Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered any options to improve the speed with which applications for disability allowance or similar means-tested payments are processed thus eliminating hardship for people who may be vulnerable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18337/24]

Pension Provisions

Bernard Durkan

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who have been refused insurance-based private pensions on the basis of insufficiency of contributions over their working lives or part thereof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18338/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts are being made to manage grasslands and tillage lands, given the sharp increase in rainfall; if consideration will be given to adequate drainage as opposed to allowing widespread flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18340/24]

Food Industry

Bernard Durkan

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent, if any, to which he has noticed an increased level of dairy produce into this country notwithstanding the fact that we still continue to export more than is produced here; if any reason is given as to why there should be a diminution of dairy produce displayed in supermarkets here; if consideration is being given to where this might end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18339/24]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance to indicate the correct tax-free allowances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18705/24]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which any banking regulation currently applies or should apply to mortgage and finance companies offering mortgages and who then sell the mortgages on to third parties without the consultation of the mortgagee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18706/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18683/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18686/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a case will be urgently reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18687/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a PPS number might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18699/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a one-parent family payment or other allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18700/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18702/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved in recent times to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18707/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the return of the funeral bereavement grant may be envisaged other than by way of an exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18708/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the extent of any recent progress in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18709/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of appeals currently in hand in respect of means-tested social welfare payments and non-means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18710/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to examine the situation whereby women who left full-time employment to care for a relative or family member and returned to the workforce with insufficient time to enable them to make the necessary contributions can meet the necessary contributions to qualify for a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18711/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for a decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18712/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for determination of appeals has been shortened; the average length of time for processing appeals at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18713/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of pension applications for contributory-related State pension received in each of the past five years to date; the number granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18714/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which her Department has in place an appropriate method for determination of eligibility for domiciliary care allowance, given the number of children who are now deemed eligible on the basis of special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18715/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which she and her office continue to ensure the making of a basic payment to applicants of social welfare payments while the primary application is being processed in order to alleviate hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18716/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in relation to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18685/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the process to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18689/24]

Family Law Cases

Bernard Durkan

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce the necessary changes to Irish family law to prevent the use of parental alienation pursuant to the appropriate provisions of family and child law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18692/24]

Family Law Cases

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her proposed timescale for the introduction of legislation to discontinue the use of parental alienation in Irish family law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18693/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which it might be possible to update a stamp 3 status to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18694/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which it might be possible to upgrade a stamp 3 residency status to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18695/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate in the case of a person (details supplied) whether she can update and upgrade their residency status to stamp 4 given that they are both legally employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18696/24]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when residency status can be updated and rectified in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18697/24]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if and when appropriate residency status might be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18698/24]

Beef Sector

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of the beef herd at present; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/24]

Tillage Sector

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which cereal growing continues to be attractive in Ireland; if its viability is coming under pressure from other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18718/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor production costs in the poultry sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure a stable cost base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18719/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to monitor and safeguard the interest of the agrifood sector given the sharp increase in price of inputs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18720/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts continue to maximise the reduction of carbon emissions in the agrifood sector without reducing production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts ongoing by his Department to address issues relating to farmer mental health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/24]

Agriculture Supports

Bernard Durkan

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the beneficial effect to the small- and medium-sized farming community of recent supportive measures; the impact on individual farmers under 50 acres and between 50 and 100 acres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/24]

Departmental Data

Bernard Durkan

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment has fluctuated in the agri-food and fishing sectors in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/24]

Fishing Industry

Bernard Durkan

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the viability of the fishing industry for the benefit of families dependent on the industry; the extent to which further action is required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/24]

Animal Diseases

Bernard Durkan

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, continue to be eliminated in a meaningful way; the extent to which any breakdowns have occurred by region; the efforts being made to identify the causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/24]

Forestry Sector

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it is expected to reach published targets on forestry; when the plan commenced; when it is expected to achieve the proposed targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/24]

Farm Costs

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the costs of farm inputs, including fuel and fertilisers, with a view to identifying the best way to meet the challenges of issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18728/24]

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which imported dairy products appear to be replacing Irish dairy items in shops and supermarkets; whether this is indicative of a phasing out of the dairy sector in this country, which would have a disastrous effect on the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/24]

Beef Sector

Bernard Durkan

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the beef industry here is being phased out or scaled down to accommodate importation of similar products from overseas who do not have to comply or are willing to comply with climate change reduction measures; the anticipated extent of the effects this is likely to have on the agricultural economy in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department are aware of the likely damage to the tillage sector in allowing or encouraging flooding or rewetting of the countryside which is likely to lead to a national food shortage in the not too distant future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18731/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

345. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a medical card review application can be urgently reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

346. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the over-70s full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18688/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18690/24]

Home Help Service

Bernard Durkan

348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if home support might be made available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18691/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18703/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a full medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18704/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when illness benefit or other suitable illness payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18177/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18187/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

24. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she continues to provide adequate resources to enable An Garda Síochána to adequately police organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17776/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

34. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which provision is being made whereby the throughput of gardaí from Templemore is being increased to meet current and expanding needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17775/24]

National Development Plan

Bernard Durkan

60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which issues are being considered which are most likely to have an impact on improving delivery on the national development plan, with particular reference to specific infrastructure which is now or is likely to become in the near future critical to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15401/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to identify best practice in respect of public expenditure and reform, having regard to prevailing economic trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15402/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that good practice in terms of public expenditure and reform remains in place and capable of dealing with possible overruns throughout the public sector throughout the course of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18065/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he expects further reform to play a meaningful role in ensuring prudent expenditure and good value for money in the course of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18066/24]

Public Sector Staff

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the expectation in respect of future recruitment throughout the public sector in 2024 and thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18067/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to liaise with all Departments, with a view to preventing potential expenditure overruns or making adequate provisions in the event of unforeseen circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18068/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; the new initiatives, if any, proposed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18069/24]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that policies of his Department continue to reflect well on economic performance, with particular reference to competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18070/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to meet targets in public expenditure and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18071/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the degree to which he remains satisfied that each Department continues to effectively operate best practice in the context of public expenditure and reform, with a view to ensuring long-lasting benefits for the persons and the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18072/24]

Project Ireland 2040

Bernard Durkan

244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date in respect of the delivery of various projects set out in Project Ireland 2040; the extent to which the projects are being delivered on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18073/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his preferred options to meet ongoing social and economic requirements in the context of current and capital expenditure, in line with prudent management but placing sufficient emphasis on important structures such as social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18074/24]

School Admissions

Bernard Durkan

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if and when a school place in the local Gaelscoil can be accommodated in the case of a child (details supplied) whose parents wish to have them educated through Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17433/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of the review for DCA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17430/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer’s allowance will be urgently restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17523/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal (details supplied); when a final determination is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17529/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any interim payment is available in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a HSE worker who contracted Covid on the frontline during the pandemic but has suffered with ill health ever since and currently has no income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17975/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

433. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); if this application can be expedited, given the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17444/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed to regularise their status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17931/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for applications for citizenship/naturalisation; the extent to which plans are in hand to improve processing times for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18053/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of women currently serving in An Garda Síochána; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated in the past eight years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18054/24]

Judicial Appointments

Bernard Durkan

465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which adequate judges are being appointed to the various courts in order to minimise delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18055/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which gardaí injured in the course of their duties are being compensated or are in the course thereof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18056/24]

Child Abuse

Bernard Durkan

467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she proposes to strengthen the law in regard to child sexual abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18057/24]

Gangland Crime

Bernard Durkan

468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which tackling gangland drug activity continues to be a priority item, with specific intentions with particular reference to our capital city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18058/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current total strength of An Garda Síochána, by gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18059/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which the number of persons awaiting naturalisation is being addressed, with particular reference to those in this jurisdiction for more than five years and anxious to obtain employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18060/24]

Prison Service

Bernard Durkan

471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which educational and rehabilitation facilities remain available in all the prisons throughout the country; the extent to which first-time offenders have access to such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18061/24]

An Garda Síochána

Bernard Durkan

472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which cold cases continue to be under observation and investigation; the extent to which modern forensics are likely to be of help to such cases; the plans, if any, to allocate any additional funding to this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18062/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bernard Durkan

674. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health whether any interim payment is available in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a HSE worker who contracted Covid on the frontline during the pandemic but has suffered with ill health ever since and currently has no income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17974/24]

Sports Funding

Bernard Durkan

7. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when an announcement in respect of financial assistance for sporting organisations is anticipated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16936/24]

Tourism Policy

Bernard Durkan

19. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any further measures are anticipated to assist the tourism sector in advance of the summer season and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16935/24]

Consumer Prices

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the causes of inflation, both internal and external, and their effects on business, trade and enterprise; the efforts to date in identifying the causes of possible remedies, with particular reference to remedial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16934/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he continues to remain satisfied that any threats to enterprise, trade and employment continue to be adequately monitored in order to ensure provision is made, insofar as is possible, for both foreseen and unforeseen eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16933/24]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor difficulties experienced by Irish exporters arising from Brexit; the measures in place or proposed in respect of these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17287/24]

Bus Services

Bernard Durkan

148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if a bus service from Leixlip to Blanchardstown hospital can be facilitated or incorporated into current routes to facilitate elderly people from this area getting to and from medical appointments, who cannot always drive and may experience mobility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17271/24]

Business Supports

Bernard Durkan

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he is aware of difficulties experienced by various sectors in the economy to obtain the necessary levels of staff; whether he has in mind specific action to address this issue, sector by sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17283/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which he has received communications from employers throughout the country who are experiencing difficulty in recruiting staff; if he is aware of the need for the expeditious process of work permit applications or the use of other methods in order to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17284/24]

Construction Industry

Bernard Durkan

167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he expects to meet any staff shortages in the construction sector, with particular reference to the need to meet such deficiencies in full in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17285/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit-related visa applications currently awaiting process, with particular reference to various aspects of the economy particularly affected by staff shortages; the means by which he expects to address this issue in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17286/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor each trade and industry, with a view to addressing any issues arising; whether he remains satisfied that adequate steps can be taken to address such issues in the short and medium term in a meaningful way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17288/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which investment in employment-creating sectors continues; if he is satisfied that industry can look to the future with optimism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17289/24]

Diaspora Issues

Bernard Durkan

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which Irish people overseas can be encouraged to return in order to meet staff vacancies throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17290/24]