Parliamentary questions

Schools Building Projects

Claire Kerrane

434. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will expedite a stage 2a application for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14071/24]

Schools Refurbishment

Claire Kerrane

435. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education to advise when emergency works will be funded for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14072/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

783. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many increased qualified adult payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in, and the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14718/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

784. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many living alone allowance payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in, and the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14719/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

785. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection how many cost of living allowance payments have been made to those living outside the State; how many recipients, the list of countries recipients are living in ; the total amount paid to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14720/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

791. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of applications made for increased qualified adult payment refused to applicants living in Ireland; the percentage of applications for increased qualified adult payment refused to applicants living outside of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14802/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

958. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the awaited strategy to address ash dieback will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14077/24]

Departmental Data

Claire Kerrane

960. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many suckler herds there are currently; if a breakdown will be provided on how many herds there are with less than 15, between 16-30, between 31-100, and 101 cows and above, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14140/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

961. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full year cost of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and the national beef welfare scheme in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14141/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

962. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full year cost of the sheep improvement scheme for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14142/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

963. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full year cost increasing the sheep improvement scheme rate of payment by €1 per ewe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14143/24]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

964. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area covered by agricultural activities by overall hectares covered and as a percentage of land coverage, by farming types (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14144/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

965. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full year cost of payment under the areas of natural constraints scheme; how many farmers will receive the payment in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14145/24]

Horticulture Sector

Claire Kerrane

966. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full year cost of payments for the horticulture sector in 2023; the breakdown of relevant payments and cost for each; the anticipated cost for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14146/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

967. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full year cost of payments for the tillage sector in 2023; the breakdown of relevant payments and cost for each; the anticipated cost for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14147/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

968. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out under the low emission slurry spreading scheme in 2023 and to date in 2024; how many farmers received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14148/24]

Departmental Projects

Claire Kerrane

969. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the progress of the Ag Nav platform; how many farmers have utilised the tool to carbon audit their farms to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14149/24]

Departmental Reviews

Claire Kerrane

970. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the land use review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14162/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

975. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many afforestation applications have been received to the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 to date; the details of the different afforestation schemes for which submitted applications have been made; how many have been approved and how many rejected, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14257/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is giving consideration to providing flexibility around deadlines under ACRES, for measures such as such as submitting soil samples, establishing wild bird covers and fencing margins/riparian zones, given the challenging weather conditions causing difficulty for farmers in meeting current deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

994. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many applications have been received to the succession planning advice grant; the number of payments made under tranche 1 of the scheme; the total amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/24]

Fodder Crisis

Claire Kerrane

995. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to allowing fodder support scheme applications from farmers who did not participate in the 2022 scheme, given there are young farmers who were unable to apply for the 2022 scheme and who were locked out of the scheme in 2023 and subsequent years due to eligibility rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14722/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what measures are being taken to address low planting levels in 2024 as a result of a low number of approvals for afforestation licences in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

1018. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise why felling licensing levels are lower than usual given there has been a drop of the number of felling licences being approved month on month so far in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

1038. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the development of the Agrisnap app for ACRES, including the IT development was a collaboration between Department of Agriculture staff, an organisation (details supplied), farmers and farm advisors; if he will provide details of the farmers and farm advisors involved in the design of the Agrisnap app; how these participants were remunerated for their involvement in the Agrisnap design process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15150/24]

Food Labelling

Claire Kerrane

1039. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of his visit to Milan in March 2024 with farm organisation representatives and an organisation (details supplied) to launch a PGI logo; if he will advise on aspects of the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/24]

Health Service Executive

Claire Kerrane

1329. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the total spent by the HSE on contractors for maintenance work (details supplied) in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14207/24]

Bus Services

Claire Kerrane

162. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport his views on a second operator (details supplied) pulling out of the Galway to Dublin route from April; if he is concerned at bus routes being pulled at a time when people are being encouraged to use public transport; his plans to ensure greater public transport options for rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Claire Kerrane

283. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he could advise as to avenues of funding available to a community group (details supplied) to replace and refurbish defibrillators in their area. [13360/24]

Climate Change Policy

Claire Kerrane

122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise on measures to provide due regard to the special economic and social role of agriculture with regard to the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12860/24]

Driver Licences

Claire Kerrane

184. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport with regard to recently announced changes to licensing categories, if he will review the change to category W licences, given the challenges it would present to farmers and agricultural contractors who also utilise non-farm vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12757/24]

Aviation Industry

Claire Kerrane

205. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the impact that increased Irish Aviation Authority fees could have on smaller flying clubs and students; if he is considering any measures to address concerns around this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13236/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

406. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the status of the schools summer works scheme; if the scheme will open for summer 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11897/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

407. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when an application (details supplied) made under the school summer works scheme will be considered and a decision made on it and communicated to the school. [11898/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Claire Kerrane

413. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on a specific case (details supplied) regarding a student who is due to graduate and wishes to return to Ireland to complete their induction rather than in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11925/24]

Education Policy

Claire Kerrane

444. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a proposal (details supplied); if he will consider funding this and rolling it out State-wide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12220/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Claire Kerrane

473. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will act immediately when the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools run by religious orders is provided to her in June 2024, given this timeline is already delayed and given survivors involved in the process need to see immediate action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12482/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Claire Kerrane

474. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that survivors who were involved in the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools run by religious orders will receive a copy of the report in June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12483/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

589. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional households that became eligible for septic tank grants since his announcement in November 2023 of changes to the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11658/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

590. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who can apply for the septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11659/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

591. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in the State that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11660/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

592. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in County Roscommon and County Galway that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

593. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise if he will review the eligible areas for the septic tank grant given the majority of areas cannot access it as they are outside the eligible area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11662/24]

Housing Provision

Claire Kerrane

680. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the temporary waiver scheme in respect of development contributions beyond April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/24]

Disability Services

Claire Kerrane

722. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will roll out WALK employment across the State to ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities finishing post-primary school have opportunities for training and employment after school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11726/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

771. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the income thresholds for the fuel allowance in the case of under 70s in light of recent increases for those aged over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12957/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

772. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those aged under 70 years with modest occupational pensions which they worked for, who are unable to access the fuel allowance; if she will examine this cohort in the context of the next Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12958/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

773. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to continue increasing the weekly income threshold for the over 70s when accessing the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12959/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

981. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 28 February 2024, if there has been direct engagement with any farmers whose scores are affected as a result of the proposed buffer zone; if he is aware that turbary zones on commonage are often shared and accessed across communities, and that farmers taking part in ACRES cannot police commonage areas; if consideration has been given to not proceeding with a buffer zone in turbary areas on commonage, given that farmers were unaware of such a rule, and the negative impact it could have on scoring for ACRES payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/24]

Horticulture Sector

Claire Kerrane

982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on concerns raised in relation to imports of hawthorn and the risk of fireblight; what measures will be introduced to mitigate this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12037/24]