Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

John Brady

1. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence if, following the publication of the report from the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces, he will outline a timeframe for the implementation for the recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Gino Kenny

2. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence his views on Ireland’s defence spending into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13465/22]

Defence Forces

John Brady

3. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the overseas peacekeeping missions the Defence Forces are currently deployed in; if there are plans to expand these missions; if concerns have been expressed to him in regard to the capacity of the Defence Forces to fulfil their overseas role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13747/22]

Defence Forces

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he is considering an increase in the capacity of the Defence Forces given the impact of the Russian invasion of a sovereign state Ukraine which is also a neutral State; and the expected financial costs of an increase in capacity. [13738/22]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

5. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence the time frame for consideration of the development of an Irish radar surveillance capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13539/22]

Defence Forces

John Brady

6. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the plans that are in place to address the former married quarters housing stock in the Curragh, many of which are lying empty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13232/22]

Asylum Seekers

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

7. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Defence if the Irish Defence Forces will be involved in supporting refugees arriving from Ukraine in terms of settlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13364/22]

Defence Forces

Fergus O'Dowd

8. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence the status of the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13191/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Gino Kenny

9. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details in tabular form of Ireland’s procurement of military equipment from Israel between 2019 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13468/22]

Defence Forces

Paul McAuliffe

10. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence the use that the Defence Forces are currently making of the Glen of Imaal. [13295/22]

Defence Forces

Jim O'Callaghan

11. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence when he will announce the appointment of the independent chair of the Commission on the Defence Forces implementation body. [13475/22]

Defence Forces

John Lahart

12. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence his views on and response to the finding of the Commission on the Defence Forces that it is clear, in relation to the Defence Forces, that there are recurring themes and specific HR-related issues that are a source of considerable frustration and, in some cases, exasperation; and that among the issues raised are those concerning aspects of career progression, career planning, the lack of a modern organisational perspective on worklife balance, the criteria surrounding pensions and extensions of contractual service, and the lack of flexibility within the current establishment. [13220/22]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the stocks of anti-armour weapons; if he will provide further information on other heavy artillery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/22]

Defence Forces

Barry Cowen

14. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence his views on the finding by the Commission on the Defence Forces that the current level of financial commitment provided to the Defence Forces delivers military capabilities which are inadequate for the defence of Ireland. [13225/22]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary question No. 122 of 27 January 2022, the status of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces; the progress reports received to date by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13308/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Paul Murphy

16. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the details of Ireland’s defence spending projections into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13515/22]

Official Engagements

Mick Barry

17. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his discussions with other European Union defence ministers and the European Commission in relation to increasing military spending, further integration of European Union military forces and the role of the European Union military force itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13506/22]

Defence Forces

John Brady

18. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the details of the plans to address the post-94 contracts within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13230/22]

Official Engagements

Mick Barry

19. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Defence his views on the proposals by the French government to deepen European Union military integration and to increase military spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13507/22]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

20. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his plans to introduce legislation which would serve to protect the employment of members of the Reserve Defence Forces while such members take part in full-time duties as members of the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13222/22]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

21. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence his plans to bring the derelict homes at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/22]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the action that has been taken in view of the White Paper on Defence that the ability to effectively defend Defence Forces’ networks from cyber-attacks is an essential capability that must be retained and developed. [13197/22]

Defence Forces

Emer Higgins

23. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the work that has been carried out to address gender-based issues and concerns within the Defence Forces. [13478/22]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

24. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence the engagements he has had in the past month with regard to the proposed establishment of a commission or statutory inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment within the Defence Forces. [12557/22]

Official Engagements

Gino Kenny

25. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on recent engagements he has had with his European Union counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/22]

Naval Service

Christopher O'Sullivan

26. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if the Naval Service sea-going service commitment scheme is being extended in 2022; and if the criteria will be adjusted to broaden the pool of possible beneficiaries. [13517/22]

European Union

Peadar Tóibín

27. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the details of Ireland's participation and contribution to European Union defence schemes and initiatives by scheme since 2017. [13160/22]

Naval Service

Dara Calleary

28. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in the Naval Service on 31 December 2017, 31 December 2018, 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020 and 28 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13198/22]

Air Corps

Jim O'Callaghan

29. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence if he will extend the Air Corps service commitment scheme for pilots. [13474/22]

Defence Forces

James Lawless

30. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Defence his views on the finding by the Commission on the Defence Forces in relation to the Defence Forces that the continuation of business as usual will leave Ireland unable to meet its desired level of military deployment overseas, weak on aid the civil power (ATCP) and aid to the civil authority (ATCA) capabilities and without a credible military capability to protect Ireland, its populace and its resources for any sustained period. [13273/22]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

31. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the actions he intends to take to facilitate members of the Reserve Defence Forces to serve overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13223/22]

Defence Forces

Fergus O'Dowd

32. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Defence his views on the need to ensure the Defence Forces have the capability to patrol Irish territorial waters and airspace in particular in view of recent events in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13192/22]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

33. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his views on and response to the recommendation in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that an office of veteran affairs be established. [13339/22]

Defence Forces

John Lahart

34. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Defence his views on and response to the belief expressed by the Commission on the Defence Forces that representative bodies should be active participants in future public service pay bargaining processes. [13221/22]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the current strength of the Defence Forces and equipment available to same; if the current levels are deemed optimum; his plans to increase the strength of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps including equipment in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13457/22]

Naval Service

Dara Calleary

36. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the capital investment that is being made in the Naval Service in 2022; and the plans that are in place to strengthen the naval fleet. [13199/22]

Air Corps

Cormac Devlin

37. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the status and readiness of the Air Corps. [13335/22]

Defence Forces

Thomas Gould

38. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the status of discussions with a group (details supplied). [13410/22]

Defence Forces

Peadar Tóibín

39. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Defence the timeline for the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces by the Government; the recommendations that will be implemented; and the level of capability of the Defence Forces the Government will adopt based on the report. [13159/22]

Defence Forces

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

40. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Defence if he has considered the potential role the Irish Defence Forces might have in peace-keeping measures that might arise given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13365/22]

Defence Forces

Cathal Crowe

41. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the stages that lie ahead in terms of actioning the Commission on the Defence Forces report. [13310/22]

Defence Forces

Barry Cowen

42. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence his views on the comments made by the Commission on Defence on the Reserve Defence Forces. [13224/22]

Defence Forces

Thomas Gould

43. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence the actions that he is taking to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces. [13411/22]

Ukraine War

Éamon Ó Cuív

44. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the part that he or his Department officials have taken in European Union meetings relating to the supply of military equipment to Ukraine; the stand taken by Ireland on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13473/22]

Defence Forces

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his views on and response to the call by the Commission on Defence Forces for the enhancement of the Defence Forces structures across the cyber domain. [13196/22]

Defence Forces

James Lawless

46. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Defence his views on the finding made by the Commission on the Defence Forces in relation to the current Army structure, that the current brigade system primarily comprises two regional administrative structures that are not deployable and do not align to international standards in terms of their strength or capabilities and are understaffed and underresourced. [13274/22]

Defence Forces

Matt Carthy

47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Defence if he will establish a statutory inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12556/22]

Defence Forces

Niamh Smyth

48. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Defence his views on the concerns of the Commission on the Defence Forces in relation to an evident culture across the Defence Forces which is masculine and has a limited appreciation of diversity of all kinds [13251/22]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

49. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence his plans to bring derelict buildings at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/22]

Defence Forces

Cathal Crowe

50. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details on the general age, condition and capacity of Ireland’s air defence equipment. [13311/22]

Defence Forces

Paul McAuliffe

51. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence the discussions that have been had with the Defence Forces with regard to the use of Cathal Brugha barracks for housing. [13296/22]

Ukraine War

Gino Kenny

52. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Defence the military and other equipment and supplies that Ireland is intending to give to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/22]

Defence Forces

John Brady

53. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the person he intends to appoint to the implementation body for the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13233/22]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his views on and response to the assertion in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the 2012 reorganisation led to a number of anomalies including reduced personnel numbers in the two largest urban centres and career progression opportunities being heavily skewed towards the eastern region. [13338/22]

Defence Forces

Niamh Smyth

55. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications made by persons from counties Cavan and Monaghan to join the Defence Forces in each of the past five recruitment campaigns; the number that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13252/22]

Defence Forces

John Brady

56. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Defence the purpose of the feasibility study on the future of Cathal Brugha Barracks; the terms of reference for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13231/22]

Defence Forces

Bernard Durkan

58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the implementation of the recommendations from the recently published report by the Commission on the Defence Forces; the timeframe for same; the indicative budget for defence for the remainder of 2022 and in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13456/22]

Defence Forces

Alan Dillon

59. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Defence the next steps regarding the Commission on the Defence Forces report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13330/22]

Naval Service

Cormac Devlin

60. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Defence the status and readiness of the Naval Service. [13334/22]

European Union

Catherine Connolly

61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the input he and officials from his Department have had in the preparation of the EU Strategic Compass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

62. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the roll-out of the expansion of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS; and if she will meet with Opposition Deputies to provide an update on this expansion. [13480/22]

School Textbooks

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

63. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the status of the pilot free book scheme as announced in budget 2022; and when the scheme will be rolled out to all students. [13508/22]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

64. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure the equitable distribution of special needs assistants, SNAs, across the school system with particular regard to new and developing schools; and the status of the roll-out of the front-loaded allocation model. [13481/22]

Legislative Programme

Gary Gannon

65. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the status of the Education (Health, Relationships and Sex Education) Bill 2021; and if she will expedite the work on the Bill. [13664/22]

Special Educational Needs

Joan Collins

66. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education the opening date for autism classes in schools (details supplied) in Dublin 12; the reason for the delay in opening the classes; and if they will be open for September 2022. [13665/22]

School Transport

Michael Moynihan

67. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the school transport system, including consultation; when the final report can be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13494/22]

Schools Building Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

68. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the-up-to-date position on the delivery of new building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13407/22]

State Examinations

Niamh Smyth

69. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the junior cycle examinations; if she will clarify the position regarding same; if she will provide the breakdown of marks to teachers or outline when the State Examinations Commission will be issuing guidance to teachers and students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13323/22]

Education Policy

Peadar Tóibín

70. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of Gaelscoileanna at both primary and secondary level nationally by county from 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and her plans to increase the number of Gaelscoileanna by 2030. [13169/22]

Schools Building Projects

Brian Stanley

71. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if funding for a school (details supplied) will be sufficient to provide a new building considering the level of inflation in the building sector. [13313/22]

State Examinations

Matt Carthy

72. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education when the National University of Ireland, Galway is expected to complete its work analysing responses to the consultation on the new draft specifications for leaving certificate Irish; if the analysis will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12503/22]

School Facilities

Paul Murphy

73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a letter from a union (details supplied) pointing out that the advice of her Department that CO2 concentrations of above 1,400-1,500 parts per million are likely to be indicative of poor ventilation was being publicly challenged by experts in the field and that the union noted that experts maintained that a concentration of 1,000ppm is a more appropriate upper limit for CO2 concentration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13319/22]

School Staff

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

74. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education when the staffing schedule for 2022-23 will be published. [13510/22]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Question No. 146 of 23 November 2021, the analysis her Department has carried out into the future acquisition of any privately owned vacant school properties in Galway city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13315/22]

School Facilities

Neale Richmond

76. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the work of her Department to ensure that full use is made of educational facilities outside of school hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13328/22]

State Examinations

Bernard Durkan

77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all concerns regarding the leaving certificate examinations have been addressed with reference to the disruption to the past two school years due to Covid-19; the plans that are in place to tackle remaining concerns with particular reference to children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13454/22]

State Examinations

Neasa Hourigan

78. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the forms of assistive technology available to students sitting their leaving certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12676/22]

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Jackie Cahill

79. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the status of progress on developing a new action plan on bullying; the planned consultation and timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13500/22]

State Examinations

Matt Carthy

80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education her views on the concerns of an association (details supplied) regarding the leaving certificate syllabus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12504/22]

School Accommodation

Emer Higgins

81. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made in delivering new school accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13476/22]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

82. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the meeting between the National Council for Special Education and a school (details supplied), which is scheduled for 4 March 2022, to discuss urgent need of the school for additional SNA resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13194/22]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

83. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Education the number of schools that are currently in temporary accommodation while awaiting permanent sites; the stage that each of those schools is at, that is, searching for a suitable site, a suitable site located, a suitable site located and acquired by her Department, the tender process under way or the build under way, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13366/22]

Special Educational Needs

David Stanton

84. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 1 February 2022 and with reference to the establishment of a new special schools in Cork for the 2021-2022 school year, if she has considered the need to support the establishment of an additional special school in the Cork area ahead of the 2022-2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13272/22]

State Examinations

James O'Connor

85. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of leaving certificate reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13498/22]

School Facilities

Neale Richmond

86. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to the use of schools for after-school care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13329/22]

Education Policy

Richard Bruton

87. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will consider taking an initiative along with the Ministers for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Rural and Community Development to develop a strategy to promote the concept of a campus on which early childhood needs, education and other community needs could be accommodated a measure which might require her Department to rethink the expectations of education patrons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13471/22]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

88. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the recommendation from the Joint Committee on Education to provide emotional counselling and therapeutic supports on site in all primary and secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13534/22]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

89. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education her views on the extent of forward-planning undertaken by her Department to ensure that all children with special educational needs receive a suitable school place in their local area. [13484/22]

Schools Building Projects

Colm Burke

90. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the progress which has been made to ensure that all new school building projects or extensions include special education facilities or incorporate the principle of universal design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13324/22]

Schools Building Projects

Brian Stanley

91. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the funding that is designated to providing a new building for a school (details supplied). [13312/22]

School Admissions

Thomas Gould

92. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if each child who needs a secondary school place in Cork city and county in September 2022 will have one. [13408/22]

School Transport

Thomas Pringle

93. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education if she will consider making temporary policy changes to the operation of the school transport scheme in County Donegal to accommodate eligibility anomalies that arise for those parents and students in MICA affected homes forced into temporary accommodation while availing of the defective concrete block scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12375/22]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Paul Murphy

94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will take immediate action to reduce the average class size in Irish primary schools to below the European Union average of 20 pupils per class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13320/22]

Schools Building Projects

Alan Dillon

95. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education the status of progressing approval for an extension at a secondary school in County Mayo (details supplied); if a permanent building will be provided; if not, if modular units will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13332/22]

Special Educational Needs

Joe Carey

96. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education if the recruitment of special needs assistants is in line with the additional resources secured in Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13326/22]

Education Policy

Dara Calleary

97. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made by her Department under its commitments within the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13495/22]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

98. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will establish an expert review group to examine the minimum qualifications of SNAs and issue recommendations on same; if she will delay any contract negotiations until this review has taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13482/22]

Special Educational Needs

Joe Flaherty

99. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the details of the supports provided under the Summer Programme for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13501/22]

Departmental Reviews

Michael Moynihan

100. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of out-of-school education provision as provided for under action 88 of the DEIS plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13493/22]

School Accommodation

Christopher O'Sullivan

101. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made under the Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13503/22]