117. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update in relation to the expansion of the school transport scheme service as set out in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40027/25]
118. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the progress made to date in relation to the carrying out of an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the school transport scheme, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40028/25]
90. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Taoiseach if it is intended to establish the taskforce for Cork by the end of September 2025, as set out in the Programme for Government. [39427/25]
607. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection his Department's plans to introduce a new Action Plan promoting social inclusion in rural areas, in view that "The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025" is coming to an end later this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39025/25]
856. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the ground floor and first floor of the new Mallow General Hospital will be fully operational; the plans for the use of these two sections of the hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38702/25]
918. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action her Department and HSE have taken on the proposed introduction of a national programme for the safe disposal of unused medications in the community in line with EU Directive 2001/83/EC; if she will commit to pursuing this matter further with a view to establishing a safe, consistent and accessible return system through community pharmacies nationwide as …
919. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the engagement that has taken place between her Department and HSE with the community pharmacies with a view to introducing a national programme for the safe disposal of unused or expired medications by members of the public in line with EU Directive 2001/83/EC; if she is aware of the patient-safety, public-health and environmental risks posed by the lack of a fund…
920. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if there has been any engagement between her Department, HSE and a union (details supplied) on the proposed introduction of a national programme for the safe disposal of unused medications in the community in line with EU Directive 2001/83/EC; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39082/25]
1058. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the action his Department is taking to encourage young people to remain living and working in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39026/25]
77. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the level of humanitarian support to Gaza in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38282/25]
78. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on his recent meeting with his German counterpart, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/25]
102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the plans in place to support older people who experience loneliness and social isolation, particularly those located in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38274/25]
2. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of foreign birth register applications that have been made from persons residing in the USA in the past five years, including this year to 30 June 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38278/25]
107. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020–2025. [38451/25]
Colm Burke
Written
8 Jul 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that he has engaged with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork with a view to increasing the number of Irish students that will be accommodated in dental training courses, in view of the fact that over 44% of training positions at the moment are provided to non-European students; a…
Colm Burke
Written
8 Jul 2025 · to Further and Higher Education
169. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he is taking to ensure there is an increase in qualified people coming into the workforce, in particular those required in essential services such as dentistry, dental hygienists, radiology and radiation therapists, in order to meet the needs of citizens, in view of the fact the population of the co…
499. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a review of planning regulations in relation to a new and separate exempted development threshold for stand-alone nutrient storage, in view that the thresholds and conditions associated with the exemption are practical and enable farmers to make the necessary investment to deliver the required nutrient storage…
765. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have had cardiovascular disease screening carried out on them as part of the opportunistic case finding and chronic disease prevention programme in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to the 30 June 2025, in tabular form; if any general statistics from this data will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37158/25]
822. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether the commitment in the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035 to expand access to existing vaccination programmes in "private settings" includes pharmacy-based vaccination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37479/25]
823. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether the commitment in the new National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2035 to prioritise increased free access to current and future vaccines protecting sexual health will include implementing the NIAC recommendation to provide the HPV vaccine to unvaccinated women under 45 years old who have been treated for CIN lesions, ideally within 48 months of treatment; and…
8. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the action taken by his Department to monitor the progress of young people who leave the youth diversion programme after their supervision period ends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/25]
62. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the process in place within the Irish Prison Service system to co-ordinate services for the person being released, both in respect of their housing needs and the financial aid they require from the Department of Social Protection to ensure they have adequate supports in place when released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. …
136. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to ensure the TB eradication programme is fully resourced, in view of staff shortages in regional offices which in turn leaves staff unable to carry out thorough investigations in to the cause of breakdowns and to implement a wildlife programme around all TB breakdowns; and if he will make a statement on…
177. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to introduce legislation that will criminalise individuals who use artificial intelligence to produce and distribute deepfake images and videos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36381/25]
178. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the timeframe for processing of Irish citizenship applications via Irish association, in particular those who submitted additional requested documentation as per the new guidelines published by his Department in April 2025, taking into account that no timeframe has been given and many applicants have been waiting over five years for a d…