Parliamentary questions

Agriculture Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

486. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department will take domestically and internationally to meet the commitments outlined in the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action, to which Ireland signed up to at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/24]

Disability Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

606. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the level of collaboration between his Department and the HSE to streamline the process whereby aids and appliances provided through HSE resource allocation groups for children with disabilities in order to avoid and remove barriers as outlined in the case of a child (details supplied), to ensure they have timely access to mobility aids to optimise their and their family’s independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/24]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department is engaging with the Department of Transport on funding provision to assist with sustainable transport options for hospital staff and patients in those hospitals signed up to the TFI Smarter Travel Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1548/24]

Hospital Facilities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

70. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the anticipated timeline for the provision of a seven-day-a-week, 8am to 8pm, cath lab service at University Hospital Waterford; the recruitment plan for the additional staff required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/24]

Further and Higher Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

117. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address shortages in skills and labour force for the green economy through further education places, CPD places and apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1547/24]

Adult Education Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

344. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress in relation to the implementation of the Adult literacy for Life strategy through library activities, as actioned in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49681/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

85. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for statistics in relation to the average project duration timeframe from application date to completion date for the fully funded energy upgrade scheme administered by SEAI, broken down by either county boundary as indicated in the applicants address or by local authority area; over the last two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57020/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

86. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of energy poverty upgrades under Programme B, Energy Expenditure, broken down by either county boundary or local authority area, over the past two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57021/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new applications received for both the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme; the number of completions of warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme projects, broken down by county boundary or local authority, over the last two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57022/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

88. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of people with chronic respiratory conditions receiving energy efficiency upgrades under the warmth and wellbeing scheme, over the past two years to date and broken down, by county boundary or by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57023/23]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

209. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the current project stages and project deliverable timelines for each of the remaining two sections of the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator Pathfinder, for completion in 2024 and 2025, as indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 30 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57051/23]

School Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

458. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the school transport review publication date; her views on the expansion of the criteria for access to transport in order to allay the significant transport costs borne by parents (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56282/23]

Teaching Qualifications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

460. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding his Department’s view on funding for the awarding of incremental credit to post primary school teachers for relevant work experience gained in private schools outside of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56286/23]

Tourism Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

704. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the feasibility study on the infrastructure required to be able to travel and tour Ireland's experience regions by sustainable modes of transport, as outlined in Action 12 of the Actions to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices 2021-2023 from the Sustainable Tourism Working Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57050/23]

Grant Payments

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

770. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications and the amount of funding applied for by each local authority the disabled persons grant scheme for improvements and remedials for their homes; and the amount received from his Department for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57046/23]

Residency Permits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1047. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice whether she is aware of the situation whereby bus and lorry drivers coming from South Africa to take up employment with transport companies are experiencing significant delays in making appointments for IRP in Dublin, a three week processing time for receipt of IRP cards, and the delay this is causing for NDLS appointments, and consequently employees being unable to take up their position as drivers to alleviate pressure in public and private transport services, as outlined in (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57052/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1119. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice her plans to reduce the time taken for vetting and processing of applications for the naturalisation of minors, currently at 19-23 months, which is matching the time taken for the process for adults, despite the applications for minors being made through their parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1586/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice when an application (details supplied) will be finalised and pre-clearance granted, if she will review the circumstances around the delay in processing this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1688/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1146. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice when applications for naturalisation of two minors of the same family (details supplied) will be finalised; if she will review whether more resources need to be provided to address the delay in processing applications for minors of naturalised Irish citizen parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1887/24]

International Programmes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

6. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to report on his attendance at the food, agriculture, nature and land use thematic days of COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55710/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

25. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support and help deliver the establishment of more integrated constructed wetlands on farms nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55381/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

99. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of collaboration between his Department and the HSE to streamline the process whereby aids and appliances provided through HSE resource allocation groups for children with disabilities in order to avoid and remove barriers, as outlined in the case of a child (details supplied), to ensure they have timely access to mobility aids to optimise their and their family’s independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55558/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

107. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on establishing a longitudinal study in relation to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on child development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55557/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

243. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 20 September 2023, whether there has been progress in relation to streamlining the process of the payment of public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants, particularly where post '95 members of An Garda Síochána retiring must first exhaust all entitlement under social welfare, and are required to sign a declaration to the Department of Social Protection saying they are available for work, despite this not being the case given that the members are retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56063/23]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Local Future: Connecting Communities Report of February 2023, particularly its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54491/23]

Departmental Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

116. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding options made available by his Department for community and voluntary organisations to lead on climate action, including for training and awareness campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54532/23]

Legislative Measures

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to commence parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022; the barriers in doing so to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53336/23]

Water Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the water from private wells is of a safe standard, given that since Uisce Éireann was established, homeowners with private wells have to pay a private lab service for testing of their drinking water, a service which previously was available free through the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53411/23]

State Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

108. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department’s plans for a public awareness campaign to alert long-term carers to changes in their pension provisions under the provision of Social Welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52958/23]

Food Poverty

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

122. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress in relation to the implementation of the pilot scheme to support people experiencing food poverty based on a case work model, as funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49682/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

20. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [53842/23]

Language Schools

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

200. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what efforts are made to ensure that English language students from abroad are protected from fraud in the English language education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54137/23]

Language Schools

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

206. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to regulate the English language education sector; what measures are being taken to ensure that Interim List of Eligible Programmes rules that state that escrow accounts must be used for all potential students paying for courses from outside of the EU are not being circumvented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54136/23]

Tourism Promotion

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work her Department is undertaking in active tourism with a view to developing and promoting Ireland as a long-stay tourism destination to spread tourism more evenly across the regions, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52957/23]

Tourism Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Sustainable Tourism Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52956/23]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

48. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an overview of the timelines for the implementation of the pathfinder sustainable transport and mobility projects; if an interim evaluation of project timeline progress is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52498/23]

Citizens' Assembly

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

141. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking in relation to the establishment of a citizens' assembly on education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52496/23]

School Enrolments

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the forward planning section has assessed the need for additional school places in east Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52495/23]

United Nations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

211. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s current preparatory plan for the UN Summit of the Future in 2024 in anticipation of the outcome document Pact for the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49759/23]

Middle East

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

227. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in light of the recent EU Council, his Department’s work on ensuring that water, food, fuel and medical supplies are being provided to the people in Gaza as part of a unified international humanitarian response; that any fuel assistance provided not be abused by Hamas, and that Irish citizens in Gaza are brought home safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/23]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

61. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when the ASD special class will open in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52671/23]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the revised and increased carbon pricing will be published; if there is a particular barrier to its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52341/23]

National Development Plan

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

48. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the new infrastructure guidelines for the Public Sector Spending Code, to include consideration of climate and nature impacts, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52342/23]

Schools Building Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

268. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education whether her Department has allocated funding to a school (details supplied) for a permanent building to extend the school; and when it expects this work to be completed. [52107/23]

Business Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

59. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the take-up of the green for business programme for small businesses, broken down by LEO offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51401/23]

Business Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the take-up of the climate planning fund for business and the enterprise emissions reduction investment fund, the two streams of the green transition fund run by Enterprise Ireland; whether there will be an evaluation of progress in the effectiveness of the fund on decarbonisation at an interim point in the five years of the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51402/23]

Office of Public Works

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

190. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding the OPW commissioned report on the redevelopment of Clonmacnoise monastic site. [50623/23]

Office of Public Works

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will request that the OPW include the principles of Just Transition and wider community benefit when planning the redevelopment of the Clonmacnoise monastic site (details supplied). [50624/23]

Climate Change Negotiations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

22. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his recent attendance at pre-COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49688/23]

United Nations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

51. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s current preparatory plan for the UN Summit of the Future in 2024, in anticipation of the outcome document Pact for the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49689/23]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

56. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the current resources and organisational structure of the climate change unit in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49031/23]

Climate Action Plan

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

77. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the progress of the ongoing implementation of Action 1.5 in the Health Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2019-2024 to ensure effective health service planning for climate resilience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49032/23]

Septic Tanks

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

90. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of domestic septic tanks nationally; the number of inspections of domestic septic tanks; the take-up of grant aid for treatment systems in the high-status objective catchment area scheme; the rate of take-up of grant aid for treatment systems in prioritised areas for action; and the rate of take-up of grant aid for domestic wastewater treatment systems in houses selected under the EPA’s national inspection plan, broken down by local authority over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49037/23]

Flood Risk Management

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

157. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the development of the national river catchment model to assist with flood prediction alerts and the delivery of additional weather radars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49038/23]

Domestic Violence

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

40. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the new domestic violence leave policy will come into effect; what rate of payment will be available; how a person may avail of the leave from the effective date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48474/23]

Disability Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

83. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current level of funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) for its recycle mobility programme to help provide independence in mobility for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48436/23]

Military Aircraft

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

98. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Shannon Airport is being used by the USA to transport weapons to Israel to potentially be used against the occupied territories of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47401/23]

Flood Risk Management

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

29. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the work undertaken to include nature-based solutions as an integral part of flood relief schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47030/23]

Meteorological Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the collaboration work between the OPW and Met Éireann in relation to the flooding early warning systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47029/23]

Climate Action Plan

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

88. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his Department’s ambitions for climate action addressing the food system; if he will outline his Department’s priorities as this year’s climate COP approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46835/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

112. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of his Department’s direct financial contribution to the UN Committee on World Food Security, the foremost inclusive international intergovernmental platform on food security and nutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46834/23]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad an maoiniú agus na tacaíochtaí nua atá curtha ar fáil don Ghaeltacht agus don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45547/23]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way the Sports Capital Programme will help clubs and National Governing Bodies lead and respond to the climate crisis and drive climate action within communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45546/23]

Third Level Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress in the assigning of new schools of veterinary medicine and pharmacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45218/23]

Budget 2024

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for legislative changes for the future operation of the National Training Fund, as signposted by Minister Donohoe in his Budget 2024 statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45217/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

26. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent visit to the UN as it relates to the sustainable development goals, SDGs, declaration. [41929/23]

Schools Building Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

25. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure that the Climate Programme by the schools buildings unit will take cognisance of the impact of emissions generated from the siting of new schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45095/23]

School Facilities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to address the barriers to the take-up of funding for and delivery of solar panels on schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45096/23]

Housing Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

125. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes built in Cork city and county in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44262/23]

Housing Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

126. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cost rental and affordable homes built in Cork city and county in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44263/23]

Housing Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

127. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social and cost rental homes planned for delivery in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44264/23]

Road Safety

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

7. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on running a national communications campaign to address driving to, and engine idling at, school gates, to help improve education and awareness of the need for safe roads and clean air for children and to support the roll-out of the Green Schools Safe Routes to School programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41927/23]

Active Travel

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

8. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to enhance the impact of the work of smarter travel workplaces and campus programmes in relation to workplaces located in business parks on the outskirts of towns and cities where the planning and design of the parks have resulted in over-reliance on the private car; whether he has considered the provision of electric shuttles and bike share schemes to assist with modal shift in these locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41928/23]

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

107. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if, with respect to Annex III of the Reduced VAT Rates Directive (details supplied), his Department is considering the potential implications on lowering the VAT rate applied to newspapers and periodicals either on physical means of support or supplied electronically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42189/23]

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

144. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if, with respect to Annex III of the Reduced VAT Rates Directive (details supplied), his Department is considering the potential implications on lowering the VAT rate applied to bicycles, including electric bicycles, and supply of services relating to the transport of passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42188/23]

United Nations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

23. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his recent visit to the UN as it relates to the SDG Declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41608/23]

United Nations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

30. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his recent UN visit with respect to Climate Finance and in anticipation of COP 28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41609/23]

Air Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide funding to increase the number of traffic-sited air pollution monitors in towns and cities, particularly on high-traffic streets, to gather data to help raise awareness of the harm of car fumes and the need for modal shift to active and public transport, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41651/23]

Air Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

97. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to improve the monitoring of polluted air at school gates, beyond the GLOBE citizen-science project which is limited by its voluntary participation, monitoring period, methodology and indicative results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41650/23]

Departmental Licences

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

237. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any licence has been issued for the management of the goat herd at Passage East, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42037/23]

Public Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on additional funding being made available for Connecting Ireland to ensure that as passenger numbers are growing on our public transport services, capacity is being optimised through additional service provision, as evidenced by the oversubscription on the 874 route from Hacketstown to Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41011/23]

Greyhound Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

431. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the cause of death in the case of the 1,241 non-coursing greyhounds classified as deaths notified by ICC, as recorded on the RCETS in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41047/23]

Greyhound Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

432. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds rehomed for each of the years 2021 and 2022, listed in tabular form, with last recorded status on the RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41048/23]

Greyhound Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

433. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences issued for the burial of racing, non-coursing greyhounds, by district veterinary offices, for each of the years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form, including by district veterinary office, given that racing greyhounds are classified as farm animals and, as such, on-farm burial is required to be authorised via district veterinary offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41049/23]

Hospital Facilities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the opening of the second cath lab in University Hospital Waterford, he will outline the anticipated timeline for moving to a cardiac care service operating 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40037/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

17. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dedicated services to address long Covid in each of the regions; the steps his Department is taking to provide services and supports for those affected by long Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40036/23]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

75. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on his engagements with the management at SETU in relation to the university-enterprise quarter planned for the Waterford Crystal site; when it can be expected to see detailed capital plans for the development of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40035/23]

Information and Communications Technology

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

88. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's plans to respond to and resource the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, particularly with respect to the 280,000 people over the age of 60 years who do not use the internet at all, according to CSO data, and cognisant of the Roadmap's high-level commitment to delivering the United Nations principle of "Leave No One Behind"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40034/23]

Grant Payments

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

377. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the level of available funding for the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant scheme 2023, given the high level of interest and over-subscription to the scheme, with applicants remaining on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38655/23]

Cycling Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

378. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on formally requesting that Moscow and Minsk be removed from the EuroVelo Route 2, which starts in Moscow and ends in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38673/23]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

788. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán a tuairimí maidir le méadú ar an deontas faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí do Choláistí Gaeilge do cúrsaí samhraidh do mhic léinn atá ag fanacht i lóistín an Choláiste, chun filleadh ar an leibhéal tacaíochta a bhí ar fáil roimh an gcúlú eacnamaíochta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37341/23]

Medicinal Products

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1638. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the consideration his Department is giving to the inclusion of the drug Saxenda in the treatment of obesity in the drugs payment scheme for non-diabetic patients; if he plans to widen the prescription of Saxenda to medical card holders with a BMI of greater than 35 as a preventative medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37840/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1796. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the payment of the Covid pandemic recognition payment to employees of private hospitals (details supplied) who were working with patients face-to-face during the pandemic, who were eligible to the first and second sequence of the vaccine given the nature of the risk involved with their work, and whose hospital was part of the whole-of-health-service response to the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38649/23]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

2041. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the Technological University Development Fund; the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation (TUT) Fund; if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUTF Fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding; if the TUs who merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs who merged earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37260/23]

Public Sector Pay

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

2042. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding a response to the Labour Court recommendation with regard to aligning adult education tutors in the ETB sector to a pay scale of an existing grade, recognition of service, and pay during holiday periods in order that they do not have to sign up for social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/23]

School Admissions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

269. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education whether the remit to set the secondary schools geographical catchment area for its admissions policy always rests with the board of management of the schools, even in the case of a school (details supplied) which was established as a regional solution for a lack of capacity across two school planning areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33623/23]

Pension Provisions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

163. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the agreement reached by the WRC, CWU, An Post and Government in March to increase by 5%, backdated to 1 January 2022, by a further 2% from 1 January 2023, and by 1% from 1 July 2023, of the pensions for An Post pensioners; the timeline for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31772/23]

Public Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

174. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the current position with regard to improvements to the Cork-Waterford route as planned under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan; the timeline for the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31708/23]

Office of Public Works

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

40. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding the recruitment of in-house expertise at the OPW to ensure a full complement of competencies in ecological, botanical, horticultural or biodiversity-related roles; whether a gap analysis has been completed across the organisation; whether a biodiversity officer has been appointed at a level which enables significant influence across the organisation, as outlined in action 1.1 of the biodiversity action strategy 2022-26; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30962/23]

Departmental Strategies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

56. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the development of an evaluation approach for the carbon capture of OPW-managed peatlands, woodlands, wetlands and other semi-natural habitats compared with the carbon footprint of delivering OPW services in heritage, property and flooding, as outlined in action 4. 6 of the Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30963/23]