Written answers
Wednesday, 19 April 2023
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Passport Services
1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider waiving passport fees for children who are in foster care under the aegis of Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the...
- General Register Office
2. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when an FBR application (details supplied) will be completed, considering that the supporting documents were received by his Department over...
- Passport Services
3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport renewal (details supplied) given the applicant's target issue date has been exceeded by a number of months; and if he...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Pension Provisions
4. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he can explain the circumstances (details supplied) behind the anomaly in the An Post pension system; and if he will...
- Closed-Circuit Television Systems
5. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 2 March 2023, whether the Local Government Management Agency has yet...
- Energy Policy
6. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline when he intends to publish a national hydrogen strategy for Ireland; and if he will make a statement...
- Telecommunications Infrastructure
7. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline when he intends to launch a public consultation into the use of direct lines and private wires; and if...
- Energy Policy
8. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will outline his views on the EU Electricity Market Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18413/23]
- Programme for Government
10. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment 'As Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, we...
- Inland Fisheries
11. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the conservation requirements which led to the suspension of draft net fishing on inland rivers; if draft...
- Building Energy Rating
12. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the pre- and post-BER ratings of all deep retrofits completed in 2022 under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER, and...
- Environmental Schemes
13. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the figures for all retrofits completed in Q1 2023 under all SEAI schemes, by scheme, pre-BER, and post-BER; and if he...
- Renewable Energy Generation
15. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the figures for all solar installations under all SEAI schemes in Q1 this year, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Public Transport
19. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Bus Éireann’s expressway route 30/30X Donegal and Route 32/32X Letterkenny will become fully wheelchair accessible; and...
- Driver Test
21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what action his Department is taking to reduce the five-month waiting time for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Energy Policy
23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/23]
- Electric Vehicles
27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is proposing to regulate the use of e-scooters by defining which public highways e-scooters may be driven on, how they may be...
- Park-and-Ride Facilities
28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the revenues generated, or anticipated to be generated, per annum by parking charges at Ballybrophy railway station. [18435/23]
- Rail Network
35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department examined the viability of extending services to include passenger services along the existing Navan-Drogheda rail line...
- Air Services
36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether recent flight path changes are resulting in an increase in aircraft passing over a location (details supplied); the regulations...
- Employment Schemes
37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he and his Departmental officials have had with sectoral representative bodies and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and...
- Waterways Issues
38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update from the Marine Survey Office on the progress it has made in relation to a survey of the Hebble Sand vessel...
- School Transport
39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide details of funding schemes currently open or schemes that will be open this year to which local authorities can apply to...
- Department of Finance
- Legislative Measures
40. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to ensure that the rights of those who have mortgages taken over by credit servicing firms under the terms of the Credit Services...
- Disability Services
41. To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects the Disabled Drivers Medical Board appeals board to be re-established and in place to deal with the excessive waiting list; and if he will make...
- Tax Rebates
42. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the tax back process for donations to charities and approved clubs whereby charities are not allowed to claim a tax return/top-up for all...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- EU Funding
43. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total investment that each NUT region will receive under the ERDF programme in both EU and Exchequer co-funding; and if he will make...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Covid-19 Pandemic
45. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure, as per the Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) Bill 2021, that the ‘right to clean air’ is provided to...
- Employment Schemes
46. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is considering removing the role of mechanics from the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits; if so,...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Hospital Staff
47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to funding for educational psychologists which will be considered in a report expected to be released in Q2, if she is aware that...
- School Transport
50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a second-level student can appeal a decision to refuse special education school transport when the closest mainstream school is not meeting the...
- School Accommodation
51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the application for additional school accommodation for a named school (details supplied); if she will provide a...
- Schools Building Projects
52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide a guaranteed timeline for the beginning of the major building project for a school (details supplied); if she will estimate...
- Curaclam Scoile
55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills an bhfuil sí ar an eolas gur laghdaíodh an t-am do mhúineadh na Gaeilge sna bunscoileanna ó 5 uair an chloig sa tseachtain in...
- Schools Building Projects
56. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the proposed building programme at a school (details supplied); if she will confirm the schedule now being...
- Departmental Policies
62. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider a change in the way in which July Provision is considered as part of a teacher’s work (details supplied); and if she...
- Departmental Funding
65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the ancillary grant will be paid to national schools; what advice is being issued to schools to cover staffing costs for the delay in the...
- Island Communities
66. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide her response to the recommendation in the UCC report Housing and Sustaining Communities on the west Cork Islands to support young...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Online Safety
67. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline her engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communication concerning online trolling and other...
- Departmental Schemes
68. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, notwithstanding the decision on the basic income scheme for a person (details supplied), there is any recourse that a review...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Departmental Strategies
69. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will outline the Government’s strategy to act upon the recommendations of the Biodiversity Loss Citizens Assembly;...
- Local Authorities
70. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will clarify if Louth County Council has been given instruction from his Department that long-term leases cannot be...
- Departmental Data
71. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the amounts collected, levied, owed and owed cumulatively under the Derelict Sites Register; and the number of sites on each...
- Housing Provision
73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social and affordable houses built in the Kerry local authority area in each of the years from 2018 to 2022 and...
- Planning Issues
78. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the updating of the planning guidelines for short-term lettings will be announced (details supplied); and if he will make...
- Local Authorities
79. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of social housing units to be retrofitted in County Clare in 2023, by municipal district, in tabular form; and if he...
- Housing Schemes
80. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the grants currently available through his Department, excluding the housing adaptation grant for the replacement of windows...
- Housing Policy
81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 513 of 21 March 2023, if he will engage with self-catering accommodation providers in...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Private Security Authority
82. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspections carried out by the Private Security Authority on company records, and events, where registered...
- Prison Service
84. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans in the area of sentencing reform and incarceration rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/23]
- Residency Permits
93. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a renewed residence permit card will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Citizenship Applications
94. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Forestry Sector
95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a timeline for the implementation of the Native Woodland Scheme, which was due to start in January 2023; and if he...
- Agriculture Schemes
96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his views on how hydrogen can be used in the agricultural and farming sectors; if his Department has discussed the...
- Renewable Energy Generation
97. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the supports which are currently offered to farmers and agricultural workers who wish to make a transition to...
- Animal Welfare
98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on funding a national trap, neuter and return programme for the wild cat population. [18453/23]
- Grant Payments
99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) for the REAP scheme which has been approved for payment; and if he will...
- Equality Issues
100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures to encourage more women to take part in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/23]
- Forestry Sector
101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences issued to date for 2023; what measures are being taken to ensure the Climate Action...
- Third Level Education
102. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of places that are available to those wishing to study veterinary medicine; what his engagement is with the...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Business Supports
103. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are grants or funding assistance available for a new business (details supplied) in County Tipperary;...
- Health Services
104. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the provision of community neuro-rehabilitation teams in each CHO. [18606/23]
- Departmental Contracts
105. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what compensation is being paid to an entity (details supplied) for the provision of accommodation; and if he...
- Passport Services
106. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to make the case for the waiving of...
- Disability Services
107. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessment of need complaints received to disability services in 2022; the number of those...
- Department of Health
- Dental Services
111. To ask the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant educational bodies to examine the training and scope of all work carried out by auxiliary dental workers, that is...
- Education Costs
115. To ask the Minister for Health if financial support for current trainee counselling psychologists in first and second year will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Disability Services
116. To ask the Minister for Health the action he will take to tackle the waiting lists in the primary care service for children's disability services for example, psychology, occupational...
- Hospital Facilities
117. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1374 of 18 January 2023, if there is a timeline for completion for the development of a Helipad in CUH or any further...
- Primary Care Centres
118. To ask the Minister for Health if resources are in place to provide a primary healthcare centre in Collinstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22; if he will provide an update on the provision of this;...
- Dental Services
120. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to updating the Dental Council’s ‘Register of Dentists’ as recommended by a report (details supplied), to...
- Abortion Services
132. To ask the Minister for Health if he will implement the Safe Access Zone legislation with extreme urgency; if he will outline what has caused a delay in this process; and if he will make a...
- Health Services
133. To ask the Minister for Health what plans are in place to address the long delays in testing for rare diseases and referral for genetic testing; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Health Services Staff
136. To ask the Minister for Health for a timeline for the implementation of the HSE pay agreements for retired HSE staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18403/23]
- Health Strategies
138. To ask the Minister for Health when he intends to publish an evaluation of the national cardiovascular health strategy which expired in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Healthcare Policy
139. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the establishment of a working group on foot of the publication of a report (details supplied) into Ireland's reimbursement process; if he...
- Covid-19 Pandemic
140. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1476 of 21 March 23, the reason the HSE has not adequately answered the Question; if he will provide the information as...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
141. To ask the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to introduce a national screening programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18423/23]
- Health Services Staff
142. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that are being implemented to eliminate the unacceptable delays experienced by persons who qualified in Northern Ireland or in Britain in having...
- Abortion Services
143. To ask the Minister for Health when he will introduce legislation to provide for safe access zones around sites where abortion services are provided. [18433/23]
- Education Policy
144. To ask the Minister for Health to ensure that funding is provided to trainee educational psychologists to enable them complete professional training. [18458/23]
- Health Service Executive
145. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking in relation to the high volume of cases of alleged sexual harassment and workplace bullying in the HSE; and if he will make a statement...
- Health Services
146. To ask the Minister for Health the funding given for respite services in each CHO in each of the past five years in tabular form. [18460/23]
- Education and Training Provision
151. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify if financial support will be forthcoming for the current cohort of students on the trainee educational and child psychologist programme; and...
- Mental Health Services
152. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the list of ‘mental health conditions – people aged 16 and younger’, that are included under the section - medical...
- Hospital Staff
153. To ask the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent allocations in therapeutic roles for inpatient and outpatient services in Our Lady's Hospital, Cashel campus, broken down...
- Primary Care Centres
154. To ask the Minister for Health the year each primary care centre was approved and construction completed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18499/23]
- Care Services
156. To ask the Minister for Health what action he is considering to address the issue of core funding for the supported care homes in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a financial...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
157. To ask the Minister for Health if he will intervene to ensure the pandemic bonus payment is paid to a front-line worker (details supplied). [18505/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
169. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients who have been treated in long-Covid and post-acute clinics since they were established, by clinic, in tabular form. [18517/23]
- Legislative Programme
172. To ask the Minister for Health the date at which he intends to commence the Health (Amendment) Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18520/23]
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
173. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe of the proposed new development at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18569/23]
- Pension Provisions
174. To ask the Minister for Health when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18570/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
175. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in issuing all remaining pandemic recognition payments, with particular reference to cases that were upheld on appeal and eligible for...
- Health Services
176. To ask the Minister for Health why a vital service (details supplied) was not available in County Kerry on 12 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18572/23]
- Cannabis for Medicinal Use
177. To ask the Minister for Health if he has plans to introduce emergency access pathways for those who already hold medical cards to be reimbursed via the primary care reimbursement scheme for...
- General Practitioner Services
178. To ask the Minister for Health if the case of a family (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18593/23]
- Disease Management
179. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide funding for individuals who need to seek medical treatment for oesophageal cancer which is currently unavailable in the...
- General Practitioner Services
180. To ask the Minister for Health if a GP can be assigned to an infant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/23]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what progress has been made to date on the building of a new dental school and hospital in Curraheen, Cork; and if he will make a statement on...
- Dental Services
182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what action his Department is taking to increase the number of available places to dental students at the two dental schools in University...
- Student Accommodation
185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for students who cannot secure necessary living accommodation to complete third-level courses; if online facilities will be...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Rail Network
186. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of money spent under the original CLÁR programme funding for the clearing of the railway line between Collooney in...
- Renewable Energy Generation
187. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the potential for the Atlantic Corridor to become a hub for renewable energy; and if she will make a statement on...
- Island Communities
188. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide her response to the recommendation in the UCC report Housing and Sustaining Communities on the west Cork Islands to support...
