Parliamentary questions

School Staff

Frankie Feighan

299. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review the decision not to award an extra teacher to a school (details supplied) in County Sligo that now will have 34 pupils in junior infants from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30763/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Frankie Feighan

296. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education the reason it would take up to seven weeks in her Department's primary school payroll section to progress the paperwork on a jobseeker's application for a teacher (details supplied) who does not have a permanent full-time contract and is concerned about a seven-week or more delay in getting paid jobseeker's payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29090/23]

Energy Prices

Frankie Feighan

127. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline what short and long-term measures his Department is currently seeking to ease the burden of energy costs for the constituents of Sligo Leitrim South Donegal and North Roscommon. [28876/23]

National Broadband Plan

Frankie Feighan

133. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the number of premises that were passed and connected as of May 2023; and the way that he plans to accelerate the delivery of the plan in counties Sligo and Leitrim. [28875/23]

Departmental Contracts

Frankie Feighan

282. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport if, as part of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue aviation contract offer to a company (details supplied) consideration has been given by his Department to the important role which Rescue 118, which is based in Strandhill, County Sligo, provides the people in the north west of Ireland as a critical patient safety transfer service between hospitals in the region; if a decision is being made to change the current Sikorsky S-92 helicopters that operate the service to other models; if so, if they have the required helicopter capacity size to enable Rescue 118 to provide this vital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27565/23]

Departmental Contracts

Frankie Feighan

283. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport if as part of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue aviation contract offer to a company (details supplied); if, under this proposed new contract the continuity of Rescue 118 as a critical patient transfer service for the north west has been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27566/23]

School Attendance

Frankie Feighan

497. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education when her Department will re-open applications under the home school community liaison posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27308/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Frankie Feighan

1250. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the increasing costs of infant formula and that amid the cost-of-living crisis, some parents are taking drastic measures to try to make ends meet, details supplied; if the Government, therefore, will consider a price cap on infant formula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28212/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Frankie Feighan

70. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are being put in place to assist the childcare sector, which is struggling to recruit and retain staff in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which takes in parts of south Donegal and north Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/23]

International Protection

Frankie Feighan

78. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking to provide timely information to communities that are accommodating Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, which takes in parts of south Donegal and north Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Frankie Feighan

240. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be formed and be in a position to hear appeals again. [24755/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Frankie Feighan

241. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be formed and be in a position to hear appeals again, given the backlog of applications. [24756/23]

School Transport

Frankie Feighan

326. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education when she expects school transport to be provided to a child (details supplied) in County Leitrim, as recommended by the local SENO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24940/23]

Care Services

Frankie Feighan

639. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth why a young person with intellectual disabilities (details supplied) has been denied respite hours despite repeated promises over the last two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24835/23]

Equality Issues

Frankie Feighan

125. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Taoiseach the proportion of the labour force that is currently made up of people with disabilities. [22248/23]

State Properties

Frankie Feighan

50. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the disposal of disused Garda stations in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22070/23]

Business Supports

Frankie Feighan

164. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to start their own business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22246/23]

Equal Opportunities Employment

Frankie Feighan

249. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to increase the opportunities for people with disabilities to enter the labour force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22247/23]

Animal Welfare

Frankie Feighan

496. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the decision of the UK Government to commence legislation to prohibit the use of shock collars in England from 2024; his plans to prohibit the use of electronic shock collars, or sonic and spray collars for dogs in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21401/23]

Electric Vehicles

Frankie Feighan

40. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport the number of public EV charging points that have been installed in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Roscommon from 2020 to April 2023; and if he has new proposals on incentives in conjunction with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media on the roll out of such important infrastructure to assist local rural economies and attract people with EV vehicles to stay and holiday in rural Ireland. [19759/23]

Departmental Schemes

Frankie Feighan

286. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all projects supported by her Department since 2019 under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme to include all projects that received funding of €100,000 or more, the current status of each of these projects the date each project was completed, the expected completion date for each remaining project, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20878/23]

Departmental Schemes

Frankie Feighan

287. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all projects supported by her Department since 2019 under the town and village renewal scheme to include all projects that received funding of €100,000 or more, the current status of each of these projects, the date each project was completed, the expected completion date for each remaining project, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20879/23]

Departmental Schemes

Frankie Feighan

288. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all projects supported by her Department since 2019 under the LEADER Programme to include all projects that received funding of €100,000 or more, the current status of each of these projects, the date each project was completed, the expected completion date for each remaining project, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20880/23]

Departmental Schemes

Frankie Feighan

289. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all projects supported by her Department since 2019 under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to include all projects that received funding of €100,000 or more, the current status of each of these projects, the date each project was completed, the expected completion date for each remaining project, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20881/23]

Departmental Schemes

Frankie Feighan

290. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all projects supported by her Department since 2019 under the CLÁR Programme to include all projects that received funding of €100,000 or more, the current status of each of these projects, the date each project was completed, the expected completion date for each remaining project, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20882/23]

Passport Services

Frankie Feighan

31. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current waiting time for persons applying for passports under the foreign birth registrations; and if he is satisfied with the length of time applicants have to wait for their case to be considered. [19769/23]

Passport Services

Frankie Feighan

40. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current waiting times for paper passport applications only, including new applications, children's and renewals; and if his Department would consider any way of expediting certain paper applications that are required urgently for emergency travel. [19768/23]

National Broadband Plan

Frankie Feighan

130. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan; the number of premises that were passed and connected as of March 2023; the way that he plans to accelerate the delivery of the plan and if he could provide, in particular, connection details for counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal. [19758/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Frankie Feighan

125. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of a disability allowance who inherits a house (worth less that €300,000) from his/her parent would have their weekly payment effected or reduced upon receiving such an inheritance. [19682/23]

Departmental Data

Frankie Feighan

87. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided by her Department to counties Sligo and Leitrim since January 2020; the list of projects supported under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, town and village renewal scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Fund, Building Acquisition Fund and CLÁR Fund during this period in counties Leitrim and Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19141/23]

Ukraine War

Frankie Feighan

89. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce the successful projects under the community recognition fund in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19140/23]

Rural Schemes

Frankie Feighan

657. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware that funding granted under the 2022 Town and Village Programme for former Garda stations in Sligo/Leitrim cannot proceed because of delays at the Office of the Chief State Solicitor following discussions between the OPW and the local authorities; and if she will consider extending the deadline for the drawdown of funding for those projects affected which clearly is not the fault of the local communities who are deeply frustrated by the current delays. [19142/23]

Citizenship Applications

Frankie Feighan

142. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an applicant (details supplied) can expect to hear from his Department on their application for citizenship. [18154/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Frankie Feighan

761. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what agency of Government or his Department is responsible for the eradication of Japanese knotweed in particular around private property whereby persons living in adjoining private properties express concerns for the spread of the knotweed when it is allowed to expand and grow and not dealt with like local authorities do when it grows along public roads and local authority property; and if any prosecutions or actions have been taken with persons who have planted, dispersed or allowed or caused to disperse or grow Japanese knotweed. [16757/23]

Disability Services

Frankie Feighan

1198. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the key services and supports available to children with learning disabilities such as autism in counties Sligo and Leitrim or CHO 1 once diagnosis takes place; the wait list numbers and wait list times for children to see OTs and SLTs publicly; the number of WTE posts for OTs and SLTS in the same region; the number of posts open; the steps the HSE is taking in terms of recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16669/23]

Animal Breeding

Frankie Feighan

229. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the plans her Department has to conduct a review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010; the plans that are in place to prepare a Bill to amend the Act, should it be required to update the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15633/23]

School Accommodation

Frankie Feighan

420. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the provision of funding for an application by MSLETB to extend a school (details supplied); if there is a decision on the location of the proposed site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15292/23]

Childcare Services

Frankie Feighan

517. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will consider allowing a creche (details supplied) in County Sligo to join the new pilot scheme for the provision of hot meals to children in early learning and childcare settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15214/23]

Departmental Funding

Frank Feighan

1605. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider funding to provide CCTV systems or the means to upgrade existing antiquated CCTV systems in towns and villages within any of her 2023 funding programmes including the town and village scheme and Clár; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12444/23]

Rental Sector

Frankie Feighan

130. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered taking any action to alleviate the "genuine difficulties" being experienced by users in registering/re-registering properties on the Residential Tenancies Board website; and if he proposes taking any action in providing resource support/additional staff to the RTB to assist in clearing the backlog being experienced due to a change in registration system and general workload which is clearly evident to all who find it necessary to contact the board. [11046/23]

Tax Reliefs

Frankie Feighan

115. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a tax incentive scheme strategy or study to encourage the development of a hotel enterprise, with a minimum of 20 beds, in tourism business-dependent towns that currently do not have a hotel within their town boundaries (details supplied). [9596/23]

Trade Missions

Frankie Feighan

156. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what plans are currently under development at his Department for a State trade mission to the United States of America in 2023; what individual US states are under consideration to visit during such a trade mission; the process for developing such trade missions in the US at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11527/23]

Rail Network

Frankie Feighan

203. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport his views on a proposal (details supplied) to help speed up the Sligo to Dublin Connolly train line; if there are any plans to improve the speed of the Sligo to Dublin train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11132/23]

Departmental Bodies

Frankie Feighan

495. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an outline of the total level of public funds spent by SOLAS towards an electronic marking system for adult and apprenticeship programmes; the progress of this project; the breakdown of this spend, detailing how much was allocated to a software company (details supplied) and other companies; the actual overall cost, inclusive of SOLAS working hours, travel and subsistence; if there is any decision on its future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11559/23]

Alcohol Sales

Frankie Feighan

497. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Justice the new measures being considered under the sale of intoxicated liquors in future legislative proposals; if once-off event licences for the sale of alcohol will be considered rather than the current transfer of licences as under current law and procedures around the district and circuit courts. [10904/23]

Electric Vehicles

Frankie Feighan

73. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport the plans his Department has to incentivise private car park owners, restaurant, hotel leisure centres and so on to provide commercial EV charging at their facilities, especially in rural towns and villages across Ireland, which would support tourism and EV owners and continue the encouragement to people to consider EV cars when presented with the opportunity to change their vehicle. [9593/23]

School Transport

Frankie Feighan

100. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider advising Bus Éireann's school transport section to move a student collection point in (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10362/23]

Tax Reliefs

Frankie Feighan

215. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider in the lifetime of this Government a pilot study or a report by a competent organisation into a possible narrow tax incentive scheme for owners/developers of town centre buildings in some rural counties incentivising them to develop same into modern commercial premises with over the shop apartments/living accommodation with an emphasis on recreating modern, high BER rating homes and commercial units (details supplied). [9580/23]

Special Educational Needs

Frankie Feighan

366. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education the number of children with autism in County Roscommon that are waiting for primary and secondary school places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10056/23]

Special Educational Needs

Frankie Feighan

367. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education the number of school places that will be made available in County Roscommon for 2023 and in 2024 for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10057/23]