Written answers

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Northern Ireland
      25. To ask the Taoiseach the extent to which he expects to develop the Shared Island Initiative in the context of the resumption of the Assembly. [6347/24]
    • EU Meetings
      30. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6369/24]
    • Legislative Programme
      44. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [5113/24]
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Payments
      51. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in light of the recent Government decision to grant payments of child benefit, she will work with her counterpart, the...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      54. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her current policy regarding the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Fuel Poverty
      62. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on her Department's work on combating energy poverty. [7892/24]
    • Pension Provisions
      64. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the work that remains in the process of introducing the auto-enrolment pension scheme. [7893/24]
    • Social Welfare Rates
      66. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether the domiciliary care allowance payment of €340 per month is sufficient to care for a child with a...
    • Departmental Schemes
      67. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend the free travel scheme to all social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Poverty Impact Assessment
      68. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a poverty impact assessment was carried out into extending child benefit to 18 year-olds in full-time education or training...
    • Departmental Schemes
      69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the work to operationalise the recommendations in the review of the reasonable accommodation...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      70. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she intends to add additional schemes to those currently deemed non-assessable income with regard to farm assist; and if...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      71. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend child benefit to 16, 17 and 18 year-olds not in full-time education or training; and if she will make a...
    • State Pensions
      72. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the changes to the State contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7876/24]
    • Departmental Reviews
      73. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the Green Paper on Reform of Disability Payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7802/24]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider increasing the weekly earnings disregard for disability allowance recipients as when using the benefit of work...
    • Departmental Schemes
      79. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the Irish Sign Language Act voucher scheme is to be suspended. [7906/24]
    • Community Employment Schemes
      81. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to expand and develop the community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7805/24]
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider undertaking a pilot to inviting people to check if they are getting their full entitlements and targeting...
    • Departmental Data
      83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of families in Cork city and county that have benefited from the double child benefit payment in December 2023, and...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      84. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the changes to child benefit for 18 year-olds. [7883/24]
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered whether illness benefit can be extended to self-employed persons. [7913/24]
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline her plans to expand and develop the Tús initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7806/24]
    • Legislative Programme
      87. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the legislative programme. [3501/24]
    • Social Welfare Code
      88. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether she has considered the situation of those providing kinship care, and the discrepancy between the financial supports...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing children suffering hair loss to avail of the grants for wigs based on their parents PRSI...
    • Pension Provisions
      91. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline the specifics regarding the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department presently;...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      92. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who claimed jobseeker's benefit for self-employed and exhausted that benefit, is...
    • Pension Provisions
      93. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in light of recent court judgments, she intends to provide State pension entitlements to the long-term non-married...
    • Poverty Impact Assessment
      94. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will carry out a poverty impact assessment of extending child benefit to 16, 17 and 18 year-olds not in full-time...
    • Departmental Reviews
      95. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when it is intended to introduce changes to means testing based on the report being prepared by her Department on means...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      97. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the fact that standard disregards for maintenance that apply in the means testing of other payments do not...
    • Poverty Data
      98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what measures will be taken to respond adequately to the report carried out by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission,...
    • State Pensions
      99. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she might review cases where a contributory State pension was refused on the grounds of insufficient...
    • Departmental Strategies
      100. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the Government’s ‘Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025’; and if she will make...
    • Departmental Bodies
      101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to report on the latest meeting of the Smart Energy Steering Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7856/24]
    • Social Welfare Code
      102. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide details on the steps her Department is taking in addressing the 'cliff-edges' in welfare systems; as she is aware...
    • Departmental Data
      105. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount her Department spent on the farm assist payment in Cork east in 2023; the total number of recipients in...
    • State Pensions
      106. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider including adult dependant recipients who are 80 years and over for increase of payment which presently...
    • Departmental Data
      109. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications received by her Department under the humanitarian assistance scheme in respect of Galway city and...
    • Industrial Disputes
      110. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 7 December 2023, for a status update on his Department's engagement with...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the supports provided to family carers. [7887/24]
  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Cabinet Committees
      112. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Environment and Climate Change will meet next. [7772/24]
    • Commissions of Inquiry
      115. To ask the Taoiseach if he will ensure that the Covid-19 inquiry terms of reference comply with domestic and international human rights law; what steps will be taken to ensure the inquiry is...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Legislative Measures
      117. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the position regarding the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill; if the proposed legislation, and in particular...
    • Passport Services
      118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a passport from a person in County Galway (details suppled); the reason for...
    • Middle East
      119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given his statement of 26 January 2024 when he recalled the commitment by Dáil Éireann to "strongly consider intervention" in the...
    • Foreign Conflicts
      121. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade what engagement he and his Department has had regarding escalating violence and displacement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if...
    • Middle East
      122. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he believes further action from Ireland is warranted following attacks from Israel on civilians in Rafah; and if he will make a statement...
    • Passport Services
      123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if in the instance of a first passport application there is a necessity of the identity verification form section 7 to be witnessed by a...
    • Military Aircraft
      124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 13 February 2024, what steps were taken to ensure that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries...
    • Diplomatic Representation
      125. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are plans to appoint a cultural officer to the Embassy of Ireland based in Rome. [7849/24]
    • Departmental Communications
      127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason there is no phone line available for the travel emergency section of his Department; how individuals experiencing travel...
    • Passport Services
      128. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on passport applications and processing times presently; if these are expected to change coming into the holiday season; how...
    • Middle East
      129. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline what was discussed at his meeting with UNRWA recently; whether extra money will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • Departmental Schemes
      130. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment what will happen to funds gathered under the new deposit return scheme that are not reclaimed by the purchaser; and if...
    • Greenhouse Gas Emissions
      131. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the anticipated emissions from domestic aviation per year from 2022 to 2030 and the projected reductions with existing...
    • Departmental Schemes
      132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has estimated how much in deposits charged on cans and bottles under the deposit return scheme will...
    • Energy Conservation
      133. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date in February 2024 that the new low-cost home energy upgrade loan scheme will be launched. [7530/24]
    • Grant Payments
      135. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if schools are eligible to apply for Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grants to reduce their energy costs and...
    • Telecommunications Services
      136. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether he has a view in relation to broadband issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Data Centres
      137. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline the number of islanded data centres that are already connected to the gas grid; those that contracted to...
    • Trade Data
      138. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how much jet kerosene was imported into Ireland annually from 2010 to 2023. [7810/24]
    • Departmental Bodies
      139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met since its inception; to provide a...
    • Legislative Programme
      141. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the legislative programme within his Department. [7845/24]
    • Departmental Data
      142. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the travel that he has undertaken outside Ireland from June 2020 when he took up his Ministerial...
    • Electricity Generation
      143. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for details on how the Government envision community electricity generation projects to raise funds for the...
    • Energy Prices
      144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is any financial assistance/credits available to be put towards the electricity bills of parents of seriously...
    • Energy Conservation
      145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of households, per county, who are currently approved for works under the warmer homes scheme for which the...
  • Department of Defence
    • State Properties
      147. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe required for the conclusion of Columb Barracks to be transferred to the LDA for the purposes of providing housing and associated...
    • Departmental Data
      148. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide the reasons a civilian plane visited the Irish Air Corps headquarters at Casement Aerodrome in 2004 (details supplied); if he...
    • Defence Forces
      149. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence in relation to the NATO Partnerships for Peace agreements and the attempt to increase Ireland’s Defence Forces interoperability with NATO...
    • Capital Expenditure Programme
      151. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place for capital investment in defence capability in 2024. [7843/24]
    • Naval Service
      152. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent monitoring by the Naval Service of a Russian oil tanker of the west coast of Ireland; and if he will make a...
    • Defence Forces
      153. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his proposals to support the work of veterans associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7902/24]
    • Legislative Measures
      155. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the legislative basis on which he approves Irish participation in EU battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7950/24]
    • Naval Service
      158. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the recent recruitment campaign undertaken for the Naval Service covered the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8063/24]
    • Defence Forces
      159. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has discussed the number of members of the Reserve Defence Forces; the actions that have been taken to increase them; if could outline the...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Bus Services
      161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progression of proposed Bus Connects routes for Wicklow (details supplied), including an operational timeline...
    • Aviation Industry
      162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to publish the State Action for Aviation Emissions Reduction which should have been submitted in 2021 to the International Civil Aviation...
    • Driver Test
      163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what plans can be put in place to reduce the backlog for driving test appointments; if consideration is being given for appointments to...
    • Road Projects
      164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how many public lanes across all local authorities, which have applied for the community involvement scheme and have been approved, but...
    • Road Safety Authority
      166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to an RSA media advertisement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7576/24]
    • Road Tolls
      167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reduce the toll charges on the Dublin port tunnel during rush hours in order to ensure that less traffic travels through the...
    • Rail Network
      168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current status of the initiative to establish a rail service between Navan and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Driver Test
      169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken to alleviate the driver test backlog; if tests are being carried out on weekends and evenings; if the...
    • Bus Services
      170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that Go Ahead Ireland, which operates the 120 bus service from Edenderry to Dublin via Celbridge, is authorised by his...
    • Driver Test
      176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 17 January 2024, if he will contact the Road Safety Authority and request that it urgently...
    • Active Travel
      177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be made available for the construction of the Dunkettle Road active travel scheme phase 2 in Glanmire, Cork in...
    • Rail Network
      178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the extension of the Luas to Bray; and if he will outline the enabling infrastructure required for this...
    • Legislative Programme
      179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the legislative programme within his Department. [7839/24]
    • Bus Services
      180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the local demand for a more frequent 56A bus service, given that currently this route is only scheduled to run every 75...
    • National Car Test
      181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 23 January 2024, to seek an update on the establishment of an NCT testing centre (details...
    • Public Transport
      182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that fully electric cars are unable to attain an SPSV licence; if he will resolve this issue; and if he will make a...
    • Bus Services
      183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus service could be provided for residents in Portmarnock, Malahide and Swords that would terminate at Beaumont Hospital; and if he...
    • Road Safety
      184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a requirement on HGVs operating in Dublin city centre to eliminate all blind spots by adding camera equipment and...
    • Driver Licences
      185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reviewing a proposal (details supplied) further in relation to driver licence exchange agreement with the USA,...
    • Road Projects
      187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be made available in 2024 for construction of the Leghenaghmore road improvement scheme, given that part 8...
    • Departmental Schemes
      188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he, in conjunction with the relevant Departments, will give consideration to rolling out a scheme to enable disabled people, who drive...
    • Bus Services
      189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to provide daily local bus services between Kealkill and Bantry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Driver Test
      190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any measures that can be applied to a person who has severe anxiety when taking driving test and if there are any particular...
    • Noise Pollution
      191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider an independent body to deal with complaints to the DAA in regard to noise pollution; and if he will make a statement...
    • Road Projects
      192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the proposals by his Department for a property (details supplied). [8040/24]
    • Departmental Data
      193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus drivers employed under the PSO Bus Éireann contract in Cork city in February 2010, February 2015, February 2022,...
    • Bus Éireann
      196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost in fines issued to Bus Éireann by reason for fine for the PSO contract in Cork city in each of the past 12 months, in...
    • Public Transport
      198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the protections he has put in place to prevent further privatisation of bus routes. [8050/24]
    • Departmental Data
      199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline each of the bus routes that was contracted to Bus Éireann previously but is now under a private commercial operator...
    • Bus Services
      201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to Bus Éireann for the PSO bus route in Cork city, by year, in tabular form for each of the past five years....
  • Department of Finance
    • Primary Medical Certificates
      203. To ask the Minister for Finance when the new primary medical certificate criteria will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7417/24]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      206. To ask the Minister for Finance the amounts paid by the State to Irish banks in all Covid related supports from March 2020 to date; if a breakdown will be provided [7454/24]
    • Currency Circulation
      207. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to prevent us becoming a cashless society when it comes to taking money in outlets; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • National Asset Management Agency
      208. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of NAMA owned and or controlled assets that are currently being used by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. [7494/24]
    • Housing Schemes
      209. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of successful claims under the help to-buy scheme per annum per local authority area for each year since its inception; if the number of...
    • Financial Services
      210. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware that loan owners (vulture funds) are not subject to the provisions of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018...
    • Middle East
      215. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will request that ISIF withdraws its investment in firms based in illegal Israeli settlements; if he will provide details of the engagement, if any, he...
    • Tax Residency
      216. To ask the Minister for Finance to advise under the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United States, if a U.S. citizen living in Ireland who is paying taxes in the U.S on a social...
    • Tax Code
      217. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will urgently review the thresholds for capital gains tax; if he agrees that it is unfair to have a different threshold for non-relatives, particularly...
    • Primary Medical Certificates
      219. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department will initiate a full review of the medical criteria for a primary medical certificate as set out by the Department regulations; if he...
    • Student Accommodation
      220. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 7 February 2024, the return on investment and internal rate of return for each investment in each year of its...
    • Tax Credits
      221. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost if the blind person tax credit increased to €1,950 for a single person and €3,900 for married couples or civil...
    • Tax Yield
      222. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated yield if the local property tax on houses valued between €1.05 million and €1.75 million increased to 0.60% of that portion; and...
    • Tax Code
      223. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7979/24]
    • Tax Reliefs
      224. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7981/24]
    • Tax Rebates
      225. To ask the Minister for Finance when a person in County Cork (details provided) will receive their VAT refund. [8030/24]
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Public Sector Pensions
      226. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/24]
    • Flood Relief Schemes
      227. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to address the issue with flooding in Castlefinn, County Donegal, along the N15; if the solution to the problem presented to...
    • Heritage Sites
      228. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW is aware of and is pursuing access to Castletown House, Celbridge, via the N4 entrance under the Historic and Archaeological...
    • An Garda Síochána
      234. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will fund the removal of the existing front door and replace it with automatic doors at the public office at (details...
    • Public Sector Staff
      236. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of full-time senior arts collection registrars and arts collection registrars employed by the OPW in 2022, 2023 and to date...
    • Departmental Properties
      237. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Garda is still actively using a premises (details supplied); and if so, how long it will remain there. [7930/24]
    • Coastal Erosion
      240. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the publication of an OPW funded study into coastal erosion in Strandhill, County Sligo has not been released publicly to...
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
    • Business Supports
      241. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what supports are in place for financial assistance by way of grants for a sole trader (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Fire Safety
      242. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any regulations surrounding fire retardancy on furniture goods sold in Ireland and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Employment Rights
      243. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any guidelines for businesses to follow in relation to employees who are in the process of IVF; are employees provided...
    • Work Permits
      244. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review the case of a person (details supplied); to provide advice on how they can get staff; and if he will make a statement on...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Irish Language
      245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects to publish the policy on Irish medium education outside the Gaeltacht; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7406/24]
    • Special Educational Needs
      246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of special education needs classes and supports in a school (details supplied); if...
    • Irish Language
      247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills regarding the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community, specifically those...
    • School Staff
      248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the remaining ten retired school secretaries will receive their pay arrears which are outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • School Accommodation
      249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) will be approved for an additional mainstream classroom which is required for the next school year commencing...
    • Flexible Work Practices
      250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 23 January 2024, whether she believes it is desirable or appropriate for principals or deputy...
    • Departmental Staff
      251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether there is a single project manager appointed in her Department for each school building or renovation; who oversees all aspects of same...
    • Schools Building Projects
      252. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether the tender review process for a school (details supplied) was concluded on 18 January 2024 with a construction firm appointed to finish...
    • Special Educational Needs
      255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for allocating SNA support to students in second level educational settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7445/24]
    • Home Schooling
      257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and second level aged students that avail of home tuition in lieu of being offered a school place on a county-by-county...
    • School Funding
      258. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will respond to matters raised in correspondence regarding a preschool (details supplied) in Dublin 11; when the preschool in question can...
    • Special Educational Needs
      260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to indicate the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in County Meath for the 2024-2025 academic year, in...
    • School Accommodation
      264. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for additional accommodation made by a school (details supplied) will be dealt with; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Strategies
      265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7481/24]
    • Grant Payments
      266. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when payments of the exceptional no service interim grant will be paid; when refunds to parents who paid for the school ticket but did not...
    • Special Educational Needs
      268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on what schools in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area provide properly serviced reading classes for dyslexic children, and if there...
    • Schools Building Projects
      269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 342 and 343 of 20 September 2023, if she has made a decision on the Stage 2B planning report received by...
    • Special Educational Needs
      270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is satisfied that the current assessment of need process sufficiently caters for students with severe visual impairment; what...
    • School Admissions
      272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to address a matter regarding primary school admission policies (details supplied). [7568/24]
    • School Staff
      273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 10 October 2023, if she will respond to the issues raised by a person who made protected disclosures...
    • School Funding
      274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an application for emergency works funding dealing with urgent school security (details supplied) will be decided upon. [7577/24]
    • Special Educational Needs
      275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what action is being taken to increase the provision of school places in special education classes in north Dublin; what has been the demand for...
    • Departmental Data
      276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline in detail the precise statistical data used by her Department when planning for future special class placements; the specific data...
    • Schools Building Projects
      277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the progression of an application by a school (details supplied) going to tender for a new school; and if she will make a...
    • Special Educational Needs
      279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the special school proposed for Glanmire; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7615/24]
    • School Staff
      283. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if caretakers, who are employed by the Department and work in a school, will receive their pay increases following the discussions with unions;...
    • Schools Administration
      284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an approval letter will issue to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7684/24]
    • Schools Building Projects
      285. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in the Santry, Whitehall and Dublin 9 catchment area who have applied for upgrades to their school buildings, including the...
    • Special Educational Needs
      287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the consultation her Department carried out with organisations representing people with disabilities in respect of changes to the allocation...
    • Schools Building Projects
      288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on renovations in a school (details supplied); and if she could provide a timeline for completed works. [7738/24]
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      289. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will put in place provision to ensure that a child enrolled in early intervention in a school will have an entitlement to continue their...
    • Schools Building Projects
      292. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the new modular build for a school (details supplied); when the brief acceptance letter will be issued; and if she will make a...
    • School Accommodation
      294. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on an additional school accommodation application that was sanctioned by her Department in February 2022 for a school...
    • Curaclam Scoile
      296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an féidir léi míniú a thabhairt ar an líon ard daltaí, 669 dalta, ar bronnadh díolúine orthu sa...
    • Schools Building Projects
      297. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how many of the 58 schools which received additional budget for their school building programmes have begun construction; and if she will make a...
    • Departmental Data
      301. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how many students from Newcastle, County Dublin are receiving secondary school education. [7825/24]
    • Schools Building Projects
      305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the emergency works at a school (details supplied). [7830/24]
    • School Enrolments
      307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to provide support to schools (details supplied) to increase capacity considering parents are unable to secure school places for their...
    • Schools Building Projects
      308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the emergency works application for a school (details provided) regarding school safety systems, and why it remains unresolved...
    • Special Educational Needs
      309. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 13 February 2024, if she will consider making SNAs in current positions permanent before any new...
    • Schools Building Projects
      310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and secondary school build and extension projects that are paused; and if she will provide the locations of same. [7957/24]
    • School Curriculum
      311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will continue with the curricular adjustment put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic of the reduction in the number of sraith...
    • Special Educational Needs
      312. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to address concerns around the adverse impact of proposals to cut the number of SET hours within schools (details supplied); and if she will make...
    • School Transport
      313. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide information on any meetings that she or her Departmental officials have had with Bus Éireann concerning the ban on...
    • Schools Building Projects
      314. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to provide additional post primary schools for the Knocklyon/Firhouse area; if she has any plans, or has she been requested to, expand...
    • School Transport
      315. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the difficulties being experienced by students (details supplied) in securing school bus services can be addressed. [8031/24]
    • Special Educational Needs
      316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for special classes by a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [8041/24]
    • School Accommodation
      317. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the provision of extra accommodation will be approved for a school in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a...
    • Special Educational Needs
      318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the provisions in place regarding a child (details supplied). [8084/24]
    • Schools Building Projects
      319. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new schools building projects, in tabular form per county, that are currently awaiting Departmental approval to include the...
    • Special Educational Needs
      320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the co-ordinator for the summer programme will continue for the programme this coming summer; and if they are available to support both...
    • School Enrolments
      322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what arrangements are being made to ensure that the parents of children with autism in the Taghmon area of Westmeath will have an appropriate...
    • Special Educational Needs
      324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the SNA allocations for the school year 2024/2025. [8109/24]
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Sports Funding
      326. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline all of the funding streams that are available to any sports club wishing to embark on a development project that is in...
    • Tourism Industry
      328. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 327 and 328 of 23 January 2024, if she will list the hotels referenced in the PQs that are...
    • Departmental Funding
      329. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a drawdown (details supplied) can be expedited as a delay is being experienced in the Chief State Solicitor’s Office;...
    • Media Sector
      330. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7995/24]
    • Community Development Projects
      331. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for her assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8015/24]
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Hedge Cutting
      332. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration has been given to providing flexibility on the deadline for hedge management activities, given challenging...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      334. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of times the discretionary top-up for HAP payments was used in 2023, and to date in 2024 in County Wicklow broken...
    • Homeless Accommodation
      336. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of 18-24 year-olds that presented as homeless in County Wicklow in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a...
    • Building Energy Rating
      338. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of council owned housing stock that have been brought to a BER rating level of B2 or above by year, in tabular form...
    • Land Issues
      340. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware of the new practice with the land registry whereby if a change of deeds form is submitted incorrectly, when the...
    • Housing Schemes
      341. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide clarity on the residency eligibility criteria for the local authority home loan scheme for non-EEA/EU applicants...
    • Local Authorities
      343. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 8 February 2024, if he has the power to appoint an independent, competent and...
    • State Bodies
      344. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Tailte Éireann is subject to any criminal investigation by the fraud squad at the moment for a total of nine...
    • Housing Policy
      345. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he is aware that the rule that a cost rental should not exceed 35% of net income is rendering some persons in Dublin...
    • Housing Schemes
      346. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the categories of people who are eligible for postal voting. [7583/24]
    • Defective Building Materials
      348. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what plan/scheme is in place for social Housing tenants who are still living in pyrite effected homes; and if he will make a...
    • Waste Management
      349. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of domestic wastewater treatment system grants processed by each local authority in 2022 and 2023; the amount paid...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      350. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the implications for a RAS tenant, considering RAS is designated like social housing as social housing support, whose income...
    • Housing Schemes
      351. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the options available to a HAP recipient whose medical circumstances mean that they are permanently disabled and wheelchair...
    • Referendum Campaigns
      352. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to endorse the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action for a...
    • Land Issues
      353. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on a matter regarding lands zoned land tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Housing Schemes
      355. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current length of time it takes for housing assistance payments (HAP) to be made to a landlord, when a qualified tenant...
    • Waste Management
      356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the...
    • Rental Sector
      357. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he last met the RTB about rent costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/24]
    • Defective Building Materials
      358. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will allow people in the defective concrete block scheme in rural areas that have the necessary space to build beside...
    • Local Authorities
      359. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of vacant posts in local authorities, in tabular form per department. [8105/24]
    • Homeless Persons Supports
      360. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current members of the midlands regional homeless forum. [8106/24]
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      361. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications and awards for supplementary welfare under the criteria or reference to, the need for mental...
    • State Pensions
      362. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons over the age of 70 years who are capable and willing to work could be eligible for additional the State pension...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      363. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7411/24]
    • Departmental Schemes
      364. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to respond to urgent concerns raised from the local deaf community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
    • Tax Collection
      365. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated additional revenue which will be generated in 2024 from the increases to PRSI announced as part of the Budget;...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      366. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if provision will be made to assess a family (details supplied) for carers allowance before their twin children return from...
    • School Meals Programme
      367. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a progress report on the school meals programme and its successful expansion. [7554/24]
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      369. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to clarify the current position where a person is in receipt of carer’s allowance, and they are also working...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      371. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how many people benefit from the wage subsidy scheme, by county and by month for 2022, 2023 and for January 2024. [7616/24]
    • State Pensions
      374. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who is in long-term nursing care rents out their principal private residence, which is vacant, will there be any...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      375. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the plans she has to backdate the recently announced child benefit payment to families with children who are 18 years of age...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      377. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a redundancy application in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      380. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how child benefit payments are paid per area in Newcastle, Rathcoole and Saggart County Dublin and Celbridge, County Kildare....
    • Departmental Funding
      381. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the 2023 and 2024 current budget funding allocated towards the humanitarian support scheme, in tabular form. [7844/24]
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      382. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7910/24]
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      383. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has plans to increase the wage subsidy scheme in line with the minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the review/appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7953/24]
    • School Meals Programme
      386. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that children with coeliac disease are properly catered for in the school meals programme; and if she will...
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      387. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide details of education/upskilling courses available under the back to education scheme; what measures are being...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      388. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if parents have any action to take on the change to child benefit being rolled out in May 2024 for dependants up to the age...
    • Community Welfare Services
      389. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for consideration in ensuring that local community welfare officers can be available for in-person appointments at local...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      390. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of submissions received to-date to the consultation on the Green Paper on Disability Reform; and if she will make...
    • Public Sector Pay
      393. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when employees in the Citizens Information Centre will receive approved pay rises given that its sister service, MABS, has...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      394. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent, if any, to which backlogs exist in the determination of appeals for various payments which have been refused; and...
    • State Pensions
      395. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she might consider entitlement to the State pension (contributory) in line with the level of necessary...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      397. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which payment of the exceptional needs payments can be expedited to meet emergency situations with a minimum of...
    • Social Welfare Eligibility
      398. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which she and her Department continue to monitor the situation in order to identify people who might be in...
    • Social Welfare Appeals
      399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which oral hearings in respect of appeals against disallowance for various payments are up to date; the number...
    • Social Welfare Payments
      400. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for a decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been...
    • State Pensions
      401. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of applications for the State pension (contributory) received in each of the past five years to date; the...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Asylum Applications
      403. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to clarify what details are taken from asylum applicants at airports and ferryports, including fingerprints, photographs and...
    • Road Traffic Offences
      404. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the policy decision of An Garda Síochána in respect of prosecuting minor road traffic offences when they are brought...
    • An Garda Síochána
      405. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when Bawnboy Garda station in County Cavan will be reopened, as decided in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Departmental Correspondence
      406. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality why documents which were due to be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo since November 2023 have not been...
    • An Garda Síochána
      407. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which, and by whom, she was first advised that the holster issued to a detective Garda (details supplied) was...
    • Crime Prevention
      410. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of public order offences reported to gardaí within Y district within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, in...
    • An Garda Síochána
      411. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of providing an additional detective sergeant and detective inspector to each Garda divisional...
    • Road Traffic Offences
      412. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vehicles seized by gardai for having no insurance within Q district of the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, in...
    • An Garda Síochána
      413. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of competitions held for sworn gardaí to apply to join the national support services unit in 2023 and to-date...
    • State Pathology Service
      416. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation for the Office of State Pathologist in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will...
    • An Garda Síochána
      417. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount An Garda Síochána spent on vehicle recovery services within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, DMR, north...
    • Road Traffic Accidents
      418. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of serious and fatal road traffic collisions that gardaí attended between Junction 4 and Junction 8 on the M50...
    • An Garda Síochána
      419. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she expects the new helicopter and aircraft to come into Garda Air Support Unit Fleet; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Data
      420. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of criminal damage incidents reported to gardaí within J District of DMR in 2023 and to-date in 2024, in...
    • An Garda Síochána
      421. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a new contract to provide additional marked and unmarked Garda vans will be put out to tender during Q2 this year. [7612/24]
    • Road Traffic Offences
      423. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of drivers summoned to court for failure to pay a fixed charge notice within the statutory payment timeframe for the...
    • Citizenship Applications
      424. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to recent correspondence that issued from her Department’s citizenship registration unit in the case of a person...
    • Gambling Sector
      426. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make the necessary changes to ensure that bookmakers that are granted a licence to operate in Ireland are required...
    • Legal Services Regulation
      427. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what progress has been made in establishing the conveyancing profession; when the results from the Legal Services Regulatory...
    • Judicial Appointments
      429. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in light of the recent conviction of a Circuit Court judge for sexual offences, to explain how it was possible for somebody...
    • Family Reunification
      430. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of visa application appeals for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens that have not...
    • An Garda Síochána
      431. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent by An Garda Síochána on purchasing the most modern evidential breath testing machines in 2022, 2023...
    • Legislative Measures
      432. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department plans to update the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. [7848/24]
    • Residency Permits
      433. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many people nationally are on a waiting list for renewal of their Irish residence permit (formerly GNIB); if the Department...
    • Citizenship Applications
      434. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many citizenship applications were submitted in the period from 1 January to 31 March 2022, and how many of these...
    • Prison Service
      435. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of male prisoners and number of female prisoners at each prison and the number therein that are serving sentences of...
    • Immigration Policy
      436. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether she intends to expand the safe country list in the short term again; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • International Protection
      437. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she or her Department are concerned about the number of IPAS applicants arriving to Dublin via Belfast; what actions she is...
    • Residency Permits
      438. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on a residence permit renewal application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Naturalisation Applications
      439. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on a naturalisation certificate application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Referendum Campaigns
      441. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 14 February 2024, if her Department in undertaking checks to ensure that spending...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Hedge Cutting
      442. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the time for the planting of whitethorn hedging until net planting season due to the current state of groundwater...
    • Agriculture Schemes
      443. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7414/24]
    • Fisheries Protection
      445. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for action on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7435/24]
    • Departmental Expenditure
      446. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost of running the forestry division of his Department including outsourced ecology each year since 2010, in tabular...
    • Forestry Sector
      447. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are template reports that ecologists are waiting on from his Department in order to submit reports for afforestation...
    • Agriculture Schemes
      450. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 31 January 2024, when his Department will have the IT system in place to pay those...
    • Control of Dogs
      454. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7652/24]
    • Departmental Reports
      455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail, in tabular form, the peer reviewed research reports his Department relied upon in the definition of organo mineral soil...
    • Forestry Sector
      457. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if peat lands excluded from the afforestation scheme in the new forestry programme can potentially be used for other farming...
    • Greyhound Industry
      458. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured in racing, trials and sales events in 2023 and to date in 2024; the type of injury in each case; the...
    • Livestock Issues
      460. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department would provide support for livestock marts in situations where they need grant assistance to refurbish and upgrade...
    • Forestry Sector
      461. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 30 January 2024, if he is satisfied with the international standard ISPM No.15 for...
    • Departmental Staff
      462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) who applied for the position of technical agricultural officer position in his Department, who...
    • Ukraine War
      463. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement his Department has had with efforts to relocate pets or animals belonging to beneficiaries of temporary...
    • Animal Welfare
      464. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a review of the allocation of government funding to animal charities in tabular form over the past five years; and if he will...
    • Agriculture Industry
      465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if issues in relation to straw chopping (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/24]
    • Forestry Sector
      466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location of the commercial plantations in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal, that have power lines running through them and how many...
  • Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
    • Home Care Packages
      467. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will include functional neurological disorders in the home care support criteria nationwide (details...
    • Health Services
      468. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when full local community-based neurorehabilitation teams will be in place in CHO2, as committed to be delivered...
    • Disability Services
      469. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many courses (details supplied) will run in CHO7 in 2024; and the dates on which they will commence. [8092/24]
    • Mother and Baby Homes
      471. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the enhanced medical card will be issued regarding the redress scheme proposed for mother and baby home...
    • Disabilities Assessments
      472. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an ASD assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Disability Services
      473. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by...
    • Disabilities Assessments
      475. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on waiting lists for an assessment of need for each month to date 2019-2024, inclusive,...
    • Disability Services
      477. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places for disabled people that were delivered in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date...
    • Legislative Process
      480. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update following correspondence issued to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters...
    • Referendum Campaigns
      481. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish in full the minutes and documents associated with the Interdepartmental Group that met to...
    • Departmental Funding
      482. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of all funding that is available to groups that wish to raise awareness about dyslexia. [7550/24]
    • Disability Services
      483. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the provision of a dedicated respite centre (details supplied) for counties Cavan and Monaghan;...
    • International Protection
      484. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people seeking international protection that are currently accommodated at the M Hotel, Kingscourt...
    • Asylum Seekers
      485. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if the former St. Luke's Hospital Farm, Glenconnor, Clonmel, County Tipperary is being considered as...
    • International Protection
      486. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if his Department have any plans to use a hotel in Tipperary as an accommodation centre for asylum...
    • Asylum Seekers
      487. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if his Department have any plans to use a property in south Tipperary as an accommodation centre for...
    • Childcare Services
      488. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children availing of NCS in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [7619/24]
    • Disability Services
      491. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review staffing levels in his Department (details supplied); the steps his Department is taking to fill...
    • Childcare Services
      494. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children availing of the national childcare subsidy in 2022 and 2023, and the total cost in...
    • Disability Services
      495. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current positions within the Monaghan CDNT that are currently unfilled either due to vacancy or leave; the...
    • Childcare Services
      503. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that, to date, three crèches have withdrawn from core funding due to the funding not...
    • Disability Services
      505. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if home care or respite can be made available in the case of a family (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      506. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an underage exemption can be approved for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Childcare Services
      507. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when grants will be available for childcare providers to extend their premises; the details of the scheme; and...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      508. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will permit an additional ECCE year to be sanctioned where a school (details supplied) is oversubscribed...
    • Disability Services
      509. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total additional respite places that have been put in place from January 2018 to December 2023; the number...
    • International Protection
      514. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are proposals or negotiations to accommodate people seeking international protection, or other...
    • Departmental Communications
      516. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and his Department have allocated more money to assist with the communications on migration and...
    • Mother and Baby Homes
      517. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date for the opening of the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes; if the programme is on...
  • Department of Health
    • Disability Services
      518. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children and adults currently being treated at the OT room at St. Davnets complex in Monaghan; the proposals to increase the use of this room;...
    • National Children's Hospital
      519. To ask the Minister for Health for the cost to date of the State Solicitor’s Office’s expenditure on external legal and consultancy fees related to all litigation arising from...
    • Mental Health Services
      520. To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to regulate CAMHS and if he agrees that the CAMHS is in need of reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7412/24]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      521. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been waiting over a year for an appointment at the Royal Victoria Hospital for treatment of...
    • Hospital Facilities
      523. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the future location of the main laboratory for genetic testing in Ireland which is currently housed at CHI Crumlin; the reason this is not being...
    • Health Services Staff
      524. To ask the Minister for Health the number of unfilled positions across all Rape Crisis Centres in the country; the works that are in progress to equalise pay rates and pay scales of...
    • Emergency Departments
      525. To ask the Minister for Health if an estimate has been carried out to determine the cost of reopening the emergency department at Nenagh Hospital; to produce any analysis of such a measure...
    • Health Service Executive
      526. To ask the Minister for Health if he will seek information on whether the audit tool as referenced in a response from the HSE (details supplied) has been completed and put in place by the...
    • Nursing Homes
      527. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the draft design guide for long-term residential care settings for older people, recently published by his Department in conjunction with HIQA...
    • Health Services
      528. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised regarding the health centre in Collooney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/24]
    • Medical Cards
      529. To ask the Minister for Health when the guideline and calculations used to assess the qualification for the under-70s medical card was last reviewed; how can it be justified and deemed...
    • Health Services
      530. To ask the Minister for Health when will Government funding be available for public IVF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7497/24]
    • Health Service Executive
      531. To ask the Minister for Health what action has his Department has taken to ensure the HSE pays the €17.03 million owed to Dublin City Council for the ambulance service provided by...
    • Medical Cards
      532. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 9 November 2023, the number of active dentists on the dental scheme for medical card holders in both counties or...
    • Hospital Services
      533. To ask the Minister for Health how many palliative care beds are currently operational at Raheen, Community Hospital, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7557/24]
    • Mental Health Services
      534. To ask the Minister for Health the progress on reforms regarding the serious concerns surrounding Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) which have been reported repeatedly...
    • Eating Disorders
      535. To ask the Minister for Health when additional funding/services will be provided for the treatment of eating disorders (details supplied) in County Kerry. [7580/24]
    • Primary Care Centres
      536. To ask the Minister for Health what developer the HSE entered into their operational lease agreement with for Ballyhaunis primary care centre; on what date that agreement was signed; and if...
    • International Agreements
      538. To ask the Minister for Health if the Government, given the implications of the adoption and ratification of the proposed WHO Pandemic Treaty and proposed amendments to the International...
    • Medicinal Products
      539. To ask the Minister for Health if a medication will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7623/24]
    • Health Services Staff
      540. To ask the Minister for Health when the position of occupational therapist for the Dublin 4 region (CH06) will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/24]
    • Hospital Services
      541. To ask the Minister for Health to list and detail any acute beds that have been removed from Mayo since 2020; the net acute bed position from the start of 2020; and if he will make a...
    • Health Services
      542. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a status update in relation to the commencement date and roll-out of the National Advisory Group for Provision of Post-Mastectomy Products,...
    • Home Help Service
      551. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect the allocated home help to be in place. [7645/24]
    • Health Service Executive
      552. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent in rent by the HSE in Carlow town on Shamrock Plaza Health Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7647/24]
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      553. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has had any engagement with the HSE regarding the provision of an injury clinic in Carlow town; if any costings of supplying such a service...
    • Hospital Facilities
      554. To ask the Minister for Health if the X-ray unit in St. Dymphna’s hospital in Carlow has been reopened; the hours of service for the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Gender Recognition
      555. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 362 of 1 February 2024, if he believes that transgender patients are allowed to choose to access care under models of...
    • Healthcare Policy
      557. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 365 of 1 February 2024, if he can confirm that in line with section 6 of the EU (Application of Patient Rights in Cross...
    • Health Services
      560. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 373 of 1 February 2024, the source of the data that the increased risk of suicide of trans people persists after gender...
    • Health Services Staff
      563. To ask the Minister for Health whether a candidate’s desire to exercise their conscientious objection with regard to the non-performance of terminations of pregnancy would...
    • Abortion Services
      564. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the roll-out of abortion provision in the eight remaining hospitals that he said would be performing abortions by early 2024; the number of people...
    • Health Services
      565. To ask the Minister for Health if he will open discussions with the CMO and the secretary general in relation to the urgent need to introduce urogynaecological mesh operations; why was this...
    • Health Service Executive
      566. To ask the Minister for Health the total cost spent by the HSE on contractors for maintenance work (details supplied) in 2023. [7712/24]
    • Health Services Staff
      567. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have their CORU registration completed. [7713/24]
    • Dental Services
      568. To ask the Minister for Health when the public dental service located in Carlow (details supplied) will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7720/24]
    • Mental Health Services
      569. To ask the Minister for Health the current number of patients awaiting treatment from CAMHS in each CHO; the length of time patients have been on said waiting lists, in tabular form; and...
    • Eating Disorders
      570. To ask the Minister for Health to provide clarity on the eating disorder treatment process; and to detail what treatments families are entitled to. [7726/24]
    • Nursing Homes
      579. To ask the Minister for Health if there is any circumstance where the fair deal payment owed at the end of a nursing home resident's stay is deferred or can be paid in instalments over a...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      580. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting list numbers to see a child neurologist in CHI Crumlin for each year from 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      585. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a scheduled appointment with their neurologist in Crumlin Children's Hospital, given they been...
    • Health Services
      586. To ask the Minister for Health if kleinfelters syndrome patients have an eligibility to free blood testing specific to their condition through their own GP practices; and if he will make a...
    • Nursing Homes
      588. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the implementations on recommendations from the nursing homes support scheme (fair deal); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7812/24]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      589. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an urgent appointment at the urology department in Galway University Hospital; and if he will...
    • Health Services
      590. To ask the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7832/24]
    • Mental Health Services
      591. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of providing ten extra memory technology resource rooms. [7840/24]
    • Hospital Staff
      592. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dedicated WTE consultant endocrinologists, dietitians, advanced nurse practitioners, podiatrists, clinical nurse specialists and staff nurses...
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      593. To ask the Minister for Health what an individual, who is employed in a private company, but worked on a contract in a clinical setting in a hospital during the peak of the Covid pandemic...
    • Mental Health Services
      594. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of children being treated in-patient adult mental health facilities. [7864/24]
    • Health Services Staff
      595. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that the community neurorehabilitation team in CHO1 is operating with less than a third of the minimum recommended staffing; his plans to...
    • Primary Care Centres
      596. To ask the Minister for Health the nature of the communication that has been made with the developers of a primary care centre (details supplied); specifically the directives given to them...
    • Health Services Staff
      597. To ask the Minister for Health to comment on the appointment of an official (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/24]
    • Hospital Services
      598. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 23 November 2023, if he will outline the findings from the recent injury unit review and if he will comment on a...
    • Hospital Procedures
      599. To ask the Minister for Health how many eye cataract operations were completed in 2023 and 2024 to date in CHO4, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7918/24]
    • Primary Care Services
      600. To ask the Minister for Health the current progress and planned delivery date for each of the primary care centres planned for Connemara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7926/24]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      601. To ask the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) is waiting six years for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7933/24]
    • Mental Health Services
      603. To ask the Minister for Health for an outline of the CAMHS service in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7948/24]
    • Disability Services
      605. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that a large number of children with disabilities are being refused entry to a hydrotherapy pool in Cavan (details supplied) as there is no...
    • Dental Services
      606. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the provision of primary school dental services by the Health Service Executive in CHO5 and 3; the waiting times for the initial...
    • General Practitioner Services
      607. To ask the Minister for Health for urgent assistance regarding the matter of securing a local doctor for Cahersiveen, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Health Services
      608. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can urgently be admitted to Beaumont Hospital, who is currently in Blanchardstown Connolly Hospital since 12 February 2024; and...
    • Hospital Facilities
      609. To ask the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps, in conjunction with the relevant officials in hospital groups across Ireland, to ensure that there is a dedicated room and...
    • Health Services
      610. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department will give priority to the completion and implementation of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services taking into account the growth...
    • Hospital Staff
      611. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on a vacancy (details supplied); how long the position has been vacant; what efforts are being made by HSE to fill this position; when the...
    • Health Services
      612. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Department’s position to provide funding for a full pay restoration for all section 39 organisations and return to...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      613. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7989/24]
    • Medical Cards
      614. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of delays some cancer patients are facing when getting a medical card; what measures he is taking to address these delays; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      615. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment can be brought forward for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/24]
    • Medical Aids and Appliances
      616. To ask the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive a replacement hearing aid from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Medical Cards
      617. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for ophthalmic assistance via medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/24]
    • Care of the Elderly
      618. To ask the Minister for Health if there are any plans to establish an independent commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8007/24]
    • Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
      620. To ask the Minister for Health if St. John of God's Hospital received the Covid payment for front-line staff who worked through the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Home Help Service
      621. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided home care supports again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8017/24]
    • Vaccination Programme
      623. To ask the Minister for Health if he will urgently review the cost of the shingles vaccine at present; if he is aware that this vaccine currently costs over €900 in Ireland and...
    • Dental Services
      624. To ask the Minister for Health if GMS dental patients who cannot access dentists in Ireland can travel to Northern Ireland (details supplied) to have procedures done and if not, can the HSE...
    • Commissions of Inquiry
      625. To ask the Minister for Health to review correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide an update on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8026/24]
    • Departmental Policies
      626. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the proposal to appoint an independent commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8027/24]
    • Medical Qualifications
      627. To ask the Minister for Health in light of the large-scale qualifications fraud currently under investigation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK, if he is satisfied that no...
    • Health Services
      628. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1368 of 7 November 2023, if details can be provided to the precise location of property being considered for purchase...
    • National Children's Hospital
      629. To ask the Minister for Health the reason an independent expert is no longer involved in assessing the ventilation systems in the operating theatres of the new National Children's Hospital...
    • Health Services
      630. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the position of St. Brendan's Community Village Project in Mulranny, County Mayo, which provides a continuum of housing care...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      631. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for hip replacement surgery at Galway University Hospital as of 14 February 2024; the average waiting time for...
    • Care Services
      632. To ask the Minister for Health if equipment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/24]
    • Departmental Surveys
      633. To ask the Minister for Health if he or his Department on his behalf have done or discussed any studies about the health impact of excessive use of mobile phones at a young age; if he is...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      634. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) who has been waiting on an appointment at University Hospital Limerick for over four...
    • Medical Qualifications
      635. To ask the Minister for Health the registration fee or other charges that apply to Irish nurses who qualified in Britain who wish to register and work in Ireland; if he proposes to subsidise...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      636. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting list, per area of need, for the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8100/24]
    • Hospital Staff
      637. To ask the Minister for Health the current level of vacancies per department in the Regional Hospital, Mullingar. [8101/24]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      638. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting list per hospital in tabular form, for gynaecology for both inpatient and outpatient appointments. [8102/24]
    • Health Services Waiting Lists
      640. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists in tabular form per county for dental treatment. [8104/24]
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Ministerial Staff
      641. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of hours driven by each of the civilian drivers assigned to the Minister and Ministers of State in the Department in 2023. [7489/24]
    • Third Level Education
      642. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to fund an extension of the number of fully funded radiation therapy places in Trinity College, Dublin and University College, Cork...
    • Artificial Intelligence
      644. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident the State is investing enough on resource-intensive data and computing power to help the research and academic community build...
    • Research and Development
      645. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident Irish SMEs are benefiting from the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking; the involvement of private and...
    • Grant Payments
      647. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether he would review the internal process within SUSI for classifying students under 23 years of age as being irreconcilably estranged from...
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      648. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 30 January 2024, when an answer can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7978/24]
    • Education and Training Boards
      649. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made with regard to a cohort of workers (details supplied) in connection with contracts of employment, in particular...
    • Grant Payments
      650. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the Environmental Protection Agency has announced it has awarded research grants of €14.3 million for 33 new research projects; if he will...
    • Student Accommodation
      651. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 17 February 2021, the value of direct financial supports provided to purpose-built student...
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
    • Control of Dogs
      652. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7652/24]
    • Community Development Projects
      653. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the number of applications that have been received per county under the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund...
    • Control of Dogs
      655. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7654/24]
    • Library Services
      656. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of number of times the energy kits have been taken out on loan in each library in 2023; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Tourism Funding
      657. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7969/24]
    • Community Development Projects
      658. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the application process for the 2024 Community Centres Investment Fund is open; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Departmental Funding
      659. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide, on a county-by-county basis, in tabular form, the funding provided for community hubs in 2023. [8037/24]

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