Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 69
Thu, 30 May 2024
written
Departmental Strategies
Darren O'Rourke
52. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to report on the progress to date in the development of the national counter disinformation strategy; when she expects this strategy to be published; if she will report on the meetings of the national counter disinformation strategy working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24425/24]
Thu, 30 May 2024
written
Rental Sector
Darren O'Rourke
85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on rental prices in County Meath; how he plans to address these high costs and to increase the housing available for rent in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24420/24]
Thu, 30 May 2024
written
Energy Conservation
Darren O'Rourke
105. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the retrofitting of local authority homes with heat pumps; if he is aware of concerns that this is leading to higher-than-expected bills; if he plans to increase education/spread awareness about heat pump usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24419/24]
Thu, 30 May 2024
written
Planning Issues
Darren O'Rourke
184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 30 April 2024, to outline the conditions under which local authority section 48 development contributions may be waived; how far houses must have been progressed in order to have the development contributions waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/24]
Wed, 29 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Darren O'Rourke
136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the invalidity pension; the criteria necessary to qualify; and to provide a breakdown of the number of people that were in receipt of the invalidity pensions in 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [24249/24]
Wed, 29 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Darren O'Rourke
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the invalidity pension; the mental health conditions that qualify for the receipt of the invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24250/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Darren O'Rourke
34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23828/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Darren O'Rourke
35. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on building works at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23827/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Energy Infrastructure
Darren O'Rourke
99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how frequently the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the proposed floating storage and regasification unit will need to be replenished, if approved, given the inevitable boil-off of LNG over time; where this gas will be sourced; what measures will be taken to minimise the frequency of this occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Energy Infrastructure
Darren O'Rourke
100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated length of time a proposed temporary floating storage and regasification unit, if approved, would be in operation in Ireland until a carbon neutral energy system is in place and we are no longer reliant on gas for our energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the will report on the excellence in energy efficient design scheme; the funding available to be drawn down; how much funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the support scheme for renewable heat; the funding available to be drawn down; the amount of funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost to increase the capital funding for the better energy warmer homes scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost of achieving a B2 BER cost optimum standard in the better energy warmer homes scheme to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to estimate the cost of including properties with HAP tenancies in the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23869/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated cost of doubling the climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23870/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Business Supports
Darren O'Rourke
190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the supports available from his Department for businesses to decarbonise; if he will provide a breakdown of schemes; the amount of funding available to be drawn down per scheme ; the amount of funding drawn down per scheme; the number of grants awarded per scheme; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23844/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
286. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing the social housing retrofitting over a five-year period, rising incrementally between 20% in year 1, by 30% in year 2, by 50% in year 3, by 75% in year 4 and by 100% in year 5, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23865/24]
Tue, 28 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
287. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of increasing the social housing retrofitting budget by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23866/24]
Thu, 23 May 2024
written
Education Policy
Darren O'Rourke
23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the labour constraints identified in various reports (details supplied) that Ireland faces in order to meet our 2030 targets; the measures being taken by his Department to address those labour constraints; the measures being taken to equip the labour force with the necessary skills to reach our 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/24]
Thu, 23 May 2024
written
Climate Action Plan
Darren O'Rourke
37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on progress on the actions on which his Department is leading in the 2024 climate action plan annexe of actions; if these actions are proceeding on time; to report on work to develop a framework to oversee emerging skills requirements for e-mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/24]
Thu, 23 May 2024
oral
Renewable Energy Generation
Darren O'Rourke
60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the measures his Department is taking to implement the recommendations of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23297/24]
Thu, 23 May 2024
written
Climate Action Plan
Darren O'Rourke
118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on industrial heat decarbonisation; the measures he is taking to decarbonise industrial heat; the supports he is providing for industry to decarbonise their heat sources; to report on the level of reduction of emissions reached to date given the target of 20% by 2025 and 45% by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23296/24]
Wed, 22 May 2024
written
State Bodies
Darren O'Rourke
91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of financial sponsorship provided by Fáilte Ireland to events and conferences in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [23107/24]
Wed, 22 May 2024
written
Building Energy Rating
Darren O'Rourke
97. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the retrofitting of social housing, the number of heat pumps installed in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the average cost of these installations in per year, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of the pre and post-BER assessments following heat pump installation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23011/24]
Wed, 22 May 2024
written
Building Energy Rating
Darren O'Rourke
98. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the retrofitting of social housing; the number of local authority homes retrofitted in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the average cost of these retrofits in per year, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of the pre- and post-BER assessments of these retrofits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23012/24]
Wed, 22 May 2024
written
Building Energy Rating
Darren O'Rourke
99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the number of social authority homes that have been retrofitted with solar PV panels in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; the average cost of these retrofits in per year, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of the pre- and post-BER assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23013/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Departmental Bodies
Darren O'Rourke
156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of the CRU in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Departmental Bodies
Darren O'Rourke
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of Gas Networks Ireland in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22561/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Departmental Bodies
Darren O'Rourke
158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of EirGrid in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22562/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Electricity Supply Board
Darren O'Rourke
159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to reform the legal mandate of ESB Networks in order that it aligns with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22563/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Marine Protected Areas
Darren O'Rourke
160. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a timeline for when the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan will be finalised and adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22564/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Darren O'Rourke
161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has intentions to implement an enhanced emissions reporting framework and price incentivisation for large energy users to encourage them to participate in flexible demand initiatives designed to shift electricity consumption to times when emissions are low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22565/24]
Tue, 21 May 2024
written
Health Services
Darren O'Rourke
604. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason the breastfeeding support service in Dunboyne, County Meath was cut; if he will immediately review this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22671/24]
Thu, 16 May 2024
oral
Public Transport
Darren O'Rourke
59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/24]
Thu, 16 May 2024
written
Bus Services
Darren O'Rourke
88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 109 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22081/24]
Thu, 16 May 2024
written
Antisocial Behaviour
Darren O'Rourke
120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on antisocial behaviour on public transport; his Department's work to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17702/24]
Wed, 15 May 2024
written
School Accommodation
Darren O'Rourke
39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education for an update on the lease agreement in place for temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); when the lease is due to expire; if plans are in place to extend the lease if necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21994/24]
Wed, 15 May 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Darren O'Rourke
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is further leave to appeal after a section 317 appeal within her Department or elsewhere; if appellants are entitled to an oral hearing to challenge a section 317 appeal refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21993/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
oral
Energy Conservation
Darren O'Rourke
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed to date relative to the 2030 target of 400,000; the challenges he has identified with heat pump installation; his plans to address these; if alternative technologies are being considered; if he is aware of the high number of calls made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, SVP, regarding to high electricity bills associated with heat pump use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21896/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
oral
Electricity Generation
Darren O'Rourke
51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total electricity generation capacity that has been energised since February 2020, broken down by fuel source and year; what percentage of Ireland’s electricity was imported in each of the years since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21897/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
oral
Renewable Energy Generation
Darren O'Rourke
53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address surplus renewable energy that is wasted; if he plans to introduce measures to redirect surplus energy to energy-poor households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
oral
Recycling Policy
Darren O'Rourke
60. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of ongoing concerns with the roll-out and operation of the deposit-return scheme; the measures he is taking to address these concerns; if he will report on Ireland’s experience thus far when compared with other EU states based on data he received (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21492/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Energy Conservation
Darren O'Rourke
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on heat pump installations in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 as part of the national retrofitting plan; how this compares to the targets set for the same period; what percentage of the 2030 target have been installed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Energy Policy
Darren O'Rourke
78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the national biomethane strategy; when he expects this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21496/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Grant Payments
Darren O'Rourke
120. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the reason a person (details supplied) did not qualify for a home heating upgrade as part of the SEAI's warmer homer scheme despite being an eligible applicant and having a suitable household; if there is sufficient scope to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21406/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Darren O'Rourke
127. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received under the warmer homes scheme since its announcement; the number of homes completed in the country; the number of applications received in County Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; the number of homes that have been completed under the scheme in Meath, by year, since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21627/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Darren O'Rourke
128. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications waiting to be approved under the warmer homes scheme; the current average wait time for applications; the number of approvals, per month, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the number of approvals, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the average cost, per grant, per year, since 2020, in tabular form; the efforts that are being made to reduce the wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Tax Code
Darren O'Rourke
234. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to change the way VAT is applied to licenced taxi vehicles that are rented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21349/24]
Tue, 14 May 2024
written
Departmental Data
Darren O'Rourke
260. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current list of designated services of economic interest nationally as reported to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21199/24]