Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
    • Domestic Violence
      6. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the expected timeline for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Childcare Services
      13. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to address high childcare costs. [28408/22]
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      14. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers' scheme [28538/22]
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      15. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the Transition Fund for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare and...
    • Childcare Services
      16. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable childcare throughout the...
    • Direct Provision System
      17. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure that all children and families in direct provision that are being moved from congregated...
    • Legislative Measures
      18. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consultation that he has held with social partners on the work life balance and miscellaneous provisions Bill...
    • Child Protection
      19. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for the implementation of each of the recommendations of the report of the Special Rapporteur on Child...
    • Childcare Services
      20. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to tackle the shortage of affordable childcare places in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Children in Care (1 comment)
      21. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for young people leaving care; the number of young people that have not been...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      22. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received reports from the county childcare committees on the adequacy of provision for children under...
    • Ukraine War
      23. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement her Department has had with relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving here from...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      25. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role that his Department is taking in leading and coordinating a whole of government approach to...
    • Childcare Services
      26. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare costs in 2022 or the latest such available data by county; his plans to tackle the costs...
    • Departmental Strategies
      28. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when work on the successor to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will be completed; and if he will make a...
    • Ukraine War
      29. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that his Department has in place for Ukrainian nationals arriving in Ireland; and if he will make a...
    • Gender Equality
      30. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on engagement with businesses in relation to the gender pay gap snapshot due in June 2022; and if he...
    • Child and Family Agency
      31. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a staffing shortage in fostering assessment teams in the south-east; the average length of time it...
    • Refugee Resettlement Programme
      32. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has taken place with regard to the cohort of UNHCR refugees based in Lebanon and Jordan that...
    • Childcare Services
      33. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy to make childcare more affordable and sustainable; and if he will make a...
    • Youth Services
      35. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the work that his Department has done in relation to using existing community facilities including schools as...
    • Gender Equality
      36. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Childcare Services
      38. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address the current recruitment crisis within the childcare sector; and if he will make...
    • Departmental Strategies
      39. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made regarding the transposition of the European Union Work Life Balance Directives to...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      40. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated the number of my little library book bags that have been distributed to date; and if he will make a...
    • Online Safety
      41. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is working on any policy initiatives to make the online sphere safer for Irish children. [28269/22]
    • Departmental Priorities
      42. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration has been given to introducing bereavement support for parents who suffer the loss of a child;...
    • Ukraine War
      43. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the €400 monthly payment for those altruistically hosting displaced Ukrainians to be...
    • Childcare Services
      44. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the challenges that have been experienced in the roll-out of the new core funding model for childcare providers;...
    • Direct Provision System
      45. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers that have been given own door accommodation since publication of the White Paper For...
    • Ukraine War
      46. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to refugees being accommodated in hotels (details supplied) in Dublin that have...
    • Direct Provision System
      47. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the White Paper to end direct provision; the timeline of proposed works and...
    • Ukraine War
      48. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the student housing supports that his Department is offering to help Ukrainian student refugees live on campuses...
    • Childcare Services
      49. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to reduce the costs of childcare for ordinary families.; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Maternity Leave
      50. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that he plans to improve the provision and payment rate of maternity leave and benefit in the State...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      51. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any meetings of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group have taken place since January 2022...
    • Departmental Programmes
      52. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for parent and toddler groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      53. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on Government plans with respect to a new State agency for Early Learning and Care...
    • Departmental Priorities
      56. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which services for children are deficient in a specific way, with particular reference to his...
    • International Protection
      57. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the contracts his Department has with a company (details supplied); if these were all open...
    • Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
      59. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions No. 154 of 23 March 2022, the engagement he has had with the Minister for...
    • Residential Institutions
      60. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made in meeting the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Survivors and Former...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      61. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy regarding the development and utilisation of digital and assistive technologies;...
    • Ukraine War
      64. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the support that are available to persons who have opened their homes to refugees from Ukraine; and if he will...
    • Parental Leave
      66. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of parents who availed of parents' leave in 2021; and when the extension of parents' leave from five...
    • Departmental Strategies
      67. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the implementation plan for the EU Child Guarantee to be ready; if he will outline the objectives...
    • Childcare Services
      68. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with childcare providers to discuss their concerns regarding the core funding model; and if he...
    • Ukraine War
      69. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being made available to youth services for young people and teenagers who have arrived in...
    • Child Protection
      70. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to Recommendation 17 (details supplied) of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection’s...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      71. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the discussions that he had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government regarding the need to provide funding...
    • Ukraine War
      72. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for Tusla to help with the arrival of unaccompanied minor refugees from Ukraine;...
    • Departmental Strategies
      73. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Community Integration Fund will be ready for announcement; if he will outline the aims of the fund and...
    • Direct Provision System
      74. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres that have been closed since the publication of the White Paper For Ending...
    • Childcare Services
      75. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare supports that are available to one parent families. [28409/22]
    • Ukraine War
      76. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the recent case of 60 Ukrainian refugees, including children attending school that were...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      77. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that his Department will take to tackle the weaknesses of Ireland’s operating model regarding...
    • Children in Care
      78. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a lack of respite foster placements in the south-east; if his attention has been drawn to families...
    • Ukraine War
      79. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being put in place by his Department to help persons who are displaced by the war in...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      80. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of the autism innovation strategy, including measures in place to facilitate the...
    • Ukraine War
      81. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to provide accommodation for the Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      82. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that his Department has made on enabling rights, following Ireland’s ratification of the...
    • Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
      83. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy to deliver increased domestic violence refuge provision across the country; and...
    • Child and Family Agency
      84. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that Tusla is not paying the pandemic bonus payment to its staff; and if he will make a statement on...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • Climate Change Policy
      97. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to establish a Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28478/22]
    • Inland Fisheries
      98. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the knowledge that he had that Inland Fisheries Ireland had 16 uninsured vehicles on the road at the time that one was...
    • Climate Change Policy
      99. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that has been made rolling out low-cost initiatives that can help families reduce costs and greenhouse gas...
    • Post Office Network
      100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans in relation to financing the post office network into the future. [28528/22]
    • Energy Policy
      101. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a recent report (details supplied) which suggests that fossil fuel industrial lobbyists in the United...
    • National Broadband Plan
      103. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total number of premises that will be passed by the roll-out of the National Broadband scheme; the date the...
    • Climate Change Policy
      104. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when it is planned to allocate the climate budget across the various sectors; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Air Quality
      105. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the proposed establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to...
    • Climate Change Policy
      106. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 7 April 2022, the status of the development of guidelines for the...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      107. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that his Department has made in developing a renewable heat obligation scheme. [28452/22]
    • Energy Conservation
      108. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the targets that his Department has for the retrofitting of local authority and privately-owned homes respectively, by...
    • Climate Change Policy
      109. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that his Department is supporting green and sustainability initiatives in the public service; and if he will...
    • Wind Energy Generation
      110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which sufficient investment in onshore and offshore wind energy infrastructure is taking place to ensure...
    • Electricity Transmission Network
      111. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the Celtic Interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27632/22]
    • Telecommunications Services
      112. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he is taking to improve mobile phone coverage in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • National Broadband Plan
      113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that is being made on the roll-out of fibre broadband under the National Broadband contract; the...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      114. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports that are in place for persons to carry out remediation works to their homes if they are found to be at...
    • Post Office Network
      115. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagements that he has had with other Departments regarding the provision of additional offline services at post...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      116. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his overall ambition for community energy here; the steps that he will take to ensure that barriers to progress in the...
    • Official Engagements
      121. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will detail his engagement with youth groups on climate action issues, their role in policy development; and if...
    • Inland Fisheries
      122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he plans to carry out an investigation into irregularities identified by the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland into...
    • Energy Policy
      123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the work of the District Heating Steering Group. [28447/22]
    • Waste Management
      124. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the commencement of operations of the deposit return scheme; the steps that have been taken by...
    • Energy Policy
      125. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the new solid fuel regulations; the date that the regulations will be published; and if he will make a...
    • National Broadband Plan
      126. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of high speed rural broadband in Cork South West. [28395/22]
    • Energy Policy
      127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 26 April 2022, if the Government Policy Statement on importing fracked gas...
    • National Broadband Plan
      129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan considering many persons in counties...
    • Inland Fisheries
      130. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason that he has chosen to investigate the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland given that it was the Board that...
    • Energy Policy
      131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the nature of any agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom with respect to the supply of natural gas to Ireland...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans for public engagement in relation to offshore renewable energy projects; the intended framework for that...
    • Energy Policy
      136. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the detail regarding the implementation of the Iberian exception will be published; if he considered the...
    • Energy Conservation
      137. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way that he can support the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with the increased number of queries that it is...
    • Post Office Network
      138. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the negotiations with An Post and an organisation (details supplied) to secure a public-service...
    • Litter Pollution
      139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the progress his Department is making to tackle littering and fly-tipping. [28415/22]
    • Energy Policy
      140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps that he intends taking to ensure that the indigenous supply of biodiesel, ethanol and biomethane is increased...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to review the OREDP 1; his views that there will be a requirement for a new SEA for this review; and if he...
    • Climate Change Policy
      144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on the implementation of sectoral carbon budgets; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • National Broadband Plan
      145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the sanctions that were applied to the provider of the National Broadband Plan for failure to reach targets; the future...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the development of the support scheme for small-scale generators above 50kW but smaller than those...
    • Air Quality
      147. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the infrastructure that is at the disposal of his Department and the State overall to monitor and track air pollution....
    • Energy Conservation
      149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the deep retrofit scheme will be in place and ready for contractors to begin work; if he is concerned that labour...
    • Air Quality
      150. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects the Clean Air Strategy to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28445/22]
    • Inland Fisheries
      151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is fully satisfied with staff appointments and the methods of interviews used in the western and north western...
    • Energy Policy
      152. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which he intends to build the State’s energy storage capacity which has the potential to cut annual...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Burial Grounds
      153. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to claims of a mistake on the beneficiary ownership registration of the Bessboro site in Cork; if...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      154. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon;...
    • Food Industry
      155. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings held by his Departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in...
    • Enterprise Support Services
      156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is any benefit available for businesses who are employing Ukrainians and providing a paid taxi service every day as they...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • Energy Conservation
      157. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address an anomaly in the process of applying for a retrofitting grant (details supplied); and if he will...
    • Waste Management
      158. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a SME test has or will be conducted on the proposed ban on the use of single-use cups when dining in cafés, as...
    • Fuel Poverty
      160. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his Department’s strategy to help alleviate fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24683/22]
    • Climate Change Policy
      161. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider a call to create a centre of excellence for the circular economy embracing science, design,...
    • Energy Policy
      162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues in regard to the vital matter of energy security...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      164. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the support measures that are in place for persons who cannot afford to mitigate radon exposure in their homes; and if...
    • Energy Prices
      166. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the VAT reduction as of 1 May 2022 many ESB customers are not...
    • Energy Policy
      174. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 10 May 2022, if the review of the security of energy supply is now...
    • Turf Cutting
      175. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the issue of turf sale and consumption further to previous parliamentary replies; his views on whether the...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      177. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the scheme to allow persons who invested in microgeneration systems to receive payment for energy exported to the...
    • Energy Conservation
      178. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the retrofit programme will be in place; the number of one-stop-shops in place to date; and if he will make a...
    • National Broadband Plan
      179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which high-speed, modern broadband is being extended to all areas throughout the country; when this work...
    • Climate Change Policy
      183. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which focus is being made to meet climate action requirements with particular reference to meeting carbon...
    • Energy Prices
      189. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which he expects to be in a position to protect the consumer from rising energy prices; and if he will...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      190. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the extent to which wind, wave or solar energy are being developed to meet Ireland’s climate change targets; and...
    • National Broadband Plan
      191. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that has been made to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Cavan; the progress...
    • Telecommunications Services
      193. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has had any recent communication with the Communications Regulator or the telecommunications companies in...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Maritime Safety
      194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of marine recreational very-high frequency radio licences, call signs and maritime mobile service identity numbers that are...
    • Electric Vehicles
      195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that he is putting in place to ensure that the necessary public European Union charging infrastructure is put in place to deal...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and...
    • School Transport
      197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has carried out costings on the provision of free transport for all school children; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Road Traffic Accidents
      198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has informed himself or conducted any research in relation to the number of the road fatalities out of the total number and...
    • Taxi Licences
      199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the incentives that he is considering to increase the amount of taxis in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/22]
    • Road Projects
      200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 20 of 25 May 2022, the date that was provided to his Department by Kerry County Council confirming...
    • Greenways Provision
      203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position in relation to the construction of the South Kerry Greenway between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, County Kerry; and...
    • Ports Policy
      204. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made to date in updating the State’s port policy in view of the increasing importance of port capacity...
    • Public Transport
      205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the attention of his Department has been drawn to reliability issues with the escalators connecting the entrance to Connolly station...
    • Airport Security
      206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that are in place to deal with chronic queues and delays at Dublin Airport; the Dublin Airport Authority will be liable for any...
    • Public Transport
      207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if arrangements will be made that public transport companies publish route performance data to provide greater transparency to customers...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      208. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider an income disregard similar to the rent a room-a-scheme in respect of income for persons renting out a sole stand-alone property to...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      209. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he will make a...
    • Tax Code
      210. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the principle of a windfall tax on the super-normal profits of energy companies operating in the Irish market; the progress that his Department...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Radon Gas Levels
      214. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and...
    • Departmental Contracts
      215. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will list all contracts that an architectural firm (details supplied) has been awarded by his Department; the values of these...
    • Flood Risk Management
      216. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or the Minister for State with responsibility for the OPW will meet a local delegation in relation to the south Mayo flood relief...
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Radon Gas Levels
      217. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for...
    • Food Industry
      218. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the meetings held by her Departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      219. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a capital grant that had been earmarked for a town (details supplied) in County Kerry by her Department in the past remains...
    • Sports Funding
      220. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he expects the next round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme to open for new applications; and if she will make a...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Wildlife Protection
      222. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the last independent survey using objective research methods was carried out on the population of wild hares in Ireland....
    • Energy Conservation
      223. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has the data on the number of social housing properties under the control of local authorities in which the...
    • Planning Issues
      224. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide the full list of all nominations received by prescribed bodies pursuant to section 106 of the Planning...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      225. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of local authority homes that have been tested for radon in the past five years, by county; if there is a...
    • Rental Sector
      227. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps that he is taking to ensure that small landlords stay in the rental market rather than selling their properties; and...
    • Housing Schemes
      228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Croí Cónaithe will be extended to apply to single one-off derelicts in the countryside, such as the thousands of...
    • Planning Issues
      230. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the organisation that nominated the current deputy chairperson of An Bord Pleanála for appointment as an ordinary member...
    • Waterways Issues
      231. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures that will be implemented at an early date to progress a project (details supplied) as substantial preparatory...
    • Planning Issues
      232. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of decisions made by a public body (details supplied) given that the same body is investigating a large number of...
    • Housing Provision
      233. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures which are in place to verify the authenticity of performance records and statements from local authorities in...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Passport Services
      234. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made to improve the Oireachtas Passport Helpline; the position of his Department on the opening of a dedicated...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      235. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if...
    • Passport Services
      236. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that this person applied for their passport on 16 March 2022....
    • Northern Ireland
      255. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his most recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in Stormont in...
  • Department of Defence
    • Defence Forces
      260. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans, if any to increase the age limit for applications for the Army Cadets. [28552/22]
    • Radon Gas Levels
      261. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he...
    • Defence Forces
      262. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has conducted any assessment of the adverse effects of offshore windfarms on air defence radar; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Ukraine War
      263. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement that his Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving from Ukraine and the coordination...
    • Teaching Council of Ireland
      264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will expedite the application for a Teaching Council number of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
    • School Meals Programme
      265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if discussions are expected with the Department of Social Protection regarding all schools that were awarded DEIS status in March 2022 that will...
    • School Accommodation
      266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the overcrowding in primary schools across Limerick county which has now increased due to the enrolment of...
    • Residential Institutions
      268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Retention of Records Bill 2019; her plans for the archives of the Ryan Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary schools that are in high-risk areas for radon exposure and the percentage of those that have been tested for...
    • School Transport
      271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of the provision of school buses each year to students in primary and secondary school; if her Department has carried out a...
    • Departmental Contracts
      272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will list all contracts that an architectural firm (details supplied) has been awarded by her Department; the amounts of these contracts;...
    • Schools Building Projects
      273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a list of all architects and architectural firms that have been awarded school building projects since 1 January 2020; the...
    • Energy Conservation
      274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary schools that have undertaken an energy retrofit as part of the national energy efficient retrofit pathfinder...
    • Renewable Energy Generation
      276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the electrical installations replacement scheme that is available for schools; the number of schools, both primary and secondary...
    • Schools Building Projects
      278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by a school (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28706/22]
    • School Staff
      283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will sanction an additional teacher for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28782/22]
    • Special Educational Needs
      284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of full school-based summer programmes in 2022 for special schools and classes in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Schools Building Projects
      289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28825/22]
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Payments
      290. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a report which was completed by a certified medical professional was not accepted for a pension application...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      291. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for...
    • School Meals Programme
      292. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of funding that has been provided to the school meals programme for the past five years by county; and if she will...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons with a long-Covid diagnosis will be entitled to illness benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Community Employment Schemes
      295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that her Department has failed to honour an Enhanced Redundancy Agreement for community employment supervisors...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      298. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has plans to further increase the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance this autumn in view of the...
    • Social Welfare Inspections
      300. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the precise legislative provision that authorises home inspections as envisaged by article 4.2 and 4.3 of the Code of...
  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      303. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when all the details of the nurturing skills package will be released; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Gender Equality
      304. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the detail of the ongoing work of his Department to tackle the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement...
    • Ukraine War
      305. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place to support those who take in Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement...
    • Refugee Resettlement Programme
      306. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees from Afghanistan who are currently being hosted in the homes of Irish families in the...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      308. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to a key conclusion in the research report, The Cost of Disability in Ireland, that persons with a...
    • Ukraine War
      310. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels that will be used exclusively to house refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      312. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have...
    • Children in Care
      313. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the foster care allowance will be increased; if the allowance will be index-linked; and if he will make a...
    • Departmental Programmes
      315. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which integration programmes are currently in place with a view to addressing the needs of...
    • Rights of People with Disabilities
      316. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to meet the needs of people with disabilities of all ages and...
    • Youth Services
      318. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with youth groups and representatives in County Kildare and...
    • Child Protection
      319. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the attention of he and his Department has been drawn to children who may be at risk for one...
    • Childcare Services
      320. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts currently in hand to ensure that Ireland can have a national childcare scheme where the prices paid...
    • Ukraine War
      322. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer assistance to children and families fleeing from the...
    • Departmental Policies
      323. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he proposes to use equality as a means of ensuring proper and adequate services to those...
    • Ukraine War
      324. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that Ukrainian refugees who are currently being accommodated in hotels around Dublin are able...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that was spent in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 on apprenticeships. [28642/22]
    • Adult Education Provision
      327. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether or not between the years 1994 to 2005, adult education officers were classed as teachers or otherwise, the number of hours per week such...
    • Ukraine War
      328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement that his Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving from Ukraine and the coordination...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he...
    • Research and Development
      330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to merge Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council; and if he will make...
    • Further and Higher Education
      333. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provides funding towards hardship funds administered by third-level colleges and universities to assist students facing...
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      335. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost to the Exchequer of abolishing apprenticeship registration fees broken down by consortia-led and craft; the average cost per...
    • Further and Higher Education
      339. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated capital expenditure in higher education broken down by project in 2022, in tabular form; if this figure includes public private...
    • Student Accommodation
      342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average capital investment required per institution-owned student bed delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28823/22]
    • Further and Higher Education
      343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-time equivalent cost of each undergraduate medical student, nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist; and if he will...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Citizenship Applications
      344. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason that a person (details supplied) failed to get citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28710/22]
    • Ukraine War
      345. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the engagement her Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving here from Ukraine and...
    • Bench Warrants
      346. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of bench warrants issued in each of the past five years by Irish courts and the number of warrants executed for each...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      347. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for...
    • Visa Applications
      348. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 615, 616 and 618 of 17 May 2022, if she will provide information in relation to the nine...
    • Family Reunification
      349. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department will consider an appeal to an application (details supplied). [28630/22]
    • Legal Aid
      351. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the breakdown of legal aid payments for 2019, 2020 and 2021 by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28668/22]
    • Information and Communications Technology
      352. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of her plans to support the roll-out of facial recognition technology; the analysis that her Department has...
    • Deportation Orders
      353. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied) is ever likely to be revoked given that the tone of replies...
    • Citizenship Applications
      354. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if and when citizenship will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) who has graduated from primary and second...
    • Immigration Status
      355. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the issuance of an updated Stamp 4 will be granted in the case of the children of a person (details supplied); if their...
    • Coroners Service
      356. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider introducing a complaints process and an appeals mechanism in relation to the Coroner’s Court; and...
    • Immigration Policy
      357. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if marriages of Irish citizens in Utah, USA, are recognised in Ireland in cases in which the ceremonies have taken place...
  • Department of Health
    • Disability Services
      359. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28713/22]
    • Ukraine War
      364. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement that his Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving from Ukraine and the coordination of services,...
    • Emergency Departments
      365. To ask the Minister for Health when the issue of the average waiting time in the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick will be addressed, in view of the fact that the...
    • Health Services
      366. To ask the Minister for Health the allocations for counties Laois and Offaly contained in the HSE Capital Plan 2022; if he will address concerns that there is a major disparity in the...
    • Disability Services
      367. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine a matter regarding the lack of personal assistance hours for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Radon Gas Levels
      368. To ask the Minister for Health the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he will make a...
    • Health Services Staff
      369. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of occupational therapist posts assigned within the primary care services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      371. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request his Department to launch an awareness campaign for patients and general practitioners to ensure that those with long-Covid can be supported...
    • Ambulance Service
      372. To ask the Minister for Health if he will re-categorise intermediate care operators from general support staff to ambulance staff or a more appropriate category which reflects the changing...
    • National Maternity Hospital
      374. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE has signed the agreements with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital; if not, the expected...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      377. To ask the Minister for Health when the pandemic special recognition payment of up to a maximum of €1,000 per person will be made to non-HSE frontline healthcare workers; when staff...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      378. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that insulin pump upgrades have been paused in Cork University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28621/22]
    • Departmental Contracts
      379. To ask the Minister for Health if he will list all contracts that an architectural firm (details supplied) has been awarded by his Department; the amounts of these contracts; the dates that...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      380. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their approved appliance; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/22]
    • Disability Services
      381. To ask the Minister for Health when the approved three personal-assistance hours will be implemented in the case of a child (details supplied) who has been waiting nearly one year for...
    • Health Services
      384. To ask the Minister for Health if detailed consideration will be given to issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to healthcare provision; and if he will make a...
    • Disability Services
      385. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE sought additional funding for St. Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal in order to provide a more secure environment...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      386. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28670/22]
    • Hospital Staff
      387. To ask the Minister for Health if a child psychologist will be provided for University Hospital, Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/22]
    • Eating Disorders
      388. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts that are being made to improve the awareness of eating disorders and to provide local services for people suffering from these disorders; and if he...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      389. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the authorisation of insulin pumps in CHO 5 to those under and over 21 years of age in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      391. To ask the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28711/22]
    • Vaccination Programme
      392. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the Covid-19 injury compensation scheme, in particular the commencement date remit and the procedures for applicants to follow. [28715/22]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic
      393. To ask the Minister for Health the provisions that his Department is making to provide multidisciplinary clinics with upskilled occupational therapists for post-Covid care in both acute...
    • Pharmacy Services
      396. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of pharmacists and the difficulty in sourcing locums; the reason for this situation; the steps that are...
    • Health Services Staff
      397. To ask the Minister for Health the precise workforce planning that is being undertaken and the liaison with other Departments in order to ensure an adequate number of training places to...
    • Dental Services
      398. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of dentists who are available to treat patients who have medical cards; if he will ensure that sufficient resources...
    • Disability Services
      400. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that charges will no longer be imposed by the HSE on persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28811/22]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      401. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients aged 60-74 and 75+ on hospital waiting lists for 0-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months and 18+ months by hospital and by...
    • Dental Services
      402. To ask the Minister for Health if detailed consideration will be given to issues outlined by a national representative organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Health Services Staff
      403. To ask the Minister for Health the international recruitment campaigns that are underway at present for healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28819/22]
    • Disability Services
      404. To ask the Minister for Health if any other residential facilities for people with disabilities in Ireland other than St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in Stranorlar in County Donegal...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Radon Gas Levels
      405. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon;...
    • Hare Coursing
      406. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there has ever been a consultation between his Department and an organisation (details supplied) regarding hare coursing. [28606/22]
    • Live Exports
      407. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 706 and 707 of 24 May 2022, if he will address a query regarding a television documentary...
    • Food Industry
      408. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings held by his Departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in...
    • Aquaculture Industry
      409. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position regarding licences (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28689/22]
    • Harbours and Piers
      410. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of funding that has been set aside out of the Brexit compensation fund for the fishing industry for work on piers...
    • Fishing Industry
      411. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application by a person (details supplied) for registration as an Irish fishing master will be decided; the reason for the...
    • Forestry Sector
      412. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the expenditure by the forestry division in his Department is in line with budget for the month of May 2022 and ensuring that...
    • Animal Welfare
      418. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding streams that are available for persons who are looking after animals that are victims of animal cruelty; the criteria for...
    • Horticulture Sector
      419. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when measures will be implemented to assist the mushroom and horticulture sectors due to the difficulties that have arisen in...
    • Forestry Sector
      420. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests for private felling licences issued by his Department for the week commencing 23 May 2022,...
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
    • Digital Hubs
      422. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid available from her Department, if any, for local private digital enterprise hubs; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Rural Schemes
      423. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give immediate consideration to implementing a derogation to Section 8.3 of LEADER Operating Rules which explicitly...
    • Radon Gas Levels
      424. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon;...
    • Rural Schemes
      425. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for Clár funding by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....