Parliamentary questions

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

159. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will publish updated guidance to facilitate a transition period for the changes to the tenant purchase scheme pursuant to SI. No.776 of 2021 Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2021; if his Department will facilitate flexibility in respect of tenants who had commenced the application process to purchase their homes prior to 1 February 2022 but who have not been in receipt of housing support for the new period of ten years and are now no longer eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12040/22]

Childcare Services

Ged Nash

310. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a policy issue raised by a person (details supplied) relating to the unavailability of childcare in County Louth; his plans to ensure that sufficient childcare capacity is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12267/22]

Departmental Schemes

Ged Nash

352. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the pilot scheme to turn rural pubs into remote working hubs; the funding provided to the scheme to date; the number of rural pubs converted into remote working hubs to date under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12175/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Ged Nash

72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to revise upward the Programme for Government commitment to move to 20% remote and or home working in light of the high demand to continue with a remote and hybrid model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11277/22]

Legislative Measures

Ged Nash

83. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of and position regarding the proposed timeline for enactment of the regulation of lobbying (amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11275/22]

Departmental Funding

Ged Nash

85. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that his Department chose to discontinue funding which led to the winding-up of an organisation (details supplied); the reason his Department would not work with the organisation as requested to transition to new institutional and governance arrangements; if his Department will provide costings and a timeline for the development of a database involving data covering certain non-profit sector entities which he has said will be developed by Pobal and the Department of Rural and Community Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11279/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Ged Nash

99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the blended working policy in the civil service; if employers will have the right to refuse blended working arrangements and will retain the right to require employees to attend the office under the proposed policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11276/22]

Public Sector Pay

Ged Nash

116. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to open negotiations on a new public service pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11278/22]

Public Transport

Ged Nash

237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the proposed 20% average fare reduction on public service obligation services to private bus contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11748/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Ged Nash

273. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost or saving to the Exchequer of increasing the Programme for Government commitment of 20% home and remote working for public sector employers, colleges and other public bodies to 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11477/22]

Public Transport

Ged Nash

91. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if the announced 20% cut in transport fares will apply to those who have purchased annual taxsaver ticket for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10468/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

127. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will publish updated guidance to facilitate a transition period for the changes to the tenant purchase scheme pursuant to SI. No.776 of 2021 Housing (Sale of Local Authority Houses) (Amendment) Regulations 2021; if his Department will facilitate flexibility in respect of tenants who had commenced the application process to purchase their homes prior to 1 February 2022 but have not been in receipt of housing support for the new period of ten years and are now no longer eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10407/22]

School Facilities

Ged Nash

148. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the provision that is being made for playing pitches, basketball courts and other outdoor sports facilities for students at a school (details supplied) in advance of the development of the permanent school facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10282/22]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

21. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on discussions with the European Commission regarding a temporary derogation on the rate of VAT applied on energy and gas usage; if he held discussions with other European Union Finance Ministers regarding the relaxation of such rules as part of a common approach to tackling rising energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/22]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

32. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to reverse recent cuts to the bank levy given that a potential rise of European Central Bank rates will boost the incomes of Irish banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/22]

Tax Reliefs

Ged Nash

51. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on his plans to reform the way in which capital gains are treated under the Key Employee Engagement Programme; the cost of the programme to the Exchequer for each year from 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Ged Nash

58. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to protect current and prospective mortgage holders from a rise in European Central Bank interest rates; his views on the introduction of maximum interest rates that can be contracted to each type of credit agreement as applied in some other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9485/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

67. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on the repayment of outstanding pandemic unemployment payment and temporary wage subsidy scheme tax liabilities; the amount repaid to date; the number of persons with an outstanding TWSS or PUP tax liability for 2020 who subsequently overpaid tax in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/22]

Pension Provisions

Ged Nash

237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of the transposition of the pan-European personal pension product regulation; the expected timeline for the transposition of the regulation into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9505/22]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

244. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish the prohibitive VAT rate on defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9648/22]

Nursing Homes

Ged Nash

287. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a policy issue raised by a person (details supplied) relating to nursing home charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8840/22]

Passport Services

Ged Nash

125. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason no contact was made with the parents (details supplied) of a child in County Louth when issues arose with a passport application for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8623/22]

Institutes of Technology

Ged Nash

550. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his role in the appointment and reappointment of presidents of institutes of technology; the factors that he is obliged to take into account under the relevant legislation when considering such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8079/22]

Ambulance Service

Ged Nash

644. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if an inspection has been undertaken at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7472/22]

Ambulance Service

Ged Nash

645. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the refurbishment work being undertaken at a facility (details supplied); the total cost of the works involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7473/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ged Nash

679. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he plans to provide funding in budget 2023 to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ged Nash

680. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ged Nash

681. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of applications for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system that were submitted by individual hospitals for persons with diabetes over 21 years of age; the number that were approved; the number that were refused in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; if there are plans to remove the age restriction on the device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7602/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

239. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of help-to-buy scheme claims that have been rejected since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7304/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

240. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance when his Department plans to commence a formal review of the help-to-buy incentive to ensure it is appropriately calibrated in order that it is delivered in time for Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7306/22]

Urban Development

Ged Nash

286. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress on the proposed legislation to introduce urban development zones; if he has consulted with local authorities on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7299/22]

Housing Policy

Ged Nash

287. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the composition of the Planning Advisory Forum; the terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7300/22]

Homeless Persons Supports

Ged Nash

288. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the membership of the National Homeless Action Committee; the regularity with which the committee is expected to meet per year; when the next meeting of the committee is scheduled to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7301/22]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

289. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeline for the delivery of 1,580 cost-rental homes scheduled to be delivered in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7302/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Ged Nash

290. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of Housing First tenancies due to be delivered in each of the years 2022 to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7305/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

291. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the review into the level of discretion afforded to local authorities with regard to the housing assistance payment; the timeline for the implementation of its recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7307/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

292. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of the tenant purchase scheme; when he plans to introduce further changes to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7308/22]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

293. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the review of income eligibility for social housing; the findings of that review; when the recommendations arising from that review will be published and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7309/22]

Housing Policy

Ged Nash

294. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the Housing Commission is next due to meet; the number of meetings the Commission plans to have in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7310/22]

Defective Building Materials

Ged Nash

295. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the work of the independent working group on defects; the timeline for the publication of its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7311/22]

Departmental Funding

Ged Nash

469. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for determining which 26 town centres would be enhanced by town centre first funding in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7303/22]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

73. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the eligibility criteria for the new affordable purchase schemes will be published; when these schemes will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7008/22]

Passport Services

Ged Nash

76. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure the passports for persons (details supplied) are issued in time for international travel on 14 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6822/22]

Work Permits

Ged Nash

167. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will consider including non-EEA migrant fishers in the critical skills permit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6497/22]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

249. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of electronic money institutions licences that were authorised by the Central Bank in 2020 and 2021; the total and average length of time it is taking the Central Bank to assess these applications from the date of submission; if the Central Bank is adequately resourced to handle the volume of applications in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6197/22]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

250. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of virtual asset service provider licences that have been authorised by the Central Bank in 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the delay by Ireland in implementing the procedures to process these licences; if this is hindering Ireland’s objectives under the Ireland for Finance strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6198/22]

Work Permits

Ged Nash

584. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if she and her officials have engaged with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and their officials on the need to reform the atypical scheme for non-EEA migrant fishers; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of such fishers who are currently resident in Ireland may not be covered by her Department’s new documentation scheme arising from the fact that they may have been documented at some point in time since 2016 under the terms of the atypical scheme; if she is considering a replacement system for the atypical scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6498/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

592. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a policy matter (details supplied) relating to inclusion of section 10 and section 39 frontline staff within the Covid recognition payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/22]

Patient Transfers

Ged Nash

628. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged six to 18 years of age who are residents of County Meath who were transferred to the HSE children's disability network team in County Louth in 2021; if additional resources have been allocated to the team in County Louth to cater for the needs of the additional children who are now catered for by the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5929/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

730. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his views on a policy matter (details supplied) relating to inclusion of section 10 and section 39 front-line staff within the Covid recognition payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6476/22]