Parliamentary questions

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 38 ón 18 Aibreán, an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin teagmháil a bhí ag a Roinn le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis an tionscnamh tithíochta a cheadaigh an t-údarás i mí na Nollag 2023 chun samhail le haghaidh tithíocht inacmhainne a fhorbairt do chainteoirí Gaeilge ar thailte de chuid an údaráis i dtrí cheantar Gaeltachta; céard é stádas forbartha na samhla; cén uair a fhoilseofar an tsamhail; cén uair atáthar ag súil leis an tithíocht inacmhainne a sholáthar; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24256/24]

Cúrsaí Tithíochta

Catherine Connolly

7. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16855/24, an raibh cruinniú leantach aici leis an mbrúghrúpa BÁNÚ maidir le heaspa tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an gcruinniú is déanaí a bhí aici leis an mbrúghrúpa sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24275/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16856/24, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an obair athbhreithnithe atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i ndáil leis na córais agus leis an gcur chuige atá i ngníomh ag an Údarás chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus i ndáil leis na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riar; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar stádas na scéime píolótaí; cé mhéad cliantchuideachta atá ag glacadh páirte sa scéim; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar na téarmaí tagartha don scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24276/24]

Pleanáil Teanga

Catherine Connolly

35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16895/24, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ar an obair athbhreithnithe ar na chéad deich bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012; cathain a chríochnófar an tuarascáil; cathain a fhoilseofar an tuarascáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24277/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

42. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16854/24, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an bplean a d’eascair as an obair athbhreithnithe a rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin bpunann iomlán mhaoine atá aige agus faoi na féidearthachtaí forbartha atá ann; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar na hacmhainní airgeadais a bheidh ag teastáil chun an plean a chur i gcrích; an dtabharfaidh sí an t-eolas is déanaí ar aon teagmháil idir a Roinn agus Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le tithíocht a chur ar fáil ar thalamh agus ar réadmhaoin atá faoi úinéireacht an údaráis; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24274/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

54. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí maidir le hanailís ar bith atá déanta ag a Roinn nó ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an tionchar ar chliantchuideachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta atá ag an méadú atá tagtha ar an gcostas a ghabhann le gnó a dhéanamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24278/24]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 11 April 2024, the details of his and his Department’s engagement with the Galway Social Housing Task Force to date in 2024; if he has requested a final report from the outgoing chair; if he has received a final report from the outgoing chair to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24280/24]

Gaeltacht Policy

Catherine Connolly

122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 11 April 2024, the timeline for the publication of the draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24279/24]

Living Wage

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost of introducing a living wage set at €14.80 per hour for public and civil service workers. [24137/24]

School Funding

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of increasing the capitation grant at primary and secondary level by 5%. [24126/24]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Catherine Connolly

63. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at primary level. [24127/24]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at second level. [24128/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream primary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24129/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in mainstream secondary schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24130/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the projected demand for school places in special schools for pupils with special educational needs for the school year commencing September 2024. [24131/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of establishing a special class in a mainstream school for students with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of each additional place for a child with special educational needs in a special school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24133/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

70. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the operation of the Special Education Appeals Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24134/24]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Connolly

101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 18 April 2024, the status of the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to date in 2024; the breakdown of the funds drawn down to date that have been allocated; the amount allocated via open calls for funding applications to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/24]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 645 of 9 April 2024, the status of the development of the new rural housing guidelines; the timeline for the publication of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24261/24]

Paternity Leave

Catherine Connolly

126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending paternity leave by two weeks. [24135/24]

Parental Leave

Catherine Connolly

127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending parental leave by two weeks. [24136/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other weekly schemes and other schemes payments, in tabular form (details supplied). [24152/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Catherine Connolly

129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of making the fuel allowance available for 32, 40 and 52 weeks per annum. [24153/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Catherine Connolly

130. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reinstating the bereavement grant at a rate of €850. [24154/24]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a comprehensive newborn screening programme, which would ensure that all babies born in Ireland are screened for the European average of 18 conditions at a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/24]

School Enrolments

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 16 April 2024, the status of her Department's engagement with schools in the Galway City School Planning Area with a view to providing additional first year secondary school places, in light of the ongoing enrolment pressures; her plans to review her Department's legislation and policy around school catchment areas to ensure that all students can attend school in their local area, particularly in light of Ireland's climate action obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23692/24]

Pleananna Oideachais

Catherine Connolly

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais de thoradh Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 102 den 16 Aibreán 2024, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an bplean chun beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, idir leibhéal an oideachais réamhscoile agus leibhéal an oideachais do mhúinteoirí, a fhorbairt agus a fhoilsiú; cathain a fhoilseofar an beartas nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23691/24]

Military Neutrality

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can confirm Ireland's signature of a letter reported in the Austrian press (details supplied); if he will publish the text of this letter; if the details reported reflect the official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/24]

Gaeltacht Policy

Catherine Connolly

214. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 16 April 2024, her plans to develop a new policy on Gaeltacht education, to follow on from the 2017-2022 policy that was extended to the end of the 2023/2024 school year; the status of the research and evaluation study currently being undertaken by the Educational Research Centre to assess the impact and effectiveness of the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme in order to inform future policy and practice in schools; if the ERC will produce a final report of the study; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23690/24]

Assisted Decision-Making

Catherine Connolly

373. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is intended to provide information to the general public on the assisted decision-making legislation, in line with the State commitment to a clear and transparent process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23700/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Catherine Connolly

405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the steps being taken to expedite the preliminary team assessments (following the High Court judgment in March 2022 which found that these comprehensive assessments carried out since January 2020 did not meet the requirements of the Disability Act 2005; the measures in place to ensure that families who have been waiting for extended periods receive the necessary support and services in a timely manner; the steps being taken to address the resource constraints and staff vacancies that are exacerbating these delays (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23850/24]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 27 February 2024, for an update on the plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23053/24]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 27 February 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the review by SOLAS and his Department of the project proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23052/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 18 April 2024, the number of dual-use export licence applications in respect of end-users in Israel approved by his Department since 7 October 2023; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23073/24]

Trade Data

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 April 2024, the total value of Ireland’s imports from Israel since 7 October 2023; the total value of Ireland’s exports to Israel since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23075/24]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 18 April 2024, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway City Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway County Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the timeline for when all successful applicants will receive the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 18 April 2024, the status of his Department’s decarbonisation Roadmaps for Ireland’s manufacturing industry and for Ireland’s commercial built environment; the timeline for publication of the two roadmaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/24]

Employment Rights

Catherine Connolly

170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to bring forward a new Employment Regulation Order for security officers in 2024, in light of the ongoing low wages for these workers; if he has received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23325/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, if the review of the model of care for eating disorders planned during 2024 will examine the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders per year, given that the number of first time hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2022 was the highest since 2006; if the review of bed capacity already carried out took into account the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders, or if it focused solely on mental health facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, the status of the review of the model of care for eating disorders; the timeline for the completion of the review; the details of who is carrying out the review; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/24]

Departmental Priorities

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 18 April 2024, for an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; his plans for independent oversight of the implementation of the new action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/24]

National Treasury Management Agency

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance to provide details of his engagement with the NTMA with regard to ensuring that the NTMA divest from all ISIF global portfolio investments in companies on the UN Human Rights Council database of business enterprises; the expected timeline for this divestment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 10 April 2024, the status of his Department's work to develop a new scheme to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme as recommended by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group; the details of the note submitted by his Department to the senior officials group in January 2024 outlining a proposal for a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/24]

Tax Reliefs

Catherine Connolly

118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 10 April 2024, his plans for the phasing out of the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22680/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of, and supports, Ireland's signature of a statement (details supplied); if the position outlined in same is reflective of official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/24]

International Agreements

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the legal provisions in place to ensure the State is in compliance with Article 3(8) of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters; and if he would make a statement on the issue. [22672/24]

Tax Exemptions

Catherine Connolly

210. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to remove sun cream factor 50 from VAT, in order to encourage people to use it in the context of the growth in skin cancer in the country and the important preventative role sun cream can play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22445/24]