Written answers
Wednesday, 2 March 2022
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Fossil Fuel Subsidies
35. To ask the Taoiseach the amount and value of fossil fuel subsidies paid by the State in 2020 and 2021; the proportion of that expenditure that applies to the exemption of jet kerosene used...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Digital Ireland Framework
39. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount budgeted for the Digital Ireland Framework; if he will review the framework on an annual basis; and if he will open a...
- EU Directives
40. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the review on the transposition by primary legislation of EU Directive 2019/1152 on Transparent and Predictable Working...
- Data Centres
41. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if officials in his Department will engage with a person (details supplied) regarding setting up a data centre strategy for Ireland;...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Environmental Policy
42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he plans to formulate planning guidelines in relation to battery storage units (details supplied); and if he will...
- North-South Interconnector
43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if a response will issue to same;...
- National Broadband Plan
44. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of apprentices that have been taken for the National Broadband Plan in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and...
- Energy Policy
45. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the eligibility criteria for the energy credit by those paying a flat rate electricity fee in caravan parks. [11900/22]
- Electricity Grid
46. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if qualification for the energy credit requires the possession of a meter point reference number. [11901/22]
- Broadband Infrastructure
47. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 22 February 2022, the operators providing wireless and broadband services...
- Environmental Schemes
48. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the new retrofitting grants for homeowners will become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Energy Conservation
49. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the first of the proposed one-stop-shops will open to advise householders in relation to retrofitting and...
- Renewable Energy Generation
50. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to introduce the long overdue scheme to pay persons for the excess energy generated by solar panels fitted...
- Air Quality
51. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the proposed smoky coal ban will be in place from 1 September 2022; if so, when the regulations will be published;...
- EU Regulations
52. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of compliance monitoring reports undertaken by an organisation (details supplied) under SI No. 358/2020 -...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Electric Vehicles
54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide the necessary charging points required in public spaces to support persons who are purchasing electric vehicles in...
- Aviation Industry
57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will commence work to devise a new national aviation policy. [11842/22]
- Public Transport
59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a monthly or annual travel pass that allows public transport users to use various modes of transport and...
- Road Projects
60. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected timelines for the next stage of the Ardee bypass; the targeted timelines for commencement; and if he will make a statement...
- Rail Network
61. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with Irish Rail and the NTA in respect of reopening Dunleer railway station in order to enhance public transport options...
- Public Transport
62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if private coach and bus operators will be included in the scheme to reduce fares by 20% on all public service obligation routes; and if...
- Bus Services
66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the BusConnects roll-out in Dublin following the launch of two sections of the new network; and if he will make a statement...
- Active Travel
67. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the 248 new posts for active travel teams in local authorities that have been filled; the number that currently remain...
- Departmental Expenditure
69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the €240 million funding for 468 sustainable travel projects in a funding programme directed at the four Dublin...
- Electric Vehicles
73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of electric hybrid buses in operation on public service obligation transport routes at present; the areas that these are...
- Rail Network
74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date in the development and expansion of railway services essential for the transition to low or zero-carbon...
- Road Safety
76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of schools that have benefited from the safe routes to schools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11965/22]
- Departmental Schemes
78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of recipients of the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant scheme since the year of its introduction; and if he will make a...
- Public Transport
79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the support from his Department to help make all public transport services accessible, in particular public transport...
- Aviation Industry
80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when transatlantic flights will resume from Shannon Airport; the supports which have been provided to the Shannon Group to date; and if he...
- Departmental Policies
81. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date in respect of the development of drone policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11970/22]
- Driver Test
82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of heavy goods vehicle driving tests provided; the pass rate from 1 September 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on...
- Public Transport
83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a proposal by a group (details supplied) in the context of his evaluation of a draft strategy for the MetroLink...
- Department of Finance
- Land Issues
85. To ask the Minister for Finance if NAMA could make part or all of the land it owns or controls at a site (details supplied) available for public use; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Credit Unions
88. To ask the Minister for Finance when he will be making the regulatory changes to enable credit unions to significantly increase their footprint in the mortgage market and honour the...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Office of Public Works
91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request an update from OPW officials in relation to the expected timeline for the removal of fencing located in the Old Abbey...
- Flood Risk Management
92. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will take into charge an issue regarding erosion at a private property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- An Teanga Gaeilge
94. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cuntas a thabhairt ar an mbéim shonrach ar an dáileadh méadaithe i mBuiséad 2021 maidir le hearnálacha na...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Waterways Issues
95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which the Royal Canal boundaries are defined on either side of the canal from Clonsilla train station to...
- Defective Building Materials
96. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of an application made by Clare County Council for a pyrite redress scheme for homeowners in County Clare. [11844/22]
- Housing Provision
97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the provision of social and affordable housing in County Clare. [11845/22]
- Vacant Properties
98. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the consideration that has been given to the proposals from the collaborative town centre health check and other new methods of...
- Housing Provision
99. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will supply the details of any proposed cost rental homes in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Climate Change Policy
105. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 16 February 2022, the engagement he or his Department has had with the Department...
- Defective Building Materials
106. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the work of the working group to examine defects in housing; when he expects the final report to be completed;...
- Local Authorities
107. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of plans to appoint a permanent CEO of Galway County Council; the status of the recruitment campaign; when he...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Conflicts
108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will put practical measures in place to facilitate Ukrainian citizens who are related to Irish citizens, including grandparents, to...
- Election Monitoring Missions
109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is prepared to send election observers to Hungary to observe its upcoming elections in April 2022; and if he will make a...
- Passport Services
110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the passport office will fully reopen in line with operations pre-March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11812/22]
- Cumarsáid Aireachta
115. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade an bhfuil sé chun iarraidh a dhéanamh ar údaráis na Breataine fiosrúchán oifigiúil a dhéanamh faoi...
- Foreign Conflicts
116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department will provide practical assistance to Ukrainian citizens who are physically trying to travel to Ireland to live with family...
- Passport Services
118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to reduce the delays for first-time passport applications; and the number of backlog applications awaiting...
- Foreign Conflicts
119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to provide aid to individuals and families fleeing violence in Ukraine. [12160/22]
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces
121. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to award a pandemic service medal to members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11925/22]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Schools Building Projects
122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of the recently purchased site for the relocation of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11915/22]
- Flexible Work Practices
123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the interactions between her Department and education and training boards in relation to a hybrid working model for staff; the engagements that...
- Residential Institutions
125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the report issued to her by Caranua, entitled Evaluation of the impact of Caranua in providing funding supports to survivors of...
- School Discipline
127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the processes that are in place in her Department to help and support children and young adults who are subject to expulsion from schools; if...
- Special Educational Needs
128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a request by a school (details supplied) for an exceptional review of its SNA hours with the National Council...
- School Accommodation
129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is scheduled to open two classes for children with ASD and one...
- Special Educational Needs
130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 22 February 2022, if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) which had an allocation of two...
- School Admissions
131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the future planning requirement for primary school places in Mullingar with specific reference to current demand versus the number of places that...
- Schools Building Projects
132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made with the building of a school (details supplied); when it is scheduled to open; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Reports
133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the publication of the review on current and future provision of out of school education. [12149/22]
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
134. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way her Department determines the number of hours of care that need to be provided for a carer on a full-time basis under...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Emergency Accommodation
138. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the situation in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation for persons arising...
- Asylum Seekers
139. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commit to resettle Ukrainian refugees with family members living in Ireland. [12158/22]
- Childcare Services
140. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children enrolled in school age children services nationally. [11805/22]
- Asylum Seekers
141. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a list of the migrant reception centres in Dublin 9 and 11 will be provided; and if he will make a statement...
- Legislative Programme
142. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the legislative proposals to be introduced to provide for an extension of current...
- Asylum Seekers
143. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for persons in emergency accommodation centres for asylum seekers to be issued with an...
- Official Engagements
144. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of meetings he has had with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission concerning the Birth...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Apprenticeship Programmes
145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprenticeship applications that are outstanding; the number of apprenticeship applications in the construction sector; and if he...
- Student Accommodation
146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [11904/22]
- Third Level Fees
147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the increased distance criteria for SUSI and income thresholds will be in place for the forthcoming applications in the 2022-2023 academic...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Student Visas
148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average processing time for student visas, both short stay C visas and long stay D visas; the actions she will take to...
- International Relations
151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a refusal of mutual assistance request (details supplied); if the decision can be appealed and the...
- Citizenship Applications
152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11907/22]
- Work Permits
153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to a person from Brazil who has been living in Ireland since they were three years of age whose parents did...
- Antisocial Behaviour
154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the initiatives that are available for communities to install CCTV to combat antisocial behaviour. [11981/22]
- Asylum Seekers
155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting time for persons in emergency accommodation centres for asylum seekers to be issued with an appointment or...
- Citizenship Applications
156. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date regarding an application of citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Foreign Conflicts
157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will put in place humanitarian admission provisions for persons from Ukraine fleeing the current violence. [12159/22]
- Department of Health
- Health Services
158. To ask the Minister for Health his plans in relation to the restoration of services at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11804/22]
- Health Service Executive
159. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 9 February 2022, if he will provide details of the clinical specialities that are represented on the Therapeutics...
- Hospital Appointments Status
160. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with an urgent appointment for a PET scan at St. James’s Hospital, Dublin; and if...
- Health Services
161. To ask the Minister for Health if the contact details of a new clinic will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/22]
- Abortion Services
162. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to retain the option to access termination of pregnancy services by telephone or video conference consultation as recommended as an option by...
- Health Strategies
163. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the scheme for free contraception for 17 to 25 year olds; the timeframe for commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Mental Health Services
165. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on his engagements on the whole-of-Government youth mental health pathfinder unit; the governance, legal complexities and issues...
- Medical Cards
166. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that a person (details supplied) who was in possession of a full medical card which expired during Covid was only reissued with a general...
- Health Services Staff
169. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria for health and social care professionals registration for physiotherapists who achieve their qualification within the European Union but outside...
- Nursing Homes
170. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made with respect to the reform of the fair deal scheme to remove disincentives to selling or renting homes that have been vacated as a...
- Health Services
171. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on physiotherapy waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the length of...
- Mental Health Services
178. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on psychology waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the length of waiting...
- Nursing Homes
181. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on nursing homes support scheme waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the...
- Health Services
182. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on home support for funding and for service provision waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point...
- Dental Services
183. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on dentistry waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the length of waiting...
- Disabilities Assessments
185. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on assessment of need waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the length of...
- Health Services
187. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on diagnostic waiting lists by CHO at the end of 2021 and at the latest available data point broken down age and by the length of waiting...
- Vaccination Programme
188. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the position regarding matters (details supplied) in relation to the management and staffing arrangements for the Covid-19 HSE...
- Health Services
189. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1415 of 19 January 2022, if there are further updates in relation to the matter. [11886/22]
- Disability Services
190. To ask the Minister for Health when the shortage of dedicated residential places in the catchment area in County Kerry will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11888/22]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
191. To ask the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus will be paid to frontline workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11889/22]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
192. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made with the tender for an audiology testing facility for Tuam primary care centre; when the testing facility will be operational;...
- Legislative Reviews
193. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a full breakdown of the areas being covered in the research being carried out by a person (details supplied) as part of the three year...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
194. To ask the Minister for Health if he will include supplementary allowance payments to persons who are amputees who work and have medical cards granted on a discretionary basis to assist in...
- Health Services
195. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the need to improve services; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Covid-19 Tests
197. To ask the Minister for Health if he will make low-cost PCR tests widely available in view of the decision to wind down testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11911/22]
- Health Services
198. To ask the Minister for Health if there has been any progress on the refurbishment of Monasterevin daycare centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11924/22]
- Dental Services
199. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists participating in the dental treatment services scheme per CHO region per year from inception; the number of dentists that have withdrawn...
- Departmental Correspondence
200. To ask the Minister for Health if he will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11977/22]
- Disease Management
201. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to issues raised in correspondence by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11994/22]
- Medicinal Products
202. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the reimbursement of the gene therapy treatment luxturna for persons suffering with inherited retinal diseases (details...
- General Practitioner Services
206. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the inability of persons to access antenatal and postnatal general practitioner care if they opt for a home birth despite their entitlement...
- Dental Services
207. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12005/22]
- Mental Health Services
208. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vacant positions to be filled in the mental health services in CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12006/22]
- Health Services
209. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time a patient who has been diagnosed must wait on the waiting list before they can apply for the treatment abroad scheme when a patient has been...
- Medicinal Products
210. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of hormone replacement therapy medication specifically hormone patches for women going through menopause; the...
- Health Services
211. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients per CHO on neurology waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12010/22]
- Health Services Staff
212. To ask the Minister for Health his plans in relation to increasing the number of neurology nurse specialists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12011/22]
- Departmental Priorities
213. To ask the Minister for Health the expected timeframe for the establishment of the national diabetes registry; the engagements that have taken place in relation to eHealth and the registry;...
- Disease Management
215. To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish a multi-disciplinary team to provide the necessary specialist support for sufferers of Huntington’s disease; and if he will make a...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
217. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who are approved for devices (details supplied) through the long-term illness scheme; and the number who are over 21 years...
- Health Services
220. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to assist a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12029/22]
- Dental Services
221. To ask the Minister for Health if an issue in relation to dental work for medical card holders will be addressed as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Health Services
222. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12034/22]
- Covid-19 Tests
223. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider continuing local access to free PCR tests for persons who require a negative result to access services in a public hospital after 28...
- Hospital Facilities
224. To ask the Minister for Health when University Hospital Limerick will become a DAFNE-accredited diabetes centre; and the number of whole-time equivalent posts (details supplied) currently in...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
225. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for a device (details supplied) by the long-term iIlness scheme or the primary care reimbursement service;...
- Hospital Admissions
227. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through University of Limerick hospital group accident and emergency or the acute medical assessment units due...
- Hospital Services
228. To ask the Minister for Health when University Hospital Limerick will become a DAFNE-accredited diabetes centre; the number of full-time consultant endocrinologists, diabetes specialist...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
229. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for devices (details supplied) through the long-term illness scheme or the primary care reimbursement...
- General Practitioner Services
231. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the stress and worry patients in small towns and villages in rural Ireland are experiencing due to the closure of many...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Forestry Sector
232. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the agricultural schemes under which a landowner can plant up to one hectare of land without obtaining a forestry licence. [11806/22]
- Research and Development
233. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department plans to continue funding the duck weed carbon sequestration research that is ongoing at Mount Lucas, Edenderry,...
- Departmental Programmes
234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it can be expected that he will announce an operational programme for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund...
- Harbours and Piers
235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will continue to provide Departmental funding for coastal infrastructure to ensure that those harbours and slipways that are...
- Weather Events
238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of compensation for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12035/22]
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Departmental Schemes
239. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to review the CLÁR areas in County Cavan to include an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Broadband Infrastructure
241. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the roll-out of broadband connection points; the number that have been connected to date by county; the number planned...
- Official Engagements
244. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of any engagement her Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the proposal for the development of...