Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if statistical information will be provided in relation to the school transport scheme by county in tabular form (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47307/21]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

260. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the details of the review of the school transport scheme in particular available details on a review of the concessionary ticket process; the terms of reference that are available on the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47308/21]

Heritage Sites

Fergus O'Dowd

19. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the future use of St. Laurence’s Gate, Drogheda; if costings and feasibility reports have been undertaken in respect of opening the landmark for public tours and so on to further encourage tourism into the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45495/21]

Heritage Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

61. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed conservation management plan for the historic Oldbridge House and estate which is operated by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45494/21]

Site Acquisitions

Fergus O'Dowd

165. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the status of a project (details supplied); if further progress has been made on the site acquisition; if her attention has been drawn to obstacles to progressing the project within normal Departmental timeframes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45529/21]

Budget 2022

Fergus O'Dowd

205. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a pre-budget submission (details supplied) ahead of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/21]

Tax Reliefs

Fergus O'Dowd

22. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the discussions that have taken place to date between the NTA and his Department in relation to additional supports and changes to the taxsaver scheme that will acknowledge the change in working patterns and the significant impact the pandemic has had on ticket holders and monies spent to date and impending charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45663/21]

Tax Reliefs

Fergus O'Dowd

38. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the discussions that have taken place to date between the NTA and his Department in relation to additional supports and changes to the taxsaver scheme that will acknowledge the change in working patterns and the significant impact the pandemic has had on ticket holders and monies spent to date and impending charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45664/21]

Budget 2022

Fergus O'Dowd

181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied) ahead of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44696/21]

Regeneration Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Westgate Vision plan to regenerate the Westgate area in Drogheda, County Louth through the urban regeneration and development fund; the expected dates for progression of the project to a category A application; if other relevant details will be provided following the recent appointment of consultants and subsequent public consultation on the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44658/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

478. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the status of discussions that have taken place within her Department notwithstanding the creation of the community safety innovation fund on whether monies seized under the statutory remit of the Criminal Assets Bureau will be redirected to local frontline community services in areas most affected by criminality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44447/21]

Community Care

Fergus O'Dowd

515. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the community health organisations within the State which offer electricity subsidies to patients who suffer from COPD or similar illnesses which result in excessive use of oxygen machines and so on, in particular, in cases in which those persons are in low-income households; the reason a disparity appears to remain across different CHOs which clearly demonstrates that there is a postcode advantage in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44439/21]

Cycling Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

704. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if the new resubmitted plans have been approved; if there are timelines for a commencement of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44657/21]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Ardee bypass; the funding spent to date on the project; the targeted timelines for commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43908/21]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans to expand the DART to Drogheda and the electrification plans for the northern line; the expected timeline for the proposed diesel hybrid fleet to commence services to Drogheda ahead of the electrification; if any other relevant detail will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43907/21]

Company Registration

Fergus O'Dowd

141. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a series of queries (details supplied) in respect of the Companies Registration Office will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44244/21]

Trade Missions

Fergus O'Dowd

67. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his recent visit to the UK and the meetings with his UK counterparts on issues including Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43371/21]

Foreign Direct Investment

Fergus O'Dowd

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the recent purchase by the IDA of two land banks in County Louth; the plans for these sites; if any other associated details in relation to same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43372/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

139. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; and if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota. [41604/21]

School Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

431. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the status of negotiations in respect of the need to regularise the employment status of school secretaries in primary schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43915/21]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

440. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list all new primary schools in County Louth and east County Meath with associated final costs of same for 2010 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43981/21]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

441. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list all new post-primary schools in County Louth and east County Meath with associated final costs of same for 2010 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43987/21]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

442. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of additional accommodation works carried out on all primary and post-primary schools in County Louth and east County Meath with associated final costs of same for 2010 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43988/21]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

443. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of emergency accommodation works carried out on all primary and post primary schools in County Louth and east County Meath with associated final costs of same for 2010 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43989/21]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

444. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all live applications for new schools, additional accommodation and emergency accommodation in County Louth and east County Meath with the projected costings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43990/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

525. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to queries raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their upcoming graduation ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43954/21]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

612. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when as part of the Housing for All plans he expects any reform of the fair deal scheme to take place; the process by which this will take place; if he will provide an expected timeline on the commitment and the number of units he would expect may be brought back into use by any such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

3. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41591/21]

Company Registration

Fergus O'Dowd

7. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current length of time it is taking for documents to be scanned and uploaded on the CRO system; the reason for any delays; if further resources have been ringfenced for the CRO section in order to address any such delays in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41723/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

41. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41592/21]

Telecommunications Services

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will respond to concerns and proposals (details supplied) in relation to a possible deterrent for scam calls which have increased exponentially here over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42260/21]

Transport Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to queries raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the agreement of dangerous goods by road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41578/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

97. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/21]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

126. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will address queries by a person (details supplied) in relation to their car tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42230/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

179. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41593/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition relating to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41599/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41602/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41597/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

403. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Fergus O'Dowd

422. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in regard to the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42016/21]

Foreign Conflicts

Fergus O'Dowd

427. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Pakistan (details supplied); if discussions have taken place within his Department in respect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42110/21]

Passport Services

Fergus O'Dowd

444. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is a discretionary process to renew a passport card in circumstances in which an old age pensioner has very limited finances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42442/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

483. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41589/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41590/21]

School Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

607. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if national guidance has been issued to post-primary schools on whether students can access lockers this term or if it is up to each individual school to decide on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42686/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

658. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41601/21]

Departmental Reports

Fergus O'Dowd

732. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the Pensions Commission will finalise its report and submit it; if a timeline is in place for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43010/21]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

745. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41588/21]

Departmental Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

807. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/21]

Third Level Education

Fergus O'Dowd

837. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the long-awaited reopening of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42242/21]