Parliamentary questions

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

222. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education what specific measures are being taken to address menstruation-related absenteeism in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20733/24]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

223. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education what specific measures are being taken to address the severe effects period symptoms have on students' ability to participate, engage and learn in educational settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20734/24]

Medical Cards

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

572. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of people who lost access to a medical card due to pension increases in the last Budget; his Department's plans to pre-emptively address the issue in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20506/24]

Departmental Policies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

616. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health for clarification on the method undertaken to create the endometriosis framework; when we can anticipate a release date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20735/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

89. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects to announce further details of the proposed equal participation model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19261/24]

Adoption Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on how many applications for information have been lodged with both Tusla and the Adoption Authority under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022; how many applications are outstanding beyond the statutory maximum response time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19262/24]

Tax Exemptions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

36. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the submission from a body (details supplied) regarding a VAT exemption for counsellors and psychotherapists; if a VAT exemption will be forthcoming; the measures put in place by his Department to support counsellors and psychotherapists and to improve access to mental health supports for the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18294/24]

School Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

62. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when her Department's ICT grant monies will be paid to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18200/24]

School Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

63. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when her Department minor works grant monies will be paid to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18201/24]

School Meals Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

99. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that children with coeliac disease, which has an incidence rate of 1 in 100 people in Ireland, are unable to avail of the hot school meals programme; the steps her Department can take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18163/24]

Harbours and Piers

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

491. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered approaches to resolving the ongoing issues at Helvick Pier in An Rinn, where the silting up of the harbour prevents the launch of the RNLI boat at periods of very low tide, with obvious consequent safety concerns; if the small fisheries harbour scheme could be amended in order to include works of this kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17755/24]

Allotments Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

221. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position of the publication date for a best-practice guide for the provision of allotments and community gardens by local authorities, as agreed in a meeting with an organisation (details supplied) in June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17197/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

271. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, with regard to the TAMS scheme, he will consider allowing farmhouse and farm bills to be linked in one bill, allow unused electricity sold to the grid to be offset at full price to electricity purchased from the grid or any other measure which would make the scheme more viable for farmers of all types regardless of the amount of electricity they use as part of their farming activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17157/24]

School Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

548. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education following on from the debate at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications (details supplied), if the age limit for school bus drivers can be raised; her views on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15304/24]

Greyhound Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

999. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an individual (details supplied) is currently listed with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as the registered owner or part-owner of any non-coursing greyhound(s); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/24]

Public Sector Pay

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1695. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the funding bodies of SOLAS and Education and Training Boards ensure that funding is made available for employers to make agreed backdated payments to their staff under the Section 39 WRC Pay Agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14406/24]

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]

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]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will consider signing up to an organisation (details supplied) which aims to scale up school meal programmes around the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/24]

Disability Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1175. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s plans in relation to the recommendation within the Joint Oireachtas Report on Autism on the establishment of a one stop shop for the autism community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12644/24]

Energy Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the latest meeting of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Energy Poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7855/24]

Cabinet Committees

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

3. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will next meet. [8696/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

10. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [8697/24]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

403. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage recalling the 2019 Dáil declaration of a biodiversity crisis, and acknowledging specifically the negative impact of light pollution on biodiversity, his plans to mitigate this increasingly pervasive problem, including, but not limited to, whether is intended to amend the Building Regulations to this end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10209/24]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking in 2024, the European Year of Skills, to increase the uptake of lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9084/24]

Public Private Partnerships

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding progress on the public private partnership, bundle 2, specifically with reference to the funding of the engineering building in the Waterford Campus SETU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/24]

Hospital Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

476. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health for the steps his Department is taking regarding the provision of a dedicated diabetes care unit in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8661/24]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

477. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated whole-time equivalent consultant endocrinologists, dietitians, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, staff nurses, podiatrists and administrative support posts currently dedicated to the outpatient adult diabetes clinic in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8662/24]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

478. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking regarding the recruitment of a dedicated diabetes physiologist for all with type 1 diabetes in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/24]

Hospital Staff^

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

479. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to ensure the HSE has the necessary funding and support for recruitment to ensure that University Hospital Waterford has the minimum members of staff required to manage the diabetes unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8664/24]

Hospital Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

480. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if contingency plans are in place for staffing of the diabetes unit in University Hospital Waterford, as a model 4 hospital, to ensure adequate cover in the event of staff illness or leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/24]

Hospital Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

481. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of adults attending University Hospital Waterford with type 1 diabetes who have requested insulin pump therapy and when those patients can expect to avail of said diabetes technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8666/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

482. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who are awaiting an appointment to see an endocrinologist over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8667/24]

Hospital Procedures

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

483. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of new insulin pump starts done in all hospitals within the RCSI Hospitals Group in people aged between zero to 17 years and those aged 18 years or more for 2019, 2020, 2021 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/24]

Healthcare Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

484. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health when the Sláintecare project on the development of a national diabetes register will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8669/24]

Hospital Admissions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

485. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through the University Hospital Waterford accident and emergency or the acute medical assessment units due to diabetic ketoacidosis in people aged between zero to 17 years and those aged 18 years or more in each of the years 2017 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8670/24]

National Security

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

3. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will develop a national security strategy and functioning security agency to deal with future security events. [6207/24]

Cabinet Committees

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

10. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6208/24]

Legislative Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

47. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [6209/24]

Departmental Bodies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

101. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection to report on the latest meeting of the Smart Energy Steering Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7856/24]

Residency Permits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

438. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a residence permit renewal application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8079/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

439. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a naturalisation certificate application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8080/24]

Animal Welfare

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

464. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a review of the allocation of government funding to animal charities in tabular form over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8081/24]

Departmental Policies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

52. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has considered the potential inclusion of a standalone indicator on language and culture in our Well-being Framework, using either the Welsh or the New Zealand model as an exemplar; if she has discussed same with the Department of the Taoiseach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6747/24]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

56. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the latest round of the sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6735/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

8. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the World Economic Forum. [6210/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

14. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. [6211/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

20. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his visit to the western Balkans. [6212/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she has considered designating any further universities, including technological universities, as centres of excellence for the purposes of teacher training education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6340/24]

School Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

117. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if she has considered the reintroduction of the qualifications allowance for teachers at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6341/24]

Public Sector Pay

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

428. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 889 of 17 January 2024, if her Department has taken steps to engage with all stakeholders including the Citizens Information Board (CIS), the employer and staff CIS representatives and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform in relation to the WRC pay claim recommendation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6097/24]

School Meals Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

433. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of schools and students enrolled in the free hot school lunches primary schools programme, broken down by county; anticipated additional schools and students to be added with the expansion of the scheme in April 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6172/24]

School Meals Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

434. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection whether there is an evaluation of the packaging and food waste impacts of the free hot school lunches programme; the percentage of packaging that can be and is recycled; the percentage of full lunches left over each day; if there is a Departmental plan to reduce the amount of waste generated as the scheme expands to provide packaged meals for more students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6173/24]

School Meals Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

435. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection whether delivery miles and transport emissions involved in distribution of the free hot school lunches programme is being assessed and evaluated; if there is a Departmental plan to address this for the long-term implementation of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6174/24]

Mental Health Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

573. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the regulation of CAMHS under the Mental Health Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6184/24]

Third Level Fees

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

614. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the scenario in which a college student changes course or repeats a year due to adverse personal circumstances and subsequently has to pay higher fees, and is doubly disadvantaged by not being able to avail of the €1,000 Government credit as announced by Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6096/24]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

144. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 12 December 2023, if his Department has funding options for community and voluntary organisations to lead on climate action including training and awareness raising. [5932/24]

Naval Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether his Department considered the use of the decommissioned vessels LÉ Eithne, LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla by the Irish Coastguard or the Irish Naval Reserve for training purposes or as a maritime museum ship located at Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour, as noted in a scoping study (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to review the key outcomes and key impacts for the LEO network in performance budgeting; his views on the introduction of key outcomes and impacts for green budgeting across all departmental programmes, as reported on in the annual Public Service Performance Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the targets for Green for Business take up in each county for 2024 and for an update, if available, on the applications approved, training attended or completed assessments broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

333. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5115/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

334. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5118/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

335. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5119/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

337. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application of a person (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5123/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

338. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5124/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

339. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland,; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5127/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

340. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice for a status update on the application (details supplied) for a short-stay visa in Ireland in order that they can leave Gaza for their own personal safety and survival, and reside with and be financially supported by their family member in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5130/24]

International Protection

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

341. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the case (details supplied); if there are plans to intervene on their behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5138/24]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

12. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is advising further education campuses to engage with the TFI Smarter Travel Programme for Third Level Campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1546/24]

Road Safety

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

178. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in respect of the safe routes to school scheme, the completed and in-progress projects by end-2023; the associated costs of the programme, per county; the anticipated timeframe for the completion of projects at all schools under Round 1 and 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2702/24]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

363. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding his Departments study on Transit-oriented Development on Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Cork, its publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2957/24]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

364. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on using the transport-oriented development principle approach for spatial equity-proofing strategic planning in Ireland, in order to achieve true balanced regional development and alleviate pressure on the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2958/24]

Agriculture Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

486. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department will take domestically and internationally to meet the commitments outlined in the UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action, to which Ireland signed up to at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2930/24]

Disability Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

606. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the level of collaboration between his Department and the HSE to streamline the process whereby aids and appliances provided through HSE resource allocation groups for children with disabilities in order to avoid and remove barriers as outlined in the case of a child (details supplied), to ensure they have timely access to mobility aids to optimise their and their family’s independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/24]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if his Department is engaging with the Department of Transport on funding provision to assist with sustainable transport options for hospital staff and patients in those hospitals signed up to the TFI Smarter Travel Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1548/24]

Hospital Facilities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

70. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the anticipated timeline for the provision of a seven-day-a-week, 8am to 8pm, cath lab service at University Hospital Waterford; the recruitment plan for the additional staff required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/24]

Further and Higher Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

117. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address shortages in skills and labour force for the green economy through further education places, CPD places and apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1547/24]

Adult Education Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

344. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress in relation to the implementation of the Adult literacy for Life strategy through library activities, as actioned in the National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49681/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

85. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for statistics in relation to the average project duration timeframe from application date to completion date for the fully funded energy upgrade scheme administered by SEAI, broken down by either county boundary as indicated in the applicants address or by local authority area; over the last two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57020/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

86. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of energy poverty upgrades under Programme B, Energy Expenditure, broken down by either county boundary or local authority area, over the past two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57021/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

87. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of new applications received for both the warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme; the number of completions of warmer homes scheme and warmth and wellbeing scheme projects, broken down by county boundary or local authority, over the last two years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57022/23]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

88. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of people with chronic respiratory conditions receiving energy efficiency upgrades under the warmth and wellbeing scheme, over the past two years to date and broken down, by county boundary or by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57023/23]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

209. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the current project stages and project deliverable timelines for each of the remaining two sections of the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator Pathfinder, for completion in 2024 and 2025, as indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 30 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57051/23]

School Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

458. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the school transport review publication date; her views on the expansion of the criteria for access to transport in order to allay the significant transport costs borne by parents (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56282/23]

Teaching Qualifications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

460. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding his Department’s view on funding for the awarding of incremental credit to post primary school teachers for relevant work experience gained in private schools outside of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56286/23]

Tourism Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

704. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the feasibility study on the infrastructure required to be able to travel and tour Ireland's experience regions by sustainable modes of transport, as outlined in Action 12 of the Actions to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices 2021-2023 from the Sustainable Tourism Working Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57050/23]

Grant Payments

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

770. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications and the amount of funding applied for by each local authority the disabled persons grant scheme for improvements and remedials for their homes; and the amount received from his Department for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57046/23]

Residency Permits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1047. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice whether she is aware of the situation whereby bus and lorry drivers coming from South Africa to take up employment with transport companies are experiencing significant delays in making appointments for IRP in Dublin, a three week processing time for receipt of IRP cards, and the delay this is causing for NDLS appointments, and consequently employees being unable to take up their position as drivers to alleviate pressure in public and private transport services, as outlined in (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57052/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1119. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice her plans to reduce the time taken for vetting and processing of applications for the naturalisation of minors, currently at 19-23 months, which is matching the time taken for the process for adults, despite the applications for minors being made through their parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1586/24]

Visa Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1128. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice when an application (details supplied) will be finalised and pre-clearance granted, if she will review the circumstances around the delay in processing this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1688/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1146. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice when applications for naturalisation of two minors of the same family (details supplied) will be finalised; if she will review whether more resources need to be provided to address the delay in processing applications for minors of naturalised Irish citizen parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1887/24]

International Programmes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

6. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to report on his attendance at the food, agriculture, nature and land use thematic days of COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55710/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

25. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support and help deliver the establishment of more integrated constructed wetlands on farms nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55381/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

99. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of collaboration between his Department and the HSE to streamline the process whereby aids and appliances provided through HSE resource allocation groups for children with disabilities in order to avoid and remove barriers, as outlined in the case of a child (details supplied), to ensure they have timely access to mobility aids to optimise their and their family’s independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55558/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

107. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on establishing a longitudinal study in relation to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on child development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55557/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

243. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 20 September 2023, whether there has been progress in relation to streamlining the process of the payment of public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants, particularly where post '95 members of An Garda Síochána retiring must first exhaust all entitlement under social welfare, and are required to sign a declaration to the Department of Social Protection saying they are available for work, despite this not being the case given that the members are retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56063/23]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

115. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Local Future: Connecting Communities Report of February 2023, particularly its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54491/23]

Departmental Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

116. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding options made available by his Department for community and voluntary organisations to lead on climate action, including for training and awareness campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54532/23]

Legislative Measures

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to commence parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022; the barriers in doing so to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53336/23]

Water Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the water from private wells is of a safe standard, given that since Uisce Éireann was established, homeowners with private wells have to pay a private lab service for testing of their drinking water, a service which previously was available free through the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53411/23]