Parliamentary questions

Rail Network

Peadar Tóibín

151. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the revenue collected from the Limerick to Galway train line in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form [24449/24]

Rail Network

Peadar Tóibín

152. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the current price of €175 for a student monthly train ticket from Limerick to Galway, the current cost of an adult monthly ticket from Limerick to Galway of €350 and the current cost of an adult single one-way ticket from Limerick to Galway of €18.40 are appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24450/24]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

153. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on the removal of a bus service (details supplied) and the considerable difficulties this causes for older and disabled people; to clarify if there are any plans to resume a service in the area; if not, the alternative arrangements being made to address this gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/24]

Driver Licences

Paul Kehoe

154. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if it is possible for a person (details supplied) to transfer their driving licence back to an Irish licence; the process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24478/24]

Parking Provision

Pauline Tully

155. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if there was a public call for submissions on the review of the disabled parking scheme; when this consultation closed to submissions; the number of submissions that were made; to detail the groups which were contacted and asked to make a submission; if disabled persons' organisations were contacted directly and asked to make a submission; and the stages that are left in this review process. [24484/24]

Greenways Provision

Seán Sherlock

156. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that where greenways are installed, that proper and appropriate fencing in height, and sturdy character, is erected in order to protect the privacy of householders along the route; if in this context, such a tall and sturdy fence will be erected at a location (details supplied) in view of a recent incident experienced by the householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24529/24]

Public Transport

Robert Troy

157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the pilot public transport proposal between Delvin and Mullingar. [24565/24]

Tax Data

Peadar Tóibín

158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in fuel tax in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, by fuel type, and in monetary value. [24438/24]

Fiscal Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the level of impact built into the revenue projections in the stability programme update from OECD Pillar 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24511/24]

Fiscal Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

160. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the level of impact if any built into the revenue projections in the stability programme update from OECD Pillar 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she expects to assist in the provision of sporting and recreational facilities throughout the country with maximum community benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24543/24]

Television Licence Fee

Brendan Griffin

182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the latest up-to-date figures regarding TV licence renewal and purchase of TV licences for 2024 versus 2023; the figures for July 2022 to May 2023 inclusive versus July 2023 to May 2024 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24578/24]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

183. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will legislate to restrict no-fault evictions. [24573/24]

Planning Issues

Darren O'Rourke

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 30 April 2024, to outline the conditions under which local authority section 48 development contributions may be waived; how far houses must have been progressed in order to have the development contributions waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/24]

Heritage Schemes

Alan Farrell

185. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s support for Ireland’s built heritage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19787/24]

Vacant Properties

Peadar Tóibín

186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who have availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024 [24444/24]

Vacant Properties

Peadar Tóibín

187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money that has been paid out under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [24445/24]

Vacant Properties

Peadar Tóibín

188. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any local authorities have drawn down money under the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme; if so, if he will list the local authorities; and the amount of grants and the total funding that each received in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form.
[24446/24]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

189. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is planning any further spending on capacity and resources for local authorities to tackle vacancy and dereliction of properties and to increase the stock of social and affordable housing as indicated in the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16221/24]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Griffin

190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine ways to streamline the application and drawdown of croí cónaithe grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24410/24]

Septic Tanks

Michael Ring

191. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to change the qualifying criteria for the septic tank grant to enable households to self-report a fault to qualify, rather than just households that have been inspected or those in a prioritised area for action in accordance with the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/24]

Departmental Bodies

Bríd Smith

192. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will grant the request of retired members of staff of Ordnance Survey Ireland to attend OSI HQ in Phoenix Park on 21 June 2024 (details supplied) as part of the OSI's 200-year anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/24]

Planning Issues

Cian O'Callaghan

193. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any mechanism in place to guarantee developers follow through on agreements with local authorities for affordable purchase schemes; if he will ensure that developers follow through on their agreements with local authorities where these schemes are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24491/24]

Housing Schemes

Eoin Ó Broin

194. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the fresh start principal can apply to a person who sold the family home following legal separation or divorce, either by voluntary agreement with their former partner or on foot of a court order as part of the separation or divorce settlement. [24513/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

John McGuinness

195. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the drafting of new guidelines for renewable energy projects includes the requirement that an SEA be carried out in advance to address environmental and health issues; if in this regard he will outline any practical basis for setting a target of producing 80% of Ireland's energy from renewable sources; if measures to protect the rural environment, landscape and the health of rural dwellers will be part of the consideration in this process; the forward planning measures that are in place or that will be put in place to deal with the Issue of turbine carcasses and other materials that cannot be recycled when they become obsolete; if he will consider putting the guidelines before Dáil Éireann for debate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24516/24]

Heritage Schemes

Bernard Durkan

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he has in mind plans for the protection and restoration of heritage structures/listed buildings which might be deemed at risk throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24544/24]

Housing Schemes

Bernard Durkan

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority home loans approved and drawn down in each local authority area in the past two years to date; the number of such loans likely to be issued in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24545/24]

Departmental Data

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses likely to become available from the private sector developments to meet the needs of local authority housing applicants over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24547/24]

Vacant Properties

Bernard Durkan

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the degree to which he proposes, through the various local authorities, to utilise abandoned or derelict buildings in the centres of villages or towns throughout the country to meet the needs of those who require affordable or local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24548/24]

Planning Issues

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which young people seeking to remain resident in their native areas can be facilitated throughout rural Ireland thereby assuring the future of schools, shops and community life while maintaining good environmental and planning practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24549/24]

Planning Issues

Bernard Durkan

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning permissions refused, by county, in respect of one-off housing in rural areas affecting the indigenous population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24550/24]

Housing Provision

Bernard Durkan

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of direct-build local authority houses started or completed in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which he expects to increase this number in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24551/24]

Departmental Data

Bernard Durkan

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to indicate, based on the current numbers of applicants on local authority housing lists, in respect of each county, if the estimated time by which he expects sufficient reduction of applicants on local authority waiting lists to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24552/24]

Housing Schemes

Bernard Durkan

204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which the public housing programme is progressing in north Kildare, with particular reference to the issue of homeless families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24553/24]

Social Welfare Code

Matt Shanahan

205. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in relation to the recent Supreme Court findings (details supplied) concerning the right of the bereaved partner to receive social welfare entitlements after the death of their loved one and in support of their family obligations, she will provide an update as to the specific steps the Government is taking to recognise such rights in new or amended legislation; when such legislation or amendments will be tabled; when other single-parent families to whom this judgement is relevant can expect recognition by the Department of Social Protection as to their access to State support as outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24480/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

John McGuinness

206. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a new bus pass will be issued immediately to a person (details supplied). [24518/24]

School Meals Programme

Brendan Griffin

207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of primary and secondary schools in Kerry approved for the hot school meals programme; the total number actively in receipt of hot meals at this point; the total number of schools approved but not yet commenced; the total number of schools not approved yet; the number of children benefitting from the programme nationwide; her plans for further expansion of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24524/24]

Social Insurance

Rose Conway-Walsh

208. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a complete list of all payments from the social insurance fund, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24452/24]

Social Insurance

Rose Conway-Walsh

209. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide details on the current social insurance fund reserves and projected expenditure and revenue into the fund out to 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24453/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Mairéad Farrell

210. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their working family payment application. [24458/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Smith

211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason there are so many reviews of persons’ entitlements to carer’s allowance causing stress and some costs in preparing submissions (details supplied); her views on whether carer’s allowance plays a major role in reducing admissions to residential care and is a major saving on the State, taking into account that the majority of people want to remain at home, with supports, if at all possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24461/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

212. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity pension will be approved for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24471/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Healy-Rae

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a welfare payment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24495/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the funeral costs associated with the death of a person (details supplied) will be paid to a local undertaker, as the deceased had no family or next-of-kin. [24509/24]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the queries from her Department relative to the State pension (non-contributory) of a person (details supplied) have been resolved; and if they are in receipt of the maximum pension. [24510/24]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

216. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance in the name of a person (details supplied); if the appeal submitted by this Deputy has been considered; and if a positive response will be issued. [24515/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the fuel allowance (details supplied) will be reviewed with a view to ascertaining if other persons in the household might qualify for such payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24532/24]

Social Welfare Payments

David Stanton

218. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount expended to date under her Department’s humanitarian assistance scheme, activated on 19 October 2023 following storm Babet; the number of payments made, to date, to those affected by the resulting flooding in each local authority area; the number of cases, if any, still being processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24557/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Robert Troy

219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that have been taken to address an issue (details supplied). [24564/24]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Pa Daly

220. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she expects the installation of the CCTV project that was sought for three schemes (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry, with particular emphasis on scheme 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24455/24]