Parliamentary questions

Tax Exemptions

Michael Lowry

150. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update on the consideration of the VAT proposal submitted by an organisation (details supplied) in March 2024, which calls for the extension of VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland; what steps are being taken to address the issues raised by the IACP, including the low VAT turnover threshold, high compliance costs, and the burden of VAT on clients seeking mental health support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17144/24]

Tax Exemptions

Michael Lowry

151. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to explain and provide clarity on the current discrepancies in VAT treatment between different professions in the mental health sector; what measures are being considered to ensure fair treatment and regulatory coherence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17145/24]

Tax Exemptions

Michael Lowry

152. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to clarify the Government’s stance on an organisation’s (details supplied) call for a pre-registration VAT-exempt status for its qualified and accredited members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17146/24]

Traveller Accommodation

Michael Lowry

212. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding sought from his Department and the number of properties purchased by Tipperary County Council for Traveller-specific accommodation in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17116/24]

Traveller Accommodation

Michael Lowry

213. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the allocated funding provided to Tipperary County Council for Traveller-specific accommodation maintenance, repairs and upgrades in Traveller-specific accommodation in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17117/24]

Traveller Accommodation

Michael Lowry

214. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding his Department refused to provide to Tipperary County Council for Traveller-specific accommodation purchases and Traveller-specific accommodation maintenance, repairs and upgrades in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17118/24]

Sports Events

Michael Lowry

65. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to her office from a person (details supplied); if she and the Government will support Ireland’s ambition for an organisation to host stages of the FIA World Rally Championship in Ireland over a three-year period from 2025-27; if she is aware of the tourism, economic, and cultural benefits that hosting such an event will offer to Ireland; when a decision will be issued on this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17037/24]

Public Transport

Michael Lowry

199. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the progress that is being made on improving public transport connections in Thurles and to a facility (details supplied) given record passenger numbers on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16071/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

339. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the assistance that can be offered to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16543/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

558. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

559. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum average tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16579/24]

Health Services Staff

Michael Lowry

691. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress update on the HSE recruitment freeze; when this recruitment freeze is likely to be lifted; the number of front line positions per services department which remained unfilled in CHO5 south Tipperary and CHO3 north Tipperary compared to before the freeze was implemented, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16234/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

66. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what assistance can be offered to child (details supplied); when the educational supports this child needs will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15581/24]

Legislative Measures

Michael Lowry

113. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if she will suspend the processing of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 until an examination of its potential impact on fundraising income for charities can be undertaken; if she is aware of concerns from charitable organisations (details supplied) that the Bill, in its current format, will impact their ability to fundraise and this potential loss of fundraising will increase the funding needed from several Government Departments that currently fund charitable organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15595/24]

Disability Services

Michael Lowry

133. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what assistance can be offered to a child (details supplied) who urgently requires access to services offered through North Tipperary CDNT; when it is envisaged that the CDNT will be able to offer their family an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15599/24]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

192. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress being made to improve a dangerous and busy junction on the outskirts of Thurles, County Tipperary, where Turtulla Cross on the N62 has been the site of a number of serious and fatal crashes over the years; what safety works and junction redesign can be carried out at this junction on the N62 to improve safety for all road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/24]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

531. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 10 May 2023, if she will provide an update concerning the school bus transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15007/24]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

532. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on plans to overhaul the school transport system and the abolishing the "nearest school" rule, which requires a student applying to the school transport scheme to attend the school closest to their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15008/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

972. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if conversion of conifer crops to native woodland is permitted under the Native Woodland Conservation scheme 2023-2027 recently launched by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14210/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

973. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications for Native Woodland Conservation lodged with his Department under the previous forestry programme for the NWC scheme and entail the conversion of conifer forests to native woodland in areas of high ecological and water quality values, as encouraged by his Department, will be eligible under the native woodland conservation scheme 2023 – 2027 launched by his Department recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/24]

Childcare Services

Michael Lowry

1164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth concerning the Building Blocks – Expansion Grant Scheme, which is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare, if he will confirm when an application from (details supplied) will be validated; if the applicant will be given the opportunity to submit additional documentation or provide clarity on their application if the same is required; when can the provider expect a decision to be issued on the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15134/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Lowry

1243. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the current system in place for the provision of prostheses and bras to breast cancer patients (details supplied); if he is aware of any significant delays and difficulties in obtaining a prosthesis and bras following breast cancer treatment for breast cancer patients; the average waiting time for the approval of these items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13755/24]

Dental Services

Michael Lowry

1319. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Government’s response to the recently launched policy paper by an organisation (details supplied); if he intends to adhere to the promises for reform of dentistry in Ireland; if so, what specific steps will be taken to ensure these reforms are implemented; if he will meet with representatives of the organisation to discuss its strategy for reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/24]

Medical Cards

Michael Lowry

1479. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason the English version of the medical card application form is currently not available for download from the Health Service Executive (HSE) website and checked on 24, 25. 26 and 27 March 2024; the reason these forms were unavailable on these dates (details supplied); the measures that are being taken to ensure the availability of these forms in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14766/24]

Medical Cards

Michael Lowry

1480. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the process for online applications for medical cards (details supplied); if the HSE will make arrangements to provide an option to have these documents printed by the HSE and then have them posted to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14767/24]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

1570. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health what assistance can be offered to a day centre (details supplied); when Section 91 for practising chiropody will reopen for registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15124/24]

Driver Test

Michael Lowry

65. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the current waiting times for driving tests in all County Tipperary test centres; the number waiting in each test centre; the reason for the extended delays in each test centre; the steps he is taking to address these driving test delays; these matters require immediate attention and swift action to alleviate the distress and inconvenience caused to persons in County Tipperary who are waiting for a profound period of time to have their driving test completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/24]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

286. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding is provided to allow for the employment of the required neurologist for the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise; if he will confirm that they have received correspondence from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland who is campaigning to have a neurologist situated in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13370/24]

Men's Sheds

Michael Lowry

336. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce an annual men’s shed sustainability grant system to help with their running costs, for items such as electricity and insurance bills, similar to the one issued in 2023; if she will consider providing funding for small capital works projects; if she will make such grants available directly to individual men’s sheds instead of allocation through third party representative bodies; to provide an update on such funding measures that her Department will make available to men’s sheds in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13300/24]

Heritage Sites

Michael Lowry

294. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 22 March 2022, the progress made and the steps he has taken to improve ventilation for staff who work in the basement area of the Swiss Cottage in Cahir, County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact the basement area has no mechanical ventilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12643/24]

Education Policy

Michael Lowry

372. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her Department's stance on the awarding of exemptions from the study of the Irish language for students diagnosed with dyslexia (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11771/24]

Education Policy

Michael Lowry

373. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her Department's stance on the awarding of exemptions from the study of the Irish language for students diagnosed with dyslexia (details supplied); who interprets the criteria to satisfy their own findings; if her Department is distancing itself from these decisions; the reason is it investigating the schools for making these decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11772/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

383. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason all schools were not accepted to the recent STEM grant competition which was held for funding for a core curricular area and a key priority of the Government; if he accepts that schools such as a school (details supplied) were unfairly penalised due to the lottery system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11824/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

384. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to direct management of a school (details supplied) to the legislation that governed how the recent STEM funding competition was run and managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11825/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

385. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what oversight measures were in place for the recent STEM grant competition; if the records of how this competition was conducted are available to school management to review and if so, how does one access the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11826/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

386. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her views that the lottery system used in the recent STEM grants were the fairest way to divide the available resources; if it is his intention to continue to fund essential educational services in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11827/24]

Education Policy

Michael Lowry

387. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education who is responsible and liable when a student, diagnosed with dyslexia by a professional educational psychologist, is refused an exemption by school management; if he is aware of the impact that this can have on a student who may receive points to access their third-level course but cannot attend the NUI colleges of their choice because they failed Irish in the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11835/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

398. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason a lottery was held when the number of applications for the STEM grant exceeded expectations; if she will point to the relevant area in the documentation issued to schools prior to the competition, where it states that a lottery would take place if the number of applications passed a certain threshold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11861/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

399. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what criteria, if any, applied to the reading of the application by a school (details supplied) for the STEM grant; if she will provide feedback to school management on the application and where it did not meet the criteria outlined to the school in documentation received from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11862/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education how the staff and students at a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary will engage in STEM activities in the school to the same standard as their neighbouring school that received €10,000 in funding; if the inspectorate will be cognisant of the disparity in funding when assessing schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11863/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

401. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if the additional STEM grants that will made available in 2024, will be of lower or higher value than those awarded in December 2023; if so, the level of funding that can be expected; if it will be made available exclusively for the remaining approximately 2,000 unsuccessful schools; if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11864/24]

Education Schemes

Michael Lowry

496. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) concerning the allocation of home tuition hours; the status of this case; the timeframe for when a decision will be issued on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12658/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

515. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence from a school (details supplied); what financial assistance can be offered to this school to assist it with the critical financial situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12868/24]

Housing Provision

Michael Lowry

700. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the temporary development contribution waiver scheme (details supplied); if he will seek to have all dates extended by a minimum 18 months to allow large housing developments which commence just before the current 24 April 2024 deadline adequate time to complete the works satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13099/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Lowry

978. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11932/24]

Health Services Staff

Michael Lowry

1478. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a matter concerning the lack of administrative support staff working in the oncology department of the HSE primary care centre on Mitchel Street, Thurles (details supplied); if he will provide an update on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12856/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

295. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 265, 266 and 267 and 268 of 14 February 2024, to confirm registered ecologists were not permitted to attend the in person training referred to in the answer; if his Department will be providing additional guidance via circulars, updated working documents or other text documents for the assessment of environmental constraints in afforestation (high nature farmland, farmland birds, breeding waders, hen harriers); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11251/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

296. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No.520 of 13 February 2024, to detail the area of clearfell and thinning licensed per county for 2024, 2025, 2026, for the private sector, identifying broadleaf and conifer separately and the corresponding details for Coillte, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11253/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

297. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 520 of 13 February 2024, to detail the area of clearfell and thinning that is the subject of a felling licence application to his Department that remains to be licensed per county for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, for the private sector, identifying broadleaf and conifer separately and the corresponding details for Coillte, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11254/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

298. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of clearfell and thinning licensed per county for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034; the details that are available to him on the felling licence application provided by the applicants, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11255/24]