Leo Varadkar puts backbencher hat on as he questions ministers on medical costs, LGBTQ+ issues and benefits

He has questioned them on various topics, including reducing people’s medical costs, social insurance benefits and including sexual orientation as part of the next Census.

Mr Varadkar was at the heart of decision-making at the Cabinet table for years – until last month, when he stepped down as taoiseach.

He is now resorting to one of the few ways a backbencher can get information from government departments.

He recently asked Health Minister Stephen Donnelly for costings on moving the drug payment scheme to an individual basis rather than a household limit.

Mr Varadkar also asked him how much it would cost to lower the scheme’s monthly threshold from €80 to €50.

Mr Donnelly told his former boss that reducing the threshold would cost €64m. He ruled out changing the scheme from a household benefit, saying it would be too complex.

I believe reducing funding at a time of exceptional need in both countries would have a negative impact on those most in need

Mr Varadkar also asked how many people are availing of free PrEP medication to prevent HIV.

Like many other frustrated TDs facing a delay in response, he was told it was a matter for the HSE to get back to him.

Similar questions from the Dublin West TD – who served as Health Minister from 2014 to 2016 – followed on costs around GP visit cards and medical cards. These queries were also passed off to the HSE.

Mr Varadkar spread his written Dáil questions to Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, asking her about the annual cost of maternity benefit, paternity benefit and parents’ leave benefit. He also queried a discrepancy from an initial estimate.

He asked Ms Humphreys if she plans to make provision for people who are medically determined to be intersex due to their chromosomes or characteristics recognised in law.

She informed him the Gender Recognition Act 2015 allows for a person to apply to her department for a gender recognition certificate. When it is granted, they are formally recognised in their preferred gender.

Mr Varadkar also had questions for Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin on whether he should consider reducing aid to government bodies and agencies in Ghana and Uganda given their decision to harden laws that criminalise same-sex relations.

The reply came from junior minister Seán Fleming, who clarified that Ireland does not provide money to either of those national governments, but does support overseas development aid.

“I believe reducing funding at a time of exceptional need in both countries would have a negative impact on those most in need,” said Mr Fleming.

The questions did not end there. Mr Varadkar asked about the status of a velodrome in the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

He was told by Sports Minister Thomas Byrne, in a well-worn phrase beloved of civil servants, that he remains “committed to delivering this key project”.

Mr Byrne added that revised capital spending allocations for 2025 and 2026 will allow construction to begin during that time.

Mr Varadkar had questions for Justice Minister Helen McEntee too. He wanted to know the status of the criminal disregard for certain convictions related to consensual sexual activity and if she expects to publish legislation in advance of Pride month.

Ms McEntee made no promises about having it ready by Pride next month.

However, she told him she is absolutely committed to having a disregard scheme in place in the near future. Officials are examining a report with a view to developing proposals for a statutory scheme and she hopes to publish heads of bill “as soon as practicable”.

I enjoy the work and will fulfil the mandate the voters of Dublin West gave me

Asked why he felt the need to submit so many Dáil questions given he was privy to so much inside knowledge for so long, Mr Varadkar told the Irish Independent: “ I am no longer in Cabinet but I am still a full-time TD doing constituency work, parliamentary work – like contributing to some debates and being present for votes – and I am also helping out candidates running in the elections.

“I enjoy the work and will fulfil the mandate the voters of Dublin West gave me, at least until the next general election. They deserve no less.

“While I have access to a lot of information from memory, I have not retained many papers from my time in government and most information was held electronically in any case, and I have no access to that.

“And, of course, facts can change. I continue to maintain a personal interest in many policy areas like healthcare, enhancing workers’ rights, personal freedom, LGBT issues, foreign policy and Northern Ireland.”