Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

1439. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a Covid-19 testing centre in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63259/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

1440. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent PCR swabbers that will be required to sustain a level of approximately 200,000 PCR tests per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63260/21]

Defibrillators Provision

Duncan Smith

1781. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if further consideration has been given to providing a national register of defibrillators throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1819/22]

Home Help Service

Duncan Smith

1782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for home support service throughout the HSE service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1821/22]

Home Help Service

Duncan Smith

1783. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of new home support service packages for the past three years for each health service area; the amount of funding provided for this service in the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/22]

Home Help Service

Duncan Smith

1784. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of the HSE providing home support packages for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1823/22]

Home Help Service

Duncan Smith

1785. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of employees of private operators providing home support packages for the HSE for past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/22]

Regeneration Projects

Duncan Smith

2057. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the provision of funding to complete a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1825/22]

Transport Policy

Duncan Smith

2. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the specific policies he plans on implementing in 2022 to bring down the cost and accessibility of transport for persons with disabilities in view of the recent publication of the Cost of Disability in Ireland research report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62300/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Duncan Smith

11. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the specific policies he has to address the issues presented by the Covid-19 pandemic in the taxi industry in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62295/21]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

12. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when his attention was drawn to the delays to the MetroLink project from the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62296/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

17. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Government approval of the DART+ West project; the planning timeline of the project; if it is possible the approved business case could change by the time planning is approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62299/21]

Travel Documents

Duncan Smith

31. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the operation of checking Covid-19 travel documentation at ports and airports here; the issues that have been identified in the roll-out of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62297/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

53. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the status of the BusConnects project; if the business case for the BusConnects project remains unchanged in view of announcements in 2021 regarding the MetroLink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62298/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

227. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address issues in relation to a bus route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62786/21]

Alcohol Pricing

Duncan Smith

572. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the public information campaign his Department or other public bodies are undertaking as per section 11 of the Public Health Alcohol Act, 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62763/21]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

573. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the long delays being experienced by a person (details supplied) who has been waiting over two years for speech and occupational therapy in view of the fact that this person was diagnosed with autism in 2019 and their condition is deteriorating; if the family will be contacted without further delay with an update on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62769/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Duncan Smith

577. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if an application by a person (details supplied) for a HSE mobility scooter will be expedited as they are currently living with serious mobility issues and have a dependent partner. [62780/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Duncan Smith

124. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was denied the fuel allowance for the winter when their household received the fuel allowance for years prior to their spouse passing earlier in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62119/21]

Traveller Accommodation

Duncan Smith

260. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which his Department has realised the 18 of the 32 recommendations contained in the Traveller accommodation expert review report and set out as a work plan by the Programme Board for 2021; his plans in 2022 to realise the outstanding recommendations in particular the replacement of local Traveller accommodation consultative committees by Traveller accommodation strategic policy committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61249/21]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

573. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount of the health budget for 2022 he will be allocating to supporting the local drug and alcohol addiction prevention, stabilisation and detoxing work of local authorities homeless services; the way that this builds on previous funding received over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61250/21]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

117. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the Covid-19 booster programme; the issues that have been identified with the early roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59244/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

130. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans in place if the number of PCR tests that is currently being carried out continues and capacity remains stretched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59246/21]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

145. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the advice NIAC has provided to him regarding vaccinations for 5 to 11 year olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59242/21]

Dental Services

Duncan Smith

164. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with an association (details supplied) regarding the difficulties with access to dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59245/21]

Industrial Relations

Duncan Smith

174. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the engagement he or his Department has had with medical scientists and their union representatives regarding the 94% ballot for strike action by a union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59243/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

50. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will formally publish the results of the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service including the analysis of the results; and the date for the formal publication with such analysis. [59662/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

51. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied). [59663/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied) and the Habitats Directive. [59664/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

53. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the Departmental and National Parks and Wildlife Service’s published document on its website titled Birds Case (C 418/04) Programme of Measures -2017 (details supplied). [59665/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

54. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied) the Seabird 2000 census results and the April 2020 report from the consultative committee on Urban Seagulls established by his predecessor in June 2019. [59666/21]

Wildlife Conservation

Duncan Smith

55. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a series of matters in relation to the results of the 2021 National Survey of Urban Seagulls commissioned by his Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (details supplied), the Seabird 2000 census results and a statement reported to have been issued by his Department and the NPWS in response to a freedom of information request in July 2016. [59667/21]

Defence Forces

Duncan Smith

77. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if he has plans to upgrade Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; if he has commissioned a report into the future of the barracks; if so, the intention of such a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59640/21]

Defence Forces

Duncan Smith

78. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that foreign-born members of the Defence Forces are having in serving particularly in serving overseas; the steps he is taking to address these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59641/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

87. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school places that were available for the 2021-2022 academic year in south County Kildare by school; the number predicated for the 2022-2023 academic year by school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59643/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

88. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 340 of 23 November 2021, the number of meetings her Department has had with secondary school patrons on the provision of secondary school places in south County Kildare over the past two years; if such meetings have taken place in 2021 year given the lack of places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59644/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some parents are by-passing their nearest rural local primary school in favour of enrolling their children in larger urban centres given the lack of secondary school places in south County Kildare; her views on the way this will affect enrolment in these rural schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59645/21]

School Transport

Duncan Smith

90. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered and adopted a reasonable or acceptable distance for a child to travel to another secondary school given that a place may not be available to them at their local secondary school; if her Department’s modelling has considered the need for the provision of school transport for students in order to avail of such a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59646/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

91. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received legal challenges to the right of a child to a secondary school place from a parent or child over the past number of years; if so, the outcome of these challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59647/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

92. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the expected lead time for the opening of the proposed new secondary school for the Curragh, County Kildare subsequent to the site being finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59648/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

93. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education when she expects parents and children who have received letters stating that they have not received a place for the 2022-2023 academic year to receive a place given she has stated that talks are underway with school patrons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59649/21]

Rural Schemes

Duncan Smith

104. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the current position regarding a project (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59642/21]

Immigration Policy

Duncan Smith

159. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the service offered by company (details supplied) which is purportedly charging for free immigration service appointments and requesting the provision of highly sensitive data; the steps that are being taken to ensure timely access to appointments for applicants not availing of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59514/21]

Airport Policy

Duncan Smith

71. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of air traffic control staff that are out of work due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59320/21]

Airport Policy

Duncan Smith

72. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the lowest number of air traffic control staff required to operate safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59321/21]

Airport Policy

Duncan Smith

73. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the contingency plans if the number of air traffic control staff available falls below the threshold of safe operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59322/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

75. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide additional funding for the design of a 24-hour north south and east west bus route to be included in the draft BusConnects plan for Cork ahead of the expiry deadline for public consultation. [59414/21]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

503. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the Bray local drugs and alcohol taskforce co-ordinator position will be filled given the position has been empty since August 2021; if he will provide a full-time co-ordinator in order to deal with the high-volume of work that needs to be carried out in an area that has a population of over 40,000 persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58284/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Duncan Smith

578. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current rules for staff within the HSE who are unable to work as they are a confirmed close contact; if they are treated as needing to take Covid-19 related leave or if they have to take sick leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58675/21]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

322. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology nurse specialists working in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital; the difference in number between this number and the national and internationally recognised neurology standards; his plans to increase the neurology nurse workforce in the hospital; and when this will take place. [58058/21]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

323. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the specific workforce planning that has taken place for the establishment of the new national trauma centre in the Mater Hospital; the additional recruitment that will take place; the grades for which recruitment will take place; and when this will take place. [58059/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

338. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the growing lack of secondary school places in south County Kildare; her plans to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56951/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

339. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary school places available for the school year commencing 2022; the number of those that are special school places in an ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56952/21]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

340. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of meetings she or her officials have had with school principals and or boards of management in south County Kildare regarding the lack and provision of secondary school places. [56953/21]

Schools Building Projects

Duncan Smith

341. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of a school (details supplied); the timelines involved for completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56954/21]

Schools Building Projects

Duncan Smith

342. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of a new secondary school for the Curragh, County Kildare; and the timelines involved in construction once the project begins. [56955/21]

Schools Building Projects

Duncan Smith

343. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the recent announcements on extensions to secondary schools in south County Kildare; the timelines involved in completion; and the number of school places this will create. [56956/21]

Special Educational Needs

Duncan Smith

344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD units in secondary schools in south County Kildare; the location of each; the number of proposed ASD units in the pipeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56957/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Duncan Smith

440. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the HSE, Tusla or his Department can assist a person (details supplied) in County Kildare with an update on information they have requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56959/21]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

615. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of additional permanent critical care ICU beds that will be delivered as part of the winter planning within the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57169/21]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

616. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase permanent critical care ICU bed capacity from the current level of 6.5 beds per 100,000 persons to a minimum of the European Union average of 11.5 beds per 100,000 persons on a yearly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57170/21]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

264. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the target month and year she is working to for the publication of the cost of disability research; the reason the report has not yet been published; and the actions that have been taken on foot of the report since she received it. [56625/21]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

300. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of new residential places that will be provided in 2022 not including those who have a residential service already and are transferring to a better living situation; and his proposals to deal with the urgent needs of the 800 persons minimum currently waiting. [56623/21]

Nursing Homes

Duncan Smith

301. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 65 years of age inappropriately placed in nursing homes that will be supported to leave nursing homes using the €5.5 million funding to be provided in 2022. [56624/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a bus shelter (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56277/21]

Departmental Consultations

Duncan Smith

101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the public and private consultation initiated by his Department on ways to preserve and manage the Curragh Plains, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56280/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Duncan Smith

125. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if the credits paid in the UK for an Irish national (details supplied) should not count towards their treatment benefit and optical benefit in this case; if there is another way the person can avail of such treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56279/21]

Public Services Card

Duncan Smith

126. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a public services card was not accepted as photographic identification for a person (details supplied) when applying for Garda vetting given that the person has never had a passport or driving licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56326/21]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

225. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can avail now of a vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56278/21]

Broadband Infrastructure

Duncan Smith

151. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will investigate the further delay from March 2022 to April 2023 in supply of high-speed broadband connection to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55653/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

500. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of times the HSE has conducted a double Covid-19 test on a person when the first test result was positive; the clinical grounds for a second test taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55530/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

501. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of instances of Covid-19 case denotification that have taken place since March 2020 for cases which were examined against viral targets detected; the reason for the test; the condition of the person having the test performed as criteria set out by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55531/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Duncan Smith

502. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the viral target measures used when examining whether a positive Covid-19 test requires a second test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55532/21]

Naturalisation Applications

Duncan Smith

531. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will arrange for the return of the passports of persons (details supplied) who applied for naturalisation some weeks ago. [54439/21]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

557. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to ensure that a person (details supplied) who is 88 years of age and who has significant health vulnerabilities receives their booster Covid-19 vaccination and the flu vaccination without any further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54028/21]

Electric Vehicles

Duncan Smith

97. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles by introducing a vehicle scrappage scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53212/21]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

111. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the roll-out of 50% public transport fees for under-24s; if he plans to pilot this scheme; if not, if the scheme will be fully introduced nationwide; if the scheme will be accessible through all modes of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53214/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

132. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the request by residents of an estate (details supplied) in relation to the design of the MetroLink project; if he will support the residents in relation to their requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53216/21]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Duncan Smith

140. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he and his Department have had with officials in rail transport as of November 2021 with regard to lower emissions in rail transport and the overall emissions reduction in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53215/21]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Duncan Smith

141. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he and his Department have had with officials in Irish aviation with regard to lower emissions aircraft and overall emission reduction in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53213/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Duncan Smith

89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the recently announced updated guidelines include the continuation of appointments only for the hair and beauty industry; the way this will be enforced and monitored; the additional guidelines that will be in place for those availing of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52329/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

195. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will consider the installation of bus shelters at bus stop numbers 3854 and 3855 in Lusk, County Dublin ahead of the coming winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52679/21]

Driver Test

Duncan Smith

196. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the lifting of restrictions in October 2021 removed the restriction to sanitary and toilet facilities at driver test centres to allow access to instructors, students and those accompanying learner drivers to lessons and tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52682/21]

Mental Health Policy

Duncan Smith

1041. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans either through additional funding or strategic planning to address mental health issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52988/21]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

329. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of additional staff that have been hired into the CAMHS service in 2021; the breakdown of those positions by grade; the number who are on permanent contracts; the number who are on contracts that expire by the end of 2021; the breakdown of those grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51858/21]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

87. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his intended approach to spending the funding for disability services as committed to in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50818/21]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

104. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if a commitment can be given that student radiographers will be paid standard HSE allowances for attending clinical placements in public hospitals similarly to other student grades within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50822/21]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

148. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on a recent ballot (details supplied) to approve industrial action regarding pay, conditions, and career structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50819/21]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

165. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on and the status of the progression of the opening of dedicated menopause clinics as of October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50821/21]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

173. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for a health and social care policy adviser at his Department given the acceleration in expansion of community health in which health and social care providers will be leaders in service planning and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50823/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Duncan Smith

209. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on and the position regarding the 22 October 2021 lifting of maternity restrictions in hospitals across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50820/21]

Energy Conservation

Duncan Smith

267. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of warmer home schemes completed in each of the past five years; the average waiting time from application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50528/21]

Energy Conservation

Duncan Smith

268. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of one-stop-shop, home improvement schemes that have been completed through SEAI in each of the past five years; the average waiting time from application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50529/21]

Energy Conservation

Duncan Smith

269. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the budgets given to the SEAI for the retrofit scheme for each of the past five years; the amount spent per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50530/21]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

321. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans including a timeline for delivery of the DART+ coastal north to Drogheda, County Louth in the context of the recently published National Development Plan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planning permissions have been granted by the planning authorities along the northern commuter line on the basis that this will delivered by 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50535/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

333. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has had a discussion or meeting with the National Transport Authority over the past two years concerning extending the short hop zone to stations in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50964/21]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

334. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered allocating further funding to the 880 local bus link in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50965/21]

Electric Vehicles

Duncan Smith

344. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to introduce a grant scheme for cargo or e-cargo bikes for either personal or business use; if his attention has been drawn to the scheme in place in the UK; if he has considered such a model for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51182/21]

Departmental Schemes

Duncan Smith

354. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the bike to work scheme to allow those outside of employment including those on social welfare payments to access the scheme; if he plans to also expand it to include students and children attending school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51181/21]

Sports Funding

Duncan Smith

396. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the allocations given under the sports capital grant will be announced given the challenges faced by many sports clubs such as a club (details supplied) since the Covid-19 pandemic began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50539/21]