Parliamentary questions

Agriculture Industry

Aindrias Moynihan

245. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals being considered from the VistaMilk research programme to reduce Ireland’s emissions of greenhouse gases while maximising dairy output; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/22]

Antisocial Behaviour

Aindrias Moynihan

24. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the measures that will be taken to deal with the public order issue in Cork city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25838/22]

An Garda Síochána

Aindrias Moynihan

54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda authorities have reported on priorities for new Garda station constructions in 2022 and 2023; if they have identified new stations to the OPW and any other relevant bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25835/22]

Asylum Seekers

Aindrias Moynihan

548. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of asylum seekers in Ireland still awaiting their temporary residence certificates to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24505/22]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Aindrias Moynihan

558. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26478/22]

Departmental Policies

Aindrias Moynihan

40. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy solutions or mitigation measures that his Department is considering to ease the impact of current supply chain issues whilst awaiting the establishment of the Expert Group on Global Value Chains and Supply Chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24962/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aindrias Moynihan

139. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reforms that are being considered for the current CAO system given the recent announcement of changes to be implemented on the current leaving certificate programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24954/22]

Third Level Education

Aindrias Moynihan

181. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is considering making more third-level education places available to accommodate the increasing numbers of Ukrainians entering Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24953/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aindrias Moynihan

315. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied with the classroom spaces currently available to deal with the backlog of apprenticeships; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it currently could take over six years for electrical apprentices to be fully certified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18754/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

Aindrias Moynihan

100. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that are being taken to reduce processing times on all appeals received for social protection applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24504/22]

Ukraine War

Aindrias Moynihan

152. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures that are in place to support highly-skilled Ukrainian refugees in accessing the Irish job market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24961/22]

Passport Services

Aindrias Moynihan

352. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the process for the verification of guardians form for passport applications which are signed in the Garda station; the reason the need to contact the gardaí when they have already signed and stamped the form; the difficulties that arise in verifying the form; the measures being introduced to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24231/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Aindrias Moynihan

507. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered index linking social protection payments in view of the fact that both Brexit and the war in Ukraine are projected to compound existing inflationary pressures from Covid-19 and the disruption of supply chains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21439/22]

Cybersecurity Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

31. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the recommendations from the Commission on the Defence Forces report regarding cyber defence capabilities that his Department is considering for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23720/22]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

58. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence if the recommendation to increase defence spending by the Commission on the Defence Forces has come under further review in the context of war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/22]

Schools Building Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

116. 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. [23722/22]

School Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

158. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the measures that are being taken to ensure that adequate teaching staff will be available to accommodate the new leaving certificate programme subjects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23721/22]

National Broadband Plan

Aindrias Moynihan

70. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be available for a home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23739/22]

European Union

Aindrias Moynihan

158. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his views on the recent drive by President Macron of France to form a European Union army and deeper European Union military integration in view of the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23788/22]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

159. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the engagement he has had with military authorities on increasing the budgetary figure for meals for personnel in line with the rise of inflation we are experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23789/22]

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

160. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence the recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces report regarding increasing the size and capabilities of the Reserve Defence Forces that his Department considering for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23795/22]

School Curriculum

Aindrias Moynihan

182. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the engagement that is planned to take into consideration all second level teachers’ opinions and concerns on the newly announced leaving certificate programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23796/22]

School Curriculum

Aindrias Moynihan

183. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the number of teachers, parents and students who took part in the consultation for the senior cycle review advisory report published; if she is satisfied with the number of teachers, parents and students that took part in the consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23797/22]

School Curriculum

Aindrias Moynihan

184. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the number of pilot or network schools are trialling the updated leaving certificate curriculum; the way these schools were identified; if there was a set of criteria required for schools to be included in the pilot scheme; if she will provide a list of the schools already identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23798/22]

Trade Relations

Aindrias Moynihan

80. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has reviewed the current situation with congestion in the port of Shanghai, the implications this will have for global supply chains and ultimately its impact on the Irish economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/22]

National Security Committee

Aindrias Moynihan

133. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements that he has had with the National Security Committee; if the Committee has reviewed Ireland’s international position in the National Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22969/22]

Foreign Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

409. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a recent review has been carried out on current strategies and protocols in relation to bringing Irish citizens home who have been stranded overseas against their will; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23000/22]

Human Rights

Aindrias Moynihan

410. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view on possibly compromising trade relations with China by forming a human rights position on the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23001/22]

Tourism Promotion

Aindrias Moynihan

46. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements she has had with the stakeholders of the Gearagh in County Cork to improve the attractiveness of this site for tourism by placing improved signage and information panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22164/22]

Special Areas of Conservation

Aindrias Moynihan

86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has had any engagements with the stakeholders of the Gearagh in County Cork; if there are any plans to upgrade the classification of this site from a special area of conservation to designating it as a UNESCO world heritage site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/22]

Irish Language

Aindrias Moynihan

139. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the recruitment process to appoint members to the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22118/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Aindrias Moynihan

166. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has made any review on the way the planned wind farms in Gougane Barra, County Cork will impact local tourism in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22171/22]

Tourism Industry

Aindrias Moynihan

167. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures being taken to alleviate pressure on hotel availability for tourism given that many rooms will be allocated for emergency accommodation this summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/22]

Housing Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

205. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can elaborate further on the review of the income eligibility for social housing submitted to his Department by the Housing Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22173/22]

Tax Code

Aindrias Moynihan

56. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the reason for different criteria under social protection entitlements and taxation in which a cohabiting couple have to be jointly assessed under social protection entitlements but cannot be jointly assessed for tax purposes as cohabitants; if a review will be considered to change this taxation rule to allow cohabiting couples to apply to be jointly assessed for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21440/22]

Flood Risk Management

Aindrias Moynihan

104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there have been any new developments in the implementation of flood defence construction works in the upper Lee and Sullane area in view that plans have been in place for some time now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/22]

Rental Sector

Aindrias Moynihan

79. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered implementing a scheme to counter the increase in rent to supplement those who are struggling due to the recent surge in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21444/22]

Public Transport

Aindrias Moynihan

102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if a reduction in Expressway bus fares, such as on route 40, Tralee to Cork, and route 51, Limerick to Cork, can be considered as part of the cost-of-living package to facilitate the large population of students that commute along these routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21070/22]

Transport Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

129. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Connecting Ireland review following the recent public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21071/22]

Public Transport

Aindrias Moynihan

436. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if European public transport systems are being reviewed and considered in the implementation of the new Connecting Ireland plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/22]

Driver Test

Aindrias Moynihan

437. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport when the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, mandatory requirement that driving test candidates must confirm taking an antigen test will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21073/22]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

438. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to implementing a new electric vehicle grant for businesses that install charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21074/22]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

439. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to implementing a new electric vehicle grant that will provide free and discounted parking in towns and cities for electric vehicle drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/22]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

440. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to implementing a new electric vehicle grant that will allow electric vehicle buyers to benefit from interest free loans when purchasing new electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21076/22]

Housing Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

697. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Housing for All review will be completed; when any changes under the household income criteria for applicants for social housing will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21213/22]

Work Permits

Aindrias Moynihan

57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current processing times for general employment permits; the measures that are being taken to prioritise these types of permits due to SMEs experiencing issues around staffing shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18753/22]

Departmental Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

108. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that all works needed for homes under the free energy upgrades, warmer homes scheme are being considered to ensure increase in BER ratings for these homes; if homes that require window replacement can be considered under the scheme albeit the type of build does not currently recommend insulation being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18743/22]

Departmental Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

141. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that is being made in reducing the processing times and commencement of works under the free energy upgrades, warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18744/22]

Rural Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

94. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding drawn down for local improvement schemes in County Cork for 2021; if all funding allocated to Cork County Council under the scheme for 2021 was drawn down; if not, if these moneys will be available to draw down as additional to the 2022 allocation to Cork County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17926/22]

Regeneration Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

115. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a town regeneration officer can be assigned to Macroom, County Cork under the town centre first programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17925/22]