Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committees

Rose Conway-Walsh

9. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6947/23]

Urban Development

Mary Lou McDonald

10. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department in the north east inner city initiative. [4086/23]

Urban Development

Ivana Bacik

11. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the role of his Department in the north east inner city initiative. [5720/23]

Urban Development

Gary Gannon

12. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the north east inner city task force. [5887/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [4417/23]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [4420/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [5721/23]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

16. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [5783/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All quarter 4 2022 progress report will be published. [5646/23]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

18. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6028/23]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

19. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [6736/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

20. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6863/23]

Cabinet Committees

Paul McAuliffe

21. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6886/23]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

22. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6887/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

23. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6919/23]

Cabinet Committees

Rose Conway-Walsh

24. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 4 2022 will be published. [6948/23]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

25. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [7239/23]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

53. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the second stage of the assessment process for increased veterinary provision, including details on the selection criteria, expert panel and ensuring international standards; the number of additional veterinary places that will be delivered and whether this will meet the current needs of the sector; when the first places will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6962/23]

Third Level Fees

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

54. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason students who have previously sat a year in a different course were excluded from the €1,000 discount on third levels fees when they are subject to the same cost of living pressures as everyone else. [7502/23]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

55. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on student accommodation projects at advanced stages of planning that remain undeveloped due to a lack of agreement on Government support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6963/23]

Technological Universities

Thomas Pringle

56. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way he envisages the Killybegs Tourism College developing as a campus of the Atlantic Technological University, if he has any discussions with the Atlantic Technological University around same, if he has received funding applications in relation to the further development of the campus and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7272/23]

Grant Payments

Mattie McGrath

57. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to allow students in receipt of Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants to earn income for weekend work without impacting their eligibility for these grants. [6964/23]

Third Level Staff

Gary Gannon

58. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the process by which chairs of the review into PhD conditions were selected; and to provide details of the remuneration awarded to chairs. [6933/23]

Veterinary Services

Matt Carthy

60. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to ensure adequate capacity within higher education institutions for students wishing to study veterinary medicine. [6868/23]

Student Accommodation

Alan Dillon

61. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in working with higher education institutions to ensure that more accommodation is built on and off campus, as set down in the programme for Government, through the use of cost-rental and other models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6916/23]

Third Level Costs

David Stanton

62. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans, if any, to make changes to the SUSI grant eligibility criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6899/23]

Student Accommodation

Martin Browne

63. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on student accommodation projects at advanced stages of planning that remain undeveloped due to a lack of agreement on Government support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6950/23]

Departmental Properties

Robert Troy

65. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position with regard to the electric vehicle, EV, centre of excellence at Columb Barracks, Mullingar. [6613/23]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 1 December 2022, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the development of the preliminary business case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6945/23]

Scientific Research

Rose Conway-Walsh

71. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the submission to the Government on associate membership of CERN being prepared by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6961/23]

Community Welfare Services

Claire Kerrane

1. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the processing of additional needs’ payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6031/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Sherlock

2. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if income disregards could be reviewed for the purposes of assessment of means for carer’s allowance, with a view to ensuring that the income of a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant where they work overtime, would not disbar an applicant for eligibility for the carer's allowance. [5993/23]

Social Welfare Code

Claire Kerrane

3. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations made by the child maintenance review group, including the removal of child maintenance as household means for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6032/23]

Child Poverty

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the steps she intends to take to eradicate child poverty. [6395/23]

Community Welfare Services

Paul Murphy

5. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to ensure that community welfare officers are readily accessible to all who need them, and that additional needs’ payments are processed promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6337/23]

Social Welfare Offices

Pauline Tully

6. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail the usage of the mobile unit to visit the homes of those who cannot attend the Intreo office, by county from 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the action she has taken to make persons aware of the mobile unit and home service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5945/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Paul Murphy

7. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the length of time it is taking in different areas to process additional needs payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Pauline Tully

8. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports she has put in place to deal with the consistent delays in processing applications for additional needs payments; the actions she has taken to ensure persons who require the payment to pay for a deposit or first month’s rent are not missing out on possible house rentals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5944/23]

State Pensions

Claire Kerrane

9. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a State pension solution for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6036/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Sherlock

11. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications received in 2022 for disability allowance, domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance; the number that were awarded; and the number of applications under appeal, in tabular form. [5997/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Claire Kerrane

12. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on engagement from her Department with community employment supervisors regarding their employment-related concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6038/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bríd Smith

13. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the total allocation of extra funding to community welfare officers to deal with applicants for additional needs' payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6073/23]

Childcare Services

Kathleen Funchion

60. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to change the legal status of childminders, which would make possible the future regulation of childminders and allow for access to the national childcare scheme to be opened in future to parents who use registered childminders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6393/23]

Disability Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

61. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the changes he plans to implement in order to improve and to fulfil the rights of children and adults with disabilities, specifically in respect of access to assessment of need, AON, tests and required services come 1 March 2023, when the remit will transfer to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/23]

Ukraine War

Pauline Tully

62. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the modular units for Ukrainian families fleeing the war in their country, including a timeframe for the completion and allocation of those units in County Cavan; if he will provide details of the additional resources and supports being put in place in Cavan in advance of, and in conjunction with, the allocation of those units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6427/23]

Ukraine War

Danny Healy-Rae

63. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the alternative accommodation that he has in mind for Ukrainian refugees in Killarney and Kerry, given that the tourist season is beckoning. [6338/23]

Childcare Services

Brian Leddin

64. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract to date; the number of services that have entered a core funding agreement that have ceased operations since the scheme began in September 2022; the number of those that cited financial sustainability issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6034/23]

Housing Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

65. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans his Department has to deal with the shortfall of accommodation for refugees; if his Department has planned for an increase in the number of rest centres for refugees coming to Ireland where they can stay temporarily before being moved to alternative accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6054/23]

International Protection

Cathal Crowe

66. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on new accommodation being procured in County Clare to cater for those entering Ireland seeking international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/23]

Housing Provision

Bríd Smith

67. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions he is taking to ensure that adequate accommodation is available for refugees arriving in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6070/23]

Child Protection

Bernard Durkan

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate support exists for all children insofar as is possible who might be subjected to a threat from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6130/23]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Pa Daly

69. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the roles and responsibilities of the newly appointed Minister of State with special responsibility for integration and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5815/23]

Childcare Services

Richard Bruton

70. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the latest level of take-up of the core funding model for childcare for childcare providers; if any need to adapt the existing suite of supports has been identified for providers that have sought additional transitional support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6098/23]

Housing Provision

Ruairí Ó Murchú

78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline any proposals that his Department has in relation to dealing with accommodating international and temporary protection applicants in the coming quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/23]

International Protection

Violet-Anne Wynne

102. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will proceed with plans to convert a vacant unit (details supplied) into emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5664/23]

Gender Equality

Bríd Smith

1. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the gender pay gap report from his Department. [4421/23]

Gender Equality

Mary Lou McDonald

2. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the gender pay gap report from his Department. [5645/23]

Gender Equality

Mick Barry

3. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the gender pay gap report from his Department. [5795/23]

Gender Equality

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach to report on the gender pay gap report from his Department. [5889/23]

Programme for Government

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government [3405/23]

Programme for Government

Paul Murphy

6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [3410/23]

Programme for Government

Bríd Smith

7. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [3412/23]

Programme for Government

Cian O'Callaghan

8. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [4445/23]

Programme for Government

Mary Lou McDonald

9. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [4089/23]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [4377/23]

Programme for Government

Peadar Tóibín

11. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [4788/23]

Programme for Government

Jim O'Callaghan

12. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [4696/23]

Programme for Government

Mick Barry

13. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [5796/23]

Programme for Government

Peadar Tóibín

14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [5798/23]

Programme for Government

Cormac Devlin

15. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the programme for Government. [5853/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [3406/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Cian O'Callaghan

17. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [4446/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Ivana Bacik

18. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council [4378/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Paul Murphy

19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [4428/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Mary Lou McDonald

20. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [5644/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Peadar Tóibín

21. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [5797/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Brendan Smith

22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [5799/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Cathal Crowe

23. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [5873/23]

Defence Forces

John Brady

1. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made towards implementing the working time directive for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5155/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to address recent reports that two further ships are to be taken out of service due to the lack of sailors to man the vessels; the progress made to date on measures to retain members in the Permanent Defence Force; the overall strength of the PDF in each of the past six months; when he expects the authorised strength level to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5149/23]

Defence Forces

John Brady

3. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made in the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5156/23]

Military Neutrality

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views and those of the Government on, “the triple lock”; and if he has any intention to change the current regime to a situation where the Government would have more flexibility to act militarily abroad. [5162/23]

Defence Forces

Sorca Clarke

5. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update regarding the independent review group into the allegations made by a group (details supplied). [4773/23]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

8. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of new recruits to the Defence Forces; and the number of discharges in each of the years 2018 to 2022, inclusive. [4694/23]

Defence Forces

Denis Naughten

9. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the future plans for Custume Barracks, Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2033/23]

Defence Forces

John Brady

10. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s response to the change in practice where the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will no longer allow his Department to retain budget savings arising from the shortfall in the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/23]

EU Meetings

Gino Kenny

11. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has had engagement with his counterparts in the European Union; if he will report on those engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5168/23]

Defence Forces

Paul Kehoe

13. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the strength of the Naval Service, Army and Air Corps in each of the years from 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5021/23]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

14. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the priorities for 2023 with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/23]

Air Corps

Cathal Crowe

15. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans that are in place regarding the Government jet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4738/23]

Defence Forces

Cathal Crowe

22. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the initiatives he will be taking in relation to recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4739/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the review by his Department and the Defence Forces of the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5145/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

59. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position on the appointment of an independent chair for the oversight committee for the implementation of the Report of the Commission on Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5151/23]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent of progress in recent months in implementing the reforms in the Defence Forces identified in a recent report with particular reference to all of the major recommendations, including on recruitment, pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5171/23]

School Accommodation

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

77. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she and her Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, have identified the number of places in special schools and special classes that will be required next September; if so, the number; and the number of places above and beyond what is currently available that will be required; and if all named parties are now beginning to analyse where it may be necessary to make use of legislation to compel schools rather than waiting until late spring. [5252/23]

School Transport

Seán Canney

78. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education when the review of school transport will be completed; the plans that she has in place for the delivery of school transport in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2873/23]

School Textbooks

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

79. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if free schoolbooks will be available to primary schools in September; if so, when the payment schedule will issue to schools; and if she will outline the discussions she has had with booksellers and publishers. [5253/23]

Schools Building Projects

Carol Nolan

80. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a timeline for the completion of works on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5402/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Joan Collins

81. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education if her Department has completed its review from the 63 schools that piloted filling out the education component of the assessment of need; if it is the intention of her Department to roll out this process beyond the pilot scheme; if so, when; and if a school (details supplied) was included in the pilot scheme. [5479/23]

School Enrolments

Brian Leddin

82. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education if she will outline plans for new primary and secondary school developments in Limerick city in order to support the steep population growth targeted for the city under the national planning framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5225/23]