Parliamentary questions

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

1530. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment for hip replacement surgery at Cappagh Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13184/24]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

1575. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is planned to have a 2024 call for the Community Centres Investment Fund-New Builds Measure (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11859/24]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

1576. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is planned to have a 2024 call for the Community Centres Investment Fund-Improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11860/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

1590. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current number of live studies, reviews and research commissioned by her Department; the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [12633/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the European Commission's assessment of the draft updated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland (details supplied); what measures he is taking to respond to the assessments recommendations; what changes he plans to make to avoid the Commission’s assessment that Ireland’s NECP is not sufficient to meet 2030 targets; how he plans to ensure that Ireland’s share of renewable energy is sufficient to meet the 2030 target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11411/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

79. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the deposit return scheme; to provide an update of his Department’s work to assess the operation of the scheme since its inception; to report on the work on the consultative group to ensure that concerns of those with accessibility issues are heard; to provide an update on the review of the scheme's infrastructure by disability organisations; to report on how his Department will monitor how unredeemed deposits are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that all issues involving unfair competition will be investigated in a fair and transparent manner by the CCPC; the level of oversight in this regard; the options of appeal open to complainants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10928/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the process for ensuring that European competition law is applied fully in Ireland; if he will outline the role of the CCPC in this regard and oversight of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10929/24]

Just Transition

Darren O'Rourke

108. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the just transition taskforce; how many times the taskforce has met since it was established; who sits on the taskforce; what is the estimated timeline for delivery for a just transition commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9976/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he could provide an update on the planned introduction of specific packaging formats and product targets, for example for beverage and food cartons, as committed to in Ireland’s Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy under Ireland’s progression to attaining EU packaging, recovery, and recycling targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

307. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on the phase 2 build at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10333/24]

Tourism Policy

Darren O'Rourke

342. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown of all grants made by her Department to tourism bodies and tourism companies in each of the years 2022 and 2023, including the value and reason for each grant, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10157/24]

Tourism Policy

Darren O'Rourke

343. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, following the cessation of the Food Tourism Strategy 2018 – 2023, her Department or any tourism bodies under the aegis of her Department have plans for the development and implementation of a new Food Tourism Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10158/24]

Just Transition

Darren O'Rourke

507. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 14 December 2023, to report on the work of the just transition commission, specifically in relation to the recommendation of the National Economic and Social Council; if a decision has been made regarding the establishment of an implementation group for climate transition in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9977/24]

Mental Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

9. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists employed by CAMHS in the Meath area; the number of psychologists working in CAMHS in the Meath area; the size of the waiting list for access to CAMHS services in the Meath area; the average time waiting to secure an appointment with a psychologist in the Meath area; the average waiting time to access CAMHS services in the Meath area in 2020 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9553/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the work his Department is conducting to tackle, mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change on the health sector; to report on any delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9554/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; if he will provide an update on plans to increase respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9569/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Darren O'Rourke

114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on childcare services in County Meath; the number of childcare places available in the county; the length of the average waiting list; to report on any planned measures to increase these places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9570/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

196. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school building programme at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; when works will commence and be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9854/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on the school building programme at a school (details supplied) in County Meath; when works will commence and be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9855/24]

Legislative Programme

Darren O'Rourke

4. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [8949/24]

Education and Training Provision

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of recent reports (details supplied) that highlight critical skills and labour gaps in order to meet our 2030 targets as part of Ireland's energy transition; the corrective measures he will take in order to fill these gaps; the timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8986/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the delayed actions his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that have been completed and delayed, respectively; if any are still outstanding from the Climate Action Plan 2021; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; the measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8987/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

74. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 14 February 2024 (details supplied), the accessibility of the deposit return scheme; if any disability advocacy organisations were consulted on the accessibility of the deposit return scheme in advance of its roll-out; the formation of the consultative group to ensure concerns are heard and addressed; when this group was formed and how many times it has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8679/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress made to develop carbon capture and storage technologies in Ireland; if any private companies are carrying out CCS in Ireland; how CCS is regulated and monitored if carried out by private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8701/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work the Government is undertaking to prepare for a potential collapse in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation; what representations the Government has made regarding the EU’s preparations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8708/24]

Aviation Industry

Darren O'Rourke

104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his views regarding licensing issues for airline pilots and the current wait times for responses from the Irish Aviation Authority (details supplied); if he is aware of concerns that this is posing safety risks; if he has engaged with the Irish Aviation Authority on this; the measures he is taking to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8792/24]

Driver Test

Darren O'Rourke

117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to address delays for driving tests; the number of tests that were cancelled, broken down by quarter in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; what measures a person (details supplied) can take to ensure they are able to take a test as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9056/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the backlog in the appeals process for the primary medical certificate (details supplied) in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8836/24]

Public Sector Pay

Darren O'Rourke

287. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 22 November 2023, if a review of SI No. 216/2004 and Circular letter LG(P) 06/09 as they relate to retained fire fighters is underway; the way in which this review will consider the fact that calls are not guaranteed income; when this review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9192/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Darren O'Rourke

511. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 84, 89, 94, 96, 113, 131 and 148 of 24 November 2023, regarding a case (details supplied) as it related to the primary medical certificate and the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, the alternative supports that are in place until the planned review takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8835/24]

Probate Applications

Darren O'Rourke

9. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice in regard to delays in probate, what the current waiting time is; how many cases are on a waiting list in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 to date, in tabular form; the average wait time in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 to date, in tabular form; what measures she plans to address this; if there are plans to reopen the office to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8339/24]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

25. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown on the number of Garda officers, by rank, attached to all Meath East Garda stations in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; the number of Garda officers who retired from Meath East Garda stations in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8340/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about the delayed actions his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; the proportion that are complete and the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8337/24]

Wildlife Protection

Darren O'Rourke

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what efforts his Department is making to ensure farmers are incentivised to create and maintain habitats on farms under the Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan and the rural development plan. [8338/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met since its inception; to provide a breakdown of departments and agencies that were present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7819/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the Energy Poverty Steering Group; to what extend the group has evaluated the various SEAI retrofitting schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Darren O'Rourke

471. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the enhanced medical card will be issued regarding the redress scheme proposed for mother and baby home survivors; the eligibility criteria that will apply; the treatments and services it will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Darren O'Rourke

522. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Meath (details supplied) will get an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7423/24]

Medical Cards

Darren O'Rourke

614. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of delays some cancer patients are facing when getting a medical card; what measures he is taking to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

71. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the decarbonisation of the social housing stock; what progress has been made to retrofit the social housing stock; if there are plans to establish a dedicated programme to install solar PV on the social housing stock; what engagement has his Department had with industry in order to decarbonise the social housing stock most quickly and effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6829/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Darren O'Rourke

135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on progress on the draft wind energy guidelines; when he expects the draft guidelines will be published; the expected timeframe for publication of finalised deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6830/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of concerns that the deposit return scheme will discriminate against those with disabilities; how he plans to mitigate these concerns; if he will consider requesting that the CCPC conduct an examination of the roll-out of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6709/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to open a new Consulate General Office in Cape Town, South Africa. [6156/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates in 2023 and to-date in 2024 on which he or his officials spoke with the Irish Consul General in Sydney, in tabular form. [6157/24]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the chairperson position in the Arts Council will be filled; and the length of time this position has been vacant for. [6160/24]

Tourism Industry

Darren O'Rourke

364. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will attend the next EU tourism ministers meeting. [6161/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

431. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE accountants working in her Department in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [6154/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received by the social welfare appeals office, per month in 2023, in tabular form. [6155/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

461. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the citizenship division of her Department as of 6 February 2024; the number of vacancies within this division, by grade; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. . [6152/24]