Parliamentary questions

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]

EU Directives

Catherine Connolly

218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the details of his engagement at EU level with regard to revising the EU energy tax directive to require the aviation industry to pay excise duty and carbon tax on jet fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Catherine Connolly

312. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the procurement process undertaken to appoint an organisation (details supplied) to provide independent advocacy services to assist individual survivors of residential institutional abuse; if no procurement process was undertaken, the reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22847/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Catherine Connolly

313. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the resources allocated to a company to provide independent advocacy services to assist individual survivors of residential institutional abuse (details supplied); the duration of the contract; the number of additional staff to be employed by the company and the areas to which they will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22851/24]

Legislative Process

Catherine Connolly

355. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the marine protected areas Bill 2022; the timeline for publication of the Bill, which was promised by quarter 1 of 2024; the reason for the delay in publication; the expected timeline for the Bill's passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22678/24]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

421. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 7 February 2024, the number of applicants for international protection who have been called for their personal interview under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015 while awaiting accommodation from IPAS, by month, since the Government announced that it would no longer be able to guarantee accommodation for single male applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22411/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if the register of relevant organisations under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 is publicly available; if not, her plans to make it publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22653/24]

Residency Permits

Catherine Connolly

466. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of work on the single permit to both work and live in Ireland; the timeline for the implementation of the single permit; the status of plans to opt into the EU’s Single Permit Directive, and the timeline for same, and the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22936/24]

Brexit Supports

Catherine Connolly

486. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's agri-food sector, the specific projects and costs involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/24]

Animal Feedstuffs

Catherine Connolly

487. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of palm kernel expeller imported into Ireland each year since 2018 to date; the countries from which it was imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

531. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 427 and 428 of 27 February 2024, when the papers of the interdepartmental group will now be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/24]

Health Promotion

Catherine Connolly

566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase awareness about the importance of the use of sun cream in combatting skin cancer; the details of any discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Department of Finance regarding what concessions could be made in this area, including a reduction in or exclusion of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22446/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

567. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of each of the eight recommendations in the “Overview Report of HIQA’s Monitoring Programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Service, with a focus on obstetric emergencies” (2020); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22448/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

568. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22449/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

569. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the funding that was provided to the National Maternity Strategy in each year from 2016 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

570. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the establishment of a clinical audit function for maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22451/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of plans to develop a research strategy for Irish maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22452/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the review by NWIHP of the maternity and infant care scheme, in conjunction with the Primary Care Directorate; the details of any adaptations made or planned on foot of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22453/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

573. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the stakeholder forum to assess the effectiveness of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22454/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

574. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the promised detailed national standardised dataset to support the effective monitoring and evaluation of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the infrastructural deficits that exist in every maternity unit and hospital, as recommended in a report (details supplied); the status of the implementation plan to bring each maternity unit and hospital into compliance with National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare and the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in the Acute Healthcare Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeline for when the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for a public consultation on his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the analysis, including any reports or supporting documentation, carried out by his Department leading to the decision to legislate for the dismantling of the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 21 March 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; the details of how people can make submissions to the tribunal; what legal supports will be available to people who make submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the legislative and policy changes planned in order to proceed with his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22039/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 20 March 2024, the status of the roll-out of park and ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21901/24]

Rail Network

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 21 March 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21900/24]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) can expect to have works completed further to a successful application and assurances from the Department that his case would be dealt with as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22087/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS 2; the number that remain in the process; if these projects are on track to energise by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/24]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 25 January 2024, the status of the review by the CRU of gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users; the timeline for the completion of the review and publication of the new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 7 March 2024, the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21572/24]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s role in the monitoring of the implementation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans; the details of any engagement he or his Department has had to-date with Galway City or County Councils with regard to their LA CAPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS-1 and that remain in the process; the number of these that have energised to-date; the expected timeline for the remaining projects to energise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Annual Report on activity under the Control of Exports Act 2008, covering the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21500/24]

Brexit Supports

Catherine Connolly

480. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide, in tabular form, an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's coastal and marine infrastructure; the specific projects and costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the implementation to date of the policy for the islands; if she has received any reports or updates to date from the monitoring committee for the implementation of the policy for the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20765/24]

Harbours and Piers

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20761/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 5 March 2024, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the dates of all meetings to date; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

24. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 5 March 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mor on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of the preliminary business case; if the consultant has been appointed to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20764/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inisbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

87. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement to date both at bilateral level with his Israeli counterpart, and at EU level, with regard to the designation in October 2021, which remains in place, of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement at EU level to seek a review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a status update on the development of the revised Strategic Framework for the Defence Forces from 2025 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21054/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason all survivors of industrial and reformatory schools and certain residential institutions will not be eligible for supports under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21038/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

178. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason persons to whom the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 applies and persons who received a payment under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme are to be excluded from the Supports of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21039/24]

Ukraine War

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 7 March 2024, the details of Ireland’s financial and in-kind assistance to Ukraine since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20855/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 7 March 2024, for an update on Ireland’s plans to support South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice; if Ireland’s Declaration of Intervention has been filed to date; if not, when it will be filed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20856/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 7 March 2024, the timeline for when Ireland will formally recognise the State of Palestine; the details of his engagement at EU level on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20857/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the first update report of the Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was promised by March 2024; if the report has been completed to date; if the report has been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20632/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason no regulatory impact assessment was conducted in respect of the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; her plans to complete and publish an RIA in advance of Committee Stage of the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20712/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

217. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the additional benefits over those of the 'ordinary medical card' that accrue if a person is in possession of an 'enhanced medical card', as proposed by the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20713/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the analysis undertaken to establish the number of survivors who may be entitled to an enhanced medical card pursuant to the Survivors of Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 already in possession of a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20714/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the balance of funds remaining in the residential institutions statutory fund; the purposes for which those monies will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20715/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

220. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of applications approved by Caranua which remain incomplete; the length of time those applications have been ongoing; the timeline for the completion of those application/works, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20716/24]

Child Abuse

Catherine Connolly

221. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the outstanding balance owed by religious congregations further to the 2002 indemnity agreement and the additional commitments after 2009 following the publication of the Ryan report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20717/24]

School Staff

Catherine Connolly

231. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to extend the special education diploma allowance to include eligible teachers who started working post-2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20831/24]

Pension Provisions

Catherine Connolly

301. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 20 February 2024, to provide an update on the long-term carers’ contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; the number pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20174/24]

Medical Cards

Catherine Connolly

614. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the benefits provided by a medical card and an enhanced medical card (as available to some persons pursuant to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/24]

Hospital Closures

Catherine Connolly

33. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of his engagement to-date in 2024 with HSE West regarding the ongoing closure of Clifden District Hospital; the steps he has taken to ensure that the hospital reopens on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19534/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 29 February 2024, for an update on the development of the SAR/PBC by the project team and the Galway University Hospitals Capital Programme Oversight Board for the new emergency department, women and children's block in UHG; the expected timeline for it to move to pre-tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19533/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Catherine Connolly

90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 23 April 2024, for an update on the engagement between the steering group and the consultants regarding the fee proposal for the Coirib go Cósta project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19531/24]

National Development Plan

Catherine Connolly

104. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 21 February 2024, for an update on the delivery to-date of National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects for County Galway; for an update on his Department's work on updating the NDP sectoral allocations to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19532/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

302. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the new national model of care for eating disorders; the reason for the delay in the delivery of the promised 20 new inpatient beds; the timeline for when these 20 new beds will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20091/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

303. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of eating disorder outpatient teams across the country; the number of teams established to-date and the locations of same; the funding allocated to eating disorder outpatient teams in 2023 and 2024; his plans to allocate additional funding to eating disorder outpatient teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20092/24]

Hospital Facilities

Catherine Connolly

241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 28 February 2024, for an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; if the architect led design team has been appointed to-date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19544/24]

Primary Care Centres

Catherine Connolly

242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 28 February 2024, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway city; the expected timeline for the delivery of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19545/24]

Primary Care Centres

Catherine Connolly

243. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 28 February 2024, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; the status of the land transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19546/24]

Disability Services

Catherine Connolly

244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of all respite beds in County Galway; the locations of same; the number of same that are currently operational and currently closed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19547/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1148 of 20 March 2024, if the negotiation process between the expert negotiator and religious orders with regard to the mother and baby institutions redress scheme has been completed to date; if he has received any interim reports or updates during the process; if he plans to publish the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18992/24]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

119. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on his Department's response to the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme; the status of the review by his Department, as referenced in an article (details supplied), of the findings and recommendations of the report; the progress to-date on the implementation of the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18993/24]

Visa Applications

Catherine Connolly

534. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay and when a decision is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19454/24]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to recommendation 5.3.2 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme, the details of any investigation and follow up action that has been undertaken by HIQA into the findings of the report; the details of any audit carried out by HIQA of residential care centres on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19001/24]

Child Abuse

Catherine Connolly

573. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to recommendation 5.3.2 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme, the details of any investigation and follow up action that has been undertaken by HIQA into the findings of the report; the details of any audit carried out by HIQA of residential care centres on foot of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19001/24]

Child Abuse

Catherine Connolly

574. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the research into the area of organisational and institutional abuse of children commissioned by the Working Group on institutional and organisational abuse; the terms of reference for the research; the expected timeline for the research to be completed; the expected timeline for the publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19002/24]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of a national policy on protecting children from sexual exploitation, as per recommendation 5.3.1 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/24]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

576. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of recommendation 5.3.3 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme, which recommends that all professional care staff are provided with training and support to speak and listen to children and young people who disclose experiences of sexual exploitation to them; if Tusla have to date extended their training of the Child Sexual Exploitation procedure to all care staff in all residential centres; what actions Tusla has taken to ensure that all residential care units have clear policies and procedures for staff to follow to ensure the safeguarding and protection of children in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19004/24]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

577. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of recommendation 5.3.6 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19005/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Catherine Connolly

589. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications received to-date under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the number of applications processed to date; the number of applications approved to date; the number of applications rejected to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19322/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

18. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, further to the recent scrapping of the green paper on disability reform, her plans to introduce a cost of disability payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18376/24]

Pension Provisions

Catherine Connolly

22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection what value-for-money analysis has been carried out in relation to the different rates of participation in the proposed automatic enrolment pension scheme; the different rates of opt-outs; the different rates of suspension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18377/24]

Fisheries Protection

Catherine Connolly

89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 21 February 2024, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; to provide an update on the recent public consultation on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone and the baselines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18275/24]

Departmental Bodies

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 22 February 2024, for an update on the work of the wool council; if the €30,000 in departmental funding has been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18274/24]

Health Services Staff

Catherine Connolly

344. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts in the State; the number of these which are currently unfilled; the location of each epilepsy specialist nurse post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18653/24]

Pension Provisions

Catherine Connolly

112. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the proposed automatic enrolment pension scheme, what analysis has been carried out regarding the consequences; if there are fewer participants than the 750,000/800,000 on which the scheme is predicated; what analysis has been carried out regarding the consequences of varying numbers of participants opting out of and/or suspending participation in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18375/24]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

14. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 22 February 2024, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; her plans to revisit the decision for the review to be completed by the data and research unit of her Department; if she will recruit another independent reviewer to complete the work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17851/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 22 February 2024, the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17852/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Catherine Connolly

48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost of the revised Coirib go Cósta flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14382/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 8 February 2024, the status of the review by the Coirib go Cósta steering group of the draft revised programme incorporating the additional scope for the Coirib go Cósta flood relief scheme; the timeline for the publication of the revised project programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14381/24]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 16 April 2024, to clarify the steps taken to ensure that US Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft number 08-8021 was not carrying weapons or munitions when it travelled through Shannon Airport on 10 April 2024 and landed in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 11 April 2024, and was further tracked flying over Israel, Jordan and Egypt on 13 and 15 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

599. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a diabetes taskforce to develop a National Diabetes Strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/24]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

600. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department into the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics in Ireland that currently meet the recommended staffing levels of multidisciplinary diabetes team members, including consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists; the steps being taken to ensure that recommended multidisciplinary diabetes staffing levels are met in all paediatric and adult diabetes clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/24]

Cancer Services

Catherine Connolly

619. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of the promised new cancer care centre in Galway University Hospital; the timeline for the construction of the new centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17637/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

10. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán i dtaca le Ceist Uimh. 7 den 15 Feabhra 2024, soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an bplean a d’eascair as an obair athbhreithnithe a rinne Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin bpunann iomlán maoine atá aige agus faoi na féidearthachtaí forbartha atá ann; soiléiriú a thabhairt 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 réadmhaoin atá faoi úinéireacht an údaráis; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16854/24]