Written answers
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Departmental Staff
1. To ask the Taoiseach the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied). [2659/26]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Middle East
2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on Israel's ordered demolition of a football pitch at the Aida Refugee Camp; the engagement her Department has had with Israel in...
- Departmental Staff
3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her Department (details...
- Foreign Policy
4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the response she and the EU proposes to take in the event of the US taking military action to exert control over Greenland. [2767/26]
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Judicial Reviews
5. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the 15 January deadline for the public consultation on the regulation of costs payable in matters...
- Renewable Energy Generation
6. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will examine and review the criteria for solar farms to feed back to the grid (details supplied). [2566/26]
- Departmental Staff
7. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
- Energy Conservation
8. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government for an update on the amount the Government paid out in the various SEAI grants in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a...
- Energy Policy
9. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider supporting pilot projects that demonstrate more efficient use of the existing electricity grid by large...
- Data Centres
11. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way in which he will ensure that the proposed data centre (details supplied) will not negatively impact on domestic...
- Department of Defence
- Departmental Staff
12. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her Department (details...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Driver Test
13. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in light of the upcoming industrial action by driving testers, the actions his Department will take to deal with growing driving test...
- Transport Policy
14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions currently being taken to address the limited availability of late-night public and private transport services in rural areas;...
- Taxi Regulations
15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made in expanding the availability of taxi services in rural areas, particularly during late-night hours;...
- Public Transport
16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the opening of the Luas to Lucan route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2546/26]
- Bus Services
17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending a recently announced 24-hour bus service (details supplied) to include Kildare town; and if he will make a...
- Taxi Regulations
18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 8 September 2025, if there is a further update from the National Transport Authority with...
- Transport Policy
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide passenger numbers as a total number, and occupancy rates as a percentage, for all TFI services in County Clare in 2024 and...
- Greenways Provision
20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether a review of the code of best practice for national and regional greenways has taken place; if so, the stakeholders that were...
- Departmental Staff
21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department...
- Dublin Airport Authority
22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the monies spent by the DAA on VIP travel and accommodation for the CEO of the DAA; the details of the oversight by his...
- Rail Network
23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Sallins train station has not been included as part of the Big Lift Project; when lift access will be granted to Sallins train...
- Transport Policy
24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures currently in place to address the lack of late-night public and private transport options in rural areas; and whether his...
- Taxi Licences
25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made to increase the availability of taxis in rural areas, particularly during late-night hours; and whether...
- Bus Services
26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of passenger demand after 6pm on Route H1 based on ticketing and Leap card data; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Staff
28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm his Department's current remote work policy for Departmental staff; if there are plans to modify the policy in 2026;...
- Park-and-Ride Facilities
29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the issues surrounding parking limitations at Cork Kent Station (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department...
- Road Safety
31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the reduction in the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h will be implemented as recommended by his...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Yield
32. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of carbon tax collected for 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2715/26]
- Tax Rebates
33. To ask the Minister for Finance whether his Department has examined the potential introduction of an excise rebate scheme for licensed premises, modelled on excise relief schemes operating in...
- Tax Code
37. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide details of the changes to the way in which income from carer's allowance is assessed for tax in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Staff
38. To ask the Minister for Finance the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details supplied); and...
- Tax Credits
39. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a person who is working short hours due to a disability (a person on dialysis) can find themselves without sufficient tax paid to benefit...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Public Services Provision
40. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when publication of the IPA' s annual directory and diary will resume, it being an important permanent source of public information; and...
- Office of Public Works
41. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider a proposal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/26]
- Departmental Staff
42. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform The application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Artificial Intelligence
43. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy initiatives taken on AI in 2025; the priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2638/26]
- Departmental Staff
44. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department...
- Consumer Protection
45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of concerns regarding restaurants charging corkage fees of between €35 and €40 on customer-provided...
- State Bodies
47. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE event manager staff, by gender, that are directly employed by Enterprise Ireland, by location, as of 5 January 2026,...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Special Educational Needs
48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a more formalised structure required to help support children with epilepsy in classrooms will be introduced (details supplied); and if she...
- School Funding
49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the emergency works application for a school (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on...
- Schools Building Projects
50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2531/26]
- Special Educational Needs
53. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that an organisation (details supplied) is supported in providing its training, and that it can reach all schools in the State;...
- Schools Building Projects
55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made on the delivery of a new school building for a school (details supplied); when a Stage 2a presentation will be made to her...
- School Accommodation
59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on an additional accommodation scheme application made by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- School Staff
60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) regarding pension parity for caretakers and secretaries; and if she will make a...
- Special Educational Needs
61. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the list of schools sanctioned for special classes for 2026-2027 will be published; and the interim or alternative processes put in place for...
- Departmental Staff
64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her Department (details...
- Special Educational Needs
65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of personnel employed across all State agencies that support special education in post primary schools (details supplied); the total...
- Schools Building Projects
67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the new school building project (details supplied); and if a tender has been received. [2815/26]
- Special Educational Needs
68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the number of reading classes in County Kerry that will be increased (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2816/26]
- Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
- Culture Policy
69. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport how the night-time economy strategy is being implemented in a rural context; the specific measures planned to support rural...
- Online Safety
71. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to protect young people active on social media; if he plans to introduce a social media ban similar to that...
- Sports Facilities
72. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport the number of publicly funded athletics tracks and all-weather running facilities currently available, by county; and the...
- Public Sector Pensions
73. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport when An Post pensioners, who were awarded a pension increase in September 2025, will receive this long-overdue payment; the...
- Departmental Staff
74. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
- Culture Policy
75. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport how the night-time economy strategy is being applied in a rural context; and the specific actions that are planned to...
- Sports Organisations
77. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport his position on the absence of mandatory adult safeguarding policies within sports and running clubs (details supplied); if...
- Media Sector
78. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport the plans to assist Irish journalism by providing a ring fenced funding stream for public-interest journalism. [3330/26]
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Housing Policy
79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to extend the powers of local authorities to permit the change of use or demolition of...
- Compulsory Purchase Orders
81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether he will introduce strengthened compulsory acquisition powers to enable local authorities to prioritise residential,...
- Vacant Properties
82. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether he will support legislation to ensure that vacant or derelict properties in town centres are brought back into active...
- Defective Building Materials
83. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the tendering and procurement process currently in place for the appointment of building professionals to carry out building...
- Housing Schemes
84. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether the two-year tenancy requirement in the tenant-in-situ acquisition scheme is currently under review; if he will commit...
- Rental Sector
85. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will commit to a public information campaign to inform tenants of their existing rights and protections under residential...
- Defective Building Materials
86. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he expects the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024 to be passed and open for applications; and if he will...
- Weather Events
88. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the costs incurred, by each local authority as a result of storm Éowyn; and the amount each local authority has been...
- Housing Schemes
89. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding the tenant-in-situ scheme; if he proposes to increase the level of funding allocated to Dún...
- Wildlife Protection
92. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the work being carried out by his Department into the population growth of seagulls in a location (details...
- Departmental Staff
93. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
- Housing Schemes
94. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are plans to review or increase the income eligibility thresholds for social housing support administered by Dublin...
- Defective Building Materials
95. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current status of apartments (details supplied); the status of the scheme; the funding granted to date; and if he will make...
- Rental Sector
96. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if, where a house commences a lease before 1 March 2026 for a period of 12 months, with the possibility of extending the lease...
- Water Quality
97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans his Department has to reverse the declining water quality in the Barrow; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Rental Sector
99. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline the new rules, from March 2026, for landlords, which allow them, their executors or families to terminate leases and...
- Derelict Sites
100. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to report on the derelict sites levies levied, collected, owed and cumulatively owed; the number of sites CPOed in the...
- Housing Provision
101. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has received a business case and or released funding for the development of a local authority site (details supplied)....
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Rights of People with Disabilities
103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the current status of the Government's commitment to introduce a cost of disability payment; the proposed timeline for its...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether he intends to review the classification of long-Covid for social protection purposes, including its recognition as an...
- Social Welfare Payments
108. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a breakdown can be provided for all payments of arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2588/26]
- Social Welfare Eligibility
109. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who was wrongly advised to claim disability allowance and who has now applied for invalidity pension and has been...
- Departmental Staff
111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
- Social Welfare Schemes
112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he plans to enhance the farm assist and fish assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2841/26]
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Departmental Data
114. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 571 of 18 December 2025, if the information requested regarding the number of crimes...
- International Protection
115. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 24 September 2025, if we will provide an update on the case; and if he will make a...
- Northern Ireland
116. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on his Department’s Bill to enable the taking of oral testimony for the purposes of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry;...
- Assisted Suicide
117. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will legislate to allow for assisted dying given the vote in favour by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Assisted Dying...
- Departmental Staff
118. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
- Domestic Violence
119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider removing the €80 application fee for a civil protection order given that no such fee exists in...
- Visa Applications
120. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether any categories of visa or immigration applications made by Syrian nationals were paused, frozen, or otherwise not...
- Family Reunification
121. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of the following situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2812/26]
- Department of Children, Disability and Equality
- Disability Services
130. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of people on a waiting list for disability home support hours at the end of 2024 and at the end of 2025; the number on a...
- Early Childhood Care and Education
131. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she or her Department will advise on an ECCE placement being withdrawn (details supplied). [2613/26]
- Departmental Staff
132. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her...
- After-School Support Services
133. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether plans are in place to increase the number of after-school care places in north Kildare by September 2026; and if she will...
- Equality Issues
134. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will clarify the policy rationale for the proposed provision in the Equality and Family Leaves (Miscellaneous Provisions)...
- Children in Care
138. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children under 12 years in care in each social work area, broken down by local area office, in tabular form. [2756/26]
- Parental Leave
151. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has examined allowing parental leave entitlements to be transferred between parents who are employed by different employers;...
- Department of Health
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
152. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department has assessed the loss of income faced by healthcare workers with long-Covid following the cessation of special Covid leave with pay on...
- Dental Services
153. To ask the Minister for Health if the necessary finance will be provided to Cork Dental Hospital to enable it to open a community-based outreach dental centre in Cork city in accordance with...
- Mental Health Services
154. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) who urgently requires a referral to an adolescent unit will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Dental Services
155. To ask the Minister for Health the availability of emergency and out of hours public dental services by RHA; the number of patients that presented to EDs with dental pain or infection in the...
- Mental Health Services
156. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on CAMHS waiting lists, per region at the end of year 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2560/26]
- Dental Services
157. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has entered into discussions with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with a view to opening a...
- Hospital Procedures
159. To ask the Minister for Health the number of MRI scans that took place in UHL, by day of the week, for each month between January 2024 and September 2024 inclusive; and the number of MRI...
- Home Help Service
160. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home help services within CHO3 on November 30th 2024; and the total number of hours allocated, and provided, for...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
161. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been waiting to see an otolaryngologist at University Hospital Limerick for longer than 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months for...
- National Maternity Hospital
162. To ask the Minister for Health her views on a fundraiser relevant to her Department where concerns have been realised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2601/26]
- Dental Services
163. To ask the Minister for Health the national number of dentists registered under the dental scheme for medical card holders; the number of dentists actually drawing down funds on it, in...
- Healthcare Policy
164. To ask the Minister for Health her position on an initiative (details supplied); if she considers it feasible to implement a similar initiative in Ireland; and if she will make a statement...
- Nursing Homes
165. To ask the Minister for Health to urgently assist in the case of a person (details supplied) and allow for an urgent transfer to a nursing home closer to their family; and if she will make a...
- Dental Services
166. To ask the Minister for Health if she intends taking measures to encourage more dental practices to join the dental treatment services scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Medical Cards
167. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to simplify the medical card application process for people with cancer; the measures taken by her Department; and if she will make a...
- Departmental Staff
168. To ask the Minister for Health the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in her Department (details supplied); and...
- Health Services Staff
169. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department will consider an extension to the special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2692/26]
- Healthcare Policy
170. To ask the Minister for Health the maternity care changes planned for implementation in January 2026; the objectives of these changes; the assessment undertaken of their impact on choice,...
- Primary Care Services
171. To ask the Minister for Health the locations within CHO9 where community intervention teams are located; and the areas that each CIT covers, in tabular form. [2706/26]
- Hospital Staff
172. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologist and transplant surgeons based at Beaumont Hospital in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement...
- Hospital Equipment
173. To ask the Minister for Health the hours and days of the week where CT scans, MRI scans and so on, are carried out at Beaumont Hospital; the average wait time for consultants to get results...
- Departmental Bodies
174. To ask the Minister for Health the current WTE staffing complement at the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the National Health Protection Office with responsibility for...
- Tobacco Control Measures
175. To ask the Minister for Health the number of premises inspected pursuant to the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, as amended, and under S.I. No. 271/2016, in each year since commencement, by...
- Departmental Data
176. To ask the Minister for Health the number of inspections of vape shops and other retail outlets which sell vaping products in each year 2021 to 2025, by type of premises inspected, in...
- Hospital Services
177. To ask the Minister for Health the status of her plan to standardise the opening hours of all injury units to provide a seven-day service from 8am to 8pm, including bank holidays; the injury...
- Departmental Data
179. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the latest national data on breastfeeding initiation and continuation at three and six months compares with targets set out in the National...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
180. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1080 of 18 November 2025, the status of the HSE’s engagements with Cork City Council with respect to the road...
- Medical Cards
181. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical card application will be approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2730/26]
- Legislative Measures
182. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for publication and introduction of the public health (tobacco products and nicotine-inhaling products) (amendment) Bill; to outline the scope of...
- Tobacco Control Measures
183. To ask the Minister for Health if practical guidance on the operation of the retail licensing system for the sale of tobacco and vaping products will issue to retailers ahead of the February...
- Civil Registration Service
184. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken by her Department and the HSE to deal with the backlog in marriage notification appointments and interviews of convenience in Cork civil...
- Dental Services
188. To ask the Minister for Health the number of adults and children currently on waiting lists for public dental services, including orthodontics, by RHA; the average and longest waiting times...
- Hospital Overcrowding
193. To ask the Minister for Health the number of days in 2025, that the full capacity protocol has been utilised at University Hospital Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Health Strategies
194. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 26 March 2025, to identify the recommendations which still need to be fully implemented in the National Maternity...
- General Practitioner Services
195. To ask the Minister for Health if she will report on GP waiting lists; the breakdown of GP waiting lists in each county in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [2828/26]
- Health Services Waiting Lists
196. To ask the Minister for Health number of patients on primary care and community services waiting lists, by service, age, and length of wait from December 2022-2025 or latest other comparable...
- Mental Health Services
197. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people on CAMHS and Jigsaw waiting lists, by CHO and length of wait, quarterly from 2012–2025, in tabular form. [2833/26]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
199. To ask the Minister for Health the number of people in County Kerry waiting for diagnostic tests, including MRI, CT, ultrasound and endoscopy, at the latest available data point, in tabular...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Education and Training Provision
200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will engage with Cork Dental Hospital with a view to increasing the number of training places for dental hygienists; and if he...
- Departmental Staff
203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his Department (details...
- Apprenticeship Programmes
204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of apprentice registrations across all construction trades from 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [2764/26]
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Departmental Staff
206. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the application process for higher scales for administrative grades below the grade of assistant principal operated in his...
