Parliamentary questions

Airport Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if all projects undertaken by the airport authorities nationally have been processed through the public procurement process in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023 by location, project details and the total amount spent; if there were projects that did not proceed through the public procurement process; if so, the details of same, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12051/23]

Airport Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to detail the salaries of all chief executives of airport and port authorities nationally who fall under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12054/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek assistance for a school (details supplied ) in respect of a payment issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12080/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total cost of the final report on the protected disclosure into allegations made by a whistle-blower in April regarding the care of patients during Covid-19 at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12091/23]

Protected Disclosures

Fergus O'Dowd

332. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the HSE refused a request from the investigation team (details supplied) appointed by the HSE to investigate complaints made by protected disclosure into a facility to extend the remit of its investigation to include a letter from this Deputy which gave evidence of minutes of a CHO meeting held on 14 May 2020 , which included an instruction to remove certain emails off the system, the date of which meeting was outside the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12092/23]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the Drogheda driver test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the commissioner of the report of the investigation of complaints made by protected disclosure into a community nursing home (details supplied) was requested by a company to extend the remit of the report to include evidence presented by this Deputy to the investigating team on 7 December 2022; the reasons given not to extend the remit to include details of any consultations they had with others in relation to this issue; the reason it took ten months to publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11931/23]

Tax Credits

Fergus O'Dowd

83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if the total number of persons who have successfully claimed the rent tax credit recently introduced by the Government; if this measure will be strengthened into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11343/23]

Tax Reliefs

Fergus O'Dowd

88. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the total moneys received by the Revenue Commissioners in January and February 2023 through benefit-in-kind payments for vehicles compared with receipts from January and February 2021 and 2022; if any further consideration has been given to assist the many thousands of BIK recipients who have been negatively impacted financially since the change on 1 January 2023 in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11342/23]

Departmental Meetings

Fergus O'Dowd

173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will arrange for the appropriate official within the Department to make contact with a school (details supplied) to organise a discussion on greenwashing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11023/23]

Heritage Sites

Fergus O'Dowd

272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the long-awaited transfer of ownership of the historic Westgate House, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11375/23]

Education Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to concerns raised (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11049/23]

Alcohol Sales

Fergus O'Dowd

622. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised (details supplied) on bilingual packaging on alcohol warnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11212/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

647. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the audit of TAPS payments undertaken by both the NTPF and the HSE has been delivered to him; if so, if he will publish the audit in full; if it is not complete, if he will indicate an expected date of the report to be before him, and subsequently published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11431/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on whether a feasibility study can be commissioned to look at the impact the reopening of Dunleer train station would have in terms of reducing vehicles, improving connectivity in mid-Louth and reducing commuting costs for mid-Louth residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10439/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

79. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update from his Department on the discussions that have taken place with Meath County Council in respect of progressing the proposed Julianstown bypass, which aims to deal with the relentless congestion experienced in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10438/23]

National Monuments

Fergus O'Dowd

118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will seek an update on the long-awaited council plans to provide a new community-based plaza at the historic St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, which is owned by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10441/23]

Heritage Sites

Fergus O'Dowd

119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the discussions that have taken place within his Department with respect to the future development and investment in Oldbridge House in Drogheda, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10440/23]

An Garda Síochána

Fergus O'Dowd

192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the development plans for Drogheda Garda station; if he will provide the overall details on the plans; the estimated costs of the plans; the projected date of commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7517/23]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

208. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Louth County Council is no longer taking properties for long-term lease, further to departmental advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10624/23]

Mortality Rates

Fergus O'Dowd

289. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the reason for the excess mortality rates reported recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10622/23]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have made any progress with respect to supporting full-time residents in mobile homes by providing much-needed vital access to the €200 electricity payments, given that the payment is intended to be issued to all principal residences; if he will issue a statement of intent to support this vulnerable cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9535/23]

Air Quality

Fergus O'Dowd

86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure the enforcement of the new air-quality regulations across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9536/23]

Energy Conservation

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of this low-income household not being in a position to apply for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland warmer homes scheme; if he will advise them on the best route forward, given they are unable to afford energy upgrades in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9500/23]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the arrangements for the domestic energy credit in multi-occupancy buildings in which there was one account but households are using sub-meters; if there is a mechanism for these households using sub-meters to apply for special consideration for the credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9621/23]

Pension Provisions

Fergus O'Dowd

188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9704/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

207. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if she will advise on a situation where a family who have a severely disabled person cannot access the specially adapted vehicle due to insurance prohibitions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/23]

Tax Collection

Fergus O'Dowd

233. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 21 February 2023, if he will engage with the Revenue Commissioners to see if the 17-day timeline referred to (details supplied) can be reviewed given the current economic climate and difficulty businesses are facing at present with energy and cash flow issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10212/23]

Office of Public Works

Fergus O'Dowd

245. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will seek responses on queries (details supplied) with respect to an issue which has come to light in respect of the cutting of trees at the Lynns, Annagassan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10037/23]

Mental Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

605. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 641 of 11 October 2022, if any changes have recently been introduced to provide persons above the age of 16 years suffering with long-term mental illness, to be included in the HSE's long-term illness scheme, which would provide much needed relief to those without medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9823/23]

Disability Services

Fergus O'Dowd

614. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the reason an organisation (details supplied) was not included in the one-off inflation funding announced on 20 February, given it meets the criteria of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9934/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

619. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the reasons a school (details supplied) was not included in the one-off inflation funding announced on 20 February 2023, considering it meets the criteria of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9998/23]

Medicinal Products

Fergus O'Dowd

253. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a person can access saxenda under a medical card if they have a BMI of above 35 and suffer from hypertension but where the person does not have prediabetic bloods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9291/23]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

117. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the provision of a night-time economy manager in Drogheda to help develop a night-time economy strategy; when the role is expected to be filled; the grade of the role; the time period of the contract; if other relevant information will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8515/23]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details on how the Government is encouraging national sporting bodies and organisations to actively promote integration, unity and activity for asylum seekers and refugees throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8516/23]

Broadband Infrastructure

Fergus O'Dowd

148. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to the concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of continually changing connection dates for high-speed broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/23]

Tax Collection

Fergus O'Dowd

233. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to concerns and proposals raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the current tax demands in what is an extremely difficult climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8781/23]

Adult Education Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

367. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue on concerns raised by an adult tutor (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing delays to implementation of Labour Court recommendations; the approximate timeframe for when the recommendations will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8047/23]

School Accommodation

Fergus O'Dowd

437. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education when she expects the construction phase of a new building for a school (details supplied) to commence, following the tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8805/23]

Crime Prevention

Fergus O'Dowd

63. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if he will report the work to support An Garda Síochána in preventing and combatting crime perpetrated against older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7518/23]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

90. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; the way he intends to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7520/23]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a commission of care for aging and older people; the way he intends to scope and plan for such a commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7519/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

60. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport with consideration to the Port Access Northern Cross Route Phase 1 in Drogheda advancing to construction at present, if any discussions have taken place between his Department and Irish Rail to ascertain the viability of opening a Drogheda north railway station to prepare for the introduction of DART services to Drogheda in the coming years given the phenomenal population growth in the town and the need to reduce the significant number of commuter vehicles, and the carbon footprint travelling from the north of Drogheda to the south Drogheda railway station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7561/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

61. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to seek an update on when it is expected that DART services will commence in Drogheda; if the hybrid diesel units will be in place and in operation in advance of electrification of the line; the frequency of expected DART services and any other relevant details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/23]

Maritime Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 198 of 13 December 2022 and 160 of 18 January 2023m to detail if any State body is responsible to compel ship owners to progress survey application to the MSO, in particular in situations whereby the ship is causing environmental and general safety concerns as the Hebble Ship continues to cause as it lies on the Boyne River in the centre of Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7569/23]

Tourism Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

81. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the works that have been completed to date under the €700 thousand awarded to Drogheda under Fáilte Ireland’s urban animation capital investment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7702/23]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

87. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to expand the Croí Cónaithe scheme to include properties that could be rented to help alleviate the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7536/23]

General Practitioner Services

Fergus O'Dowd

169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a review can be undertaken to examine the viability of the out of hours GP north east contract (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7500/23]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

205. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an update on future development plans for the St. Marys Hospital site on the Dublin Road, Drogheda following completion of the new 30 bed community nursing units due for completion in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Fergus O'Dowd

116. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the further progress being made in signing-off on pension increases due to retired An Post workers for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6578/23]