Clare’s TDs have raised the topic of social welfare payments in the Dáil more often than those of any other county this year.
Data from the Oireachtas shows the issue has been the subject of over 50 parliamentary questions tabled by this county’s deputies since the start of 2025.
Parliamentary questions, or PQs, can be directed by any member of the Dáil to any Department for an oral or written answer from the appropriate Minister.
A total of 1,449 PQs have been put forward by TDs in the Clare constituency this year.
A whole 55 questions submitted have been concerning social welfare payments, with departmental data, An Garda Síochána, health services staff and departmental funding being the next most popular topics.
Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has asked 571 PQs this year to date, with 251 directed to the Department of Further and Higher Education, and 29 coming under the topic of apprenticeship programmes.
Meelick Fianna Fáil Deputy Cathal Crowe has put 495 questions forward, 91 of which were to the Department of Health, with 25 in relation to departmental policies.
Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has put in 298 oral and written questions with 86 addressed to the Department of Health and 16 concerning An Garda Síochána.
Prior to his appointment to cabinet at the end of February, Tulla Fianna Fáil Minister of State Timmy Dooley submitted 81 PQs.
A total of 30 were directed to the Department of Social Protection with 27 of these coming under the topic of social welfare payments.
