Robert O'Donoghue

1795. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps which were taken to ensure safe transport of exported heifers from the port of arrival to the final destination in Algeria, including vehicle compliance with EC Regulation 1/2005, rest breaks; the action which will be taken against exporters using vehicles that do not meet legal standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74108/25]

271. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the current M50 and Eastlink toll exemptions for motorcycles to all tolled roads; the plans to adjust the annual motorbike road tax for example from €88 to €100 in exchange for nationwide toll access; the plans to provide motorcyclists with the ability to pre-pay or post-pay online, linked to their registration plate, avoiding the need to stop at toll pay points; the plans to develop a weather-resistant toll tag specifically designed for motorcycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71692/25]

684. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his attention has been drawn to when the full figures for student immigration on Stamp 2 Visas will be available for 2025; if his attention has been drawn to any recent closures of any institutions which provide the courses listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes , or eligible programmes offered by providers with authorisation to use the new TrustEd Education mark awarded by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland ; if there are any plans to reduce the overall number of Stamp 2 Visas issued to English-language students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71469/25]

120. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the public transport provision serving Garristown and the surrounding rural areas of north County Dublin; if he will consider extending or adapting the 192 bus service, or introducing a new local loop route from Ashbourne through Ballymadun, Nutstown, Adamstown and Newhaggard, returning to Ashbourne; to examine the feasibility of providing a door-to-door Local Link service to assist residents, particularly older and isolated individuals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70647/25]

175. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the recent spate of fishing vessel incidents and losses involving small vessels under 15 metres operating along the Dublin, Meath, and Louth coasts, including a fatality off the Louth coast in 2023, several recent rescues by the Skerries and Clogherhead Lifeboats, and other groundings and tow-assists; the oversight, inspection, and enforcement measures currently in place for this category of vessel; if he is satisfied that existing safety, equipment, and training requirements are adequate; and if he will direct his Department and BIM to review compliance levels and take action to address any systemic safety issues identified in this fleet to help prevent further fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70052/25]

264. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport when improvements will be made to the E1 bus service serving the Northwood area of Dublin 9, given persistent reliability issues, including repeated no-show or ghost buses and extended gaps in service despite the route being scheduled to operate every ten minutes; if he will engage with the National Transport Authority regarding these failures; and if he will ensure that measures are put in place without delay in order that commuters in Northwood receive a consistent and dependable service as originally planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70035/25]

586. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there is no State-run accreditation system or accrediting body for foreign-language translators and interpreters in Ireland, despite their critical role in the criminal justice system, immigration processes, healthcare, education, and other public services; and if the Department has plans to introduce statutory regulation or minimum qualification standards for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69076/25]

587. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration who currently determines if an individual is or is not considered a qualified interpreter or a court-approved interpreter in Ireland, in the absence of a State-mandated certification system; whether any criteria, vetting standards, or qualification requirements are applied by the Courts Service, An Garda Síochána, or other public bodies when procuring interpreting services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69077/25]

588. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the regulatory body, responsible for overseeing the profession of foreign-language translators and interpreters in Ireland, including the setting of professional standards, enforcement of ethical codes, or oversight of training and competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69078/25]

589. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration which institution maintains a mandatory national register or list of qualified foreign-language interpreters or court-approved interpreters; and if no such register exists, the reason for this and if his Department intends to create one in line with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69079/25]

840. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health her views on the fact that approximately 9,000 women are currently waiting up to 10 weeks or longer for a follow-up appointment after being referred by their GP for suspected breast cancer; the reason such delays are occurring; the clinical risk posed by these waiting times; the actions she is taking to ensure that urgent breast care referrals are assessed within recommended timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69041/25]

841. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the clinical consequences identified by her Department and the HSE regarding prolonged delays in breast cancer follow-up appointments; the number of cases that have breached the recommended urgent referral timeframe; the measures which are being implemented to safeguard early detection and timely diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69042/25]

842. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the status of out-of-date, old or non-compliant diagnostic equipment in breast cancer assessment units; the number of machines requiring replacement or upgrade; the timeline for bringing all breast units in line with modern clinical standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69043/25]

843. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health when funding will be formally allocated to replace outdated breast diagnostic equipment; the reason for the delay in confirming this funding; and whether the 2026 capital plan includes specific ring-fenced investment for breast cancer services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69044/25]

844. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the recruitment, staffing, and capacity challenges contributing to delays in breast cancer follow-up appointments; the number of vacant consultant, radiographer, and breast care nurse posts nationally; the plan to address these gaps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69045/25]

845. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the way in which current waiting times for breast cancer follow-up appointments align with the targets set out in the National Cancer Strategy; the accountability measures which exist for persistent breaches of these targets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69046/25]

846. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health the immediate actions, such as extended clinic hours, outsourcing of scans, or temporary capacity expansion, which are being considered to reduce the backlog of 9,000 women awaiting follow-up appointments; the projected timeline for clearing this backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69047/25]

1087. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that apprentice hairdressers are currently paid as little as €7 per hour, with no incremental increases over the four-year duration of the apprenticeship; if he considers this consistent with the Government's stated ambition to expand and professionalise the apprenticeship sector; the actions he will take to ensure fair and progressive pay for apprentice hairdressers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69020/25]

1088. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentice hairdressers are currently unable to access funding supports for tools and equipment essential to their training; if he will consider the creation of a dedicated equipment grant for apprentices in the hairdressing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69021/25]

1089. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentices, including apprentice hairdressers, are deemed ineligible for SUSI grants on the basis that they are "working", despite earning training-level pay far below a living wage; if he will review eligibility criteria to ensure apprentices are not financially penalised; and if he will report on any planned changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69022/25]

1090. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises that hairdressing is a high-skill, future-proof profession unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence; the way in which his Department plans to invest in and support such apprenticeships, which provide long-term, human-centred employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69023/25]

1091. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed whether low apprentice pay, lack of equipment supports, and ineligibility for education grants disproportionately impact female apprentices in sectors such as hairdressing; if he will commit to addressing these inequities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69024/25]

153. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in view of the ongoing uncertainty faced by homeowners affected by the defective block scheme; if Fingal County Council is to be included in the scheme; to provide details on the expected timeline, administrative arrangements, and any forthcoming guidance for local authorities and applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68231/25]

167. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there are plans for incentives or grants to expand the cycle to work/bike to work scheme to make it more accessible to employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67536/25]

205. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a school (details supplied) will be fully developed and end its current prefabrication status; if there are any plans to incorporate the school meals scheme at the school in the absence of existing facilities; if there are any plans for traffic safety/calming measures in the vicinity of the school in the absence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67270/25]