Parliamentary questions

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

502. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 22 March, the status of her Department's consideration of the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands in its February 2022 response to the Report of the Commission on Pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24629/22]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

503. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of her Department's response and implementation plan for the October 2021 report by the Pensions Commission; when she expects to bring the plan before Cabinet; the Departments or agencies that her Department is consulting with on the development of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24630/22]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

546. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 23 March 2022, the status of the specialist tracing team to identify further cases of illegal birth registrations; the resources allocated thereto; the membership, working methods and objectives of the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/22]

Registration of Births

Catherine Connolly

547. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the inquiry into illegal birth registrations as recommended by a report (details supplied) by the special rapporteur on child protection into illegal adoption practices in the State; the membership of the inquiry; if, as recommended, it will adopt the truth commission model and be informed by principles of transitional justice; the scope and working methods of the inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24378/22]

Coroners Service

Catherine Connolly

581. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the analysis that has been undertaken of the Coroners Amendment Act 2019, in particular of section 24 in which coroners have the power to command documents and evidence; the number of times documentation and evidence has been requested pursuant to section 24 of the Act; if her attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24138/22]

Departmental Programmes

Catherine Connolly

624. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 4 May 2022, the number of residence permissions under Stamp 4 conditions granted in respect of each successful immigrant investor programme application; the nationality of each person granted residence permission; the number of D reside visas granted in respect of each successful immigrant investor programme application; the nationality of each person granted such a visa; the number of successful applications in respect of which no visa was required and the nationality of the applicant in each year since 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24904/22]

Fishing Industry

Catherine Connolly

767. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-expiry fish culture licences granted to date by his Department; the location relating to each licence granted; the date on which each licence was granted, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24616/22]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 457 of 22 March 2022, the status of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; the terms of reference for the review; the details of any monthly reports received by him to date from the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23675/22]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

32. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 458 of 22 March 2022, the terms of reference of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; the details of correspondence that he has received to date from the review group in relation to interim assessments or recommendations addressing issues for immediate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the engagement that she has had to-date in 2022 with school principals and boards of management with regard to the refined DEIS identification model; if there is a mechanism by which a school can register its criticism of the identification model, particularly in cases in which anomalies may occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23674/22]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the July Provision programme which was commenced in 2019 but was paused due to Covid-19; if the review has been recommenced to date; the timeline for the completion of the review; the person or body that is carrying out the review; the terms of reference for the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23673/22]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

316. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the ban on water births will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23907/22]

Historical Conflicts

Catherine Connolly

157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to parliamentary question No. 244 of 24 March 2022, the status of the implementation of the report by the independent review group on Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Catherine Connolly

174. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) in Galway has been overlooked for DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23770/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Catherine Connolly

175. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been brought to the situation facing a school (details supplied) which, since amalgamating with two other schools in the area, has lost its DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23771/22]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

176. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education her plans to make the July Provision Programme mandatory for special schools; the analysis her Department has carried out in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23772/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of schools which had DEIS status for the 2021/2022 year, but which will not have DEIS status for the school year 2022/2023; the analysis her Department has carried out in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23773/22]

Immigration Support Services

Catherine Connolly

210. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants deemed vulnerable since the commencement of the pilot project; the most common vulnerabilities identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23843/22]

Immigration Support Services

Catherine Connolly

211. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who have been invited to undertake a vulnerability assessment since December 2020; the number of persons who have subsequently undergone the substantive assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23844/22]

Immigration Support Services

Catherine Connolly

212. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the vulnerability assessment pilot ended; if the evaluation will involve external stakeholders such as residents and NGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23845/22]

Ukraine War

Catherine Connolly

137. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 24 March 2022, if he will report on his engagement with Russia, either bilaterally or through Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Security Council, to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/22]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

146. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of his Department’s consideration of the recommendations and conclusions from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22871/22]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

152. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach the status of the investigation into the leak of the report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation which was reported on in an article which appeared in a national newspaper on 10 January 2021; the structure of the examination; the terms of reference of the examination; when it commenced; when it is expected to be concluded; the position of the person overseeing the investigation; the number of hours spent on the investigation to date. [22691/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Catherine Connolly

406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 23 March 2022, the status of any bilateral engagement he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia with a view to bringing about an end to the war in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/22]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

659. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23258/22]

Child Protection

Catherine Connolly

660. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of women in prison who have children who are in the care of relatives or family friends through kinship care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23259/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

702. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a multidisciplinary long Covid clinic in each county that would include occupational therapists trained in fatigue management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22706/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Catherine Connolly

703. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll out of dedicated clinics for patients with long Covid; the current waiting list in each clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22707/22]

Mortality Rates

Catherine Connolly

761. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of an investigation team into maternal deaths; the composition of this team; the status of same; the way it will be funded; the oversight by the Houses of the Oireachtas or the public that will be in place with particular reference to whether this will have an impact on undermining inquests into maternal deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23035/22]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

794. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason persons availing of the Northern Ireland Planned Health Care Scheme are now required to supply bank statements proving payment for treatment, in addition to invoices, receipts, discharge letters as required under the Cross Border Directive; the reason this requirement is not outlined on the HSE website; the way in which this is in compliance with the GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23243/22]

Cruinnithe an Aire

Catherine Connolly

22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceisteanna Parlaiminte 10295/22 agus 2836/22, cad é stádas an ghasra oibre; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na téarmaí tagartha; cad é dáta an chéad chruinniú den ghrúpa; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22178/22]

Pleanáil Teanga

Catherine Connolly

24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 15507/22, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le plean teanga Bhearna agus Chnoc na Cathrach atá faofa ag an Aire le tamall fada, agus go háirithe, an ndeimhneoidh sí go bhfuil Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga ceaptha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22180/22]

Oideachas Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán soiléiriú a thabhairt ó thaobh na bpleananna atá beartaithe maidir le coláistí samhraidh i mbliana, agus go háirithe na fadhbanna maidir le lóistín; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22176/22]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

37. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 10318/22, cathain a chríochnófar an tríú gné den obair athbhreithnithe atá idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis na córais agus leis an gcur chuige atá i bhfeidhm ag an Údarás faoi láthair chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus ar na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riaradh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22177/22]

Culture Policy

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 24 February 2022, the details of the legacy framework arising from Galway 2020; the way that the remaining €1 million will be spent under the legacy framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22179/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which identified the ongoing challenges faced by the approved housing body sector in the delivery of its targets in Galway county the details of his plans to address these challenges and a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which highlighted an increase in the number of families and persons presenting for homelessness services in Galway city and county as well as a notable increase in Traveller homelessness, the engagement he or his Department has had in 2022 with Galway City and County Councils with a view to addressing this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Connolly

133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the VAT rates payable in Ireland on books imported to Ireland from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22508/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Connolly

134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the customs duty rates payable in Ireland on books imported to Ireland from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22509/22]

Magdalen Laundries

Catherine Connolly

195. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when all State records on the Magdalen laundries from the McAleese archive will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/22]

Driver Licences

Catherine Connolly

137. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the analysis his Department has carried out into providing for an exemption from the driving licence renewal fees in respect of emergency service personnel who require a group 2 vehicle licence in order to carry out their work particularly in view of the related requirement for a medical examination every five years and the financial costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/22]

Local Authorities

Catherine Connolly

219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 2 March 2022, the status of the review by his Department and the Housing Delivery Coordination Office of the local authority Housing Action Plans; the number of plans yet to be published; for a timeline for the publication of the plan in respect of Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22365/22]

Departmental Data

Catherine Connolly

220. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to commence the reporting of the deaths of homeless persons on a per county basis; the reason this information is not currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/22]

Departmental Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

402. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the inquiry into the conduct and adequacy of the investigations conducted by An Garda Síochána into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/22]

Departmental Programmes

Catherine Connolly

405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of immigrant investor programme applications received, by year, since 2012; the number of successful applications, by year, since 2012; the number of visas granted in respect of each application, by year, since 2012; the value of the investment or donation in respect of each successful application; the details of the enterprise, fund, real estate investment trust and-or registered charity in which each of these investments, donations or endowments were made; the number of visas granted in respect of which no investment, donation or endowment was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22338/22]

Departmental Programmes

Catherine Connolly

406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the criteria applied when assessing applications under the immigrant investor programme; the membership of the evaluation committee that examines the application and enterprise, fund or project in which the applicant wishes to invest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22339/22]

Departmental Programmes

Catherine Connolly

407. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the details of all evaluations or reviews carried out or commissioned by her Department into the immigrant investor programme since 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22340/22]

Departmental Programmes

Catherine Connolly

408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the details of the legislative or policy basis for the immigrant investor programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22341/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

535. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the pandemic recognition payment to clerical staff working on the frontline vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

539. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the pandemic recognition payment to caretakers and cleaners working in health centres around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/22]