Darren O'Rourke

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of schools referred to the financial service support unit in 2023-24, 2024-25 and to date in the 2025-26 school year; the measures she is taking to support schools financially through the winter in the absence of a cost-of-living package this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71049/25]

I wish to ask the Minister of State the number of schools referred to the financial support services unit in the academic year 2023-24, 2024-25 and to date in 2025-26 and the measures he is taking to support schools financially through this winter in the absence of a cost-of-living package.

I thank the Minister of State for those figures, but they paint a picture that is a very stark one in terms of the financial challenge schools are going through. Regarding those numbers, we are not at Christmas yet and we have 18 schools referred to the FSSU so far this year and nine that have needed advanced payments. A number of schools, including Darver in neighbouring County Louth, have been h…

Costs are increasing and, in real terms, last year capitation per student in primary schools was €236 and €400 per student in post-primary schools. That is when we take the capitation and the cost-of-living aspects into account. This year, it is €224 per student at primary level versus €236 last year, while at secondary level, it is €386 per student compared with €400 last year. That is a net decr…

97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on Oíche na hÓige; outline how she intends to build on the event through capital investment in youth facilities across the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70748/25]

Will the Minister of State provide an update on Oíche na hÓige and outline how he intends to build on the event through capital investment in youth facilities across the State?

Oíche na hÓige was a success. In my constituency of Meath East, I attended open nights held by Ratoath Foróige and 5th Meath Kells Scouts. They do such good and important work in the community. In both of those projects, like so many, it is about youth leadership, with young people leading. Is it planned that Oíche na hÓige will be an annual event? Has that decision been made or is it under consi…

It needs to be matched with increased funding. I said to the Minister of State at committee that youth services are the poor relation within the Department and in government. The incredible work done in communities and the benefit for young people and the wider community are immeasurable. Maybe that is part of the difficulty. Investment is returned in spades. Please continue to invest in young peo…

I fully support Deputy Crowe on this. A solution has to be found. The Department has a role to play here, as have the school, the patron body and the religious authorities, but a solution must be found.

5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach for a report on the national security strategy. [65716/25]

16. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will next meet. [65717/25]

We need updated wind and solar farm guidelines. The wind farm guidelines are in draft form since 2019 and the last full version was in 2006. There is a commitment in the programme for Government for solar farm guidelines but recent responses say they are at a very early stage of a scoping process. When will they be ready?

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important topic. The digital world is our children's playground, their library and their public square, yet for too long, it has been designed with profit, not protection, in mind. The current approach of light-touch or self-regulation has failed. As fines go uncollected and promises go unkept, we cannot accept the illusion of safety. We must move beyond …

With the school secretaries and caretakers pension dispute now referred to the Labour Court for 12 January, these dedicated staff are deeply anxious. They engaged in the process in good faith and ended their strike on the promise of a resolution. Given the recent breakdown at the WRC, the fundamental commitment to a fair pension comparable to teachers and SNAs and all their long years of service, …

5. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach for a report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [63268/25]

16. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach for an update on his Department's plans to co-ordinate a range of actions aimed at regulatory reform. [63269/25]

I raise the regulation of social media companies in the online space, particularly as it relates to children. The criticism that has been levelled at Coimisiún na Meán's online safety code is that an earlier draft had a recommendation that social media companies turn off recommender systems and it has been removed. Recommender systems profile people who are using apps and then drive them down ofte…

Ireland has some of the highest electricity prices in Europe, way above the EU average. The typical Irish household is paying hundreds of euro more per year than its European counterparts. This is a scandal and a direct result of Government failure. When energy companies were making record profits after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, this Government refused to apply a strong and effective windfa…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. My colleagues have outlined Sinn Féin’s serious concerns with the provisions of the Bill. Its fundamental flaws must be addressed. It is clear that the defective concrete block crisis has devastated thousands of families across the State. The Government’s response to date has focused on counties Donegal, Mayo, Clare, Limerick and Sligo. While that i…

31. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the plan for a new disability unit in his Department. [65715/25]

20. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach for a report on the work of the shared island unit. [56576/25]

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important and timely motion and thank Deputies Kenny and Newsome Drennan for tabling it. The purpose and intent of the motion is to send a clear, unequivocal message that Ireland must stand up for its farming families and rural communities by opposing the Mercosur trade deal. This agreement is a bad deal on every front. It is a bad deal for Irish agricult…

Why does the Government not say it "has examined" this deal, not that it "continues to examine" it? Why does it not state it will stand up for farmers and rural communities, defend their livelihoods, oppose and reject the deal, and build the blocking minority to ensure it does not pass?

I welcome the opportunity to speak on statements on Science Week, the annual celebration that highlights the important role that science, technology, engineering and maths play in our lives. This week is more than just a showcase of innovation. It is a vital spark, igniting curiosity in the next generation and reminding us all of the power of evidence and inquiry. From the smartphones in our pocke…

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I thank the Social Democrats for tabling it. Votes for 16- and 17-year-olds is a matter of fairness. In my opinion and that of my party, it is a matter of the future vitality of our democracy. For too long, we have clung to the arbitrary line in the sand drawn at 18. We tell our young people that on the eve of their 18th birthday, they are disengage…