I thank the Minister of State. I am reassured that the NTA has said it will monitor frequency because anybody who has seen any of the bus stops or any of the buses being used will see that an increase in frequency is required. I am certain it is going to have to respond because of the level of demand. The difficulty is how long will it take the NTA to take that action.
I know BusConnects is controversial in differen…
TDs / Paul McAuliffe
Paul McAuliffe
Portrait: © Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas (Open Data) PSI Licence) · source file
727
questions asked
Oral and written, to government departments
55,836
words spoken in the chamber
Across 283 contributions
441
votes recorded
Each Yes, No or Abstained in a recorded vote
175
topics asked about
Across 20 departments
From the Dáil chamber only: committee meetings are not in this archive.
What they ask about
The subject headings the Oireachtas filed their questions under.
Who they ask
The departments their questions were addressed to.
Month by month
Low months are usually recesses, when the Dáil does not sit. The archive runs to 22 October 2026.
Questions asked 727 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Contributions to debates 283 in all
Dec 2024Oct 2026
Show as a table
| Month | Questions | Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2024 | 0 | 4 |
| January 2025 | 37 | 20 |
| February 2025 | 50 | 17 |
| March 2025 | 27 | 6 |
| April 2025 | 30 | 14 |
| May 2025 | 42 | 12 |
| June 2025 | 39 | 24 |
| July 2025 | 93 | 19 |
| August 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2025 | 15 | 4 |
| October 2025 | 15 | 12 |
| November 2025 | 39 | 12 |
| December 2025 | 21 | 15 |
| January 2026 | 27 | 12 |
| February 2026 | 33 | 8 |
| March 2026 | 30 | 1 |
| April 2026 | 50 | 14 |
| May 2026 | 40 | 20 |
| June 2026 | 63 | 25 |
| July 2026 | 25 | 8 |
| August 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| September 2026 | 31 | 13 |
| October 2026 | 20 | 23 |
Debates they spoke in most
Plus 190 contributions in the regular slots, such as Leaders' Questions and Priority Questions. Speech from the chair is not counted.
Asked about similar topics
Worked out by computer from the subject headings of each TD's questions, giving more weight to headings few TDs use. It shows shared subjects, not shared views.
Party, constituency and offices
- constituency Dublin North-West 29 November 2024 to now
- party Fianna Fáil 29 November 2024 to now
Hear, hear.
We have done more than you.
I will focus on two areas in the budget. One is the carer's allowance, particularly the means test. I was spokesperson on social protection previously and I have done some work with the carers' association. In the previous general election, the issue of the carer's allowance was discussed at some length. Two areas of concern were raised, one of which was the principle that if somebody is caring for somebody else, the…
I apologise.
I ask the Government to look at the issue. We did not have an opportunity to do it in this budget and we need to move on it.
8. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are targeted measures in place to reduce the prevalence of illegal fireworks both nationally and locally, and particularly in Dublin North-West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54149/25]
Will the Minister of State make a statement to the House on targeted measures that may be put in place to reduce the prevalence of illegal fireworks, locally and nationally?
I thank the Minister of State. He is correct that we are heading into the autumn season and Hallowe'en festivities. Increasingly every year, that season opens earlier. I heard reports in late August of this year of fireworks being used in my area.
The Minister of State outlined the impact that fireworks had on animals, family pets, livestock and so on. They have an impact on other children as well, who feel less saf…
I would welcome that correspondence. I point out the considerable work of Dublin Fire Brigade in trying to dissuade people. I also acknowledge the work of the local authorities, particularly Dublin City Council, in respect of pro-social activity. I encourage anybody in the city to come to either the Finglas Fright Night or the Ballymun Otherworld festival. They are fantastic family-fun events that are packed with cul…
During last year’s general election campaign, I met many carers who were not eligible for the carer’s allowance because their partners either got overtime or a promotion. Many people felt it demeaning that their role in caring and the job they were doing were dependent on their partners’ incomes.
I welcome the increase in the income disregard. If I am correct, this means a couple can earn up to €108,000 per year, ex…
Tomorrow, Friday, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day. It was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. In many ways, the conversation on mental health has completely transformed since 1992 when I was a teenager. I look with great admiration to the many people who are able to talk about their mental health now. I distinguish between mental health and mental illness. We ha…
That is disgraceful.
As a colleague just noted, one can say very little in two minutes. I will start by saying something very easy, which is to thank the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, for the investment my constituency has seen, in hurling, football, soccer, tennis and so many different areas, through the sports capital grant. It has made a real difference to clubs in my area. He will be pleased to hear we are already preparing …
2. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [46882/25]
The Taoiseach may be aware that there are four capital projects currently under way in Beaumont Hospital which are at different stages. They include a new emergency department, a new 95-bed ward block, a 64-bed critical care unit and an extension to radiation and oncology departments. Will the Taoiseach give an assurance to the House that these projects will be funded and will be done in a timely way? Despite the com…
Hear, hear.
10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her plans for community neurorehabilitation teams for children with neurological conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50196/25]
86. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of sanctioned classes nationally for children with additional needs, as announced earlier this year; the number hoped to be operational in autumn 2025 in the Dublin North-West constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40000/25]
In our constituency offices, we frequently receive queries about different State services and requests for appointments. Where possible we are able to make progress for people. Recently I was taken aback when Christopher, a constituent of mine from Whitehall, contacted me regarding an audiology appointment. It was in fact his daughter who was in touch with me. He was informed that the soonest audiology appointment wh…
I welcome the initiative for children. The Minister of State is right. That will free up capacity within the system for adults. I acknowledge those people with more urgent cases are seen more urgently than in December 2026, without that length of a waiting line. It is actually very difficult to track that because when we ask the HSE what the average waiting times for audiology services are, it tells us the system it …
27. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [35225/25]
I also join others in calling out the scourge of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in our society. It should be called out at all junctures - in WhatsApp groups, in sports clubs, in our local pubs and here in the Dáil. I acknowledge the work of the Minister's predecessor, Deputy McEntee, in terms of the legislation, which Deputy Connolly has previously referenced, and also the structural changes and the fund…
104. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which he intends to implement the programme for Government commitments regarding the cost of third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37436/25]
12. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to a Topical Issue raised on 19 October 2023, if he will outline the current total number of allegations of child sexual abuse involving any member of the Probation Service that he or his Department have been made aware of; if he has considered putting in place a non-adversarial redress scheme, if appropriate; and if he will …
I appreciate the Minister outlining in detail the previous work that has been done on this case. As he said, there is now confirmation by the Department of two reports of allegations of child sexual abuse. In the Minister's words, they relate to a "deceased" member of the Probation Service. Of course, this matter has also been the topic of much media coverage. The "RTÉ Investigates" programme carried out an investiga…