Parliamentary questions

Energy Efficiency

Paul McAuliffe

180. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the national retrofitting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1580/21]

Local Authority Staff

Paul McAuliffe

181. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made in ensuring that all local authorities have a sufficient number of biodiversity and heritage officers among their staff complement as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1581/21]

Ports Traffic

Paul McAuliffe

230. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the average number of haulage trucks that arrive into Irish ports on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12803/21]

Taxi Regulations

Paul McAuliffe

258. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the ten-year rule for taxi drivers with vehicles first registered in 2012 given the severe impact of Covid-19 on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13417/21]

Local Authority Funding

Paul McAuliffe

397. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding provided to Dublin City Council for retrofitting council properties in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13069/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Paul McAuliffe

528. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if a special needs assistant (details supplied) who is due to retire will be allowed to extend their working life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13070/21]

Ambulance Service

Paul McAuliffe

760. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned new ambulance station in Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12569/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding provided to community co-working space in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10967/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

11. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the groups that availed of community co-working space in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10968/21]

Enterprise Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

12. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding streams available for co-working space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10969/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

160. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the validity of motorbike initial basic training certificates given the extension of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12075/21]

Customs and Excise

Paul McAuliffe

176. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding car imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11745/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

230. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if takeaway food and drink is eligible to be claimed under the stay and spend scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/21]

Homeless Persons Data

Paul McAuliffe

343. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status and timelines of commissioned reports into homeless deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11800/21]

DEIS Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

494. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her progress in the reduction in class size in DEIS band one schools for the next academic year and future years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11945/21]

Children in Care

Paul McAuliffe

571. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the national average number of children taken into care per thousand children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10995/21]

Children in Care

Paul McAuliffe

572. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in Dublin 9 and 11 who have been taken into care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10996/21]

Crime Data

Paul McAuliffe

651. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of murders, attempted murders, conspiracy to murder, rapes, aggravated sexual assaults and assaults causing serious harm that have been reported in each Garda division over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10980/21]

Garda Strength

Paul McAuliffe

652. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda members per thousand of population in each Garda division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10981/21]

Health Services Staff

Paul McAuliffe

711. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care posts in Ballymun, Dublin 11 for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/21]

Health Services Staff

Paul McAuliffe

712. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant primary care posts in Ballymun, Dublin 11 for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/21]

Health Services Staff

Paul McAuliffe

713. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care posts that are redeployed or on maternity leave without temporary cover in Ballymun, Dublin 11 for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/21]

HSE Waiting Lists

Paul McAuliffe

714. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of extra posts, taking into account temporary vacancies and maternity leave, that would be needed in Ballymun, Dublin 11, to eliminate the waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10990/21]

HSE Waiting Lists

Paul McAuliffe

715. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number on the waiting list in Ballymun, Dublin 11, for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10991/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

795. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if there is a procedure in relation to non-Covid-19 patients over the age of 70 being vaccinated before they enter hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11309/21]

Departmental Contracts

Paul McAuliffe

186. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider supporting a project (details supplied). [10832/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

332. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in Denmark (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

37. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications that have been received for the restart fund by Dublin City Council from businesses; the funding that has been allocated to the authority; the number of businesses that have received funding under the fund from Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10265/21]

Departmental Funding

Paul McAuliffe

63. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount allocated by his Department in 2020 and 2021 for the retrofitting of private dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10267/21]

Illegal Dumping

Paul McAuliffe

64. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has considered a national anti-illegal dumping campaign; and his views on whether the current measures to prevent illegal dumping are sufficient. [10268/21]

Office of Public Works

Paul McAuliffe

249. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the properties under the control of the Office of Public Works, OPW, in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11. [10269/21]

Local Authority Housing

Paul McAuliffe

280. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount allocated by his Department in 2020 and 2021 for the retrofitting of local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10266/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Paul McAuliffe

992. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of Covid-19 antigen tests purchased by the State; the expected uses of same; and if he plans greater use of antigen testing when the economy begins to reopen. [10272/21]

Tidy Towns Committees

Paul McAuliffe

1137. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports, funding and grants available to registered tidy towns groups; if she is considering increasing these supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10270/21]

Tidy Towns Committees

Paul McAuliffe

1138. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount paid to tidy towns groups from her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2020. [10271/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

299. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the reason for not allowing general practitioners to carry out vaccinations in larger facilities, for example, in local sports halls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9239/21]

Brexit Issues

Paul McAuliffe

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a derogation for flour coming from the UK to Ireland can be issued for a company (details supplied). [7925/21]

Driver Test

Paul McAuliffe

96. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on the waiting list for a driver test at the Finglas test centre; and his plans to deal with the backlog due to Covid-19. [8443/21]

Local Authority Members

Paul McAuliffe

261. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the availability of childcare services for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8029/21]

Programme for Government

Paul McAuliffe

379. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 715 of 3 November 2020, the progress to date of the programme for Government commitment to expand and prioritise the transfer of viable schools to community national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8134/21]

Third Level Fees

Paul McAuliffe

562. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if courses of a facility (details supplied) will be included on the list of approved courses for tax relief on tuition fees; and the criteria for private colleges to be included on the approved list. [8220/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

154. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the requirements regarding PPE for driving instructors when providing driver lessons, in particular face masks and hand sanitisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6994/21]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Paul McAuliffe

405. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if a decision has been made regarding SNA allocations for September 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6440/21]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

445. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if a list of schools in Dublin 9 and 11 with ASD units at primary and post-primary level will be provided; her views on whether this is sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6965/21]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

446. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if schools in Dublin 9 or 11 have contacted her Department in the past year about opening up a new ASD unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6966/21]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

447. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department and the NCSE are making to forecast the required number of ASD places needed in Dublin 9 and 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6967/21]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

478. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when children in mainstream primary school classes who are accessing the highest level of continuum support, that is, with Down syndrome will be returning to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7422/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

765. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans for introducing rapid antigen testing at hospitals for outpatients. [6583/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

787. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics have not yet received their vaccination (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the vaccinations; and the governance arrangements under which Dublin Fire Brigade receives vaccinations. [6694/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

24. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans for sector specific supports for aviation given the continued suppression of international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6042/21]

Social and Affordable Housing

Paul McAuliffe

80. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of spending by each local authority on new social housing above and below the €6 million single stage approval process threshold; and if the breakdown will include the number of schemes, number of homes and the spend involved. [6201/21]

National Postcode System

Paul McAuliffe

45. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason an Eircode was deactivated at a property (details supplied). [5147/21]

Warmer Homes Scheme

Paul McAuliffe

76. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received by SEAI for the better energy warmer homes schemes in 2019 and 2020; the average timescale of work being completed once approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5737/21]

Value Added Tax

Paul McAuliffe

206. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if the six-month reduction on the respective VAT rates will be extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5844/21]

Vacant Properties

Paul McAuliffe

274. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on Prospect Hill, Dublin 11 specifically in relation as to the length of time it has been vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5317/21]

Third Level Education

Paul McAuliffe

535. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to assist students who are required to complete a certain number of weeks of laboratory work in order to progress in their degree but are unable to do so due to restrictions on access to university laboratories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5573/21]

Departmental Schemes

Paul McAuliffe

603. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the pilot programme for the community crime impact assessment led by the community and voluntary sector to Dublin 9 and 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5146/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

831. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if musical accompaniment is permitted during the webcasting of religious services at level 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5735/21]

Human Rights Cases

Paul McAuliffe

367. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the detention of a person (details supplied) by Russian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3547/21]

Disability Support Services

Paul McAuliffe

819. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding early intervention. [4252/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

822. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if there has been a backlog of undelivered text messages notifying close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases of their status as of 18 January 2021; and if so, the number of text messages that were undelivered. [4266/21]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Paul McAuliffe

827. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in CAMHS in Dublin north city and county. [4284/21]

State Examinations

Paul McAuliffe

187. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education her plans to allow a greater variety of questions for the written leaving certificate in 2021 given the time missed due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3139/21]

Special Educational Needs

Paul McAuliffe

216. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the efforts her Department and the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, are making to address the lack of ASD units in primary schools in Finglas and Ballymun, Dublin 11, in particular in the case of a child (details supplied). [3467/21]

State Pension (Contributory)

Paul McAuliffe

227. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed, given this individual was incorrectly placed on the non-contributory pension in 2013 and did not receive full back payment when awarded the contributory pension in 2020. [3066/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

368. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve the communication of the vaccination roll-out, in particular the number of persons vaccinated per week and area. [3137/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

369. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he has considered a vaccination calculator application that would give persons an indication as to when they will be vaccinated based on data inputted. [3138/21]

Motor Tax

Paul McAuliffe

101. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the average wait time for a motor tax disc to be processed and sent to vehicle owners in Dublin following payment. [2746/21]

Motor Tax

Paul McAuliffe

102. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff working in the motor tax office in Dublin during the current level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/21]

State Examinations

Paul McAuliffe

313. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if guidance is available to leaving certificate music students who intend to sing for their practical examination, given current departmental guidelines, which state that singing is not allowed in a school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2553/21]

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

Paul McAuliffe

337. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied). [2265/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul McAuliffe

350. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare supports available in the case of a person (details supplied). [2685/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul McAuliffe

607. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to reprioritising persons with Down's syndrome in the vaccination strategy and implementation plan, given their lower life expectancy, in particular persons in care homes aged 40 years of age plus. [2687/21]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Paul McAuliffe

141. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered reinstating fortnightly payment of some social welfare payments in view of the reintroduction of level 5 restrictions. [1951/21]

Housing Issues

Paul McAuliffe

330. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in the establishment of a working group to examine building defects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44739/20]

Electoral Process

Paul McAuliffe

365. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to review the boundaries of the 3,440 electoral divisions in the State in advance of the 2022 census (details supplied). [1779/21]

State Examinations

Paul McAuliffe

433. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education when guidance will be issued on the leaving certificate 2021; if she foresees changes from a traditional leaving certificate, given the significant disruption to fifth year students during 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44809/20]

State Pension (Contributory)

Paul McAuliffe

593. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a contributory pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied). [1716/21]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Paul McAuliffe

615. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) who is a survivor of a mother and baby home can access counselling to deal with the aftermath of events that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/20]

Medical Cards

Paul McAuliffe

774. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider giving discretionary medical cards to amputees to cover the cost of artificial limbs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/20]

Voluntary Sector

Paul McAuliffe

54. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding opportunities available to a centre (details supplied) which is a non-profit organisation providing community, family and employment support in the Finglas, Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43931/20]

Community Development Initiatives

Paul McAuliffe

85. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her progress to date in introducing on a phased basis a number of projects similar in approach to community development projects as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43932/20]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Paul McAuliffe

104. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his progress to date in the reform of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43930/20]

Flexible Work Practices

Paul McAuliffe

131. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his progress in relation to updating the national remote working policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43929/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

42. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a business (details supplied) can open under level 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44050/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul McAuliffe

221. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [43769/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

52. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason post-leaving certificate students do not qualify for the €250 additional payment in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43153/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul McAuliffe

110. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the Covid-19 related supports available to third-level and further education colleges for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43220/20]

Brexit Issues

Paul McAuliffe

295. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there has been consideration of a scheme allowing long-term residents in Ireland from the UK to apply for an Irish passport in the aftermath of Brexit. [43203/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Paul McAuliffe

520. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health his views on the wait time for speech and language therapy assessments in CHO area 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43057/20]

Speech and Language Therapy

Paul McAuliffe

521. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the expected time frame for a speech and language therapy assessment for a person (details supplied). [43058/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

549. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if Pilates classes are allowed under level 3 restrictions in instances in which participants are more than 2 m apart throughout and instructors wear appropriate PPE. [43195/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

550. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health if a facility (details supplied) can open under level 3 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43197/20]

Crime Prevention

Paul McAuliffe

24. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the progress in tackling the issue of catalytic converter thefts from cars; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42330/20]

Anti-Social Behaviour

Paul McAuliffe

39. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in setting up a special expert forum on antisocial behaviour to consider the effectiveness of existing legislation and propose new ways forward including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders as outlined in the programme for Government. [42329/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

110. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the progress to date and the sectors involved in the planning of the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42336/20]

Nursing Education

Paul McAuliffe

114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the supports available to student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul McAuliffe

236. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Covid-19 guidance that has been given on children's dance classes during level 3; if one-to-one classes are allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41423/20]

Social and Affordable Housing

Paul McAuliffe

275. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made in providing seed capital to local authorities to provide serviced sites at cost in towns and villages to allow persons and families build homes as outlined in the Programme for Government. [41446/20]

Vacant Properties

Paul McAuliffe

276. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in expanding the role of vacant homes officers in local authorities and support local authorities to bring vacant stock into productive use as outlined in the Programme for Government. [41447/20]