Parliamentary questions

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

492. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Section 56 organisations were informed that their funding would be reduced by an initial 5% if they refused to sign Section 56 service-level agreements with Tusla in respect of the redesignation of Section 38 and 39 organisations to Section 56 organisations; if any of these organisations subsequently lost funding as a result; if so, the total number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48569/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

493. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that section 56 organisations were excluded from pay restoration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48570/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

494. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that Section 38 organisations were excluded from public sector pay agreements and pay restoration when re-designated Section 56 organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48571/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

495. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details with respect to a previous statement on Section 56 organisations (details supplied); the way that this criterion was developed; the person or body that was involved in developing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48572/22]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

496. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has given consideration to the potential impact on voluntary organisations that were redesignated as Section 56 organisations due to their exclusion from pay restoration and in which in many cases staff have had no pay increase for more than 12 years leading to many leaving the organisation to work in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48580/22]

Third Level Costs

Fergus O'Dowd

501. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if engagement will be undertaken with third level institutions to implement monthly and quarterly payment plans for families that are struggling with the cost-of-living (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48016/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

78. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to address the matter of energy suppliers and the extortionate standing charges that in some cases have increased dramatically, given many tens of thousands of smart meters are currently being installed, which should lower any standing charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/22]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

52. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further consideration has been given to previous proposals (details supplied) in respect of the first home scheme to address boundary issues in Drogheda, County Louth and County Meath, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47084/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 20 September 2022, if a response will issue directly on the question submitted in respect of full-time mobile home residents who have been very unfairly treated with regard to access to the previous energy rebates and possible future rebates. [47441/22]

Maritime Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will use the powers within his remit to ensure the timely removal of a vessel (details supplied) that recently sank on the north quay, Drogheda, following years of continued decay; if he will ensure those responsible for the subsequent environmental impact are held to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/22]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in respect of calls for a public enquiry into nursing home deaths in Ireland during Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47500/22]

Bus Services

Fergus O'Dowd

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently review the anomaly which will severely affect students at 18 years of age given that they are unable to access student rates on bus journeys; the work that is currently being undertaken to address this anomaly which actively discriminates against students who are 18 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47094/22]

Education Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

227. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if he will seek additional detail on the research and evidence upon which a statement (details supplied) by the interdepartmental group that decides on the school starting age policy relies upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46589/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

439. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget 2023 submission by an organisation (details supplied); if consideration has been given to its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46614/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

555. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he has received an invitation to meet with the families who lost loved ones in a nursing home (details supplied) during the third wave of the pandemic at the start of 2021; if he has considered and or responded to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47175/22]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will directly intervene and press for the Road Safety Authority to commit to a permanent driver test centre for Drogheda considering the fact that Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland along with the longest wait times in the country which is completely unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46100/22]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently seek a review of supports which are currently in place to support the overall Government strategy to transition to electric vehicles in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45757/22]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to review as a matter of urgency the rates and tax relief changes that will commence on 1 January 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46098/22]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

143. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on the easing of VAT rates for retrofitting works or renewable energy works for domestic purposes to assist homeowners in reduction reliance on energy providers in view of the energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46099/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget 2023 submission from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration has been given to the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46407/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

310. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget 2023 submission from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration has been given to the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46410/22]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

311. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the reason that those with family members in a centre (details supplied) have seen their day services in some cases reduced to two days per week; if immediate assistance will be provided to the centre to ensure that clients have much needed access to day services throughout the week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46418/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

330. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-budget submission from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration has been given to the recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46489/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

51. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46062/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

67. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46064/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

81. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46063/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46061/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46067/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46068/22]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm receipt of a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46065/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have given any further consideration to support full time residents in mobile homes for future rounds of energy rebates considering that they were unable to access the €200 payment earlier this year; if the Minister will issue a statement of intent to support this vulnerable cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

126. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on genuine concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across Ireland; his plans to support businesses in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45498/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views in respect of the possible large-scale introduction of tulip wind farm technology (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45417/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

140. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on genuine concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across Ireland; his plans to support businesses in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45499/22]

Tax Exemptions

Fergus O'Dowd

207. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a proposal from a person (details supplied) in respect of the possible withdrawal of VAT on newspapers to support the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45458/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on genuine concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across Ireland; his plans to support businesses in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45500/22]

Hospital Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

516. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the funding that was provided in November 2021 for dedicated principal social work posts for adult safeguarding in each of the seven hospital groups, if he will seek a full update on the current status of the posts; if they have been filled; if job descriptions have been set out; if so, if a copy of same can be provided; if he will outline the assurances that are in place to ensure consistency of practice across these roles; if he will provide any other relevant details on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45627/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

10. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to assist businesses across the country that are being hit with exceptionally high running costs due to the energy crisis; if the Government will be introducing support schemes similar to those introduced during Covid to ensure that businesses are not forced to close their doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45053/22]

Job Losses

Fergus O'Dowd

56. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that have been offered through his Department to provide direct assistance to a factory (details supplied) in order to try to offset further redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45054/22]

Community Development Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans, if any, to develop new locations for connected hubs in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45048/22]

Library Services

Fergus O'Dowd

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details in respect of discussions with Louth County Council to progress or develop a new public library in Dunleer, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45047/22]

Health Strategies

Fergus O'Dowd

284. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of discussion or progress on the delivery of a new National Strategy for Diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45195/22]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

55. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the details on the total amounts of monies awarded to Louth County Council by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will seek details on the total monies drawn down and spent by Louth County Council over the same years in tabular form, and if not spent, the total monies that were returned to his Department respectively over the same years in tabular form. [43528/22]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Fergus O'Dowd

73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44870/22]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Fergus O'Dowd

74. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44875/22]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Fergus O'Dowd

75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

104. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44871/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

105. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44876/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on concerns raised by a local business (details supplied) in respect of the worsening energy crisis that is debilitating businesses across the country; his plans to support businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44879/22]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from Iarnród Éireann on the possibility of reopening the Dunleer train station in order to reduce the carbon footprint and assist in meeting climate targets in mid County Louth by providing much-needed commuter options for constituents in the area. [44465/22]