Parliamentary questions

Vacant Properties

Neale Richmond

387. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an update will be provided on the work of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to identify vacant houses and other appropriate locations for the housing of Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18257/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

501. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the work she is undertaking to ensure that children with additional needs who attend a school (details supplied) have adequate supports for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18282/22]

Gender Recognition

Neale Richmond

532. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of and position regarding providing the option to include non-binary as a gender option in the Gender Recognition Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18238/22]

Social Welfare Code

Neale Richmond

533. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if the benefit payment for 65-year-olds is means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18246/22]

Social Welfare Code

Neale Richmond

534. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18247/22]

Social Welfare Code

Neale Richmond

535. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/22]

Social Welfare Code

Neale Richmond

536. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if a type of person (details supplied) would qualify for the benefit payment for 65-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18249/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

856. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he has considered restricting the over-the-counter sale of codeine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18195/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Neale Richmond

971. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the funding for the connected hubs programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18097/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

972. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to expand the walks scheme including into the Dublin mountains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18098/22]

Property Registration

Neale Richmond

244. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to issues regarding the Property Registration Authority, PRA, and delays in receiving information; if he has taken steps to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17143/22]

Irish Language

Neale Richmond

270. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no Irish language secondary school available for persons in the Dublin Rathdown area for parents that would like their children to continue their education through Irish; if she will take steps to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17198/22]

Irish Language

Neale Richmond

271. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she plans to open more Irish language secondary schools in the greater Dublin area in order to provide more options for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17199/22]

School Facilities

Neale Richmond

272. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to schools being built, including a school in Cherrywood (details supplied), with gas boilers; if a more environmentally friendly option can be found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17205/22]

Mental Health Services

Neale Richmond

398. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of access to St. John of Gods respite services in Dún Laoghaire due to emergency situations requiring a takeover of the respite services; if he will take steps to ensure that emergencies can be addressed while also allowing for the continuation of the respite services for St. John of Gods service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17223/22]

Driver Licences

Neale Richmond

18. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will facilitate the early renewal of driver licenses that have been extended due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16825/22]

International Protection

Neale Richmond

96. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if non-European Union students who had been studying in Ukraine will be facilitated to continue their studies in Ireland; if this service is restricted to refugees with Ukrainian citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16828/22]

EU Meetings

Neale Richmond

17. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the most recent European Council meeting. [12776/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

33. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversation with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. [12777/22]

Northern Ireland

Neale Richmond

40. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Shared Island Dialogue on Sport. [12778/22]

Crime Prevention

Neale Richmond

119. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to address assaults on frontline workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16245/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are able to enter Ireland and regularise their position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16246/22]

Cycling Facilities

Neale Richmond

254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that future cycle lanes are segregated and protected from cars where possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16579/22]

National Lottery

Neale Richmond

281. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when purchasing a ticket for the National Lottery Euromillions online the National Lottery website adds in an additional €1.00 for lotto plus, therefore creating an opt-out system when an opt-in system should be in place; if he will address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16576/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

569. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the status of the community safety and innovation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11509/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

570. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are given equal rights and access to services in Ireland upon their arrival; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14470/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

58. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that Ukrainian refugees can avail of childcare in an affordable and timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14469/22]

EU Meetings

Neale Richmond

100. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent meeting with his EU counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14471/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

127. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the response of his Department to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14472/22]

North-South Ministerial Council

Neale Richmond

210. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the schedule of upcoming meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council. [6424/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

211. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the implementation and impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6479/22]

British-Irish Co-operation

Neale Richmond

212. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the schedule of upcoming meetings of the British-Irish Council. [6423/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Neale Richmond

14. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that are being taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees can access the supplementary welfare allowance and child benefit quickly upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14468/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

63. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she has taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to social protection services upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14467/22]

Aviation Industry

Neale Richmond

195. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to so-called ghost flights being flown from Dublin Airport; if he is concerned at the climate impact of these flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14555/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

251. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the average waiting times for the Revenue Commissioners' jobs and pensions phone helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14420/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

252. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the Revenue Commissioners' public offices to reopen following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14421/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the operating hours of the Revenue Commissioners' jobs and pensions phone helplines beyond the current 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. hours to deal with the high volume of calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14422/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the total number of queries dealt with by the Revenue Commissioners in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if these calls are from businesses or individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14423/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

255. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the average response time to queries submitted to the ROS online MyEnquiries service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14424/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

256. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of queries submitted to the ROS MyEnquiries service in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14425/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

257. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance when the current virtual video appointment was established by the Revenue Commissioners; the average wait time for a virtual video appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14426/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

258. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of virtual video appointments facilitated by the Revenue Commissioners since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14427/22]

Hospital Staff

Neale Richmond

994. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will address the recruitment of 17 additional neurology nurses for St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14643/22]

Agriculture Industry

Neale Richmond

1144. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if has considered increasing the use of seaweed as fertiliser to tackle the shortage of fertiliser; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14588/22]

Agriculture Industry

Neale Richmond

1145. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered reusing food waste as animal feed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14589/22]

School Facilities

Neale Richmond

76. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the work of her Department to ensure that full use is made of educational facilities outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/22]

School Facilities

Neale Richmond

86. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to the use of schools for after-school care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13329/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

1. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [11439/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

222. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of Covid-19 anti-viral drugs to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13435/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

7. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the German Chancellor. [11438/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Neale Richmond

94. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with third-level education institutions regarding Ukrainian students enrolled in Ireland given the crisis in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12749/22]

Research and Development

Neale Richmond

104. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish universities are involved in research projects or alliances with Ukrainian universities; if these have been impacted by the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12750/22]

European Council

Neale Richmond

126. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the most recent European Council meeting. [12183/22]

Environmental Policy

Neale Richmond

154. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to address the rising use of plastic in supermarkets and in food packaging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12949/22]

Environmental Policy

Neale Richmond

155. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will meet with retailers including supermarkets to discuss their use of plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12950/22]

Economic Sanctions

Neale Richmond

205. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if the suspension of Euro clearing for Russian banks will be supported in view of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12656/22]

Crime Prevention

Neale Richmond

454. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the actions contained in the Hamilton Review Group Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12987/22]

Residency Permits

Neale Richmond

455. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if Covid-19 related immigration permissions will be treated as reckonable residency for the purposes of long-term residency applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12988/22]

Ports Policy

Neale Richmond

42. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will undertake upgrades to Irish ports to ensure they are equipped to deal with the increase of activity due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/22]

Public Transport

Neale Richmond

92. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric hybrid buses in operation on public service transport routes; when more are expected to be added to the public transport fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/22]

Housing Provision

Neale Richmond

114. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of commencements of new homes in 2021, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/22]

Local Authorities

Neale Richmond

198. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the work to ensure that councillors can access maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11832/22]

Financial Services

Neale Richmond

250. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the efforts that have been made to ensure all Irish financial institutions are clear of Russian influence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12177/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Neale Richmond

292. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will expel the Russian Ambassador and all Russian diplomats from Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12179/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Neale Richmond

293. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the full list of sanctions agreed by European Union leaders against Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12180/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Neale Richmond

294. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the humanitarian supports that the Government will be donating to the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/22]

Foreign Conflicts

Neale Richmond

298. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will consider sending military grade equipment to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12182/22]

International Protection

Neale Richmond

307. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the preparatory measures that have been taken to house refugees fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12184/22]

Visa Agreements

Neale Richmond

312. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian citizens who are resident in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12186/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

323. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 17 February 2022, the steps that he is taking to ensure the HSE principals’ helpline is providing adequate help for schools given that schools have had many issues accessing sufficient help from this line, resulting in large outbreaks of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12309/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

128. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a request by a school (details supplied) for an exceptional review of its SNA hours with the National Council for Special Education given that its SNA allocation of half of one SNA post is not sufficient to cope with its needs; the steps that are being taken to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11817/22]

School Accommodation

Neale Richmond

129. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is scheduled to open two classes for children with ASD and one special class but cannot do so due to uncertainty regarding its permanent building; if she has been in touch with the school regarding the matter; the steps that are being taken to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11818/22]

Environmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

167. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if all homeowners will avail of all grants available through the SEAI whether availing of the one stop shop service or the individual energy upgrade grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11344/22]

Environmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

168. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views that a limited number of approved contractors will lead to delays in accessing SEAI grants for many customers; if steps are being taken to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11345/22]

Overseas Development Aid

Neale Richmond

439. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if funds will be allocated to the United Nations Population Fund supplies as part of Ireland’s overseas development assistance budget for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11753/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

478. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if he will provide an update on the provision of a permanent location and building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11346/22]

Assisted Decision-Making

Neale Richmond

546. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delay in implementing the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 until June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11349/22]

Assisted Decision-Making

Neale Richmond

547. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has plans to implement the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 prior to its expected implementation time of June 2022 given the long delays in its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

712. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a shortage of hormone replacement therapy in several pharmacies in the Dublin area; the steps he is taking to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

737. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the progress of the vaccine injury compensation scheme for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11343/22]

Sports Events

Neale Richmond

25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an update will be provided on the Government’s engagement with the joint bid for Euro 2028 by Ireland and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10321/22]

Sport and Recreational Development

Neale Richmond

50. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an update will be provided on her work to promote women in sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10320/22]

Climate Action Plan

Neale Richmond

148. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the investment in research and development in green hydrogen as a fuel for power generation, as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9455/22]

Cybersecurity Policy

Neale Richmond

152. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if an update will be provided on the work of the National Cyber Security Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9454/22]

Cabinet Committees

Neale Richmond

10. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Europe will meet next. [9451/22]

Good Friday Agreement

Neale Richmond

16. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach when the shared island unit will hold its next dialogue. [7767/22]

Tax Reliefs

Neale Richmond

27. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider raising the €3.20 per day work from home allowance given the rise in the cost of electricity and utility bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9457/22]

Tax Exemptions

Neale Richmond

72. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making tips received in the hospitality sector tax free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9456/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

204. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are awaiting a driving test appointment; the breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9974/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

205. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are awaiting a motorcycle test appointment; the breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9975/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

206. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are awaiting a car theory test appointment; the breakdown by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9976/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

207. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that are being taken to clear the backlog of driving test appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9977/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

208. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that are being taken to clear the backlog of motorcycle test appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9978/22]

Tax Credits

Neale Richmond

258. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will increase the single parent carer’s credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/22]

School Attendance

Neale Richmond

498. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that parents are being told that their child risks being reported for poor attendance due to days taken off with symptoms of Covid-19 as per school and public health guidelines; the steps she is taking to ensure no child is penalised for days taken off with Covid-19 symptoms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9947/22]

Departmental Funding

Neale Richmond

578. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the next round of core funding for childcare providers and contracts will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9315/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

860. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing those who live alone to benefit from the recent decrease to the drugs payment scheme on a pro-rata basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9971/22]

Medicinal Products

Neale Richmond

864. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 77 of 15 February 2022, when cariban was classified as a food supplement rather than a medicine; if it was always classified as a food supplement in Ireland; the metrics under which this classification was awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9987/22]

An Garda Síochána

Neale Richmond

96. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice when body-worn cameras will be introduced for An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7770/22]