Parliamentary questions

Energy Prices

Brian Stanley

81. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Taoiseach the analyses that has been conducted on the cost of energy per household as a proportion of household income from 1992 to 2022,in tabular form. [31783/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brian Stanley

85. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources in each year since 2012 to date in 2022 as a proportion of overall demand. [31784/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brian Stanley

86. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of electricity from on demand renewable energy sources in each year from 2012 to date in 2022. [31785/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brian Stanley

87. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policies his Department are considering to support the development of biomethane in the State. [31786/22]

Banking Sector

Brian Stanley

78. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the outstanding amount owed in relation to the bank guarantee; the cost of servicing this debt each year; and the date the final payment will be made. [30900/22]

Departmental Data

Brian Stanley

79. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the projected total national debt by the end of 2022; and the percentage of this figure that related to the bank bailout. [30901/22]

Public Transport

Brian Stanley

346. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport the plans his Department has to reduce fares on public transport outside major cities. [30936/22]

Electric Vehicles

Brian Stanley

347. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport the plans that his Department has to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points in counties Laois and Offaly. [30937/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brian Stanley

1442. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the position regarding patients with mental health issues who cannot wear a face mask attending a general practitioner surgery; and the procedures that are in place for these persons. [29118/22]

Vaccination Programme

Brian Stanley

392. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the details of the Covid-19 injury compensation scheme, in particular the commencement date remit and the procedures for applicants to follow.
[28715/22]

Care Services

Brian Stanley

32. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the re-opening of the three-day care centres in County Laois; and the timelines for Mountmellick and Abbeyleix day care centre re-openings. [26713/22]

Care Services

Brian Stanley

95. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his views on a facility (details supplied); if the building will be now upgraded to meet the needs of the residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

7. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that have been retrofitted in the first four months of 2022. [26741/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

8. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of homes that received grants for energy upgrades in 2021. [26742/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

9. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of homes, excluding deep retrofit grants, that have received energy upgrade grants in the first four months of 2022. [26743/22]

Prison Service

Brian Stanley

162. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been remanded to the Irish Prison Service while awaiting removal from the State by month since April 2021, in tabular form. [26738/22]

Legislative Measures

Brian Stanley

252. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current status of the Charities (Amendment) Bill 2022; and when this bill will move to the next stage. [26739/22]

Employment Rights

Brian Stanley

25. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when we can expect to see his Department's legislation to provide hospitality workers with a legal right to their tips, service charges and other gratuities. [25011/22]

Living Wage

Brian Stanley

29. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department's plans for a living wage to be introduced. [25012/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brian Stanley

107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if her Department will revise upwards the earning limits for students who are applying for SUSI grants. [23263/22]

Further and Higher Education

Brian Stanley

117. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to review the criteria for the SUSI grant to take into account of unavoidable outgoings such as mortgage repayments. [23264/22]

Health Services

Brian Stanley

373. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the efforts that are being made to address the waiting lists to get an appointment to sign a marriage notification and complete all necessary documents with the register of births, marriages and deaths. [25557/22]

Health Services Staff

Brian Stanley

374. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his Department engaged in a meaningful way with representatives of medical laboratory scientists; and the efforts that are being made to revert an escalation of industrial action. [25558/22]

Military Aircraft

Brian Stanley

224. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the transport of six howitzer guns with ammunition which passed through Shannon Airport on board an aircraft (details supplied) on the weekend of 7 to 8 May 2022. [24370/22]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

332. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds that will be available in Abbeyleix Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23944/22]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

333. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he will raise with the HSE the reason that there are only seven of the 28 beds available being used in Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois despite the works having been fully completed at the facility. [23948/22]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

334. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the day care centre at Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois will reopen to meet the huge demand for the services in the area. [23949/22]

Passport Services

Brian Stanley

428. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration that the Government is giving to opening a passport office in Belfast. [23292/22]

Passport Services

Brian Stanley

429. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to increase resources for the Dublin Passport Office to alleviate the back log of applications. [23293/22]

Housing Policy

Brian Stanley

66. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the correct procedures and rules regarding the allocation of social housing by approved housing bodies; if the nomination of new tenants is made by the local authority; and if not, if the nomination is made by another body. [20734/22]

Housing Policy

Brian Stanley

74. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his position regarding the charging of hello money to new tenants of social housing provided by approved housing bodies. [20735/22]

Military Aircraft

Brian Stanley

114. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if he will establish the destination and the number of troops that were on board an aircraft (details supplied) which landed in Shannon Airport on 17 March 2019. [21770/22]

Wastewater Treatment

Brian Stanley

180. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress that has been achieved regarding the issue of Irish Water refusing to take on housing developments in which the wastewater treatment system has been provided by the developer. [21804/22]

Electricity Generation

Brian Stanley

290. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date in bringing forward legislation to facilitate micro-generation of electricity by householders and the export of any excess to the grid for payment. [20334/22]

Turf Cutting

Brian Stanley

326. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding domestic turf cutting and the sale or provision of turf to a third party. [21130/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Brian Stanley

518. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if the criteria that qualify a person for a primary medical certificate will be reviewed to include persons who have a diagnosis such as narcolepsy. [20486/22]

Health Services Staff

Brian Stanley

573. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out the Government position regarding frontline health workers who contracted Covid-19 and continue to be out of work due to long Covid; and if they will have their special leave with pay terminated in June 2022. [20691/22]

Passport Services

Brian Stanley

751. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the situation in which passport applications that have been witnessed in a Garda station that is not a full-time station are not being accepted by the Passport Office despite the fact that the signature and ID number of the garda is on the application form along with the station stamp. [20134/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brian Stanley

1091. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the criteria for means testing the carer's allowance in order to take in not just income but also unavoidable outgoings such as mortgage repayments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21119/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Brian Stanley

1228. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s position on the delay in having electrical apprenticeships completed within the normal four-year term due to Covid; if the issue will be addressed in which phase seven is being completed approximately at four years and five months which is creating a backlog and delays in the qualification of much-needed electricians. [21129/22]

Ambulance Service

Brian Stanley

1822. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some ambulance staff are being redeployed to be based in locations up to 109 km each way from their home and their previous base.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/22]

Ambulance Service

Brian Stanley

1823. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the implications of the redeployment of some ambulance staff in locations up to 109 km from their home and their previous base in regard to the health and safety of staff and other road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/22]

Parking Provision

Brian Stanley

100. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that is currently available for carpark facilities at amenities in rural areas such as a facility (details supplied) in County Laois. [17930/22]

Parking Provision

Brian Stanley

107. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a carpark at the Woodenbridge, Ballacolla, County Laois to facilitate better usage of the amenities located there. [17931/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Stanley

410. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total value of expenditure from his Department’s annual accounts in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form, that related to financial transactions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of expenditure. [17866/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Brian Stanley

441. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Defence the total value of expenditure from his Department’s annual accounts in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form, that related to financial transactions with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and if he will provide a breakdown of the nature of expenditure. [17867/22]

National Children's Hospital

Brian Stanley

689. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when his Department will be in a position to publish the final and total cost of expenditure for the National Children’s Hospital. [17567/22]

National Maternity Hospital

Brian Stanley

690. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the expenditure on the list of completed works and work in progress on the enabling works for the National Maternity Hospital to date, in tabular form. [17568/22]

Rail Network

Brian Stanley

237. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will request Irish Rail to begin the process of automating the 12 remaining manual level crossings on the Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh railway line. [16033/22]

Children in Care

Brian Stanley

500. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that children who are under the care of Tusla and that are placed under private family arrangement are placed only in homes that have been adequately vetted and regulated by Tusla; and if he will provide details of the vetting that takes place. [15864/22]

Children in Care

Brian Stanley

501. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation regarding children placed under private family arrangement; and if this practice complies with the relevant childcare legislation and European convention. [15867/22]

Animal Diseases

Brian Stanley

888. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation regarding the vaccinations of dogs coming into the country; and if his Department has put measures in place to ensure that all such animals are vaccinated. [16358/22]

Military Neutrality

Brian Stanley

97. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position of his Department on neutrality; and the definition of same by his Department. [13306/22]

Military Neutrality

Brian Stanley

133. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the commitment by his Department to the current position of the State on neutrality. [13307/22]

Prison Service

Brian Stanley

339. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice if the current procedures will be reviewed for injuries incurred on duty for prison officers (details supplied). [15554/22]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

396. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the completion date for the renovation works of the audiology facility in a service (details supplied); and the date for the resumption of services. [15726/22]

Climate Change Policy

Brian Stanley

7. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that second-level students have an input into the just transition process and in particular in an organisation (details supplied). [15430/22]

School Management

Brian Stanley

108. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider making provision for representatives of a union (details supplied) to have an input into school boards of management. [15428/22]

Fire Service

Brian Stanley

308. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the retained fire services’ staffing which included recruitment and retention of staff and the need for this to be addressed. [13822/22]

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]

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]

Nursing Homes

Brian Stanley

529. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the current usage of Birr nursing home; and plans that are in place for optimal capacity to be utilised. [12547/22]

Road Projects

Brian Stanley

25. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding prioritising the provision of a new relief road for the N80 in Mountmellick. [11271/22]

Rail Network

Brian Stanley

60. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport his plans for increasing the services and passenger numbers on the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line. [11272/22]

Housing Schemes

Brian Stanley

153. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to address the issues arising from social housing eligibility criteria being assessed on the previous year’s income threshold. [11274/22]

Housing Schemes

Brian Stanley

185. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review into income thresholds for social housing eligibility will be published. [11273/22]

Departmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

178. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review the criteria for the new SEAI grant better energy warmer homes scheme to cover the replacement of old single glazed windows as a standalone item regardless of any previous SEAI grant drawn down on the dwelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11539/22]

Hospital Staff

Brian Stanley

682. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent occupational therapists, dieticians and speech and language therapists working in Tullamore Regional Hospital in each of the years from 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [11144/22]

Dental Services

Brian Stanley

683. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent dental hygienist and dental nurses working in the public health services in County Laois in each of the past four years, in tabular form. [11145/22]

Hospital Staff

Brian Stanley

684. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent consultant paediatric ENT surgeons attached to Tullamore Regional Hospital in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if this number will be further increased. [11146/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

106. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of social houses that were retrofitted in counties Laois and Offaly as part of the just transition project in 2020 and 2021. [9606/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

122. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of private residential properties that availed of funding through the national retrofit scheme in 2020 and 2021. [9605/22]

Employment Rights

Brian Stanley

98. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine the current situation regarding the payment of private security personnel, the quashing of the Workplace Relations Commission award and the pressing need for a sectoral pay order. [9781/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

142. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding provided for the aggregated housing upgrade scheme; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9661/22]

Departmental Funding

Brian Stanley

143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding provided for the Just Transition Fund; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/22]

Departmental Funding

Brian Stanley

144. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding provided for the peatlands rehabilitation scheme; the amount spent to date; if his Department has created the targeted number of jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brian Stanley

232. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the total spend related to the special assignee relief programme in each of the years 2020 and 2021. [9309/22]

Domestic Violence

Brian Stanley

147. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the provision of domestic violence refuges in counties Laois and Offaly; and if a funding stream is in place for these capital works. [8680/22]

Domestic Violence

Brian Stanley

162. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is committed to the provision of domestic violence refuges in counties Laois and Offaly. [8679/22]

Dental Services

Brian Stanley

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to address the crisis in the school dental scheme in County Laois; and the progress to date to restart the adult dental treatment services scheme which has collapsed. [7764/22]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

146. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when the acute beds in the renovated wing of Abbeyleix Hospital will be brought into use; when all beds in the community nursing unit will be utilised; and when the existing staff in the hospital will provide the services. [7763/22]

Legislative Programme

Brian Stanley

353. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to introduce legislation to allow local authorities to carry out audits on the procurement of homeless accommodation. [7704/22]

Legislative Programme

Brian Stanley

354. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the suitability and performance of existing legislation with regard to local authorities and their powers to carry out audits on procurement in relation to emergency accommodation. [7705/22]

Legislative Programme

Brian Stanley

355. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the oversight his Department has regarding the procurement of emergency accommodation at local authority level; and his views on the current level of non-compliant procurement occurring across the State. [7706/22]

Disabilities Assessments

Brian Stanley

710. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have an assessment of need completed and the necessary services put in place. [7778/22]

Environmental Schemes

Brian Stanley

132. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the renewal of the derogation to allow farmers to burn hedgerow cuttings until a more sustainable and workable alternative can be put in place. [6515/22]

Third Level Fees

Brian Stanley

60. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to bring a proposal to Cabinet to reduce third-level fees as part of a sustainable funding model for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6354/22]

Hospital Staff

Brian Stanley

761. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if the refurbished unit 2 of Abbeyleix Hospital which is designated for 18 acute beds will be staffed by multi-task assistants and healthcare assistants who have been based in the Abbeyleix facility. [6568/22]

Energy Conservation

Brian Stanley

141. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the calls for an acceleration of the proposed works and refurbishment for a school (details supplied) in County Laois. [4614/22]

Schools Building Projects

Brian Stanley

156. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education the status of the new building for a school (details supplied) in County Laois; and the expected timeline for work to begin. [4615/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Brian Stanley

336. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual spend in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 on homeless accommodation. [4432/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Brian Stanley

337. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total annual spend in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 on homeless accommodation in Dublin. [4433/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Brian Stanley

338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total percentage and total value of homeless accommodation that was not put out to tender in Dublin in each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. [4434/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Brian Stanley

339. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if ethics compliance committees are in place to monitor or regulate the procurement of homeless accommodation. [4436/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Brian Stanley

340. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total percentage of homeless accommodation in Dublin that is tendered to private operators. [4437/22]

Hospital Services

Brian Stanley

667. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the plans regarding the €3 million funding for the development of specialist palliative care inpatient units in Tullamore, County Offaly, in the north east, Drogheda and Cavan that was announced by his Department in December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4407/22]

Hospital Facilities

Brian Stanley

338. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when side B of Abbeyleix nursing unit will be brought back into use to accommodate the 18 intermediate acute care beds to be overseen by Portlaoise General Hospital. [4035/22]

Departmental Programmes

Brian Stanley

234. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the total spend related to the Special Assignee Relief Programme in each of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. [2942/22]

Tax Yield

Brian Stanley

339. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the amount of carbon tax collected in 2020 and 2021, respectively. [1763/22]

Health Services Staff

Brian Stanley

1370. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists employed in the adult community services in County Laois; the number of vacancies that exist; and his plans to recruit additional occupational therapists. [63037/21]