Written answers
Thursday, 23 September 2021
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Freedom of Information
7. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the remit for his review of the freedom of information system by the terms of reference, stakeholders to be consulted; the proposed date...
- Public Procurement Contracts
10. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an outline of recent communications with the Minister for Health pertaining to the scale of non-competitive and...
- Antisocial Behaviour
14. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of the way his Department proposes to deal with ongoing vandalism and desecration of graves at Clare...
- EU Funding
15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding that the Exchequer will receive from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve; the expected timeframe for receipt of that funding; if...
- Flood Risk Management
16. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; the status of the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45413/21]
- Flexible Work Practices
17. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which civil service personnel are likely to continue remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45453/21]
- Harbours and Piers
18. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the provision of an improved landing facility on An Blascaod Mór; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Heritage Sites
19. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the future use of St. Laurence’s Gate, Drogheda; if costings and feasibility reports have been undertaken in respect...
- Public Sector Staff
20. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied with the process of Government appointments in light of the recently aborted appointment of a former Minister to a UN...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
21. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans he has in place to review the oversight and governance of major spending projects; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Regional Development
22. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he plans to put in place to deal with the under investment in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly areas and to move...
- Office of Public Works
23. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there has been engagement with the Department of Community and Rural Development in relation to vacant buildings owned or under the...
- Appointments to State Boards
25. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the work to improve the diversity of State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45411/21]
- Departmental Expenditure
27. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of the State’s expenditure in 2022 that will be allocated by way of competitive bidding for resources based on the...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
29. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the under-profile and outturn of capital expenditure to date in 2021; if he will provide an update on the...
- Public Sector Pay
30. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all public sector workers will be receiving a pay rise on 1 October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45686/21]
- EU Funding
31. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45714/21]
- Budget 2022
32. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has held discussions with the Minister for Finance with regard to the need to raise additional revenue to fund permanent current...
- Flood Risk Management
34. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the flood relief scheme in Skibbereen, County Cork will be officially completed. [45592/21]
- EU Programmes
36. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the PEACE PLUS cross-Border EU programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45423/21]
- Legislative Measures
37. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for his decision to propose a full new review of ethics legislation rather than restore the existing Public Sector Standards...
- Budget 2022
39. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will make the funds available in Budget 2022 to bring funding for education up to the OECD average of 4.9% of GDP; and if he will...
- Heritage Sites
40. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide space for a play area in Dun Chaoin on the site of Ionad an Bhlascaoid; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Education Policy
41. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the latest publication by the OECD which places Ireland at the bottom of a list of 36 OECD countries in terms of the amount...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on capital expenditure to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45493/21]
- Economic Growth
43. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the context of economic progress over the next year, he expects to invoke any further reforms to address any likely issues that...
- Court Accommodation
44. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of plans to carry out remedial works to the railings at Carlow courthouse being managed by the Office of Public Works on...
- Public Procurement Contracts
45. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to change public sector procurement to make the process more accessible to small suppliers and contractors; and if he will...
- Freedom of Information
46. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45687/21]
- Flood Risk Management
49. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the CFRAM programme specifically in relation to schemes in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Flexible Work Practices
51. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to achieve the 20% target for remote working across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the...
- School Staff
52. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has provided for the recent pay agreement with school secretaries and caretakers in Budget 2022; and if he will make a...
- Flood Risk Management
55. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned expenditure on flood relief in Cork city over the next ten years. [45594/21]
- Flexible Work Practices
56. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the work underway to introduce blended working into the Civil Service in a way that provides flexibility for workers...
- Public Appointments Service
57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if will review the efficacy of the Public Appointment Services in view of both the protracted appointment of the Shannon Group...
- Departmental Expenditure
58. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cumulative additional spending his Department has sanctioned as a consequence of the pandemic since March 2020; and if he will make a...
- Heritage Projects
61. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed conservation management plan for the historic Oldbridge House and estate which is operated by the OPW; and if...
- Flood Risk Management
62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/21]
- Budget Process
63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the €5.3 million recently returned to the Exchequer from the Criminal Assets Bureau can be ring-fenced and reinvested back into...
- Public Procurement Contracts
64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the contracting authorities are conducting an appropriate level of due diligence in view of recent public...
- Coastal Protection
66. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works his Department is currently progressing in County Clare to mitigate against coastal erosion. [45584/21]
- Budget 2022
67. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans that are under way to prepare for the changing demographics that will see an increase in the median age of the population,...
- Public Sector Pay
68. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the ongoing engagement with the Department of Justice and relevant stakeholders in relation to the restoration of fees to...
- Budget 2022
69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the key elements in his expenditure management and spending strategy for Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Office of Public Works
71. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the operation of the entry fee waiver for OPW sites and the subsequent effect on visitor numbers to such sites; and...
- Budget 2022
72. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value to date of requests for expenditure increases in Budget 2022 in pre-budget submissions; the main areas for which allocations...
- Flood Risk Management
73. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on flooding project works for Archahan Bridge in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45580/21]
- National Lottery
77. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the issue of problem gambling will be a consideration of the review of the National Lottery good causes funding distribution model...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Disadvantaged Status
86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the DEIS bands reassessment as committed to earlier in 2021. [45194/21]
- Special Educational Needs
87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department has made to further the availability of ASD education in Dublin 8. [45689/21]
- Schools Building Projects
90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will receive funding for a new school building; when is it expected works will start on the new building; and the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
91. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of HEPA filtration that has been acquired by the State for use in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45189/21]
- School Patronage
92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied with the division of secondary school patronages across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43948/21]
- School Staff
94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her proposals to regularise pay and conditions for school secretaries. [44740/21]
- School Transport
96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider reviewing the 50% school bus transport capacity limit that is currently in operation in the post-primary service; if so, the...
- School Staff
97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will approve new terms and pay levels that are being sought by school secretaries who are not employed directly within the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on claims that the official advice from her Department regarding carbon dioxide concentrations in classrooms is unsafe and will not aid...
- Schools Building Projects
99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the school building programme to meet the requirements in full throughout the...
- State Examinations
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans for the leaving certificate exams for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45214/21]
- School Transport
102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the school transport review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45672/21]
- School Facilities
103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for small school status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45647/21]
- Capitation Grants
104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the capitation grant for primary schools considering the increased costs to schools of Covid-19 safety measures; and the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has given a recommendation to primary level schools that semi-contact sports such as hockey and football are not to be played...
- Education Policy
106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to accommodate the expanding education needs in Tramore, County Waterford with a view both to lands zoned for education and demographic...
- School Accommodation
107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress and the timelines for the delivery of new school accommodation for primary schools (details supplied); and if she will...
- Special Educational Needs
108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to improve supports for children with special needs and to ensure that such supports are put in place in a timely manner and eliminate...
- School Accommodation
110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the progress and timelines for delivery of new school accommodation for post-primary schools (details supplied); and if she will...
- School Funding
111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made with increasing the annual funding levels available to primary education; the progress made with the...
- State Examinations
112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to alter or reform the leaving certificate examination through alternative assessments after the experiences of the State...
- School Transport
113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has plans to increase the capacity of the school transport service in view of changing public health advice; and if she will make a...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the instructions she has given to schools on the way they must respond to Covid-19 cases including on isolation of close contacts of symptomatic...
- School Transport
115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has engaged with Bus Éireann regarding bus ticket shortages in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth; if she will detail the types of...
- Special Educational Needs
116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will discuss the difficulties new and developing schools are facing in accessing special educational supports. [45694/21]
- School Staff
118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made with regard to ensuring public service status for school secretaries and caretakers; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Reports
119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the pilot PPP schools bundle 2019-2021 report, including the assessment of whether the project objectives have been...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will publish the documentation involved in the order, acquisition and checking of CO2 monitors for schools; the cost of same;...
- School Facilities
121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will work with a school and an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that the pitches used by the college for generations are kept for...
- School Textbooks
122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure universal availability of a schoolbook rental scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45175/21]
- Education Schemes
123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address educational disadvantage which has worsened due to the Covid-19 pandemic. [45597/21]
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to tackle large class sizes; if a commitment will be made to undertake an audit of class sizes; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Special Educational Needs
125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty parents have in engaging a list of suitably qualified special needs assistants particularly in...
- Schools Building Projects
126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of building works to be carried out on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45409/21]
- Departmental Expenditure
127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she is planning to take to ensure that spending is at least brought into line with the OECD average of 4.9% of GDP in view of the...
- Special Educational Needs
128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that are awaiting exceptional reviews for adapted special needs assistants allocation. [45195/21]
- School Transport
129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider the 50% capacity rule on buses for post-primary schools in line with 100% capacity on public transport; if she has sought...
- Special Educational Needs
130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the summer programme for 2021 including registrations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45676/21]
- School Enrolments
131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the current and projected enrolment at a school (details supplied) will be urgently examined; and the way that accommodation can be suitably...
- State Examinations
132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that are being considered to overhaul the leaving certificate system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45431/21]
- Special Educational Needs
133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to address the shortage of special needs assistants for schools (details supplied). [45591/21]
- Education Policy
134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to improve literacy and numeracy within the education system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45177/21]
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce the average class size for primary schools considering the growing population and the extra demands on space due to Covid-19;...
- School Staff
136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures and proposals her Department has taken or plans taking to regularise pay, conditions and the pensions of school secretaries; and if...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to reduce pupil teacher ratios in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45674/21]
- Disadvantaged Status
138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports under the DEIS programme for the 2021-2022 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45675/21]
- School Transport
139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a timeline in place for when the steering group reviewing the school transport scheme will publish its recommendations; if she...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she remains satisfied that children and teachers are safely and adequately protected from Covid-19 throughout the autumn and...
- School Curriculum
142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of legislation to ensure an inclusive, relevant and age-appropriate sexual education programme for students following announcements...
- Disadvantaged Status
143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the DEIS review and plans to extend the DEIS programme to schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Schemes
145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the schools energy retrofit pathfinder programme including the planned measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Special Educational Needs
146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her progress to date in engaging with local schools to provide additional ASD classes at both primary and post-primary level in Dublin 9 and 11;...
- School Textbooks
147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide clear and uniform guidance to schools on the use of lockers for students to store books during the school day. [45693/21]
- Special Educational Needs
148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to significant delays in the opening of a new special school in Carrigaline, County Cork, an appeal from the...
- State Examinations
149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that is being made in reviewing the current leaving certificate cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45583/21]
- Schools Building Projects
150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on the new building for a school (details supplied); and the estimated timeline for works. [45184/21]
- Site Acquisitions
151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement to date with a school (details supplied) in progressing a new building and site identification; and if she will make a statement...
- Schools Building Projects
152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be allocated for the construction of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45235/21]
- School Transport
153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reform the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45501/21]
- School Curriculum
154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the senior cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45670/21]
- School Textbooks
155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the work being carried out to reduce the use of workbooks in schools and encourage greater reuse or rental of schoolbooks; and if...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to provide CO2 monitors to every classroom to ensure adequate ventilation. [45692/21]
- Mental Health Services
157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current and planned mental health supports in place for primary and secondary students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45665/21]
- Capitation Grants
159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase capitation grants in order that each school has the staff and resources they need to deliver for all of their students; and...
- Public Sector Pay
161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered the reintroduction of an allowance for teachers on offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45648/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration given and the action she has taken to provide high-efficiency particulate absorbing filters for each classroom, learning room...
- Schools Building Projects
163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the delivery of large-scale building projects in County Mayo; the applications that are currently being considered under the school...
- State Examinations
164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by the State Examination Board when marking down accredited grades which students were allocated by their teachers in leaving...
- Site Acquisitions
165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied); if further progress has been made on the site acquisition; if her attention has been drawn to...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consideration given and action she has taken to protect and improve air quality in classrooms and school staffrooms. [45681/21]
- School Accommodation
167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way her Department plans to upgrade classroom accommodation including addressing defective walls in a school (details supplied). [45578/21]
- School Staff
168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to achieve pay equality and pension entitlements for school caretakers. [45690/21]
- Budget 2022
170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the value to date of requests for expenditure increases in her Department’s budget allocation for 2022 in pre-budget submissions; the main...
- School Admissions
171. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address secondary school place shortages in Milltown, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45696/21]
- State Examinations
172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received proposals from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment on reform of the leaving certificate; if the experience of...
- School Transport
173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport is running at 100% capacity; the steps she is taking to increase the number of seats available on school buses; and if she...
- Covid-19 Tests
175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Covid-19 tests administered and the number and proportion of confirmed Covid-19 cases for primary school pupils by week since the...
- Special Educational Needs
176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a school (details supplied) that has lodged an appeal regarding the inadequate support being supplied for...
- School Transport
177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an update will be provided in relation to the issues surrounding the school transport scheme; the status of the review; and if she will make a...
- Schools Building Projects
178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to deliver on her capital building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45176/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consultation she has had with education workers and their trade unions in relation to the safe reopening of education; and if she will make a...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the reason that Ireland failed to provide data on class sizes to inform the OECD Education at a Glance report 2020; her views on...
- Education Costs
181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the increased financial burden placed on families for back-to-school costs detailed in an annual back to...
- School Funding
182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school principal can refuse to sign a children’s allowance claim form until the payment of the schools voluntary contribution has...
- State Examinations
183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reforms that will be made to the leaving certificate examinations to take into account the pressure on students from the pandemic and remote...
- Special Educational Needs
184. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to provide special needs assistants and resource teaching hours to all students who qualify for these supports. [45590/21]
- School Transport
185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the school bus route for a school (details supplied) will be reviewed in order that it may include Ballyknockane Road; and if she will make a...
- Schools Building Projects
187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 401 of 15 September 2021, when she expects the contractor to be appointed for the construction of a school...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Employment Schemes
188. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); the reasons for these changes; and if he will make a...
- Work Permits
189. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the schemes available for employers looking to recruit outside of the State. [45759/21]
- Workplace Discrimination
190. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the stakeholder consultation of his Department on the International Labour Organisation Convention 190, Elimination of Violence...
- Data Centres
191. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of engagements the IDA has had with companies regarding data centres in the past 24 months. [45854/21]
- Redundancy Payments
193. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way the redundancy loan scheme for businesses announced during summer 2021 will operate; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Environmental Impact Assessments
194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the significant environmental and biodiversity impact on the Ardee bog if the current plans for the...
- Rail Network
195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Kishogue rail station will open resulting in a local train service for commuters in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a...
- Tax Exemptions
197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an exception can be given regarding declaring a vehicle off the road after the fact and a waiver of motor tax arrears for a person...
- Driver Test
198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) cannot renew a driver licence; the reason they must sit all their driving lessons and test again;...
- Cycling Policy
199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has plans to provide for the use of helmet camera footage in the implementation and enforcement of the rules of the road...
- Transport Policy
200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to introduce a bus service from Moylough and Mountbellew to University Hospital Portiuncula, Ballinasloe (details...
- Tax Reliefs
201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he plans to facilitate rail users who have purchased commuter rail tickets to travel to work and who are now returning to the...
- Dublin Bus
202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 3 March 2021, the reason there are no plans to change the 46a bus services at this time in...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
203. To ask the Minister for Finance the plans he has to change the restrictive tax rules which can inflict a double tax on cross-Border workers who are based in Ireland, particularly when the...
- Budget 2022
204. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on reducing the VAT on smokeless coal in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45806/21]
- Fiscal Data
206. To ask the Minister for Finance the projected General Government Balance as a percentage of both GDP and GNI* in each of the years 2021 to 2069 consistent with the methodology and...
- Defective Building Materials
207. To ask the Minister for Finance if homes affected by pyrite and therefore have no market value are exempt from paying local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45921/21]
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Ethics in Public Office
210. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the current state of public ethics and standards in Irish political life given recent events; and if he will make a...
- Brexit Supports
211. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there have been any further developments with regard to the Brexit Adjustment Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- An Garda Síochána
212. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when Leighlinbridge Garda station will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
214. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the practical measures he will make to reward essential workers for the contribution they made to the fight against Covid-19; if these...
- Heritage Sites
215. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of operations at a site (details supplied); and when he plans to open it for public use. [45841/21]
- Tax Data
216. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the short and medium-term strategy of his Department is likely in any way to be affected by suggested changes in...
- Public Expenditure Policy
217. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to rely on reform as a means of meeting public expenditure challenges ahead; and if he will make a...
- Economic Policy
223. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to common strategy in the aftermath of Brexit and Covid-19...
- Legislative Measures
225. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which any issues arising in the context of FEMPI have been adequately addressed and resolved; and if he will make a...
- Public Procurement Contracts
226. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department continues to monitor public contracts with a view to achieving optimum value for money while at the...
- Public Sector Pay
227. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of public service pay in the future in the context of ensuring fair and equitable recognition throughout the public...
- Public Expenditure Policy
234. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to change public works contracts to include a price variation clause to take account of the recent abnormal increases in the...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
235. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the Covid-19 support package for coláiste samhraidh will be announced. [45810/21]
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Local Authorities
236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider increasing the Local Government Fund to address the ongoing lack of funding to Galway County Council....
- Local Elections
237. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the grades of local authority employees who are permitted or disqualified from standing for local elections; and the relevant...
- Seaweed Harvesting
238. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the assistance being put in place for persons who are harvesting seaweed using traditional methods who wish to apply for a...
- Valuation Office
239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason the Valuation Office telephone helpline is currently closed; when the office will reopen; and if he will make a...
- Water Pollution
240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which any pollution of the water supply has affected the various towns throughout north County Kildare and south...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Passport Services
241. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45760/21]
- Human Rights
249. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department is taking to address the recent re-arrests of Christians in Eritrea (details supplied) who were previously...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Schools Building Projects
253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to deliver on her capital building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45181/21]
- Special Educational Needs
254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is acceptable or appropriate under the UNHCR Best Interest of the Child principle or equality that 732 children with...
- School Facilities
255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of the current assessment of a school (details supplied) by her Department; and if her Department will now sanction a new school...
- School Transport
256. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the recent discussions she has had in relation to the school bus transport system; the funding made available for physical distancing for...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when all State primary and secondary schools will be provided with carbon dioxide monitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45753/21]
- School Staff
258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) will be provided with additional teaching staff to deal with the rapid increase in student numbers; and if she...
- School Transport
261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when persons (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45802/21]
- School Staff
262. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the funds will be made available in Budget 2022 to ensure that school secretaries receive a public sector pension entitlement; and if she will...
- School Transport
265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school transport route can be put in place from Mullingar to Columba College, Killucan (details supplied). [45819/21]
- State Examinations
267. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student (details supplied) had their leaving certificate results downgraded so heavily causing them to miss out on their college...
- School Accommodation
268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter regarding school works for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45853/21]
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she is determined to improve pupil-teacher ratios in all primary and second-level schools throughout the country; and if she...
- Special Educational Needs
271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate special needs classes continue to be made available in all primary and second-level schools throughout Ireland; the...
- School Transport
272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which school transport issues continue to arise throughout Ireland; the extent to which she continues to move to resolve such...
- Schools Building Projects
274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which various school building projects throughout the country have been able to progress throughout the Covid-19 downturn; the...
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which larger class sizes and disadvantageous pupil-teacher ratios are evident at primary and second-level throughout north County...
- Early Childhood Care and Education
280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which adequate provision for early years education remains an integral part of her Department’s objectives; and if she will...
- School Accommodation
281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which her Department continues to identify and replace deficient or obsolete school accommodation in all areas throughout Ireland...
- Special Educational Needs
283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the number of special needs teachers and SNAs in all primary and second-level...
- Schools Building Projects
284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in regard to the provision of a Gaelcholáiste in north County Kildare; the extent to which the project is evolving; and if she...
- School Accommodation
285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which accommodation requirements at primary and second-level schools in Kilcock, County Kildare continues to be met; her plans for...
- School Funding
293. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allocate €10 per primary school child for schools to buy books for their libraries including audiobooks and picturebooks; and...
- School Curriculum
294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will that ensure schools provide suitable alternative educational activities for students who have opted out of religion class; and if she...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Housing Schemes
295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a reduced fee for birth certificates provided to organisations for disadvantaged and socially excluded persons...
- Social Welfare Benefits
297. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way the pandemic unemployment payment will be treated when it comes to calculating jobseeker’s benefit for...
- Rural Schemes
298. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the six year limit will be removed from the rural social scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
- Employment Support Services
299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the terms of the new regional model proposed to replace local employment services will be reviewed in view of considerable...
- Social Welfare Appeals
300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a review of further medical evidence submitted for an illness benefit review in respect of a...
- Social Welfare Code
301. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider an increase in the qualified adult allowance to allow for the additional weekly payment of €10...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Legislative Measures
302. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to remove the requirement of a court order to allow a person access their files as per...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Fees
303. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a review of the college fees can be carried out in relation to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Covid-19 Tests
304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has engaged with universities and colleges on the use of Covid-19 antigen testing in third-level institutions; the plans that...
- Student Accommodation
305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the most recent meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation; the details of the immediate supports planned to...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Citizenship Applications
307. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Naturalisation Applications
308. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
- Visa Applications
309. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason stamp 4 and not stamp 1 has been awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- International Protection
310. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when details of the IHAP 3 scheme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45795/21]
- Proposed Legislation
311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expected timeline on the publication and presentation to the Dáil Éireann for the proposed new hate crime...
- Human Trafficking
312. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the assessment her Department has made of Ireland being ranked as a tier two watchlist country in the 2021 Trafficking in...
- Department of Health
- Home Care Packages
313. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if this is in line with his Department’s workforce planning; and if he will make a...
- Healthcare Policy
314. To ask the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45757/21]
- Hospital Appointments Status
316. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45764/21]
- Departmental Reports
317. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to include the maintenance and upkeep of an AED register in the report that the HSE has commissioned on Out of...
- Covid-19 Tests
318. To ask the Minister for Health his plans in moving forward with regard to Covid-19 testing sites as testing and tracing efforts remain a key part of a response to the pandemic; if there are...
- Hospital Facilities
319. To ask the Minister for Health when capital funding will be allocated to Belmullet Hospital for a modular build that will ensure the safety of patients and a maximum of 12 step-down beds can...
- Eating Disorders
320. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of specialised respite services for those affected by Prader-Willi syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45776/21]
- Hospital Staff
321. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to appoint a clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes multidisciplinary team; his views on whether psychosocial support...
- Health Services
322. To ask the Minister for Health if a diabetes psychology resource will be provided to each community diabetes specialist team hub under the integrated model of care for the prevention and...
- Hospital Staff
323. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to appoint a 0.5 whole-time equivalent clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes paediatric diabetes team; his views on...
- General Practitioner Services
325. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that should be taken by a person who cannot secure general practitioner services locally and has made efforts to secure a general practitioner within...
- Vaccination Programme
326. To ask the Minister for Health if arrangements are available for the vaccination of persons who cannot leave their homes for reasons of agoraphobia. [45809/21]
- Health Services Staff
327. To ask the Minister for Health the reason health and social care professionals in primary care will be able to progress from staff grade to senior grade while those same professionals with...
- Health Services
328. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 25 February 2021, the reason women who turned 61 years of age before 30 March 2020 will not be screened at 65...
- Nursing Homes
329. To ask the Minister for Health if a list of nursing homes in the State in which residents in them are provided with tailored support packages or comfort monies will be provided; the number...
- Mental Health Services
332. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to a centre (details supplied); the number of staff currently employed; the current services available; the number of vacant...
- Vaccination Programme
333. To ask the Minister for Health the way an Irish citizen vaccinated outside of Ireland but in the EU avails of an EU Digital COVID Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- General Practitioner Services
334. To ask the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking in the short-term, notwithstanding the Government’s commitments to reforms in this area under the Sláintecare...
- Vaccination Programme
335. To ask the Minister for Health if male secondary school students who were in second year or over when the roll-out of HPV vaccines for their gender began in 2019, can access the vaccine...
- Medical Cards
336. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medications which have been removed from being available for free under a medical card in the past three years; the person or body which decides...
- Home Care Packages
339. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package for a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45849/21]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
340. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who are currently awaiting inpatient eye care procedures in the community healthcare organisation Dublin north city and county area; the...
- Disabilities Assessments
343. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for an assessment of need appointment. [45857/21]
- Health Services
344. To ask the Minister for Health if he will facilitate the appointment of the new chairperson of the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Taskforce as agreed by consensus at the taskforce minuted...
- Hospital Appointments Status
345. To ask the Minister for Health when a tonsillectomy can be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45908/21]
- Assisted Decision-Making
346. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 7 July 2021, if he will provide a list of all other interdependencies (details supplied) which must be addressed...
- Covid-19 Tests
347. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has engaged with universities and colleges on the use of Covid-19 antigen testing in third-level institutions; the plans that are in place...
- Vaccination Programme
348. To ask the Minister for Health if plans are in place to give a third Covid-19 vaccine dose to those who would be identified as being at high-risk from Covid-19 or who are immunocompromised;...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
349. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for cataract surgery in each hospital in which such surgery takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45933/21]
- Health Services
350. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to roll-out the Sligo model of eye care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45934/21]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Schemes
351. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be reached on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [45765/21]
- Grant Payments
352. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45770/21]
- Brexit Supports
353. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if subsequent to the implementation of rules prohibiting the landing of live bivalve molluscs including wild caught scallops in UK...
- Farm Household Incomes
354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a universal basic income for farmers on a trial basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45928/21]
- Agriculture Schemes
355. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a continuation of a welfare scheme for sheep, including the provision to pay up to €20 per ewe; and if he will...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Rural Recreation Policy
356. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has received the external review of the walks scheme administered by her Department; if this review has addressed the issue of...
