Written answers
Thursday, 9 December 2021
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Animal Welfare
8. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to deal with the rising cases of animal cruelty; the number of cases that have been prosecuted on indictment of...
- Common Agricultural Policy
10. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received draft interventions for the CAP strategic plan from a group (details supplied); and if he will meet the group to...
- Departmental Bodies
15. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to form a successor stakeholder group to the Beef Market Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Coillte Teoranta
16. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of proposed investment that Coillte is currently assessing for the County Louth and east County Meath area; and if he will...
- Departmental Reports
17. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to receive and publish the wool feasibility study; the measures he will adopt to develop an indigenous wool sector;...
- Agriculture Schemes
18. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new measures in his proposed CAP strategic plan that will specifically support young farmers; and the intended mechanism within or...
- Departmental Reports
19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the wool feasibility study; when the final report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Agriculture Industry
20. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a State owned and controlled beef blockchain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60288/21]
- Agriculture Schemes
21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new measures contained within his CAP Strategic Plan to provide for women farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Coillte Teoranta
22. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the mandate of Coillte needs to be changed in view of the climate and biodiversity emergency and the critical...
- Forestry Sector
23. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the disparity in Coillte tree felling licences each week versus the afforestation industry. [60841/21]
- Departmental Reports
24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the horse, donkey and goat survey in Cork city. [60786/21]
- Agriculture Schemes
25. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the age limit for the 60% TAMS will be raised to the incoming pension age of 67 which would be vital in the context of ensuring...
- Farm Safety
26. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the disbursement of the €2 million fund for farm safety has been set out; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Agriculture Schemes
27. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider devising a new compensatory scheme for suckler beef farmers who have tuberculosis reactors in their herd. [60767/21]
- Renewable Energy Generation
28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding or technical support his Department offers to farmers that wish to form a renewable energy co-operative. [60397/21]
- Departmental Funding
29. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to providing a sustainable budget of €389 million for the Leader Programme 2023-2027 to drive bottom-up,...
- Renewable Energy Generation
30. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the involvement of farmers in the area of renewable energy. [60396/21]
- Agriculture Industry
31. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his engagement with Ireland’s European Union partners on measures to prevent potential shortages of fertiliser in spring 2022;...
- Organic Farming
32. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to meet organic conversion targets; and the estimated number of farmers and new hectares that he expects to enter organics...
- Agriculture Schemes
33. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all farmers receiving notice of a penalty to their basic payment are advised through the same notice of their...
- Horticulture Sector
34. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will introduce as a matter of urgency to ensure that there is an adequate supply of domestic peat for the mushroom and...
- Brexit Supports
35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applicants that applied for the Brexit tie-up scheme since September 2021 on a regional basis; the number that...
- Agriculture Industry
36. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 21 October 2021, the status of the wool feasibility study; when the final report will be...
- Animal Welfare
37. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department is playing to resolve the serious issues in relation to equine welfare in Cork city. [60785/21]
- Agriculture Schemes
38. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new measures in his proposed CAP Strategic Plan that will support young farmers and generational renewal. [60578/21]
- Animal Diseases
39. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all poultry farmers who cull flocks in response to outbreaks of avian influenza in 2021 and 2022 receive...
- Agriculture Schemes
40. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he envisages new mechanisms to reward farmers for methane reduction in view of its recognised significant impact in the short-term...
- Agriculture Industry
41. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent activity of his Department and Bord Bia to develop new markets for Irish agri-food produce; and if he...
- Organic Farming
42. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his target for organic conversion for 2025, 2027 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60842/21]
- Departmental Funding
43. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will broaden the criteria of capital funding schemes under his Department to allow for funding to progress marine activity...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
44. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date to ensure that hedgerows, all small-scale planting and all small blocks of scrub are included in the...
- Agriculture Schemes
45. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the new payment for ecological work out of pillar one funds will be calculated for each farmer; if the payment will have a...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
47. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he hopes to consider carbon mitigation measures through enhanced sequestration thereby ensuring the viability of...
- Agriculture Schemes
48. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the uptake of the BEAM scheme; if the scheme has been the subject of a review; and the amount that has been...
- Common Agricultural Policy
49. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that CAP reforms will not damage the productivity of the agri-food business given the trends in recent years; and...
- Animal Diseases
50. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expand the use of the gamma interferon test to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in the national herd; and if he will make a...
- Fishing Industry
52. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the engagement of this State with the European Commission to have Ireland’s control plan for the landing of fish...
- Coillte Teoranta
53. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the procedures and protocols in place between his Department and Coillte in relation to the sale of Coillte lands...
- Fishing Industry
54. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and that pair trawling...
- Agriculture Industry
55. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the use of low-emission slurry spreading technology as per the Climate Action Plan if TAMS grant aid is no...
- Fishing Industry
58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the views of fishermen expressed to him during his recent visit to Dingle, County Kerry; if he has...
- Forestry Sector
59. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his projections for the number of tree felling licences, afforestation licences, forest road licences, ash dieback RUS applications,...
- Agriculture Schemes
61. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if women joining a formal farm partnership with a minimum level 6 qualification in agriculture that meet the eligible age criteria can...
- Forestry Sector
62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will adopt to address the crisis in the forestry sector in 2022. [60473/21]
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
64. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he envisages new mechanisms to reward farmers for new measures to sequester carbon; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Forestry Sector
65. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop more broadleaf forestry in Ireland. [60768/21]
- Agriculture Industry
66. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support producers of hemp in the State. [60429/21]
- Forestry Sector
67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will adopt to address the crisis in the forestry sector in 2022. [60880/21]
- Agriculture Schemes
68. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the purpose of Bord Bia assurance under the new suckler scheme for farmers that do not produce animals for slaughter; and if he will...
- Agriculture Industry
69. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the recent activity of his Department and Bord Bia to develop new markets for Irish agri-food produce; and if he...
- Common Agricultural Policy
70. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take regarding CAP following his tour of marts and his engagement with farmers; and if he will make a statement on...
- Mental Health Services
71. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the work of his Department individually or in conjunction with other Departments in addressing the mental health...
- Forestry Sector
72. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to honour Programme for Government commitments to ensure greater integration and compatibility of the...
- Animal Diseases
73. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of bovine animals found to have failed the TB eradication test in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 in...
- EU Funding
74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has in European Union LIFE Projects; if there are plans for future projects; and if he will make a...
- Agriculture Industry
75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to further assist Irish agri-food producers in developing markets and securing new business opportunities in 2022 and...
- Brexit Supports
76. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that his Department is helping agri-food businesses adapt to the impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Agriculture Schemes
77. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will remove the proposed age limit for women to receive increased TAMS grant aid. [60474/21]
- Brexit Supports
78. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to assist food producers develop and diversify post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Departmental Schemes
87. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of support provided under the trading online voucher scheme in County Cork; the number of recipients since the scheme...
- Employment Data
93. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the employment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60678/21]
- Industrial Development
94. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the proposed industrial park for Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60791/21]
- Consumer Rights
95. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to improve consumer rights; and if he will consider initiatives that would foster better value for consumers at a time of...
- Data Centres
96. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 32 of 2 November 2021, the status of the review of the Government statement on the Role of Data...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
97. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the eligibility criteria for the range of financial supports for businesses in response to the public health...
- State Bodies
98. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding provided to the IDA in each of the past ten years; the number of industries supported; and the amount that was...
- Flexible Work Practices
99. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he is taking to facilitate hybrid working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60815/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
100. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the further and continuing supports that are being considered for SMEs to ensure the viability of these businesses when they reopen...
- Departmental Schemes
101. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of support and number of recipients of the trading online voucher scheme in the past year by county; and if he will make a...
- Job Creation
103. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to support job creation in regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60289/21]
- Employment Rights
104. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the statutory sick leave scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60493/21]
- Industrial Development
105. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure that a site with full planning permission in an IDA Ballinasloe Business and Technology Park, County...
- Enterprise Support Services
106. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider introducing supports specifically for entrepreneurs with disabilities who want to establish their own business...
- Enterprise Policy
107. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 2 November 2021, the status of the new west regional enterprise plan to 2024; if the plan...
- Brexit Supports
108. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Brexit impact loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60810/21]
- EU Directives
109. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the recently transposed EU Copyright Directive can assist businesses and workers in the media sector. [60636/21]
- Renewable Energy Generation
110. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he and his Department are taking to ensure Ireland is prepared to harness the opportunity of the renewable energy...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
111. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered the advice from the Expert Group on the Role of Ventilation in Reducing Transmission of Covid-19; his views on...
- Legislative Measures
112. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the attention of his Department has been drawn to the proposals for corporate accountability legislation set out by an...
- Employment Rights
113. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to ensure employers in the digital gaming sector are adhering to employment legislation following the introduction of the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
114. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department have already assisted the manufacturing and services sectors throughout the economy with...
- Regional Development
115. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether his Department can be central to helping reimagine and redevelop town and city centres. [60859/21]
- Enterprise Support Services
116. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Level Project Toolkit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60812/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
117. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way he plans to allocate the €100 million his Department has available for discrete Covid-19 measures in 2022. [60818/21]
- Employment Rights
118. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the statutory sick leave scheme will commence; the way it compares to other such schemes in operation in Northern Ireland and...
- Enterprise Policy
119. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy instruments that are in place and available to Enterprise Ireland to stimulate industry in remote rural areas; if he plans...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
120. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extra supports being put in place to deal with the crisis being faced by the hospitality industry. [60749/21]
- Insurance Industry
121. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to bring forward legislation in 2022 to address insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60847/21]
- Employment Rights
122. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the implementation of the Duffy Cahill Report. [60787/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
123. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports his Department is providing for businesses and organisations within the experience economy that are continuing to...
- Industrial Relations
126. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans in relation to the sectoral employment order for the electrical contracting sector. [60395/21]
- State Bodies
127. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding for Enterprise Ireland in each of the past ten years; the number of industries supported; and amount that was...
- Departmental Schemes
128. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of support provided under the trading online voucher scheme; the number of recipients over the past year in Dún...
- Trade Missions
129. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60677/21]
- Industrial Development
130. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the lack of IDA investment in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60816/21]
- Insurance Industry
132. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the implementation of insurance reform measures under the remit of his Department for 2021; and if he will make...
- Flexible Work Practices
133. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the remote working strategy. [60661/21]
- Enterprise Support Services
134. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports that will be provided for local enterprise offices in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Living Wage
135. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if consideration is being given by his Department to a State-wide move to a living wage, as based on the minimum essential standard...
- Corporate Governance
136. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has drafted documentation or communication to influence the European Union due diligence proposal currently being...
- Job Creation
137. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure the availability of adequately qualified staffing levels to meet the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
138. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the analysis his Department has carried out into the uptake and effectiveness of Government supports for Covid-19 impacted...
- National Development Plan
139. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department’s allocation under the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60811/21]
- Enterprise Policy
140. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan. [60671/21]
- Employment Rights
141. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeframe for legislation to give new rights to employees and prohibit the use of tips and gratuities to make up contractual...
- Commissions of Investigation
142. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of commissions of investigation currently ongoing under the remit of his Department; the duration of each commission of...
- Living Wage
144. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of his Department's work on the implementation of a living wage. [60860/21]
- Industrial Development
145. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date since the IDA announcement in June 2021 that a 39 acre site had been purchased in north...
- Gender Balance
147. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on Ireland’s progress in implementing gender quotas in corporate boardrooms as recommended by the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
148. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there has been abuse of State Covid-19 supports by businesses. [60805/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
150. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning or purification systems have...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
151. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement he has had with businesses and their representative organisations with regard to supports for same in the ongoing...
- Enterprise Policy
152. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the South-West Regional Enterprise Plan. [60662/21]
- Work Permits
154. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to include home care workers on the critical skills list in view of ongoing challenges in sourcing workers in this area and...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
155. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the Covid credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60794/21]
- Living Wage
158. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the progress of the Programme for Government commitment to progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the...
- Employment Schemes
160. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to support existing levels of employment in regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
161. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans new initiatives to support businesses impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the...
- National Minimum Wage
164. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the changes made to the minimum wage in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54311/21]
- Departmental Expenditure
165. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he...
- Pensions Reform
166. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; and if he will...
- Research Funding
168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the disruptive technologies innovation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61035/21]
- Work Permits
169. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which employers are awaiting approval of employment visas; if particular steps are required in the short term to...
- Foreign Direct Investment
170. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he remains satisfied that foreign direct investment remains secure notwithstanding international taxation...
- Economic Growth
173. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he expects the economy to remain competitive notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19, Brexit and inflation; and if...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
176. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps taken or proposed to assist business and enterprise in both the manufacturing and services sectors given the impact and...
- Small and Medium Enterprises
177. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives currently available for small start-up enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61066/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
178. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports available for small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing and services sectors that have been negatively...
- Trade Promotion
179. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish exports overseas are being sourced on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on...
- Brexit Issues
180. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade with Europe and the UK has been affected by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Foreign Direct Investment
181. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the countries with which Ireland remains in competition in respect of foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on...
- Job Creation
182. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which job opportunities in the services and manufacturing sectors remain bright for County Kildare and the country at...
- Economic Policy
183. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the countries from which he sees the greatest competition for Ireland over the next five years in respect of the manufacturing and...
- Services Sector
184. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of jobs created or lost in the services sector in the course of each of the past six years to date; the steps taken or in...
- Enterprise Support Services
185. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he can encourage the return of Irish emigrants currently based abroad with a view to meeting the workplace...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- National Broadband Plan
186. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a premises (details supplied) will receive high-speed broadband under the national broadband scheme; and if he...
- Departmental Expenditure
187. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular...
- Departmental Schemes
188. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the projects allocated funding under the circular economy innovation grant scheme; and the way the scaling up of such...
- Departmental Functions
189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the working groups his Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Road Projects
190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the detail of the list of applications being considered by his Department relative to new roads infrastructure in County Kilkenny; the...
- Departmental Expenditure
191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will...
- Pension Provisions
192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Ministerial approval has been given for the increase of 2.5% to Dublin Port pensioners; if another Department needs to approve the...
- Driver Licences
193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment to renew a driver licence at the NDLS centre in Ennis,...
- Shannon Airport Facilities
194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the yearly weight of US military cargo through Irish airspace in stone and kilograms in each of the years 2010 to 2020, in tabular form....
- Covid-19 Pandemic
197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount his Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if he will...
- Departmental Policies
198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or its agencies are examining or support the research into the use of hydrogen as a fuel to meet transport needs. [61036/21]
- Bus Services
199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of a bus stop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61093/21]
- Department of Finance
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
200. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current Covid-19 surge and the cancellation of social events including travel have impacted heavily on...
- Tax Data
201. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of employees that have taken part in the key employee engagement scheme in 2019; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Expenditure
202. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will provide an...
- Tax Reliefs
204. To ask the Minister for Finance if he plans to extend the transborder workers' relief beyond the current deadline as proposed by an organisation (details supplied); his views on the...
- Regulatory Bodies
205. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to be allocated to a complaint handler; and if he will make...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Departmental Reports
208. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the report of the Hours Body by a person (details supplied) will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Expenditure
209. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule that sets out all energy costs associated with their ICT hardware, that is, servers and so on in tabular...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
211. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount her Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if she...
- Departmental Bodies
213. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the working groups her Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group were...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Wildlife Conservation
214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the threat to the future of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, County Meath; the efforts...
- Local Authorities
215. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of the process by which 200 new posts for local authority housing delivery teams were chosen; if councils were...
- State Bodies
216. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Irish Water continues to meet its obligations under the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 given the fact that the dedicated...
- Hare Coursing
217. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the investigation into the circumstances that led to the immediate cancellation of the Loughrea coursing meeting on 15, 16...
- Departmental Expenditure
219. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and...
- Housing Schemes
220. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of all housing development project applications for Longford County Council. [60968/21]
- Traveller Accommodation
222. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues of lack of water and adequate sanitation at a site (details supplied);...
- Commercial Rates
223. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total payments made to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council under the commercial rates waiver scheme in 2020...
- Student Accommodation
224. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if sufficient consideration is being given to housing policy as it relates to student accommodation across all locations in...
- Housing Provision
225. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 304 of 22 June 2021 and 440 of 19 October 2021, the reason such a tenant cannot...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Departmental Expenditure
226. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will...
- Departmental Data
227. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm the arrival of an aircraft (details supplied). [60966/21]
- Passport Services
228. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and when the passport will be issued. [61076/21]
- Northern Ireland
229. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the recent British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference with particular reference to legacy issues and the need to implement in...
- Department of Defence
- Departmental Expenditure
230. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will...
- Defence Forces
231. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the annual Army bill to the State for protecting the US military at Shannon Airport in each of the years 2010 to 2020, in tabular form. [60965/21]
- Air Corps
232. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date of the most recent air quality test carried out within the Air Corps main technical stores, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel and adjoining...
- Defence Forces
233. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the maximum and the current strength levels of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61078/21]
- Air Corps
235. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current total strength of Air Corps personnel; and the number of qualified military pilots, cadet pilots in training, qualified military...
- Naval Service
236. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Naval Service operations and patrols which have been cancelled to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Defence Forces
237. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61082/21]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Pension Provisions
240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a teaching pension decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Expenditure
241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if she will...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount her Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if she will make a...
- Schools Building Projects
243. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of pre-planning consultation that was carried out by her Department in respect of a planning application (details supplied); if this...
- Special Educational Needs
244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the lack of post-primary school places for children with additional education needs in north County Tipperary;...
- School Curriculum
246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that have been taken to develop a new relationship and sexual education curriculum for the primary, junior and senior cycle; when it is...
- Departmental Bodies
247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the working groups her Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group were selected. [61104/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that not all principals have received the document FAQ in relation to face masks and coverings in...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- State Pensions
249. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60886/21]
- Social Welfare Payments
250. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on a guardianship payment; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Data
251. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of all payments made by her Department to a company (details supplied) for 2012 and 2013; and the breakdown of...
- Departmental Communications
252. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the date on which a company (details supplied) drew the attention of her Department to complaints and allegations against an...
- Departmental Expenditure
253. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form;...
- Social Welfare Payments
254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an application for a lone parent's payment will be processed for a person (details supplied) given the family is in...
- Social Welfare Appeals
255. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on the review requested of the respite care grant application made by a person (details...
- Social Welfare Payments
256. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the rate of partial capacity benefit payment being paid to a person (details supplied) will be increased from €101...
- Social Welfare Inspections
259. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of home inspections that have happened in the past 12 months. [61111/21]
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Departmental Expenditure
260. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in...
- An Garda Síochána
261. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider creating a single central vetting procedure for teachers as an emergency measure to avoid...
- School Facilities
262. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Montessori schools or early learning centres that closed in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
264. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if antigen tests will be provided for the childhood sector free; and if his attention has been drawn to a...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Education
265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of approved degree course places, first year intake and final year graduates, graduate output, for counselling and psychotherapy in...
- Departmental Expenditure
278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will provide...
- Education Schemes
279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available in the case of a person (details supplied) to pursue a play therapy course; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Third Level Examinations
280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request that a person (details supplied) be permitted to sit university exams online given the exceptional circumstances in the case;...
- Departmental Consultations
281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the working groups his Department has with industry; the members of the groups; and the way the members of each group were selected. [61103/21]
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Citizenship Applications
282. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will review an application for naturalisation and citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied) in...
- International Protection
283. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are programmes available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Expenditure
284. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount her Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if...
- Prison Service
287. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position of her Department with respect to ensuring that female only prisons are reserved to those that are biologically...
- Immigration Policy
288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if circumstances described in correspondence (details supplied) will qualify under the recently announced scheme for...
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems
289. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the development of CCTV in local communities in north County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Department of Health
- Health Strategies
290. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commit to the full implementation of the Neurorehabilitation Strategy within the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Staff
291. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be made available to ensure that the shortfall of nine neurology nurses in Galway University Hospital will be filled as a matter of urgency;...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
292. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering including the option of providing a record of a negative test within the previous 24 hours as an alternative to proof of vaccination as...
- Health Services Staff
293. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1691 of 27 July 2021, if he will provide an update on the development of a regulatory framework for home support...
- Health Services
294. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding the orthopaedic needs of children with spina bifida and...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
295. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on works to provide a new local injuries unit at Ennis General Hospital; when the additional staff necessary to run this new facility will be...
- Vaccination Programme
298. To ask the Minister for Health when the HSE will implement NIAC advice to provide a booster dose for persons that received the one shot Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on...
- Covid-19 Tests
299. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take regarding the refunding of the cost of PCR and antigen tests for persons returning to Ireland have been incurring since the rule was...
- Vaccination Programme
301. To ask the Minister for Health the number of unused vaccines that have been disposed of by the State by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60910/21]
- Departmental Staff
303. To ask the Minister for Health the vacancies which exist within his Department; the length of these vacancies; when he expects these vacancies to be filled; and if he will make a statement...
- Hospital Closures
305. To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding Lifford Community Hospital; the expected length of closure; if it will be reopened to provide long or short stay beds; his plans for...
- Departmental Reports
306. To ask the Minister for Health when a report into the Brandon case will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60917/21]
- Departmental Expenditure
307. To ask the Minister for Health the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he will provide an additional...
- Health Services Staff
308. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing and midwifery staff employed by the HSE which are paid on the enhanced pay scale; the number which are not; and if he will make a...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
312. To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish the advice he received from AMRIC in relation to HEPA filters in schools. [60959/21]
- Hospital Appointments Status
314. 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. [60967/21]
- Ambulance Service
315. To ask the Minister for Health the median and mean length of the average and longest trip by a National Ambulance Service ambulance in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [60969/21]
- Primary Care Centres
324. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress made to provide a network of primary healthcare centres in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Hospital Staff
325. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) for 100 additional neurology nurse specialists across Ireland including five additional nurses...
- Departmental Funding
327. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that organisations (details supplied) receive the necessary allocation of core funding as requested to allow same to continue to provide a...
- Health Promotion
328. To ask the Minister for Health if he will act on the commitment to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60995/21]
- Covid-19 Tests
329. To ask the Minister for Health the requirement for persons who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 and hold a valid HSE recovery certificate in relation to the new international...
- Hospital Services
330. To ask the Minister for Health when 24/7 PPCI will be implemented at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61003/21]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
331. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that have received certificates that they have had Covid-19 to date; the number that are still valid; and if these numbers are included...
- Care Services
332. To ask the Minister for Health the amount his Department is paying agencies to pay private home care assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61012/21]
- Health Strategies
333. To ask the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care for under sevens will be introduced. [61021/21]
- Health Services Staff
334. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) for 100 extra neurology nurse specialists across Ireland; and if he will...
- Vaccination Programme
336. To ask the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 treatment regkirona which is approved by the European Medicines Agency will be made available to Irish patients; and if he will make a...
- Health Service Executive
338. To ask the Minister for Health when a homecare package can be implemented in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61075/21]
- Death Certificates
340. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a case (details supplied); if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61091/21]
- Vaccination Programme
341. To ask the Minister for Health the way a person (details supplied) can get a booster vaccine administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61102/21]
- Covid-19 Tests
342. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the trials of antigen tests in the early childhood sector. [61110/21]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Industry
343. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tonnage of quality assured beef produced in Ireland in 2020; the corresponding figure for non-quality assured beef; the breakdown...
- Departmental Programmes
344. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's progress on the expansion of support for social farming programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Expenditure
345. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if he...
- Fishing Industry
346. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the increase in the price of fishing licences and the delay in doing so meaning that licences are not issuing at...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
347. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department spent on Covid-19-related advertising in the period from 1 January 2020 to 30 November 2021; and if he will...
- Forestry Sector
348. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 2 December 2021, if a harvest plan was submitted with the application; the location of...
- Agriculture Schemes
354. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 747 of 30 November 2021, the number of participants that have actually planted forestry; the...
- Planning Issues
356. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials concluded discussions and arrived at a successful outcome with the Department of Housing, Local Government and...
- Forestry Sector
357. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an immediate need to increase the afforestation grant in line with his recent increase in the TAMS grant; and if he will...
- Work Permits
364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is instructing his officials to make the necessary arrangements with their counterparts in other Departments to enable work...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Departmental Expenditure
365. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on electricity costs in tabular form; and if she...
- Regional Development
366. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has directly assisted urban and rural communities in the course of the past two years; the extent...
- Digital Hubs
367. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department propose to encourage the creation of digital hubs outside of the main areas of investment...
- Departmental Programmes
369. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to encourage investment in the manufacturing and services sectors in areas of social and economic...
- Community Development Projects
373. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her proposals for the funding of projects nationwide through the LEADER programme in the forthcoming year; and if she will make a...
- Departmental Schemes
378. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the full extent of awards made by her Department under the town and village renewal scheme throughout Ireland; her expectations in...
- Voluntary Sector
381. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her proposals for the development of a national volunteering strategy and for the drawing up of a national social enterprise policy;...
- Library Services
382. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on whether public lending right payments to writers for loans of their books through the library system should be made on...
