The combined durations of maternity, paternity and parent's leave and benefit now equate to 46 weeks of paid leave for a two-parent family, supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave a…

As Deputy Wall is aware, the first point of contact is the local city and county childcare committees. Again, the question I ask is whether the Department will get involved in identifying these deserts that we …

The March 2025 pay funding agreement for workers in community and voluntary health and social care organisations, whom Deputy Cooney has referenced, represents a significant investment in the sector and provide…

I know that she is concerned about it, as am I, and I know we have many programme for Government commitments, including the creation of additional childcare places, initiating State-led childcare, especially in…

HSE Louth Meath disability services is actively working with service providers and HSE National Disability Services to develop further placements. HSE Louth Meath disability services is strategically planning f…

It is also a matter of public record that the Garda Síochána Act 2005 states clearly that procurement or any of the other matters the Deputy outlined are the role and responsibility of An Garda Síochána and tha…

The primary staffing schedule furnished to schools for this current academic year, 2026-27, advised schools that they will operate on the basis of a general average of one classroom teacher for every 23 pupils.…

At all times, and to reassure the Deputy because we are all impacted by this and have significant public transport in our constituencies, we want to make sure it is affordable for people. The decision made by t…

This is why we introduce this legislation now, demanding that the Government respond, demanding that the Government see sense and demanding that the Government get rid of carbon tax on home heating oil while th…

Part 6 also provides a legal basis for local authorities to receive and process road traffic collision data from An Garda Síochána or the Road Safety Authority.…

Some people may know, while others probably do not know, that while ordinary people are struggling to pay their electricity and energy bills and the price hikes resulting from the policies of Trump, data centre…

Deputy Louise O'Reilly, Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy - To discuss proposed increases to public transport fares. Deputy Albert Dolan - To discuss the introduction of a farm succession scheme. The matters…

The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, working with the public transport operators, who deliver the services and have responsibility f…

I want to raise the issue of generational renewal and, specifically, the need for a farm succession scheme. Among the proposals are the establishment of a €25,000 payment to establish a young farmer and a gener…

A working group on the indexation rate for periodic payment orders was established to advise on an appropriate index following a High Court determination that the index used in primary legislation was unworkabl…

I raise the topic of online safety and the regulation of social media platforms, which is a very topical issue given the EU KIDS Act, which we have been slowly learning about over the course of this week, as we…

The Minister requested schools to be cognisant of the view of all parents in relation to the use of digital devices and the associated costs and set out the need for schools to engage with all parents, and not …

However, the Garda whistleblowers on tonight's programme say that instead of being protected, whistleblowers are targeted, penalised and vilified by those at the very top for making disclosures of wrongdoing. T…

Technology such as automatic number plate recognition cameras, average speed cameras, red light cameras and automated traffic enforcement systems have enormous potential to improve compliance, save lives and pr…

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: — Motion re Withdrawal of the Mineral Oil Tax (Emergency Cost of Living Reduction) Bill 2026 ( without debate ) — Garda Síochána (Powers) Bill 2026 [ Seanad ] (Second Stag…