Written answers
Thursday, 19 January 2023
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Bus Services
5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct the NTA to meet with residents and representatives in the Ballyfermot area to discuss the service on the new G spine...
- National Car Test
14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action that is being taken to standardise NCT tests nationwide in order that there is not one county failing more than another; and if...
- Road Projects
15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the Meath County Council draft appraisal for the proposed Julianstown bypass, which aims to deal with the relentless...
- Bus Services
16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the provision of a bus service for Ennis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1918/23]
- Cycling Facilities
17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that he has to improve the standard of urban cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1838/23]
- Airport Policy
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the obligations on the Dublin Airport Authority to respond to reports of noise made by residents living...
- Rail Network
20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagements that his Department has had regarding advancing the construction of a train station at Moyross, Limerick; and if he will...
- Road Projects
22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progression of the Tipperary town bypass to be delivered under the national development plan as part...
- Transport Policy
25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that he plans to take to curtail the issues experienced by taxi drivers arising with the PSV grant from 2022 lapsing due to...
- Rail Network
26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1719/23]
- Driver Test
27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to the establishment of an additional driving test centre in south Dublin, given that there are more than...
- Road Projects
28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the schemes available for rural roads that flood regularly and become impassable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2353/23]
- Bus Services
29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the BusConnects proposals due to be introduced in Dublin in 2023 will face delays as a result of driver shortages; and if he will make...
- Transport Costs
30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to monitor transport costs and the contributory factors thereto, with a view to ensuring any negative...
- National Car Test
32. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action his Department is taking to reduce the NCT test wait time backlog, given the average wait time for an NCT test has now passed...
- Antisocial Behaviour
33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any discussions have taken place between his Department, Dublin Bus and the Luas on public order and safety on their services. [2221/23]
- Traffic Management
34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he intends to take to reduce traffic volumes in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/23]
- Bus Services
35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any consideration is being given to extending the Bus Éireann commuter fares outside of the greater Dublin area to financially...
- Park-and-Ride Facilities
36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to provide park-and-ride facilities to reduce traffic congestion and emissions; and if he will make a statement...
- Bus Services
39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase capacity on public bus routes connecting the commuter towns of County Galway to Galway city. [2358/23]
- Greenways Provision
40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Boyne Greenway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1570/23]
- Public Service Obligation
41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken by him to improve subsidised Bus Éireann and PSO services in 2023, including funding for more buses and a...
- Aviation Industry
42. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions as of January 2023 that he and his Department have had with officials in Irish aviation in relation to lower-emissions...
- Public Transport
43. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he receives regular reports on the performance of public transport services; if he will outline the successes, the challenges and the...
- Bus Services
44. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on ongoing discussions between Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority on proposals to deliver...
- Road Safety
46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he has to improve road safety at the N22 junctions between Ballincollig and Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Network
49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the possibility of having access to the new N22 west of Macroom at Carrigaphooca, County Cork; the measures that would...
- Road Projects
50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progression of the Thurles inner relief road to be delivered under the national development plan; and...
- Transport Policy
51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has specific initiatives in place to facilitate vehicle-sharing platforms; and the role he envisages they can play in a...
- Road Network
52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the process or the steps required for a national road or motorway to be considered for the installation of noise...
- Driver Test
53. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans being put in place to tackle the severe shortage in driving test availability. [2023/23]
- Rail Network
54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on the double-tracking of the rail line from Athenry to Galway city. [2359/23]
- Road Projects
55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the strategic assessment report from Cork County Council on the proposed upgrade options for the R624 access road to...
- National Car Test
56. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update as of January 2023 on the measures being taken to reduce the waiting times at NCT test centres nationwide;...
- Rail Network
57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the announced expansion of the Irish Rail fleet, which he announced on 29 November 2022; and if he will...
- Road Projects
58. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position on the construction of the remaining section of the new N22 Baile Bhúirne to Macroom; if he can provide...
- Transport Policy
59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on ensuring that Castletownbere is classified as a larger town within the Connecting Ireland plan to ensure that the Beara...
- Bus Services
62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine the impact current driver schedules, pay and rosters are having in the retention and recruitment of drivers in Dublin...
- Road Projects
63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on Project Bruce and plans to provide a sustainable funding stream for roads maintenance and repair as...
- Driver Test
65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to address the wait time for driving tests at Skibbereen driving test centre, as in the case of a person (details...
- Road Projects
66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the northern distributor road in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1968/23]
- Cycling Policy
68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the new National Cycle Manual; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2439/23]
- Transport Policy
69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cycling and walking officers employed by Dublin City Council who are funded by his Department; the number of outstanding...
- Rail Network
71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commit to engaging with Iarnród Éireann in respect of the urgent need to reopen the Dunleer train station in County...
- Transport Policy
72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a 2022 end-of year-report on the Connecting Ireland plan; the funding that was allocated and spent and the services...
- Heritage Sites
73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a comprehensive update on the transfer of Shannon Heritage-run sites in County Clare from the patronage of the Shannon...
- Public Service Obligation
74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to make a decision on the public service obligation application to operate a route to Amsterdam Schipol Airport, made by...
- Rail Network
75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with Irish Rail on repairs necessitated to the Barrow Bridge owing to a bridge strike; if the company has advised him on...
- Cycling Facilities
77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Finglas to Killester cycle scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2123/23]
- Rail Network
78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the construction works at Kishogue train station; the reason the works were delayed; when the works are...
- Bus Services
79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Local Link in Cavan could be extended to Crosskeys, which is 8 km away, to accommodate 21 Ukrainian refugees, comprised of adults,...
- Transport Policy
80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the ongoing progress of the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy in the areas of road and rail infrastructure;...
- Greenways Provision
83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position in relation to the construction of the South Kerry Greenway; if he can provide specific timelines; and if he will...
- Road Projects
84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been made available under budget 2023 for the Clontibret-to-the-Border road scheme. [1794/23]
- Electric Vehicles
86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if plans have been made by his Department to address the virtual absence of operational public car charging points in County Donegal give...
- Public Transport
87. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the increase or decrease in the patronage of each of DART, Luas, Commuter and InterCity rail usage in 2022, compared with 2019; the...
- Transport Policy
89. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which steps are ongoing to ensure the viability of the transport sector, notwithstanding any challenges from whatever...
- Public Transport
90. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that have been taken to review all bus, rail, and tram infrastructure to ensure transport hubs are adequately resourced and...
- Driver Test
91. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans and strategies being introduced to reduce waiting times in Cavan’s driving test centre, which are currently running into...
- Rail Network
92. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of refreshments on trains. [2357/23]
- Public Transport
93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he plans to increase passenger numbers on public transport in line with the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a...
- National Transport Authority
94. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the NTA does not award routes to companies on the basis of lower labour costs in the future under its competitive...
- Ports Policy
95. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to ensure Irish ports are equipped to deliver on offshore wind targets; if he will outline State and other...
- Road Projects
98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the route selection process for the N4 upgrade from Mullingar to Rooskey, given that additional funding...
- Coast Guard Service
100. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to enhance the level of cover provided by the Irish Coast Guard service; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Rail Network
101. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the expansion of the DART+ service to Sallins and Newbridge is being considered, given that they are the main commuter towns in the...
- Road Traffic Offences
103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the effectiveness of increased fines for parking on footpaths and cycle lanes is being reviewed by his Department; and if he will make...
- Rail Network
104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the value of extending an electrified train service to Wicklow town, as included in the NTA's transport strategy; and if he...
- Public Transport
105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details in respect of the newly launched local hackney pilot programme; the number of rural areas this programme will...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- An Garda Síochána
115. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the proposed development of the new Garda station in Portlaoise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60253/22]
- Public Expenditure Policy
121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will consider to maximise the benefits of reform in the context of public expenditure, with particular reference to...
- National Monuments
122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the future use of a location (details supplied), following his visit to Drogheda in 2022 and his Department’s...
- Ethics in Public Office
123. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current progress of the Report of the Review of Ireland’s Statutory Framework for Standards in Public Office; when it will be...
- National Development Plan
124. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department has in ensuring the national development plan fulfils plans for expansion of acute, primary and community care...
- EU Funding
125. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the new projects to be delivered in the northern and western region following the recent allocation of €217...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
127. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of money that has been spent and drawn down to deliver projects in County Cork heretofore; if he is satisfied that public...
- Gender Equality
128. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the Gender Pay Gap Report 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1637/23]
- National Development Plan
129. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the latest developments regarding the national development plan in respect to the north-west region; and if he will...
- Court Accommodation
130. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request that the OPW engages with the Courts Service regarding upgrade works (details supplied) for the former courthouse in...
- Flood Risk Management
131. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 28 April 2022, the status of the Coirib go Cósta flood relief works; and if he will...
- Ethics in Public Office
132. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline plans under his consideration to reform ethics legislation; if so, if he will give a timeline for the implementation...
- National Development Plan
133. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding inflation-related cost increases to capital projects within the national development plan; if costings of such...
- Departmental Functions
134. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has identified any complications with the transfer of the disability portfolio from the Department of Health to the...
- National Development Plan
136. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to renew the current national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/23]
- Flood Risk Management
137. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the catchment and flood risk management plan under CFRAM for County Louth; the progress that has been made to date on the...
- Ethics in Public Office
139. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the powers granted to the Standards in Public Office Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2279/23]
- Offshore Islands
141. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for 2023 for An Blascaod Mór; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1872/23]
- Flood Risk Management
142. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the flood relief scheme in Bantry, County Cork. [2093/23]
- Departmental Expenditure
143. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funds that went unspent in 2022 per Department; if he will outline the process regarding the return of such moneys to his...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
144. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the delivery of key Project Ireland 2040 commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1636/23]
- Public Private Partnerships
146. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to provide sanction to the Office of Public Works to make a payment to a centre (details supplied) that is not required...
- Flood Risk Management
147. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of all current and proposed flood relief schemes in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1920/23]
- National Development Plan
148. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve the delivery of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2226/23]
- Flood Risk Management
149. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the allocation to Monaghan County Council in relation to flood alleviation measures in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and under budget...
- Public Sector Pay
150. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Dáil Éireann passing a motion by the Labour Party on 12 October 2022 in support of pay increases for community and...
- Public Expenditure Policy
151. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has undertaken any cross-cutting work on the operation of means tests across Government and, in particular, the...
- Public Sector Pensions
152. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm whether the Government will take action in relation to Garda pensions, specifically those who have joined post-2013...
- Ethics in Public Office
153. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail his plans to reform ethics legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2278/23]
- National Development Plan
154. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department has in ensuring the national development plan fulfils required climate actions; and if he will make a statement...
- Interest Rates
155. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the further measures his Department is considering in dealing with crippling rising interest rates, which are greatly affecting...
- Irish Language
156. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he intends taking in 2023 to ensure more civil servants are capable of providing services through the medium of Irish; and if...
- Ethics in Public Office
157. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the review of Ireland's statutory framework for standards in public office; and if he will make a...
- Flood Risk Management
158. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual cost to the Exchequer associated with the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on...
- Ethics in Public Office
160. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the report of the Review of Ireland’s Statutory Framework for Standards in Public Office; and if he will make a...
- Heritage Projects
161. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 28 April 2022, the progress that has been made to date with respect of works to repair a...
- Flood Risk Management
162. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of funding that was allocated for flood relief schemes by local authorities in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Public Sector Pay
164. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered revisiting the current public sector pay, given the real difficulties that are faced in staff retention issues,...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Transport Policy
165. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and-or the National Transport Authority have taken and-or will take into consideration the latest census population data in the...
- Bus Services
166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Local Link service in County Cavan could be extended to Crosskeys, which is 8 km away, to accommodate 21 Ukrainian refugees...
- Heritage Sites
168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a solution has been found to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the responsibility of Clare County Council; and if...
- Ports Policy
169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagements his Department had with a company (details supplied) following the launch of its Vision 2041 Masterplan; and if he will...
- Electric Vehicles
170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can clarify whether the Government has abandoned targets for 1 million private EV on the roads by 2030; the way targets for cuts to...
- Road Projects
172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a schedule of updates for the development of new vehicular and or pedestrian bridges in Celbridge, Newbridge and Clane...
- Electric Vehicles
173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to introduce measures to promote the use of electric bikes in order to encourage commuters to use this mode of transport...
- Cycling Facilities
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocated for active travel spending in 2023; the estimated number of kilometres of new cycling infrastructure this will...
- Bus Services
175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the top six Dublin Bus routes by passenger number in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2494/23]
- Driver Test
176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test date can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- National Car Test
177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average and median waiting times in each NCT centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2505/23]
- Driver Test
178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons waiting to sit their driving test in most centres around the country, including...
- Transport Policy
179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which it is expected to grant access for motor commuters to Dublin city in the future given the future indicative parking...
- Road Network
180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is intended to provide high-quality road transport such as motorways in those areas throughout the country...
- Rail Network
181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which north Kildare rail commuters can expect enhanced and improved services in the future given the demographic trends and...
- Road Projects
182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which new roads are proposed from County Dublin via Confey, Leixlip, County Kildare, and other parts of north Kildare, with...
- Rail Network
183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in the electrification of the Dublin-Maynooth rail line, with particular reference to the towns likely to expect an...
- Departmental Data
187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total receipts from public road-side parking in Dublin city in a single year; the extent to which such receipts have varied over the...
- Road Safety
188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it might be possible to improve safety factors on the M50 and M4 given the level of traffic congestion on these...
- Driver Test
190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to alleviate the current long waiting lists for applicants who apply for a driving test; the status or success of...
- Tax Reliefs
191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a review is currently being undertaken of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme; if so, the status of...
- Driver Test
192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for B category vehicle driving tests at all testing centres in County Tipperary, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Greenways Provision
196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a status update in relation to the proposed greenway Collooney to Bellaghy, given that Transport Infrastructure...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
202. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which he and his Department are managing the taxation of biofuels; if he is planning on changing policy in this regard going forward; and if he...
- Tax Reliefs
203. To ask the Minister for Finance the impact of the change in the benefit-in-kind regime for company cars from 1 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2486/23]
- Tax Credits
204. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the renter's tax relief credit to other renters (details supplied). [2507/23]
- Banking Sector
205. To ask the Minister for Finance the responsibility a banking institution has in relaying to a customer that their mortgage-required home insurance premium is due to increase; and if he will...
- Tax Code
206. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason VAT was added to products for the alleviation of flu and flu-like symptoms, given the escalating cost-of-living and the surge in flu and Covid...
- Customs and Excise
207. To ask the Minister for Finance if measures can be introduced to reduce the red tape associated with importing goods for personal use from non-EU countries into Ireland; and if he will make...
- Primary Medical Certificates
208. To ask the Minister for Finance when the medical criteria for the primary medical certificate are expected to be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2642/23]
- Tax Reliefs
209. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider the benefit-in-kind changes introduced in budget 2023; if any separate arrangements or grants have been made available for those in the...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Public Expenditure Policy
212. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he can account for spending a record 21.5% increase in taxation revenues in 2022 (from €68.41 billion in 2021 to €83.13...
- Construction Industry
213. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he and his Department are taking to decrease the cost of building materials, which is having a very negative impact on the...
- Public Sector Pensions
214. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he intends to sign and approve the 3% pension increase, backdated to 1 July 2022, for the over 15,000 pensioners (details...
- Flood Risk Management
215. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to the meeting between the community surrounding Lough Funshinagh and the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW on...
- Public Expenditure Policy
219. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Departments that fared worse in efforts to ensure reduced costs through the medium of reform; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Public Procurement Contracts
222. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which public procurement can be improved in line with reforms and the achievement of value for money while speeding up...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
225. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects all Government projects to continue to be completed on time and within budget; and if he will make a...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Tourism Industry
226. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which provision is being made to ensure the hotel and leisure industry is adequately prepared for the tourist...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Housing Schemes
227. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when his Department will provide clarity on the amount of funding to be made available to Louth County Council to acquire...
- Housing Provision
228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide a schedule for the development of social and affordable housing on public land banks in County Kildare in...
- Housing Policy
229. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he plans to change the bands for social housing to better reflect the reality of the housing market (details supplied)....
- Foreshore Issues
230. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a foreshore licence will issue to a sports club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on...
- Housing Schemes
231. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the European Commission has confirmed that the Croí Cónaithe cities scheme is in line with EU state aid rules;...
- Vacant Properties
233. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant property refurbishment grant applications received by each local authority under the Croí...
- Departmental Schemes
234. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current position in relation to the delivery of the outer relief road, including bridges, realignments and other road...
- Regeneration Projects
235. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which agreement and approval has been reached and made in respect of the implementation of road and bridge...
- Traffic Management
236. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current position in regard to the implementation of the proposals for the alleviation of traffic congestion including the...
- International Protection
237. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of instances in which a statutory instrument (details supplied) has been invoked; the locations of the developments...
- Quarrying Sector
238. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on introducing regulations concerning the use of rock-breaking equipment. [2685/23]
- International Protection
239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when persons affected by developments under the invoking of a statutory instrument (details supplied) can view plans of such...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Birth Registration
240. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a foreign birth certificate will issue for a person (details supplied) who applied in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Passport Services
242. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if new passports can continue to be posted to applicants from Northern Ireland; the reason that these applicants are now been asked to...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces
243. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount owed to members of the Army Ranger Wing arising out of pay reviews in 2010 and 2014; and if he will provide a timeline on when these...
- Departmental Properties
244. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the future use of the Curragh Camp, Newbridge; and his plans to utilise the approximately 800 bed spaces at the...
- Defence Forces
245. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the decision was taken to withdraw permission for family members of serving Defence Forces personnel to use the Defence Forces training...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Teacher Training
246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are being taken to deal with the shortage of teachers of home economics in Dublin; if she will give consideration to allowing...
- State Examinations
247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received by the State Examinations Commission seeking access to the deferred sitting of the leaving certificate...
- Special Educational Needs
249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils with places in special ASD classes in the State who are currently refusing to attend school; and the process to free-up...
- Schools Building Projects
250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the projected time scale for the commencement of a tender for a school (details below); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2471/23]
- School Admissions
252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will conduct a capacity review of post-primary schools in Clane and Prosperous, County Kildare. [2476/23]
- School Transport
253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the school transport policy; if she will set out her plans to make changes to the scheme ahead of the 2023-2024...
- School Curriculum
254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review social, personal and health education, including relationships and sexuality education; if any proposed changes will take...
- Teagasc na Gaeilge
255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an bhfuil sí ar an eolas faoin tuarascáil atá réitithe le tamall anois ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe do CNCM ar an...
- Schools Building Projects
257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the commencement date for the new school building project for a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; the date that her Department has...
- School Facilities
258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of post-primary schools awaiting approval for a school gym from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2511/23]
- School Funding
260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the situation regarding the minor works grant for schools in the 2023 calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Community Employment Schemes
262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the landlord of the building which houses the Enniscorthy Intreo office (details supplied) ever applied for any funding to...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
266. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the welfare entitlements of non-EU or non-EEA refugees coming to Ireland and being placed in communities by the Red Cross...
- Social Welfare Code
268. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will make carer's allowance a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance. [2659/23]
- Social Welfare Payments
269. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for the fuel allowance in the year 2022 to 2023; and the number approved and disallowed per county,...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- International Protection
271. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are in place to clear the backlog of IPAS payments to accommodation providers (details...
- Childcare Services
274. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the necessary resources to a community childcare facility (details supplied) in Lisdoonvarna,...
- International Protection
275. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when payment will be made in relation to a property (details supplied) where Ukrainian refugees are housed as...
- Childcare Qualifications
277. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his proposals for childcare professionals in their 50s who have a level 5 qualification with up to six years...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Costs
278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to make SUSI grant supports available to those who have obtained stamp 4 residence permits via the regularisation of the...
- Third Level Education
280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current number of dieticians who are due to graduate from third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2495/23]
- Third Level Fees
282. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if serious consideration will be given to a proposal (details supplied) in relation to the €1,000 fee reduction for undergraduate students...
- Healthcare Policy
283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the worry-free period product campaign to be expanded to cover all ETBs and voluntary institutions. [2513/23]
- Apprenticeship Programmes
284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason corrective lenses are not permitted for candidates on plumbing apprenticeships when they fail the colour vision test; if his...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- An Garda Síochána
285. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of recruits who have joined An Garda Síochána since...
- International Protection
286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) who has been denied temporary protection will be reviewed; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Data
287. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who were prosecuted under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 in each of the years 2019 to...
- Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
288. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider the establishment of a rapporteur for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to monitor...
- Family Support Services
289. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he will establish a network of family contact centres to enable supervised meetings or handovers of children between...
- Immigration Status
290. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplied) will be eligible to apply for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2561/23]
- Citizenship Applications
291. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the application for citizenship will be granted in the name of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to...
- Immigration Status
292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all issues relating to the case of a person (details supplied) have been clarified; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Health
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
293. To ask the Minister for Health when agency nurses (details supplied) will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2451/23]
- Disability Services
294. To ask the Minister for Health if speech and language therapy sessions will be commenced by 30 April 2023 in the case of the son of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Health Service Executive
299. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 918 of 8 November 2022, if he will provide a breakdown of all costs associated with the removal of a row of trees outside...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
301. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in issuing Covid recognition payments; when he expects outstanding payments to be made to agency healthcare assistants; and if he will...
- Hospital Facilities
302. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a schedule of planned upgrade works to Naas General Hospital, including but not limited to the Lakeview unit; and if funding has been...
- General Practitioner Services
303. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the number of GPs providing services on behalf of the HSE in counties Kildare, Meath, Laois and Wicklow. [2479/23]
- Disability Services
304. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent positions allocated to the children's disability network team in Clonmel; the number of those positions vacant and the...
- Medicinal Products
307. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the Health Products Regulatory Authority is providing data on adverse drug reactions in a timely manner to the European Medicines...
- Hospital Staff
308. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent nurses working in the National Rehabilitation Hospital as of 6 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- General Practitioner Services
309. To ask the Minister for Health if he has plans in place to ensure non-medical card patients are not left without a GP when their GP retires (details supplied). [2501/23]
- Hospital Transfers
310. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was referred to another hospital for cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2509/23]
- Disability Services
311. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite a residential service for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2517/23]
- Medicinal Products
312. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the inquiry into the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; the timeline that he is working towards in...
- Family Support Services
313. To ask the Minister for Health the services that are available to bereaved parents and families upon the loss of a child; if his attention has been drawn to the fact families are being...
- Hospital Facilities
314. To ask the Minister for Health if he has plans to develop an occupational therapy unit in Ennis General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2520/23]
- Hospital Staff
316. To ask the Minister for Health the number of radiographers working at University Hospital Limerick in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022; if this number will increase to alleviate the waiting...
- Ambulance Service
317. To ask the Minister for Health the resources that will be made available to implement the new protocol that would allow the National Ambulance Service to bring certain patients to the...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
318. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that will be taken to address the backlog caused by the cancellation of inpatient and outpatient appointments in the UL Hospitals Group as a...
- Health Strategies
319. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 629 of 17 May 2022, if he will ensure that the current supports available for young people are drawn together under a...
- Disability Services
320. To ask the Minister for Health the actions he has taken since April 2022 to ensure the recommencement of reports by the HSE pursuant to section 13 of the Disability Act 2005; and if he will...
- Disabilities Assessments
321. To ask the Minister for Health the number of therapists working in children's disability network teams who are responsible for undertaking assessment of needs determinations; the number of...
- Disability Services
322. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1664 of 26 April 2022, if the initial pilot for the national information management system for the children’s...
- Health Services Staff
323. To ask the Minister for Health the average length of time to fill a staff grade therapy post from the point that the vacancy arises; the average length of time to fill a staff grade therapy...
- Disability Services
324. To ask the Minister for Health if each of the 91 CDNTs have established a family forum; the number of these family forums that have held a meeting with their children’s disability...
- Health Services
326. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be reimbursed in respect of procedures they availed of under the cross- border directive, given the procedures took place...
- Medicinal Products
327. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which efforts have been successful towards resolving the difficulties in providing the appropriate new medicine kaftrio for the 35 children who...
- Medical Aids and Appliances
328. To ask the Minister for Health if a prosthesis will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/23]
- Disability Services
329. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the funding for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2596/23]
- Health Services
330. To ask the Minister for Health if he has considered making the cystosponge test for oesophageal cancer diagnosis available in Ireland; if he will outline any plans to do so; and if he will...
- Hospital Admissions
331. To ask the Minister for Health the average patient experience time to admission via an emergency department for all patients, State-wide and for each location for December 2022; the average...
- Mental Health Services
352. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of all bed days for children admitted to hospital for mental health that were in CAMHS units up to the end of 2022; and if he will make a...
- Care Services
353. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No 194 of 23 November 2022, if the next-of-kin of the residents of the centre (details supplied) have, with consent from...
- Mental Health Services
354. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 484 of 16 November 2021, 1715 of 19 January 2022, 169 of 9 February 2022, 186 of 23 March 2022, 720 of 17 May 2022,...
- Care Services
355. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No 361 of 1 December 2022, the breakdown of the security costs associated with a facility (details supplied) in each of the...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
356. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting time for routine and urgent appointments, respectively, referred to the breast clinic at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Procedures
357. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hospital-initiated scheduled care cancellations in December 2022, by hospital group, hospital and by appointment type, in tabular form; and if he...
- Hospital Services
367. To ask the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges in January 2023 to date by location, in tabular form. [2645/23]
- Health Services Staff
376. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will sanction the provision of a neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 7 for persons affected by neurological injury or disease, given only two...
- Ambulance Service
377. To ask the Minister for Health the percentage of clinical status 1 ECHO and clinical status 1 DELTA incidents responded to by a patient-carrying vehicle in 18 minutes and 59 seconds or less...
- Hospital Appointments Status
380. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2666/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
381. To ask the Minister for Health the number of pandemic recognition payments made to non-HSE section 38 organisation staff in each of the months April to December 2022, and to date in January...
- Health Services Staff
382. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent staff who have been recruited into the HSE since the beginning of 2022, in tabular form; and the number of staff who have...
- Departmental Staff
383. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff who left his Department in 2022, by grade and quarter, in tabular form. [2679/23]
- Health Services Staff
384. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to retain and recruit recent nursing graduates to address the staffing shortage in the HSE. [2684/23]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Schemes
388. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the liming scheme announced in budget 2023; when he expects the scheme to be rolled out; the...
- Fishery Harbour Centres
389. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to visit each of the fishery harbours under the remit of his Department before the end of quarter 1, 2023; and if he will...
- Fishing Industry
390. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update as to the agreements that have now been reached following his recent meetings with the fishing industry...
- Agriculture Schemes
391. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a late application by a person (details supplied) under the 2023 fodder scheme can be accepted in light of circumstances; and if...
- Calafoirt agus Céanna
392. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine cén uair a thosóidh obair ar an gcé dhomhainfharraige i Ros an Mhíl; cen tráth atá i gceist chun cur...
- Agriculture Schemes
393. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the new agri-climate rural environment scheme in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Fishing Industry
398. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the call by a fishing representative organisation (details supplied) regarding the differentiation of small-scale...
- Forestry Sector
399. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether Coillte's plans for partnering with a company (details supplied) are in line with the plans committed to in the...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Men's Sheds
400. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason an organisation (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been refused access to grant funding of €2,000; and if...
- Offshore Islands
401. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 15 December 2022, the date on which the final draft policy for the islands was received by...
