Parliamentary questions

School Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

513. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of all schools in Galway city and county in respect of which her Department pays a lease for the use of the school buildings in tabular form; the details of the organisations to which these leases are paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14479/22]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Connolly

514. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of plans for a major new primary school project on the site of the former school building (details supplied); if this site will be the permanent site for the new primary school; the details of any engagement she or her Department has had with the existing city centre primary school management bodies with regard to this project; the details of any planned consultation process with regard to this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14480/22]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

643. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the implementation of recommendation 11 of the report by the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands titled Response to the Report of the Commission on Pensions, February 2022; the details of any analysis carried out by her Department of the mechanisms to ensure gender equality with regard to State pension entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14937/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

1075. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if employees of an organisation (details supplied) will be eligible for the once-off €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

1076. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if employees of an organisation (details supplied) will be eligible for the once-off €1,000 pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14963/22]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary question No. 122 of 27 January 2022, the status of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; the progress reports received to date by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13308/22]

European Union

Catherine Connolly

61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the input he and officials from his Department have had in the preparation of the EU Strategic Compass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/22]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Question No. 146 of 23 November 2021, the analysis her Department has carried out into the future acquisition of any privately owned vacant school properties in Galway city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13315/22]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Connolly

140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 7 July 2021, the status of the acquisition of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); the details of the interim accommodation that will be provided for the academic year 2022-2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13314/22]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

331. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons seeking international protection accommodated in direct provision in Galway city and county, by centre and length of stay; the number residing in direct provision centres in Galway city and county since which it is three months, six months, one year, two years, three years, four years and five years plus that permission to remain was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13652/22]

Third Level Education

Catherine Connolly

119. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 8 February 2022, the status of the examination by his Department of the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education 2016; when the final economic evaluation report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12796/22]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

120. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 8 February 2022, if the review by the expert panel on the further education and training model has been received to date by his Department; when the review report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12797/22]

Vacant Properties

Catherine Connolly

247. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 25 January 2022, when all vacant homes officers will be full-time officers; the details of any additional funding beyond the current allocation of €50,000 per annum that will be provided to local authorities to enable them to expand existing part-time vacant homes officer roles into full-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12493/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Connolly

414. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the new employer apprentice grant will be available to local authorities as employers further to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12896/22]

Third Level Costs

Catherine Connolly

415. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 8 February 2022, when the SUSI review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12897/22]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

13. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 50 of 17 June 2021, 112 of 16 September 2021, 162 of 4 November 2021 and 82 of 16 December 2021, the progress made to date on the roll-out of park and ride facilities in Galway; the status of the ongoing detailed site options analysis and feasibility studies in Galway by the Park and Ride Development Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11942/22]

Public Transport

Catherine Connolly

28. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 16 December 2021, the timeline for the upcoming review of the Galway Transport Strategy; the terms of reference for the review; the timeline and terms of reference for the feasibility study for light rail in Galway which will be undertaken as part of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11943/22]

Rental Sector

Catherine Connolly

137. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department into the impact of the lifting of the Covid-19 moratorium on evictions both nationwide and in Galway city and county; the analysis his Department has carried out or commissioned into the rise in homelessness figures in Galway city and county in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11945/22]

Derelict Sites

Catherine Connolly

205. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with Galway City and County Councils in 2021 and to date in 2022 with regard to addressing the issue of vacant houses in both local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/22]

Vacant Properties

Catherine Connolly

267. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units refurbished under the voids stimulus programme announced in May 2021 in the area covered by Galway City Council; the number of these refurbished social housing units which have been re-let as social homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12170/22]

Vacant Properties

Catherine Connolly

268. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units refurbished under the voids stimulus programme announced in May 2021 in the area covered by Galway County Council; the number of these refurbished social housing units which have been re-let as social homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12171/22]

Planning Issues

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the promised national town centre first office; the timeline for the establishment of the office; the number of staff allocated to the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12207/22]

Planning Issues

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the recruitment of a national director for town centre first; when he expects the position to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12208/22]

Planning Issues

Catherine Connolly

271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the national oversight and advisory group for town centre first; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; if the group has met to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12209/22]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

353. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the designation of pathfinder towns pursuant to the town centre first policy; the details of the towns designated to date; when all pathfinder towns will be designated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12205/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 25 January 2022, the status of the review by his Department and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the local authority Housing Delivery Action Plans; the number of plans that have been received by his Department to date by local authority; the number of plans reviewed to date; the number of plans approved to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11948/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing and affordable housing projects under construction in Galway city and county by the location address, the number of units, project status and the expected completion date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11949/22]

Climate Change Policy

Catherine Connolly

105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 16 February 2022, the engagement he or his Department has had with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the roll-out of decarbonisation zones in each local authority; his Department's role in the development of the promised guidelines for the implementation of the decarbonising plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11950/22]

Defective Building Materials

Catherine Connolly

106. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the work of the working group to examine defects in housing; when he expects the final report to be completed; his plans for the publication of the final report; the details of interim reports received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11951/22]

Local Authorities

Catherine Connolly

107. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of plans to appoint a permanent CEO of Galway County Council; the status of the recruitment campaign; when he expects the new CEO to be in position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11952/22]

Official Engagements

Catherine Connolly

244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of any engagement her Department has had with the relevant stakeholders in relation to the proposal for the development of a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11989/22]

Coastal Protection

Catherine Connolly

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 20 January 2022, the timeline for the expected completion of the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Managing Coastal Change; if the final report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11402/22]

Flood Risk Management

Catherine Connolly

91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 62 of 23 September 2021, 108 of 16 November 2021 and 210 of 20 January 2022, the expected timeline for stage 2 of Coirib go Cósta, namely the submission of planning documentation to An Bord Pleanála and the completion of all environmental assessments and consents; the status of the Coirib go Cósta flood relief works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11403/22]

Legislative Measures

Catherine Connolly

185. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 16 February 2022, and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the status of the promised statutory guidelines on the development of local authority climate action plans; if the guidelines have been finalised to date; when these guidelines will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/22]

Environmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

186. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s role in the roll-out of decarbonisation zones in each local authority; the engagement that he or his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2021 and to date in 2022 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11662/22]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

272. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a review of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11469/22]

Overseas Development Aid

Catherine Connolly

393. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on reports that the administration in the United States of America is freeing $3.5 billion of more than $9 billion in frozen Afghan government assets, which belong to the Afghan people, to be diverted to a fund for victims of 9/11 at a time that the United Nations says that one million Afghan children could die from starvation or cold this winter with 24 million Afghans facing acute hunger and 8.7 million Afghans facing famine; the steps he has taken to satisfy himself that none of that amount includes aid given by Ireland to support humanitarian agencies operating in Afghanistan; the representations he has made to his United States, European Union, United Nations and other international counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10498/22]

Court Procedures

Catherine Connolly

602. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the basis of the trial currently under way on the grove in Castlerea (details supplied). [11691/22]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 January 2022, the expected timeline for the opening of the basic income pilot scheme for artists; the number of submissions received in the public consultation; the status of the review of the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10316/22]

Pleanáil Teanga

Catherine Connolly

55. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminteach Uimhir 136 an 20 Eanáir 2022, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar stádas phlean teanga Oileáin Árann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10319/22]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

56. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminteach Uimhir 111 ar an 20 Eanáir 2022, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar athbhreithniú atá idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis na córais agus leis an gcur chuige atá i bhfeidhm ag an Údarás faoi láthair chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus ar na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riaradh; stádas an taighde atá idir lámha ag an gcuideachta taighde Brioclage; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10318/22]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Catherine Connolly

67. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar stádas an phlean oibre atá faoi chaibidil ag a Roinn chun Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a chur i bhfeidhm; cathain a fhoilseofar an plean; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10317/22]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 5 October 2021, the way in which the remaining €1 million in departmental funding will be spent; the role her Department has had in the legacy planning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10315/22]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 16 September 2021, the engagement he has had over the past six months with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to supporting and promoting efforts at local government level on climate action, particularly in relation to Galway city and county; the engagement he or his Department has had directly with Galway city and county councils in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 4 November 2021, the status of the deployment through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland of capacity-building supports for community-owned RESS project development and in particular the trusted intermediary and advisor services and financial grant supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10254/22]

Data Centres

Catherine Connolly

135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 3 November 2021, the engagement he or his Department has had to date with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to the review of the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/22]

National Broadband Plan

Catherine Connolly

147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the analysis that has been carried out into accelerating the roll-out of the national broadband plan in 2022 in order to catch up with the recently missed revised target of 60,000 homes by end-January 2022; the analysis that has been carried out by his Department into the impact of the missing of this revised target on the overall timeline for the roll-out of the plan; the number of homes that have been passed to date in Galway city and county; if the January 2022 target was reached in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10256/22]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

166. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has made a request to date to Galway city and county councils for the preparation of their local authority climate action plans pursuant to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the finalised terms and conditions for the first offshore wind-specific RESS auction, ORESS 1, will be published; when he expects his Department to complete its review of the submissions received in the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10283/22]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 14 December 2021, the status of the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems; if the technical analysis has been completed and published to-date; the timeline for the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10284/22]