Parliamentary questions

Energy Conservation

Jennifer Whitmore

121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the low-interest loans for retrofitting; when an interest rate will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/24]

Educational Reform

Jennifer Whitmore

511. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason the use of assistive technology for students is only tested for in third year for the purposes of State exams; the reason it is not granted to first years in need of the technology to learn and prepare on the three-year cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14784/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

528. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update and estimated timeline for the development of a new school at (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14978/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

529. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update and estimated timeline for the development of a new school at (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14979/24]

Prison Service

Jennifer Whitmore

899. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the total number of prisoners under 21 years of age; the number in each institution in which they are held; the number of such prisoners who are on restricted regimes; the number of hours, each day, such prisoners are confined to their cells; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14763/24]

Forestry Sector

Jennifer Whitmore

998. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the Members’ Agreement entered into, on or about the date of 11 November 2021, between three organisations (details supplied), including any subsequent amendments to that agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/24]

Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

1102. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on provision for a neuro-rehabilitation unit in CHO 7, which was due to be progressed in 2023; where the unit will be based; the roles that have been provided funding within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Jennifer Whitmore

1478. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the long wait times for transgender adults wishing to access gender-affirming healthcare through the National Gender Service at Loughlinstown; if increased funding and resources have been allocated to clear the current ten-year backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

449. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay to the start date of construction for a school (details supplied) from December 2024 to September 2025; when that decision was taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12250/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

450. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the supports in place to help accommodate the growing school community (details supplied), in light of the delayed construction start date for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12251/24]

School Enrolments

Jennifer Whitmore

469. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to detail the process for enrolments to schools under the Limerick area post primary programme; how this programme was initiated; whether a similar programme could be applied to schools in particular areas in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12461/24]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

155. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport to provide details on how many occasions the rail line between Greystones and Bray has been closed annually from 2020-2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10090/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

198. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for information on the completion of the snag list for a school (details provided); when all outstanding works will be completed; the reason for the delay in completion; if any assessment will be undertaken as to whether long term damage has been caused by these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9857/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of the third class for secondary students for the Greystones area, which is required to meet demand for September 2024; when that class will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9858/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to detail the process by which students, currently without places for September 2024 in Greystones, will be offered a place in one of the three additional classes being established if they had not applied for that school in the first instance and they are therefore not eligible for a place under the enrolment policy of that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9859/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

201. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if, as part of the significant upgrade to a school (details supplied), special classrooms were sanctioned; if those classrooms are currently available for students with special needs; if not, if she will direct the school to provide those classrooms in the event there is demand in the area for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9860/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

202. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on the extension for a school (details supplied); when the review of the Stage 1 report will be completed; to detail the process for all subsequent stages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9861/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

203. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if, in light of the significant pressures on school places in the Greystones area, she will prioritise the construction of an extension a school (details supplied) within its bundle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9862/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

204. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when she expects the tender process for a school (details supplied) to be completed; the next stages in the process; the timelines for those steps; if she expects the school to be completed in time for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9863/24]

School Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

205. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will direct Bus Éireann to pay the exceptional no service interim grant to school transport ticket holders on a term-by-term basis, rather than retrospectively at the end of the school year, in acknowledgment of the cost of travel being placed on parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9864/24]

Fisheries Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the process and timelines for decision surrounding the consultation on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone. [7870/24]

Telecommunications Services

Jennifer Whitmore

136. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he has a view in relation to broadband issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/24]

Electricity Generation

Jennifer Whitmore

143. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for details on how the Government envision community electricity generation projects to raise funds for the construction of such projects; if the Government have any plans to create green financing packages that will allow such projects to access funds to ensure such projects are financially viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7977/24]

Bus Services

Jennifer Whitmore

161. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progression of proposed Bus Connects routes for Wicklow (details supplied), including an operational timeline for each and an estimated deadline for expected completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7440/24]

Grant Payments

Jennifer Whitmore

266. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when payments of the exceptional no service interim grant will be paid; when refunds to parents who paid for the school ticket but did not receive it will be paid; the process for issuing refunds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7495/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Jennifer Whitmore

352. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to endorse the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action for a referendum that would acknowledge the rights of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7699/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Jennifer Whitmore

453. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected date on which farmers awaiting payment under the ACRES co-operation scheme will be paid, in view that previously confirmed payments due to commence in February 2024 have now been changed to interim payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7574/24]

Electricity Generation

Jennifer Whitmore

156. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the Government plans to support the raising of funds for construction of community electricity generation projects; if the Government plans to create green financing packages that will allow such projects to access funds to ensure they are financially viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6125/24]

Electricity Generation

Jennifer Whitmore

157. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the specific Government targets and timelines for community electricity generation projects; the amount of energy that community electricity generation projects currently generate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6126/24]

Environmental Schemes

Jennifer Whitmore

158. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he is aware that the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland free energy upgrade scheme currently has a waiting time between application and completion of works in the region of 24 months; the steps he is taking to address this unacceptably long waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6127/24]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Jennifer Whitmore

197. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of issues regarding the hiring of former employees of CIE companies into new roles following the receipt of redundancy payments (detailed supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6119/24]

Legislative Measures

Jennifer Whitmore

381. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the marine protected areas Bill 2023 will be published, given this legislation was initially promised for July 2023; the reason for the repeated delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6120/24]

Legislative Measures

Jennifer Whitmore

382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what measures, or necessary resources, have been put in place in order to begin implementation of the marine protected areas Bill 2023 as soon as it has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6121/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Jennifer Whitmore

383. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many of Ireland's special protection areas with a marine element have site specific conservation objectives in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6122/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Jennifer Whitmore

384. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many of Ireland's special protection areas with a marine element have conservation measures in place in addition to activities requiring consent management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6123/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Jennifer Whitmore

385. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional special protection areas and special areas of conservation with a marine element that are currently ready, being prepared or are being planned for designation up until 2030. [6124/24]

Wildlife Regulations

Jennifer Whitmore

417. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether successful prosecution of wildlife crimes should be a priority under Ireland’s Biodiversity Action Plan and our obligations under the ’30 x 30’ UN Biodiversity Goals; when data previously requested on wildlife crimes which were registered, prosecuted and convicted in Ireland, by county, since 2014, will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/24]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

145. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5943/24]

National Car Test

Jennifer Whitmore

71. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport what measures are in place to protect motorists from a legal perspective who cannot access NCT tests due to the backlog; if consideration has been given to motorists who could be subjected to non-payment of claims by insurance companies in the event of expired NCT tests; if consideration has been given to suspending inspections on newer cars until the backlog is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5166/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

192. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education what actions her Department is taking to support the families of children trying to access places in early intervention preschool units when there are no such units in their local area and their family home is outside of the catchment areas for the nearest early intervention preschool unit, such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5204/24]

Prison Service

Jennifer Whitmore

342. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the rationale behind granting and then revoking temporary release for individuals in Shelton Abbey Prison in the month of December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5165/24]

Departmental Data

Jennifer Whitmore

396. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recorded/confirmed dates of fireblight erwinia amylovora infections detections by his Department in 2023 per county; the scale of each detection in terms of linear metres or hectares, species infected and whether sites of infection were in an agricultural/forestry setting; the recommended best practice methods for preventing or eradicating the disease, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5325/24]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

397. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken by his Department currently to eradicate fireblight erwinia amylovora infections in 2023, in the most significant outbreak believed to be throughout a Kerry townland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/24]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Whitmore

398. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what advice and training is being provided to local authorities, landowners or contractors to assist his Departmental staff in suppressing regarding fireblight erwinia amylovora infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5327/24]

Departmental Reports

Jennifer Whitmore

399. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a comprehensive disease risk analysis was carried out regarding fireblight erwinia amylovora infections by his Department prior to the November 2023 relaxation on the requirement for use of native provenance plants or plants of Irish origin under the ACRES scheme; and if so will he make a copy available. [5328/24]

Disability Services

Jennifer Whitmore

438. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the current waiting times for children, as in the case of a child (details supplied) trying to access early intervention services with the Kildare West Wicklow children’s disability network teams; and the steps that are being taken to shorten these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5207/24]

Childcare Services

Jennifer Whitmore

459. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures in place to ensure that parents who have no alternative but to enrol their child in a non-participating provider, continue to benefit from the subsidy towards their childcare costs, in view of the prospect of childcare providers in the first instance refusing to enter the core funding model scheme, or in the second instance exiting the core funding model scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5496/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Jennifer Whitmore

509. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the establishment of the promised inquiry on the historical licensing and prescribing of sodium valproate; when he expects the inquiry will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5163/24]

Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

510. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the services currently available to those diagnosed with foetal valproate spectrum disorder; how families can access these services within their communities following a diagnosis; the status of discussions between the HSE and his Department to improve access to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5164/24]