Written answers
Wednesday, 29 June 2022
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Foreign Direct Investment
1. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will share his Department's enterprise contingency plan in the event of decreasing levels of foreign direct investment in Ireland...
- Enterprise Support Services
2. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grant aid and-or funding that is available to start-up enterprises and-or businesses that have ambition to establish a new...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Energy Prices
3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures that are in place to help with energy costs. [34594/22]
- Departmental Schemes
4. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the correct application of the €200 energy grants to a rented property in cases in which there are submeters for...
- Electricity Supply Board
6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way a family (details supplied) that is waiting for an ESB connection in order to be able to move back into their...
- Departmental Bodies
7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the annual costs associated with the work of the Climate Change Advisory Council to date; and if he will make a statement...
- Climate Action Plan
8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when Ireland's long-term climate action strategy will be published as the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act...
- Fuel Poverty
9. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review of Ireland's energy poverty strategy; when the review will be published; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Schemes
10. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to an SEAI single-use grant application (details supplied); if there are plans to change...
- Energy Infrastructure
11. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has plans to deal with the issues facing residents under a district heating scheme (details supplied)....
- Energy Policy
13. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to ensure gas, liquid and solid fuel supply for winter 2022 in view of ongoing and expected...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Transport Costs
14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that are in place to help with transport costs. [34594/22]
- Departmental Schemes
15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the criteria to qualify for a disabled persons parking permit will be reviewed as there are a number of medical conditions that do not...
- Driver Test
16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test for a healthcare worker (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34635/22]
- Public Transport
17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 14 June 2022 (details supplied), if he will provide a list of the new services that will be...
- Greenways Provision
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to receive the findings of a feasibility study into the development of the Quiet Man greenway, connecting Athenry to...
- Rail Network
20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his plans to double-track the rail line from Athenry to Galway city; and a timeline for same. [34971/22]
- Department of Finance
- Tax Reliefs
21. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address an issue with the first-time buyers scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34709/22]
- Public Sector Staff
23. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 18 May 2022, the number of appointments to the grade of assistant principal in the Limerick region; the reason for...
- Fuel Prices
24. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence regarding fuel costs for the haulage industry (details supplied). [34685/22]
- Tax Reliefs
25. To ask the Minister for Finance if tax relief (details supplied) for taking care of an incapacitated individual at the same time as tax relief on employing a home carer will be applied to the...
- Banking Sector
29. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review issues raised by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in relation to the proposed withdrawal of banks from the Irish market; and...
- Tax Code
30. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider Ireland’s position on the global minimum tax rate in view of the fiscal challenges impacting and expected to impact Ireland and...
- Regulatory Bodies
31. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons assigned to the regulatory section within the Central Bank who are dedicated to the building society market; if he will provide details...
- Banking Sector
32. To ask the Minister for Finance if he and or his officials have developed any plans to launch a State-owned building society. [34831/22]
- Tax Reliefs
33. To ask the Minister for Finance if the reimbursement rate under the drivers and passengers with disabilities fuel grant will be increased to reflect recent increases in fuel prices. [34992/22]
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Sports Funding
34. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects to launch the next sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34597/22]
- Irish Language
35. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide classes for Irish language learners in a community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Cúrsaí Gaeilge
36. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil i gceist aici coiste a bhunú ar a mbeidh ionadaíocht leathan ag earnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge, ar...
- Broadcasting Sector
37. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received any request for additional funding from RTÉ in order to make settlements with the Revenue Commissioners...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Rental Sector
38. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of complaints received by the Residential Tenancies Board relating to the €200 electricity credit payment;...
- Homeless Accommodation
39. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way local authorities determine who is homeless; the powers local authorities have to decide who is homeless and eligible...
- Housing Provision
40. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will indicate each of the programmes or work streams of the Land Development Agency and, in each case, the target volume...
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
42. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a licensed boat owner who has had their boat moored in Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied) for the past ten...
- Wind Energy Guidelines
43. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the results of the focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines relating to minimum setback distance for...
- Housing Policy
44. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will review the income limits in the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended, of 19 April 2021 (details...
- Departmental Surveys
45. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to commence a national hedgerow survey; and if he will make a...
- Housing Policy
47. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if any form of rental assistance is available to a person who has split from their spouse and who has left the family home but...
- Hare Coursing
48. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider refusing the granting of hare coursing licences for the 2022-2023 coursing season taking into account the...
- Wildlife Regulations
50. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date on which he received the results of the urban gulls consultative committee; and the number of local authorities and...
- Housing Policy
55. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans in relation to the shortage of housing and the current cost-of-living crisis. [34846/22]
- Building Regulations
61. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the action that is being taken to address quarries that are producing substandard building materials that give rise to serious...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Passport Services
62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/22]
- Northern Ireland
65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date in introducing a bill of rights in Northern Ireland; if there have been any recent discussions with...
- Passport Services
66. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a refund of a cancelled passport application will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing such a...
- Ports Policy
70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason that a vessel (details supplied) is docked in Cork Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34697/22]
- Passport Services
75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application for persons (details supplied) given that the application has exceeded the target issue date and date of...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Education and Training Boards
85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason some long-term public sector workers in the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board will not have their 32.5-hour contract...
- Schools Building Projects
86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a stage 2B report will be assessed for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34601/22]
- Site Acquisitions
87. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the transfer of lands to a school (details supplied). [34603/22]
- School Transport
88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the school transport scheme will be completed; if there is any proposal to increase the current rates of payment for the remote...
- School Admissions
89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 557 of 21 June 2022, if she will re-examine the case as it falls within section 29 F(1) of the Education Act...
- Special Educational Needs
90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received and is close to making a determination on an exceptional review application made by a school (details supplied); and if she...
- School Staff
91. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will advise on the eligibility of school cleaners to avail of the cycle to work scheme considering that other school staff are able to...
- Special Educational Needs
92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of deaf and hard of hearing children in each year in mainstream classes in primary and secondary schools. [34710/22]
- School Transport
93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider allowing those who are in receipt of a medical card to use same to cover the cost of school transport even if they choose to...
- State Examinations
94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagements that she has had with the State Exams Commission in addressing the shortage of State examiners; her plans to avoid this issue for...
- Educational Disadvantage
95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the total State support for a second level DEIS school is the combination of State grant and budget for the running cost of the school and...
- Departmental Funding
96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline possible funding avenues for a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34770/22]
- Special Educational Needs
97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a place will be provided at a school for a student (details supplied); and if speech therapy, occupational therapy and other services will be...
- School Curriculum
98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to introduce a new programme on alcohol education (details supplied) for primary level students; and if she will make...
- Special Educational Needs
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of deaf and hard of hearing children in each year in deaf schools and units for deaf and hard of hearing children in mainstream...
- School Staff
106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allow a school (details supplied) to retain the current staffing allocation for 2021-22 for the 2022-23 school year; and if she will...
- School Facilities
107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 442 of 24 May 2022; if she has received the available data on post-primary schools that received funding...
- Overseas Study Placements
108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the advice that will be provided to leaving certificate students who hope to study abroad when entry requirements for such colleges need to be...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
109. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will change the practice whereby a person who has an entitlement to retire from their public service job is obliged to...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
110. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of PPS numbers that have been allocated to date in 2022; and the breakdown of figures by category, newborn child...
- Social Welfare Benefits
111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County...
- Departmental Reports
113. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 502 of 17 May 2022, if she will provide an update on her Department’s...
- Social Welfare Benefits
114. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if arrears of household benefits are payable in cases in which a person was unaware of their entitlement. [34686/22]
- Disability Services
115. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of funding a national advocacy service for people with disabilities in 2023; the cost of a youth and adult...
- Social Welfare Benefits
116. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the provisions that are in place within the free travel scheme to allow for a travel pass for a minor under 18 years of age...
- Widow's Pension
118. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider carrying out a review of the requirements including documentation expected of those applying for a widow...
- State Pensions
119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that UK social insurance contributions were not taken into account when calculating a contributory pension...
- Social Welfare Benefits
120. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34715/22]
- Ukraine War
121. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of payments (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34778/22]
- Social Welfare Benefits
122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise on the eligibility for recipients who are moving off domiciliary care allowance in a year to receive the...
- Departmental Offices
123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there is a process taking place in her Department that will change the appeals officer job specification in relation to...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children
124. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors who have arrived in Ireland seeking international protection or refugee...
- Childcare Services
125. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if contracts in relation to core funding will issue to childcare providers without further delay; and if he will...
- Residential Institutions
126. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birthmothers admitted as residents to the Tusla-funded mother and baby home located in...
- Ukraine War
129. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider putting in place a supplementary vetting or registration process for families that have made...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Gender Recognition
130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that all third level institutions will be requested not to charge fees for the change of names or gender identities by students...
- Overseas Study Placements
131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions that are being made for leaving certificate students who have been offered places in the United Kingdom and overseas institutions...
- Further and Higher Education
132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 29 March 2022, the total number of full-time and part-time students enrolled in the referenced...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Ukraine War
133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Ukrainian refugees who have come to Ireland since the beginning of the war in Ukraine to date. [34763/22]
- Gender Recognition
134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider waiving the stamp duty for the registration of deed polls to change names in the interest of supporting...
- Legislative Measures
135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 22 June 2022, if the issues that are under ongoing examination within her...
- Online Safety
136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the powers An Garda Síochána has in relation to dealing with illicit materials online; the...
- Wards of Court
137. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the number of wardship applications made by the HSE in each of the five years up to 2022; and if she will...
- An Garda Síochána
138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the names of the members of the section 44 committee that was put in place to monitor the effectiveness of the Garda youth...
- Department of Health
- Health Services
140. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a planned project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34614/22]
- Disabilities Assessments
141. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE seeks a legal opinion prior to changing the assessment of need process to incorporate the preliminary team assessment; if so, the cost of this legal...
- Legislative Reviews
147. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to review or seek changes to the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/22]
- Health Services
149. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a facility (details supplied); when the residents will be moved from the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34620/22]
- Medical Cards
150. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing a discretionary medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
151. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the plans of works in relation to the €1 million funding for the development of specialist palliative care inpatient units in County Cavan...
- Disability Services
152. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34632/22]
- Mental Health Services
153. To ask the Minister for Health if he has plans for the development of a new acute adult mental health unit to replace the existing unit at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make...
- Health Services
154. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34642/22]
- Home Care Packages
156. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for home care packages; the number of persons experiencing delayed discharge from hospital due to a delay accessing...
- Health Services
158. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for occupational therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34646/22]
- Disabilities Assessments
159. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34647/22]
- Health Services
160. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for ophthalmology, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34648/22]
- Mental Health Services
163. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for community psychology services, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34651/22]
- Health Services
166. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for dietetics, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [34654/22]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
167. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on an acute hospital waiting lists, by age category, hospital, speciality and time waiting, in tabular form. [34655/22]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
168. To ask the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus payment will be paid to healthcare staff; the date the payment will be made to each cohort; if he will confirm the criteria for receipt of...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
169. To ask the Minister for Health if the funding model for prosthetics and orthotics is on a national basis or is it different in each CHO; if this consists of a risk assessment to be completed...
- Health Services
177. To ask the Minister for Health the details of post-operation management of amputees; if post-operation hospital bed nights have increased over the past five years for amputees; the number...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
178. To ask the Minister for Health if prosthetic patients are automatically entitled to a medical card, general practitioner card or long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services
179. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regional rehabilitation services for amputees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34671/22]
- Disability Services
181. To ask the Minister for Health when comprehensive supports, including reinstatement of speech and language therapy and an early intervention appointment, will be provided by the...
- Nursing Homes
182. To ask the Minister for Health if an applicant (details supplied) for the fair deal scheme can get an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34680/22]
- Substance Misuse
183. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the hospital liaison initiative that was carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in which patients with addiction...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
184. To ask the Minister for Health if agency staff working with patients in HSE facilities will receive the pandemic bonus payment; the person or body that is responsible for the decision as to...
- Hospital Staff
186. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to neurology nurses in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Hospital Facilities
187. To ask the Minister for Health his views on plans for UL Hospital Group to partner with a company (details supplied) in developing an elective centre in Limerick; if he supports this...
- Hospital Procedures
189. To ask the Minister for Health the number of scheduled care cancellations for the month of May 2022, by hospital and hospital group, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Admissions
191. To ask the Minister for Health the patient experience time for admission and for discharge for the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 June 2022 , in tabular,...
- Mental Health Services
192. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to develop an outpatient national advocacy service for mental health; the estimated cost of establishing an outpatient national advocacy service for...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
195. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to review the interim model of care for long-Covid in view of the significant evidence of neurological and psychological complications associated...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
200. To ask the Minister for Health the plans his Department has put in place to lower the wait period of 58 weeks for audiology in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on...
- Departmental Funding
201. To ask the Minister for Health if the funding that was made available for addiction family support services in budget 2021 was distributed through a tendering process; and the reason the...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
202. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised and offer assistance to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary concerning their inability to obtain access to a...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
203. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the application process for private sector healthcare workers to avail of the €1,000 Covid payment. [34970/22]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Brexit Supports
204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if non-SMEs can be included in Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding from the processor's capital funding initiative; and if he will make...
- EU Funding
205. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of indicative allocations for Pillar 2 rural development measures that will be made up by co-financing; the maximum...
- Departmental Reports
206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 20 January 2022, if the report on the development of a domestic woollen industry has...
- Agriculture Schemes
207. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated to TAMS from 2014 to date; the amount that was allocated and expended in relation to low-emission slurry...
- Organic Farming
211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1961 of 14 June 2022, his proposals to address the continued undersubscription of the organic...
- Agriculture Industry
213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers thought to comprise the category known as the forgotten farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Consultations
214. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost associated with the consultation and report on the potential for a fibre-based hemp sector in the State; and if he will make...
- Agriculture Schemes
215. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in the sheep welfare scheme in 2021; the number of breeding ewes on which payment was made; the rate of...
- Departmental Funding
216. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated by his Department to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to date; the current book value of loans to...
- Bord Bia
218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated to Bord Bia from 2017 to date; the amount that was expended on marketing campaigns; the stated aims of such...
- Organic Farming
219. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions within the climate action plan that relate to the promotion of organic farming; the progress that has been made; and if...
- EU Funding
220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 955 of 30 July 2020, the amount of funding that his Department received from the European Union...
- Agriculture Schemes
223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in then beef environmental efficiency programme - sucklers in 2021 in which one, two, three and...
- Invasive Species Policy
225. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the re-approval of glyphosate in the European Union to support the control and spread of invasive plants such as...
- Live Exports
226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that have been exported live from Ireland in 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down by species (details supplied);...
- Animal Slaughtering
228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that Ireland has given to the OIE World Organisation for Animal Health in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the programmes, if any,...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Cost of Living Issues
229. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Government has plans to reduce the burden on rural households. [34594/22]
- Digital Hubs
230. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the position regarding a second round connected hubs funding application of a group (details supplied). [34684/22]
