554. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a teacher (details supplied); and if she will outline the measures being considered to retain experienced teachers in the profession, particularly in rural schools, amid the ongoing teacher shortage. [64979/26]
1144. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of serious concerns raised by a patient regarding standards of care, patient dignity, privacy and infection prevention practices in the surgical day ward at Mayo University Hospital following surgery on 13 August 2026; whether the HSE has investigated these allegations; if any breaches of patient dignity, privacy or infection control procedures w…
1145. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE maintains records of consultants working outside their registered speciality; the number of such consultants currently employed in each acute hospital; and whether any review has been undertaken of the practice at Mayo University Hospital since 2021. [64389/26]
1146. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing vacancies currently approved in Mayo University Hospital; and the number currently filled. [64429/26]
1147. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses recruited to Mayo University Hospital in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, broken down by permanent, temporary and agency appointments. [64428/26]
1148. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of complaints regarding care standards, patient dignity and infection control practices at Mayo University Hospital following surgery on 13 August 2026; whether a patient was required to change for surgery in a public toilet due to bed shortages; whether concerns regarding post-operative supervision, privacy during wound examinations and infectio…
1150. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of newly qualified nurses who applied for nursing positions in Mayo University Hospital in each of the past five years who were interviewed and offered employment. [64431/26]
1155. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of student nurses who graduated from nursing programmes in County Mayo in each of the past five years; and the number who subsequently obtained employment in Mayo University Hospital. [64430/26]
1156. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if the HSE permits multi-task attendants (grade 6015) to undertake the duties of theatre operatives (grade 6013) within acute hospitals; if such arrangements are in place at Mayo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64454/26]
1157. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has received reports, complaints, industrial relation concerns or patient safety concerns regarding multi task attendants covering theatre operative duties at Mayo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64456/26]
1159. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the training, competency assessment and governance requirements that must be met before a staff member who is not employed as a theatre operative can perform duties within an operating theatre environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64455/26]
1165. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels in the surgical day ward at Mayo University Hospital compared with approved levels; the number of complaints received in 2026 concerning patient supervision, discharge procedures and complaint handling; whether a review has been undertaken following reports of patients being discharged without written discharge information or adequate…
1166. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of complaints regarding care standards, patient dignity and infection control practices at Mayo University Hospital following a surgery on 13 August 2026 (details supplied); whether a patient was required to change for surgery in a public toilet due to bed shortages; whether concerns regarding post-operative supervision, privacy during wound exam…
1312. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of healthcare assistants rostered on night duty in the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital on each night over the past 12 months; whether a staffing review has been conducted regarding overnight healthcare assistant cover in the department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65096/26]
1313. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of concerns regarding staff fatigue and burnout arising from staffing levels in the emergency department of Mayo University Hospital, particularly during night shifts; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the impact of staffing levels on patient safety and staff wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65097/26]
1314. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in microbiology, haematology and related laboratory services at Mayo University Hospital during overnight hours; whether the HSE has assessed the impact of laboratory staffing levels on turnaround times for infectious disease testing, including COVID-19 and influenza testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65099/26]
1315. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the protocols in place at Mayo University Hospital regarding the transfer of admitted patients from the emergency department to inpatient wards during overnight hours; whether restrictions apply to the movement of patients to available ward beds overnight; and the measures being taken to improve patient flow and reduce overcrowding in the Emergency Department. […
1316. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms that are available to staff in Mayo University Hospital to raise concerns regarding patient safety, staffing levels and workplace practices; the protections available to employees who raise such concerns; whether the HSE has reviewed compliance with its protected disclosure and speaking-up policies in the hospital; and if she will make a statement…
1366. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of people who have been removed from a GP patient list in each of the past five years, by county; the measures in place to support patients who cannot secure a place with another GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65389/26]
Paul Lawless
Written
16 Sep 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1508. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether education and training boards, micro-credential programmes, lifelong learning initiatives or other further education and training funding streams may be utilised to support the delivery of specialist programmes in areas such as apiculture and pollinator conservation; and if he will make a statement …
Paul Lawless
Written
16 Sep 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1509. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has assessed the impact of funding pressures within the higher education sector on the viability of specialist or niche programmes, particularly those relating to biodiversity, environmental sustainability and rural skills development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6…
Paul Lawless
Written
16 Sep 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1510. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken by his Department to address the funding shortfall facing higher education institutions; the impact this shortfall is having on continuing and adult education programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65479/26]
Paul Lawless
Written
16 Sep 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1511. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding mechanisms that exist or are planned to support specialist educational programmes which contribute to national biodiversity, pollinator protection and environmental sustainability objectives, including programmes in apiculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65478/26]
Paul Lawless
Written
16 Sep 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1512. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the suspension of the Diploma in Apiculture programme at the University of Galway; whether any engagement has taken place between his Department and the university regarding the future provision of apiculture education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65477…
73. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will review the passport online photograph verification process in light of reports from applicants whose photographs were accepted by the online system at submission stage but subsequently rejected during manual examination, causing delays and additional inconvenience; whether her Department has assessed the frequency of such occurrences…