Albert Dolan
Written
13 Oct 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
903. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if annual targets have been established for each county or region for 2026 to 2030 regarding the Government target of 12,500 apprenticeship registrations annually by 2030, in tabular form; and, if not, the way in which the geographic distribution of the additional apprenticeship places required to meet the n…
921. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the additional supports he intends to provide for community infrastructure and recreational facilities in rapidly growing rural towns and villages; and the way in which his Department will ensure that investment in community facilities keeps pace with population growth in areas such as Galway east. [72317/26]
34. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to reduce delays and backlogs across the immigration and international protection systems; and the current actions being taken to improve processing times and administrative capacity. [70523/26]
63. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to ensure that Garda divisions serving rural communities have sufficient frontline Garda personnel and resources to provide a visible policing presence; and the steps being taken to address vacancies and recruitment pressures. [70452/26]
147. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures currently being considered to reduce the cost of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for consumers; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the potential environmental benefits of increased HVO usage as a substitute for conventional diesel; and if he will consider introducing taxation, excise or other support measures to reduce the pr…
221. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of the proposed building project at a school (details supplied) which is currently at Stage 1a of the design process; if she is aware that the school has been awaiting Department approval for over six months to proceed to the planning permission stage; when approval to proceed to planning is expected to issue; and the reason for th…
255. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total annual cost arising from special education teachers (SETs) being required to travel between schools, broken down by travel expenses and the estimated cost of teaching time lost while travelling; and the total number of teaching hours lost annually in this regard. [70406/26]
288. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for her response to over 500 signatories (details supplied), including eminent mathematicians, teachers, technologists, and others, calling for the proposed mathematics Leaving Certificate specification to be scrapped and a new advisory group set up. [70588/26]
291. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the concerns that have prompted a delay to introducing the reformed maths Leaving Certificate; and whether any changes will be made to the NCCA's process to address these concerns. [70582/26]
152. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether, in the context of Budget 2027, he will consider measures through the taxation system to recognise the significantly higher transport costs faced by workers living in rural areas who have limited or no access to public transport and are therefore dependent on private cars to travel to work; and whether consideration will be given to a target…
343. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation for a detailed and definitive update on the long-delayed Turoe Stone project in Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway; the current status of the Office of Public Works review of the detailed design; whether that review has now been completed; if ministerial consent has been sought; and, if not, the rea…
94. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the Government's commitment to review the means test for carer's allowance; and whether he is considering the abolition of the means test in recognition of the vital role played by family carers. [67391/26]
195. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the immediate actions being taken to address severe overcrowding on Galway commuter rail services, particularly between Athenry, Oranmore and Galway city, where passengers are routinely forced to stand in overcrowded conditions, raising concerns regarding passenger comfort, accessibility and health and safety; and if he will outline a timeline for increasing c…
6. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the successor to the current regional enterprise plan for the west will be launched; and whether additional measures are being considered to support enterprise development in regional and rural areas. [67196/26]
473. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he is concerned that the current TAMS rules regarding internal slurry agitation points may unintentionally exclude older but otherwise functional livestock buildings from grant support for safety, animal welfare and environmental improvements; whether his Department has assessed the impact of this provision on investment decision…
481. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will provide funding in Budget 2027 for a dedicated Agricultural Emissions Reduction Pilot Fund to support the testing and adoption of innovative emissions reduction technologies on commercial farms; and if he will outline the Government's plans to support evidence-based investment in practical measures that assist farmers in …
30. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures his Department is taking to ensure that local communities are provided with clear, accessible and comprehensive information regarding large-scale renewable energy developments, including solar farms, battery energy storage systems and associated grid infrastructure. [64931/26]
38. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the national framework governing the development and operation of battery energy storage systems; and whether he plans to review current guidance relating to safety standards and emergency response procedures. [64932/26]
86. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current waiting times for the Children's Disability Network Team services in Galway and nationally; the vacancies that currently exist within those teams; and the specific actions being taken to ensure children can access assessments and therapies within clinically appropriate timeframes. [64933/26]
103. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assessment undertaken of childcare capacity in Galway East; the measures being taken to create additional childcare places in rapidly growing communities; and if consideration is being given to targeted supports for childcare providers operating in rural towns and villages. [64934/26]
214. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether she will review the policy whereby the first 40 days of substitute teaching undertaken by teachers on career break are paid at a flat daily rate rather than at the teacher's personal point on the salary scale. [66211/26]
216. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for retaining a 90-day limit on substitute teaching by qualified teachers on career break while no equivalent restriction applies to unqualified substitute teachers; and whether this policy is currently under review. [66209/26]
218. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether consideration has been given to aligning the deadline for career break applications with the publication of policies relating to substitute teaching by teachers on career break, in order to provide greater certainty to teachers when making decisions affecting their employment and income. [66207/26]
7. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on justice, migration and social affairs will meet next. [64288/26]
498. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current status of an emergency funding applications (details supplied) for the provision of a wastewater treatment system; the date on which the application was received by her Department; the reason the application remains listed as "referred to technical"; the stage of assessment that has been reached; and when a decision is expected to issue. …