Written answers
Thursday, 12 October 2023
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Corporate Governance
14. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 29 June 2023, for a status update on his Department's engagement with the Department of...
- Flexible Work Practices
15. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will give an update on the work that is being carried out by his Department, with other Government Departments and State...
- Enterprise Support Services
16. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when specific additional financial supports will be introduced to assist local authorities and community development organisations in...
- Small and Medium Enterprises
17. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider specific supports for small and medium operators in the retail sector due to the significant increased costs of...
- Personal Injuries Assessment Board
18. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is providing a much-needed timely and cost-effective service to the...
- Industrial Development
19. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the engagement he, along with his Department and the IDA, have had with the State's tech sector in the past three...
- Energy Prices
20. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the continued efforts of his Department in isolating and identifying the cause of the rising costs of energy and the negative impact...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
21. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagements his Department is conducting in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education with regard to the...
- Film Industry
22. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the practice of so-called ‘buy-out’ contracts in the film industry, and the campaign by Irish...
- Regional Development
23. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress in the implementation of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan; the potential future funding for the plan;...
- Corporate Governance
26. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way he is encouraging businesses to engage on new sustainability reporting standards. [44193/23]
- Work Permits
27. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of any engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to addressing the shortage of dental...
- Departmental Meetings
28. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his meeting with the CEO of the Electoral Commission (details supplied) to discuss digital issues, in particular...
- Departmental Policies
29. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that are being taken to increase climate literacy in his Department, to implement green public procurement and to...
- Industrial Development
30. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the progression of a new IDA advance facility at Kerry Technology Park; the position regarding the existing...
- Artificial Intelligence
31. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how he is ensuring that artificial intelligence is fostered and deployed in a way that is safe, trustworthy and builds the confidence...
- Legislative Measures
32. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the lack of progress to date on the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of...
- Energy Prices
33. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the supports available to businesses with the rising cost of energy in running a business. [44133/23]
- Job Creation
34. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail the most recent data on the level of Enterprise Ireland-supported jobs in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the number of...
- Small and Medium Enterprises
35. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how Budget 2024 will help the SME sector. [44196/23]
- Work Permits
36. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a team has been appointed to conduct a review of the occupations on the critical skills occupation list and ineligible occupations...
- Industrial Development
37. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the IDA has a presence in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44149/23]
- Flexible Work Practices
38. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the status of the remote working code of practice being drafted by the Workplace Relations Commission; if he will...
- Legislative Measures
39. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022. [44181/23]
- Energy Prices
40. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications made under the scheme to assist businesses with the price of kerosene in counties Roscommon and Galway, in...
- Industrial Development
41. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a timeline on the delivery of an advanced building solution in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Enterprise Policy
42. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has plans to address the challenges to Irish competitiveness outlined by the National Competitiveness Council. [44199/23]
- Small and Medium Enterprises
43. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps his Department is taking to ensure that SMEs can continue to grow and create jobs in Ireland; and if he will make a...
- Industrial Development
45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can provide an update on efforts that his Department, in conjunction with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and Clare County Council...
- Enterprise Policy
46. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent participation in the inaugural meeting of the Responsible Business Forum; and if he will make a...
- Job Creation
47. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail how he intends to improve employment prospects for the area of mid-Louth, considering the high number of commuters...
- White Papers
49. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 11 May 2023, for an update on the implementation of the white paper on enterprise; the...
- An Teanga Gaeilge
50. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment an bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta maidir le comhráite idir a Roinn agus an feachtas ar son pacáistiú...
- Job Creation
51. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on job creation in counties Roscommon and Galway from January 2023 to date; and if he will make a...
- Living Wage
52. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the status of the living wage; the expected year at which the minimum wage will reach a living wage as based on...
- Enterprise Policy
53. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the National Digital Strategy. [44201/23]
- Artificial Intelligence
54. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the establishment of the artificial intelligence advisory council; the level of expression of interest to date; and...
- Industrial Development
55. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the IDA advanced building solution to be provided on the purchased IDA land bank in Mell north...
- Corporate Governance
56. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, as reported in May 2023 (details supplied), he plans to further examine if new reporting mechanisms are required for companies...
- Employment Rights
57. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the work to incorporate into legislation the recommendations on collective bargaining made by the high-level group on...
- Enterprise Policy
59. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for regulation of technology in business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44168/23]
- Industrial Development
60. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress being made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a...
- Regional Development
63. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 29 June 2023, for an update on the implementation of the West Regional Enterprise Plan to...
- Inflation Rate
67. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the causes of inflation, both internal and external, and their effects...
- Health and Safety
68. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with retail and security workers regarding workplace safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44311/23]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Foreign Birth Registration
69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 25 July 2023, when a decision will be reached regarding an individual's application to the...
- Middle East
71. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way his Department applies the whole-of-Government approach regarding Ireland's policy on differentiation between Israel and the illegal...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Compulsory Purchase Orders
72. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a schedule of lands and buildings his Department and bodies under his aegis acquired by using a...
- Energy Conservation
73. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the criteria for individual SEAI grants will be extended to include windows and doors; and if he will make a...
- Renewable Energy Generation
74. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the amendments to the existing non-domestic microgeneration scheme; if the amended scheme has led...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Road Network
75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the steps taken to monitor and minimise contamination from water runoff on our national road network; and if he will...
- Transport Policy
76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the work undertaken by his Department to introduce mandatory accessibility requirements, similar to road safety...
- Road Projects
80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 22 June 2023, and in light of the October 2022 TII briefing report on possible fatalities and...
- Driver Test
82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44498/23]
- Road Safety Authority
84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an indicative date by which the two vacant positions on the Board of the Road Safety Authority will be filled; and if he will make a...
- Driver Test
85. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give consideration to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44512/23]
- Departmental Expenditure
86. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a detailed list of spend to date in relation to programmes (details supplied) since 1 January 2020; and if he will make a...
- Bus Services
87. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will re-instate the Dublin to Galway direct airport service stopping in Athlone. [44538/23]
- Rail Network
88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what measures are being undertaken to ensure greater bicycle storage facilities on rail carriages. [44539/23]
- Compulsory Purchase Orders
89. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a schedule of lands and buildings his Department and bodies under his aegis acquired by using a compulsory purchase...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
92. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline any approaches or negotiations engaged in by Ireland with other EU Member States to waive the exemption on aviation fuel tax for...
- Primary Medical Certificates
93. To ask the Minister for Finance for an update on the Primary Medical Cert Appeals Board; and if this Board is up and running and dealing with appeals. [44514/23]
- Tax Code
94. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 11 September 2023, if he is aware and if he will agree that the Revenue Commissioners methodology of taxpayer...
- Banking Sector
95. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of any regulation or policy that governs the provision of ATMs in public places that are not physically connected to a commercial bank; and if...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Compulsory Purchase Orders
96. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 20 September 2023, if he will provide an update in respect of the OPWs attempt to make use...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- EU Directives
98. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for the full transposition of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages; if he will provide an update on the work of his...
- Job Losses
99. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the reopening of a mine (details supplied); how likely this is, and when; if he realises specialised skillsets are...
- Work Permits
100. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits granted in of the past five years; the number of applications currently awaiting...
- Enterprise Policy
102. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to assist both the manufacturing and service sectors in order to deflect the impact of costs...
- Trade Data
103. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade within the EU and with third countries continues to prosper; and if he will make a...
- Foreign Direct Investment
105. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of jobs believed to have accrued from foreign direct investment in each of the past ten years to date; and if he...
- Enterprise Policy
106. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to liaise with the tech industries in order to minimise any negative impact due to worldwide...
- Job Creation
107. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which diversification throughout the manufacturing and services sectors has resulted in increased employment; and if he...
- Small and Medium Enterprises
108. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives currently available for small and start-up enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44580/23]
- Trade Data
109. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which new markets for Irish exports overseas are being sourced on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on...
- Departmental Staff
110. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider permitting people 65+ years-of-age to work 2-3 days within Government Departments in order to assist in solving...
- Department of Education and Skills
- National Educational Psychological Service
111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the current access to NEP's psychology services for a school (details supplied); if she will further outline in detail what...
- Schools Building Projects
112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) that completed a Stage 2B submission on 2 June 2023 to the building unit of her Department under the additional...
- School Staff
113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to change the requirement for school caretakers to sign on during school holidays. [44527/23]
- School Transport
114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the school transport bus route that operates from Kilteevan to Dunmore can return to its original route passing to accommodate children...
- Schools Building Projects
115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update with regard to proposed works at a school (details supplied). [44542/23]
- School Discipline
119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post-primary pupils respectively suspended in each of the past five years; the corresponding number for the number of...
- School Enrolments
120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to publish the formal policy/procedure for assistance given by her Department to parents/guardians of children without a school place to assist...
- Home Tuition Grant Scheme
121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to publish the hours and subjects offered to children in secondary school, but currently without a school place; whether her Department is...
- School Transport
122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the school bus transport application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44586/23]
- School Staff
123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44595/23]
- School Transport
124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department plans to increase bus capacity on the route fromBirdhill to Newport, County Tipperary (details supplied). [44598/23]
- Schools Complaints Procedures
125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what protocol is in place for complaints being made against staff members (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- School Accommodation
126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a hall at a school (details supplied) is inaccessible to the students attending a school; if it will be made available to the students...
- Schools Building Projects
127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when work on a new school building for a school (details supplied) will commence; the timeframe for commencement; and if she will make a...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Waste Management
128. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what regulations exist for requiring apartment developments to provide green bins and ensure proper recycling facilitates are...
- Fire Stations
129. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 904 of 11 September 2023, to clarify the reason I was informed on 11 September 2023 that...
- Housing Provision
130. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if funding is available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44521/23]
- Planning Issues
131. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason for the inordinate delay in considering the Kilkenny Wind Energy Strategy/Policy proposed by Kilkenny County...
- Housing Schemes
132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide related to a Government-funded scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Legislative Measures
134. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the Planning and Development Bill 2023; and the timeline for the enactment of the legislation. [44584/23]
- Planning Issues
135. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether the grounds for exemption from application of the residential zoned land tax should include instances where land is...
- Housing Provision
136. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the targets for property development issued to Kildare County Council, under their respective Housing Needs and Demand...
- Housing Policy
137. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a review took place in Q2 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44589/23]
- Rental Sector
138. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the actions the Government has taken, and plans to take, with respect to the implementation of a system of holding rental...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Appeals
140. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44487/23]
- Social Welfare Eligibility
141. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be permitted to transfer from disability allowance to invalidity pension...
- Social Welfare Code
142. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review existing supports available to those in receipt of the State pension to include financial supports for...
- Social Welfare Appeals
143. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a carers allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- Social Welfare Payments
144. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
145. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of a review in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Social Welfare Payments
146. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason no reply has issued from the disability allowance section to a query submitted to 18 September 2023 (details...
- Social Welfare Benefits
147. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise on the best procedure for an individual planning to return to work on a part-time basis after being in...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
148. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of a wage subsidy scheme claim for a person (details supplied); when payment will be made; and if she will...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Immigration Policy
149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the lack of immigration officers in Limerick (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Horse Racing Industry
150. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned at the high number of horse deaths at the Listowel races from 20 to 23 September 2023 (details supplied); what...
- Agriculture Schemes
151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the basic income support for sustainability payment could be made earlier the year to facilitate farmers paying their contractors...
- Agriculture Industry
153. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will send a herd profile to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [44510/23]
- Agriculture Schemes
154. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44513/23]
- Compulsory Purchase Orders
155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of lands and buildings his Department and bodies under his aegis acquired by using a compulsory...
- Greyhound Industry
157. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that non-coursing greyhounds are being routinely raced at greyhound tracks around the country without the owner and...
- Departmental Functions
159. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason responsibility for horse and greyhound racing was transferred from the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation to his...
- Greyhound Industry
160. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the former CEO of Rásaiocht Con Éireann (details supplied) resigned voluntarily from this position; if not, if their...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Disability Services
162. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if discussions are expected regarding the Section 39 workers pay (details supplied); if this issue can be...
- International Protection
163. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will furnish a copy of the full contract between IPAS and a company (details supplied); and if he will...
- Childcare Services
164. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a child was removed from the NCS scheme without a parent's knowledge or consent (details supplied);...
- Disability Services
165. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 276 of 23 February 2023, the action taken in the interim to ensure that...
- Office of Public Works
166. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he can provide details of a company (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement...
- Child and Family Agency
167. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Section 3 investigations conducted by Tusla in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, outlining the number in...
- Departmental Staff
170. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many panels were formed in relation to the higher executive officer roles within his Department to review...
- Disability Services
171. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current CDNT WTE vacancies across each of the 12 teams in CHO5; the number of administrative posts vacant;...
- Disabilities Assessments
175. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the quarter 2 Assessment of Need Process Management Report has been published; if so, if he will share it...
- Department of Health
- General Practitioner Services
177. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a mater (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/23]
- Nursing Education
178. To ask the Minister for Health what progress is being made on the implementation of measures (details supplied) considering that they apply with effect from the start of the 2022/2023...
- Mental Health Services
179. To ask the Minister for Health what funding options are available to the NCBI through the mental health budget to fund its counselling, well-being and emotional support services; how they...
- Addiction Treatment Services
180. To ask the Minister for Health the number of Section 39 organisations that work within addiction and drug-related services; the number of staff employed in Section 39 organisations in this...
- Mental Health Services
181. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be called for an urgent appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
182. To ask the Minister for Health the reason those working in supported living received the Covid pandemic payment but those working in residential care did not receive this payment in Section...
- General Practitioner Services
183. To ask the Minister for Health the days that SouthDoc Blackpool has been closed or non-operational by day for the past two weeks, in tabular form. [44534/23]
- Health Service Executive
187. To ask the Minister for Health the number of HSE-owned sites which are vacant or derelict; the locations of such sites; and the duration for which they have been vacant or derelict, in...
- Health Services
188. To ask the Minister for Health the date he is working towards, to introduce legislation concerning safeguard proposals relating to deprivation of liberty; and if he will make a statement on...
- Primary Care Centres
189. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to provide more parking spaces in the health centre in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44568/23]
- Home Care Packages
190. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he will take following Budget 2024 to increase the provision of HSE homecare in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44593/23]
- Medical Cards
191. To ask the Minister for Health to carry out a review of the decision not to award a medical card to a person (details supplied). [44594/23]
- Medical Aids and Appliances
192. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for their hearing aid to be repaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44597/23]
- Dental Services
193. To ask the Minister for Health when orthodontic appointments will be issued to children (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44625/23]
- Primary Care Centres
194. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to a lack of staff that the Limekiln Lane Health Centre in Dublin 12 has cancelled all two-year-old developmental checks; if he will...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Grant Payments
195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal qualifies for the special rate of SUSI grant in their exceptional circumstances; if any...
