Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for all sittings
Page 5 of 41
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
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Education Policy
Brendan Howlin
1811. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out how he intends to differentiate between community education facilitators working directly in the area of community education, and other employees of education and training boards who have the title of community education facilitator but work in other areas of further education and training, having regard to Government strategy for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16734/23]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
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Education Policy
Brendan Howlin
1812. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out in tabular form, the number of employees of education and training boards working directly in the area of community education; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator who work in areas outside of community education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16735/23]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
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Education Policy
Brendan Howlin
1813. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the process he plans to undertake in the grade realignment of community education facilitators employed by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/23]
Thu, 30 Mar 2023
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Health Services Staff
Brendan Howlin
340. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the issue that has arisen in relation to healthcare assistants who came to Ireland from abroad to work in nursing homes and in hospitals who have nursing level 7 or level 8 qualifications and who are now being told that the HSE will require them to hold a level 5 qualification despite the fact that they already hold the higher level standard; if he will ensure that such persons, who are a valuable part of Ireland's healthcare support system, are not required to repeat a level of qualification below that which they already have obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/23]
Tue, 28 Mar 2023
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School Accommodation
Brendan Howlin
374. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education when final sanction will be issued to a school (details supplied) to build an additional urgently needed classroom for which all documentation has been submitted to her Department, a builder on standby to commence work and full permissions from planners received; if she accepts that any delay in providing this vital classroom will have a significant impact on the school’s ability to function in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14681/23]
Tue, 28 Mar 2023
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State Pensions
Brendan Howlin
456. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the State pension entitlement of a person (details supplied) on a total contribution approach, having regard to all their paid and credited contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15048/23]
Tue, 28 Mar 2023
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Third Level Education
Brendan Howlin
543. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that funding under the mitigation against educational disadvantage fund will be made available this year for an important social project (details supplied); if he accepts that this project provides a valuable sports outlet and training for leaders and instructors to be self-sustaining over a period of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14702/23]
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
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Naval Service
Brendan Howlin
12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the recently purchased naval vessels from New Zealand will commence operation; the progress to date in obtaining a replacement flagship vessel for the L.E. Éithne; his view on the optimum number of naval vessels and naval personnel and his plans to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13682/23]
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
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Air Corps
Brendan Howlin
21. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of functioning aircraft currently in service with the Air Corps; when additional aircraft will arrive and begin service here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/23]
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
37. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total military provided accommodation available at present for Defence Forces personnel; the plans he has to extend this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/23]
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
43. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to ensure the Defence Forces conform with the working time directive as per the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13684/23]
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
46. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any plans to review the triple lock process for authorising Irish military participation in overseas deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Foreign Conflicts
Brendan Howlin
72. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the approach he is taking to the actions of the new Israeli Government on its ongoing efforts to destroy a two-state solution; the specific actions, including sanctions, that will be taken against Israel for the recognition of, and development of, new illegal settlements; the measures if any, that will be proposed to halt the lethal escalation of violence in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Disaster Response
Brendan Howlin
92. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the assistance provided to Turkey and Syria following the recent earthquake; the amount of aid that has been disbursed; the plans for further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Passport Services
Brendan Howlin
100. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he has put in place to ensure there are no delays to the issuing of passports this summer; the number of applications that are on hand at present; the current processing time for a passport application for an adult and for a child, respectively; the number of passports that have been issued in each month of the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13613/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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European Union
Brendan Howlin
113. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with the government of Moldova; if any assistance has been offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Northern Ireland
Brendan Howlin
115. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his most recent engagements with the UK Government on its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill following the recent decision adopted by the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13614/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Ukraine War
Brendan Howlin
122. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of bilateral aid provided to Ukraine in 2022; the amount committed to in 2023; the additional supports or funds Ireland has made available this year; if he has sought an increase in assistance above the current allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Environmental Policy
Brendan Howlin
192. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the current waiting times for applications to SEAI (details supplied); his plans to shorten the waiting time for applicants to SEAI for these urgent environmental works; the resources he will provide to SEAI to expedite these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13314/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Rental Sector
Brendan Howlin
327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the application of the rental tax credit, to ensure that the children of a property owner who are registered tenants in the property with the RTB paying a market rent, can avail of this credit on the same basis as any other renter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13140/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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School Transport
Brendan Howlin
729. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) who was denied a place on the school bus to their secondary school in 2022 although they availed of this bus for the previous three years, is provided with transport in the coming school year, which is their only means of getting to school; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13323/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Disability Services
Brendan Howlin
946. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be put in place for CHO5; if funding has been allocated in 2023 to provide this service; when recruitment for this team will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Disability Services
Brendan Howlin
970. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a liaison public health nurse, LPHN, for the children's disability network team in Wexford will be provided; if he is aware that in the absence of this post, the home support resource manager is unable to provide home support workers for people in urgent need of this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13503/23]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Hospital Facilities
Brendan Howlin
1359. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health given the urgent need to fast track the re-build and restoration of Wexford General Hospital, and ensure that vital services are restored there as soon as possible, if he will use the powers available to him under Section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to remove the necessity to go through a planning process in the reconstruction of the damaged building and the provision of temporary or modular facilities, and to commence the building of the planned 96-bed unit at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13142/23]
Thu, 9 Mar 2023
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Naturalisation Applications
Brendan Howlin
302. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No.462 of 14 November 2022 concerning a person (details supplied); if the application has been processed yet; if he will set out the expected timeframe for the completion of the consideration of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/23]
Tue, 7 Mar 2023
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Passport Services
Brendan Howlin
331. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11462/23]
Thu, 23 Feb 2023
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EU Regulations
Brendan Howlin
82. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has concerns regarding the negative impact on Ireland of the relaxation of EU State aid rules which has seen France and Germany account for 77% of the €672 million EU-approved programmes since 22 March 2022 following the Franco German Leaders’ meeting in Paris; the discussions he has had with other EU partners on this potential competitive distortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4005/23]
Thu, 16 Feb 2023
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Covid-19 Pandemic
Brendan Howlin
369. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the criteria used to determine eligibility for the pandemic bonus payment for frontline workers in community disability support centres who worked during the pandemic, in particular if he will set out the criteria used to determine eligibility at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/23]
Thu, 16 Feb 2023
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Hospital Waiting Lists
Brendan Howlin
373. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the waiting times and the number on the waiting list in each public hospital to be seen by a consultant dermatologist; the list of hospitals that use outsourced private dermatology services for both diagnosis and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7807/23]
Tue, 14 Feb 2023
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Health Services
Brendan Howlin
544. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange to have a mammogram provided for a person (details supplied) who was first called for a mammogram in November 2019, and due to Covid delays, has still not received this test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6494/23]
Tue, 14 Feb 2023
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Medicinal Products
Brendan Howlin
613. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 7 July 2022, if he will provide an update on the results of the deliberation of the HSE of the medicines management programme assessment for the use of the medication, following the reply received from the HSE in relation to the provision of affordable cariban medication for women suffering from hyperemesis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6644/23]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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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]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
25. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has met or is intending to meet with a group (details supplied) since assuming office as Minister. [5153/23]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
42. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific additional equipment for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps that he expects to acquire during 2023; the capital allocated to these acquisitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5152/23]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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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]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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Defence Forces
Brendan Howlin
65. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress to date in the implementation of the Working Time Directive in the Defence Forces; if he intends to apply the Directive to the Defence Forces in the same way as it is applied to An Garda Síochána, the Prison Service and other public sector organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5154/23]
Thu, 2 Feb 2023
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Departmental Properties
Brendan Howlin
72. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to bring the derelict houses in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, back into the State housing stock and make them available once again for service members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/23]
Wed, 1 Feb 2023
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International Protection
Brendan Howlin
119. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has been contacted by other Departments to assist in the housing or placement of refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5165/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Middle East
Brendan Howlin
118. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he has taken to date to sanction the Iranian authorities responsible for the brutal suppression of peaceful protest; his views on whether the Iran Revolutionary Guard should be listed as a terrorist entity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4001/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Human Rights
Brendan Howlin
123. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current situation in relation to an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Iran since October 2022; his efforts to secure their release including his contact with the Iranian Foreign Minister and the Ambassador of Iran in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4002/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Brexit Issues
Brendan Howlin
127. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current state of negotiation between the EU and the UK on finding an agreed settlement on the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Disaster Response
Brendan Howlin
141. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the support by way of money, food, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief that Ireland has sent to Somalia and other drought-impacted nations in the Horn of Africa enduring mass starvation; the plans the European Union and other international organisations have to bring relief to the millions of persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4003/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Nursing Homes
Brendan Howlin
601. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the level of consultation with private nursing homes to determine the ratio, in relation to statements made by his Department concerning dependency levels within private nursing homes; if he will set out the average cost per resident in HSE-operated nursing homes for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/23]
Tue, 31 Jan 2023
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Nursing Homes
Brendan Howlin
602. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by private nursing home operators at the recruitment by the HSE of trained staff from their sector who have been recruited by private nursing homes from abroad and have had their visas and travel arrangements processed at a considerable cost to the private nursing homes concerned; the steps he has taken to ensure that attractive terms and conditions are available for nurses and care workers in both the private and public sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3994/23]
Tue, 24 Jan 2023
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School Textbooks
Brendan Howlin
365. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date on the roll-out of her Department’s programme for free primary school books; the engagement she has had to date with the education partners and other stake holders regarding this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3233/23]
Tue, 24 Jan 2023
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Public Sector Pay
Brendan Howlin
381. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the pay claim submitted on behalf of community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3228/23]
Tue, 24 Jan 2023
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Disability Services
Brendan Howlin
611. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the full authorised staffing numbers and positions for County Wexford’s children’s disability network team; the staff positions currently vacant; the efforts being made to fill these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3237/23]
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
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Work Permits
Brendan Howlin
14. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63349/22]
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
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Tax Credits
Brendan Howlin
388. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the new rent relief scheme for parents who are paying their children’s rent while studying at third level, if he will extend the scheme to cover parents of students who are paying for ‘digs’-type accommodation or ‘rent a room’ accommodation; if he will ensure that the parents of students studying in the EU and UK whose course fees are eligible for tax relief will also be entitled to tax relief for accommodation paid for these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2407/23]
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
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Diplomatic Representation
Brendan Howlin
605. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will propose a similar agreement to the proposal by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister to the US Government to agree a maximum number of representatives in each of their respective diplomatic missions in order to fix the maximum number of Russian diplomats in Dublin equal to the number of Irish diplomats in Moscow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63534/22]