Parliamentary questions

Third Level Education

Seán Sherlock

1707. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of communications he has had or if he has met in person with a University President (details supplied) to address the financial deficit in the university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15301/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

1708. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans for the further expansion of apprenticeship courses in Louth and Meath for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/24]

Third Level Education

Seán Sherlock

1709. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the plan to address the financial deficit at a university (details supplied) will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority; and when that plan will be published. [15350/24]

Rural Schemes

Seán Sherlock

1710. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up to date position with a project in south Kildare (details supplied); if an application has been received for additional funding from the council; when a decision will be made on such funding; and the expected finish date of the project. [15300/24]

Island Communities

Michael Collins

1711. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in light of the Policy Our Living Islands, her plans to bring parity to the administration funding provided to Sherkin Island Development Company to run services on Sherkin Island, to bring it in line with the funding provided to other inhabited islands around the coast between now and the promised review of the services later in 2024 (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15379/24]

Rural Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1712. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline in detail the stage process of allocating LEADER funding to local action groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13612/24]

Rural Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1713. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the procedure for selecting the independent selection committee that reviews all strategies developed by local action groups for LEADER funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13613/24]

Rural Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1714. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the appeals procedure for local action groups following an unsuccessful application for LEADER funding following the completion and submission of a strategy to the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13614/24]

Rural Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1715. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if local action groups are entitled to all information on the assessment of their application particularly in relation to the work of the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13615/24]

Rural Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1716. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that neither South West Mayo Development Company nor Mayo North East LEADER Partnership met the necessary threshold for a successful application for LEADER funding following their submission of a strategy of the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13616/24]

Departmental Programmes

Paul Donnelly

1717. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of providing extra funding under the community services programme to enable them to pay workers the new national living wage rate. [13723/24]

Departmental Funding

Paul Donnelly

1718. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how long the community centre investment will run; and if extra funding will be made available if there are other applicants. [13724/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

1719. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by her Department on travel and accommodation costs associated with Ministerial visits abroad to date in 2024, in tabular form. [13812/24]

Departmental Properties

Peadar Tóibín

1720. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of properties either owned or leased by her Department, which are currently vacant; the length of time the properties have been vacant for; and the location of the properties, in tabular form. [13830/24]

Departmental Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1721. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the town and village allocations will be made; if a group (details supplied) is being considered for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13919/24]

Rural Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1722. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had with Carlow County Council on the provision of a community hub in Carlow on the Tullow Road (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14112/24]

Library Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1723. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current progress and eventual timeline for the provision of an extension for Carlow library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14114/24]

Departmental Funding

Holly Cairns

1724. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding currently available to each local authority for dog wardens and animal welfare inspectors; when dog wardens and an animal welfare inspector will be appointed in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14314/24]

Departmental Funding

Alan Dillon

1725. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding provided by her Department to County Mayo since January 2020; the list of projects supported under the rural regeneration and development fund, town and village renewal scheme, outdoor recreation infrastructure fund, building acquisition fund and CLÁR fund during this time in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14336/24]

Animal Welfare

Cian O'Callaghan

1726. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, in relation to the high-level stakeholder group on the control of dogs, she will provide information (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14351/24]

Community Development Projects

Thomas Gould

1727. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether she is aware that Pobal requires verified audited accounts from community groups to access funding but does not provide financial assistance to support such organisations in funding these audits. [14585/24]

Departmental Funding

Thomas Gould

1728. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to community centres struggling with increased gas and electricity bills. [14586/24]

Rural Schemes

Jackie Cahill

1729. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects village renewal scheme funding to be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14666/24]

Animal Welfare

John Lahart

1730. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when and how the public and public representatives can engage with the new stakeholder group established to deal with dangerous breeds of dogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14693/24]

Animal Welfare

Seán Haughey

1731. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the newly established dog control stakeholder group will be open to submissions from the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14736/24]

Departmental Data

Pauline Tully

1732. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of WTE compliance concerns managers at the grade of HEO working in the Charities Regulator in the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15105/24]

Departmental Funding

Niall Collins

1733. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grant assistance is available for a club (details supplied) to provide worker accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15204/24]

Community Development Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

1734. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will seek an update on the purchase of a building (details supplied) in Dunleer for use as a multipurpose community space through the building acquisition measures; if any further request has been received from Louth County Council for any further buildings in the county under the BAM scheme; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15345/24]

Defence Forces

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the training of at least four members of the Israeli Defence Forces by the Irish Military College since 2017 has, in his opinion, compromised Irish neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13291/24]

Defence Forces

Gary Gannon

10. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many legal cases have been taken against the Defence Forces since the beginning of 2024; and if that figure is higher or lower than the same period in 2023. [13287/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when all the recommendations contained in the report on the Defence Forces are likely to be implemented including the issues around gender-based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13228/24]

Defence Forces

Jackie Cahill

17. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reasons for increasing the mandatory retirement age for Permanent Defence Force personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13029/24]

Defence Forces

Colm Burke

18. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been made to date in respect of current accommodation projects being carried out by his Department to accommodate members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13076/24]

Ukraine War

Catherine Connolly

19. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 23 January 2024, the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since February 2022; the details of the contribution given by Ireland to-date; the details of the contribution given by Ireland towards common costs of the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine; the details of any contributions or donations made by the Defence Forces to Ukraine to-date since February 2022, and any contributions or donations planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12834/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions he is taking to optimise retention amongst Defence Forces members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13265/24]

Defence Forces

Gary Gannon

21. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the purpose of nominating the head of the Irish Defence Forces for election to the position of Chair of the European Union Military Committee; and how much their nomination and subsequent campaign will cost the State. [13289/24]

Defence Forces

Richard Bruton

22. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has undertaken an assessment of Ireland's defence vulnerabilities in light of the deteriorating defence situation in Europe. [13260/24]

Defence Forces

Colm Burke

23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the progress made to date to increase the Defence Forces to 11,500 members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13077/24]

heading

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

24. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the decommissioning of the LÉ Eithne is scheduled to proceed. [13273/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

25. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount allocated under Budget 2024 in relation to the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles; the amount expended in 2023, by quarter; and the purpose of such expenditure. [13157/24]

heading

Brendan Griffin

26. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will review the pandemic recognition payment for Defence Forces personnel who worked in test centres to make sure all deserving individuals received the payment, give some did not. [13277/24]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

27. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has given further consideration to the use of aptitude tests as part of the recruitment process for the Defence Forces; the number who applied to enlist in the Defence Forces in 2022 and 2023, respectively and to date in 2024; the number of applicants who failed the application process in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13044/24]

Defence Forces

Seán Haughey

28. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13025/24]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

29. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the optimum number and type of naval vessels for the Naval Service; when he expects the Naval Service to acquire a multi-role vessel to replace the L.E. Éithne; the progress made in ensuring that double crews are available for all vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9156/24]

Defence Forces

Cormac Devlin

30. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to protect the use of the term "Óglaigh na hÉireann"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

31. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in view of the lack of an Army barracks in the central Border area, if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill, Cavan, as an Army barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13121/24]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which the European Union might see fit to contribute towards this country's defence and security with particular reference to coastal air and sea surveillance, given the significant shoreline and the multiplicity of undersea cables in the seas around our coast and the contribution this could make to European security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13229/24]

Civil Defence

David Stanton

33. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 23 March 2023, to outline if discussions have concluded in order to privilege paramedics and advanced paramedics to practice in the Civil Defence; if his Department has been able to assist in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13045/24]

Defence Forces

Jackie Cahill

34. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reasons for increasing the maximum recruitment age for Permanent Defence Force personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13030/24]

Defence Forces

Michael Moynihan

35. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans any initiatives to boost participation in the Defence Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13022/24]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

36. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a restriction or embargo will be introduced on Israel and Israeli companies on any future acquisition of defence equipment for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13250/24]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

37. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the proposed procurement of a primary radar system for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13280/24]

Military Aircraft

Brendan Howlin

38. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the optimum number and type of aircraft for the Air Corps; his plans to acquire new aircraft; the timelines for their delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9411/24]

Defence Forces

Cormac Devlin

39. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress being made in 2024 towards realising the Level of Ambition 2 ambition for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13028/24]

Defence Forces

Seán Haughey

40. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the personnel strength of the permanent Defence Force as of 1 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13026/24]

Legislative Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [3506/24]

Defence Forces

Michael Moynihan

42. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to increase retention levels in the Permanent Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13021/24]

Air Corps

Matt Carthy

43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the capacity of the Air Corps to contribute to efforts providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. [13154/24]

Defence Forces

James O'Connor

44. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he has introduced to boost recruitment and retention in the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13043/24]

Defence Forces

Gary Gannon

45. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will instruct the Defence Forces to award the veterans of the Siege of Jadotville with medals to recognise their bravery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13290/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

46. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made to date on the acquisition of a primary radar system for Ireland; when he expects such a system to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/24]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

47. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the progress being made to raise the mandatory retirement age in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13226/24]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

48. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the implementation of the Working Time Directive in the Defence Forces; and the timeframe in which he intends it be operationalised within the Defence Forces. [13156/24]

Naval Service

Alan Farrell

49. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the operational status of the Naval Service fleet, that is, its deployment readiness, staffing levels, the fitting out of recently acquired vessels from New Zealand; the details of the process for acquiring a multi-role vessel; the status of current recruitment plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13060/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

50. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if further consideration will be given to the re-opening of Dún Uí Néill Barracks, Cavan, as a forward operating base as that region has a long land border with a neighbouring jurisdiction, and taking into account that in the past the presence locally of Army personnel played a very important role in the security of this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13122/24]

Military Neutrality

Matt Carthy

51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the timeframe in which he intends to bring forward proposals to remove the triple-lock neutrality protection; and if he will put these proposals before the people a referendum. [13155/24]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

52. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the next recruitment drive will be run for Defence Forces under the increased age criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13249/24]

Defence Forces

Patrick Costello

53. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if Ireland plans to recommit personnel to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) mission. [13141/24]

National Security

Alan Dillon

54. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an outline of Ireland's defence strategy concerning the protection of its undersea cables, airspace, and territorial waters and is it considered acceptable for these areas to remain undefended or be monitored by external entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13019/24]

National Security

Éamon Ó Cuív

55. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether there have been any discussions at an EU level in relation to introducing extra obligations on member states in relation to defence; whether Ireland has been a part of these discussions; and the stance Ireland has taken in the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

56. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army HQ; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13266/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Griffin

57. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all test centre personnel should have received the pandemic recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/24]

Military Aircraft

Cathal Berry

58. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the approximate expected delivery date of the new Airbus C295 military transport aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13279/24]

Middle East

Ruairí Ó Murchú

59. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current situation in South Lebanon; the current activities of the Defence Forces on the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13227/24]

Defence Forces

James Lawless

60. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on the defence infrastructure improvements that have taken place in Kildare since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13024/24]

Air Corps

Mark Ward

61. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the future plans for Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; if the aerodrome has the capacity to maintain the two Airbus C295W’s, located at the site, and the C295 military transport aircraft in production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12765/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to significantly strengthen the military intelligence and cyber defence capabilities of the Defence Forces and the creation of a joint cyber defence command; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/24]

Defence Forces

James O'Connor

63. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the defence infrastructure improvements that have taken place in Haulbowline since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13042/24]

Road Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

74. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport given the recent serious incidents, including a fatal collision, if there is a safety programme for the N80; if the removal of bends in the Leagh area is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13094/24]

Public Transport

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 1 February 2024, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the development of the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; the details of the strategic roads feasibility study referenced in the NTA's reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12836/24]

Bus Services

Pauline Tully

78. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he has concerns regarding the safety issues faced by disabled people in navigating floating bus islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13256/24]

Bus Services

Colm Burke

79. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to improve the bus service in Cork city in view of recurring issues with reliability of bus services including cancelled and late buses, and the frequency of these issues occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

80. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to agree and implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review; the reason for the delay in doing so; whether in the meantime it is intended to do preliminary work on those elements of the strategy totally within the remit of the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/24]

Taxi Regulations

Peter Fitzpatrick

81. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport his views on current disability services, specifically in relation to access to wheelchair accessible taxis in County Louth and east Meath; if this service is likely to deteriorate due to a shortfall in funding from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9821/24]

Road Safety

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

82. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport when he will fund and encourage the Road Safety Authority roll-out a campaign on social media in particular aimed at tackling the dangers of users of escooters, motorised bicycles and bicycles (details supplied). [13272/24]

Rail Network

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

83. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the extension of the daily evening train service from Dublin which terminates at Carlow in order that it can service both Kilkenny and Waterford, enabling better regional connectivity particularly for those studying and working along the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12845/24]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure that adequate resources are provided to the NTA in order that bus services on the main radial routes into and from Galway, including the services from Casla (route 424), Clifden, Headford and Kilcolgan can meet current demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/24]

Traffic Management

Patrick Costello

85. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the level of engagement that the Department have had with local authorities regarding new rules which provide for zebra crossings without Belisha beacons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13171/24]

Road Network

Ruairí Ó Murchú

86. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 15 October 2023, given that Louth County Council has indicated that if work was to be funded by his Department at this location (details supplied), it would have to be done under the locations of interest (LOIs) scheme, the locations for which are decided by his Department, if he will consider this or other solutions to the serious issue of crashes happening at this location, including incidents where the family home at this location has been hit by cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13270/24]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the delivery of additional carriages for Dublin Sligo rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13267/24]

Bus Services

Aindrias Moynihan

88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure revised fare structures are considered on Expressway services operating in the Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13252/24]

Greenways Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

89. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on optimal alignment of the proposed Waterford to Tramore greenway with a view to maximising its potential for the purposes of utility, local amenity and tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/24]

Road Network

Brendan Smith

90. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport views on the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain the existing road network to a high standard and fund safety improvements; if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided to local authorities for the non-national road network in 2024, taking in to account the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over recent years in road maintenance products and construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/24]

Bus Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to improve the reliability of Dublin Bus services in general and routes operated by a company (details supplied) in particular; the extent to which he believes the reliability issues are connected to the difficulties in recruiting drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13254/24]

Bus Services

Paul Donnelly

92. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport his views on the frequent issue of ghost buses and no shows across the fleets; the steps that have been taken to date to counteract this; and to give an update on any measures already implemented. [13048/24]

Public Transport

Pauline Tully

93. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if transport policy is based on the principles of universal design; if he is considering legislation that mandates national mandatory minimum accessibility standards for public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13255/24]

Ports Policy

Brian Leddin

94. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport what plans there are to support port improvement works to facilitate offshore renewables, nationally and in particular in Shannon Foynes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13224/24]

Road Projects

David Stanton

95. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider providing further support to the proposed upgrade of the N25 national road between Carrigtwohill and Midleton, County Cork, given urgent safety concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13046/24]

Road Traffic Offences

Neasa Hourigan

96. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on progress on the implementation of red light cameras across the road traffic network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13007/24]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

97. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is appropriate that the new taxi regulator recently appointed has come directly from employment in a senior position with a taxi app company that has a commercial interest in the taxi industry; his further views on whether this represents a potential conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13253/24]