Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for all sittings
Page 5 of 16
Tue, 11 Jul 2023
written
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]
Thu, 29 Jun 2023
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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]
Thu, 29 Jun 2023
written
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]
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
oral
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]
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
written
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]
Tue, 27 Jun 2023
written
Public Services Provision
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
258. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the legal obligations on the civil and public service to assist residents in Ireland to access State services through the provision of translation and interpretation assistance, where those seeking to access services do not have English or Irish as a first language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31332/23]
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
oral
Road Safety
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
6. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the status of the review of the framework for setting of speed limits, with specific consideration of the introduction of a 30 km/h default speed limit in urban areas to improve road safety and take-up of active travel, as outlined in the RSA Action Plan 2021–2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30186/23]
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
oral
Climate Action Plan
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the outputs from the climate delivery transport task force since its establishment, as indicated in the Climate Action Plan 2023 Annex of Actions; the specific areas and initiatives of climate delivery that are currently under its focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30185/23]
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
written
Tax Code
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
114. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a reduction in VAT to zero on heat pumps, similar to the treatment of VAT on solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29886/23]
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
written
Departmental Policies
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
153. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if, in light of the Taoiseach’s plans to organise a half-day seminar to review the outcome of the Wellbeing Framework, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, his Department has considered creating an additional dimension within the Wellbeing Framework dealing with language and culture, as has been done in New Zealand and Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29887/23]
Wed, 21 Jun 2023
oral
Climate Action Plan
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
3. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first progress report for the first quarter of 2023 of the climate action plan. [29515/23]
Tue, 20 Jun 2023
oral
Departmental Data
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
13. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the well-being framework for Ireland, overseen by his Department. [29514/23]
Tue, 20 Jun 2023
written
School Facilities
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
295. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the information her Department's planning and building unit has available regarding current Irish primary school outdoor spaces, including the average space available, how the space was designed, what boundaries, surfaces, equipment and natural elements are in situ, whether funding for equipment has been through public or private means, if the outdoor space is also used for community purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29088/23]
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
written
Irish Aid
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the proposed rebranding of Irish Aid to the Government of Ireland Development Programme Overseas as indicated last December; if an assessment of the potential impacts has been completed; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28740/23]
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
written
Sustainable Development Goals
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
68. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if preparations are under way ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit convening this September in New York and in particular for the role Ireland will play as co-facilitator of a negotiated political declaration as an output from the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/23]
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
written
Electricity Grid
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
98. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department should have more stringent guidelines in place for contractors to ensure that ESBN NC6 applications are submitted in a more uniform and timely manner to ensure that customers are given access to feed-in tariff payments at the earliest opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28747/23]
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
written
Energy Usage
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
101. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has engaged with energy providers to ensure that all electricity customers with smart meters, and regardless of tariff plan, are given access to their real-time data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28748/23]
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
written
Health Promotion
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
269. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department is sending a delegation to the WHO-convened Global Congress on Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in Geneva in June 2023; if so, the composition of the delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28926/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
oral
Public Participation Networks
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the review of public participation networks to ensure they are fit for purpose for climate action, as laid out in appendix 1 of policy measures in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28135/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
Rural Schemes
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
98. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the review of the Local Economic and Community Plans to ensure that they are fit for purpose for climate action, as laid out in Appendix 1 of policy measures in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28136/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
Overseas Development Aid
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to expanding the scholarships available to developing countries for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and in STEM programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27231/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
Overseas Development Aid
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
129. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps his Department is taking to increase the supply of qualified teachers through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27232/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
School Funding
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
617. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding ICT grant funding this school year; the rationale regarding the withdrawal of this funding stream given the need for schools to progress their digital learning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28517/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
Health Services
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
1280. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on reinstating genetic clinician satellite clinics in each of the regions by the national genetic services in Crumlin as national genetic resources are being ramped up, given the immense efficiencies that a timely diagnosis of genetic disease can bring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28321/23]
Tue, 13 Jun 2023
written
Pharmacy Services
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
1285. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his Department’s plans to engage with the community pharmacists sector and their representative body (details supplied) as committed to in the Programme for Government, with a view to renegotiating the existing fees model, which remains unchanged for 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28379/23]
Thu, 1 Jun 2023
written
Vaccination Programme
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
50. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider the creation of a no-fault vaccine injury compensation scheme as exists in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26672/23]
Thu, 1 Jun 2023
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
56. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to expand capacity in respect to the impact of long-Covid on those impacted, either in terms of clinical research or the provision of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26673/23]
Thu, 1 Jun 2023
oral
Irish Language
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
84. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is forward planning to help to fulfil the provisions set out in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, and in particular the objective that 20% of staff recruited to the public service by 2030 will be proficient in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26680/23]
Thu, 1 Jun 2023
written
Technological Universities
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
120. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has considered creating the role of professor within the new technological universities in order that these institutions might fulfil their research ambitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26681/23]
Thu, 1 Jun 2023
written
Disability Services
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
299. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE allocations for Dungarvan children's disability network team, the Waterford city north team and the Waterford city south team; the number of WTE posts vacant on 1 April 2023, broken down by discipline, in tabular form; the current caseload numbers for the teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26904/23]
Tue, 30 May 2023
written
Early Childhood Care and Education
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
51. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the national childcare scheme, NCS; the number of providers that are signed up to the Together for Better funding model; the number of children who receive the NCS subsidy; if there are plans to expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/23]
Tue, 30 May 2023
written
International Protection
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
105. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the number of accommodation providers currently housing Ukrainian refugees; the number of accommodation providers currently housing international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/23]
Tue, 30 May 2023
written
Energy Conservation
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
216. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the take-up, by county, of the deduction for retrofitting expenditure incentive for small-scale landlords who undertake retrofitting work while the tenant remains in situ, since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25880/23]
Thu, 25 May 2023
oral
Environmental Impact Assessments
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
62. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department's review of the EIA agriculture regulations will commence; if he will require screening of all hedgerow removal, land drainage and conversion of land to agricultural use, regardless of the scale of such operations, while such a review is ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25216/23]
Thu, 25 May 2023
written
Agriculture Schemes
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
76. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will launch a voluntary reduction scheme for dairy farmers; how the scheme will be structured in a way which ensures that reductions in breeding ruminants on a participating farm are not offset by increases in breeding ruminant numbers on that farm or on other farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25217/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Departmental Strategies
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
107. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the implementation of the Roadmap for Social Protection 2020-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24632/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Public Transport
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
124. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the use of a designated Leap card for the free travel pass, with a view to cross-departmental collaboration towards better public transport services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24634/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Animal Diseases
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
591. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current cost of the culling of each badger under the TB Eradication Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24324/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Animal Diseases
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
592. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the rate of use of vaccination and microchipping of badgers under the TB Eradication Programme per annum over the lifetime of the project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24325/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Animal Diseases
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
593. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the project timeline with measurable deliverables with regard to the badger culling programme and badger vaccination programme under the TB Eradication Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Departmental Programmes
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
594. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any geographical data is held on the current vaccinated microchipped badgers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/23]
Tue, 23 May 2023
written
Animal Diseases
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
595. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current resources assigned to the badger culling programme and the badger vaccination programme, and their assigned geographical area and rate of culling and vaccination completed in each area over the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24328/23]
Thu, 18 May 2023
written
Sports Organisations
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
13. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how nature preservation and biodiversity initiates are being developed, advanced and supported in sports clubs nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23341/23]
Tue, 16 May 2023
written
School Facilities
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
108. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education whether the capacity survey as referenced in her answer to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 2 February 2023 indicating the current level of installation of solar panels in schools is complete; whether the survey will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22437/23]
Tue, 16 May 2023
written
School Facilities
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
113. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the project plan for the installation of solar panels in schools nationwide; the assigning of resources to ensure capacity for delivery; whether schools will follow an opt-in or opt-out application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22413/23]
Thu, 11 May 2023
oral
Departmental Consultations
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the steps his Department is taking to progress Ireland's open government national action plan 2023-2025 following the public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21384/23]
Thu, 11 May 2023
written
Office of Public Works
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
48. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position with regard to the delivery of modular housing, including the status of supply chain, identification of sites, and installation of necessary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21383/23]
Thu, 11 May 2023
written
Environmental Policy
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the take-up of the Green Transition Fund incentives to decarbonise industrial heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21385/23]
Thu, 11 May 2023
written
Climate Action Plan
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
109. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position with regard to the detailed roadmap for long-term decarbonisation of the commercial sector, including requirements arising from recast EU legislation, as laid out in the annex of actions of the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/23]
Tue, 9 May 2023
oral
Departmental Policies
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
8. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [21307/23]