Parliamentary questions

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to specific concerns raised by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24149/24]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 285 of 23 May 2024, if the case and correspondence will be further reviewed (details supplied); if the required statutory instrument could be amended or reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24260/24]

Bus Services

Fergus O'Dowd

142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to seek an update on the plans to increase the number of wheelchair-accessible public buses within County Louth in the coming years to provide greater independence to wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23746/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

228. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide a timeline for the expected commencement date for a school (details supplied) in Drogheda which received planning permission in January; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23876/24]

Sports Organisations

Fergus O'Dowd

256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media his views with regard to a briefing (details supplied) which seeks to create a full time, sustainable football industry that benefits young people, society in general as well as the local and national economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23702/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

404. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he and his Government colleagues intend to deal with the very serious economic impact of removing a location (details supplied) from the tourism sector in Drogheda, as identified in a report that was published showing a projected €22 million loss to the local economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23761/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

420. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of newborn screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23579/24]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

421. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to seek urgent assistance for a person (details supplied) who is 74 years old and a full-time carer to their spouse who is housebound, and where the person has been referred to neurology on an urgent basis as they are showing symptoms of clinical signs for Parkinson’s; if he will urgently intervene as the person has been informed it may be December 2024 before they are facilitated, which is completely unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23580/24]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to alter the statutory instrument to include Ballyfermot College of Further Education as an approved provider of third level programmes in Ireland for SUSI grant maintenance funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Fergus O'Dowd

229. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the Disabled Drivers Medical Board appeals board to clear the backlog of appellants; the average waiting time for current appellants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22863/24]

Disadvantaged Status

Fergus O'Dowd

334. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to concerns raised by a school principal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21732/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

502. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail with regard to the IPAS contract signed for a hotel (details supplied), if the contract was signed on a payment per head of occupancy or if the contract was agreed for the full 500 beds as 5 March despite full occupancy never being reached due to an insufficient fire certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21175/24]

Dental Services

Fergus O'Dowd

549. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on any discussions between his Department and the Irish Dental Association on further revision of the dental treatment service scheme; the plans his Department and the HSE have to ensure that patients in Louth and Meath who have medical cards receive the timely treatment they need in the interim; if he will provide the most recent figures on the number of registered dentists in the scheme in both Louth and Meath as of 1 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21198/24]

Departmental Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

628. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the funding and implementation of the Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD programme for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/24]

Diaspora Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

72. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 30 April 2024, if he will revisit the question and itemise the 30 recommendations in the report, with a correlated update on what work has been undertaken to address and progress the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20593/24]

Work Permits

Fergus O'Dowd

177. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide their views on a report in relation to work permits (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20598/24]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

180. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to respond and address serious concerns raised by local business owner in respect of the current pressures facing the food and hospitality sectors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20727/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to detail if any consideration has been given to the reintroduction of over the shop grants to compliment the croí cónaithe schemes to ensure the Government are doing all they can to reduce vacancies in towns and villages across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/24]

Departmental Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

488. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the funding requirements of the seeking safety Ireland programme, a vital and very successful programme that supports women who have experienced trauma and addiction; if a funding request has been received and reviewed; when he expects to sign off the funding to allow the programme to continue to provide the services and expand the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

638. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if, given the significant number of people diagnosed with chronic rheumatoid arthritis, there are any plans to include it on the long-term illness scheme, considering that the medication required to treat this condition is a considerable expense to those who suffer from it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20870/24]

Motor Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 190, 191 and 192 of 23 April 2024, if he will address matters in respect of the difficulties second hand car dealers are facing with regard specifically to the mobile VRT trade appointment procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19928/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the contract for IPAS accommodation at a location (details supplied) was cancelled, paused or if the Department have to contractually pay for any invoices received for the premises since the contract commencement date of 17 January 2024, despite no IPAS applicants being on site since 17 January due to planning issues raised at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

255. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to calls made by organisation (details supplied) to improve services and condition for people living with neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19922/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to speech and language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19931/24]

Hospital Services

Fergus O'Dowd

273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on remedial plans to address the structural problems identified by HIQA within Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19960/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

235. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reasons Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) who were moved from a previously contracted residence under the BOTP and were subsequently moved to Drumcar and informed that they would be moved into any available residencies in Drogheda at the earliest opportunity; the reasons they remain in Drumcar despite the undertaking by his Department almost a year ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/24]

Diaspora Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

141. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the 30 recommendations of a report (details supplied) provided to the Government on the plight and problems of returning Irish citizen immigrants to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18868/24]

Recycling Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if, with respect to the deposit return scheme, he will provide an update on the meeting which was due to take place in March with a company (details supplied) and a number of disability organisations to assist in a review of the scheme’s infrastructure to make the scheme more accessible for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/24]

Energy Conservation

Fergus O'Dowd

177. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the launch of the home energy upgrade (low-cost) loan scheme, if applicants who wish to install solar panels to counter the extortionate energy costs in Ireland will be in a position to apply under this scheme without installing other additional retrofitting measures (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19421/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

268. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

269. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to respond to concerns raised by a local business (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18805/24]

Business Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

274. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in a situation where a business in the hospitality trade is paying above the €30 thousand rates criteria to access the ICOB grants, if he will provide details of all other supports that would be available to this business considering the pressures on the sector at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19318/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

435. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18733/24]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

551. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he and his Department will ensure that the Government urgently puts funding in place to develop the HSE clinical pathway for functional neurologic disorder and the multidisciplinary teams urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/24]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the full details of the supports offered to a local hotel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19381/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Fergus O'Dowd

290. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline if offers on modular units for BOTPs are still being considered; to outline the process on same; the number of units currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18616/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

333. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns and proposals raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18620/24]

Motor Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

190. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the significant delays for motor traders in securing registration appointments to import cars from the UK, which is causing major business disruptions and cash flow problems, putting many businesses at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/24]

Motor Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

191. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the current wait times to secure appointments through a company (details supplied) and the NCT to import and register cars from the United Kingdom over the years 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17335/24]

Motor Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that in some cases motor dealers are waiting for up to four weeks and beyond for appointments to import and register cars in County Louth through a company (details supplied) for the second-hand marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17336/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

321. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18002/24]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

345. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications received for the community monument fund 2024, by county, in tabular form; if there is an appeals process a local authority can enact whereby a project that is of an urgent nature can be reassessed or placed on stand-by if any other funding is returned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17309/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

570. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1166 of 20 March 2024, if he will clarify statements (details supplied); his views on whether these statements directly contradict each other; his further views on whether there is no transparency regarding the entire process, no separate tendering for security services and presently no way of stating what security services cost; if this has been commented on by the auditor for his Department; the professional security advice his Department use when forming an opinion on the level of security required and the background checks, if any carried out into the security staff employed; the background checks that are carried out separately into all employees of the centre management company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18017/24]

Law Reform Commission

Fergus O'Dowd

649. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the recommendations made in the recent report by the Law Reform Commission on the need for the Government to establish a regulatory framework for adult safeguarding and to introduce the recommended necessary legislation and other fundamental changes necessary to protect vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/24]

Tourism Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

17. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will expedite a review and provide supports to address the lack of hotel beds for the tourism sector in Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16857/24]

Tourism Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the role of the night-time economy manager in Drogheda since the Government policy decision to close the last remaining hotel beds of scale in the town, thereby majorly impacting the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16858/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with the local business community and stakeholders in Drogheda to discuss their significant concerns on employment and trade within the town of Drogheda, the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will organise urgent meetings with officials within his Department to formulate a dedicated plan to provide employment in Drogheda, with consideration of the very significant number of workers commuting from the town daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/24]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No.119 of 11 April 2024, if she will arrange for a further response to issue to follow-up queries (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17090/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Fergus O'Dowd

210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a pause on wind farm developments until the new guidelines are put in place to replace the current 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which remain in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/24]