Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

1300. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of reports that Covid testing laboratory staff employed by private providers were excluded from the Covid-19 recognition payment, although they carried out Covid testing on behalf of the HSE; if it was the deliberate policy of his Department or the HSE to exclude such workers; if so, to supply any details about how this policy was arrived at; his views on whether it is appropriate that workers in a persistently Covid-exposed environment and carrying out vital public health work during the height of the Covid-19 crisis would be excluded from a payment; if this was not HSE or his Department's policy, the steps those employed in Covid-testing laboratories in the relevant period can take to access the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/24]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1376. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the scopolinem patch; if there are plans to make it available for medical card users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12363/24]

Departmental Policies

Richard Boyd Barrett

1570. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has reviewed Water Safety Ireland's recommendations and compared them to those prevailing in Northern Ireland; if she plans to harmonise the lifeguarding season and equipment provisions between Ireland and Northern Ireland; her views on whether Northern Ireland's stringent lifeguarding recommendations play a role in Northern Ireland's impressive low drowning rate figures; if she has engaged with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland; if she has engaged with all-Ireland bodies with a remit for lifeguarding, such as an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12257/24]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

188. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if it is the policy of Dublin Bus, the National Transport Authority, NTA, or any Transport for Ireland, TFI, bus operators to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information; given the lack of bathroom facilities at some bus termini and the length of some bus routes, if he thinks such a policy is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11244/24]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

189. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport given the duty of care that bus operators have towards their employees, if he or the bus operators have considered the potential impact of any policy to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information on the mental health of bus drivers on account of compromised privacy; if he or the bus operators have considered the potential impact on the physical health of bus drivers who may be putting off taking necessary bathroom breaks as a result of any policy to record bus drivers' bathroom breaks alongside identifying information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11245/24]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

190. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport which persons would have access to any identifiable records of bathroom breaks taken by bus drivers; what measures are in place to ensure that this access policy is adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11246/24]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to make bathroom facilities available for drivers at all bus termini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11247/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [9317/24]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [9318/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9319/24]

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her agenda for improving Ireland’s drowning rate, with regard to her responsibility for Water Safety Ireland; to provide details of any engagement with lifeguards and lifeguarding groups to this end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10353/24]

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her recent engagements with the board of Water Safety Ireland regarding recommended equipment guidelines for lifeguarding that it issues to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10352/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 27 February 2024, how Irish medical volunteers can offer their services specifically to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza to third countries, for example, Egypt; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 27 February 2024, if he is aware of an offer by a group which has a team of over 20 highly qualified specialist doctors, licensed and experienced in various medical fields in Dublin, ready to volunteer their services to communities displaced from Gaza into third countries, for example, Egypt (details supplied); if he has considered this offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 27 February 2024, if his Department has considered the direct deployment of Irish medical personnel in the region, including supporting or facilitating volunteer aid from Irish individuals; what in-kind and personnel contributions Ireland has made for same to European bodies for the purposes of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, in tabular form; whether the Department will consider unilateral deployment of in-kind aid in the absence of an adequate response from the above European bodies, given discordant views on the conflict between member-states (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10591/24]

Rail Network

Richard Boyd Barrett

187. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when the Woodbrook rail station will be opened and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/24]

State Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

270. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a State funded event (details supplied) is issuing consent forms to parents of children participants and attendees which states that the consent form is for filming and photography with wide usage allowed for third parties of which include commercial and non-commercial partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10027/24]

Visa Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

471. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice which visas are most suitable for Palestinians in Gaza to apply for in order to be permitted to enter Ireland; which visas are most suitable specifically for those with no family here, but who have previously resided in Ireland and for family members of such individuals; her Department's current policy on approving visa applications for Palestinians from Gaza; to provide a breakdown of available visas for Palestinians and guidance on which are most suitable for different categories of applicant, including guidance on making a successful application; if her Department will publish guidance in Arabic to potential applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9990/24]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the form of redress that is available to former residents of an orphanage (details supplied) given reports of abuse and its exclusion from the mother and baby homes redress scheme (details supplied); whether the confessional character of the orphanage has played a role in the State's attitude towards liability to victims there, as it was a Protestant institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10250/24]

After-School Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

569. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter in relation to an after school service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10308/24]

Passport Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what avenues are open to a person (details supplied) who has to apply for a passport if the copies of their birth certificate, name change and gender recognition certificate are notarised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9767/24]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [7881/24]

Immigration Status

Richard Boyd Barrett

90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the avenues a person with a three-month visa who has arrived in Ireland from Gaza can now use to apply for citizenship in Ireland whose close family member holds a work visa permit in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9469/24]

Child and Family Agency

Richard Boyd Barrett

105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what avenues are available for a person (details supplied) to access missing information from their early life report which they recently received from Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9487/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Irish medical volunteers might be able to offer their services in Gaza, or to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza, for example in Rafah, Egypt, in light of the worsening humanitarian and health crisis unfolding in Gaza; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the provision of emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and the surrounding region (details supplied); if this includes the potential for direct deployment of Irish medical professionals; if this further includes the potential for deploying a humanitarian response that is not initiated through the DG ECHO platform; if this includes assisting and facilitating Irish medical professionals seeking to volunteer in Gaza or the surrounding region; his views on how the HSE Global Health Programme might support the amelioration of the humanitarian and health crisis in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the person or body that can make a formal request for assistance on the DG ECHO platform; how they would go about it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/24]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

334. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) is required to complete another on-line e-vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8840/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

335. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the significant delays in processing times for naturalisation applications and in the sending of certificates to those who have attended naturalisation ceremonies; the current expected processing times and times to allocate certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8841/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

336. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the current number of applicants awaiting naturalisation applications to be processed; the number pending from 2021, 2022 and 2023; the estimated timeline for clearing the backlog and the percentage of rejected candidates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8842/24]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice how long the e-vetting process takes in the naturalisation process; the length of time for which e-vetting is valid; if she is aware of the issue with inputting the county on the on-line form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8843/24]

Disability Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

444. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information (details supplied) for the CDNTs in CHO 6 for each month from January 2022 to April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9144/24]

Mental Health Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

505. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the long-term illness scheme only includes mental health conditions for persons under 16 years of age; his plans to extend this beyond 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8798/24]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU budget. [7882/24]

Transport Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [6662/24]

Judicial Appointments

Richard Boyd Barrett

118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice how a person (details supplied) was appointed as a State solicitor and then as a judge when there were serious complaints to two separate school boards of management; the vetting system for State solicitors and judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8180/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6661/24]

Northern Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. [7880/24]

Passport Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if in the instance of a first passport application there is a necessity of the identity verification form section 7 to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána or whether any witness from the list provided on the gov.ie website is suitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7626/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to report on what schools in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area provide properly serviced reading classes for dyslexic children, and if there are any upcoming plans to provide properly serviced reading classrooms for dyslexic children in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7525/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

350. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the implications for a RAS tenant, considering RAS is designated like social housing as social housing support, whose income goes over the income limit, who pays rent in line with the increased income but then receives a notice to quit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7675/24]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the timeline for the full installation of the hot school meals programme; if there is a commitment by her Department to cover all schools by the next Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7614/24]

Judicial Appointments

Richard Boyd Barrett

429. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice in light of the recent conviction of a Circuit Court judge for sexual offences, to explain how it was possible for somebody with so many serious complaints against them to be appointed as a Circuit Court judge; to confirm that neither the Gardaí nor the school previously employing the judge undertook any activity which could be perceived as covering up complaints against the judge (or any behaviours similar to those subject to complaint) prior to his appointment; to outline any efforts taken by the Department or agencies of the Department to ascertain whether any possible covering-up took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7722/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media following the recent film industry section 481 stakeholder forum, her views on the widespread and legitimate concern of actors, writers, directors and film crew in relation to sustainable and secure employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7003/24]

Sports Facilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

42. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to address the significant shortfall of sports pitches and other sports facilities, that is growing particularly acute in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, considering the huge growth in people participating in sport, in particular women and girls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7001/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

44. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her assessment of the recent film industry section 481 stakeholder forum; her plans are to address the concerns, issues and proposals raised at the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7002/24]

Television Licence Fee

Richard Boyd Barrett

57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to give an update on the Government’s latest thinking on the central funding of RTÉ and public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7004/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he now accepts the need for an outright ban on vulture funds purchasing large numbers of new homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/24]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he intends to put in place to ensure availability of affordable homes in south Dublin, in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take in relation to the cohort of people who earn more than the limit for social housing but are not eligible for cost rental on affordability grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7010/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will immediately raise the HAP and homeless HAP limits, considering the ever increasing numbers entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

153. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned about the increase in family homelessness and the lack of three bed homes coming on stream via the Part V programme; what changes he intends to make to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/24]

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

409. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that Ireland has amongst the worst drowning rates in Europe; whether she intends to remedy this by increasing the number of lifeguards employed, ensuring proper training of all lifeguards, extending the months of the year that lifeguards are employed to cover the whole year, and by providing all lifeguards with the necessary equipment, such as radios, all-terrain vehicles and defibrillators, in line with European best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7110/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. [2797/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with the President of China. [6660/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his visit to the western Balkans. [2796/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

73. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there has been an increase in the amount of ammunition for automatic rifles expended at the Curragh and the Glen of Imaal army ranges since the beginning of 2021; and whether any of this ammunition was used for training soldiers from NATO countries. [6786/24]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach for an update on the child poverty and well-being unit. [4031/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for the citizens' assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [4019/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education will next meet. [2807/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports a Palestinian-Canadian journalist (details supplied) has been abducted by Israeli authorities in Gaza; if he is aware of reports that journalists are being targeted by Israeli authorities in Gaza; if he has raised the issue with the Government of Israel; if he has raised the issue with the Government of Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6071/24]

International Protection

Richard Boyd Barrett

470. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the process by which a person who is not currently in Ireland and is in need of international protection would apply for asylum in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6521/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what measures he is considering to ensure that workers in the film industry who are subject to multiple successive fixed-term contracts, have their rights under fixed-term workers legislation fully vindicated, and have their service to the industry properly recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5798/24]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what his role is in ensuring full compliance with employment legislation and workers right in the film TV arts and audio visual sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5801/24]

Low Pay

Richard Boyd Barrett

34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the new information from the ESRI on low pay work, if he will consider the abolishment of sub-minimum wage rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5799/24]

National Minimum Wage

Richard Boyd Barrett

66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given that an increasing number of employers are in breach of national minimum wage laws, but the number of prosecutions is low, how is he going to enforce minimum wage law compliance and if there will be additional penalties to employers for minimum wage law breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5797/24]

Intellectual Property

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what progress he is making in addressing the concerns of actors, performers, writers and directors in the film and TV industry in relation to fully vindicating their intellectual property rights under the copyright directive and copyright legislation. [5800/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform given the need for large supplementary estimates in health and education in 2023, the steps he will take to avoid underestimates of funding public services; how he is going to monitor the adequacy of funding provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5768/24]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what considerations he has given to the proposed four day work week across the public sector as raised by multiple trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5769/24]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

172. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is considering the high cost of accommodation as a significant factor in recruitment and retention challenges; and what considerations will be given to this. [5955/24]

National Development Plan

Richard Boyd Barrett

173. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will consider the establishment of a state-run construction company to assist in achieving the National Development Plan goals and particularly the urgent need to address the housing crisis and critical infrastructure development. [5956/24]

Central Statistics Office

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to provide details on Ireland’s annual drowning rate; the way this compares with other countries in Europe; and to provide a breakdown of drowning rates by county. [5178/24]

Driver Test

Richard Boyd Barrett

73. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the number of permanent staff employed by the Road Safety Authority as driver testers by testing centre; to provide an updated account of the waiting times for driving test applicants by testing centre; to provide a breakdown of the number of contract staff employed as driver testers; the retention rate of both permanent and contract staff employed as driver testers in the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5180/24]

Joint Labour Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

148. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given that employers, security officers and trade unions had up to 2 January 2024 to enter submissions and that almost one month has elapsed since; when he plans to sign the Security Industry Joint Labour Committee Employment Regulation Order draft proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5467/24]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

182. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the proposed date for the completed construction of the Dún Laoghaire Education Together National School; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5125/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education how the Department is calculating the data which allocates special education teachers and the adjustments made based on complex needs; if the Department has received this data and will report on it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5126/24]

Legal Aid

Richard Boyd Barrett

345. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the amount that has been spent by the Legal Aid Board to personal insolvency practitioners, solicitors and barristers under the PIA Review of the Legal Aid Service for 2022 and 2023; the details of these payments; the companies and individuals that received same; the amount received by each company and individual; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5211/24]

Legal Aid

Richard Boyd Barrett

346. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the amount that has been accrued, but is as yet unpaid, by the Legal Aid Board to personal insolvency practitioners, solicitors and barristers under the PIA Review of the Legal Aid Service since its inception in 2016 to date; the details of these liabilities; the companies to which they are owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5212/24]

Public Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to act on the motion passed by Dáil Éireann in October 2022 in favour of free public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/24]

Bus Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to outline how he intends to address the impact of the shortage of drivers on the delivery of bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4626/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the latest projections for corporate tax revenue, given the introduction of 15% effective corporate tax rate for 2024 and 2025; and if he is satisfied that 15% will in reality be an effective tax rate. [4572/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

98. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a digital tax on digital and social media companies, as an alternative method of funding public service broadband to replace the regressive and widely discredited TV licence model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4569/24]

Data Centres

Richard Boyd Barrett

119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a specific tax on data centres given their high impact on our energy and resource infrastructure. [4571/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the penalties he is considering on film production companies found to be in breach of their requirement and obligation for receiving section 481 film tax credit funding, given the recent Workplace Relations Commission rulings against a company (details supplied) for its failure to uphold the employment rights and blacklisting of 38 film crew; if he intends to undertake an investigation into whether the practices at play in these cases are widespread in the film industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4573/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider and introduction of a wealth tax, given recent reports by an organisation (details supplied) and the Central Bank on the wealth distribution showing ever growing concentration of wealth in the hands of the very wealthiest households. [4570/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Richard Boyd Barrett

342. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the list of Mother and Baby Homes and any other State institutions that are included in the Redress Scheme, and to provide also a list of institutions that are not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4662/24]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [4020/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the activities of the sole remaining animal shelter in Gaza, Sulala Animal Rescue, and its collaboration with Animals Australia; whether he has raised the issue of animal feed reaching the shelter through the Kerem Shalom checkpoint with the Israeli Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [4029/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with disability will next meet. [4021/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on Housing for All. [2795/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

26. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of the Cabinet committees on which he sits. [4030/24]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 17 January 2024, to clarify whether persons excluded from the credit due to low energy usage where they have been occupying the property and are not a vulnerable customer/entitled to be a vulnerable customer or have a financial meter, will be awarded the credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3701/24]

Electricity Supply Board

Richard Boyd Barrett

233. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to report on when semi-State PAYE pensioners who were not permitted to contribute to the Government pension scheme can expect their pension increase to be paid out to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3997/24]

Education Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

278. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the grounds there are for the compulsory nature of educational devices in schools; if she is aware of the costs incurred by parents of students for the mandatory devices as well as the mandatory textbooks and other materials; if she will report on the process of contracting suppliers of the educational devices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3998/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a public statement supporting the South African case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and advocate for Ireland to formally intervene in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3348/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts he is making to assist Irish citizens or families with connections to this country who are seeking to escape Gaza and especially those who have contacted him seeking assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3349/24]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the December European Union Council meeting. [2805/24]

School Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for allocating school buses to schools or to areas within the greater Dublin area. [3120/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will lift the mandatory 90-day period for being declared homeless for HAP tenants if the tenant finds a property before the 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/24]