Written answers

Thursday, 30 September 2021

  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Foreign Conflicts
      13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the assistance his Department has provided to date in respect of the crisis that has unfolded in Afghanistan;...
    • Visa Agreements
      14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of humanitarian visas provided to persons in Afghanistan; if he plans to increase the number of these visas provided following...
    • Middle East
      15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the lobbying efforts Ireland has undergone as a member of the United Nations Security Council to work towards peace between Palestine and...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of the discussions he and his European colleagues have had in recent months regarding the lifting of restrictions on behalf of...
    • Foreign Birth Registration
      18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that are being taken to rectify some of the impact the disruption to the operation of the foreign birth register during Covid-19...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his visit to Africa over the summer in particular his visit to Tigray and Ethiopia; if additional Irish Aid will be...
    • United Nations
      21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which from Ireland’s vantage point on the UN Security council, he expects to create a greater awareness of human rights...
    • International Protection
      22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will accede to requests for refugee status made by Afghan nationals who work for an Irish company based in Kabul, Afghanistan. [46696/21]
    • Foreign Conflicts
      23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any Irish citizens still in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46869/21]
    • Human Rights
      24. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had engagement with the Polish Ambassador regarding reports of LGBT free zones in Poland; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Overseas Development Aid
      26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the work being carried out to meet Ireland’s commitment to allocating 0.7% of gross national income to overseas...
    • United Nations
      27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent meeting of the United Nations Security Council which Ireland chaired; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Northern Ireland
      28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the proposals put forward by the British...
    • International Relations
      30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent visit by the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs to Latvia and Estonia; and if he will...
    • Northern Ireland
      31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he or his Department have had with the British and Northern Ireland authorities to date in 2021 in relation to issues such as...
    • Family Reunification
      32. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance his Department is providing in relation to family reunification plans for Afghans living in Ireland with family in...
    • International Sanctions
      33. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures Ireland is prepared to take at the United Nations to support a lifting of the 60-year-old illegal blockade of the island of...
    • International Agreements
      34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify Ireland’s position in relation to securing an effective and binding United Nations treaty on business and human...
    • United Nations
      35. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on adding a human rights observation mandate to MINURSO when it is renewed in October 2021. [42383/21]
    • International Agreements
      36. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date on the UNCCD Great Green Wall project and Ireland’s engagement with the UNCCD; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Climate Change Policy
      38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts Ireland will undertake to address the impact of climate change in conflict-riven regions of the world, particularly in Africa....
    • Passport Services
      39. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the passports and working visas backlog; the percentage of Departmental staff who are back in the office full-time or with a...
    • International Protection
      40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had since August 2021 with the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi with regard to the facilitation of visa applications from...
    • United Nations
      41. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Visa Agreements
      42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if progress has been made on establishing an E3 visa agreement between Ireland and the United States of America; and if he will make a...
    • Northern Ireland
      43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on moves by the British Government to halt prosecutions of British soldiers responsible for the deaths of civilians in Northern...
    • EU Agreements
      44. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had at EU level with regard to the expiration of the current EU Israel Action Plan in January 2022; if he has called...
    • International Agreements
      45. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland’s position on the US, UK and Australia trilateral security partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47164/21]
    • Northern Ireland
      47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the Independent Commission on Information Retrieval contained in the Stormont House Agreement which...
    • Climate Change Negotiations
      48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to participate in the upcoming COP26 summit; if he will be supporting calls for measures to be taken to curb the pollution of large...
    • Human Rights
      50. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the current situation in Belarus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47056/21]
    • Trade Missions
      51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department’s plans to establish diplomatic missions which will incorporate business and further promote the generation of trade;...
    • International Agreements
      52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has reconsidered the ratification of the Antarctic Treaty System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46851/21]
    • Brexit Issues
      54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on discussions in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47168/21]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      57. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contribution Ireland has made to the international community in terms of sending Covid-19 vaccinations to countries in need; and if he...
    • International Relations
      58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagement with Speaker Pelosi on his recent trip to the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47166/21]
    • International Agreements
      59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will use Ireland’s seat on the UN Security Council to examine an international law on ecocide. [43740/21]
    • Economic Sanctions
      60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to the registration on 8 September 2021 by the EU Commission of a European Citizens' Initiative (details supplied), if he will raise...
    • Northern Ireland
      62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the current instability in Northern Ireland. [44167/21]
    • International Relations
      63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had regarding the possible visit of the President of the United States of America to Ireland; and if he will make a...
    • International Protection
      65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to cases of Afghan citizens who had been long-term residents of Ireland and have a large support network here...
    • Middle East
      68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any engagement with the Israeli authorities regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners; and if he will make a statement...
    • Human Rights
      69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic action Ireland is taking in relation to the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan; and if he will make a...
    • Middle East
      72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposed timeframe to honour the Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine. [46477/21]
    • British-Irish Co-operation
      74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of meetings he has had to date in 2021 with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; the issues discussed; and if he...
    • EU Meetings
      78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent attendance at the General Affairs Meeting of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts Ireland is undertaking at both the United Nations Security Council and in the European Union to bring about an end to the...
    • International Relations
      80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details on developments by the United Nations Security Council to resolve the disagreement between Egypt, Sudan and...
  • Department of Defence
    • International Agreements
      88. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the input he or his officials will have with the EU Commission in their preparation of a joint declaration with NATO; his views on the increased...
    • Defence Forces
      97. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of all branches of the Defence Forces; if further recruitment is required to bring each branch of the Forces up to optimum...
    • Common Security and Defence Policy
      102. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland’s involvement in EU cooperation on security and defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Defence Forces
      104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of settlements made in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, with current or former members of the Defence Forces which included a...
    • Naval Service
      105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current strength of the Naval Service Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47129/21]
    • Defence Forces
      107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the vacant position of third-party adjudicator for the Permanent Defence Forces Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme will be filled; and if...
    • Historical Conflicts
      111. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Irish military intelligence has analysed the events of Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972; if the alleged role of a person (details supplied) in...
    • Air Corps
      113. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the investigation into the incident in which a helicopter door fell off and landed in a school in Clondalkin, County Dublin in May...
    • Defence Forces
      114. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress of refurbishment works at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, County Louth and Gormanston Camp, County Meath in line with the Defence Forces...
    • Naval Service
      118. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Naval Service will be acquiring any more vessels for the purposes of maritime security; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Defence Forces
      119. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits that have enlisted in the Permanent Defence Forces in 2021; the net increase in the numbers in the Permanent Defence...
    • Commemorative Events
      120. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans in place to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Jadotville. [47080/21]
    • Defence Forces
      121. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on reports in relation to the number of persons leaving the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47151/21]
    • Cybersecurity Policy
      122. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the role of the Defence Forces in the preservation of cybersecurity; the number of personnel involved in same; and if he will make a statement...
    • Defence Forces
      123. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which all branches of the Defence Forces are adequately equipped and supplied in order to participate as necessary in overseas...
    • Air Corps
      126. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45793/21]
    • Defence Forces
      127. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review jurisdictional objections by his Department in response to WRC complaints by members of the forces; and if he will make a...
    • EU Meetings
      129. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the next EU meeting of defence ministers will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47037/21]
    • Defence Forces
      132. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to make the military service allowance pensionable for pre-1990 pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47122/21]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      135. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the role of the Defence Forces in the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47126/21]
    • Defence Forces
      141. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the missions abroad the Defence Forces are involved in; if they are all under the aegis of the United Nations; the number of personnel on each...
    • Departmental Properties
      143. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will accede to a request made by a club (details supplied) to purchase a narrow strip of ground adjacent to its playing pitch from his...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Court Judgments
      144. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 11 November 2019, the 1977 High Court case that was referred to in which it was...
    • Work Permits
      145. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make it possible for persons from outside the EU to come to Ireland on work permits to work in agriculture, particularly...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • National Broadband Plan
      146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address the timeframes given by NBI with regard to the national broadband roll-out; and if his Department is...
    • Tax Yield
      147. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of revenue generated from the carbon tax 2021 that has been spent to date funding the national retrofitting...
    • Energy Prices
      148. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he has taken to mitigate the energy price hike over the past year; the reason for his views that...
    • Telecommunications Services
      150. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if detailed consideration will be given to issues raised in correspondence by a local authority (details supplied); and...
    • National Broadband Plan
      151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises in each county connected under the National Broadband Plan since the roll-out commenced; the...
    • Grant Payments
      152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports that are in place for owners of dormer houses that do not qualify for SEAI insulation funding; and if he...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      153. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding governance of semi-State organisations; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Driver Licences
      154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding converting to an Irish driving licence for a person in receipt of an existing ten-year EU driving licence but...
    • Health and Safety
      155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a safety audit that was carried out at a location (details supplied). [47284/21]
    • Driver Test
      156. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that there has been no extension to the time period for which IBT training is valid for those whose motor bike driving tests...
    • Cycling Facilities
      157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the new cycling infrastructure projects which have been approved in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown as of September 2021; the progress of the...
    • Public Transport
      158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the Programme for Government commitments to prioritise plans for the delivery of MetroLink, Luas and other light rail...
    • Bus Services
      159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to expand 24 hour bus routes and services to support the Programme for Government commitment to create a night-time...
    • Haulage Industry
      161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he plans to take to assist the haulage industry in view of the difficulties posed by Brexit and the rapid rise in fuel costs;...
  • Department of Finance
    • Primary Medical Certificates
      162. To ask the Minister for Finance when criteria for obtaining primary medical certificates as recommended by the Supreme Court will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Insurance Coverage
      163. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the situation facing many cardiac patients, who are no longer able to access insurance products as a result of their...
    • Tax Reliefs
      164. To ask the Minister for Finance the position with regard to an application for a refund of PRSI and USC reliefs by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Schemes
      165. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the help-to-buy scheme for first-time buyers to 2022. [47334/21]
    • Budget 2022
      166. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a Budget 2022 submission by an organisation (details supplied) which calls for a number of measures to tackle costs in the...
    • Tax Data
      167. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated additional corporation tax that could be expected to be generated in each of the years 2022 to 2025, respectively if the bailed-out banks had...
    • Budget 2022
      168. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received the pre-budget submission from an organisation (details supplied) outlining specific requirements; if consideration will be given to the...
    • Tax Data
      170. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated yield in local property tax from strategic housing developments by county in each of the years 2021 to 2023. [47442/21]
    • Semi-State Bodies
      174. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding governance of Semi-State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Office of Public Works
      175. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a substantive reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) sent to the Office of Public Works, which was acknowledged by...
    • An Garda Síochána
      176. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when work will commence on a project (details supplied); the expected timeframe for these refurbishment works; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Sports Funding
      177. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available from the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; if any further projects will be considered at this time;...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      178. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a series of matters raised by an organisation (details supplied) will be examined; if she will ensure that there will be...
    • Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna
      179. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil i gceist aici maoiniú a chur ar fail d’Údaráis Áitiúla le feabhas a chur ar...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Tax Code
      180. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which he will ensure that baselines in respect of local property tax will be equitable in the context of existing...
    • Planning Issues
      181. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if clarity will be provided regarding section 34 of the Planning Acts, which states that An Bord Pleanála is obliged to...
    • State Bodies
      184. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the time limit for serving as a member of the board of An Bord Pleanála; the approximate date of...
    • Housing Schemes
      185. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will re-examine the amount available to applicants under the housing adaption grants given the increase in building...
    • Homeless Persons Supports
      190. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the statutory protections that are in place to protect homeless service users who may be vulnerable; if there are plans to...
    • Economic and Social Research Institute
      191. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of reports that have been provided to him in the past 12 months from the ESRI; the titles of these reports; if he...
    • Departmental Bodies
      192. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of reports that have been provided to him in the past 12 months from the Housing Agency; the titles of these...
    • Vacant Properties
      193. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has plans to introduce greater incentives for persons who buy a vacant or dilapidated property and seek to renovate it...
    • Housing Provision
      194. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he plans to meet a group (details supplied). [47353/21]
    • Rental Sector
      195. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps being taken urgently to control rents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47379/21]
    • Baint Feamainne
      196. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government an líon daoine a bhain cearta bainte feamainne amach le cúig bliain anuas bunaithe ar úsáid fad...
    • Housing Provision
      197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social homes that have been built nationally to date in 2021. [47448/21]
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Brexit Issues
      198. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects to liaise with political leaders in Northern Ireland with a view to ensuring the future of the Good Friday...
    • Foreign Policy
      199. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to, and his views on, the emerging famine in southern Madagascar, the world’s first climate-induced...
    • United Nations
      200. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the detail of the measures and actions the Government aims to achieve through Ireland’s presidency of the UN Security Council. [43424/21]
    • Good Friday Agreement
      201. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a schedule of the upcoming meetings provided for under the Good Friday Agreement. [37472/21]
    • Visa Agreements
      203. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of E3 visas between the United States of America and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47077/21]
    • International Protection
      204. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth and the Minister for Justice with...
    • United Nations
      205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had at UN Security Council level with regard to ensuring that at-risk Afghan nationals who wish to leave Afghanistan...
    • State Visits
      206. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to make an official visit to Israel later in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47199/21]
    • Brexit Issues
      207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which ongoing discussions continue around the Northern Ireland Protocol with the objective of ensuring continued access and...
    • European Union
      208. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to influence the institutions throughout the European Union with a view to ensuring compliance with the...
    • British-Irish Co-operation
      209. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the exact nature of the alleged agreement between the Irish and British Governments in relation to the patrol of Irish airspace by the RAF;...
    • Passport Services
      210. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of passport applications by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47260/21]
    • United Nations
      217. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he can use Ireland's position on the UN Security Council to highlight the urgent necessity to restore the status of the...
    • Human Rights
      218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he expects the UN to become involved in addressing human rights abuses on a worldwide scale; and if he will make a...
    • Middle East
      228. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of restrictions imposed on democratically-elected party or opposition party representatives in Bahrain or other locations...
    • Foreign Policy
      230. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community is involved in addressing issues of famine and starvation throughout various sensitive...
    • Human Rights
      231. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to respond to the activities of the Boko Haram, Al Shabaab or other such...
    • Brexit Issues
      233. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the Northern Ireland Protocol remains as was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47416/21]
    • Overseas Development Aid
      235. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the present level of overseas development aid as a percentage of GNI; his plans to increase this to 0.7% of ONI by 2030 as committed to; the...
  • Department of Defence
    • EU Meetings
      236. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 29 July 2021, the number of European Defence Fund Programme Committee meetings attended by...
    • Defence Forces
      237. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the operation of the Mental Health and Well-being Strategy for the Defence Forces which was launched in 2020 and will run...
    • Air Corps
      238. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of pilots who applied to re-enter the Air Corps; the number of applications approved; the number refused; the number awaiting a...
    • Defence Forces
      239. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which issues of pay and morale within the Defence Forces are being addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned; and if he will...
    • Naval Service
      241. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service is adequately equipped and resourced to ensure the deployment of vessels at any given time in an emergency...
    • Defence Forces
      242. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which recruitment to the Defence Forces is required; if recruitment is planned at present; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Air Corps
      245. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Air Corps continues to be fully and adequately resourced including the upgrading of training and equipment which might...
    • Defence Forces
      250. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the structures within the Defence Forces for dealing with complaints such as bullying or sexual harassment; the extent to which he is satisfied...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • State Examinations
      255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if discussions are expected regarding physical education becoming an optional exam leaving certificate subject in all secondary schools; and if...
    • Schools Building Projects
      256. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current position on the new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47274/21]
    • School Staff
      258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the rate of pay of a person (details supplied) will be regarded by her Department for teaching services within a school from September 2020...
    • School Transport
      259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if statistical information will be provided in relation to the school transport scheme by county in tabular form (details supplied); and if she...
    • School Funding
      261. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reinstate the funding to primary schools to stock their libraries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47327/21]
    • School Curriculum
      263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of changes to curriculum and assessments for students taking Irish exams in cases in which they have been taught through Irish; and if...
    • Teaching Council of Ireland
      264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications pending for registration with the Teaching Council; the number of unqualified teachers who were paid by her Department...
    • School Equipment
      266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing every classroom in Ireland with a CO2 monitor. [47450/21]
    • School Staff
      268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing every special school in Ireland with access to a guidance counsellor. [47452/21]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if greater resources will be provided to schools in order to increase mitigation measures for Covid-19 in view of the changes to testing and...
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Civil Marriages
      270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the registration of civil marriages will commence online; the reasons for the delay to commence registration after it...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      271. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration has been given to extending the working family payment to the self-employed; if any costings have been...
    • Employment Support Services
      272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will give further consideration to issues raised in correspondence by a local authority (details supplied); and if she...
    • Employment Schemes
      273. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to allow persons who are near retirement age and participating in a Tús scheme to remain on the...
    • Departmental Schemes
      275. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has examined the estimated drop-off numbers from the community employment and rural social schemes. [47298/21]
    • Rural Schemes
      276. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of allowing farm assist recipients access to participate in the rural social scheme; if the matter has...
    • Employment Schemes
      277. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing some participants to remain on Tús beyond one year in cases in which they have not...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      279. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the €350 income threshold on the earnings disregard on disability allowance to €400; and if...
    • Departmental Schemes
      281. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to include illness benefit as one of the qualifying payments for a springboard+ course; and if she will make a...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      282. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47341/21]
    • State Pensions
      283. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a change in legislation caused issues for pension applicants in 2006 (details supplied). [47449/21]
  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
    • International Protection
      284. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider increasing the intake of refugees from Afghanistan; if he is putting in place a programme to...
    • Childcare Services
      286. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to reports that childcare workers are not being paid when they are excluded from...
    • International Protection
      290. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the numbers of children and families from the Mória refugee camp who have been resettled in...
    • Childcare Services
      291. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a Budget 2022 submission by an organisation (details supplied) which calls...
    • Assisted Decision-Making
      292. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully implemented; when the promised new assisted...
    • International Protection
      293. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the locations in which refugees arriving from Afghanistan will be accommodated initially on their arrival in...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Third Level Education
      294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of medical training undergraduate places, by discipline available annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47226/21]
    • Research and Development
      295. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has engaged with his European colleagues to ensure that Northern Ireland becomes associated with the Horizon Europe research programme; and...
    • Third Level Admissions
      296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a situation in which a student maintains they received 345 points in their leaving certificate however the college that supplies...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Peace Commissioners
      297. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Visa Applications
      299. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to publish a policy decision to relax the usual evidentiary burden in relation to the supporting documents required...
    • Citizenship Applications
      301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the passports of persons (details supplied) currently held by the INIS and which will be required for travel purposes will...
    • Domestic Violence
      302. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the implementation of the recommendations included in the audit of structures for domestic, sexual and...
    • Departmental Reports
      303. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the independent research commissioned by her Department on familicide and domestic homicide; and if she will make...
    • Domestic Violence
      304. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps her Department has taken in response to a report (details supplied) commissioned by expert groups; and if she will...
    • Gambling Sector
      305. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will undertake a review of online gambling regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47340/21]
    • An Garda Síochána
      306. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the remit of the National Vetting Bureau currently covers homeless services; if not, if there are plans to expand the remit...
    • Prison Service
      307. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date with an application (details supplied) for a transfer to serve a prison sentence in Ireland; and if she...
  • Department of Health
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      308. To ask the Minister for Health when an EU Digital COVID Certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47240/21]
    • Hospital Services
      309. To ask the Minister for Health the detailed annual operational and capital budget expenditures at University Hospital Waterford over the past five years; the whole-time equivalent hospital...
    • Primary Medical Certificates
      310. To ask the Minister for Health if an application for a primary medical certificate by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [47304/21]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      311. To ask the Minister for Health if he has examined the health impact of vulnerable parents not being notified of Covid-19 cases in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Community Care
      312. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of the specialist community diabetes teams under the Enhanced Community Care Programme; if the service will be available...
    • Dental Services
      313. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the lack of funding for orthodontic treatments for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47203/21]
    • Hospital Staff
      314. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he is undertaking to address the geographical inequalities facing women in accessing in-hospital breastfeeding consultants, particularly in the...
    • Departmental Budgets
      315. To ask the Minister for Health the total budget allocation to his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47209/21]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      316. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of his Department’s spending on health and social care in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a...
    • Health Service Executive
      317. To ask the Minister for Health the breakdown of his Departmental or HSE funding to section 39 organisations for each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      318. To ask the Minister for Health the total health expenditure per capita in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47212/21]
    • Emergency Departments
      319. To ask the Minister for Health the hospitals with emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47213/21]
    • Hospital Services
      320. To ask the Minister for Health the hospitals with maternity departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47214/21]
    • Health Services
      321. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of healthcare expenditure which was generated by private, voluntary and out-of-pocket contributions for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and...
    • National Treatment Purchase Fund
      322. To ask the Minister for Health the funding drawn down by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the amount of funding in...
    • General Practitioner Services
      323. To ask the Minister for Health the maximum number of patients that can be registered with a general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47218/21]
    • Ambulance Service
      324. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of ambulance ECHO and DELTA calls which were not responded to within 18 minutes and 59 seconds in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in...
    • Health Service Executive
      325. To ask the Minister for Health the whole-time equivalent number of bank or agency staff contracted to the HSE by staff group in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular...
    • Hospital Facilities
      326. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of hospital beds in the State per 1,000 population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47221/21]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      329. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on waiting lists for inpatient and outpatient medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47224/21]
    • Medical Register
      331. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical graduates who emigrated in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47227/21]
    • Nursing Homes
      332. To ask the Minister for Health the number of public and private nursing home beds in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47228/21]
    • Home Help Service
      333. To ask the Minister for Health the number of home help hours provided annually by the HSE in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the number of home help hours provided in these years by private...
    • Mental Health Services
      334. To ask the Minister for Health the total spend on mental health in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47230/21]
    • Vaccination Programme
      336. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way appointments will be issued; the basis on...
    • Health Services
      339. To ask the Minister for Health the status of any review of eligibility policy for medical services as outlined in Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47237/21]
    • Medical Cards
      340. To ask the Minister for Health the way that patients with progressive, life-limiting conditions will be able to access medical cards in the future; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Staff
      341. To ask the Minister for Health the additional recruitment that has taken place at UHW in terms of roles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47257/21]
    • National Treatment Purchase Fund
      342. To ask the Minister for Health the NTPF activity in relation to UHW waiting lists over the past five years; the individual procedures outsourced; the name of the hospital systems to which...
    • Hospital Services
      347. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the lack of separate wards in hospitals to treat women experiencing stillbirth or miscarriage; his further views on the fact that the loss, trauma...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      349. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be considered for an appointment. [47286/21]
    • Vaccination Programme
      350. To ask the Minister for Health if a HPV vaccination will be offered to a child (details supplied). [47311/21]
    • Ambulance Service
      351. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ambulance calls in the past three months; the average ambulance call-out time to arrival at the scene of a patient, by functioning area, in...
    • Hospital Complaints Procedures
      352. To ask the Minister for Health further to a recent statement in reference to ongoing maternity restrictions (details supplied), the complaints procedure that has been established to allow...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      353. To ask the Minister for Health further to a recent statement (details supplied), if an update will be provided on the random spot checks for compliance with the easing of restrictions across...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      354. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [47321/21]
    • Disability Services
      356. To ask the Minister for Health the number of respite hours provided for adults in Galway city and county; the number of respite hours provided for adults with an intellectual disability in...
    • Hospital Facilities
      359. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1920 of 27 July 2021, the total amount of funding allocated to date for the delivery of two orthopaedic theatres with...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      361. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for orthopaedic surgery in Galway; the average waiting time for orthopaedic surgery in Galway; the number of patients waiting...
    • Medical Cards
      362. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card cover (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47338/21]
    • Eating Disorders
      363. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE refers patients to the National Eating Disorder Recovery Centre; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47370/21]
    • Primary Care Centres
      364. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the primary healthcare centre in Portlaoise, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47373/21]
    • Hospital Facilities
      365. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the refurbishment and new building development planned for Abbeyleix Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Disability Services
      366. To ask the Minister for Health when early intervention, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy will be provided to address the needs of a child (details supplied); and if he...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      368. To ask the Minister for Health if a pathway is available to non-EU citizens who are fully vaccinated to avail of an EU Digital COVID Certificate as proof of immunity. [46868/21]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      369. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes aged 18 years and over that are waiting on a first appointment to the outpatients diabetes clinic in any of the University...
    • Disease Management
      370. To ask the Minister for Health if the University of Limerick hospitals group is included in the remaining six diabetes centres to become DAFNE licensed in 2022 (details supplied); and if a...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      373. To ask the Minister for Health the number of funding applications for persons with diabetes over 21 years of age that were rejected by the long-term illness scheme and the primary care...
    • Budget 2022
      375. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has received a pre-budget submission from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration will be given to the submission in the context...
    • National Treatment Purchase Fund
      376. To ask the Minister for Health the total sum spent on, by or through or allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund since its inception by year to date; the number of procedures it...
    • Home Care Packages
      377. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who are not receiving their allocated numbers of hours of home care support; the number of hours they are short for the months January...
    • Disease Management
      380. To ask the Minister for Health if he has a strategy for the early diagnosis and control of diabetes; the age levels at which such a strategy might be adopted; and if he will make a statement...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Agriculture Schemes
      382. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding that has gone from the carbon tax 2021 to the REPS-2 programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in...
    • Live Exports
      383. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that live exports from Ireland only go to countries with the highest of animal welfare standards; and if he will...
    • Veterinary Services
      384. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that regulations will not be introduced here that will make it more difficult for farmers to obtain...
    • Departmental Funding
      385. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out in specific details his plans to allocate revenue generated from the carbon tax to farmers; the timeline for this...
    • Tax Reliefs
      386. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene with the Minister for Finance to ensure the extension of stamp duty relief and stock relief for young farmers in...
    • Agriculture Schemes
      387. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the inclusion of drone purchase in the TAMS programme to assist eligible farmers in herd and flock management, in...
    • Semi-State Bodies
      388. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding governance of semi-State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Forestry Sector
      389. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); if the licence will be expedited; and if he will make a...
    • Fisheries Protection
      390. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take immediately to protect fish stock in Ireland’s inshore waters following the recent ruling in the Court...
    • Forestry Sector
      391. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the mini-woodland planting under the new agri-environmental Hares Corner project requires an afforestation licence; if...
    • Common Agricultural Policy
      393. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the staff from the Forest Service of his Department that have been involved in the preparation of the current draft of the CAP...
    • Forestry Sector
      394. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide support to the forest industry to ensure its survival through the ongoing forestry licensing crisis in order for...
    • Common Agricultural Policy
      395. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU climate action strategies the new CAP must be aligned with and enable in a forestry context; and if he will make a statement...
    • Forestry Sector
      397. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a forestry felling licence application by a person (details supplied); the date the application was...
    • Agriculture Schemes
      399. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 567 of 6 July 2021, the reason the areas of natural constraint payment cannot be paid to...
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
    • Rural Schemes
      400. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some local development companies will run out of Leader funding under the...
    • Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna
      402. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development an bhfuil i gceist aici maoiniú a chur ar fáil d’Údaráis Áitiúla le feabhas a chur ar...
    • Seirbhísí Farantóireachta
      403. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development an bhfuil i gceist aici seirbhís farrantóireacta le deontas a chur ar fáil le cinntiú go mbeidh bád ó...
    • Departmental Investigations
      404. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the outcome of an investigation by her Department (details supplied); the findings of the investigation; and if she will make a...