Parliamentary questions

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

348. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown of the total amount requested by each local authority in Ireland in respect of reimbursement, following the introduction of the development levy waiver in May 2023, in tabular form. [17356/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

349. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a parallel breakdown of the total amount paid to each local authority in Ireland following request for reimbursement since the introduction of the development levy waiver in May 2023. [17357/24]

Housing Schemes

Holly Cairns

350. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of people in receipt of the housing assistance payment in Cork, by local area, in tabular form. [17365/24]

Housing Provision

Marian Harkin

351. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, to provide a breakdown of the number of houses each local authority area has delivered through Project Tosaigh; to provide a breakdown of the number of homes each individual local authority area is contracted or recommended to proceed to procurement under this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17424/24]

Housing Provision

Marian Harkin

352. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, of the 12 local authority areas that have been provided funding under the cost rental equity loan scheme, to provide details of which specific local authority areas have been provided with funding; how many houses have been built through this scheme in each of the relevant local authority areas to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17425/24]

Housing Provision

Marian Harkin

353. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 42 of 11 April 2024, to provide details of which specific local authorities the thirteen projects of 1,437 cost rental homes are spread over; how many cost rental homes each of the projects will deliver for each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17426/24]

Planning Issues

Paul Murphy

354. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he agrees that planning applications for sites within industrial estates should be required to prominently display planning notices at the entrance to the industrial estate rather than within the estate itself. [17442/24]

Departmental Schemes

Cathal Crowe

355. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a scheme (details supplied); and when he expects it to be open for applicants with water ingress issues to be repaired. [17476/24]

Grant Payments

Richard Bruton

356. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the number of grants issued by local authorities under each of the grants for older people, housing aid, mobility aid and adaptation grant in each of the past five years; and whether he has information on the extent of a waiting list for these schemes. [17477/24]

Departmental Funding

Matt Carthy

357. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider making an increased allocation to Castleblayney care group through the capital assistance scheme in order to provide a community centre or facility in conjunction with the housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

358. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of councils that offer a contribution scheme under which persons in homes too big for their needs can sell or offer the home to the council and, in return for a contribution from the proceeds of a sale, secure a council tenancy in a secure complex; and the number of homes that have been processed under this scheme in the past three years. [17499/24]

Derelict Sites

Neasa Hourigan

359. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the work of the Derelict Sites Act working group; the engagements it has had and plans to have with local authorities; the timeline for when the group will present recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17542/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Ivana Bacik

360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the European Commission's announcement of 7 February 2024 that it was sending Ireland a letter of formal notice (INFR(2023) 2178) for failing to fully comply with its obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (Directive 91/271/EEC), the eight towns with a population of more than 2,000 where wastewater is not properly treated before being discharged and the three towns of more than 10,000 in which wastewater is being discharged into sensitive areas without the more stringent treatment required by the directive; if he has responded to the Commission's letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/24]

Research and Development

Catherine Murphy

361. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update in respect of research his Department is funding regarding activities by Met Éireann; if he will detail the recommendations Met Éireann has made to him in respect of pluvial flooding (details supplied); and the amount he has funded to Met Éireann for this research from 2020 to date in 2024. [17555/24]

Housing Policy

Niamh Smyth

362. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the terms and conditions for purchasing your own home from Westmeath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17576/24]

Grant Payments

Cathal Crowe

363. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the rules surrounding the housing adaptation grant (details supplied) will be amended so that an invalidity pension is not included in the means test for adapting a home for disabled access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17585/24]

Planning Issues

Ged Nash

364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 30 May 2023, if he plans to provide city status for the town of Drogheda; if he has reviewed his position on the matter since his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17603/24]

Local Authorities

John McGuinness

365. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the process in place to check the standard of work carried out where a grant from a local authority is being paid; if he is satisfied all regulatory requirements are met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/24]

Vacant Properties

John Lahart

366. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to consider allocating grants based on energy ratings for vacant houses, particularly in cases where the property was not vacant for the required duration to meet the requirements for the vacant home grant due to recent purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17677/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

367. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies and supports in place for individuals who previously met the threshold for a cost-rental property and who are permanently housed in a cost-rental unit, if the person’s income falls significantly due to illness or injury; the procedures in place to convert a cost-rental property into a social home where this is necessary due to a change in the ability of the occupant to pay for cost-rental tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17693/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Michael Ring

368. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when payment will issue to a person in County Mayo (details supplied) for work this person carried out in view of the length of time the person is waiting for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17733/24]

Vacant Properties

Willie O'Dea

369. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the Croí Cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant scheme to allow it to be paid in stage payments when certain works are completed, as this would require much less funds to be put in place up front as access to finance is a significant impediment to many people who wish to take on the renovation of a vacant or derelict property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17763/24]

Planning Issues

Ivana Bacik

370. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing developments still undecided by An Bord Pleanála; his plans to ensure the backlog of cases is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Paul Kehoe

371. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update (details supplied) on the scheme targeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without access to public wastewater services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17830/24]

Defective Building Materials

Kathleen Funchion

372. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Carlow County Council has applied for inclusion in the enhanced defective block remediation scheme; when the scheme will be up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/24]

Commercial Rates

Danny Healy-Rae

373. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter in relation to rates appeals (details supplied). [17870/24]

Departmental Data

Peadar Tóibín

374. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential property developments currently owned by investment funds within each local authority area; the name of the investment fund; the number of units within each development; if the development is occupied or unoccupied; the duration if unoccupied from either the date of completion or from the date it was acquired whichever is relevant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17873/24]

Grant Payments

Paul Murphy

375. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review of the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability. [17874/24]

Commercial Rates

Robert Troy

376. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a reduction or waiver regarding the cost and payments of commercial rates for businesses that are impacted by disruption of construction works affecting their business; and the likelihood of a waiver of property rates during these periods of disruption to local businesses. [17881/24]

Water Fluoridation

Éamon Ó Cuív

377. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is the policy of his Department that all public water schemes are fluoridated; if not, the schemes that have fluoridation and those that do not, respectively; the total cost of fluoridating water; the amount of this cost borne by the Exchequer by way of grant to Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17917/24]

Housing Policy

Paul Kehoe

378. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to alter the means test condition based on previous 12 months of income for approval for social housing supports and if he will give local authorities discretion in cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17938/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Darren O'Rourke

379. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on MPA legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17947/24]

Grant Payments

Joe Flaherty

380. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that local authorities need greater discretion when deciding on the housing adaptation grant aid for elderly and disabled people given the increased rate of building inflation over the past two years; and if he agrees the grant amount should be increased by 50%. [17992/24]

Grant Payments

Joe Flaherty

381. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that the six-month timeframe allowed to carry out approved works under the housing adaptation grant scheme for the elderly and disabled is too tight; and if he agrees that it should be increased to 12 months in order to counter weather issues, availability of contractors and other issues. [17993/24]

Departmental Regulations

Mattie McGrath

382. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 306 of 2022) will be disbanded; the reason they remain in place if the levels of Ukrainian persons requiring State accommodation is falling (as per the Taoiseach's comments in Dáil Éireann on 17 April during Questions on Promised Legislation); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18021/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

383. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to develop modular homes for the homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18026/24]

Statutory Instruments

Mattie McGrath

384. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has any plans to introduce a statutory instrument to exempt developments of rapid-build modular homes for Irish citizens to alleviate the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18027/24]

Vacant Properties

Charles Flanagan

385. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the percentage of approvals, payouts and applications delayed due to planning under the Croí Cónaithe scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18049/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Ciarán Cannon

386. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his plans to provide adequate wastewater treatment facilities in the towns of Kilconnell, Caltra and Castleblakeney in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18119/24]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

387. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of disputes lodged with the Residential Tenancies Board regarding alleged failures to pass on the electricity rebate; and the number of adverse findings made by the Residential Tenancies Board in respect of same. [18123/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

388. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant-in-situ scheme to introduce mandatory local authority purchase for certain tenants who are supported through the housing assistance payment or rental accommodation scheme. [18127/24]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

389. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the average wait time for a response from the Residential Tenancies Board to landlords seeking to register a tenancy in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. [18128/24]

School Meals Programme

Seán Sherlock

390. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection what action has been taken to monitor and reduce food waste and packaging waste in the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18277/24]

School Meals Programme

Seán Sherlock

391. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the action taken on each of the 18 recommendations contained within her Department's evaluation of the school meals programme undertaken in 2022, per recommendation, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18278/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

392. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a rent supplement application (details supplied) by a person who had to leave the family home will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17347/24]

School Meals Programme

Frankie Feighan

393. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list, by county, of all primary schools now providing hot school meals following this week's expansion, in tabular form; if she will include the address, location and roll number of each school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17362/24]

Community Welfare Services

Sorca Clarke

394. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the National Community Welfare Contact Centre as of 15 April 2024. [17415/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Sorca Clarke

395. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for invalidity pension that were refused by her Department in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17416/24]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide a list of all assistant secretaries and principal officers in her Department, with their current responsibilities. [17417/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of the review for DCA in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17430/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Jim O'Callaghan

398. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a change to the eye examination fee for contractors is now under consideration after Department officials met with stakeholders in March to discuss a change to the (optical) treatment benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17465/24]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

399. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the number of claimants who are availing of the exemption from the means test of the renting of a room with revenue up to €14,000. [17480/24]

School Meals Programme

Ivana Bacik

400. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the provenance of meat, vegetables and other ingredients for the hot school meals programme; if the ingredients are sourced in Ireland; and the procurement process for same. [17495/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when payment of carer’s allowance will be urgently restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17523/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Bernard Durkan

402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determining an appeal (details supplied); when a final determination is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17529/24]

School Meals Programme

Cathal Crowe

403. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection when the schools (details supplied) announced for the hot school meals programme can expect the meals to be rolled out; and what options are available for those with allergies. [17536/24]

School Meals Programme

David Stanton

404. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school (details supplied) will be included in the hot school meals programme for the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17538/24]

Social Insurance

Pearse Doherty

405. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if the scheduled increases in PRSI between 2024 and 2028 are factored into table 2 (showing cashflow projections with respect to SIF in selected years) of the actuarial review of the social insurance fund as at 31 December which was completed by her Department in December 2023; and if she will provide an updated equivalent table providing cashflow projections with respect to SIF for those selected years which take account of the aforementioned PRSI increases. [17553/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

406. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to expand the training support grant to cover longer-term courses and those above QQI Level 6; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17563/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

407. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports available to someone returning to education part-time and continuing to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17564/24]

School Meals Programme

Jim O'Callaghan

408. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail, on a county-by-county basis, a breakdown of the 150,000 children that will benefit from the expansion of the hot meals scheme announced on 15 April 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17606/24]

Social Welfare Fraud

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

409. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons prosecuted for social welfare fraud in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17626/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost to the Exchequer to increase child benefit by €10 per child in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17627/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

411. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance submitted on 15 February 2024 (details supplied) in respect of a person caring for an individual who is terminally ill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17699/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Marc MacSharry

412. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is proposed to reduce the weekly social support payment for those already here under the temporary protection directive, and currently in receipt of €232 per week, to the same level as all other refugees, that is, €38 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17749/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

413. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17811/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Kathleen Funchion

414. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is only receiving €130 in carer’s payment, given the circumstances. [17812/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Neasa Hourigan

415. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 16 April, the date her Department will launch the reformed scheme combining the reasonable accommodation fund and the disability awareness support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17815/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

416. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a domiciliary care allowance review for a person (details supplied). [17933/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

417. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity appeal will be urgently expedited for a person (details supplied). [17935/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

418. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is expected a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application (details supplied). [17948/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether any interim payment is available in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a HSE worker who contracted Covid on the frontline during the pandemic but has suffered with ill health ever since and currently has no income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17975/24]

Social Insurance

Matt Carthy

420. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person on class D contribution within a State agency is unable to change to class A contributions; if she has considered implementing changes to facilitate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18020/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ivana Bacik

421. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 9 April, how an assessment is conducted with respect to determining the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person's capacity to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18082/24]

Registration of Births

Ivana Bacik

422. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the making public of the stillbirth register; if she has further plans for reform to support families through pregnancy loss and stillbirth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18083/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Duncan Smith

423. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when a domiciliary allowance payment, which was submitted on behalf of a person (details supplied) in November 2023, will be awarded to the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18116/24]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

424. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice , further to Parliamentary Question No. 921 of 9 April, if further clarification will be provided on what specifically the figures for offences and convictions are in respect of the second table; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17318/24]

Immigration Status

Brendan Griffin

425. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice for advice and-or clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17319/24]

Legislative Reviews

Patrick Costello

426. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she would be willing to carry out a review of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 and issues relating to the operation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17322/24]

Legislative Measures

Patrick Costello

427. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice in instances where residents feel aggrieved by decisions taken or feel owners’ management companies are acting outside the scope of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, the mechanisms under which residents can submit these actions for review or enforcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17324/24]

Immigration Status

Kathleen Funchion

428. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if a person can apply for citizenship (details supplied). [17372/24]

International Students

Mairéad Farrell

429. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the number of English language schools that were inspected for compliance of the ILEP in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17393/24]

International Students

Mairéad Farrell

430. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the number of English language schools that were removed from the ILEP in each of the years 2016 to 2023, in tabular form; the number of these schools that were later readmitted on to the ILEP; and the number of schools that were not readmitted. [17394/24]

Legislative Measures

Carol Nolan

431. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if it is her view that existing legislation is sufficient to deal with the issue of rising knife crime, including the carrying of illegally held knives; if her Department is considering updating the law in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17396/24]

An Garda Síochána

Sorca Clarke

432. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on the replacement of ballistic shields for use by An Garda Síochána in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17423/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

433. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); if this application can be expedited, given the circumstances of the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17444/24]

Court Procedures

Pa Daly

434. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 17 October 2023, the breakdown for the current wait times for an initial hearing in the District, Circuit, Central, High and Supreme Courts, in tabular form. [17539/24]

Departmental Data

Pa Daly

435. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of the number of convictions secured for knife-related crimes for 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [17550/24]

Departmental Consultations

Michael Lowry

436. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 330 of 27 February 2024, to confirm if officials in her Department have reviewed correspondence (details supplied); to confirm whether contact was made with representatives from a named association; if she will ensure that every effort will be made to rectify any possible irregularities at the earliest convenience, in order that this application can be processed and finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17565/24]

Prison Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

437. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost if an extra 185 prison officers were recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17615/24]

Alcohol Sales

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

438. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of inspections Gardaí within the Carlow-Kilkenny division carried out on pubs, clubs and so on, to ensure full compliance with liquor licensing regulation in 2023 and to date in 2024; the percentage of premises that were found in breach of legislation in each of the years in question, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17617/24]

Asylum Seekers

Peadar Tóibín

439. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of new refuge accommodation units delivered and opened for each of the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17642/24]

Asylum Seekers

Peadar Tóibín

440. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the total funding allocation for Tusla and Cuan Saor in each of the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive for staffed refuges, domestic violence support services, rape crisis centres and associated helpline services, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17643/24]

Asylum Seekers

Peadar Tóibín

441. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of new refuge accommodation units delivered and opened for each of the years 2020 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form. [17644/24]

Prison Service

Patrick Costello

442. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the current status of the progression unit in Mountjoy Prison, which was previously used only for model generic prisoners but which has now had sex offenders placed there; if this allocation of sex offenders to the unit will continue to take place; if so, why is the facility not being used for it's designed purposes; and what other building will act as a new progression unit to take its place. [17686/24]

Prison Service

Patrick Costello

443. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners being put forward for early or temporary release in the past 12 months, but who were not released due to the fact early probation supervision is not available for them in the community. [17688/24]

Probation and Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

444. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice to provide in tabular form a Statewide list of community probation teams, by area, the number of staff employed in each and the number of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17689/24]

Prison Service

Patrick Costello

445. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure other addiction counsellors are sourced as a matter of urgency for the prison service; her views on the situation whereby in Mountjoy Prison there is currently only two addiction/MQI counsellors for the entire prison, given by her own admission (details supplied) 70% of the population have addiction issues in a prison of approximately 800 prisons; and her views on whether two addiction councillors for 550+ prisoners with addiction issues is an adequate number for provision of services. [17690/24]

Prison Service

Patrick Costello

446. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 377 of 10 October 2023, if seven out of every ten prisoners have addiction issues, the reason millions are being spent on hundreds of new places in prison, when the money could be better spent addressing the root cause of incarceration for many of the existing populations, i.e. addiction, which would entail hiring more addiction counsellors. [17697/24]

Departmental Data

Pa Daly

447. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice for a tabular breakdown of the number of cases involving knives and prosecuted under section 9(1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 Act, which have been referred to the DPP and prosecuted for the years 2009-2024 inclusive. [17738/24]