Current 17 July 2026

Electoral (Postal Voting) (Carers) Bill 2026

The proposal would let more carers register to vote by post, not just people who are ill or disabled. It would extend postal voting to certain carers and related groups, including people getting carer payments or supports, some people receiving domiciliary care allowance, and some families eligible for carer-related tax credits. It matters because it would make it easier for carers to vote without having to leave the person they support on polling day.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Strategic Infrastructure

Swords’ rapid housing growth is being outpaced by transport, wastewater and community infrastructure, with calls for stronger co-ordination, while Government says major projects and funding are already under way to support sustainable development.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Schools Building Projects

Bunclody Community College’s long-delayed redevelopment, still at stage 2b with most classrooms in prefabs and a split campus, drew calls for urgent action, but the Minister offered no timeline beyond ongoing review and future prioritisation.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Electoral (Postal Voting) (Carers) Bill 2026: First Stage

Deputy Wall introduced a Bill to give family carers eligibility for postal voting, arguing it would improve democratic participation, and the Government did not oppose its first stage.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Special classes notification portal

Senator Scahill outlined the NCSE parents-notify portal, explaining the deadlines are meant to help plan special class places and budgets for 2027-28.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Assessment of need delays

Senator O'Reilly backed Senator Harmon and described the crisis in assessments of need for families in Cavan and Monaghan, where a child was left waiting despite an early intervention preschool place.

Seanad 16 July 2026

No Wait card access

Senator Murphy O'Mahony raised awareness of the 'No Wait' card used by people who need urgent access to toilets and asked businesses to recognise it.

Dáil 16 July 2026

Industrial Relations

Minister of State Michael Moynihan defended the new special needs assistant workforce development plan, noted Fórsa’s rejection, and said the Department remains committed to further constructive engagement rather than reversing the plan.

Joint Committee on Education and Youth 16 July 2026

Allocation, Roles, and Training Needs of Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants: Discussion (Resumed)

Officials outlined how inclusive education is being supported through rising numbers of special education teachers and SNAs, with further increases planned, alongside training from the Department, NCSE, NEPS and Oide. The main emphasis was on clearer roles, better induction and continuing professional learning, and more structured support for SNAs and teachers in mainstream, special class and special school settings. Members raised concerns about class size, assistive technology, NEPS capacity, the September parent-notify portal and how schools can meet growing needs without overreliance on individual staff. The Department and NCSE said the new inclusive education forum and revised workforce plans will be used to develop shared understanding and improve practice, while avoiding comment on live negotiations with Fórsa.

Joint Committee on Children and Equality 16 July 2026

Child Protection Matters, Special Care and Special Emergency Care Arrangements: Tusla

Tusla outlined rising demand for child protection services, with almost 6,000 children in care, increasing referrals, and a sharp rise in separated children seeking international protection. It said special emergency arrangements have now been phased out in favour of regulated emergency placements with HIQA oversight, and admitted it cannot yet fully meet its statutory duty on special care because of staffing shortages. Members pressed Tusla on residential placement capacity, use of private providers, security staff in homes, aftercare, and the lack of capital investment in the community and voluntary sector. Tusla said recruitment, training and reform are under way, with a focus on expanding foster care, therapeutic supports and staff numbers.

Seanad 16 July 2026

Community Care

Senator Kelleher sought urgent long-term funding certainty for Westgate Foundation’s Ballincollig day care, meals-on-wheels and sheltered housing services, and the Minister confirmed increased HSE support, ongoing talks and a shared commitment to sustaining them.

Enacted 14 July 2026

Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025

Creates a registration and inspection system for home support providers who help older people and people with disabilities in their own homes, with HIQA’s Chief Inspector overseeing it. Providers would have to register, meet safety and quality standards, display their registration, and report key information, while the inspector could inspect premises, issue compliance notices, and take action — including cancelling registration — if standards are not met. It also sets transition rules for existing providers and makes operating without registration an offence.

Current 9 July 2026

Adult Safeguarding Strategy Bill 2026

Requires the Minister for Health to draw up a new adult safeguarding strategy within six months of the Act starting, and to renew it every three years. The strategy must set goals and actions to protect adults at risk, cover services such as care homes, hospitals, mental health services, home care, day services, Garda work involving vulnerable people, and similar settings, and may include oversight bodies, advice and advocacy, and court powers to limit harmful contact. Public bodies would have to act in line with the strategy, and the Minister would have to report each year on what has been done, what has not yet been achieved, and why. It matters because it would put adult protection on a regular, public footing and force follow-up, not just planning.

Seanad 30 April 2026

Family carers scorecard

Senator Conway outlined Family Carers Ireland's scorecard on the programme for Government, noting mixed progress and several areas of no progress or regression.