Parliamentary questions

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]

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]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

574. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health pursuant to the revised National Maternity Strategy Implementation Plan 2021 – 2026, the status of the promised detailed national standardised dataset to support the effective monitoring and evaluation of the maternity and infant care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/24]

Health Strategies

Catherine Connolly

575. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of the infrastructural deficits that exist in every maternity unit and hospital, as recommended in a report (details supplied); the status of the implementation plan to bring each maternity unit and hospital into compliance with National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services, National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare and the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in the Acute Healthcare Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22456/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeline for when the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces will be fully up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for a public consultation on his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22040/24]

Departmental Policies

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the analysis, including any reports or supporting documentation, carried out by his Department leading to the decision to legislate for the dismantling of the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 21 March 2024, the status of the tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints process in the Defence Forces; the details of how people can make submissions to the tribunal; what legal supports will be available to people who make submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the legislative and policy changes planned in order to proceed with his proposal to dismantle the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22039/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 20 March 2024, the status of the roll-out of park and ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21901/24]

Rail Network

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 21 March 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21900/24]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) can expect to have works completed further to a successful application and assurances from the Department that his case would be dealt with as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22087/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS 2; the number that remain in the process; if these projects are on track to energise by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/24]

Energy Policy

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 25 January 2024, the status of the review by the CRU of gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users; the timeline for the completion of the review and publication of the new decisions on the rules for future gas connections of large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 7 March 2024, the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21572/24]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s role in the monitoring of the implementation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plans; the details of any engagement he or his Department has had to-date with Galway City or County Councils with regard to their LA CAPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 16 April 2024, the status of the community-led projects that were successful in RESS-1 and that remain in the process; the number of these that have energised to-date; the expected timeline for the remaining projects to energise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/24]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Annual Report on activity under the Control of Exports Act 2008, covering the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21500/24]

Brexit Supports

Catherine Connolly

480. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide, in tabular form, an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's coastal and marine infrastructure; the specific projects and costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21290/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the implementation to date of the policy for the islands; if she has received any reports or updates to date from the monitoring committee for the implementation of the policy for the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20765/24]

Harbours and Piers

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20761/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 5 March 2024, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the dates of all meetings to date; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20763/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

24. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 5 March 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mor on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of the preliminary business case; if the consultant has been appointed to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20764/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 5 March 2024, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inisbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20762/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

87. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement to date both at bilateral level with his Israeli counterpart, and at EU level, with regard to the designation in October 2021, which remains in place, of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

118. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 71 of 7 March 2024, the details of his engagement at EU level to seek a review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20840/24]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

142. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a status update on the development of the revised Strategic Framework for the Defence Forces from 2025 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21054/24]

Residential Institutions

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason all survivors of industrial and reformatory schools and certain residential institutions will not be eligible for supports under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21038/24]