Written answers
Wednesday, 21 September 2022
- Department of An Taoiseach
- Commissions of Investigation
1. To ask the Taoiseach if he will comment on the finding that the possible underpayment on the price paid is less than the total cost of producing a report on an organisation (details supplied)...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Enterprise Support Services
2. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46223/22]
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Departmental Schemes
3. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if an application to the warmer homes scheme by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [46069/22]
- Emergency Services
4. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the procedures that he will put in place to ensure that there is better co-ordination and communication between the...
- Waste Management
5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the information available to his Department regarding the quantity of polystyrene imported into Ireland on an annual...
- Energy Conservation
6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to the funding of the installation of solar panels on the roofs of senior...
- Departmental Data
7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide details of the volume, value, and type of grants processed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of...
- Energy Conservation
8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is considering the installation of solar panels in schools as a form of energy for schools for heating...
- Departmental Schemes
9. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider increasing grants for the installation of solar panels in domestic settings; and if he will make a...
- Renewable Energy Generation
10. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the consultation on private wire direct-line renewables will be released; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Ukraine War
11. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will make a comment on the fact that Ireland did not apply for a key European Commission funding initiative in...
- Semi-State Bodies
13. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the dividends paid to the Exchequer by each of the semi-State energy companies; their profits for each of the years...
- Energy Conservation
15. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to fund the installation of solar panels on the roofs of senior citizen housing complexes in order to provide...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Aviation Industry
16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contact that he has had with a company (details supplied) about the recent cancellation of flights due to an IT issue; his plans to...
- Bus Services
17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a bus service for an area (details supplied); the date on which it will be back in operation; and the frequency of the...
- Emergency Services
18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures that he will put in place to ensure that there is better co-ordination and communication between the Dublin Fire Brigade...
- Driver Licences
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) can be accommodated for a driving licence. [46082/22]
- Heritage Sites
20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will issue a decision regarding the funding request received for the proposed takeover by Clare County Council of the...
- State Bodies
21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to dissolve the marine casualty investigation board; the timeline for doing so; and the reasoning behind this decision. [46085/22]
- Departmental Reports
23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that the Clinch Report has not been published by his Department in view of the fact that it was received in July 2021 and given...
- Bus Services
24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the National Transport Authority and an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that the recent decision to...
- Driver Test
25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current average waiting time for practical driving tests, broken down by centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46118/22]
- Rail Network
27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the extension of the DART line to north County Dublin stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Network
28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46140/22]
- Disability Services
29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of plans to establish a dedicated transport service to support persons with a mobility disability, as he has...
- Driver Test
30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers that have been let-go by the Road Safety Authority; if this is acceptable given the unacceptable delays in...
- Bus Services
33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to the expansion of the rural transport scheme operated by Local Link; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Funding
34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the request from a charity (details supplied) for co-funding to be made available to its recycle mobility programme;...
- Rail Network
35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount allocated by his Department for the development of the rail line from Limerick to Foynes; the date on which this expenditure...
- Bus Services
36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the rollout of Connecting Ireland bus services; the amount allocated to date in 2022; the estimated expenditure in 2023; and...
- Seirbhísí Iompair
37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport cén uair a thosófar ar an tseirbhís bus idir Casla, Conamara, agus Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, Contae Mhaigh Eo faoi...
- Road Projects
38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that funding is provided to progress the Clontibret to the border N2 road project; if his attention has been drawn to...
- Road Network
39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 91 and 126 of 26 April 2022, if his Department will reconsider the decision not to designate...
- Road Projects
40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Topical Issue No. 3 of 29 September 2020, if he will report on the progress made to date on improving road access to Cobh and...
- Department of Finance
- Veterinary Services
41. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will extend the eligibility for tax relief for registration fees to newly-qualified veterinary nurses upon registering with the Veterinary Council of...
- Revenue Commissioners
42. To ask the Minister for Finance when the Revenue Commissioners' office in Blackpool, Cork, will be opened to the public for appointments. [46117/22]
- Exchequer Returns
43. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount received by the Exchequer by way of dividend from commercial semi-State companies in the each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date...
- Exchequer Payments
44. To ask the Minister for Finance in respect of the fine of €405 million imposed on a company (details supplied) if the funds will be lodged into the central Exchequer or if he has...
- Banking Sector
45. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will engage with the banking sector to demand a moratorium on fining customers who fail to make direct debit payments on time for the duration of the...
- Tax Code
46. To ask the Minister for Finance his Department’s plans, if any, to amend VAT rates for print media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46353/22]
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Public Procurement Contracts
48. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the Office of Government Procurement has not established a cloud services procurement framework, despite the...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Sports Funding
49. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports or funding streams that are available to support a person who is a full-time rugby player with a provincial side at...
- Sports Organisations
50. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has met with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss improving stadiums and academy infrastructure for clubs...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Budget 2023
51. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46062/22]
- Mayoral Election
52. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he expects the Local Government (Directly Elected Mayor with Executive Functions in Limerick City and County) Bill 2022 to...
- Housing Schemes
53. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 14 September 2022, the way that the twin goals of sustainable communities and long...
- Hare Coursing
55. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will suspend the hare coursing season due to the increased number of reported cases of highly-pathogenic avian influenza...
- Planning Issues
57. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the ongoing review into the planning system, which will result in the consolidation and reform of the Planning and...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- EU Bodies
61. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for his support of the decision by European Union Foreign Ministers to renew the EU-Israel Association Council for the first time...
- Citizenship Applications
62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an application for citizenship made by a person (details supplied). [46074/22]
- Passport Services
63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on a passport application (details supplied). [46142/22]
- Consular Services
64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action that will be taken to ensure that Irish citizens are provided with all possible assistance by Irish embassies after...
- Election Monitoring Missions
65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the policy of his Department on Irish citizens being involved in fake election monitoring missions; if such involvement will lead to a review...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Funding
66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and the measures being taken to ensure that schools are prepared for rising...
- Budget 2023
67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46064/22]
- School Transport
68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to allocate a school transport ticket to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46072/22]
- School Staff
69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that language support is not being provided to a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Special Educational Needs
70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated full-year cost of rolling out the in-school and early years therapy support demonstration pilot project in each school across...
- State Examinations
71. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when she expects Junior Certificate results to be made available to students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46122/22]
- School Facilities
72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to her Department requesting funding from a school (details supplied) to ensure an adequate hall space for its new...
- Special Educational Needs
73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary ASD places that will be available for September 2023 in the Clondalkin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- School Transport
75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the age restriction of 66 years applied by Bus Éireann to school bus drivers operating under contract to the company will be removed to...
- Special Educational Needs
76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to support the proposal of the board of management of a school (details supplied) to use the already sanctioned ASD class for students...
- School Admissions
77. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to a request by a school (details supplied) for a financial contribution to accompany an application for...
- School Transport
78. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46307/22]
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Cost of Living Issues
80. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a person cannot use their electricity allowance on their gas bill where it is a small amount against a...
- Budget 2023
81. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46063/22]
- Social Welfare Schemes
82. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered with regard to the back-to-enterprise allowance adjusting the reduction of 75 per cent of entitlements...
- Social Welfare Payments
83. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a supplementary payment will issue to a person (details supplied) that applied for this payment on 7 July while awaiting...
- Social Welfare Eligibility
84. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that an application for carer's allowance has been refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of...
- Departmental Offices
85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is of the view that more privacy should be provided in local Intreo offices (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- Social Welfare Appeals
86. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeline for a decision on a social welfare appeal of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- Community Welfare Services
87. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the additional workload that community welfare officers are facing due to the huge demand...
- Pension Provisions
88. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on the State pension (non-contributory) of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay...
- Social Welfare Schemes
89. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are plans to increase the telephone allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
- Pensions Reform
90. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to hold a pension market review in view of the significant changes and ongoing issues within the sector; her views...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Budget 2023
91. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46061/22]
- Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
92. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delay in finalising domestic violence-paid leave recommendations; if the recommendations will...
- Early Childhood Care and Education
93. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify issues in relation to the Labour Relations Commission Employment Regulation Order for the...
- EU Directives
94. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the work-life balance directive was transposed into national law by the deadline of 2 August 2022; and if not,...
- Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
95. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish the conclusions of the review that his Department undertook in 2021 on domestic violence paid...
- Childcare Services
96. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare facilities registered with his Department that have ceased business in each of the years...
- Early Childhood Care and Education
99. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the roll-out of a scheme in an area (details supplied) to ensure that the programme is adequate...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Costs
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide financial support to persons wishing to enter and or remain in third level education. [46300/22]
- Budget 2023
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46067/22]
- Third Level Education
102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work he and his Department are undertaking, if any, to ensure all students have fair and equitable online access to further and higher...
- Technological Universities
103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the dates on which each of the five stages that he referenced with respect to the administrative process in a higher-education policy debate...
- Third Level Costs
104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a schedule of financial supports available to persons and or their family household in respect of their ambition to attend and or remain in...
- Third Level Fees
105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of his engagement with third level education providers to reduce fees and make access to third level education a viable option for...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Budget 2023
106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46068/22]
- Commemorative Medals
107. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if members of the uniformed Prison Service who took part in recent centenary commemorations did not receive the appropriate...
- Coroners Service
108. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a family (details supplied) in County Longford can expect a date for an inquest from the Coroner’s Office; and if...
- Visa Applications
109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review and re-examine the case of a person (details supplied) whose visa extension application has been rejected...
- Department of Health
- Hospital Services
111. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the HSE feasibility study in relation to the future use of a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46071/22]
- General Practitioner Services
112. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend free general practitioner care to all children under eight years of age and then under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on...
- Hospital Procedures
113. To ask the Minister for Health the number of scoliosis and spina bifida related orthopaedic procedures carried out for children in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
114. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida related orthopaedic procedures and consultations for each month in each of the years...
- Mental Health Services
115. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the issue of regulation of psychotherapy and counselling under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (details supplied). [46116/22]
- Medicinal Products
116. To ask the Minister for Health Health when the Health Products Regulatory Authority expects to have rivotril back in stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46120/22]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
117. To ask the Minister for Health when staff at a nursing home (details supplied) will receive their pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46136/22]
- Health Service Executive
118. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE has commissioned a tree surgeon to access the trees at a location (details supplied); if so, if he will furnish a report on same; and if he will...
- Health Strategies
119. To ask the Minister for Health when the Disability Capacity Review Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46151/22]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
120. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to provide the pandemic bonus payment to non-HSE/non-Section 38 organisations covered by the Government decision; when...
- Nursing Homes
121. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be moved to a nursing home nearer to their family home in Glasthule, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Health Services
122. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that is being made with regards to reinstating public health nurse check-ups for infants and children in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make...
- Healthcare Policy
123. To ask the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to extend the provision of free condoms to all persons under 25 years, regardless of gender, as part of the State’s existing free...
- Pharmacy Services
124. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the scale of issues facing pharmacists and community pharmacies; the action that he has taken to support pharmacists who...
- Hospital Services
126. To ask the Minister for Health the reasons for the planned closure of all clinical sexual health services in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and in Louth County Hospital, Dundalk;...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
127. To ask the Minister for Health the number of claims that have been taken against the State in respect of Covid-19 that the State Claims Agency is processing as of 15 September 2022; the...
- Health Strategies
128. To ask the Minister for Health the measures and initiatives that will be taken to better understand and to reduce still-birth and infant deaths among mothers of African background, and those...
- Health Services
129. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) reported on in 2021; the engagements he has had with this service provider about this matter; the...
- Medicinal Products
130. To ask the Minister for Health if he will support the kaftrio 35 treatment for children for cystic fibrosis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46224/22]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
131. To ask the Minister for Health if he will list all of the eligible categories of workers for the pandemic special recognition payment. [46225/22]
- Disability Services
134. To ask the Minister for Health Network teams that serve the HSE CHO 9 area; his views regarding a letter received by a person from one of the Children’s Disability Network teams that...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
135. To ask the Minister for Health when the pandemic recognition payment will be paid to Fire Brigade Paramedic staff who were on the front line during the pandemic. [46336/22]
- Disability Services
136. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [46339/22]
- Disabilities Assessments
139. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [46342/22]
- Health Services
140. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for ophthalmology by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [46343/22]
- Mental Health Services
143. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for community psychology services by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [46346/22]
- Health Services
146. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for dietetics by CHO, age category and time waiting in tabular form. [46349/22]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
147. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on an acute hospital waiting list by age category, hospital, speciality and time waiting in tabular form. [46350/22]
- Hospital Facilities
148. To ask the Minister for Health the number of acute inpatient, critical care and step-down beds planned for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the number delivered to date, by quarter; the...
- Health Services Staff
149. To ask the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts in children’s disability network teams, by post and team in tabular form. [46355/22]
- Health Strategies
151. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on implementation of the National Oral Health Policy; the progress to date on reforming the dental treatment services scheme; the...
- Dental Services
152. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists participating in the dental treatment services scheme, by LHO, in tabular form. [46358/22]
- Hospital Appointments Status
154. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46369/22]
- Primary Care Centres
155. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the decision-making process for the selection of areas for State-funded primary care centres; if there is still a priority list; the...
- Disability Services
156. To ask the Minister for Health if he will specify all children’s disability network teams that serve the HSE CHO 9 area. [46376/22]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Renewable Energy Generation
158. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the development of the biomass industry here; and the involvement of his Department. [46242/22]
- Common Agricultural Policy
159. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the commitments that he has secured or obtained in the review of the CAP regarding fishers and the fishing process industry; and if...
- Forestry Sector
160. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, in stating that removing lop and top or brash from site is not...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Departmental Funding
163. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will urgently review the provision of funding to an association (details supplied) to ensure that the services can continue;...
- Budget 2023
164. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46065/22]
- Community Development Projects
165. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will support an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46095/22]
- Local Development Companies
166. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on plans to establish exclusively independent community-led Leader groups, as committed to in the...
