4063. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assessment his Department has made on the number of SUSI-supported students who undertake part-time employment during the academic year; whether it has examined if SUSI eligibility discourages students from taking employment; if he will consider introducing a student earnings disregard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61533/26]
4062. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which income earned by students during the summer period is treated in SUSI assessments; if he accepts that summer employment is frequently undertaken specifically to meet educational and living costs; if he will consider excluding a proportion of summer earnings from means testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61534/26]
3697. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the current legislative position regarding the regulation of vaping and nicotine inhaling products; the progress and anticipated commencement date of legislation to prohibit the sale of single-use or disposable vapes; the timeline for the introduction of proposed restrictions (details supplied); if further restrictions on the sale and availability of vaping products, particularly those which may appeal to children and young people, are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62328/26]
3202. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent specialist staff currently dedicated to Huntington’s disease services nationally; whether there are plans to establish additional multidisciplinary teams, including neurology, nursing, psychology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; the estimated cost of implementing a national Huntington’s disease care pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60423/26]
3201. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to implement a national multidisciplinary care pathway for people living with Huntington’s disease; whether a timeline has been agreed for the establishment of such a pathway; whether additional funding will be provided to expand specialist services beyond the current national clinical nurse specialist model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60415/26]
2657. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether an investigation has been initiated into the conduct of the recent enforcement operations in Roscommon and Clare, including whether officials complied with Departmental protocols relating to animal welfare during on-farm euthanasia; if video footage of the operations has been reviewed; if he will publish the findings of any such review; and if he make a statement on the matter. [59915/26]
2656. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle euthanised on farms by, or under the direction or supervision of, officials or veterinary inspectors of his Department in each of the years from 2020 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the reasons for such euthanasia, by category, including animal welfare, animal health, disease control, traceability or other enforcement actions; the number of farms involved in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59903/26]
2655. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the protocols, standard procedures and veterinary guidance followed by Department officials when carrying out or supervising the euthanasia of cattle on farms have been reviewed following the recent enforcement operations in Roscommon and Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59888/26]
2654. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols, standard procedures and veterinary guidance followed by Department officials when carrying out or supervising the euthanasia of cattle on farms; whether these protocols include requirements to minimise distress by ensuring that animals are not euthanised within sight of other cattle where reasonably practicable; the way these protocols relate to the protections in the Slaughter of Animals Act 1935 and other animal welfare legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59878/26]
2537. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of Gardaí attached to Blanchardstown Garda Station; the current number of Gardaí in the K district as a whole; the number of Community Gardaí assigned to Blanchardstown Garda Station; and to indicate comparable figures for each year between 2021 and 2025 inclusive. [63302/26]
2495. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current legislative position regarding the sale, supply and possession of nitrous oxide for recreational or intoxicating use (details supplied); if he has examined the legislative approach taken in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, in addressing the misuse of nitrous oxide; if additional legislation or enforcement measures are currently being considered here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62326/26]
988. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the extent of the most recent coastal erosion in the vicinity of the Martello Tower, Lambeecher, Balbriggan, County Dublin; the works planned to prevent its continuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62430/26]
662. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to the Government announcement of 28 April 2026 approving the statutory “Right to be Forgotten” legislation for cancer survivors, the timeline for enactment and commencement of the legislation; whether he expects the legislation to be operational in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60411/26]
3371. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will review the case of a child (details supplied) who is eligible for the under 8 GP visit card scheme and has been accepted by a GP practice in Skerries, County Dublin, but remains unable to access the scheme due to administrative or contractual issues between the HSE and the GP practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56048/26]
2678. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports currently in place for tillage and protein crop production; the number of farmers qualified in each year from 2024 to 2026 respectively; the estimated cost in 2027 of doubling the level of financial assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59380/26]
2677. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost in 2027 of restoring the horticultural exceptional payment scheme and extending it for soft fruit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59379/26]
2676. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline for each year from 2020 to date, the number of growers paid under the CAP basic income support for sustainability scheme that were involved in just the production of tillage, horticulture, fruit or other plant crops, and not livestock; the number of hectares covered by this; to provide a breakdown of the land activity type; and the percentage of each of the total eligible hectares that was under the BISS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59378/26]
2675. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the supports available to horticulture growers under the CAP Strategic Plan; to provide a breakdown for the last five years (2021 to 2025), and 2026 to date, of the amount that was provided to horticultural producers under the producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables in each year; the number of applicants; and the number that were successful, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59377/26]
2674. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the level of financial support by his Department for the organic farming scheme in each year since 2020; and the number of farmers, and hectares, respectively, supported in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59376/26]
2673. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the financial supports provided in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to date for the horticultural sector, by scheme; and the number of growers supported in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59375/26]
1555. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the full year costs for the basic income for the arts scheme for each year that it has run; a breakdown of the number of artists supported in each year; the income support costs for those artists; the average annual payment; and the additional administrative costs for each year arising from the scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59381/26]
1494. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether the Government intends to develop a national strategy to support Irish publishing, authors and booksellers in light of changing retail practices, digital technologies and artificial intelligence; if he plans to convene a national consultation with Irish authors, publishers, booksellers, libraries and other stakeholders to inform the development of such a strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55640/26]
1493. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of the challenges facing Irish publishers and authors in securing shelf space and visibility in major book retailers, including the impact of consolidation in the book retail market and the increasingly short retail shelf-life of Irish-published books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55635/26]
988. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he or officials in his Department have engaged, or intend to engage, with a company's (details supplied) management regarding the company proposed redundancies in Ireland; the steps being taken to encourage the company to reduce compulsory job losses and disruption to employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55694/26]
947. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the engagement his Department had with Irish writers, publishers and musicians regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on copyright, authors’ livelihoods and the unauthorised use of copyrighted works in AI training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55639/26]
438. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the consideration of establishing a dedicated transport policing service, similar to the British Transport Police operating in Northern Ireland, to enhance safety and security across public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56326/26]
4. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Taoiseach the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; and the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations. [54602/26]
621. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54600/26]
614. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54595/26]
556. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across her Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54596/26]
546. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health whether she will provide increased, ring-fenced investment for women’s healthcare in budget 2027 to address longstanding gaps in the provision of services across the health system, including preventative care, diagnostics, gynaecology, reproductive health, menopause care, chronic pain services, and community-based supports; the level of additional funding being considered; the priority areas for investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54539/26]
545. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has conducted a review of weekend diagnostic imaging services for gynaecology patients; if so, the findings of that review; and if she'll publish the review. [54538/26]
544. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health whether she is aware that patients presenting to hospitals requiring urgent gynaecological ultrasound investigations are, in some cases, being discharged or referred elsewhere because ultrasound services are unavailable at weekends; the number of hospitals affected by this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54537/26]
489. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she accepts that many pensioners are effectively being asked to spend the equivalent of up to two weeks of their State pension to access the recommended shingles vaccine; the measures that are being considered to reduce this financial burden; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54327/26]
488. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if her Department has modelled a phased rollout of a publicly funded shingles vaccination programme, beginning with those aged 75 years and older or those most at risk of serious complications; if she will provide details of any such analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54326/26]
487. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if she acknowledges that the cost of the shingles vaccine, currently estimated at approximately €450–€600 for the full course, represents a significant financial burden for many older people, particularly those reliant on the State pension; the measures being considered to improve affordability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54325/26]
480. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health if an assessment has been carried out on the impact that the cost of the shingles vaccine has on older people in receipt of the State pension; if discussions have taken place with the Department of Health regarding supports for vulnerable pensioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54330/26]
458. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across her Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54587/26]
452. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures in place to ensure transparency in the selection of both sites and operators under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; whether the scoring and evaluation of applications will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54375/26]
451. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether expressions of interest have been sought from prospective operators for any State-led childcare projects in Fingal; if so, the number of expressions of interest that were received; the number of these that were assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54374/26]
450. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department plans to publish the Forward Planning Model, appraisal methodology and scoring framework used to identify and prioritise projects under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54373/26]
449. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of projects that have been approved in principle nationally under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the number of persons that remain under assessment, by county and project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54372/26]
448. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the criteria used by her Department to select sites for investment under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the weighting given to unmet demand, deprivation, rurality, accessibility, value-for-money and project readiness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54371/26]
447. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of operators to date, that have been selected or approved under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; the name of each operator and the associated project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54370/26]
446. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which operators for State-led early learning and childcare services will be selected; whether there will be an open competitive process; the governance, financial, quality and operational criteria that will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54369/26]
445. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether services delivered under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme will be operated exclusively by not-for-profit providers; and whether any private for-profit providers will be eligible to operate State-owned facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54368/26]
444. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any sites in Fingal have been identified, approved in principle or progressed under the State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme; if she will provide details of each site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54367/26]
443. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of State-led Early Learning and Childcare Capital Programme projects that are proposed for Fingal; the location of each proposed project; the current status of each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54366/26]
438. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurable targets contained within the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027 that have been achieved to date; which targets remain behind schedule, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54763/26]
436. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain these individuals once their contracts cease, given they will have extensive and intimate knowledge of EU and Irish institutional operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54586/26]