Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

3. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent, if any, to which improvements might be made in respect of various social welfare payments which currently might fall short of an equality with other recipients of payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25394/24]

Social Insurance

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support withdrawing the planned increases to employees' PRSI and increasing employers' PRSI towards European levels instead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25407/24]

State Pensions

Violet-Anne Wynne

5. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that foster caring for children with additional complex needs does not qualify one for full pension support, even in cases where Tusla has advised these carers they need to be on call 24-7 to support the child's medical needs and therefore one carer per household should not rejoin the workforce (details supplied); if she has liaised with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this matter, as that Department's Minister promised in Question No. 1347 of 17 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Ruairí Ó Murchú

6. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times at the Social Welfare Appeals Office; if additional resources will be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25416/24]

Community Employment Schemes

Richard Bruton

7. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community employment scheme has been subject to programme evaluation; if there are plans for its evolution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25413/24]

School Meals Programme

Violet-Anne Wynne

8. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the hot school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25423/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase social welfare rates in budget 2025 in order that no one is living below the poverty line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25409/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

David Stanton

10. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, with reference to section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, the number of revisions carried out under the section in each respective year from 2021 to 2023 inclusive; the number of these revisions that resulted in a changed decision; the number of revisions currently being considered under the section; of these, the longest waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25414/24]

School Meals Programme

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expand the free school meals programme to all schools from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25410/24]

Disability Services

Catherine Connolly

12. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 25 April 2024, her plans to reconsider the introduction of a cost-of-disability payment; the details of her or her Department's engagement with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this matter since the scrapping of the Green Paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25427/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to examine the possibility of allowing pro rata pensions for those that currently have insufficient contributions to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25393/24]

Artists' Remuneration

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has conducted any analysis of the impact of the housing and accommodation crisis on the arts and artists since 2020; the dates and times of any correspondence or discussion between her and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the need for social and affordable housing for artists and arts workers; and the measures she has taken given her responsibility for tourism to reduce the cost of accommodation for touring artists. [24335/24]

Television Licence Fee

Imelda Munster

2. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will comment on her plans for reform of the licence fee. [24353/24]

Tourism Promotion

Peter Fitzpatrick

3. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps being taken by her Department to increase the tourism potential of County Louth and east Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24349/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

4. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 38 ón 18 Aibreán, an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí faoin teagmháil a bhí ag a Roinn le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis an tionscnamh tithíochta a cheadaigh an t-údarás i mí na Nollag 2023 chun samhail le haghaidh tithíocht inacmhainne a fhorbairt do chainteoirí Gaeilge ar thailte de chuid an údaráis i dtrí cheantar Gaeltachta; céard é stádas forbartha na samhla; cén uair a fhoilseofar an tsamhail; cén uair atáthar ag súil leis an tithíocht inacmhainne a sholáthar; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24256/24]

Television Licence Fee

Thomas Gould

5. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the TV licence reforms. [24428/24]

Cúrsaí Tithíochta

Catherine Connolly

7. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16855/24, an raibh cruinniú leantach aici leis an mbrúghrúpa BÁNÚ maidir le heaspa tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an gcruinniú is déanaí a bhí aici leis an mbrúghrúpa sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24275/24]

Broadcasting Sector

James O'Connor

8. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has considered giving further support for community, local and regional radio stations in Ireland, including the broadcasting levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24323/24]

Programme for Government

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

9. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media which, if any, of the four commitments relating to creative and cultural infrastructure in the programme for Government have been achieved or are in progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24339/24]

Sports Funding

Richard Bruton

10. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to modify the criteria for the next call for applications for the sports capital grant; when she is likely to be in a position to announce the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24424/24]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

11. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the new fund for outdoor sport equipment, the participation nation outdoor fund, and the parallel fund for biodiversity measures at sports facilities, amuigh faoin spéir; how these funds will be administered by local sports partnerships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24011/24]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

13. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can outline any plans, including any additional funding, that will be made available to Drogheda to ensure the survival of the tourism industry in the area given the loss of tourist accommodation in the town in recent years. [24352/24]

Sports Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she intends to open the equipment-only grants for application again this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24273/24]

Sports Funding

Brendan Griffin

25. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current position regarding the next allocations of the sports capital and equipment programme; when the grants will be allocated; if a budget has been agreed; how this compares to the total demand;the total allocation versus eligible demand for the recent equipment scheme; if a similar allocation can be achieved for the remaining capital applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24379/24]

Sports Funding

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

31. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the sports capital and equipment programme will open for applications in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24272/24]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the latest round of the sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24012/24]

Sports Funding

Niamh Smyth

53. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the sports capital grant application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24219/24]

Housing Provision

Eoin Ó Broin

55. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the delivery of affordable homes in 2024. [24566/24]

Legislative Reviews

Ivana Bacik

56. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his engagement with the Minister for Justice in respect of the need to update the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011; and if he is satisfied that the redress scheme for construction defects is practicable in view of the lack of a review so far. [24572/24]

Departmental Reports

Eoin Ó Broin

57. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a response to the report of the Housing Commission. [24567/24]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

58. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the action he will take to ensure that enough affordable housing is built to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24356/24]

Homeless Persons Supports

Eoin Ó Broin

59. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take to address the rising levels of homelessness and in particular the unacceptably high levels of child homelessness. [24568/24]

Housing Provision

James O'Connor

60. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing commencements in County Cork for the first quarter of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24320/24]

Vacant Properties

David Stanton

61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant and derelict properties recorded in each local authority area for each respective year from 2019 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24398/24]

Housing Schemes

Michael Moynihan

62. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the operation of the first home scheme to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24325/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government is considering revising the defective block redress scheme given the issues that are emerging with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24413/24]

Traveller Accommodation

Eoin Ó Broin

64. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the expert group on Traveller accommodation. [24288/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

66. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, given recent committee meetings, the Government is considering revisiting and altering its defective block redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24401/24]

Vacant Properties

David Stanton

70. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports and incentives he has put in place to encourage vacant properties across the State to be brought back into use; if he is satisfied with the progress being made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24386/24]

Housing Provision

Joe Flaherty

80. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes currently in construction nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24315/24]

Vacant Properties

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the recommendations outlined in a recent report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23626/24]

Vacant Properties

Brian Stanley

89. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of grants under the vacant and derelict homes scheme that were approved in the State in the first quarter of this year; the number that were in Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23748/24]

Housing Provision

James Lawless

91. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his assessment of the prospects for housing delivery nationally in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24318/24]

Housing Provision

James Lawless

93. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of planning permissions granted for new homes in 2023; how this compares to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24319/24]

Housing Provision

Willie O'Dea

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the daily average number of homes that are commencing construction to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24316/24]

Vacant Properties

Brendan Griffin

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

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [21327/24]

Cabinet Committees

Aindrias Moynihan

2. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22344/24]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22348/24]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

4. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22349/24]