and end its current prefabrication status; if there are any plans to incorporate the school meals scheme at the school in the absence of existing facilities; if there are any plans for traffic safety/calming measures in the vicinity of the school in the absence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67270/25]
167. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there are plans for incentives or grants to expand the cycle to work/bike to work scheme to make it more accessible to employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67536/25]
489. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the extended waiting list time for an appointment for a person (details supplied); if there are any updates available for this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66773/25]
486. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she plans to roll out a national awareness campaign for pancreatic cancer; if such a campaign would provide material for both medically trained and non-medically trained (patients, family, friends, carers) individuals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66766/25]
484. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of any plans for the establishment of rapid access diagnostic clinics for pancreatic cancer, similar to those for lung, breast, and prostate cancer; if she is aware of how transformative these clinics have been for the aforementioned cancer diagnoses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66763/25]
389. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will bring forward a cost-of-disability payment to replace the once-off measures provided for in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66788/25]
388. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to review how Budget 2026 will impact disabled households over the winter months with rising fuel and living costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66786/25]
387. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce an emergency winter payment to offset the extra cost of disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66779/25]
351. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the latest guidelines in relation to planning permission extension of duration under section 42 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66774/25]
99. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a dedicated support scheme to address the significant and ongoing losses experienced by the forestry sector as a result of recent storms; the expected timeline for the development and implementation of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66951/25]
324. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if her Department holds up-to-date figures on the number of people living with dementia in each county; if so, to provide the most recent breakdown; and if not, to state whether a national dementia register exists or is planned, and the timeline for its establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66559/25]
958. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is working with community organisations, libraries, or Age Friendly Ireland to provide targeted digital literacy training and support, in order that older people can confidently use online services if they wish to, rather than being forced to because there’s no alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63872/25]
746. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people under the age of 65 currently residing in nursing homes, in tabular form; the primary medical or support needs associated with these individuals; the average cost of providing their care in these settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65295/25]
666. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the situation of international protection applicants from Afghanistan that have their applications refused and are advised to voluntarily return, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan; to elaborate on the circumstances whereby Ireland is both operating a humanitarian admission programme and not enforcing returns to the country; to explain the circumstances where many Afghan nationals with negative decisions will face becoming "non-returnable migrants", with all the attendant negative consequences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65869/25]
660. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his position on signing up to the European Prosecutor's Office; to outline the work and steps being taken to sign up to this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65803/25]
549. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the development of a national requirement that all developers constructing new housing estates provide an automated external defibrillator (AED) within the estate; and if he will consider incorporating such a requirement into planning or building regulations in the interest of public health and community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65983/25]