Parliamentary questions

Early Childhood Care and Education

Sorca Clarke

101. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to address the staffing crisis in the childcare sector to ensure the continued provision of adequate childcare across the State. [50733/22]

Ukraine War

Steven Matthews

102. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Ukraine who are being housed in private properties in which the owner is in receipt of the recognition payment; if he will provide an update on the number of pledged properties which have been deemed suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine; the number of such people who have been placed in pledged accommodation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/22]

Parental Leave

Brian Leddin

103. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the various types of family and caring leave that have expanded in Ireland over the past ten years; if his attention has been drawn to any data measuring how beneficial this has been to families in this time; the plans under consideration for the future provision of leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50606/22]

Youth Services

Verona Murphy

104. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provisions that his Department are making in view of a recent survey showing that over seven in ten young persons are considering leaving Ireland for a better quality of life, to deliver improved youth services and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50740/22]

Departmental Reviews

Matt Carthy

105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects to receive the comprehensive review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. [50588/22]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

106. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of the proposals on domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50289/22]

Mother and Baby Homes

Jim O'Callaghan

107. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the commitment to excavate the burial site at Tuam; when the director for authorised intervention will be appointed; the support that will be provided to the director in ensuring that excavation works can commence on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50738/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Pauline Tully

108. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce some flexibility in the ECCE scheme to enable children with disabilities to repeat a pre-school year if needed in order that they can have a successful primary school transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50602/22]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Bríd Smith

109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the widespread anger at his recent decision not to engage an international legal expert to review testimonies given to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50631/22]

Children in Care

Ruairí Ó Murchú

110. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans, if any, to improve the pay and conditions of foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49959/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Alan Farrell

111. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the implementation of the core funding scheme in relation to the early childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49600/22]

Employment Rights

Emer Higgins

112. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department is supporting the expanded facilitation of breastfeeding in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/22]

International Protection

Holly Cairns

113. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the report from an organisation (details supplied) concerning urgent action to address accommodation crisis for persons seeking protection in Ireland. [50330/22]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

114. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had any discussions with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Cabinet in relation to a ban on evictions, given the current crisis in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50100/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

David Stanton

115. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the main developments under the core funding partner service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50361/22]

Wards of Court

Holly Cairns

116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to end the wardship system. [50333/22]

Domestic Violence

Alan Farrell

117. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department will implement a secure application process for persons seeking paid domestic violence leave. [49601/22]

Childcare Services

Alan Dillon

118. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his intentions to provide further financial supports to parents to combat rising childcare costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50707/22]

Children in Care

Colm Burke

119. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to increasing the foster care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50533/22]

Childcare Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

120. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can provide international comparative data to show if the State has improved in recent years in terms of public spending on childcare; the way the new investment measures planned to come into effect in 2023 will mean in terms of Ireland's poor comparative position on same; his new goal for State investment in the early years in view that the Government's 2028 goal of €1 billion per annum has been reached five years ahead of schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50208/22]

Childcare Services

Aindrias Moynihan

121. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his engagement with the Minister for Education to identify school buildings for after-school childcare services to increase on the current 14% level nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50597/22]

International Protection

Matt Carthy

122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made in relation to implementing the report of the advisory group on the provision of support including accommodation to persons in the international protection process. [50589/22]

Ukraine War

Aindrias Moynihan

123. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his engagement with the Red Cross on pledged accommodation to progress Ukrainians currently in hotels and temporary type accommodation arrangements are matched to these pledged accommodations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50596/22]

Assisted Decision-Making

Holly Cairns

124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details concerning his engagement with disabled persons’ organisations concerning the Assisted Decision- Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022. [50332/22]

Ukraine War

David Stanton

125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of pledges made by members of the public to house Ukrainian refugees; the number of these that have been activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50362/22]

Human Rights

Paul Murphy

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the Government has not ratified the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which would provide a mechanism for persons to challenge when their rights are not being upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50638/22]

Childcare Services

Seán Haughey

127. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which the proposed average 25% reduction in fees for childcare users will apply to recipients of income-assessed national childcare scheme subsidies and those who only receive a universal subsidy; if the overall progressivity of NCS subsidies are retained after the new rates come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50385/22]

Mother and Baby Homes

Gino Kenny

128. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the widespread anger at his decision not to go ahead with an independent review of the testimonies given by survivors of mother-and-baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50636/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of service providers that dropped out of the early childhood care and education scheme for the 2022/2023 year; the number that did not register; the number that have indicated that they will not re-register for the 2023/2024 year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50212/22]

International Protection

Gino Kenny

130. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) published that states that the Irish protection system is in crisis, that there has been a serious and unprecedented breakdown in Ireland's reception system and that a whole-of-Government response is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50635/22]

Departmental Strategies

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to bring forward the completed anti-racism strategy soon; the way in which he envisages that the strategy will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50214/22]

Youth Services

Mark Ward

132. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if youth workers can have a professional body identity similar to social care works who are regulated by CORU, in relation to their pay scales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50736/22]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 7 July 2022, the status of the review of projected timelines for the implementation of a White Paper to end direct provision and to establish a new international protection support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50721/22]

Departmental Strategies

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

134. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the little book bag initiative; the number of books that have been distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50209/22]

Equality Issues

John Lahart

135. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the review taking place on equality legislation; if he can share any initial findings from the public consultation element; the timeline by which he expects amending legislation to be ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50734/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that his Department has re-organised to effectively meet the demands of the Ukrainian crisis; if he will provide the total cost of the response to date and any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50210/22]

Ukraine War

Paul Kehoe

137. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Ukraine who are being provided with accommodation by the State per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/22]

Disability Services

David Cullinane

138. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the transfer of functions for specialist disability services from the Minister for Health will be entirely completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50433/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brian Leddin

139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the way core funding has operated since coming into operation; the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract; his plans with regard to expanding the scheme in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50607/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

140. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian International Protection applicants; the total number of applicants who are in IPAS sources accommodation since the crisis commenced; if he will also provide details on whether independent advocates are available to applicants to support them if they require assistance with respect to their accommodation placement or provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50211/22]

Youth Services

Cathal Crowe

141. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department's plans, if any, to expand the provision of youth services across County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50383/22]

Mother and Baby Homes

Holly Cairns

142. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to engage with survivors concerning the forthcoming intervention at the Tuam site under the Institutional Burials Bill 2022. [50329/22]

Mother and Baby Homes

Holly Cairns

143. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on establishing an independent review of the testimony given by survivors to the Confidential Committee of the Commission of Investigation into Mother-and-Baby Homes and certain related matters. [50331/22]

Equality Issues

John Lahart

144. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the implementation to date of the Gender Pay Gap Reporting Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50735/22]

Community Development Projects

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

145. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to provide capital funding for the multi-functional community hub at Tullow Road, Carlow to remedy the serious lack of community facilities such as childcare, community, youth and family in the Tullow Road area in Carlow with a key partner (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50111/22]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Moynihan

146. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the pilot little-baby bundle initiative; when it is anticipated that the scheme will be rolled out nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50390/22]

Direct Provision System

Sorca Clarke

147. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the plan to abolish direct provisions centres across the State. [50732/22]

Departmental Bodies

Catherine Connolly

148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the disability stakeholder group; the number of times that the group has met in 2022; the dates of these meetings; if the group has considered a report (details supplied) to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50720/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Bruton

149. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether school premises could make a greater contribution to support the development of children in early childhood and outside of school hours; and if he will consider funding some demonstration projects for schools willing to be pioneers in developing a campus of activities to meet community needs. [50641/22]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

150. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the transfer of disability from the Department of Health to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50603/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

151. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents who avail of childcare through a childminder can expect to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49691/22]

Childcare Services

Seán Haughey

152. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made to date in advancing reforms to the operating model for childcare in Ireland; the timeline that he expects the proposed agency to be established by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50386/22]

Childcare Services

Brendan Griffin

153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the way childcare costs will be reduced for families in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50618/22]

Legislative Reviews

Bernard Durkan

154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consideration that he has given to a review of the legislation underpinning Section 47 reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50590/22]

Assisted Decision-Making

Mark Ward

155. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the constitutional challenge by a ward of court as referred to by him during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted-Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50737/22]

Childcare Services

Michael Moynihan

156. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made to date under the Childminding Action Plan; the way in which it is anticipated that childminders may ultimately avail of national childcare scheme benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50389/22]

Legislative Measures

Neasa Hourigan

157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline progress to date on the development of a legal ban on the practice of conversion therapy; when he expects legislation to be ready for introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50620/22]

Childcare Services

Alan Dillon

158. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline details of a new scheme under the Childminding Action Plan to simplify the registration of childminders to help parents access Government subsidies under the national childcare scheme. [50708/22]

International Protection

Brendan Griffin

159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure that refugees placed in accommodation in isolated areas will have access to transportation for basic requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50619/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ruairí Ó Murchú

160. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans, if any, to deliver a sustainable, affordable early learning and pre-school sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49960/22]

Budget 2023

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

161. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the impact that the Budget 2023 changes on childcare costs will have for parents in Dún Laoghaire having regard to the unduly high costs currently incurred there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50032/22]

Adoption Services

Martin Browne

162. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are sufficient staff involved in the online operation of the information and tracing services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 at birthinfo.ie; his views on persons claiming to have been dealt with abruptly after contacting Tusla by phone due to issues with the online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50743/22]

Childcare Services

Paul McAuliffe

163. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to increase childcare places in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50622/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Brendan Smith

164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had discussions recently with representative organisations concerning the impact of recent changes in relation to the core funding model given that concerns have been experienced by some ECCE childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50623/22]

Irish Sign Language

Bríd Smith

165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the final report by the National Disability Authority on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 that was provided to the Minister in July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50632/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Bruton

166. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider requesting an assessment from each county childcare committee of the balance between supply and demand in different areas of childcare; if he will request that they make a formal submission to the revision of each county development plan on the matter; if he will provide an update on existing supply constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50637/22]

Childcare Services

Emer Higgins

167. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the newly announced pay rates for the childcare sector will include recognition of long service or an incremental pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50311/22]

Budget 2023

Colm Burke

168. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated savings to parents following the introduction of supports for children in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50534/22]

Childcare Services

Pádraig O'Sullivan

169. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when childminders will be added to the national childcare scheme; if an interim measure will be introduced in order that parents who utilise a childminder could avail of the reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50213/22]

Work Permits

Cathal Crowe

170. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will intervene in the application of a person (details supplied) for a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51039/22]

Judicial Reviews

Catherine Murphy

171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of judicial reviews taken against his Department in the past ten years to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will indicate in the reply the body and or person that initiated judicial review proceedings; the number of judicial reviews that remain open and or active; and the totality of costs incurred by his Department as a result of judicial reviews over that time period. [50754/22]

Food Prices

Brendan Howlin

172. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions that he has taken to date to ensure that bread retailers are not over-charging for this basic food stuff; if his attention has been drawn to bakers who are concerned that some retailers are inflating the price of bread above that being charged to them by suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50792/22]

EU Regulations

Catherine Murphy

173. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the date on which Section/Paragraph 19 of the European Communities (Credit Institutions: Accounts) Regulations 1992 was first amended to allow for the adoption of international accounting standards that delay the recognition of loan losses in view of the fact that the concept of prudence, as defined in Section/Paragraph 19 requires the immediate recognition of losses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50799/22]

Employment Rights

Bríd Smith

174. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify his Department's response to the current impediments placed on the ERO for security workers; if he intends to take action on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50801/22]

Work Permits

Richard O'Donoghue

175. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new applications for permits will be issued for dairy farm workers outside of the EU (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50932/22]

National Minimum Wage

Thomas Pringle

176. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the national minimum wage rate in Ireland in each of the years 2007 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51003/22]

Judicial Reviews

Catherine Murphy

177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of judicial reviews taken against his Department in the past ten years to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will indicate in the reply the body and or person that initiated judicial review proceedings; the number of judicial reviews that remain open and or active; and the totality of costs incurred by his Department as a result of judicial reviews over that time period. [50755/22]

Energy Policy

Mark Ward

178. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the provisions that are in place for residents who are using a coin meter for electricity to claim the energy credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50781/22]

Energy Policy

Louise O'Reilly

179. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a community group (details supplied) qualifies for an energy credit, or for any energy supports to help with the increased cost of energy bills. [50808/22]

Energy Policy

Neasa Hourigan

180. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to instances in relation to the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme where a unique MPRN meter is split into multiple meters across two or more units and the energy credit is then split between each unit, resulting in a lower payment per person and affecting often more vulnerable energy users in these circumstances; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50859/22]

Energy Policy

Neasa Hourigan

181. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to instances in relation to the electricity cost emergency benefit scheme where a landlord may have a single business meter for a property split between units as opposed to residential meters, resulting in no energy credit being passed onto the residents; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50860/22]

Departmental Reports

Michael Ring

182. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of a report (details supplied). [50928/22]

Energy Policy

Brendan Griffin

183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the up-to-date position on the ban on smoky coal sales; the steps that retailers are expected to take with stock that remains unsold by the ban date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50977/22]

Energy Policy

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if and when the appropriate warmer homes grant can be made available through Kildare County Council to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51055/22]

Public Transport

Richard O'Donoghue

185. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many students complete the Leaving Certificate aged 16-19 years and start college, and subsequently cannot obtain a Leap card (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50930/22]

Public Transport

Gary Gannon

186. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if he can confirm that hard copies of the Ballymun core bus corridor, CBC, consultation will be placed in Ballymun and Millmount libraries in order that residents without access to IT can review and engage with the consultation. [51087/22]

Aviation Industry

Neasa Hourigan

187. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the number of ghost flights operated without or with few passengers; if he will provide the details of same in each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021; his plans to address this environmentally damaging practice by airlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50727/22]

Judicial Reviews

Catherine Murphy

188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of judicial reviews taken against his Department in the past ten years to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will indicate in the reply the body and or person that initiated judicial review proceedings; the number of judicial reviews that remain open and or active; and the totality of costs incurred by his Department as a result of judicial reviews over that time period. [50766/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

189. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Go-Ahead Ireland regarding its consistently late buses and buses not turning up, especially on the 17 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50787/22]

Bus Services

Mairéad Farrell

190. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider providing additional buses on the 424 route into Galway city in the morning in order to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50791/22]

Greenways Provision

Emer Higgins

191. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a progress update on the delivery of the Hazelhatch greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50797/22]

Greenways Provision

Emer Higgins

192. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport his views on the feasibility of delivering the impending Hazelhatch greenway in tandem with the works needed to widen the road at the canal bridge in order to deliver the full W6 bus route service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50798/22]

Road Projects

Steven Matthews

193. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he will take to ensure that local authorities are adequately funding to address new noise mitigation requirements associated with road noise; if an action plan that identifies key locations that need to be addressed is already available at council level; if funding will be forthcoming to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50807/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

194. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 114 bus route operated by a company (details supplied) is often very late or does not show up leading to jobs being put at risk due to the lateness of commuters; if he will engage with Dublin Bus in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50814/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Niall Collins

195. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on a transport issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50848/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Griffin

196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50850/22]

Bus Services

Paul Kehoe

197. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the options that are available to third-level students from County Wexford who have no direct bus route from Wexford to the third-level institutions in Limerick given that the private bus operator that was offering the service has cancelled it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50955/22]

Rail Network

Michael Ring

198. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if plans for the new metro will have consequences for the environmentally sensitive area of St. Stephen's Green; if a plan or biodiversity audit has been drawn up to protect this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50963/22]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Éamon Ó Cuív

199. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he intends ensuring quads, commonly used in hill areas as a substitute for tractors, given they are more agile on hills than tractors, are considered agricultural vehicles for vehicle tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50996/22]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Éamon Ó Cuív

200. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he intends changing the law to ensure members of farm families who commonly use their vehicles for farm purposes but are not the registered owner or lessee of land, and where these vehicles otherwise comply with all regulations in relation to commercial vehicle tax registration, are able to register their vehicles as commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50997/22]