Parliamentary questions

Enterprise Support Services

Darren O'Rourke

273. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if any additional supports will be provided to employees of rehab enterprises, many of whom have disabilities if they lose their employment; what these additional supports will be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32402/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

365. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding the Government’s recently published review of the PhDs in Ireland; if he has met or plans to meet them to discuss their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33332/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

366. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether PhD classified as non-EU will be provided with updated residency visas with a four-year duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33333/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

367. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to recommend that PhD researchers have access to PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33334/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

368. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to recommend that PhD researchers have access to sick leave and/or parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33335/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to recommend that PhDs to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission in order to resolve disputes with their university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33336/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to recommend that minimum standards for the provision of funding for PhD researchers in Ireland, including minimum standards of pay, such as the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33337/23]

Third Level Education

Darren O'Rourke

371. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding the matter of employee status for PHDS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33338/23]

Pension Provisions

Darren O'Rourke

55. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the March 2023 agreement to increase the pension of former workers at An Post, the reasons there has been a delay in payment to former workers; when they can expect to receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32956/23]

Taxi Licences

Darren O'Rourke

65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 2 March 2023, the degree to which his Department monitors the transfer of taxi licences; if he is aware of social media sites facilitating the transfer of licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32898/23]

Taxi Licences

Darren O'Rourke

66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question 31 of 2 March 2023, the number of section 15 nominations which have been made in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32899/23]

Taxi Licences

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 2 March 2023, the number of enforcement actions taken for suspected breaches of Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32900/23]

Job Losses

Darren O'Rourke

91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has met with Rehab Enterprises in Navan to discuss the risk of job losses there; if he will put measures in places to ensure that these jobs are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32401/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the interdepartmental engagement process on the distribution of revenues raised from the windfall gains in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32085/23]

Mental Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

505. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to establish a neurorehabilitation team in CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32330/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

48. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of The Environment, Climate and Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31491/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the industry sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of The Environment, Climate and Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31490/23]

Official Engagements

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to have a bilateral meeting with his Croatian counterpart. [31471/23]

Consular Services

Darren O'Rourke

20. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Irish Consulate General or Vice Consul in Texas, USA, has spoken formally with the Dallas Police Department Chief of Police in 2022 and to date in 2023. [31478/23]

Electricity Supply Board

Darren O'Rourke

25. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has met the Chairperson of the ESB in the past three months. [31470/23]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allocate additional capacity to PSO bus routes in Meath. [31474/23]

Electric Vehicles

Darren O'Rourke

40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number and locations of charging points for electric vehicles in County Meath. [31475/23]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the measures the Government is taking in response to the estimated €1.9 billion in climate harmful spending identified in Budget 2023; what measures, if any, he is taking to ensure that this cost is reduced in Budget 2024; if he has plans to review the harmful impact infrastructure provision and wider environmental impacts beyond climate mitigation considered, for example, biodiversity, which were not included in this iteration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31459/23]

Office of Public Works

Darren O'Rourke

54. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the refurbishment works that were carried out on behalf of the OPW at Trim Castle over the past 18 months; and the refurbishment works scheduled to take place at Trim Castle over the next 12 months. [31469/23]

Special Educational Needs

Darren O'Rourke

71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education the full-year cost to recruit ten additional WTE special educational needs organisers, in tabular form. [31479/23]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of current Fáilte Ireland board members who are directors or shareholders in companies that have received finance, grants or other supports from Fáilte Ireland. [31468/23]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that the Meath divisional drugs unit has dealt with in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [31472/23]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of members of An Garda Síochána who have a competency-based driving permit at Level 4. [31473/23]

Health Services Staff

Darren O'Rourke

157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE paediatric audiologists working in each health centre and primary care centre within CHO8 in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [31476/23]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Darren O'Rourke

158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the waiting lists for eye care with the HSE, by age cohort and length of wait, in tabular form. [31477/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

129. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the review of greenhouse gas emissions on a consumption basis, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31170/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

130. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery task force has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-government collaboration in all relevant departments in the land use, land use change and forestry sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31172/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and all relevant departments in the public sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31175/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

132. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the electricity sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31176/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31177/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery task force has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant Departments on citizen engagement, as outlined in the climate action plan annexe of actions; if he will report on its progress to date and the participation of his Department in the task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in ensuring a just transition, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of his Department in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the expected timeline for delivery for a Just Transition Commission, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31182/23]

Departmental Priorities

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected timeline for delivery of a regulatory framework for district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31183/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the updated roadmap guidance to reflect updates to Public Sector Mandate, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31184/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the engagement with OneLearning on the provision of climate related training and upskilling; the expected timeline for delivery for the proposal for a training programme content and structure, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31186/23]

Inland Fisheries

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the workforce plan for Inland Fisheries Ireland; how many bailiffs are currently employed; if there are plans to recruit more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Darren O'Rourke

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if a group has been convened to discuss structures for delivery of the public procurement framework, as outlined in the climate action plan annexe of actions; if he will report on the approach, roles and responsibilities agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31258/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

247. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the review of the assessment emissions impact of public investment and the recommended reforms, as outlined in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31063/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

249. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the capacity of public sector bodies to deliver climate action identifying action areas, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

279. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the industry sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions, if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31173/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

280. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31174/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

281. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the built environment sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department Of The Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31178/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

383. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress to retain and strengthen climate action policy objectives in the implementation and forthcoming review of the national planning framework, as outlined in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31062/23]

Fisheries Protection

Darren O'Rourke

492. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the workforce plan for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority; how many bailiffs are currently employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

514. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the agriculture sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of the Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31171/23]

Pharmacy Services

Darren O'Rourke

772. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he has or will conduct a review of pharmacy dispensing fees and the extent of service provision by community pharmacists; if he has or will engage with an organisation (details supplied); the dates on which he has or will engage; if he will establish a review which encompasses the scope of services provided or which could be provided by community pharmacy; and if he will include scoping of a minor ailments or minor illness scheme in community pharmacies in the terms of reference of the aforementioned review. [31353/23]

Citizens' Assembly

Darren O'Rourke

253. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Government will publish its comprehensive response to the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30288/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to ensure savings on the wholesale price of electricity are passed on to customers; the reason that savings have not been passed on to date; the dates on which he has met with energy providers to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28912/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s energy security review and, separately, the review by a person (details supplied); when he expects both to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28919/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what, if any, assessments have been made by the Government regarding the best way to implement a windfall tax here in order to capture excess revenues in the energy sector in the year 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28914/23]

Electricity Grid

Darren O'Rourke

84. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what additional measures are being taken by the Government to ensure our grid has the capacity to accommodate the required increase in connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28915/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

93. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will detail the extent to which the mandate and resourcing of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities provides for an assessment of the hedging practices of energy companies and, separately, investigation of price gouging and prosecution of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/23]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

123. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments, if any, the Government have made concerning the remunicipalisation of waste and the various models that are available and operating successfully in other European countries, in particular the ‘franchise’ model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28917/23]

Public Service Obligation

Darren O'Rourke

125. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to review the application of the PSO levy given the disproportionate burden it currently places on households, in particular low-income households; if alternative funding models, including direct state investment have been considered to support renewable projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28916/23]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

166. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the considerations to be made by local authorities when deciding on whether or not to re-municipalise waste collection services; if legislative or regulatory barriers prevent local authorities from re-municipalising waste collection services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/23]

Active Travel

Darren O'Rourke

178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport how many local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28899/23]

Active Travel

Darren O'Rourke

179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28900/23]

Active Travel

Darren O'Rourke

180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have drawn down funding to establish active travel teams. [28901/23]

Active Travel

Darren O'Rourke

181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have active travel teams in place. [28902/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport how much of the active fund has been drawn down by local authorities overall, in 2022 and then in Q1 2023, in tabular form. [28970/23]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of the re-municipalisation of waste services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27723/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the SEAI's database of BER ratings and the CSO's database on household incomes are entirely separate and not used together due, possibly, to GDPR considerations, and that this significantly limits analyses of energy poverty in Ireland (details supplied); if he has plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/23]

Environmental Policy

Darren O'Rourke

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which a public consultation on the use of direct lines and private wires will be launched; if he will provide an update on the development of the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27819/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address the barriers to hybrid connections to facilitate wind, solar and battery technology on the same site for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27820/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

209. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the green hydrogen strategy will be published; if he will provide an update on its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27821/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

210. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in the wake of ORESS 1 and in advance of ORESS 2, if consideration is being given to an auction process which assesses projects not solely based on price but on other factors such as track-record, readiness of project, planning approvals and so on; what the benefits of either approach are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27822/23]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

211. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart electricity meters installed; the geographic distribution of the smart meters installed; and the amount of funding that has been spent on the installation of smart meters. [27836/23]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart heating controls grants awarded in 2022 and Q1 2023; the geographic spread, per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/23]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2022; and how much of this was drawn down in 2022. [27841/23]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

214. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2023; and how much of this has been drawn down to date in 2023. [27842/23]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

218. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which policies to achieve 2030 climate goals have been tested in order to create behavioural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28054/23]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

303. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which active travel policies have been tested to create behavioural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28053/23]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

540. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in relation to the 1/2A submission to build an ASD unit in a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27641/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

712. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many ecologists are currently employed in An Bord Pleanála; and the cost per year per post, in tabular form. [27694/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

713. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many marine biologists are currently employed in An Bord Pleanála; and the cost per year per post, in tabular form. [27695/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

714. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála, the current staffing levels; and the cost per year per post, in tabular form. [27696/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

715. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; how many ecologists are currently employed; if there are forthcoming plans to recruit more; and the cost per year per post. [27697/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

716. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; how many marine biologists are currently employed; if there are forthcoming plans to recruit more; and the cost per year per post. [27698/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

717. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; how many ornithologists are currently employed; if there are forthcoming plans to recruit more; and the cost per year per post. [27699/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

718. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for An Bord Pleanála; how many hydrologists are currently employed; if there are forthcoming plans to recruit more; and the cost per year per post. [27700/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

719. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for the marine and climate unit; the current staffing levels; and the cost per year per post, in tabular form. [27701/23]

Public Sector Staff

Darren O'Rourke

720. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan for the maritime area regulatory authority; the current staffing levels per specialism; and the cost per post per year, in tabular form. [27707/23]

Citizens' Assembly

Darren O'Rourke

724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of establishing a marine biodiversity national coordination body as recommended by the Citizen's Assembly on biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27777/23]

Wildlife Protection

Darren O'Rourke

726. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities that have undertaken hedgerow surveys; if targeted funding is available to councils to undertake this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27824/23]

Defective Building Materials

Darren O'Rourke

755. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cost of establishing the working group to examine defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage report Safe as Houses, and to assist owners of latent defect properties by identifying options for those impacted by defects, to access low-cost, long-term finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28029/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Darren O'Rourke

756. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the full cost, current cost and capital cost to establish the registration and inspection scheme 2012 for the domestic wastewater treatment system; and the full cost, current cost and capital cost in 2022, in tabular form. [28031/23]

Public Sector Staff

Darren O'Rourke

757. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of ecologists, marine biologists and ornithologists to be employed at the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority; if there are any plans to recruit more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28066/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

758. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing at the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 under the aegis of his Department, broken down by contract and purpose of contract in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28067/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

759. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of ecologists, marine biologists and ornithologists employed in An Bord Pleanála; if there are any plans to recruit more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28068/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

760. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing at An Bord Pleanála as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 under the aegis of his Department, broken down by contract and purpose of contract in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28069/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

958. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to the BRIDE project in 2022; the amount allocated for 2023; and if he plans to extend this funding beyond 2023. [27755/23]

Coillte Teoranta

Darren O'Rourke

960. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated to Coillte in 2022 and 2023; the staffing levels for WTE and PTE staff; and the staffing costs in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27779/23]

Environmental Impact Assessments

Darren O'Rourke

961. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for environmental impact assessment screening for boundary removals that have been received; the number of screening applications approved; the corresponding length of hedgerows approved for removal in each of the years from 2010 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27825/23]

Teagasc Activities

Darren O'Rourke

967. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of establishing the Teagasc signpost advisory programme; the staffing levels and workforce plan of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27983/23]