Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

22. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the training that the Defence Forces have provided to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22032/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

23. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the levels of capital funding for defence planned over the next two years. [22033/24]

An Garda Síochána

Jim O'Callaghan

218. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in each Garda district in each Garda division at the end of April 2024, or the latest date available, in tabular form. [22296/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

149. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his response to claims that former members of the Defence Forces, including from the elite Army Ranger wing, have provided training to a Libyan military group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21532/24]

Naval Service

Jim O'Callaghan

150. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the two recently acquired Naval Service inshore patrol vessels will enter service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21533/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

151. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the implantation of the strategic framework to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into an organisation that is fit for the purpose of defending the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21534/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

152. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many members of the Defence Forces are receiving counselling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21535/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

153. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many members of the Defence Forces are receiving support for education courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21536/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

154. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many members availed of paternity parental leave in 2023 and to date in 2024; if he would provide a breakdown, by rank, across all three services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21537/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

155. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of applications to join the Defence forces that have been received since the start of 2023; how many applicants were interviewed; how many were offered employment; how many accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21538/24]

Ukraine War

Jim O'Callaghan

156. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the training that the Defence Forces have provided to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21539/24]

Tax Exemptions

Jim O'Callaghan

244. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Government has plans to review the regulations overseeing the process for VAT exemption for technology and specific sports equipment, which have been in place since 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/24]

Business Supports

Jim O'Callaghan

268. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses registered for the ICOB grant as of the deadline of 1 May 2024, by each local authority, in tabular form; if late applications are being accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21488/24]

Human Trafficking

Jim O'Callaghan

461. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of immigration officers policing Dublin port and Rosslare port and Cork port to ensure that human trafficking is not taking place through the illegal transportation of persons into Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21593/24]

Ukraine War

Jim O'Callaghan

93. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he agrees with the assessment of the Moldovan foreign minister that if Ukraine falls to Russia, Moldova will be the next target for Russian aggression; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/24]

Foreign Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

94. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he agrees that the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin is now a de facto dictatorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/24]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

143. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans he has for Cathal Brugha Barracks in Rathmines, Dublin 6; whether part or all of it will be used for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21061/24]

An Garda Síochána

Jim O'Callaghan

236. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the most recent figures for the number of appointed detectives in each Garda division, in tabular form. [21005/24]

International Bodies

Jim O'Callaghan

295. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to explain the process and criteria used by his Department to assess the potential benefits and opportunities of EATRIS membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21025/24]

International Bodies

Jim O'Callaghan

296. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health whether his Department is the appropriate departmental body to consider the possibility of Ireland joining EATRIS, the ERIC for translational research; whether he is of the opinion that this should fall to a separate Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21026/24]

International Bodies

Jim O'Callaghan

297. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will set up an interdepartmental working group to consider the benefits of Ireland joining EATRIS, the ERIC for translational research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21027/24]

Hospital Inspections

Jim O'Callaghan

300. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health how often HIQA inspections are carried out at St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght Hospital, and St. Vincent’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21037/24]

International Protection

Jim O'Callaghan

352. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of return orders that have been made, pursuant to Section 51A of the International Protection Act 1995 as amended, to the Member State that has granted refugee status or subsidiary protection to the applicant for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20255/24]

International Protection

Jim O'Callaghan

353. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of return orders that have been made to return the applicant to the first country of asylum for the person for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20256/24]

International Protection

Jim O'Callaghan

354. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of return orders pursuant to Section 51A of the International Protection Act 2015, as amended, have been made to the safe third country, that is, a safe country for the applicant, for each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20257/24]

International Protection

Jim O'Callaghan

355. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of return orders that have been made in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 pursuant to Section 51A of the International Protection Act 2015, as amended, have been effected and the applicant returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20258/24]

Hospital Facilities

Jim O'Callaghan

536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital beds currently provided in each public/voluntary hospital as of end-April 2024 or the latest date available, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20347/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

539. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Dublin Midland Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20368/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

540. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Saolta Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20369/24]

Departmental Data

Jim O'Callaghan

541. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Ireland East Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20370/24]

Hospital Trusts

Jim O'Callaghan

542. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the RCSI Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20371/24]

Hospital Trusts

Jim O'Callaghan

543. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the South/Southwest Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20372/24]

Hospital Trusts

Jim O'Callaghan

544. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the UL Hospitals Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20373/24]

Hospital Trusts

Jim O'Callaghan

545. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the budget allocated to each hospital in the Children's Health Ireland Hospital Group in 2024, in tabular form. [20374/24]

Healthcare Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

584. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the proposed start date for the implementation of the proposals in the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, and in particular the transfer of care of children aged 8+ years to local private optometrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20590/24]

Business Supports

Jim O'Callaghan

152. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will detail, in tabular form, on the basis of a local authority breakdown, the number of businesses that have registered for the Increased Cost of Business Scheme grant as of 29 April 2024, or the latest date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20073/24]

Residency Permits

Jim O'Callaghan

199. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the review of the Irish Residence Permit card fee will be completed; if a reduction on these fees is anticipated for Budget 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20209/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Jim O'Callaghan

134. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his response to the recommendations of the Report on Offshore Renewable Energy published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19905/24]

Health Services Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

318. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff at assistant national director level in the HSE and various Section 38 organisations in the health service on 1 March 2020, 1 March 2021, 1 March 2022, 1 March 2023 and 1 March 2024. [19835/24]

Health Services Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

319. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff at National Director level in the HSE on 1 March 2024 and at same month over the previous five years. [19836/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Jim O'Callaghan

3. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent conference in Paris on the invasion of Ukraine. [14156/24]

An Garda Síochána

Jim O'Callaghan

10. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office in his Department. [14093/24]

Road Traffic Accidents

Jim O'Callaghan

216. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure that data on road traffic accidents is made available to researchers in order that they can advise on the best steps to be taken to confront rising accidents and fatalities on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19385/24]

Electric Vehicles

Jim O'Callaghan

220. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the measures available for management companies that wish to install electric vehicle chargers within their apartment block but where ESB Networks have confirmed that there is not enough local power to accommodate this; whether any support is available to management companies seeking to introduce this environmentally friendly measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19430/24]

Pension Provisions

Jim O'Callaghan

225. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance whether there are plans to incentivise young people to invest in their own retirement outside of employment pension schemes and whether the 41% tax on the unrealised gains of exchange traded funds after eight years is acting as a disincentive to people investing in their own retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18799/24]

Rental Sector

Jim O'Callaghan

241. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of rent tax credit claims made in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/24]

School Staff

Jim O'Callaghan

344. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers in 2023-2024; the provisional allocation for 2024-2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19333/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jim O'Callaghan

345. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the total number of special needs assistants in 2023-2024; the provisional allocation for special needs assistants for 2024-2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19334/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jim O'Callaghan

346. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the total number of special teachers in 2023-2024; the provisional allocation for special teachers for 2024-2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19335/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jim O'Callaghan

347. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the total number of special classes in 2023-2024; the provisional allocation for special classes for 2024-2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19336/24]