Darren O'Rourke

71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is taking to address the shortage of childcare places in County Meath; when she will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to provide State-owned services where gaps exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49706/25]

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the waiting lists for assessments of needs in CDNTs in County Meath; the way in which the waiting lists in 2025 compares to 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49707/25]

175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to protect motorcyclists on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49930/25]

287. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that students educated at home have equal access to the newly implemented additional assessment component in the first tranche of subjects, namely biology, physics, chemistry and business which is 40% of their leaving certificate exam. [49859/25]

288. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the newly implemented additional assessment component for the first tranche of subjects will affect students taught at home; and the oversight will be provided to ensure fairness and equity for these students undertaking their studies outside of the traditional school environment. [49860/25]

296. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to ensure that the statutory timeframes for assessments of need under the Disability Act 2005, and obligations under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004, are aligned with school placement deadlines, in order that children with additional needs are not excluded from education in breach of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and the State’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if she will make provision for interim school placements or therapeutic supports in cases where delayed assessments have resulted in children, such as a person (details supplied) missing out on appropriate school places and interventions. [49962/25]

297. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which it is acceptable that a child (details supplied), red-flagged for developmental concerns since the age of two, whose family had to go to court to secure access to therapy and an educational report, was left waiting almost two years for a cognitive assessment only to be informed too late to apply for a special class and subsequently excluded from a special school placement for a second consecutive year; and if she accepts responsibility for the lack of timely assessment, care and school provision and what measures they are taking to prevent this situation from re-occurring. [49972/25]

304. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the extension of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50006/25]

305. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when funding will be made available for repairs to prefabs at a school (details supplied) while they wait for their new extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50007/25]

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to introduce a carbon credit scheme for quality fuels such as wood pellets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48743/25]

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his plans to introduce a carbon credit scheme for stoves and burners of quality fuels such as wood pellets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48744/25]

323. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his views on the potential impact of an ongoing investigation by the EU (details supplied); if he has been in contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to this matter; if he is in contact with the industry in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48450/25]

471. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to identify primary schools for after-school childcare services; the up-to-date position on the review of guidelines on the use of school buildings outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47961/25]

472. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the guidance she has given to schools in 2025, to encourage school uniform swap shops to reduce the financial burden of sending children back to school. [47962/25]

473. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of paying student teachers on placement in schools as part of their college degree. [47963/25]

493. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of secondary school students in the State. [48175/25]

494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the approximate number of secondary school students in each year group. [48176/25]

495. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of secondary school students, by county. [48177/25]

514. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will implement criteria that acknowledges the service of those teaching abroad if they return to Ireland and teach here; and if, the service spent abroad will be recognised on the point scale for teachers salary, rather than being put on point 1 of the scale, disregarding their experience in a different jurisdiction. [48285/25]

515. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that teachers who return to Ireland from teaching abroad find that there is no scheme for repaying public sector pension contributions (details supplied); and the steps she will take to review the situation ensuring that teachers returning from abroad have the ability to contribute to their Irish pension. [48286/25]

569. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the time-bound provision; and if she will confirm that the provision will open in Q4 of 2025. [48913/25]

735. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he is taking to ensure schools affected by companies pulling out of contracts due to procurement criteria in the hot school meal scheme are resolved; and or if he will introduce a temporary measure to ensure these children are catered for. [48053/25]

737. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which food waste is monitored in the hot school meals scheme; the latest data in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48091/25]

743. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures he is taking to ensure that schools affected by food companies pulling out of the hot school meals scheme due to updated procurement criteria, are provided with hot meals; the interim measures in place; and when he expects this issue will be resolved, allowing all schools to avail of the free hot school meal scheme. [48314/25]

793. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that rent supplement is only available to those who work under 30-hours-per-week; and if he plans to expand the criteria to 40-hours-per-week, taking into account that many people who are in need of rent supplement work a full 40-hour week. [49018/25]