Written answers
Thursday, 22 June 2023
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Greenways Provision
12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Limerick to Scariff and Limerick city to Shannon greenway projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/23]
- Public Transport
13. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve public transport for students forced to make long commutes due to a lack of accommodation; and if he will make a...
- Park-and-Ride Facilities
14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 4 May 2023, if he will provide a status update on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in...
- Rail Network
15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the western rail corridor for freight and passengers from Collooney to Athenry; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Projects
16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgrade of the N22, Macroom to Ovens phase, is a priority of his Department; if he recognises its strategic importance for...
- Transport Policy
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the safe routes to school programme in Cork, in particular setting out, in tabular form, the number of schools...
- Departmental Data
21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has data on the modal split in Dublin since Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30112/23]
- Environmental Impact Assessments
22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give consideration to establishing a fund specifically aimed at noise mitigation and-or sound barriers to mitigate the impact...
- Parking Provision
23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what engagement has taken place between his Department and the DAA, with a view to having the appropriate level of car parking spaces...
- Rail Network
24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 4 May 2023, the status of the promised feasibility study for light rail in Galway; if the...
- Transport Policy
25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the basis on which funding will be made available to local authorities to fund mobility hubs for the different elements...
- Rail Network
27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how many extra carriages have been allocated on the Dublin to Waterford train line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30220/23]
- Road Network
28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the very substantial increase in road maintenance and road construction costs, he will ensure additional funding is...
- Antisocial Behaviour
29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to detail the measures in place to deal with antisocial behaviour on buses and trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Road Projects
30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how it is proposed that the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road scheme will be progressed this year, as due to changes in Government policy and...
- Public Transport
31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has had discussions with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána relating to ensuring sufficient...
- Road Network
32. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to make fundamental improvements to the national road structure, given some areas have...
- Rail Network
33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the CMATS rail project in Cork. [30209/23]
- Road Projects
34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Dunkettle interchange; if he will outline when the project will be completed; and if he will make a...
- Dublin Airport Authority
36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of and supports plans by the DAA to extend its operations; if his Department has had any discussion with the DAA about...
- Aviation Industry
37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to introduce restrictions or additional levies or taxes on the use of private jets in the State; if he is aware of figures...
- Departmental Consultations
38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the consultation that was undertaken with disabled persons' organisations with regard to the tendering and purchase of new...
- Public Transport
39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a public transport link from Finglas to Dublin Airport. [30132/23]
- Cycling Facilities
40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on his plans to increase the number of e-bike sharing schemes in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Rail Network
41. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline plans for the further development of the rail connection from Limerick to Shannon Airport over the next five years; if...
- Road Projects
44. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to develop a bypass of Innishannon, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29562/23]
- Bus Services
45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can detail the average number of passengers who have travelled on the new BusConnects route 60 since its introduction, per week or...
- Road Projects
46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided for major improvement works on national secondary roads in each of the past five years; his policy in relation to...
- Bus Éireann
47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the roll-out of the new bus ticket pricing structure by Bus Éireann outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement...
- Driver Test
48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm what progress has been made in relation to the reduction of waiting times for those waiting to be tested, following the...
- Bus Services
49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how many buses have been provided for the town bus link service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30219/23]
- Road Projects
50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30043/23]
- Rail Network
51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on delivering a light rail system planned for Ballincollig to Mahon in Cork city; what stops are planned for the route; and...
- Road Projects
54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the N17 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30168/23]
- Transport Policy
55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to achieve a balance between road and rail transport in the future; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Safety
56. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any plans to curtail access for HGVs in urban towns following the example from a town (details supplied) where eight...
- Cross-Border Co-operation
57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government will commit to funding 50% of the A5 upgrade project, as agreed in the St. Andrews Agreement; and if he will make a...
- Haulage Industry
59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the actions and initiatives undertaken by his Department to assist the freight industry in reducing emissions. [30205/23]
- Rail Network
60. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update as of June 2023 on the development of the MetroLink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30227/23]
- Electric Vehicles
61. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the roll-out of the shared island sports club EV charging scheme; and if such charging facilities under the scheme will...
- Transport Policy
62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has examined any proposals around the use and possible banning of SUV private vehicles in city and urban areas; if he...
- Road Projects
63. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered allowing a project (details supplied) to proceed this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/23]
- Transport Policy
64. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a number of active travel interventions by Cork City Council that have decreased accessibility for...
- Environmental Policy
65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the measures Iarnród Éireann has in place to foster biodiversity along its routes and land banks; the funding...
- Road Projects
66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current earliest projected timeline for completion of the N2 Clontibret-to-the-Border and the N2 Ardee-to-Castleblayney road schemes;...
- Public Transport
67. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan. [30155/23]
- Bus Services
68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to install more sheltered bus stops in Cork South-West. [29563/23]
- Air Services
69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken since the ending of Covid-19 air travel restrictions to address the imbalance in the regional spread of air traffic...
- Ports Policy
70. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline any engagement he has had with management at Waterford Port, including any plans related to upgrading the current...
- Road Projects
71. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an update can be provided regarding the status of the TEN-T project, which will fund three sections of road in County Donegal; and if...
- Rail Network
74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet with a campaign group (details supplied) to discuss development of the south-east rail network; and if he will make a...
- Departmental Meetings
76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with the CEO of Irish Rail-Iarnród Éireann since he took office. [29446/23]
- Road Projects
77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet with the members of Monaghan County Council to discuss the need for additional funding in 2023 for the N2 road schemes....
- Bus Services
78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the implementation of BusConnects for Swords, County Dublin, and Malahide, County Dublin, respectively; and if he...
- Road Projects
79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the Northern Ring Road project in Cork. [30088/23]
- Department of Finance
- Universal Social Charge
93. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will announce in budget 2024 the abolition of the universal social charge for those earning under €100,000 per year; and if he will make a...
- Tax Code
94. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on the review of the personal tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30034/23]
- Inflation Rate
95. To ask the Minister for Finance what measures are being taken to ensure any policy responses to international inflation do not embed inflationary expectation into the domestic economy, to...
- Insurance Industry
96. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address rate insurance premiums faced by SMEs. [29564/23]
- Mortgage Interest Rates
97. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the situation facing mortgage holders whose loans are held by vulture funds; and what action could be taken to reintegrate them into the retail...
- Tax Reliefs
98. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce new obligations on the recipients of section 481 film tax relief to end the use of buy-out contracts for performers, writers and artists...
- Tax Code
99. To ask the Minister for Finance how he proposes to maintain a secure, sustainable and progressive tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30041/23]
- Inflation Rate
100. To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take to ensure budgetary policy is calibrated so as to avoid adding to inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30032/23]
- Tax Code
101. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a windfall tax on banks and vulture funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30200/23]
- Tax Reliefs
102. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide an update on the ongoing review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; to confirm when he anticipates the commencement date for...
- Mortgage Interest Rates
103. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a cap on mortgage interest rates to prevent families being forced into poverty and homelessness by rising interest rates; and if he will...
- Economic Growth
104. To ask the Minister for Finance his assessment of the performance of the domestic economy to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30030/23]
- Tax Yield
106. To ask the Minister for Finance his assessment of Exchequer returns to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30028/23]
- Defective Building Materials
107. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with the retail banking sector regarding the provisions for forbearance measures and financing for mortgage holders whose homes are affected...
- International Bodies
108. To ask the Minister for Finance to outline his current engagement with the International Monetary Fund, in particular on the subject of its commitment to aid in developing countries; and if...
- Tax Yield
109. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on VAT receipts to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30026/23]
- Tax Code
110. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware that on 14 June 2023, the CEO of a charity (details supplied) outlined to the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight, wealth tax measures...
- Departmental Reviews
111. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the second review of Home Building Finance Ireland, which he published last month. [30033/23]
- Tax Code
113. To ask the Minister for Finance if he agrees with the chief IMF representative to Ireland during the Troika bailout, Ashok Mody, that Ireland is a "well-established tax haven" and that "for...
- Tax Reliefs
116. To ask the Minister for Finance how many people in Cork have benefitted from the enhanced help-to-buy scheme launched in July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30143/23]
- Economic Data
117. To ask the Minister for Finance his response to the recent European Commission spring forecasts for the Irish economy in 2023 and 2024. [30035/23]
- Mortgage Interest Rates
118. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with the retail banks to enable switching for mortgage loans held by vulture funds into the retail banking mortgage market. [30166/23]
- Tax Yield
119. To ask the Minister for Finance the action he is taking to address the risks around corporation tax windfall receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30029/23]
- Banking Sector
120. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address the rates charged to hospitality businesses by financial institutions for transactions carried out with cards. [29565/23]
- Credit Unions
121. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on credit union SME lending in the State; the plans he has to assist credit unions in reaching an increased number of SMEs with their lending...
- Tax Data
122. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide information from Revenue as to the numbers of employees with southern addresses and who are working in northern-based companies; the...
- Trade Missions
123. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a report on the ministerial trade visit to Money 20/20 Europe 2023 in Amsterdam; the way in which he supported IDA Ireland and Enterprise...
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
124. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on his Department’s review of the IREF and REIT tax regimes; his views on whether IREFs and REITs are paying sufficient tax; and if he...
- National Treasury Management Agency
126. To ask the Minister for Finance the situations under which it would be considered appropriate to withdraw funds from the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund. [30087/23]
- Credit Unions
127. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on credit union mortgage lending in the State; the plans he has to assist credit unions in reaching an increased number of first-time home...
- Tax Yield
129. To ask the Minister for Finance for a report on the trend in corporation tax revenue stream since just before the pandemic. [30037/23]
- Inflation Rate
130. To ask the Minister for Finance his Department’s current projection for inflation in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30042/23]
- Tax Credits
132. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ensure tax relief for parents in respect of accommodation costs for students attending further or higher education colleges is applicable in...
- Mortgage Interest Rates
134. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a cap on mortgage interest rates to prevent families being impoverished and forced into arrears by rising interest rates; and if he will...
- Tax Code
135. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide an update on his engagement with Revenue with respect to the current tax rules regarding the importation of vehicles from Britain and the North and...
- Financial Services
136. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of the domestic financial services and the international financial services sectors in Ireland, in terms of the number of people employed and the...
- Equality Issues
138. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with progress to date on the Women in Finance Charter, which was developed in partnership with various stakeholders (details supplied),...
- EU Bodies
139. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on Ireland’s bid to host the new EU AML Authority; if Ireland having a strong AML, legal and administrative framework will assist in this...
- Housing Provision
140. To ask the Minister for Finance his perspectives on the report concerning the factors influencing the cost and accessibility of finance for residential development; and if he will make a...
- Fiscal Policy
141. To ask the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to allocating some of the general Government surplus to investment into sustainable transport infrastructure; and if he will...
- Tax Code
143. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the details of the flat-rate expense allowances for the building industry allowed by Revenue, to include an itemised list for all the sub...
- Departmental Meetings
144. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of times he has corresponded or met with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council; and if he will list the dates upon which these meetings and-or...
- Insurance Industry
147. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline the progress made to date by the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market as it continues to work to help to attract new...
- Insurance Coverage
149. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of the impact that micro sectoring by the insurance industry in Ireland is having on the availability of insurance cover for niche markets such as...
- Tax Data
150. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will detail what lessening of personal taxation has occurred since 2011 in terms of entry points, rate changes, band changes, tax credits, and so on; if...
- Credit Unions
151. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide an update on the progress of the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022; to outline the engagement at ministerial and official level with the credit...
- Departmental Policies
153. To ask the Minister for Finance if, in light of the Taoiseach’s plans to organise a half-day seminar to review the outcome of the Wellbeing Framework, led by the Department of the...
- Public Sector Pay
154. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will detail the salaries of the top ten highest paid civil servants in his Department. [29447/23]
- Tax Reliefs
156. To ask the Minister for Finance what plans there are to reform the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30224/23]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Election Monitoring Missions
157. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason expressions of interest with a closing date of 26 May 2023 had been sought for places on the election observer roster; the...
- Official Travel
158. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to visit the United States before the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30282/23]
- Passport Services
159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when applications for passports on behalf of siblings (details supplied) will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Departmental Expenditure
162. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of...
- Departmental Schemes
163. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide clarification on the reasons an applicant (details supplied) to the warmer homes scheme was refused...
- Telecommunications Services
164. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current 5G population coverage; the steps being taken to progress the deployment of 100% population 5G coverage by...
- Legislative Measures
165. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the publication of the general scheme of legislation to establish the national cybersecurity centre on...
- Energy Policy
166. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider engaging with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to examine allowing micro-energy...
- Telecommunications Services
167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the proposed EU telecoms tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30433/23]
- Departmental Strategies
168. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will publish Ireland's national hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30434/23]
- Departmental Consultations
169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he intends to launch a public consultation on private wires-direct lines; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Defence
- Defence Forces
170. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will grant an exception to the two-year rule for the submission of the case of recommendation (details supplied) similar to that afforded...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Energy Policy
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what supports will be available for people required to upgrade machinery or cars to be e10 petrol compatible; and if he will make a...
- Road Projects
175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his Department’s position regarding an upgrade investment for the N24 Waterford to Limerick road; when such...
- Driver Test
176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if assistance will be provided in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30234/23]
- Rail Network
178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider adding an additional train journey on the Waterford to Dublin line weekdays leaving Waterford around 4 p.m., to allow...
- Insurance Coverage
179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that people looking to reduce their motor insurance costs by changing their provider are being requested to submit a valid...
- Transport Policy
180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has or is planning to develop a policy to support the development of active travel infrastructure serving healthcare...
- Public Transport
181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is committed to making public transport in rural areas accessible to passengers with mobility limitations; the improvements he is...
- Road Projects
182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the status of the northern ring road for Cork, which is included in the NPF. [22062/23]
- Departmental Expenditure
184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- Taxi Licences
185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure taxi drivers who rent their plate are represented when filling the current vacancy on the advisory committee on small...
- Driver Test
187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provision will be made for the cost of resitting a driving test; and the efforts being made to reduce the waiting times for repeat...
- Transport Policy
188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he proposes to ensure an adequate balance in investment in transport between urban and rural communities; and if he...
- Rail Network
190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to make adequate provision for increased numbers of commuters using the rail services in County Kildare,...
- Public Transport
193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it might be possible to provide an appropriate bus or taxi service for older people throughout north Kildare who may...
- Transport Policy
194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent, if any, to which research is being done to identify any shortcomings and provide for future transport needs of current or...
- Road Network
196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate provision continues to be made for the minor roads throughout County Kildare currently experiencing...
- Bus Éireann
198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a mobility scooter will not be accepted on the Enniscrone to Ballina and Enniscrone to Sligo Bus Éireann bus routes; and...
- Bus Services
199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for a definitive reason for the exclusion of the Maugheraboy stop on the new No. 981 bus route from Coolaney to St. Angela’s...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Reliefs
200. To ask the Minister for Finance to reintroduce tax relief for first-time mortgage holders in light of the increasing interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30098/23]
- Legislative Reviews
201. To ask the Minister for Finance the date he will be publishing the terms of reference for his review of section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; the work he has undertaken to date...
- Financial Services
202. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the additional regulation of fintech companies providing banking services and holding an Irish banking licence; and if he will make a statement...
- Departmental Expenditure
203. To ask the Minister for Finance the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies...
- Regulatory Bodies
207. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps being taken domestically and at EU level to ensure public access to the register of beneficial ownership is restored; and if he will make a...
- EU Directives
208. To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons the Government plans to transpose the credit servicers directive by statutory instrument, and not primary legislation; if the Government is making...
- Employment Support Services
209. To ask the Minister for Finance his views, based on the experience of the EWSS, on the need to embed a modernised short-time work scheme modelled on the successful German Kurzarbeit scheme,...
- Mortgage Interest Rates
210. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is considering providing any assistance to mortgage holders impacted by the series of interest rate increases from the ECB over the past 12 months; and...
- Tax Credits
211. To ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to introduce a tax credit for unscripted content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30424/23]
- Electronic Commerce
214. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the proposed digital euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30427/23]
- Economic Policy
215. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which provision continues to be made to ensure adequate safety measures to safeguard the fundamentals of the economy in the future; and if he...
- Fiscal Policy
217. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department have identified the degree to which unforeseen budgetary surpluses need to be set against Government borrowing in...
- Economic Data
218. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which savings in the various financial institutions have fluctuated over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Banking Sector
219. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the levels of bank charges being imposed by various banks; the basis for such charges,...
- Economic Policy
221. To ask the Minister for Finance how Ireland's economic performance currently compares with other EU countries in the eurozone or outside it; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Housing Provision
223. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent, if any, to which investment funds are currently funding the house building markets at higher than average interest rates; whether this market...
- Banking Sector
224. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which he is satisfied that cash remains readily available to customers through the banks via ATMs or other means; and if he will make a...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Public Expenditure Policy
226. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he continues to ensure adequate and prudent public and current spending policies in the future, with an adequate...
- Waterways Issues
227. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works can be carried out at Ross Castle, Killarney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30229/23]
- Public Sector Pay
228. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform how a person offered employment in the Civil Service can apply to have a determination made as to whether they are entitled to...
- Departmental Expenditure
229. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- Public Sector Pensions
230. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given to permitting those who retired early from the public service or State agencies to take up employment...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Industrial Development
231. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of the advanced manufacturing facility committed by IDA Ireland for Marlinstown, Mullingar. [30233/23]
- Departmental Expenditure
232. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- EU Directives
233. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expected timeline for the transposition of EU Directive 2022/2941 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union; the status of...
- EU Regulations
234. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline Ireland's position in respect of the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Policies
235. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the Irish Government's main priorities for its upcoming presidency of the D9+ Group; and if he will make a statement on...
- EU Regulations
237. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the EU Chips Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30423/23]
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Funding
238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what funding has been allocated for ICT grants for schools on an annual basis from 2011 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a...
- Departmental Expenditure
240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of...
- Education Policy
241. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an overview of the objectives and scope of the pilot programme of counselling supports in primary schools (details supplied);...
- Special Educational Needs
242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will assist a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30286/23]
- Schools Building Projects
243. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30311/23]
- School Accommodation
244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the progress made regarding the timely delivery of modular units before the start of the upcoming academic year...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Departmental Expenditure
245. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- Housing Provision
247. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the 20 local authority housing units approved for construction in a location (details supplied) in May 2015 have finished...
- Citizens' Assembly
253. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the Government will publish its comprehensive response to the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity; and if he will make a...
- Water Services
254. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration will be given by his Department to engaging with Uisce Éireann with a view to reducing the cost of...
- Housing Policy
255. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason a person living in voluntary housing, having been on the local authority housing list and been nominated by the...
- Vacant Properties
256. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government how a vacant property is defined under the vacant property refurbishment scheme; if a stand-alone chalet at the rear of...
- Defective Building Materials
257. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide an update on the enhanced defective concrete block redress scheme. [30323/23]
- Local Authorities
258. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline what supports, financial or otherwise, are available for a person with a disability elected to a local authority,...
- Regeneration Projects
259. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeline for delivery of the URDF project in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30394/23]
- Departmental Bodies
260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if all board members have been appointed to MARA; if so, the full list of members; the name of the new CEO; how many board...
- Defective Building Materials
261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he expects the enhanced grant scheme for the remediation of dwellings damaged by the use of defective concrete blocks in...
- Postal Voting
264. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to change the requirement for those seeking a postal vote on medical or disability grounds to have their application form...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Eligibility
265. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the pathway for a parent to claim an increase for a qualified child on a payment after being awarded primary custody of the...
- Departmental Expenditure
266. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for...
- Social Welfare Benefits
267. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will examine a case (details supplied). [30316/23]
- Social Welfare Appeals
269. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which a payment for disability allowance has ceased in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she...
- State Pensions
271. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which an application for a top-up of the State pension was refused in the case of a person (details...
- Social Welfare Benefits
273. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be reviewed as a matter of urgency in the case of a person (details...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Departmental Consultations
274. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the public consultation on spent convictions launched by her Department in October 2020; if there will be a...
- Domestic Violence
275. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there was a net reduction in the number of refuge spaces available in County Louth from 15 in quarter 3 2022 to 13...
- Departmental Expenditure
276. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for...
- Family Reunification
277. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a family reunification application by a person (details supplied) will be prioritised; and if she will make a statement on...
- Citizenship Applications
278. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if it is intended for the new section 16 Irish associations comprehensive guidelines to retrospectively apply to applications...
- Naturalisation Applications
279. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline the circumstances in which waivers are sanctioned in naturalisation applications; if she will confirm the...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Departmental Expenditure
280. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- Forestry Sector
281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out in detail the evaluation criteria used for the decision-making process for the granting of tree planting licences;...
- Greyhound Industry
283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what economic measures, other than the Jim Power report (2021), he employed when deciding on the level of funding to be given to the...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Early Childhood Care and Education
286. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the rationale for the two years and eight months entry age for the early childhood care and education programme;...
- Childcare Services
287. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the successful applicants from childcare facilities for the blocks grant strand B, by company name and...
- Departmental Expenditure
288. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of...
- Childcare Services
289. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department will take to ensure greater funding is provided for parents under the national...
- Equality Issues
290. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the study commissioned by his Department to evaluate the processes for implementation of...
- Disability Services
291. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on an application for increased and consistent respite...
- International Protection
292. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will liaise directly with a person in respect of an inspection (details supplied). [30414/23]
- Department of Health
- Public Sector Pay
293. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the current pharmacy fee structure review as part of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017; when the review is due to be published;...
- Health Services Staff
294. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the recruitment campaign for a day centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30228/23]
- Mental Health Services
295. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30231/23]
- Legislative Reviews
296. To ask the Minister for Health the money spent, broken down by category, in each of the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, on the review into the Health (Regulation of...
- Dental Services
297. To ask the Minister for Health the status of braces for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30245/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
298. To ask the Minister for Health on behalf of a person (details supplied) the reason an employee is told they are not entitled to the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services
299. To ask the Minister for Health if it is possible for a person (details supplied) to submit an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30253/23]
- Departmental Expenditure
300. To ask the Minister for Health the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies...
- Hospital Appointments Status
301. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30284/23]
- Health Services
302. To ask the Minister for Health if urgent consideration will be given to the concerns of a national organisation (details supplied) regarding the proposed reduction in the existing level of...
- Health Service Executive
303. To ask the Minister for Health when an HSE settlement discussion will be put in place for a person (details supplied) and-or a hearing date be set for same; and if he will make a statement...
- Legislative Reviews
304. To ask the Minister for Health if a tender was published for the commissioning of the report of the Public Consultation Relating to the Review of the (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy)...
- Health Strategies
305. To ask the Minister for Health when the new digital healthcare framework will be published; the current status of the roll-out of the electronic health record system; and if he will make a...
- Medicinal Products
306. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on efforts by officials to restore the supply of basic medications as listed by the HPRA; if he will consider reviewing regulations to...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
307. To ask the Minister for Health whether he intends extending the existing private hospital claims cover for compensation claims over €1.3 million to outpatient clinics providing...
- Health Services Staff
309. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any plans to provide specialised Parkinson's nurse specialists into the communities to work alongside community nurses. [30322/23]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
310. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the total capital spend at each level 4 hospital from 2016 to 2022, broken down by year and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Health Services
312. To ask the Minister for Health if financial assistance can be given to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30327/23]
- Nursing Homes
313. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes operating in this State, broken down by publicly run HSE facilities, community nursing units, not-for-profit organisations and...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
317. To ask the Minister for Health how many workers who are eligible for the pandemic payment are still waiting to receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30332/23]
- National Children's Hospital
319. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated completion date and cost estimate for the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30334/23]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
351. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the full revenue and capital cost of the last community nursing unit built and completed; the date it was opened, the number of beds, the number of...
- Community Care
352. To ask the Minister for Health the average weekly cost of contracting a community step-down or recovery bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30367/23]
- Hospital Admissions
354. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering a centralised referral system for patients referred into acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30369/23]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
355. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children with scoliosis waiting for surgery on 1 May 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will...
- Health Services Staff
357. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider hiring directly employed GPs, the work that has been carried out in his Department to progress this; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Medical Cards
360. To ask the Minister for Health to outline what additional funds were made available to GPs in budget 2023 to assist in delivering additional GP-only cards; how that money was spent; and if...
- Departmental Budgets
362. To ask the Minister for Health to outline any cost-saving measures identified in health in budgets from 2016 to date; the amount of money saved; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Medical Cards
363. To ask the Minister for Health to outline all secondary non-health benefits associated with having a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30378/23]
- Nursing Homes
364. To ask the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the cost of increasing funding to the NTPF to ensure a 10%, 20% and 30% increase in the fair deal and nursing home support scheme...
- Medicinal Products
368. To ask the Minister for Health who is responsible for tracking availability of medicines, issuing warnings if there are shortages and monitoring supply of medicines; and if he will make a...
- Public Sector Pay
372. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering a new contract for optometrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30388/23]
- Health Strategies
373. To ask the Minister for Health if he will develop a population-wide strategy for ear and hearing care in the Irish population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30389/23]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
374. To ask the Minister for Health in tabular form, the capital funding allocated to each level 3 and level 4 hospital from 2016 to date, broken down by year, by hospital, and by hospital group;...
- Departmental Expenditure
376. To ask the Minister for Health to provide, in tabular form, the amounts spent by the HSE and-or each individual hospital and his Department and management consultancy for the years 2016 to...
- Health Strategies
377. To ask the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, all health strategies in place; the total funding provided to each strategy from 2016 to date, broken down by each strategy; and...
- Medicinal Products
378. To ask the Minister for Health if the prescribing of a drug (details supplied) is correct practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30400/23]
- Hospital Staff
379. To ask the Minister for Health the vacancies that currently need to be filled in a hospital (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/23]
- General Practitioner Services
381. To ask the Minister for Health the GPs in County Clare currently engaged in the general medical services scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30406/23]
- Health Services
383. To ask the Minister for Health what plans he has to end geographical inequality in children’s eye care across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/23]
- Departmental Budgets
385. To ask the Minister for Health how much of the allocated budget for reimbursement of medicines has been spent to date since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/23]
- Disease Management
386. To ask the Minister for Health if a new liaison person within his Department has been appointed to oversee implementation of the national rare disease plan; if a review conducted by the...
- Medicinal Products
388. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline Ireland's national position in respect of the European Commission's proposed pharmaceutical strategy; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Legislative Measures
389. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the expected legislative timeline of the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement...
- Dental Services
390. To ask the Minister for Health to address the long waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in Westmeath. [30442/23]
- Mental Health Services
391. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he can assist the mother of a person (details supplied) who is psychotic and requires urgent residential care; if arrangements can be...
- Health Services
392. To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish a national referral pathway for children with scoliosis; if he will issue information to GPs outlining the service options for children...
- Hospital Services
393. To ask the Minister for Health his response to the recently implemented programme to improve the offering and safety for those who required a texture modified meal in a hospital (details...
- Hospital Appointments Status
395. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30485/23]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Departmental Expenditure
397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
398. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce a ministerial Order that will recognise the new generation apprenticeships that are, and will, progress from the...
- Departmental Reviews
399. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the departmental review of PHDs; if he will provide a timeline for its publication; if his attention has been drawn to...
- Residency Permits
400. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide PhDs classified as non-EU with updated residency visas with a four-year duration; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Third Level Education
407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available to Irish students pursuing degree programmes in other jurisdictions when there is no comparable course available in...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Departmental Expenditure
408. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the...
- Telecommunications Services
409. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will list the dates of meetings of the reconstituted mobile phone and broadband task force; the progress to date in overcoming...
- Community Development Projects
410. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made on an application by a group (details supplied) to participate in the community services programme; the...
