Parliamentary questions

Media Sector

Steven Matthews

90. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the section 481 tax credit for film and television production in Ireland; if a similar initiative is under consideration for the non-scripted sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3135/24]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 729 of 20 June 2023, the position regarding a review of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme as referenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3322/24]

Third Level Fees

Steven Matthews

224. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to third level students who are unable to draw down the €1,000 one off support towards third level fees (details supplied); if this is under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3137/24]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

347. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of the qualifying criteria for well-water grants administered through local authorities; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/24]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

348. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the existing qualifying criteria for the septic tank grant; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2581/24]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

349. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine the existing qualifying criteria for the domestic lead remediation grant scheme; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2582/24]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

394. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to all DEIS schools; the percentage of DEIS schools that have applied and have programmes up and running; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2655/24]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

395. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rollout of hot school meals to non-DEIS schools; if it is on schedule to commence in April 2024; how schools can apply to be included in the rollout once it is operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2656/24]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

467. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the unfilled SENO role in a school (details supplied); the actions her Department is taking to ensure this role is urgently filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56330/23]

School Funding

Steven Matthews

624. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the number of schools in County Wicklow that have initiated applications for solar panel funding under the free national roll-out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1368/24]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

663. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding the temporary accommodation committed to for a school (details supplied) in Blessington; the estimated timeline for the completion of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1607/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

664. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the permanent school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the start date for construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1608/24]

Health Service Executive

Steven Matthews

1327. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the HSE community healthcare east’s decision to not fund a programme (details supplied) in 2024; if he is concerned about the impact this will have on the children and families that had hoped to avail of this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56551/23]

Abortion Services

Steven Matthews

1569. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56957/23]

Hospital Charges

Steven Matthews

1685. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recommended cap on hospital parking charges; and the basis for any delays to date. [1360/24]

Public Sector Pay

Steven Matthews

244. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding ongoing negotiations related to the retention of the pay/pension parity for retired members of An Garda Síochána, following the expiration of the Building Momentum Agreement at the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56078/23]

Banking Sector

Steven Matthews

257. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of a bank's customers (details supplied) regarding the planned sale of their offset mortgages due to the bank’s departure from the Irish market; to offer assurances that his Department will engage with the bank to ensure fairness is applied to all those impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55241/23]

Medical Qualifications

Steven Matthews

165. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the proposed changes (details supplied) to the qualifying criteria to become a psychotherapist put forward by CORU; if he is concerned of the impact this would have on the standard of patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53953/23]

Road Projects

Steven Matthews

178. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Blessington inner relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53720/23]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

320. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider any extension to the existing time parameters of the vacant property refurbishment grant (details supplied) to account for unexpected delays on a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53647/23]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

453. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing closure of a service (details supplied); if plans are in place to support clients during this closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53512/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

95. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the delays in the construction plans for a new building in a school (details supplied); the knock-on implications on the shortfall in secondary school places in the wider Greystones area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51704/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the delays in the construction plans for the extension to a school (details supplied); the knock-on implications on the shortfall in secondary school places in the wider Greystones area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51705/23]

United Nations

Steven Matthews

198. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the direction his Department is giving to the Irish Embassy at the UN in relation to drafting of the pact for the future document for the UN summit of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52864/23]

State Properties

Steven Matthews

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding Departmental policy or guidelines in relation to the retention, repurposing or sale of former State-owned buildings that are no longer in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51946/23]

School Admissions

Steven Matthews

279. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 21 November 2023, the steps she will take to ensure that all qualifying applicants to secondary schools in Greystones are accommodated for September 2024; if a copy of the most recent Departmental review on demand for secondary school places for Greystones can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52289/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

280. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52311/23]

Sports Funding

Steven Matthews

303. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to delays in releasing sports capital grant funding for a club (details supplied); if this funding can be issued before the end of the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52000/23]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

79. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding any initiatives at a Department level that seek to increase the supply of substitute primary school teachers; if she is concerned about the impact of the current shortfall in these roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51189/23]

School Enrolments

Steven Matthews

240. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to a shortage of secondary school places in an area (details supplied); if her Department officials can liaise with school management in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50790/23]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

245. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of a student (details supplied); if school transport can be urgently sought in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50865/23]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

250. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to annual running cost estimates for pathfinder schools (details supplied); if this shortfall will be supplemented by her Department; if repair and upkeep of infrastructure related to retrofit projects is under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50953/23]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

251. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding energy storage batteries being included as part of solar installations under the pathfinder retrofitting schools' projects; if this can be considered in conjunction with a scheme that would allow potential excess energy feedback to the grid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50954/23]

Men's Sheds

Steven Matthews

272. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if action will be taken regarding the submission by various men’s sheds groups seeking an exemption to paying the TV licence fee; if this can be considered in the context of the relatively low funds available to these groups and the role they play in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50716/23]

Childcare Services

Steven Matthews

417. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some small preschool owners regarding the new requirement to submit detailed end of year accounts; if he will ensure that this process is straightforward; if funding will be made available to cover accountancy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50537/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Steven Matthews

425. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by a charity (details supplied) regarding a shortfall in its funding and knock-on impact to the services it provides; if he proposes to engage with this charity on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/23]

Oireachtas Committees

Steven Matthews

220. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the implementation of the 109 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism’s final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/23]

An Garda Síochána

Steven Matthews

112. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to concerns of members of An Garda Síochána regarding the inability to enforce noise pollution laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50135/23]

Energy Conservation

Steven Matthews

77. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the warmer homes scheme operated through the SEAI that does not allow for the energy upgrade of one-off stone wall properties as they cannot meet the qualifying criteria for any primary measures, and by, extension, secondary measures; if this can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49501/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

120. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding proposed changes for January 2024 in the way the Revenue Commissioners treat general medical services income within general practitioner partnerships; if he is concerned that this will impact the number of GPs operating; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of GPs in how this change is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49351/23]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

184. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the temporary pause of a school bus service (details supplied) due to staff shortages; if an urgent temporary measure can be put in place using local resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49316/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

213. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a permanent school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49651/23]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

244. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the qualifying criteria for well water grants administered through local authorities; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49481/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Steven Matthews

250. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding housing estates in urban areas that are not connected to the sewerage network; if any grant funding is being considered in this case; if existing rural programmes could be expanded to include any housing estate with a long-standing communal septic tank set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49528/23]

Animal Diseases

Steven Matthews

377. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the potential presence of RHDv2 infections in wild hares and domestic rabbits; if any research is ongoing at a Department level in this regard; if any other actions are being taken or proposed to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49494/23]

Adult Education Provision

Steven Matthews

613. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by adult education tutors in relation to contract proposals published by his Department in May 2023; if he is committed to engaging with this sector on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49377/23]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

215. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any Department-led initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of bus drivers to help achieve climate objectives related to the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47432/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

296. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding proposed changes for January 2024 in the way the Revenue Commissioners treat general medical services income within general practitioner partnerships; if he is concerned that this will impact the number of GPs operating; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of GPs in how this change is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. []

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

456. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the management of the construction site for a new temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); if the site manager for this project can meet with school management to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47453/23]

Departmental Priorities

Steven Matthews

1209. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the 109 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism's final Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47977/23]