Parliamentary questions

Departmental Funding

Catherine Connolly

101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 18 April 2024, the status of the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to date in 2024; the breakdown of the funds drawn down to date that have been allocated; the amount allocated via open calls for funding applications to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/24]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 645 of 9 April 2024, the status of the development of the new rural housing guidelines; the timeline for the publication of the guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24261/24]

Paternity Leave

Catherine Connolly

126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending paternity leave by two weeks. [24135/24]

Parental Leave

Catherine Connolly

127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending parental leave by two weeks. [24136/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of a €1 increase in each of the social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes, other weekly schemes and other schemes payments, in tabular form (details supplied). [24152/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Catherine Connolly

129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of making the fuel allowance available for 32, 40 and 52 weeks per annum. [24153/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Catherine Connolly

130. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reinstating the bereavement grant at a rate of €850. [24154/24]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a comprehensive newborn screening programme, which would ensure that all babies born in Ireland are screened for the European average of 18 conditions at a minimum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/24]

School Enrolments

Catherine Connolly

58. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 16 April 2024, the status of her Department's engagement with schools in the Galway City School Planning Area with a view to providing additional first year secondary school places, in light of the ongoing enrolment pressures; her plans to review her Department's legislation and policy around school catchment areas to ensure that all students can attend school in their local area, particularly in light of Ireland's climate action obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23692/24]

Pleananna Oideachais

Catherine Connolly

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais de thoradh Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 102 den 16 Aibreán 2024, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an bplean chun beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, idir leibhéal an oideachais réamhscoile agus leibhéal an oideachais do mhúinteoirí, a fhorbairt agus a fhoilsiú; cathain a fhoilseofar an beartas nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23691/24]

Military Neutrality

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can confirm Ireland's signature of a letter reported in the Austrian press (details supplied); if he will publish the text of this letter; if the details reported reflect the official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/24]

Gaeltacht Policy

Catherine Connolly

214. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 16 April 2024, her plans to develop a new policy on Gaeltacht education, to follow on from the 2017-2022 policy that was extended to the end of the 2023/2024 school year; the status of the research and evaluation study currently being undertaken by the Educational Research Centre to assess the impact and effectiveness of the Gaeltacht school recognition scheme in order to inform future policy and practice in schools; if the ERC will produce a final report of the study; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23690/24]

Assisted Decision-Making

Catherine Connolly

373. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is intended to provide information to the general public on the assisted decision-making legislation, in line with the State commitment to a clear and transparent process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23700/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Catherine Connolly

405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the steps being taken to expedite the preliminary team assessments (following the High Court judgment in March 2022 which found that these comprehensive assessments carried out since January 2020 did not meet the requirements of the Disability Act 2005; the measures in place to ensure that families who have been waiting for extended periods receive the necessary support and services in a timely manner; the steps being taken to address the resource constraints and staff vacancies that are exacerbating these delays (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23850/24]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 27 February 2024, for an update on the plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23053/24]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 27 February 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the review by SOLAS and his Department of the project proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23052/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 18 April 2024, the number of dual-use export licence applications in respect of end-users in Israel approved by his Department since 7 October 2023; the value of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23073/24]

Trade Data

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 18 April 2024, the total value of Ireland’s imports from Israel since 7 October 2023; the total value of Ireland’s exports to Israel since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23075/24]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 18 April 2024, for an update on plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupation list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23074/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway City Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the number of applications received for the cost of business support grant in Galway County Council, the number granted and the cost of same; the timeline for when all successful applicants will receive the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/24]

Business Supports

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 18 April 2024, the status of his Department’s decarbonisation Roadmaps for Ireland’s manufacturing industry and for Ireland’s commercial built environment; the timeline for publication of the two roadmaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23076/24]

Employment Rights

Catherine Connolly

170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of plans to bring forward a new Employment Regulation Order for security officers in 2024, in light of the ongoing low wages for these workers; if he has received a proposal from the Labour Court in relation to a new ERO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23325/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, if the review of the model of care for eating disorders planned during 2024 will examine the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders per year, given that the number of first time hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2022 was the highest since 2006; if the review of bed capacity already carried out took into account the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders, or if it focused solely on mental health facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, the status of the review of the model of care for eating disorders; the timeline for the completion of the review; the details of who is carrying out the review; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/24]

Departmental Priorities

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 18 April 2024, for an update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; his plans for independent oversight of the implementation of the new action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/24]

National Treasury Management Agency

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance to provide details of his engagement with the NTMA with regard to ensuring that the NTMA divest from all ISIF global portfolio investments in companies on the UN Human Rights Council database of business enterprises; the expected timeline for this divestment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 40 of 10 April 2024, the status of his Department's work to develop a new scheme to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme as recommended by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group; the details of the note submitted by his Department to the senior officials group in January 2024 outlining a proposal for a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/24]

Tax Reliefs

Catherine Connolly

118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 10 April 2024, his plans for the phasing out of the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22680/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of, and supports, Ireland's signature of a statement (details supplied); if the position outlined in same is reflective of official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/24]

International Agreements

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to detail the legal provisions in place to ensure the State is in compliance with Article 3(8) of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters; and if he would make a statement on the issue. [22672/24]

Tax Exemptions

Catherine Connolly

210. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to remove sun cream factor 50 from VAT, in order to encourage people to use it in the context of the growth in skin cancer in the country and the important preventative role sun cream can play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22445/24]

EU Directives

Catherine Connolly

218. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the details of his engagement at EU level with regard to revising the EU energy tax directive to require the aviation industry to pay excise duty and carbon tax on jet fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Catherine Connolly

312. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the procurement process undertaken to appoint an organisation (details supplied) to provide independent advocacy services to assist individual survivors of residential institutional abuse; if no procurement process was undertaken, the reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22847/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Catherine Connolly

313. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the resources allocated to a company to provide independent advocacy services to assist individual survivors of residential institutional abuse (details supplied); the duration of the contract; the number of additional staff to be employed by the company and the areas to which they will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22851/24]

Legislative Process

Catherine Connolly

355. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the marine protected areas Bill 2022; the timeline for publication of the Bill, which was promised by quarter 1 of 2024; the reason for the delay in publication; the expected timeline for the Bill's passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22678/24]

International Protection

Catherine Connolly

421. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 7 February 2024, the number of applicants for international protection who have been called for their personal interview under section 35 of the International Protection Act 2015 while awaiting accommodation from IPAS, by month, since the Government announced that it would no longer be able to guarantee accommodation for single male applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22411/24]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if the register of relevant organisations under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 is publicly available; if not, her plans to make it publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22653/24]

Residency Permits

Catherine Connolly

466. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of work on the single permit to both work and live in Ireland; the timeline for the implementation of the single permit; the status of plans to opt into the EU’s Single Permit Directive, and the timeline for same, and the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22936/24]

Brexit Supports

Catherine Connolly

486. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's agri-food sector, the specific projects and costs involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/24]

Animal Feedstuffs

Catherine Connolly

487. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of palm kernel expeller imported into Ireland each year since 2018 to date; the countries from which it was imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

531. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 427 and 428 of 27 February 2024, when the papers of the interdepartmental group will now be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22938/24]

Health Promotion

Catherine Connolly

566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase awareness about the importance of the use of sun cream in combatting skin cancer; the details of any discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Department of Finance regarding what concessions could be made in this area, including a reduction in or exclusion of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22446/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

567. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of each of the eight recommendations in the “Overview Report of HIQA’s Monitoring Programme against the National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Service, with a focus on obstetric emergencies” (2020); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22448/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

568. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22449/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

569. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the funding that was provided to the National Maternity Strategy in each year from 2016 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

570. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the establishment of a clinical audit function for maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22451/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of plans to develop a research strategy for Irish maternity services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22452/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the review by NWIHP of the maternity and infant care scheme, in conjunction with the Primary Care Directorate; the details of any adaptations made or planned on foot of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22453/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

573. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the stakeholder forum to assess the effectiveness of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22454/24]