Parliamentary questions

Ukraine War

Carol Nolan

68. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or officials from his Department have engaged with Fáilte Ireland, an organisation (details supplied) or the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to discuss concerns relating to the volume of hotels being used to accommodate international protection applicants or persons arriving from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57037/22]

Ukraine War

Thomas Pringle

69. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the levels of co-operation that his Department has had from other Government Departments and local authorities to assist with providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57250/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

70. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged or will engage with childcare providers in Dublin on their concerns about the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56369/22]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Farrell

71. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail the implementation of schemes to reduce childcare costs by 25%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56986/22]

Family Law Cases

Bernard Durkan

73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he remains satisfied that the interests of children remain to the fore to the greatest extent possible in all situations where their interests may be challenged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56684/22]

Asylum Seekers

Pa Daly

74. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of recent HIQA inspections of IPAS-contracted properties. [56573/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

76. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents who use childminders will be able to benefit from the reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56370/22]

Children in Care

Kathleen Funchion

83. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which he remains satisfied with the current arrangement that sees private for-profit foster care companies fulfilling the Government’s obligation in respect of children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56886/22]

Departmental Bodies

Bernard Durkan

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate support exists for all children insofar as is possible who might be subjected to a threat from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56685/22]

Childcare Services

Fergus O'Dowd

110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that are being considered to ensure that childminders can access much-needed supports under the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56487/22]

Childcare Services

Alan Dillon

121. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that childminders cannot access supports available under the national childcare scheme. [56977/22]

Childcare Services

Pádraig O'Sullivan

124. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the childminding steering group; when he expects the group to publish its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56700/22]

Government Communications

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service unit of his Department. [51354/22]

Government Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service unit of his Department. [54841/22]

Government Communications

Paul Murphy

3. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service unit of his Department. [56314/22]

Government Communications

Mick Barry

4. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service unit of his Department. [56448/22]

Government Communications

Ivana Bacik

5. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the Government Information Service unit of his Department. [55389/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Mary Lou McDonald

6. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [52762/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Christopher O'Sullivan

7. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [54582/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [54840/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [54843/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Ivana Bacik

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [55385/22]

Sustainable Development Goals

Mick Barry

11. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the senior officials group chaired by his Department to provide a strategic overview of the implementation of the sustainable development goals. [56703/22]

Defence Forces

Mary Lou McDonald

12. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [52764/22]

Defence Forces

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [54842/22]

Defence Forces

Paul Murphy

14. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [54844/22]

Defence Forces

Sorca Clarke

15. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [54853/22]

Defence Forces

Ivana Bacik

16. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [55386/22]

Defence Forces

Mick Barry

17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [56449/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

1. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if security issues were discussed at the recent meeting in Prague consisting of the European-wide Heads of State. [50288/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

2. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the first meeting of the European Political Community. [50726/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

3. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the extent to which discussions took place at the recent intergovernmental conference in Prague regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [51635/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

4. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the Prague summit of the European Political Community. [51352/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Peadar Tóibín

5. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine in Prague. [52972/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mick Barry

6. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Political Community. [53552/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Council in Prague. [53576/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Council in Prague. [53579/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ivana Bacik

9. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Political Community meeting in Prague and the informal European Council meeting. [55384/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Rose Conway-Walsh

10. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Council in Prague. [55406/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mick Barry

11. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting of the European Political Community. [56702/22]

Housing Provision

Ruairí Ó Murchú

12. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [51679/22]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

13. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [52891/22]

Housing Provision

Peadar Tóibín

14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [52971/22]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [53229/22]

Housing Provision

Paul Murphy

16. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [53232/22]

Housing Provision

Mick Barry

17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [53553/22]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

18. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [53577/22]

Housing Provision

Paul Murphy

19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [53580/22]

Housing Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

20. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [54576/22]

Housing Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

21. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [54577/22]

Housing Provision

Pádraig O'Sullivan

22. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Housing will next meet. [54578/22]

Housing Provision

Pádraig O'Sullivan

23. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [54579/22]

Housing Provision

Paul McAuliffe

24. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [54580/22]

Housing Provision

Paul McAuliffe

25. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [54581/22]

Housing Provision

Mary Lou McDonald

26. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing last met. [54589/22]

Housing Provision

Mary Lou McDonald

27. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Housing for All progress report for quarter 3 of 2022 will be published. [54590/22]

Housing Provision

Cian O'Callaghan

28. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [54612/22]

Housing Provision

Rose Conway-Walsh

29. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [55407/22]

Office of Public Works

Michael Lowry

82. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on efforts made by the Office of Public Works to identify a site for a visitor and interpretative centre in Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56757/22]

Civil Service

Richard O'Donoghue

83. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the Government is refusing to publish the salaries paid to the Secretaries General of Government Departments (details supplied). [56782/22]

Flood Risk Management

David Stanton

84. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding received by each local authority for flood relief schemes in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56322/22]

Flood Risk Management

Brendan Smith

85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the level of funding for minor drainage works will be increased in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56458/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Christopher O'Sullivan

86. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he anticipates further expenditure measures to address the rise in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56444/22]

National Development Plan

Christopher O'Sullivan

87. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update of the implementation of the national development plan for the period 2021 to 2030, specifically in relation to national strategic objective, NSO, 8 of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56445/22]

Flood Risk Management

Aindrias Moynihan

88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on flooding project works for Ardcahan Bridge in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56471/22]

National Development Plan

Michael Moynihan

90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the implementation of the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and specifically in relation to NSO 3 of the Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56423/22]

Flood Risk Management

Colm Burke

91. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the current position in awarding a contract for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; the likely date when the contract will be awarded; when work is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56367/22]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Bernard Durkan

92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which public expenditure on the capital side remains vigorous and sufficient to meet demands and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56382/22]

Flood Risk Management

Brian Leddin

93. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress which has been made by the steering group to advance the flood mitigation works at Ballycar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56453/22]

EU Programmes

Brendan Smith

94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the likely timescale for the launch of the PEACE PLUS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56398/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that spending across all Departments remains in line with projections, while retaining the capability of responding to emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56381/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure in Ireland are adequately proofed to ensure the best outcome for the Exchequer and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56677/22]

National Car Test

Darren O'Rourke

1. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to reduce the long waiting times for NCT appointments; if the private company operating the NCT service has faced any sanction under its contract due to these long delays; if the staff which it has temporarily transferred from Spain are qualified to the same standard as their Irish counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55353/22]

Public Transport

Mick Barry

2. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the BusConnects project in Cork; if he will confirm if the routes will be subject to tender for private operators; the guarantees he can give in terms of workers’ rights and service levels for outsourced routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55832/22]

Ports Policy

Darren O'Rourke

3. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when the port capacity review will be published and when the full review of the national ports policy will be commenced; if he will outline the Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding planned for investment in ports in Ireland, at Rosslare, Cork and Shannon-Foynes in particular, to fund the development works needed to facilitate the construction and installation of offshore wind farms at these ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55354/22]

Climate Change Policy

Denis Naughten

4. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the steps which he intends to take on foot of the Climate Change Advisory Council-commissioned report from the OECD on reducing Ireland's transport emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54970/22]

Road Network

Ruairí Ó Murchú

6. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the options open to a community (details supplied) in north County Louth, which is campaigning for traffic-calming measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54989/22]

Road Safety

Darren O'Rourke

7. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures that he is taking to support the delivery of the Road Safety Authority, RSA, road safety strategy; if he will outline a timeline for associated enabling legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55358/22]

Public Transport

Richard Bruton

8. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the present emissions profile of the Irish public transport fleet; the past and future trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55845/22]

Cycling Facilities

Paul McAuliffe

9. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the shared station-less e-bike schemes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55884/22]

Ports Policy

Brian Leddin

10. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop the port infrastructure here to enable the deployment of offshore wind farms, particularly on the west coast, in view of a report finding that Belfast Harbour is the only port capable of supporting large fixed and floating wind projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55750/22]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 22 September 2022, the progress on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; the status of the draft park-and-ride study for Galway, and if it has been presented to both Galway city and county councils to date; the status of the site options analysis and feasibility studies for each of the zones identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55752/22]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

12. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to implement a public transport security strategy; if he plans to include An Garda Síochána in such a strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55761/22]

Bus Services

Bríd Smith

13. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to intervene directly with bus transport companies in relation to the current crisis in driver shortages and recruitment; the way in which the BusConnects programme can be implemented in Dublin, given the failure to retain and recruit sufficient drivers needed for the expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55704/22]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to address the bus driver shortage in Ireland; if he will address the delay in issuing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55357/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Pearse Doherty

89. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of outstanding mortgage loans that are tracker or variable rate mortgages; and if he will consider options to introduce targeted, tailored and time-bound mortgage interest relief in response to rising interest rates. [55905/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Ged Nash

90. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or the Central Bank has undertaken, or plans to undertake, an analysis of the potential impact of rising ECB interest rates on Irish mortgage holders; his views as to whether the Central Bank will require additional regulatory powers to protect those with variable and tracker mortgages from rising rates, given the lack of competition in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55833/22]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

91. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the increased soft and hard costs resulting from the defective concrete products levy on a typical semi-detached house, its impact on housing supply and the cost of remediation for homeowners affected by defective blocks. [55906/22]

Vacant Properties

Róisín Shortall

92. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason that the vacant property tax announced in Budget 2023 was set at 0.3% tax on the value of the vacant home; the rationale for selecting this level and not implementing a higher tax which takes account of inflation in land value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56001/22]

Tax Reliefs

Marian Harkin

93. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if he will increase the percentage payment for the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS, to SMEs that are highly energy-dependent and where their energy bills are a significant portion of their outgoings. [53732/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to remain satisfied that adequate measures have been taken to confront inflation here, and control any incoming inflation to the greatest extent possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55812/22]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

95. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, post-budget analysis that suggests that permanent tax changes made in budget 2023 will disproportionately benefit higher earners; if he is concerned that full-time workers who are on the minimum wage will not see the full benefit of the planned 80 cent an hour increase in the national minimum wage due to the failure to entirely adjust all relevant PRSI and tax bands to account for this increase; his plans, if any, to address this issue on Committee or Report Stage of the Finance Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55838/22]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated annual revenue forgone as a result of stamp duty not being applied to share buybacks not effected by means of a stock transfer form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55908/22]

Tax Code

Pádraig O'Sullivan

97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider the benefit-in-kind, BIK, changes introduced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55675/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

98. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the steps that he is taking to fulfil the commitment in the programme for Government for credit unions to become a key provider of community banking. [55634/22]

Business Supports

Ciarán Cannon

99. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Finance the way that farmers are to be included in the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS. [53235/22]

Tax Collection

Alan Dillon

100. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the publication of the draft residential zoned land tax maps by local authorities; the scope of the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55890/22]

Tax Collection

Neasa Hourigan

101. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the work of his Department to bring VAT rules into line with common EU priorities such as fighting climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55913/22]

Tax Collection

Paul McAuliffe

117. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the implementation of the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55892/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered providing a differentiation in benefit-in-kind rules for company cars for someone who receives a car as a work benefit versus someone who uses the car as a part of their job; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55873/22]