Written answers
Wednesday, 22 March 2023
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Citizens' Assembly
47. To ask the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 7 March 2023, the amount received in honoraria or expenses by chairs of all previous citizens assemblies; and if he will make...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Industrial Development
48. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details on the grants given by IDA Ireland to each of the largest 20 technology companies, by value, that are...
- Job Losses
51. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has made contact with a company (details supplied) following its recent announcement in relation to a 5% cut to its global...
- Departmental Schemes
52. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the capital and current funding allocation for the regional enterprise innovation scoping scheme in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make...
- Human Trafficking
54. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of National Employment Rights Authority inspectors who have been given training in human trafficking. [14363/23]
- Civil Service
55. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31...
- Departmental Staff
56. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average number of days' training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Climate Change Policy
57. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of dedicated funding that will be provided to each local authority to monitor and enforce the smoky coal ban...
- Energy Conservation
61. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the updated average cost for retrofitting a social housing unit as part of the national retrofitting scheme; and if he...
- Public Sector Pensions
63. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 18 January 2023, if the report which was requested from NewERA has been...
- Energy Policy
64. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if research has been undertaken by his Department into the processes engaged in the production of plastics in Ireland...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Electric Vehicles
65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of electric vehicles in Ireland to date in 2023; the number of electric vehicles registered annually over the past ten...
- School Transport
68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of schools enrolled in the safe routes to school in 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of schools waiting to be enrolled; the...
- Local Authorities
69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the 248 new posts for active travel teams in local authorities that have been filled; the number that currently remain...
- Public Transport
75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total cost arising from the reduced 20% public transport fares to the public and the reduced 50% public transport to students and...
- Road Safety
78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking in improving pedestrian safety and infrastructure on rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Transport Policy
79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government is considering implementing a congestion charge on private motor vehicles entering Dublin city; and if he will make a...
- National Car Test
80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of people currently on an NCT cancellation list by county. [14106/23]
- Legislative Measures
82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the new powers in relation to the use of scramblers will be activated; and if guidelines will be issued to gardaí at local level...
- Driver Test
83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in driving tests; when a person (details supplied) will be given a driving test; and if he will make a statement...
- Public Transport
84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans to provide increased public transport either by way of CIÉ or private bus operators to Kilshanroe, Enfield, County Kildare,...
- Fuel Quality
85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide information about the introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland; if he is aware of the concerns about the potential impact...
- Bus Services
86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will intervene with the NTA in relation to the poor provision of bus services in Ballyfermot, specifically in relation to routes in...
- Road Safety
88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the updated speed guidance document for local authorities; when it will be issued to local authorities; and if he...
- Vacant Properties
89. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an audit of habitable properties or properties that were previously inhabited, to include but not limited to station masters’...
- Driver Test
90. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) will be given priority in their driving test as they require it for work. [14276/23]
- Department of Finance
- Online Safety
91. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons to whom online platforms have paid compensation following said persons being victims of authorised push payment fraud as a result of...
- Tax Yield
92. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 7 March 2023, the projected revenue in a full year of a return to a 13.5% VAT rate for the hospitality sector; and...
- Transport Policy
93. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of applications under the cycle-to-work scheme in 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will provide a breakdown between the number of bicycles, pedelecs,...
- Tax Data
95. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of category A vehicles that were charged with the nitrogen dioxide emissions, NOx, levy in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023; the revenue raised each...
- Disabilities Assessments
99. To ask the Minister for Finance the disciplines and professions he believes should be required to conduct the multidisciplinary assessments for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers...
- Human Trafficking
100. To ask the Minister for Finance the training provided to revenue inspectors in relation to human trafficking. [14361/23]
- Civil Service
101. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Office of Public Works
102. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a list of all playgrounds maintained by the Office of Public Works in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Public Sector Pensions
103. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide an update in relation to a pension transfer for a person (details supplied); and to confirm if he received clarity from...
- Departmental Staff
104. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to reintroduce in a modernised format a portal or publication similar to the State Directory which was previously available...
- Civil Service
105. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is his policy to continue to enhance and develop high-level and continuous training and education at all levels of the civil and...
- Maternity Leave
111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position of his Department with respect to maternity and paternity leave where the parent has applied for such leave after securing...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Broadcasting Charge
112. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has plans to propose a broadcasting charge on all households; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14119/23]
- Soláthar Iompar Scoile
113. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht an bhfuil iarratas faighte ó eagraíocht (sonraí tugtha) ar mhionbhus a cheannach; má tá, cén uair a...
- Civil Service
114. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in her Department as of...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Local Authorities
116. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the additional staff sought by Cork City Council for its housing directorate, by division, that is, vacancy, adaptation,...
- Wildlife Protection
122. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will list the number of local authorities that have been funded for biodiversity officers to date; the number that are...
- Hedge Cutting
123. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of local authorities that have undertaken hedgerow surveys; whether targeted funding is available to councils to...
- Wildlife Protection
124. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline his role, in the study and protection of hedgerows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/23]
- Invasive Species Policy
131. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the Development a new National Invasive Species Management Plan; if any legislation is...
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
134. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on each action in the NPWS strategic plan, including if the action is completed, or on track to...
- Special Areas of Conservation
136. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline the additional monitoring and protections that have been put in place for the new maritime SACs, the...
- Departmental Data
138. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of people in each local authority nationally who have been served with eviction notices that each council is aware...
- Housing Schemes
139. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he plans to publish the review of Housing Aid for Older Persons, Housing Adaptation Grants and Mobility Aids Grants; if...
- Local Authorities
140. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will confirm what is meant by the phrase ‘delegated sanction’ in Circular 08/2023 with respect to...
- Heritage Projects
141. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the process for him to designate a proposed natural heritage area, pNHA; if he will consider this in the event a pNHA is...
- Fisheries Protection
142. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to engage with inshore fishers, their representative organisations, and their producer organisations concerning a...
- Construction Industry
143. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on introducing regulations concerning the use of rock-breaking equipment. [14303/23]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- European Court of Human Rights
145. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will take the British Government to the European Court of Human Rights if it proceeds with the North of Ireland Troubles (Legacy and...
- Northern Ireland
146. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will seek reform of Stormont to prevent the Executive being held to ransom in the future. [14000/23]
- EU Bodies
147. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the projected costs arising from his decision to join the State in EU Commission enforcement proceedings against Hungary; if he will list...
- Passport Services
148. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of people currently awaiting a passport with an address in Cork; and the average processing times. [14104/23]
- Middle East
149. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the status of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 in light of the Israeli...
- Passport Services
150. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to open a Passport Office in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14283/23]
- Pension Provisions
151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the services that are available to provide help and support for returning and returned Irish immigrants to secure their UK state pension...
- Department of Defence
- Official Travel
152. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he outline the budget available within his Department to secure a replacement Government jet, which is recommended to be replaced in 2024;...
- Defence Forces
153. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will set out the full range of allowances for the pre-deployment training period, stand-by period and if required deployed periods payable...
- Civil Service
155. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Funding
157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the funding for the 58 schools capital projects; when the funding will be reinstated; and if she will make a...
- School Textbooks
159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration has been given to the impact on independent and local book stores with the introduction of the free primary book scheme as it is...
- School Funding
160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to list all schools in Ireland that were granted capital funding for additional accommodation from January 2019 to date, specify in the case of...
- Special Educational Needs
161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the discrepancy in the assistive technology grant for students with hearing difficulties whereby only students...
- Departmental Reviews
162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the building programme review; what stage is this review at; when this review will be completed; and if she will make a...
- Schools Building Projects
163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update in respect of a school building project in Naas, County Kildare (details supplied); if this project will be...
- School Transport
164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her engagement to date with the Minister for Transport in relation to extending the age limit for school bus drivers; and if she will make a...
- School Staff
165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has policies in relation to private companies paying for wages of school staff in primary schools; if her Department has...
- Schools Building Projects
166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reconsider putting a school (details supplied) on hold in the school building programme and start the building immediately; and if...
- School Transport
168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the urgent need for a pay...
- Schools Building Projects
170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a schedule of the locations of the 58 school building projects that are on hold in her Department for proceeding to tender...
- Departmental Inquiries
171. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that the scoping inquiry into historical sex abuse in schools will not be restricted to Roman Catholic religious orders; and...
- School Curriculum
172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has plans to reinstate CSPE as a subject that could be taken as an exam subject for the junior cycle; and if she will make a statement on...
- Schools Building Projects
173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update in relation to a project (details supplied); if the school can continue to progress the delivery of this...
- Special Educational Needs
177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will engage directly with parents of a child (details supplied) who been unable to access a place at four schools recommended...
- Departmental Correspondence
178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the project details for a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14282/23]
- School Transport
179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will reduce the eligibility for the school transport scheme to 1.2 kilometres for both primary and post-primary students. [14293/23]
- Pension Provisions
180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on remaining pay and pension inequality for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14305/23]
- Schools Building Projects
181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on...
- School Curriculum
182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to concerns raised regarding the SPHE junior curriculum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Civil Service
183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average number of days training per grade, in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if she will...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Benefits
184. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients of jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance who have been in receipt of either allowance...
- Social Welfare Payments
186. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department sent letters to recipients informing them of the option to receive their payment via bank transfer. [14103/23]
- Departmental Correspondence
187. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14111/23]
- Social Welfare Benefits
188. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal has been completed for a carer's support grant application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- Human Trafficking
190. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of social welfare inspectors who have been provided with training in relation to human trafficking. [14362/23]
- Departmental Staff
191. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average numbers of days training per grade in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how the figures compare...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Care Services
192. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is planned that respite services for children and young adults will recommence at Drumboe House, County...
- Health Services
193. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any progress has been made in establishing a community neuro-rehabilitation team, operational within CHO 8;...
- Disability Services
194. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking in response to an inspection report by the Health Information and Quality Authority,...
- Human Rights
196. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on removing the State’s reservations to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with...
- Ukraine War
198. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if outstanding payments owed to a premises (details supplied) can be made urgently; and if he will make a...
- Disability Services
200. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 9 March 2023, to provide a breakdown of therapy hours by...
- Civil Service
204. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Fees
205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person for the purposes of qualifying for the 'free fees' scheme who is not a EEA/UK/Swiss citizen but has a stamp 4 visa and is under 21...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
206. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an apprentice date for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/23]
- Health Services Staff
207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his engagement with the Minister for Health to increase the number of graduates from clinical therapies, including but not...
- Public Sector Pensions
208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 493 of 7 March 2023, if he will clarify the current stage the process is at; if he can provide a timeline...
- Civil Service
209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022;...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Departmental Data
211. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost to the State in legal fees and settlements of all cases taken to date by current and former prisoners in...
- Naturalisation Applications
212. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications at various stages of processing in the spouse of an Irish National Unit currently; and if he will...
- Citizenship Applications
215. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the processing application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
- An Garda Síochána
218. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if training has been provided to gardaí with regard to new stalking legislation; if he will advise the measures that have...
- Work Permits
219. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason applicants who are granted a work permit from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment also have to apply...
- An Garda Síochána
220. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 490 of 28 February 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda...
- Civil Service
232. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of...
- Department of Health
- Mental Health Services
234. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 5 October 2021, if he will provide an exact breakdown of the service costs of €3.1m for the Owenacurra...
- Health Services
238. To ask the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13990/23]
- Medicinal Products
239. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline what contingency plans are in place to ensure the continuous supply of Ozempic, a medicine for diabetes patients; what measures are in place...
- Hospital Investigations
240. To ask the Minister for Health the last time that each hospital group, excluding the Saolta group (details supplied) conducted a bed capacity analysis for each hospital in the country; the...
- Health Service Executive
241. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of people employed by the Health Service Executive at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14050/23]
- Medicinal Products
244. To ask the Minister for Health if he was briefed following the HSE Drugs Committee meeting held on 14 March 2023 where the ongoing kaftrio dispute was discussed; when the HSE leadership team...
- Ambulance Service
246. To ask the Minister for Health if the criteria for a position in the National Ambulance Service (details supplied) will be examined and reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
247. To ask the Minister for Health the voluntary and private sector employers in counties Cavan and Monaghan who received the pandemic special recognition payment for staff they employed that...
- Traveller Community
249. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of the National Traveller Health Action Plan Implementation Group which was due to be established in November 2022; the...
- Tobacco Control Measures
251. To ask the Minister for Health when the public health (tobacco and nicotine inhaling products) Bill is due to be published. [14179/23]
- Traveller Community
252. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the resource allocation and spending to date by his Department, on specific measures to address addiction amongst Travellers...
- Disease Management
253. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he will take to improve the diagnosis and treatment for endometriosis; if he will consider the proposal for the establishment of a dedicated...
- Health Services
254. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on the speech and language therapy first-time assessment waiting list in CHO4 at the latest available date; the number waiting one, two,...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
263. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive their pandemic special recognition payment. [14260/23]
- Eating Disorders
264. To ask the Minister for Health to provide details of the number of eating disorders teams currently in place in each CHO; the number of staff currently assigned to each team; the number of...
- Mental Health Services
266. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the amount of unspent moneys from mental health services budgets returned to the Exchequer relating to 2022. [14299/23]
- Ambulance Service
267. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortages of ambulances in Cork south west. [14300/23]
- Hospital Appointments Status
269. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a case (details supplied);and when the person concerned can expect an appointment for admission to the Cardiology Department,...
- Nursing Homes
270. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that were found non compliant in relation to regulations each year from 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form; the total number...
- Hospital Appointments Status
275. To ask the Minister for Health if an earlier appointment for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal can be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14371/23]
- Civil Service
277. To ask the Minister for Health the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Programme for Government
278. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine which Department is responsible for the implementation of the national hedgerow survey, as per Programme for Government commitments;...
- Fishing Industry
279. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has instructed the QMAC to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2023 mackerel hook and line...
- Forestry Sector
280. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a forestry felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement...
- Hedge Cutting
281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the scientific basis for the 500m threshold in relation to hedgerow removal under EIA (Agriculture) Regulations (S.I. 456 of 2011 as...
- Maritime Jurisdiction
283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to monitor the activities of super trawlers operating in Irish territorial waters, including his views on...
- Civil Service
285. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Voluntary Sector
287. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development what her Department has done in relation to the provision of multi annual funding for meals on wheels service providers to allow for...
- Flexible Work Practices
289. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the possibility of funding a remote working hub at Moate, County Westmeath as part of the town centre...
- Civil Service
290. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in her Department as of 31...
