Pádraig O'Sullivan

80. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise on the efforts underway in his Department to decrease social welfare appeal waiting times; the average time it takes an appeal to be decided on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61989/25]

I have tabled parliamentary questions in the past, and I have always said that in terms of dealing with day-to-day stuff from TDs, the Department of Social Protection is probably one of the most efficient Departments and I want to put this on the record. Nonetheless, I have asked this parliamentary question on a number of occasions, as have a number of other Deputies in the past while. The Ministe…

I welcome the Minister's statement about the domiciliary allowance in reply to the previous question. Specifically, could he address the supplementary welfare appeals in his answer if he has a moment? In relation to processing times, I am not trying to be unfair or harsh, but I look at the response that the chief appeals officer continues to monitor the number of appeals on hand and that appeal p…

4. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on justice, migration and social affairs will next meet. [48525/25]

The number of deaths in Cork Prison has doubled since last year. The Inspector of Prisons has said overcrowding has played a significant part in this. His annual report published a few weeks ago highlighted the low morale among officers and the insufficient access to a GP in Cork Prison among other issues. As the Taoiseach is aware, Cork Prison is frequently overcrowded. Last August, there were a…

9. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to strengthen our cyber defence capabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59446/25]

Budget 2026 allocated €117 billion nationwide. Approximately €19 billion or €20 billion of that was in capital investment. I raise with the Minister the issue of Carrignavar wastewater treatment plant. It is something that has been highlighted and identified as in need of urgent investment from Irish Water and Cork County Council. Nonetheless, it has been waiting years to be reached in their own l…

I express my condemnation of the appalling attack that took place at the IPAS centre in Drogheda last week. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and have no place in any society. My thoughts are with all of those affected. This is such an important and sensitive issue. I fully recognise the need for a robust international protection system for people fleeing war-torn regions. The global instabi…

8. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on staffing issues in a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58318/25]

I did not hear what the Minister of State said at the outset. Initially, there were nine special educational needs, SEN, teachers and 18 SNAs. The Minister of State said there was an additional SEN teacher. How many SNAs?

Are they recent additions?

The Minister of State said that the Department is in contact with the school on an ongoing basis. Has the review that was instigated upon the arrival of officials from the NCSE and the Department concluded in the school? Is there any prospect of additional resources or has it been deemed that the resources provided heretofore are sufficient? As the Minister of State said, St. Gabriel’s deals in ma…

I genuinely acknowledge the Minister of State’s involvement in this. I rang him on Thursday night, when this story was about to break, and he got straight on to the school the following morning. That was appreciated by the parents and the school management. I seek clarification on one or two more points. The Minister of State said the NCSE is due to follow up this week. I realise he is not going …

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on infrastructure will next meet. [56982/25]

I raised an issue with the Taoiseach three weeks ago regarding the elective hospital in Cork. To be fair, the Taoiseach gave a good response and said it was a political decision that was made on the timing of the hospital, not a HSE decision. As I told the Taoiseach, the hospital was initially meant to take patients in 2027, but it is now looking like 2030 because the project will go from being a …

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, for coming in. It is rare enough to come in here for a Topical Issue and get the line Minister, so I do appreciate it. This is a long story. It goes back to 2020 initially. I think in January 2020 we were delighted when the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, unveiled plans for a massive development, or so we thought, of a centre of excellence in G…

I thank the Minister of State for the response. The one thing I can glean from this response, and that is encouraging, is that the Minister of State has stated the FAI told him at its next board meeting it will bring forward details on the project. That is welcome progress because this is something that the community of Glanmire and all the public representatives involved, including local authorit…

I raise the issue of newborn screening for SMA. During the week, I was contacted by SMA Ireland regarding the continued delay in expanding the heel prick test. The national rare disease strategy recently published by the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, provides a welcome and comprehensive framework to enhance diagnosis, treatment and support for people living with rare diseases with the stated …

I agree with what Deputy Timmins has said. I will fire a shot across the bows of the Opposition because no one has bothered to turn up tonight. When people are watching this on TV at home Opposition Deputies are the first people to point the finger when the benches are a bit light on this side of the House. Their absence is either an endorsement of the budget or they could not be bothered to turn …

We are moving to health now. I think the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, has covered education and transport this evening and I am not sure what else. Fair play to him. I want to talk about the LauraLynn Foundation. I recently met the chief executive and head of communications in advance of the budget. To give the Minister of State a bit of background, the LauraLynn Foundation was establishe…

I thank the Minister of State for acknowledging the great work the hospice does. I should have led by saying I remember that a few years ago, I heavily lobbied the then Minister for public expenditure - I think it was Michael McGrath at the time - about Marymount hospice, which does phenomenal work in Cork. It is now fully funded in the area of staff. An arrangement was done with section 38 and se…

I start by supporting Deputy Kenny's call for clarity for that project in Mallow. To be fair, the funding announcement was made. I do not think the funding is in jeopardy at all. I do not want this to turn into a negative story because the funding is still there. My understanding is that extra information was requested and it has now been submitted. It is now just a matter of sign-off. We would ap…

5. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. [48524/25]

I raise the elective hospitals and surgical hubs that are being delivered across the country, with particular reference to the Cork situation. Initially, in response to parliamentary questions, we were told it was envisaged that patients would be seen by 2027, all going well. The language used in parliamentary questions of late is frustrating and now suggests patients might not be seen until 2030 …

I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning to take the question. I want to discuss the delays businesses and employees are experiencing when applying for work permits, particularly permits for haulage companies. I am under no illusion as to the gravity of the situation. I understand there has been an unprecedented volume of applications for these permits over recent years. Nonethele…