434. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has assessed the impact of severe weather events, including prolonged rainfall, storms and wind damage, on the horticulture sector since 2023; the estimated financial losses incurred; and the additional supports being considered to improve climate resilience for growers. [54401/26]
433. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of commercial horticultural growers operating in the State in each year from 2020 to 2026, inclusive; the net increase or decrease in grower numbers since the publication of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54400/26]
420. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration 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. [54598/26]
387. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection 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. [54601/26]
373. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage 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. [54597/26]
353. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport 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. [54589/26]
342. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth 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. [54591/26]
294. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment 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. [54592/26]
285. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation 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. [54599/26]
275. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance 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. [54593/26]
270. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to introducing a new higher tax credit or enhanced tax relief for recipients of the State pension who purchase the shingles vaccine at their own expense, given that the vaccine is recommended by public health authorities but is not currently publicly funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54329/26]
258. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport 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. [54603/26]
237. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Defence 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. [54590/26]
223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment 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. [54588/26]
205. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [54594/26]
195. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason assistive technology was refused for a child (details supplied) despite a medical report submitted stating that this support is essential to enable the child to access the school curriculum while waiting an assessment for dyspraxia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53802/26]
492. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether a grace period or other temporary arrangements will be provided for applicants who submitted their Stamp 4 renewal applications within the recommended 16-week lead time but whose applications remain pending due to processing delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52697/26]
228. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department will request that the OPW, in conjunction with Fingal County Council, undertake a coastal erosion assessment and feasibility study along the coastline adjacent to a club (details supplied); his views on whether a proactive approach is needed before further land is lost or before the area is further impacted by winter storms; the funding streams that may be available for coastal protection or adaptation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52739/26]
2. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support the growth of Ireland’s horticulture sector in budget 2027 (details supplied). [52390/26]
663. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the governance arrangements relating to the board of a childcare committee (details supplied). [51459/26]
641. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the breakdown of the current funding streams in childcare; the breakdown of the additional funding provided in Budget 2026, in tabular form; the expected funding required in 2027 to maintain existing levels of service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51149/26]
547. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 497, 498, 499, 500, 536 and 537 of 23 June 2026, if he is aware that many applicants awaiting renewal of their Irish Residence Permit continue to experience processing times significantly in excess of those stated in the recent parliamentary replies, in which he indicated that online renewal applications are generally processed within six–eight weeks and that no application category exceeds 16 weeks; whether he will clarify the basis on which these processing timeframes were provided, given that many applicants continue to report waiting considerably longer without receiving a decision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50994/26]
315. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide the details of presentations or written submissions provided by companies (details supplied) to him or his departmental officials with respect to the regulation of artificial Intelligence, digital policy, and codes of practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51605/26]
397. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to identify the instances where a finding has been made that a partner service has overcharged parents in breach of core funding rules; where the deadline for complying with the remedial actions including refunds has passed and her Department has been made aware (by any means) that the partner service has not in fact complied with the remedial actions required of them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50373/26]
396. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in situations where the partner service has confirmed that they have completed all remedial actions including refunds, to outline the way in which the evidence of remedy provided by the service provider has been verified by her Department; if parents and service users who were deemed to have been overcharged have been included in this process in order to confirm that they have in fact been appropriately refunded, if applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50372/26]
395. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of cases where a partner service was found to have raised fees in breach of the core funding rules, if the relevant partner service has confirmed to her Department that it has completed all remedial actions within the specified time period, including refunds of parents if required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50371/26]
394. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality where a finding of overcharging/breach of core funding rules was made against a partner service, to indicate in each instance the length of time the case took from first complaint to a finding that the partner service was breaching core funding rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50370/26]
393. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of fee reviews initiated; the number of fee reviews initiated since the establishment of the core funding scheme resulted in a finding that parents were being overcharged by a partner service and therefore in breach of core funding rules; to confirm if payments to that service provider have been placed on hold; her plans to recoup the overcharged fees for parents, including by legal action if required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50369/26]
392. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether all providers in receipt of core funding are required to submit updated fee lists annually; the way in which those fee lists are verified against the baseline fee applicable under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50368/26]
391. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the historical fee information retained by her Department or its agents for participating providers, including the earliest date for which fee schedules are held; whether fee lists dating back to 30 September 2021 (or earlier where applicable) remain available for compliance and audit purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50367/26]
390. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of fee management reviews, investigations, audits or compliance checks undertaken in each year since the introduction of core funding; the number of breaches identified and sanctions applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50366/26]
389. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether compliance is monitored directly by her Department, by Pobal, by the network of City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs), or by another body; to outline the respective responsibilities of each organisation in relation to monitoring and enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50365/26]
388. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to ensure that early learning and childcare providers participating in the core funding scheme comply with the fee management conditions, and do not increase fees charged to parents contrary to the terms of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50364/26]
348. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the eligibility rules whereby domiciliary care allowance (DCA) automatically ceases when a child turns 16, regardless of the child's continuing care needs; if he will consider extending DCA until the child's transition to disability allowance has been fully approved and implemented or continue the DCA allowance until child turns 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50359/26]
223. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether, in light of the proposed new stamp 4 pathway for beneficiaries of temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals, consideration is being given to introducing a waiver, exemption or alternative eligibility criteria for applicants with documented long-term illnesses, disabilities or other significant health conditions who may be unable to satisfy standard employment-related requirements through no fault of their own; the way in which such applicants will be assessed under the proposed scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49968/26]
926. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health whether the inclusion of porters in the HSE Nursing and Midwifery Sponsorship Programme in 2025 was intended as a once-off or pilot initiative; whether porters are eligible to apply for the 2026 intake of the programme; if not, the reason for their exclusion; whether consideration is being given to reopening the programme to porters in future years, particularly those working in direct patient care settings; the assessment that has been carried out of the success of the 2025 intake involving porters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49705/26]
702. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to address delays in the Garda vetting process, particularly for the early education and childcare sector, where providers report waiting up to eight weeks for vetting clearance for new employees; the impact these delays are having on services’ ability to meet statutory staff-to-child ratios and maintain capacity; whether consideration has been given to introducing alternative interim measures, such as recognising a valid Garda vetting disclosure obtained through another regulated employer or service, pending completion of a new vetting application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49203/26]
526. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the current wait time for domiciliary care allowance appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48755/26]
525. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families who applied for the domiciliary care allowance for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of applications granted, refused; and the number of refusals that were subsequently overturned on appeal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48754/26]
394. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the application to retain an 11th mainstream teacher for the coming school year at a school (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49487/26]
323. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will establish a formal consultation mechanism with organisations representing children with cerebral palsy and their families to inform future implementation of the SNA Workforce Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48768/26]
322. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether children with cerebral palsy who attend mainstream schools and who have significant physical care needs but little or no learning disability were specifically represented during the development of the Special Needs Assistant Workforce Development Plan 2026–2037; and if she will provide details of the organisations and parent representatives consulted in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48767/26]
321. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she has assessed the impact of the removal of references to therapy plans and therapy-related supports from the revised SNA role on children with cerebral palsy and other significant physical disabilities attending mainstream schools; the way in which schools are expected to implement physiotherapy and occupational therapy recommendations where HSE therapy services are unavailable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48766/26]