Written answers
Thursday, 25 April 2024
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Flood Relief Schemes
2. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications made under the humanitarian aid scheme for uninsured householders in 2023, particularly on flooding,...
- Food Poverty
4. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to seek more sustained, long-term solutions to support families experiencing food poverty during school...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
7. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider abolishing the punitive means test for the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Reports
10. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Social Protection annual report for 2023 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18434/24]
- Equal Opportunities Employment
13. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of organisations in receipt of the workplace equipment adaptation grant in 2023 in County Cork; and if she will...
- Social Welfare Benefits
18. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline, further to the recent scrapping of the green paper on disability reform, her plans to introduce a cost of...
- Raidió Teilifís Éireann
19. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of staff, including total WTE positions and grade breakdowns, working in the Department's scope section; if the...
- Social Welfare Payments
20. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered any options to improve the speed with which applications for disability allowance or similar...
- Pension Provisions
21. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her assessment of the impact of the Supreme Court's recent decision to award a pension to a widower who was not married but...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
23. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on her examination of the issues facing kinship carers who receive nominal contributions from birth...
- State Pensions
24. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to provide a State pension for those currently in receipt of the increase for qualified adult under their...
- Pension Provisions
25. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the specifics regarding the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department presently; and if she will make...
- Labour Activation Measures
26. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount that was allocated in 2019 to 2023 to companies engaged by her Department in providing labour activation...
- State Pensions
27. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to allow for caring periods under 20 years to be included for long-term caring contributions for the purposes of the State...
- Employment Rights
28. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what threshold needs to be cleared for an appeal to be granted by her Department’s appeals office in respect of...
- Poverty Data
29. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is aware that one in five (19.7%) people unable to work due to disability live in consistent poverty, that this is...
- Social Welfare Benefits
30. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans in respect of the means test for the carer's allowance; how she plans on ensuring that more carers can avail of the...
- Parental Leave
32. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will allocate funding to extend paid parental benefit to cover at least the first year of a child’s life; and if...
- Social Welfare Appeals
33. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether she is aware of the substantial discrepancies that exist between initial applications for domiciliary care and the...
- Departmental Bodies
34. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when we can expect to know the findings of the interdepartmental working group between her Department and the Department of...
- Employment Support Services
35. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide an update on the tender for EmployAbility which was due to be published in April 2023; and if she will make a...
- Disability Services
36. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how the green paper on disability reform will impact students in higher education receiving disability payments. [9087/24]
- Employment Support Services
37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the position regarding the mandatory retirement age for participants on the job initiative scheme to ensure...
- Social Insurance
38. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is concerned at the impact proposed cuts to employers’ PRSI will have on the Social Insurance Fund; and if she...
- Social Welfare Payments
39. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider altering the Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 to apply the reduced rate...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
40. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether ME is eligible for disability allowance. [18407/24]
- Pension Provisions
41. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants who have been refused insurance-based private pensions on the basis of insufficiency of contributions...
- Social Welfare Payments
42. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of times an individual in receipt of carer’s allowance had their allowance stopped, in each of the past ten...
- School Meals Programme
43. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending the hot school meals programme to a school (details supplied) on a permanent basis; and if she...
- Departmental Priorities
45. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will introduce a universal disability payment of at least €350 a week; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Disability Services
46. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an expected launch date of the reformed reasonable accommodation fund, following the recommendations from...
- Social Welfare Benefits
47. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered designing new initiatives to tackle under-claiming of benefits, which is widespread across her own...
- Social Welfare Payments
49. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the appeals process for domiciliary care allowance payments that are refused; and if she will make a statement on...
- Social Welfare Benefits
50. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection what steps she intends to take regarding the extent of the backlog in processing disability allowance claims. [18474/24]
- International Protection
51. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on her engagements with Cabinet colleagues regarding the ending of the Temporary Protection Directive next...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to give consideration to extending the carer’s benefit to include the self-employed; and if she will make a statement...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Industry
60. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants to the succession planning advice grant; the steps he is taking to support succession; and if he will make a...
- Agriculture Supports
67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on supports for farmers in light of recent adverse weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Animal Diseases
69. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any intention of revisiting the foot and mouth compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18432/24]
- Animal Slaughtering
70. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is taking over responsibility for the inspection of small abattoirs from the local authorities who currently...
- Agriculture Industry
71. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications for the agriculture sector in Ireland, given that the European Council has not reached agreement on the EU Nature...
- Food Industry
72. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the application of PGI status for boxty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18296/24]
- Agriculture Industry
74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to a particular proposal on a Commission on the Future of the Family Farm Bill 2024; and if he will make...
- Departmental Bodies
75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the Working Group on Women in Agriculture. [18144/24]
- Tillage Sector
76. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to improve supports for tillage farmers who are encountering great difficulties tilling and sowing due to excessive rain; and if he...
- Horticulture Sector
77. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's efforts to support the horticulture sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Tree Remediation
78. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a financial support package for farmers to manage diseased roadside ash trees safely; and if he will make a...
- Agriculture Industry
79. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce specific measures to support farmers affected by extremely difficult weather conditions which have resulted in a...
- Forestry Sector
80. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering the suspension of log imports from Scotland until better safeguards are in place to prevent the spread of the...
- Food Industry
82. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has developed proposals within his area of responsibility which would fit with the ambition to deliver a circular economy...
- Land Issues
83. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will develop a national land use strategy to address, amongst other things, the concerning lack of land availability for...
- Control of Horses
84. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized in Cork city in 2023. [18409/24]
- Food Industry
85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if producers in County Carlow will be awarded the new PGI for Irish grass-fed beef. [18298/24]
- Agriculture Schemes
86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek to ensure that farmers who choose the later reporting option for national sheep welfare scheme measures do not have...
- Wind Energy Generation
87. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will consider a scheme to support more wind powered microgeneration on farms; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Agriculture Supports
88. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to help farmers following the wet weather in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18436/24]
- Fisheries Protection
89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 21 February 2024, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the...
- Nitrates Usage
90. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any assessment of the impact the removal of the nitrates derogation would have on Irish water quality; and if he...
- Trade Agreements
91. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the Mercosur Trade Agreement. [17714/24]
- Departmental Bodies
92. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 22 February 2024, for an update on the work of the wool council; if the €30,000 in...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
94. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether any reduction in the size of the national herd is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will...
- Forestry Sector
95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the regulatory factors constraining commercial forestry growth, with a view to establishing a more industry-friendly...
- Nitrates Usage
96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if low-intensity farmers who import slurry onto their land could have their calculation based on the preceding year's stocking rate as...
- Forestry Sector
97. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with difficulties that have emerged from ash dieback and the concerns about spruce bark...
- Agriculture Industry
98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts are being made to manage grasslands and tillage lands, given the sharp increase in rainfall; if...
- Control of Horses
99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on his Department’s plans to simply and modernise the Control of Horses Act 1996, as per the...
- Food Industry
100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent, if any, to which he has noticed an increased level of dairy produce into this country notwithstanding the fact that we...
- Animal Slaughtering
101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horse deaths recorded in Cork in 2023. [18410/24]
- Tillage Sector
102. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to assist tillage farmers in Carlow who are facing unprecedented weather conditions. [18299/24]
- Agriculture Supports
103. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in light of extreme weather patterns in recent years and in particular the flooding of lands and high water table, he will...
- Nitrates Usage
104. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any ‘plan B’ if the nitrates derogation is abolished; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Further and Higher Education
105. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department collates statistics on the number of persons who obtain a green certificate qualification; and, if so, if he will...
- Beef Sector
106. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the recent changes to the beef indexes that have impacted farmers in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; how...
- Forestry Sector
107. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the implementation of national forestry policies and programmes is consistent with the growth of the commercial forest estate or...
- Environmental Policy
109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position regarding the inclusion of hedgerows in the assessment of carbon sequestration for the national inventory; and...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Passport Services
110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are plans to establish a designated telephone helpline or allow access to the Oireachtas passport query service for members of the...
- United Nations
115. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide the instances where Irish peacekeeping deployments were blocked at the UN Security Council level; the year this took place; the...
- Middle East
116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his Department's engagement with the United States regarding the role of the US government in the arming of Israel amid...
- Passport Services
118. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18663/24]
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- European Court of Human Rights
119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the spending on legal advice, legal action and/or legal expenses related to cases in the European Court of Human Rights...
- Recycling Policy
120. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 18 April 2024, to report on the data and insights shared by other EU...
- Litter Pollution
122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount granted to each local authority in respect of anti-littering, clean-up and recycling initiatives in the past...
- Recycling Policy
123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the employees of a company (details supplied) that operates the deposit return scheme are public servants; and if...
- Court Judgments
125. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how the Government intends to respond to a recent court decision (details supplied); if advice from the Attorney...
- Broadband Infrastructure
126. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18530/24]
- Inland Fisheries
127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the review of the recent controversies within the Inland Fisheries Ireland has been completed; and if he will make a...
- Recycling Policy
128. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has set a date from which all sales of cans or PET bottles must have a deposit paid; if he has discussed with...
- Renewable Energy Generation
129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has considered the option of allowing renewable energy companies two opportunities per annum to apply for grid...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Road Projects
130. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an individual update on the planned progression of each regional and local road project (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Ports Policy
131. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an individual update on the ongoing investment in port access for each route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
- Electric Vehicles
132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on additional electric charging infrastructure for targeted growth in electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on...
- Active Travel
133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the comprehensive urban cycling and walking network for metropolitan areas, including 200km of cycle lanes under...
- Airport Policy
135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the second parallel runway for Dublin Airport, as outlined in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a...
- Ports Policy
139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the circa €90 million redevelopment of existing port facilities at Ringaskiddy to accommodate larger sea-going...
- Public Transport
141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the investment in train and bus fleets and infrastructure to maintain safety and service standards, including expansion...
- National Development Plan
144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the north-west multi-modal mobility hub, as outlined in the National Development Plan. [18490/24]
- Rail Network
145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the circa €2 billion investment in the DART expansion programme, including electrification of services to...
- Bus Services
148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the circa €2.5 billion investment in BusConnects Programme for Dublin, Cork and Galway, including redesign of the...
- Ports Policy
150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the approximately €230 million infrastructural investment at Dublin Port to accommodate larger sea-going vessels...
- Road Projects
151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the imbalance of roads funding applied to county councils (details supplied); whether his Department...
- Department of Finance
- Banking Sector
152. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will instruct the banks, and in particular banks previously bailed out by the citizens, to make it their policy - not ‘an exception’ -...
- State Properties
153. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of properties currently in ownership by an agency (details supplied), by local authority area, by type of property and suitability for residency,...
- Tax Code
154. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated first-year and full-year cost of removing residential stamp duty with respect to the purchase of residential property by first time buyers for...
- Housing Schemes
155. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the help to buy scheme in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. [18671/24]
- Tax Code
162. To ask the Minister for Finance to indicate the correct tax-free allowances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18705/24]
- Banking Sector
163. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which any banking regulation currently applies or should apply to mortgage and finance companies offering mortgages and who then sell the...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Waterways Issues
164. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of works on the weir at Ballincollig Regional Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/24]
- Coastal Erosion
165. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 18 April 2024, and in view of the timelines set out by him for the development of an...
- Pension Provisions
166. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail the pension entitlements for An Taoiseach. [17660/24]
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Research and Development
167. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total expenditure in the form of grants or relief given to multinational corporations for research and innovation in each of the...
- Business Supports
168. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the supports, if any, available to refurbish vacant or derelict properties to use for retail or business purposes; and if...
- Labour Market
172. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/24]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Question Heading for question(s) 173
173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the MA academic allowance replaces the primary degree allowance as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Special Educational Needs
174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a serious issue at a school in Omeath, County Louth (details supplied) that has seen its allocation of special education...
- School Accommodation
175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the development of a new school site to accommodate schools (details supplied); if tenders have been awarded;...
- Schools Building Projects
177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for updates on emergency works and ASA applications submitted by a school (details supplied). [18499/24]
- School Funding
178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 289 of 16 April 2024, when the digital ICT grant for 2023 and 2024 will be paid to schools; the timeframe...
- School Curriculum
179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when applications will be open for expressions of interest for the 2024/2025 transition year pilot programme; if she will provide information on...
- Schools Building Projects
180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm the timeline for the completion of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18527/24]
- School Staff
182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the assimilation of primary school caretakers similar to school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18537/24]
- Schools Building Projects
183. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on a school building project (details supplied); what this means in real terms for this school; when the school can expect...
- School Funding
198. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the guidelines for the primary school book grant will issue for 2025; and the allowance per student. [18580/24]
- Education and Training Boards
199. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that a school (details supplied), as an ETB school, has not received DEIS status; when the school can be reconsidered for this status;...
- School Funding
200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the minor works grant for primary schools will be paid. [18582/24]
- Special Educational Needs
202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address matters in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18590/24]
- School Transport
203. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school transport appeal for an individual (details supplied). [18592/24]
- School Accommodation
204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on an application from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18607/24]
- School Transport
205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether a remote area grant is payable to the parent(s) of a student where the school bus pick up point is more than 4.8km from their home; and...
- School Staff
206. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools with a principal and two mainstream teachers, which based on enrolment figures of September 2023 are due to lose a teacher...
- Disadvantaged Status
207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether it is intended to review the decision not to grant DEIS status to a school (details supplied), given that this is a recently amalgamated...
- Schools Building Projects
208. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a permanent building will begin for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18670/24]
- School Transport
209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school bus route which provides transport to a school (details suppled) will be adjusted and the route changed, in order that children...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Arts Council
210. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18608/24]
- Film Industry
211. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an overview of her Department’s understanding of production activity in the film and audiovisual sector at...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Wind Energy Guidelines
212. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when new wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/24]
- An Teanga Gaeilge
213. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government an bhfuil sé ar an eolas maidir le comharthaíocht a cuireadh in airde chun bothanna vótála a fhógairt...
- Wastewater Treatment
214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/24]
- Regeneration Projects
215. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the regeneration projects for flat complexes within Dublin City Council's jurisdiction, in tabular form; the...
- Derelict Sites
216. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of derelict sites that a local authority (details supplied) has taken into its possession in the past two years;...
- National Parks and Wildlife Service
217. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether the NPWS branch of his Department applies for and receives any annual grants or Common Agricultural Payments on State...
- Derelict Sites
218. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he can provide an update on the extension of the local authority home loan to include derelict properties. [18656/24]
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Business Supports
219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider targeted supports to businesses experiencing increased costs through changes, including rebates, under...
- Social Welfare Benefits
220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) who is giving full-time care to their father;...
- School Meals Programme
222. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update as to when a school (details supplied) will be included in the new programme of national school...
- Departmental Contracts
223. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount of money being paid by her Department to private bus companies under contracts for the free travel scheme; the...
- Departmental Data
224. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 12 December 2023, the estimated revenue that will be raised in each of the years...
- Social Welfare Benefits
225. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the living alone allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Personal Public Service Numbers
228. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when a PPS number might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
- Social Welfare Benefits
229. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a one-parent family payment or other allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make...
- Labour Market
230. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Social Welfare Benefits
231. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved in recent times to meet requirements of more persons; and if she...
- Departmental Priorities
233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the extent of any...
- Social Welfare Payments
234. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of appeals currently in hand in respect of means-tested social welfare payments and non-means-tested...
- Departmental Priorities
235. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she continues to examine the situation whereby women who left full-time employment to care for a relative...
- State Pensions
238. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of pension applications for contributory-related State pension received in each of the past five years to...
- Departmental Priorities
239. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the degree to which her Department has in place an appropriate method for determination of eligibility for domiciliary care...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- An Garda Síochána
241. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that were successful at stages 1 and 2 of the Garda trainee application process in the past 20 years; the...
- Visa Applications
242. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are plans to employ more staff or take additional steps to deal with the significant backlog of applications for...
- International Protection
243. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the qualifying conditions to apply for Irish citizenship for those here on a stamp 4 visa seeking international protection; and...
- Visa Applications
244. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will examine a visa case (details supplied). [18563/24]
- An Garda Síochána
248. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the most up-to-date number of community gardaí deployed each year since 2018, by local authority; and if she will make a...
- Common Travel Area
249. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the impact, if any, of Ireland's opt into the EU Migration Pact on the common travel area with the UK; if she will outline the...
- An Garda Síochána
250. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a breakdown of the number of ethnicities, by type and by rank, represented in An Garda Síochána...
- Citizenship Applications
254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current position in relation to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will...
- Family Law Cases (1 comment)
256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will introduce the necessary changes to Irish family law to prevent the use of parental alienation pursuant to the...
- Visa Applications
258. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which it might be possible to update a stamp 3 status to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
- Residency Permits
261. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when residency status can be updated and rectified in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Industry
263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of his ‘Backing Rural Ireland’ nationwide tour and meeting with farmers throughout the country, if he has taken...
- Animal Welfare
264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the State will instigate/increase funding for animal refuges and rescues that are facing spiralling admissions due to a serious...
- Departmental Correspondence
265. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a reply has not issued to a query submitted to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Beef Sector
266. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of the beef herd at present; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make...
- Tillage Sector
267. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which cereal growing continues to be attractive in Ireland; if its viability is coming under pressure from other...
- Agriculture Industry
268. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor production costs in the poultry sector, with particular reference to...
- Agriculture Supports
272. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the beneficial effect to the small- and medium-sized farming community of recent supportive measures; the impact...
- Departmental Data
273. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment has fluctuated in the agri-food and fishing sectors in the past five years to date; and if he will...
- Fishing Industry
274. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the viability of the fishing industry for the benefit of families dependent on...
- Animal Diseases
275. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, continue to be eliminated in a meaningful way; the extent to which...
- Forestry Sector
276. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it is expected to reach published targets on forestry; when the plan commenced; when it is expected to achieve...
- Farm Costs
277. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the costs of farm inputs, including fuel and fertilisers, with a view...
- Dairy Sector
278. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which imported dairy products appear to be replacing Irish dairy items in shops and supermarkets; whether this is...
- Beef Sector
279. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the beef industry here is being phased out or scaled down to accommodate importation of similar products from overseas who do...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- School Staff
281. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he is aware that a school (details supplied) is still not in receipt of therapist hours. [18489/24]
- Disability Diagnoses
282. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the list of recognised disabilities under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Expenditure
285. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the legal costs to date incurred by his Department's response to High Court proceedings brought by the Irish...
- Early Childhood Care and Education
286. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to planned closure of a childcare facility (details supplied); if his Department...
- Departmental Correspondence
287. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the receipt of a submission from a community organisation (details supplied); his response to...
- Disability Services
289. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of positions, by role, assigned to CDNT west central Cork city; the number of vacancies that exist;...
- Departmental Expenditure
291. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 18 April 2024, the numbers in State-provided accommodation, to...
- Disability Services
292. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional support will be provided as a matter of urgency to an association to enable the resumption of...
- Department of Health
- Community Care
294. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide further State funding for an organisation (details supplied) to allow for the continued delivery of its national service which looks after...
- Home Help Service
295. To ask the Minister for Health if additional home help hours have been allocated to a person (details supplied). [18430/24]
- Medical Cards
296. To ask the Minister for Health the reason test strips for diabetes are not covered by the medical card as in the case of a person (details supplied) who spends €33.00 per month on...
- Health Services Waiting Lists
297. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for a first audiologist appointment in CH02; the length of time they have been waiting to see an audiologist in CHO2,...
- Care Services
299. To ask the Minister for Health when the Westfield integrated care centre in Ballincollig, Cork will be fully operational. [18483/24]
- Dental Services
300. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists that will be trained in Ireland in 2024; the capacity of the existing schools of dentistry; his views on whether the number of dentists...
- Psychological Assessments
301. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and separately an...
- Health Services
302. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to improve newborn screening; if the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee plans to introduce...
- Hospital Facilities
303. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider providing a minor injuries unit in Galway on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18515/24]
- Health Services Staff
304. To ask the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in the Dublin mid-west area; the number of vacancies; the areas they cover; the areas without a public health nurse service;...
- Health Strategies
306. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken to achieve an interagency approach to delivering dual-diagnosis services, as set out on page 24 of the model of care for dual...
- Nursing Homes
308. To ask the Minister for Health if he will urgently address a situation whereby elderly patients of nursing homes are faced with exorbitant fees to avail of private ambulance services to...
- Departmental Funding
309. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on funding for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18554/24]
- Mental Health Services
313. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on CAMHS early intervention in psychosis services; the cost of delivering these services per annum; which catchment areas will be eligible for...
- Health Service Executive
316. To ask the Minister for Health when a HSE report on the death of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be completed; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on...
- International Agreements
317. To ask the Minister for Health whether in international negotiations on a pandemic treaty the Government have sought to ensure that a TRIPS waiver on vaccines will be included; and if he...
- Hospital Appointments Status
318. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18573/24]
- Mental Health Services
319. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to address the lack of dedicated support for mental health in the Donegal town area of County Donegal, and that people are having to travel...
- Disability Services
320. To ask the Minister for Health what plans are in place for residents of a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal, after news emerged that the facility was to close for two years; and...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
321. To ask the Minister for Health when the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital in County Donegal will become fully operational; the reason the hospital is not currently operational; and if he...
- General Practitioner Services
322. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients seen by the SouthDoc service in Skibbereen, by month, from January 2022 to date, in tabular form. [18593/24]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
332. To ask the Minister for Health to examine an outstanding Covid pandemic payment yet to be issued (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18609/24]
- Departmental Correspondence
333. To ask the Minister for Health to respond to concerns and proposals raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/24]
- Medicinal Products
334. To ask the Minister for Health if medication can be secured for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18621/24]
- Hospital Procedures
335. To ask the Minister for Health further to a previous Parliamentary Question, if he will expedite a date for a cataract operation for a person (details supplied). [18622/24]
- Departmental Correspondence
336. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) by a concerned parent of a child in Dublin 11; the steps he is taking to address the...
- Abortion Services
337. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the termination of pregnancy review with respect to recommendations concerning legislative amendments, including the...
- Health Services
339. To ask the Minister for Health when a call for applications for section 39 funding for organisations will next be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/24]
- Hospital Overcrowding
340. To ask the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to ensure there are a sufficient number of beds available in Galway University Hospital to meet demand, particularly as cancer...
- Medical Cards
341. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists in Galway city and county treating patients under the medical card scheme; the number of these accepting new patients at present; and if...
- Psychological Assessments
342. To ask the Minister for Health why there is no dedicated adult ADHD team operating in Galway who carry out assessments of people suffering from ADHD; whether his Department have received an...
- Hospital Appointments Status
343. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment with the ENT Department, Midland Regional Hospital,...
- Health Services Staff
344. To ask the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are currently unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse...
- Medical Cards
345. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical card review application can be urgently reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/24]
- Home Help Service
348. To ask the Minister for Health if home support might be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18691/24]
- Medical Cards
349. To ask the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18703/24]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Apprenticeship Programmes
351. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of electrical, plumbing and carpentry apprentices who completed their course in 2023, broken down by the year in which they first...
- Youth Work Supports
352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether alignment of the Youthreach calendar year with the second level schools' calendar would be a cost-saving measure to public...
- Research and Development
355. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total expenditure in the form of grants or relief given to social enterprises for research and innovation in each of the years 2020 to 2023;...
- Student Accommodation
356. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 754 of 16 April 2024, the specific legislation that his officials and those from the Department of Housing,...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Community Development Projects
357. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) to Pobal for funding for an additional full-time worker; and if she...
- Tidy Towns
358. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the outdoor recreation application by a group (details supplied). [18603/24]
- Departmental Schemes
359. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of valid applications received under the new build module set up to deliver new-build community centres in Rural Ireland...
- Calafoirt agus Céanna
361. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a Roinn ó Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe le staidéar chun dáta a dhéanamh ar na...
