Written answers
Thursday, 2 February 2023
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces
6. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the investigation into the killing of a member of the Defence Forces in Lebanon in December 2022; and if he will make a statement on...
- Air Corps
16. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department’s plans in relation to further investment to update and procure new aircraft for the Air Corps; and if he will make a...
- Defence Forces
17. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the independent assessment (details supplied) with regard to the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and...
- Ministerial Responsibilities
19. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will declare any conflict of interest in defence matters; if any matters came to him as Taoiseach that required his decision that now mean...
- Defence Forces
20. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if has met with the representative organisations from the permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5044/23]
- Naval Service
23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of times that planned Naval Service operations did not go ahead in each of the past five years due to low staffing numbers. [5137/23]
- United Nations
24. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his assessment of the UNIFIL mission at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4945/23]
- Defence Forces
25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has met or is intending to meet with a group (details supplied) since assuming office as Minister. [5153/23]
- Departmental Policies
30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his priorities for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5208/23]
- Defence Forces
31. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there will be a new army headquarters in Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/23]
- Naval Service
32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of enlisted members, by rank, who left the Naval Service in 2021 and 2022, respectively, in tabular form; the reasons for leaving; the...
- Defence Forces
33. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place or under discussion for the role of the Defence Forces in Mali, particularly given the volatile and mutable nature of...
- European Union
36. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on Ireland’s participation in a German-led EU battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5205/23]
- Air Corps
40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans, if any, to expand the role of the Air Corps air ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2032/23]
- Legislative Measures
41. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to introduce or amend relevant legislation to allow Ireland to send the Defence Forces overseas on protection missions (details...
- Defence Forces
42. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the specific additional equipment for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps that he expects to acquire during 2023; the capital allocated to...
- Departmental Reviews
43. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made to date on the strategic defence review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5161/23]
- European Union
44. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he or other Ministers have sought or looked for legal advice in relation to Ireland's participation in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a...
- Defence Forces
45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects to receive the final report of the independent review into dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces; and if he will make...
- United Nations
47. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently serving on the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4700/23]
- Defence Forces
49. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has ordered any reviews into training procedures and gender discrimination in the Defence Forces since becoming Minister; the number of...
- Ukraine War
50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will outline the implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine for Ireland’s security and defence. [5216/23]
- European Union
51. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the rationale for Ireland's participation in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5170/23]
- International Protection
54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the properties that have been identified to accommodate Ukrainians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5020/23]
- Defence Forces
56. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the structures and organisation of the Defence Forces with particular reference to the security needs of the Border region; and...
- Official Travel
60. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent trip to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5167/23]
- Departmental Strategies
62. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress in relation to plans for the protection of critical State infrastructure in the coming months and years, including against cyber and...
- Defence Forces
65. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in the implementation of the Working Time Directive in the Defence Forces; if he intends to apply the Directive to the...
- Departmental Properties
66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of family quarters and homes managed by his Department; the number that are currently unoccupied; if there are plans to bring them...
- Defence Forces
73. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide the details of the protections on coastlines to prevent entry of illegal migrants and the importation of drugs; and if he will...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Facilities
88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how she intends to ensure that the 10% of post primary schools without school halls can be provided with same. [5248/23]
- Education Policy
89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the development of a national strategy on physical literacy and interventions for children who are not able to reach certain...
- School Admissions
90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that can be taken to increase the admissions at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4642/23]
- Education Policy
91. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 947 of 26 April 2022, if her Department has completed the proposed review of the guidelines on the use of...
- Special Educational Needs
92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the work of her Department in ensuring that special education teachers, and special needs assistants, are not...
- School Patronage
93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the Raheny primary school reconfiguration review undertaken by her Department and the Catholic Church Archdiocese. [4714/23]
- School Transport
94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will investigate the reason that students (details supplied) from Kilnaleck, County Cavan are paying private bus fees each week to get to...
- Special Educational Needs
95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans in place in her Department to deliver a greater number of ASD units in County Louth, particularly to address the issue of creating...
- Education Policy
96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the recent change in position with regard to funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Teacher Training
97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the provision of training for relationships and sexuality education and social, personal and health education...
- School Patronage
98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied with the model being piloted for the transfer of patronage in schools; and if modifications in that approach are planned. [5215/23]
- Educational Disadvantage
99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the process by which DEIS designation is given to schools to ensure that all schools that cater for students from all...
- School Accommodation
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension for a school (details supplied). [5057/23]
- School Funding
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the minor works grant; when she expects the grant to be paid in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Schools Building Projects
102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position on a site purchased by her Department in Clonard, County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5004/23]
- School Facilities
103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that have invested in HEPA filters or other ventilation or filtration mechanisms to ensure clean air. [5212/23]
- State Examinations
104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Junior Certificate results in 2023 will be available earlier than the wait time for the 2022 results; and if she will make a statement on...
- Seirbhísí Iompair
105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an ndearna agus an ndéanann an Roinn Oideachais conradh le comhlachtaí príobháideacha tacsaí nó bus chun...
- School Facilities
106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the rollout of free solar panels to all schools; the timeline for the initiative to commence; and if she will make a...
- School Transport
107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to improve and reform the school transport scheme in time for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year; and if she will make a...
- Education Policy
109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the research her Department has considered in the context of the value or otherwise of homework for students at primary and secondary level; if...
- Educational Disadvantage
110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend the provision of DEIS for those schools with a greater need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5034/23]
- Education Policy
111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the regulations and guidelines from her Department for primary and post-primary schools with regard to the operation of any private for-profit...
- Special Educational Needs
112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to increase the lack of places in primary and secondary schools for young people with special educational needs and...
- Teacher Training
113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has considered suspending the proposed €65 increase in summer Gaeltacht fees that have risen to €815, given the...
- Schools Building Projects
114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position on the delivery of a new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5132/23]
- School Admissions
115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her immediate plans to deal with the concerning issue school place shortages at all levels in north Kildare; and if she will make a statement on...
- Special Educational Needs
116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in a new ASD class for a school (details supplied). [5033/23]
- Education Policy
117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how her Department assesses standards of literacy and numeracy at school entry and through primary education. [5214/23]
- Schools Building Projects
118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new Gaelscoil national and secondary school campus for Athenry, County Galway, will be completed; the stage that it is at; and if she...
- Special Educational Needs
119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the level of funding and plans for the 2023 July Provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4949/23]
- School Curriculum
120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the revamped relationships and sexuality education junior cycle curriculum, which is due to be introduced in the...
- School Accommodation
121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the approval process for the building of two additional module classrooms sanctioned by her Department in August 2022 for a school...
- Teacher Training
122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether the two-year length of the Professional Master's in Education is a prohibiting factor for many wishing to enter the...
- Schools Building Projects
123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the School Building Programme; if she is satisfied with the progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the...
- School Transport
125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of late applications received for the school transport scheme in relation to the 2022-2023 academic year; the number from County...
- Special Educational Needs
126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the provision of autism spectrum disorder class provision in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Schools Building Projects
127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a full report on a school building (details supplied); the details of the reasons for the delay with construction; and if she...
- Special Educational Needs
128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the November 2022 Report on the Summer Programme, by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on...
- School Accommodation
129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeframe for a decision in respect of the application for capital funding, under the additional school accommodation scheme by a school...
- School Facilities
130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the summer works scheme 2023; when she expects the announcement of approved works; and if she will make a statement on the...
- School Accommodation
131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension for a school (details supplied). [5056/23]
- Special Educational Needs
132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of digital funding for special education in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4095/23]
- Educational Disadvantage
133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the impact of the delivering equality of opportunity in schools' programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Special Educational Needs
134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for assistive technology for students with special educational needs received by the National Council for Special...
- Education Policy
135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action she is taking to ensure that schools have an atmosphere which is welcoming to LGBTQ+ students. [5213/23]
- Schools Building Projects
136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school (details supplied) for Tuam, County Galway, is expected to be delivered; the stage that it is at presently; and if she will...
- School Transport
137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a review of the provision of school bus services; if efforts are ongoing to ensure that more students than ever are...
- Education and Training Boards
138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board’s application for a new headquarters; and if she will...
- School Transport
139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in ensuring that children attending a school (details supplied) have access to school transport. [5251/23]
- School Curriculum
140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the improvements to deliver on the physical education curriculum in primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a...
- Education Policy
141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on providing a Dublin allowance for teachers given the high costs-of-living and accommodation in particular. [5211/23]
- Departmental Data
143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a former school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5192/23]
- School Transport
144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider extending the free school transport scheme announced as a one-year measure; and if she will ensure that the capacity...
- Pleananna Oideachais
145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 77 den 11 Deireadh Fómhair 2022, an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an dul...
- Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta
146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an bhfuil i gceist aici suirbhé a dhéanamh maidir leis an éileamh atá i ngach pobal ar oideachas dara léibhéal...
- Special Educational Needs
147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a progress report on a special education site in Glanmire County Cork (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
- State Examinations
148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed date of the 2023 Leaving Certificate results. [4715/23]
- Education Policy
149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions or arrangements that occur with her Department or local schools in cases in which children, as refugees or asylum seekers, in...
- School Transport
150. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action her Department will take in the provision of additional capacity for school transport for the 2023-2024 academic year (details...
- School Staff
151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken to address teacher recruitment issues in primary and post-primary schools; the actions being taken to recognise...
- Special Educational Needs
152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the ongoing efforts her Department is making to recruit SNAs and the number of SNAs gaining qualifications; and if she will make a statement on...
- Educational Disadvantage
153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary schools that have access to home school liaison services; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Official Engagements
154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of face-to-face and online meetings and engagements that she has had with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) in...
- Legislative Measures
155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the consultation on the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. [5247/23]
- School Staff
156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the efforts of her Department to address teacher shortages. [5138/23]
- Special Educational Needs
157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress on delivery of additional ASD spaces for students in Ballincollig, Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5131/23]
- State Examinations
159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the development of L1 and L2 specifications in Leaving Certificate Irish; and if she will make a statement on...
- Education Policy
160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will revise the ratio of clerical and administration staff to pupils in both primary and post-primary schools to ensure that they increase...
- Scrúduithe Stáit
161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills cén dáta faoin bhfuil sé i gceist aici an tuarascáil de chuid na Comhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus...
- Teacher Training
162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider paying teachers in training for their work in placement schools. [5164/23]
- Special Educational Needs
163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the allocation of resource hours and supports for schools under the National Council for Special Education that are for the 2023-2024 academic...
- School Enrolments
164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to enrolment challenges in the primary and secondary schools in Shannon, County Clare; and if she will make a...
- School Facilities
167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to ensure energy use in schools is addressed, with particular reference to installation of solar panels and retrofitting. [5249/23]
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Pension Provisions
168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to facilitate those who wish to work beyond mandatory employment age under their current contract until such time as they...
- Trade Sanctions
169. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the work of his Department as one of the three national competent authorities for EU sanctions with...
- Water Conservation
170. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to water conservation for business in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he...
- Departmental Funding
171. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to the green skills programmes in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will...
- Departmental Schemes
172. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to innovation vouchers in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Ukraine War
173. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make...
- Departmental Schemes
174. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to eSPSV business loan in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Environmental Schemes
177. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for capital investment for the decarbonisation process, in tabular form; and if...
- Energy Conservation
178. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to energy monitoring and tracking systems in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if...
- Departmental Schemes
179. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding allocated to the lean for micro scheme in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make...
- Brexit Supports
180. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the Brexit impact loan scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Funding
181. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the digital transition fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Business Supports
183. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the crisis response business financial planning grant, in tabular form; and...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Energy Conservation
188. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland energy academy in 2021, 2022, and to...
- Departmental Funding
190. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding allocated to the Environmental Protection Agency by his Department in 2021, 2022, and to date in...
- Departmental Schemes
194. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the energy-contacting support scheme, in tabular form; and if...
- Departmental Funding
195. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding allocated to the energy-efficiency obligation scheme in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in...
- Departmental Schemes
197. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the support scheme for renewable heat, in tabular form; and...
- Electric Vehicles
199. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an increase in electric vehicles will put a substantial amount of pressure on the national grid in the long-term...
- Data Centres
200. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of approved connection agreements entered into by EirGrid for the purposes of data centre connection on an...
- Departmental Funding
202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will clarify the criteria that community projects must meet in order to access just transition funding; and if he...
- Invasive Species Policy
203. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland will support the eradication of invasive perch from lakes in Connemara...
- Inland Fisheries
204. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason person (details supplied) gave her their resignation letter in person following their last board meeting;...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Local Authorities
207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding that was allocated to a local authority (details supplied) for specific purposes; and if he will make a statement...
- Electric Vehicles
208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to electric vehicle grants in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Driver Test
210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to alleviate the backlog of learner drivers waiting to sit their tests (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Bus Services
212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, will provide an additional bus service on the 182 bus route...
- Driver Test
213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the average waiting time for an invitation to a driving test will be returned to the service level agreement time of ten...
- Rail Network
215. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the timeframe of the publication of the all-island strategic rail review report (details supplied). [5346/23]
- Driver Test
217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving test centres and testers in each county, in tabular form. [5424/23]
- Departmental Correspondence
218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5444/23]
- Flood Risk Management
219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends providing dedicated funding to deal with the issue of recurring tidal flooding on county roads in coastal areas near the...
- Departmental Funding
220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5515/23]
- Bus Services
221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus users on each individual bus route in Galway City and county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [5516/23]
- Transport Policy
222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the legislation granting additional certificates for certain renewable transport fuels will be published, which was as committed to...
- Transport Costs
223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an issue with the student Leap card (details supplied) whereby a person is not eligible for the card if they are...
- Department of Finance
- Departmental Meetings
224. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of times the financial stability group within his Department has met; the membership of the group; the issues discussed during the period from...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
225. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of funding allocated to the accelerated capital allowance in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on...
- Budget 2023
226. To ask the Minister for Finance the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for temporary extensions, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5389/23]
- Tax Reliefs
227. To ask the Minister for Finance the audit that has been carried out since 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 on the impact of benefit-in-kind changes in the Finance Act 2019 on notional pay and the...
- Revenue Commissioners
231. To ask the Minister for Finance the current number of Revenue Commissioners staff, by grade, that answer the personal PAYE hotline number; if he has plans to increase the number of these...
- Naval Service
232. To ask the Minister for Finance if the naval personnel sea service tax credit will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4806/23]
- Tax Code
233. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 18 January 2023, the reason that cohabiting partners cannot be jointly assessed as cohabitants for tax purposes...
- Business Supports
234. To ask the Minister for Finance if a rugby club (detail supplied) might be eligible to claim the support of the TBESS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5407/23]
- Revenue Commissioners
235. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners' counter service will be reinstated in Athlone; and if, a counter service is available at any other office of the Revenue...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Prison Service
236. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding restoration of pay for prison officers. [5414/23]
- An Garda Síochána
237. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for the completion of the refurbishment works on Bailieborough Garda station; the estimated cost of these works; and if he...
- Flood Risk Management
238. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the measures that are being taken to prevent flooding along the river Shannon, in particular for the...
- Departmental Policies
239. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the process for the selection of sites for modular housing; the process and timeline once a site investigation report...
- Departmental Contracts
240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there was a tender process for projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5469/23]
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Energy Policy
242. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the supports that can be made available to a person (details supplied) to assist with the provision and conservation of energy...
- Pension Provisions
243. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the continuing delay in resolving the dispute in relation to the pension benefits due to a person (details...
- Nursing Homes
244. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the considerations his Department is giving to the suspension of commercial rates for private nursing homes in Ireland given...
- Road Projects
245. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a response will issue to proposed amendments that were submitted by Galway County Council to the heritage section of the...
- Land Issues
246. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he or his Department officials are aware of ongoing issues in relation to the State regarding boundary disputes arising...
- Energy Policy
248. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a person (details supplied) will quality for a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant or local authority grant in...
- Housing Provision
249. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of housing units that have been delivered under the long-term social housing leasing scheme in each of the years...
- Fire Service
250. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of staff employed in each fire service delivery unit in each of the years since 2018, by grade and station, in...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Diplomatic Representation
251. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Irish Embassies that are scheduled for refurbishment in 2023; the nature of these works; the timeframe for when these works will...
- Irish Communities Abroad
252. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise the case of a missing Irish citizen (details supplied) with the Spanish authorities; if he is aware that the family of this...
- Departmental Bodies
253. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the work of the cross-departmental international sanctions committee, CDISC, which is chaired by his...
- Human Rights
254. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5345/23]
- Northern Ireland
255. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the efforts he and his Department officials are making to resolve the jurisdiction conflict over Lough Foyle with the...
- EU Meetings
256. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the matters he discussed recently with other EU foreign affairs ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/23]
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces
257. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current position with regard to investigations into the death of and injury to Irish soldiers in Lebanon in recent times; and if he will...
- Official Engagements
259. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has plans to invite his French counterpart (details supplied) to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5290/23]
- Defence Forces
260. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a survey of disused properties belonging to the Defence Forces has been undertaken, with a view to their repurposing as accommodation for...
- Military Neutrality
268. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the degree to which military equipment is being upgraded in line with international standards and capabilities, given the necessity to identify...
- Defence Forces
269. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which various grievances arising from issues in the Defence Forces including pay and conditions, have been met or are in the...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Education and Training Boards
273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans a review of the ETB sector as it reaches its ten-year mark; how reports of wrongdoings have been handled and remedied; and the...
- Special Educational Needs
274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons that her Department did not provide the course for SNAs at University College Dublin with level-7 accreditation; and if her...
- Schools Building Projects
275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of the schools in counties Laois and Offaly that have lodged applications to her Department for assistance in...
- School Curriculum
277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the teaching of modern foreign languages in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- School Staff
278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the implementation of the new pay deal for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Bullying in Educational Institutions
279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being advanced to tackle identity-based bullying in Irish schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5189/23]
- Education Schemes
280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the Creative Clusters Programme for primary and post-primary schools; the number of schools involved in the Programme; if...
- Departmental Data
281. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will report on the bringing live arts to students and teachers, BLAST, programme for primary and post-primary schools; the number of...
- School Accommodation
282. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she or her Department will consider the case for a new primary school for Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, given the huge deficit of space...
- Schools Building Projects
283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the school build for a school (details supplied), including but not limited to a timetable for establishment of...
- Road Safety
286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will conduct a safety audit of the road crossing at the entrance of a school (details supplied) in view of the serious accident that...
- School Transport
287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide school bus transport for a school (details supplied) to enable students access the site used for PE, which is currently a 20...
- Schools Administration
288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the security review conducted at a school (details supplied); when that review will be made available to the...
- Schools Building Projects
289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will detail the consultation that has occurred between her Department and Wicklow County Council over the past year in relation to the new...
- Departmental Expenditure
290. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the spend by her Department in the provision of temporary school accommodation in County Wicklow for primary and secondary...
- Schools Building Projects
291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the process to develop a school (details supplied) given that agreement has been reached in principle with the landowner of a 9.3 acre site; if a...
- Schools Administration
296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been taken on an application for funding by a school (details supplied) to increase security measures at it; and if she will...
- Grant Payments
297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will put financial supports in place for students undertaking a course at a college (details supplied) who are unable to access...
- Teacher Training
298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role of her Department and that of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to developing...
- School Staff
300. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current number of vacancies in home economics teaching posts in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5317/23]
- Teacher Training
302. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on an issue raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5326/23]
- Education Policy
303. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department, in making decisions in relation whether to extend existing schools, build new ones, take no action and so on, takes...
- School Accommodation
306. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the processing of payment for works to a school (details supplied) under the additional accommodation scheme 2021 are scheduled to be...
- School Textbooks
308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when guidelines and funding allocations for the free schoolbook scheme will issue to primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the...
- School Staff
310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the issue in relation to the fact that there has been no Spanish teacher in a school (details supplied) will be addressed. [5465/23]
- School Enrolments
311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will meet with a delegation of parents, teachers and school authorities from North Kildare, with a view to ensuring the availability of...
- Bullying in Educational Institutions
312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to indicate the extent to which she continues to address the issue of school bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5498/23]
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio
313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she continues to address pupil-teacher ratios at primary level in County Kildare and throughout the country; and if she will...
- School Enrolments
315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the most sensitive areas throughout the country currently experiencing school place difficulties arising from demographic developments or the use...
- School Accommodation
316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the school building programme can remain on target in the current and coming years; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Education Standards
318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she hopes to attract and retain teachers at primary and second level in all areas throughout the country; the regions...
- Special Educational Needs
319. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which special needs school places are available at primary and second level schools throughout Kildare North and the rest of the...
- School Transport
320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to be in a position to meet the school transport requirements of primary and second level pupils and students...
- School Facilities
321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which smaller and rural schools continue to be adequately provided for in terms of modernisation and supports; and if she will make...
- Special Educational Needs
322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which special needs teachers and SNAs continue to be available to the extent required in County Kildare and all areas throughout...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- School Meals Programme
323. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will instruct her Department to immediately reverse the decision to refuse the hot meals scheme for a school (details...
- Departmental Data
324. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the actual cost of carer’s allowance for 2022, broken down by month, specifying full rate and half rate, in tabular...
- Departmental Budgets
325. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the capital, current and total 2023 budget allocation for the humanitarian support scheme, in tabular form; and if she will...
- Social Welfare Benefits
326. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the means test threshold for the households benefits package for people under 70 years will be increased from €120...
- Social Welfare Offices
329. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline her plans and schedule regarding the re-opening of a new full-time, face-to-face, social welfare branch...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
330. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of PPS numbers allocated by her Department to beneficiaries of temporary protection and to international...
- Social Welfare Payments
331. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total payments made by her Department to beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants,...
- Social Welfare Code
332. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will examine the potential of removing the means tested income threshold for full-time carers, despite increasing the...
- Social Welfare Benefits
333. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for carer's allowance and the number of accepted applications in 2022, broken down by month, in...
- Social Welfare Payments
335. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5442/23]
- Social Welfare Benefits
337. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5475/23]
- Parental Leave
339. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if foster parents can avail of parental leave and benefit or parental leave where a newborn baby or child under stage age of...
- Social Welfare Benefits
340. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will change the rules to allow deserted wives who applied for deserted wives benefit between 3 August 1993 and 2...
- State Pensions
342. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the maximum amount of contributory pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Child Abuse
345. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps a person should take and who does not want to go to the police, who wants to divulge a historic child...
- School Staff
348. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the case of a preschool (details supplied) whose staff have been advised that...
- Departmental Expenditure
349. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of outstanding payments for commercial accommodation for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied); and...
- Child and Family Agency
350. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any circumstances where Tusla can apply for citizenship for children in foster care; if it is...
- School Transport
352. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 26 January 2023, if he will review a matter (details supplied) and...
- Housing Provision
353. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the areas in Limerick city and county where the proposed modular homes are to be...
- Child and Family Agency
354. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to trace the three unaccompanied minors who remain unaccounted for, having disappeared...
- Domestic Violence
355. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 19 January 2023, when he will establish a network of family contact...
- Special Educational Needs
356. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify the options available to a child (details supplied). [5522/23]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Departmental Budgets
357. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding allocated to the climate ready programme: talent for Ireland’s green economy, in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- An Garda Síochána
359. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of evidential breath-testing machines allocated to each Garda division as of 20 January 2023, in tabular form; and...
- Immigration Policy
363. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if Ireland’s inward migration policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to take account of new developments; the...
- Gender Recognition
364. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has taken note of a statement (details supplied) issued in the past number of days by the UK secretary of state for...
- Prison Service
365. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor each night, by prison location; and if he will make a statement on...
- Coroners Service
367. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the person or body that oversees Coroner’s Court recommendations and ensures that they are meaningfully applied to...
- Court Sittings
368. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average number of proceedings in each of the years since 2018, by court (details supplied), in tabular form; the steps...
- An Garda Síochána
369. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each of the years since 2018, by division, in tabular form. [5530/23]
- Department of Health
- Covid-19 Pandemic
370. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of persons who died from Covid-19 or with Covid-19 in nursing homes since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. [5255/23]
- Disability Services
374. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by CHO/CDNT for January 2022, in tabular form; the...
- Death Certificates
377. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a matter concerning death certificates in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Hospital Transfers
378. To ask the Minister for Health if the pathfinder alternative care pathway will be extended to cover counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5291/23]
- Hospital Staff
379. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant vascular surgeons attached to each hospital in the RCSI hospital group in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to...
- Disability Services
381. To ask the Minister for Health the number of respite beds that are available for adults with intellectual disabilities in the Cavan-Monaghan area; the number that are occupied at present;...
- Health Services Staff
382. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that a report (details supplied) has not been released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5308/23]
- Alcohol Advertising
383. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of prosecutions brought under section 14 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, for each year since its...
- Health Services Waiting Lists
384. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time persons have to wait in County Tipperary CHO3 and CHO5 before learning their biopsy histology results (details supplied); the HSE...
- Departmental Correspondence
385. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) is under a standalone review. [5318/23]
- Hospital Staff
386. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the potential for inclusion of housekeeping staff in pay increases following job revaluations in CUH. [5322/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
387. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1087 of 8 November 2022, the rationale behind not listing Covid-19 as an occupational injury (details supplied). [5342/23]
- Vaccination Programme
388. To ask the Minister for Health if he or his Department have taken note of the decision by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to cease offering a third Covid...
- Hospital Facilities
389. To ask the Minister for Health the annual breakdown of the bed capacity in Crumlin Children’s hospital since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5349/23]
- Medicinal Products
391. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taking to increase the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis, given that existing services are oversubscribed; and if he will make a...
- Disability Services
393. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive support from the Donegal north children’s disability network team; and if he will make a...
- Disabilities Assessments
394. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect an assessment for autism to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5400/23]
- Medical Inquiries
395. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the establishment of the promised inquiry on the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; when he...
- Health Services
396. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5404/23]
- Disability Services
397. To ask the Minister for Health if he agrees that full-time carers to children and adults with a lifelong disability should be entitled to a medical card; if he will take steps to ensure that...
- Insurance Coverage
398. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address an anomaly in relation to private health insurance whereby policy-holders automatically have to take out maternity cover; and his views that...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
399. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) will be awarded the pandemic payment bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5421/23]
- Dental Services
400. To ask the Minister for Health the date he last had face-to-face discussions with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the dental treatment services scheme; the outcome of those...
- Nursing Homes
401. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will make provision to assist in addressing the surging costs being incurred by private nursing homes which has led to the closure of same;...
- Medical Records
404. To ask the Minister for Health the protocols, including recourse for patients, which are applied by public hospitals when patient files go missing; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Data
408. To ask the Minister for Health the number of incident reports that have been undertaken at University Hospital Limerick; the number of recommendations that have been made arising from these...
- Hospital Services
409. To ask the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to locating the proposed surgical hub proposed for the mid-west region at Ennis General Hospital (details supplied); and if he...
- Public Sector Staff
410. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5439/23]
- Medical Cards
411. To ask the Minister for Health if he will include pain relief patches on the medical card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5440/23]
- Hospital Admissions
412. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a patient (details supplied) and their family were not informed that they could potentially lose their bed in hospital after going to stay with...
- Departmental Data
413. To ask the Minister for Health if the Government will investigate the causes of the large increase in the death rate in Ireland. [5446/23]
- Hospital Services
414. To ask the Minister for Health the steps taken to date to expand paediatric gynaecology services and out of hours care in line with the Women’s Health Action plan; the timeline and...
- Education Schemes
415. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken by the HSE to highlight the condition of endometriosis and its impact on teenage girls; if he will outline the available treatment...
- Public Sector Staff
416. To ask the Minister for Health the number of eligible health care workers that have not yet received the Covid recognition payment to date; the steps he intends taking to ensure all eligible...
- Hospital Appointments Status
418. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which school medical examinations continue on time in all areas throughout the country including Kildare North; the degree to which adequate...
- Health Services Staff
420. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff that have been working in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and psychology year on year since 2016 in two...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Industry
421. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the practice of burning gorse on hillsides and mountains to will be allowable during the prescribed burning season; and if he will...
- Coillte Teoranta
422. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 26 October 2022, and the subsequent reply from Coillte, if he will clarify an issue...
- Agriculture Schemes
423. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications will open for the voluntary dairy cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5355/23]
- Coillte Teoranta
424. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he sought a report from NewERA before he considered the approval of the agreement between Coillte and a company (details...
- Agriculture Supports
431. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research is being carried out on increasing the production of sheep milk in Ireland; his views on whether Ireland has a potential...
- Forestry Sector
433. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and value of grants allocated under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 for native species, by year and local authority, in...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Rural Schemes
435. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Ballycumber, County Offaly is an area eligible for a season of CLÁR funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Flood Risk Management
436. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider providing funding under the CLÁR programme, in tandem with the OPW and the Department of Transport to deal...
- Rural Schemes
437. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide information on the funding streams available to assist in financing a building project; and if she will make a...
- Control of Dogs
438. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dog wardens employed by local authorities in each of the years since 2018, by local authority, in tabular form. [5527/23]
