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Oireachtas Access Bulletin

Our Oireachtas Access Bulletin aims to keep you in the loop with the development of law and policy that affects your rights.

Please note that the below schedule is subject to change.

Any updates, or a more detailed schedule is available over on the Houses of the Oireachtas website.

Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 21st April

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3:05pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
5:25pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Special Education
7:30pm: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Health

Wednesday, 22nd April

10am: Private Members’ Business (Independent and Parties Technical Group): Motion re Earth Day
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
8:45pm: Health Information Bill 2024 — Amendments from the Seanad

Thursday, 23rd April

8:45am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Education and Youth
10:25am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Children, Disability and Equality
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
5:30pm: Private Members’ Bill: Education (Medical Emergencies in Schools) Bill 2026 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 22nd April

4:30pm: Government Business: Statements on Disability Matters
6:15pm: Government Business: Statements on Homelessness (resumed)

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 21st April

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration — Engagement on ‘Tackling Gender-Based Violence’

3pm & 6pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Housing Delivery Plans, the Expert Group on Traveller Accommodation and meeting the needs of the Traveller community

3:30pm: Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade — Situation in Afghanistan including human rights and the treatment of women and girls

Wednesday, 22nd April

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Living arrangements for persons with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Vaccines – policies, availability and uptake

3:30pm: Joint Committee on European Union Affairs — Engagement on EU Presidency Planning: The Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights

Thursday, 23rd April

10am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Safety and Well-being of Children Online

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — How Estonia has introduced AI in its education system

12:30pm: Select Committee on Health — Committee Stage Consideration: Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025

📝 Oireachtas Consultations

Public consultation on the adequacy and availability of sexual health services

Committee on Health

Submission Deadline: 30/04/2026

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 14th April

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
7:25pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Fuel Prices

Wednesday, 15th April

10am: Private Members’ Business (Social Democrats): Motion re Tackling Soaring Energy Costs
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
2:15pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Amendments from the Seanad

Thursday, 16th April

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 14th April

5pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages
7:15pm: Health Information Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages

Wednesday, 15th April

5pm: Government Business: Statements on Homelessness

Thursday, 16th April

11:45am: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 15th April

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Vaccines – policies, availability and uptake

9:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Further Scrutiny of EU legislative proposal: COM / 2025 / 0842 (strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision)

10:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Welfare Supports for the Self-Employed

7pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Accommodation

Thursday, 16th April

9:30am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Education needs of Visually Impaired Students

9:45am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — State provided childcare places and early childcare matters

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement with Academic Experts on Legislation, Policy and Practice I

Catch up

Catch up on our most recent Oireachtas Access edition where we covered the Disability Matters Committee Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities, including links to the report and a recording to watch back.

📰 Catch up here.

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📰 Sign up here to receive our free weekly newsletter every Wednesday
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.

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Dáil Recess

The Dáil is on their Easter break for the next fortnight, so a shorter update for you today and a break from us next week.

We have some updates from the Disability Matters Committee below to keep you ticking over for now. Expect us back on the 13th April with your next Oireachtas Access Edition.

Our usual newsletter will be out this Wednesday, so we will be back in your inboxes then!

Committee Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities

The Joint Committee on Disability Matters met last Wednesday, 25th March, for the launch of their Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities.

In an opening statement launching the report, Cathaoirleach Maurice Quinlivan noted that the Committee had undertaken the report while being conscious of Ireland’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), especially Article 24, which sets out the right to education.

“Many witnesses spoke of the dedication and commitment of teachers, SNAs, therapists and principals who consistently strive to meet the needs of children, often in the face of structural challenges. However, the evidence also demonstrates that Ireland now requires a more coherent, integrated and rights-based approach to inclusive education — one that is fully aligned with the UNCRPD and guided by the lived experience of disabled people”

The report covers the input from four public meetings and ten submissions on the topic, including those from Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs). It aims to recognise the progress made and barriers that remain.

A comprehensive set of findings and thirty three recommendations have been made by the Committee. They have been grouped into thematic areas, in line with the UNCRPD and international best practice.

The thematic groups are listed below:

*Legislative and Strategic Reform
*Needs-Based Supports and Assessments
*Access to SLT, OT, Psychology, AAC and Behaviour Supports
*Communication Rights and Irish Sign Language (ISL)
*Inclusive Teaching and Curriculum, Reduced Timetables and Exclusion
*Early Years Inclusion and Transitions Interagency Coordination
*Data and Monitoring
*Governance and Funding
*Wellbeing, Family Support and Mental Health

📺 Catch up on the video of the launch here.
The video begins at the 11:25 minute mark and does not currently have Irish Sign Language Interpretation.

📝You can also find the report in PDF format here.

More information as always over on the Committee for Disability Matters Oireachtas webpage.

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 24th March

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
7:20pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Cancer Services

Wednesday, 25th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
6:45pm: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 26th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:50pm: Statements on the Bessborough Development
5:15pm: Private Members’ Bill: Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 25th March

1pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 26th March

11:45am: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 — All Stages
and
Motion re the earlier signature of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 24th March

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — Justice and Law Enforcement (ii)

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration — Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of a General Scheme: Civil Reform Bill 2025

6pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Housing Crisis in the Gaeltachta

Wednesday, 25th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Issues related to the completion of the National Children’s Hospital and preparations for bringing it into use

10:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Report Launch - Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities

12:45pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Education needs of Visually Impaired Students

Thursday, 26th March

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Civil society perspectives on legislation, policy and practice

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Wednesday, 18th March

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3:10pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
3:30pm: Statements on International Women’s Day
5:50pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Energy and Fuel Costs

Thursday, 19th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
5:30pm: Private Members’ Business (Independent Technical Group): Motion re Structural Reform of Child Welfare Governance

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 18th March

3:45pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee Stage

Thursday, 19th March

12:15pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee Stage (resumed)

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 18th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny - Assessment of Need (Part 1)

10:45am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny - Assessment of Need (Part 2)

10:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Access to health services and treatments for allergies

Thursday, 19th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — State provided childcare places and early childcare matters

9:45am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — The Provision of Special Education

12:30pm: Select Committee on Disability Matters — Committee Stage Consideration: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Civil society perspectives on legislation, policy and practice

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Subscribe using the button above to receive our Oireachtas Access bulletin every Monday.

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☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
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The Oireachtas schedules are clear this week, but we have got a few bits for you to catch up on in the meantime.

Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The Committee on Disability Matters held three sessions over two days last week on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Session #1, held on the 3rd March, heard from representatives from Disabled Persons’ Organisations Disabled Women Ireland and AsIAm on the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Assessment of Need structure and process.

Find the opening statement by Disabled Women Ireland here in (PDF) format.
Find the opening statement by AsIAm here in PDF format.

Session #2, held on the same day, heard from representatives from Disability Federation Ireland, St. Gabriel’s Foundation and Enable Ireland on the same topic.

Find the opening statement by Disability Federation Ireland here in PDF format.
Find the opening statement by Enable Ireland here in PDF format.

Both sessions are available through the same recording link here - no ISL version available at this date.

Session #3 was held on the 4th March, with representatives from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office, The Psychological Society of Ireland and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy of the University of Galway.

Find the opening statement from the Centre for Disability Law and Policy of the University of Galway in PDF format.

Find the opening statement from The Psychological Society of Ireland in PDF format here.

Find the opening statement from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in PDF format here.

Find the recording of Session #3 through this link - no ISL version available at this date.

Provision of Special Education and the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation Review

The Committee on Education and Youth, which shadows the Department of Education and Youth, also met last week on the Provision of Special Education and the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation Review.

The Committee heard from representatives from the Department of Education and Youth and National Council for Special Education.

Find the opening statement from the CEO of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in PDF format here.

Find the opening statement from the Principal Officer of Special Education in the Department of Education and Youth in PDF format.

You can find the recording of this session here - no ISL version available at this date.

Bills for Discussion

And finally, some Bills that continued through the Oireachtas last week included:

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026
International Protection Bill 2026
Health Information Bill 2024

As always, we will have more news on consultations and advocacy in our newsletter this week - make sure you are signed up to receive it directly to your inbox!

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Subscribe using the button above to receive our Oireachtas Access bulletin every Monday.

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 24th February

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:35pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
6:15pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Special Needs Assistants

Wednesday, 25th February

10am: Private Members’ Business (Social Democrats): Motion re Expanding Access to General Practitioner Care
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:10pm: Government Business: Statements on Special Needs Assistants
3:35pm: Government Business: Apology related to childhood abuse (hunger strikers) Statements
6:20pm: Government Business: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee and remaining Stages

Thursday, 26th February

8:45am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Social Protection
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
6:25pm: Motion re Report entitled “First Interim Report” of the Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 24th February

5:45pm: Government Business: Statements on the National Volunteering Strategy

Wednesday, 25th February

6pm: Government Business: Statements on Seachtain na Gaeilge
7pm: Private Members’ Business: Institutional Burials (Amendment) Bill 2022 — Second Stage

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 24th February

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — Recent issues around images, deepfakes and consent

3pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Changing demographics, depopulation in rural Ireland and housing strategy

Wednesday, 25th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — 2026 Revised Estimates for Public Services: Vote 40 — Children, Disability and Equality

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026

9:45am: Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science — Launch of the Joint Committee Report on Apprenticeships

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport — Further consideration of Regulation of online platforms and supports to improve safety and participation

2:20pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Briefing on the Interim additional time measure for students with specific needs sitting State examinations in 2026

Thursday, 26th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — State provided childcare places and early childcare matters

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Legal and Policy Responses to Drug Use: Criminal Justice and Public Health Perspectives

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 17th February

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:35pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions

Wednesday, 18th February

10am: Private Members’ Business (Labour Party): Work Life Balance (Right to Remote Work) Bill 2026 (Second Stage)
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
2:15pm: Deferred Division: International Protection Bill 2026 — Second Stage
2:35pm: Government Business: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee Stage

Thursday, 19th February

10:25am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Children, Disability and Equality
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 18th February

2:30pm: Special Address: Address to Seanad Éireann by MEPs representing the European Parliament South Constituency
4:30pm: Government Business: Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 — Order for Committee, Committee and Remaining Stages

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 17th February

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — AI, Truth and Democracy (iii)

3pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Cooperative and community led affordable housing

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration — Engagement on Civil Legal Aid

Wednesday, 18th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Living arrangements for persons with disabilities (resumed)

9:30am: Select Committee on Health — National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026

9:30am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Citizen’s Information Service National Strategy 2025 - 2027 ‘Connecting Citizens’

10:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Social Policy including Social Protection and Welfare Issues

Thursday, 19th February

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Women, Drug Use and Addiction

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 10th February

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:35pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
3:45pm: Government Business: International Protection Bill 2026 — Second Stage

Wednesday, 11th February

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3:15pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
11pm: Motion re Cost of Living Crisis (Amendment)

Thursday, 12th February

10:25am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Education and Youth
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:50pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 10th February

4:45pm: Health Information Bill 2024 — Second Stage
6:30pm: Government Business: Statements on Apprenticeships

Wednesday, 11th February

2pm: Private Members’ Business: Motion re Maternal Mental Health Supports
5pm: Private Members’ Business: Maternity Protection (Child Bereavement) (Amendment) Bill 2026 — Second Stage

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 10th February

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — AI, Truth and Democracy (ii)

Wednesday, 11th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Living arrangements for persons with disabilities (resumed)

9:30am: Select Committee on Health — Revised Estimates for Health 2026 (Vote 38)

9:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Remote and Blended Work and Community Hubs

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Update on the New Primary School Curriculum

Thursday, 12th February

9:30am: Select Committee on Children and Equality — 2026 Revised Estimates for Public Services: Vote 40 — Children, Disability and Equality

9:30am: Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science — Research Careers and Funding/Capacity of Third-Level Post Grad Sector

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Treatment, Recovery and Rehabilitation

1pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Health

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Wednesday, 4th February

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:40pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3:15pm: Taoiseach’s Questions

Thursday, 5th February

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
6:10pm: Private Members’ Business (Independent and Parties Technical Group) — Motion re Cost of Living Crisis

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Thursday, 5th February

12:15pm: Private Members’ Business: Motion regarding a Shingles Vaccination Programme

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 4th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Living arrangements for persons with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — HSE National Service Plan 2026

9:30am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Energy Poverty

12:50pm: Joint Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment — Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: a Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026

6:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Health

Thursday, 5th February

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Safety and Well-being of Children Online

9:30am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Implementation of the National Youth Strategy entitled Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Treatment, Recovery and Rehabilitation

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 27th January

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Order of Business and Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
4:50pm: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 — Second Stage
6:20pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Emergency Mental Health Services

Wednesday, 28th January

10am: Private Members’ Business (Social Democrats): Motion re Emergency Winter Payment for Disabled People
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
5:35pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Second Stage

Thursday, 29th January

10:20am: Parliamentary Questions — Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
12pm: Leaders Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:50pm: Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 28th January

4:30pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage (resumed)
7pm: Statements on Artificial Intelligence

Thursday, 29th January

12:30pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage (resumed)

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 27th January

12pm: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — Engagement with Minister Niamh Smyth on recent issues around images, deepfakes and consent.

3pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Special Needs Housing and Supported Housing

3pm: Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade — Discussion on the situation in Sudan

Wednesday, 28th January

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — HIQA - designated centres for people with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Evaluating the Impacts of the Hot School Meals Programme

Thursday, 29th January

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Safety and Well-being of Children Online

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Report on the Traveller and Roma Mental Health Working Group

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 20th January

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Order of Business and Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
3:30pm: Government Business: Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025 — Second Stage

Wednesday, 21st January

10am: Private Members’ Business (Labour Party): Motion re Flexible Work and Commuter Delays
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:15pm: Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 18th December 2025

Thursday, 22nd January

8:45am: Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Health
10:20am: Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage
12pm: Leaders Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 20th January

5:30pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage

Thursday, 22nd January

12:30pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 20th January

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence —Successful AI Public Sector Programmes

3pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Discussion on Changing demographics, rural depopulation and housing strategy

3pm: Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade — Discussion on the situation in Sudan

Wednesday, 21st January

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — The treatment by the health service of people with eating disorders

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport — Regulation of online platforms and supports to improve online safety and participation

Thursday, 22nd January

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Child Poverty and Deprivation

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Disability Matters | Joint Committee on Health —Primary Care, delivery of policy and services for persons with disabilities

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Motion to introduce an Emergency Winter Payment for Disabled People.

This week, the Social Democrats will put forward a motion to introduce a €400 winter payment for disabled people.

This will happen on Wednesday, 14th January.

We don’t have an exact time for this yet, but once we do, we will send you an extra update with the direct link.

Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 13th January

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
3:05pm: Taoiseach’s Questions

Wednesday, 14th January

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:15pm: Statements and Q&A post European Council meeting of 18th December 2025

Thursday, 15th January

8:45am: Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Social Protection
10:23am: Parliamentary Questions: Minister for Transport
12pm: Leaders Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:50pm: Government Business: Statements on Artificial Intelligence

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

No business this week.

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 14th January

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Dental services in the healthcare system

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport — Regulation of online platforms and supports to improve online safety and participation

Thursday, 15th January

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — National Traveller Health Action Plan and Report on the Traveller and Roma Mental Health Working Group

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 9th December

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
5pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Assessment of Needs
7pm: Parliamentary Questions: Oral — Tánaiste and Minister for Finance

Wednesday, 10th December

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
1pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
3pm: Government Business: Statements on Online Safety
11:20pm: Deferred Divisions: Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021 — Second Stage

Thursday, 11th December

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
1pm: Motion without debate: Motion re Restoration of Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023
4:30pm: Private Members’ Bill: Health (Waiting Lists) Bill 2024 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 9th December

6pm: Government Business: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage (resumed)

Wednesday, 10th December

4pm: Government Business: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage (resumed)

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 9th December

6pm: Joint Committee on Health — Provisions relating to alcohol in the drugs strategy

Wednesday, 10th December

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Autonomy and Integrity for persons with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Community Welfare Service and Supplementary Welfare Payments

10:45am: Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement — Engagement with Mike Nesbitt MLA, Minister of Health for Northern Ireland

12:45pm: Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy — Energy Affordability

Thursday, 11th December

12:30am: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Substance Use and Neurodiversity

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Health: Research and Evidence Base

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Wednesday, 3rd December

10am: Private Members’ Business (Labour Party) — Motion re Trans Healthcare
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
1pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
2:50pm: Government Business — Statements on Energy Costs
5pm: Government Business — Statements on the Housing Plan

Thursday, 4th December

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
7:20pm: Private Members’ Bill or Committee Report (alternating weekly) — Just Transition (Worker and Community Environmental Rights) Bill 2021 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 2nd December

7:15pm: Government Business: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Committee Stage

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 2nd December

6pm: Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen — Consideration of Public Petition No. P00050/25 - Appointment of an Ombudsman for Disability

Wednesday, 3rd December

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Participation in cultural life - Article 30

9:30am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Overview and Regulation of the Charities Sector

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Progress in the delivery of the national framework for the full digitisation of Irish healthcare records and information systems

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport —Regulation of online platforms and supports to improve online safety and participation

Thursday, 4th December

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Child Poverty and Deprivation

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Community Leadership and Advocacy

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 25th November

2pm: Leaders Questions
7:30pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Victims of Sexual Violence Civil Protection Orders Bill 2025 (Second Stage)

Wednesday, 26th November

10am: Private Members’ Business (Independent Technical Group): Motion re Strengthening Whistleblower Protections, Enforcement, and Accountability in Public Administration
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
1pm: Taoiseach’s Questions

Thursday, 27th November
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
1:50pm: Government Business: Statements on Sudan

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 26th November

2:30pm: Private Members’ Business: Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 27th November

11:45am: Government Business: Statements on the HIQA review to inform decision-making on the design and delivery of urgent and emergency healthcare services in HSE Mid-West

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 26th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters & Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Adequate Standard of Living for Persons with Disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Transport — Sustainable Transport

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Standards for education and training of psychotherapists

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport —Regulation of online platforms and supports to improve online safety and participation

6:30pm: Select Committee on Disability Matters — 2025 Supplementary Estimates for Public Services: Vote 40 — Disability

Thursday, 27th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Child protection matters and the use of special emergency accommodation

9:30am: Joint Committee on European Union Affairs — Engagement with European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community —Traveller Heritage Strategy

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 18th November

2pm: Leaders Questions
3:05pm: Taoiseach’s Questions

Wednesday, 19th November

10am: Private Members’ Business (Independent and Parties Technical Group): Motion re Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
4pm: Government Business: Statements on Paediatric Spinal Surgery Waiting Lists
6:30pm: Health Information Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 20th November

10:20am: Parliamentary Questions: Oral — Minister for Health
12pm: Leaders’ Questions

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 19th November

5pm: Private Members’ Business: Motion re Migration

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 18th November

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — Artificial Intelligence, Truth and Democracy Part 1

3pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Discussion on Supplying Excess Renewable Energy to Homes Experiencing Energy Poverty

Wednesday, 19th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Living Independently in the community

9:30am: Joint Committee on Transport — National Roads, Light Rail and Metro

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport — Challenges in the implementation of Coimisiún na Meán’s Code of Fairness, Impartiality and Objectivity in News and Current Affairs

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science — Apprenticeships

Thursday, 13th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — Child Poverty and Deprivation

9:30am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Evaluating the Impacts of the Hot School Meals Programme

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Employment Programme

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Wednesday, 12th November

2pm: Leaders Questions
3:10pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
9:30pm: Parliamentary Questions: Oral — Minister for Children, Disability and Equality

Thursday, 13th November

10:20am: Parliamentary Questions: Oral — Minister for Social Protection
12pm: Leaders Questions

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 12th November

4pm: Government Business: Statements on Farm Safety and Mental Health
5:30pm: Private Members’ Business: Motion re extra time in State exams for students with dyslexia and dyscalculia

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 12th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters - Access to work for persons with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health - Review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the mid-west

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth - Implementation of the National Youth Strategy entitled ‘the Opportunities for Youth, National Strategy for Youth Work, and Related Services 2024-2028

3:30pm: Joint Committee on European Union Affairs - Sustainable Development Goals: Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

Thursday, 13th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - Apprenticeships

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 4th November

2pm: Leaders’ Questions

Wednesday, 5th November

12pm: Leaders Questions
3:45pm: Government Business: Statements on International Protection Processing and Enforcement

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 4th November

5pm: Government Business: Statements on The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 4th November

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Disability (continued)

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration -Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: Children (Amendment) Bill 2024

Wednesday, 5th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters - Access to work for persons with disabilities

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport -MeDeMAP research project - examining ways to future-proof pathways to strengthen democracy through media production and inclusive citizenship.

Thursday, 6th November

9:30am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth - Mental Health Supports in Schools

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community - Health Inequalities and the Mental Health Crisis among the Traveller Community

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 21st October

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
9:25pm: Deferred Divisions: Education (Amendment) Bill 2024 — Second Stage (Amendment)

Wednesday, 22nd October

12pm: Leaders Questions
1:10pm: Government Business: Statements on Men’s Health

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 21st October

5pm: Government Business: Statements on Higher Education
6:30pm: Private Members’ Business: Motion regarding the Cost of Childcare

Wednesday, 22nd October

6:30pm: Government Business: Domestic Violence (Free Travel Scheme) Bill 2025 — Second Stage

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 21st October

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence meets on Artificial Intelligence and The State

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration meets on Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: International Protection Bill 2025

Wednesday, 22nd October

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters meets on Participation in community life for persons with disabilities

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health meets on Current issues relating to health services for cancer

9:30am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development meet on Review of Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 and challenges and opportunities for the successor strategy

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth meet on Curriculum Reform at Senior Cycle

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