Parliamentary questions

Departmental Contracts

Michael Lowry

731. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health concerning the homecare sector which has been engaged in discussions with his Department and the HSE since December 2022 about homecare Tender 2023; the reason in December 2022, the HSE informed the sector they were not ready to go to market with the tender 2023, forcing homecare sector providers to agree to a second extension of the original tender 2018 through to 30 April 2023; the reason on 25 April, the HSE again informed homecare sector providers that they had not yet concluded the Tender 2023 and again informed providers they were unilaterally extending the arrangements yet again to 30 June 2023; if he will ensure a resolve to the situation is found as soon as possible, ensuring that Tender 2023 is not delayed again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

190. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 18 April 2023, if the form of acceptance is now with her Department; if this ASA project for a two-classroom SEN base has progressed to the next stage; if the review of the temporary accommodation application has been completed by her Department; the recent correspondence her Department has had with the school authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22306/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

78. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a school (details supplied) which was approved for an extension to include an ASD unit that would accommodate over 12 special needs students; the status of the new ASD unit for the school; when construction will commence on the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21903/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

88. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on phases two and three of the ongoing school transport scheme review, which began in February 2021; if the review has made any recommendations to change the distance criteria eligibility for school transport (details supplied); if the school transport scheme review will consider reducing this distance to less than two kilometres; when the review finding of phases two and three will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22129/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Lowry

176. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 09 March 2023, if the present special leave with pay scheme will be extended for eligible staff beyond 30 June 2023; if his Department examined all available options to support staff who are unable to return to work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21938/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

277. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); when this student will be offered a primary school place in this special unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21246/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

516. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a support package for the sheep sector can be established through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, given the extreme financial pressures faced by sheep farmers in Ireland; if he will direct officials in his Department to develop a case study for the provision of financial support through the fund, given that the sheep sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21598/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

171. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 18 April 2023, if he will provide an update on an additional school accommodation application for a school (details supplied); if her Department has all of the necessary documentation to make a decision on this application; when a final decision will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21001/23]

Travel Trade Sector

Michael Lowry

102. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of people traveling to the UK from Ireland by air and by sea on an annual basis in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/23]

Hospital Charges

Michael Lowry

395. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he is personally aware that accounts for inpatient charges in public hospitals are referred to collection services within two months of non-payment from the date of issue of the invoice by the hospital; if this is standard practice; if he considers this appropriate practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/23]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Michael Lowry

2. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of recent discussions he had with the President of the United States and the US authorities during the recent visit to Ireland regarding the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish in the US and have an appropriate visa programme put in place to protect them, and the progress made in relation to securing citizenship for them; if he will consider appointing an Irish Government representative who will be solely responsible for dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/23]

Tax Rebates

Michael Lowry

211. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that provision will be made to allow anyone who installed solar panels prior to 1 May 2023 to obtain a refund for the VAT they have previously paid, given that the VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels will drop to zero for private dwellings on 1 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/23]

Visa Applications

Michael Lowry

234. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will provide more data on the reasons for the refusal of a visa for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

253. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the reason two school transport applications for post-primary students (details supplied) who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied for school bus tickets to their second nearest school were denied bus tickets by Bus Éireann due to their not attending their nearest school; if she will clarify and confirm the criteria Bus Éireann should use in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19999/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific policy or piece of legislation that prevents the afforestation of lands designated as geological sites in county development plans with species composition comprising 80% conifer and 20% broadleaves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20114/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific policy or piece of legislation that prevents the afforestation of land designated in the County Galway development plan as a county geological site with species composition comprising 80% conifers and 20% broadleaves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20115/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

30. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 23 March 2023, if he will confirm if the Foreign Births Office has received the additional supporting documents from the applicants; when a decision on these applications is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/23]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

163. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he has received correspondence (details supplied) requesting additional funding to progress phase 3 of the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project; his efforts to ensure that this road project is allocated the appropriate funding as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19453/23]

Departmental Data

Michael Lowry

430. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 29 March 2023, when he will make the reports by the Firearms Expect Committee available in full; when his Department will convene a broader consultation process with firearms stakeholders to address any recommended policy or legislative changes resulting from the committee’s final report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19577/23]

Official Engagements

Michael Lowry

438. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1552 of 21 March 2023, if he will outline the number of engagements he or his officials have had with the relevant Algerian ministry regarding plans for a sanitary agreement to be established between Ireland and Algeria for dairy and infant formula; the most recent engagements he or his officials have had on the matter; if he will indicate the timelines for the implementation of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/23]

Coillte Teoranta

Michael Lowry

450. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the Coillte group is fully committed to keeping a company (details supplied) as a wholly owned subsidiary; if he will confirm that the Coillte group does not intend selling this subsidiary to an external third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19468/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

122. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide compensation, reconstitution grant aid and annual forest premiums for forest owners impacted with the fatal Ash dieback disease and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

136. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to provide immediate financial assistance to the private forestry sector given the failure of his Department to ensure the forestry programme was introduced in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/23]

EU Directives

Michael Lowry

137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will revisit the Nitrates Derogation Condition in accordance with the agreement reached with the European Commission to hold an interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/23]

Road Safety

Michael Lowry

166. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of all the locations on the N24 under the management of Tipperary County Council where Transport Infrastructure Ireland have found safety issues and asked Tipperary County Council in the past five years to do feasibility and options reports for road safety and improvement works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/23]

Driver Test

Michael Lowry

167. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) estimated week of invitation to apply for their driving test not until 10 September 2023; the reason for the delay in driving tests; his plans to reduce the lengthy wait-times experienced by those seeking to sit their driving test; when the wait-time can be expected to return to normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/23]

Business Supports

Michael Lowry

103. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are grants or funding assistance available for a new business (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/23]

Driver Test

Michael Lowry

242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reasons a person's estimated week of invitation to apply for their driving test is being pushed out (details supplied); the reason for the delay in driving tests; his plans to reduce the lengthy wait-times experienced by those seeking to sit their driving test; when the wait-time can be expected to return to normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16469/23]

Tax Code

Michael Lowry

358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance concerning the current rate of tax concessions associated with tax relief for health insurance premiums, the present tax relief available is equivalent to the lesser of the following: 20% of the policy's cost or 20% of €1,000 which is equivalent to a maximum €200 credit, given the increased cost of health insurance premiums and as this tax concession currently stands at the basic income tax rate of 20%, would he consider reinstating it to the higher rate of 40% tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16644/23]

Fiscal Policy

Michael Lowry

374. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the impact of the implementation of Pillar One and Two rules on the Exchequer; his plans to reduce any negative impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16982/23]

Fiscal Policy

Michael Lowry

375. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his Department perceives the EU directive on Pillar Two rules as being a risk to long-term tax stability and certainty in Ireland, if other EU Member States were to advocate for a minimum corporation tax rate that would be higher than 15% in the future; how the Exchequer will manage such a risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16983/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Michael Lowry

467. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline how the SME Advisory Group purports to address the issues affecting SME participation in public procurement and to understand how representative bodies, that are not included on the group, can make submissions on operational matters that impact them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17179/23]

Employment Rights

Michael Lowry

492. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will honour the terms of the employment regulation order for the security industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18036/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

521. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will explain why a school (details supplied) has received communication from her Department that funding allocated to the school in 2021 to obtain two SEN classrooms and prefabbed rental accommodation is being completely revoked; if the decision to revoke funding to this school will be reviewed given the circumstances outlined in the attached documents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17008/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

552. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will detail the contact her Department has had with a school (details supplied) regarding an additional accommodation scheme application; if she will provide an update and give assurance in relation to the accommodation needed at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17440/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

622. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an additional school accommodation scheme application from a school (details supplied); if additional accommodation will be provided to this school in view of the circumstances outlined; if she will clarify that funding is available for such projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18340/23]

School Facilities

Michael Lowry

626. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the status of an application by a school (details supplied); if additional emergency accommodation will be provided to this school in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16361/23]

Probation and Welfare Service

Michael Lowry

999. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the additional resources that will be made available to the Probation Service and other relevant organisations in order to guarantee that the transfer of sentenced people on temporary release runs smoothly and without delays; the reason a person (details supplied) who is approved and waiting on immediate temporary release cannot obtain an appointment with the Probation Service until June 2023, therefore delaying their temporary release by seven weeks; if he agrees that such delays are having a negative impact on the prison system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17677/23]

Citizenship Applications

Michael Lowry

1018. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if his Department will assist a person (details supplied) who is attempting to apply for citizenship but does not meet the 150 points needed on the 'scorecard' system for assessing their identification and residence history; if his Department can furnish guidelines of what extra information is required from a person to make up the deficit in points to enable the applicant to meet the necessary threshold of 150 scorecard points; if his Department will accept a sworn affidavit; if so, what is required in a sworn affidavit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17986/23]

Timber Supply

Michael Lowry

1091. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take the time to review correspondence (details supplied) and request a derogation from legalisation that will forbid production of creosote fencing products from April 2023 because the market for timber fencing has not yet caught up with regulations, such a derogation would prevent a severe shortage of high-quality timber fencing products in the country and reduce the need to import product from outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/23]

Disability Services

Michael Lowry

1228. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the two senior psychologists working in CHO5 children’s disability network team, Clonmel, have both issued notice of their intent to resign and will be vacating their posts in the coming weeks; the efforts his Department will take to guarantee that these senior psychologist positions are filled immediately in order that the senior psychologist vacancies do not impact on the CHO5 CDNT waiting lists/times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16869/23]

Health Services Staff

Michael Lowry

1345. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the CHO3 adult ADHD clinic is fully staffed; the number of vacancies, if any, that exist in CHO3, adult ADHD services; what the current caseload of the team serving the CHO3 ADHD clinic is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16339/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

1346. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if there are active policies and procedures in place in CHO3 to guarantee a smooth transfer from CAMHS to adult ADHD services for children with ADHD who reach 18 years old (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16340/23]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

1362. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of Parkinson's disease nurse specialists working in neurology centres in Tipperary University Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16402/23]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

1363. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure that appropriate funding is to be provided towards the employment of additional Parkinson's disease nurse specialists in neurology centres, and specifically in Tipperary University Hospital, University Hospital Limerick and University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16403/23]

Hospital Services

Michael Lowry

1383. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the way that his Department is supporting the medical genetics service in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16486/23]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Lowry

1578. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the strategies in place to address the General Practitioners shortfall in County Tipperary, particularly in light of the impending retirement of certain long-term general practitioners; if he intends to overhaul the present locum system in order to recruit general practitioners and healthcare professionals into Ireland in order for them to assist to stabilise the general practitioners and healthcare systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Michael Lowry

1645. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reasons a person (details supplied), who had received septorhinoplasty ENT treatment through the National Treatment Purchase Fund, has been denied additional treatment through the NTPF despite a senior consultant ENT confirming that this person requires additional ENT specialist treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17584/23]

Ambulance Service

Michael Lowry

1756. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing issues within County Tipperary ambulance service; the steps he is taking to provide additional support to ambulance services in County Tipperary to address ambulance shortages within the county; if he will provide from January 2022 to March 2023, in tabular form, the number of ambulances and ambulance staff operational or stationed at each ambulance station in County Tipperary; the average response time to ambulance call-outs per ambulance station in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18171/23]

Ambulance Service

Michael Lowry

1757. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form from January 2022 to March 2023, the number of times ambulances typically stationed to operate in County Tipperary were asked to responds to ambulance call-outs outside of County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18172/23]

Ambulance Service

Michael Lowry

1758. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form from January 2022 to March 2023, the number of times ambulances not typically stationed to operate in County Tipperary were asked to respond to ambulance call-outs in County Tipperary because an ambulance was not available for dispatch within County Tipperary; the average response time for ambulance call-outs in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18173/23]

Customs and Excise

Michael Lowry

82. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the number of seizures conducted by customs officials on illegally imported solid fuels in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15687/23]

Customs and Excise

Michael Lowry

83. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding that has been provided to the Revenue Commissioners in the years 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 to combat smuggling of solid fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15688/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

96. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage why Tipperary County Council is unable to purchase a ground floor two-bedroom apartment at (details supplied) due to the annual management fees associated with the property and the building in which it is located; currently, this property is being sold by the owner and is currently rented for over ten years to an elderly gentleman in his 70s who is in receipt of HAP; the reason the local authority is not permitted to purchase this property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15572/23]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

125. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education what additional financial assistance has been provided to primary and post-primary schools to help them with their rising energy and utility bills; if she will confirm whether her Department will issue a scheme for schools that is comparable with the temporary business energy support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15691/23]

Control of Firearms

Michael Lowry

164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice concerning the firearms expert committee, if he has received correspondence (details supplied) from an association regarding the firearms expert committee's proposed recommendations and amendments for persons in receipt of a firearms licence; if he will meet with the organisation ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

179. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason terminally ill young children living in the south east are still being denied community paediatric palliative care services, therefore depriving them of the right to die at home; if immediate steps will be implemented to provide this critical treatment to young children in need of paediatric palliative care services; the reason home palliative care is still being denied to children in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15549/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

180. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the recommendations listed in the Bee Wee report 2020 for the clinical governance and operational arrangements for supporting a model of care for children with life-limiting conditions towards the end of life is being implemented in the south east for paediatric palliative care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/23]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Michael Lowry

204. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on and define the qualifying criteria for publicly funded IVF fertility treatment as outlined in the programme for Government; if people who pay for IVF treatment between now and September 2023 will be reimbursed for their costs starting in September 2023, given his stated plan to start providing interim public support for IVF treatment via private clinics in September 2023 and the urgency of receiving IVF treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15693/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

375. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if an additional special needs assistant will be put in place to meet the classroom education needs of a child who attends a school (details supplied); if she will provide an update and assurance on SNA staffing levels at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14695/23]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Lowry

376. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 8 February 2023, if he will provide an update on the current status of a school building project in Thurles, County Tipperary (details supplied); if the project will be expedited; when the necessary funding will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14698/23]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Lowry

415. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the ongoing payment issue pertaining to the construction of additional accommodation or a new school building for a school (details supplied); if she is aware that construction has been halted for two weeks due to the building contractor not receiving all stage payments from her Department; when the necessary funding will be released to allow construction to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15270/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Lowry

551. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the University of Limerick's proposed new veterinary school (details supplied); if he has received a report from the HEA expert panel concerning the relative capacities of UL for the provision of extra veterinary training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15226/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

583. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1081 of 21 March 2023, if he will review the email address which was provided in his response; the reason the address (details supplied) is not listed in his Department's domino directory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15233/23]

Skills Shortages

Michael Lowry

155. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he last reviewed the critical skills list; his plans to expand the list to address the national skills shortages in healthcare, including the delivery of oral healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14416/23]

Work Permits

Michael Lowry

156. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he last reviewed the ineligible list of occupations for employment permits; and his plans to reduce the list to address skills shortages of dental nurses and dental hygienists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14417/23]

Bus Services

Michael Lowry

183. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 25 October 2022, if funding will be provided to deliver a town bus service in Clonmel, County Tipperary (details supplied), considering Clonmel is now included in the ten-minute town project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14414/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

232. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a foreign birth registration for a family (details supplied) which was submitted in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14377/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Michael Lowry

258. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the proposals, to confer DEIS status on a school (details supplied) in Thurles, County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14380/23]

School Textbooks

Michael Lowry

259. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied), concerning her Department's guidelines for the new free school books scheme; her plans to consult with the organisation and small independent retailers whose main business is the supply of schoolbooks in advance of the introduction of free books to primary schools for the 2023-2024 term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14383/23]

School Staff

Michael Lowry

261. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will detail the contacts she has had with a school (details supplied) regarding the allocation of additional mainstream teacher(s); if she will provide an update and give assurance in relation to the staffing levels at this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14389/23]

Further and Higher Education

Michael Lowry

318. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the new dental school at University College Cork; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14415/23]

Departmental Policies

Michael Lowry

323. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) concerning the Firearms Expert Committee; when he will meet with members of two groups to address their concerns. [14489/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

139. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to publish the review of Housing Aid for Older Persons, Housing Adaptation Grants and Mobility Aids Grants; if he plans to increase the grant amount available through this scheme to reflect the additional costs of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14261/23]

Business Supports

Michael Lowry

162. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department will review correspondence from a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the supports he intends to introduce to help such business groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12317/23]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

272. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport when the Government expects to approve the entire scheme concerning the planned road upgrades on the N24 between Cahir, County Tipperary via Tipperary town and Pallasgreen, County Limerick, in order that it can go to planning; if he expects this scheme to go to planning in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13129/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

278. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will insist that CIÉ provides answers to the issues and questions expressed in relation to the CIE '1951 Scheme' as detailed in the most recent elected trustee bulletin dated 10 March 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/23]

Insurance Coverage

Michael Lowry

312. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the plight of motorcycling sport clubs in the Republic as a result of massive insurance premiums, and the current prospect of the governing bodies of such clubs being unable to secure an insurance quote to run events (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that such motorcycling sport clubs will be able to obtain an appropriate insurance quote that would allow for the running of any road, off-road, and circuit racing on the island of Ireland in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12739/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

524. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in respect of an application by a person (details supplied) for a foreign birth registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12503/23]

Irish Prisoners Abroad

Michael Lowry

548. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who has been imprisoned in Mashhad Central Prison in Iran since 3 October 2022; the communications he has had with Iranian officials; the attempts that have been made to have them released from prison; the supports his Department has made available to their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13622/23]

Schools Refurbishment

Michael Lowry

634. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will detail the contacts she has had with a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary in respect of the need to progress the building programme for the school; if she will provide an update and give assurance in relation to the building programme at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12594/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

661. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an additional accommodation project at a school (details supplied), given the tendering process for this school build was completed on 13 October 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12849/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

726. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if the possibility of extending free school transportation for the 2023-2024 academic year has been considered; if she will take into account the persistent impact the cost-of-living crisis is still having on families, and the significant demand for school transportation in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13311/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

727. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department has completed a review of the decision made in July 2022 to allow all valid and concessionary school transport tickets to use the school transport scheme for free during the 2022-2023 academic year; if so, the review's findings and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13312/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

728. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the eligibility for school transportation currently at primary level, that a family must reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and attend their nearest national school; if she will consider reducing this distance to less than two kilometres for the 2023-2024 academic year, given that many families have both parents and guardians working outside the home; if efforts are ongoing to ensure that more students are accommodated within the school transportation scheme for the 2023-2024 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13313/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

781. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will support an application for the provision of school bus transport for 14 students from Emly, County Tipperary, who require school bus transport into post primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13779/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

782. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will request that Bus Éireann school transport review the current school bus route for a school (details supplied); if she will request that Bus Éireann reconfigures this route to include the home of a student so that they can avail of school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13782/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Lowry

849. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has a policy of writing to social welfare payment recipients and asking them to change their method of payment from collection at their local post office to electronic fund transfer with their bank; if correspondence from the postmaster (details supplied) has been brought to her attention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13789/23]

International Protection

Michael Lowry

920. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department can confirm the total number of persons who are permitted to reside in St. Anne's, Roscrea; if this facility is being considered as a potential site for the use of modular dwellings to house Ukrainian refugees or for persons seeking asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/23]

International Protection

Michael Lowry

981. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason his Department did not contract a property (details supplied) for the provision of humanitarian accommodation for individuals fleeing conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13791/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

1030. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has received correspondence (details supplied) from a group of 1st year students from the University of Limerick who are partaking in a business studies degree and who have been tasked with a social and civic engagement project; when he intends to review and response to this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13535/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1079. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the steps that a person should take in order to become a peace commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13282/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1080. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the criteria which would prohibit a person from becoming a peace commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13283/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1081. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice where a County Tipperary resident may acquire a list of all Tipperary appointed peace commissioners and their contact details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13284/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1082. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if a peace commissioner is appointed in the Mullinahone area of County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13285/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1083. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the number of peace commissioner applications received and pending approval from persons resident in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13286/23]

Peace Commissioners

Michael Lowry

1084. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice how frequently the list of peace commissioners is updated to reflect commissioners who have died, who have retired, surrendered or been removed from their peace commissioner appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/23]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

1351. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if patients with hemochromatosis can still be treated in the day ward at Nenagh General Hospital by a person (details supplied); if he will review correspondence from a person and hemochromatosis patient living in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13094/23]

Health Services Staff

Michael Lowry

1471. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions regarding pay increases and full pay restoration for section 39 workers and those who work in day care centres for the elderly and disabled; if he will consider communication from (details supplied); when funding will be provided to cover this organisation's annual wage increase of 5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13693/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

1497. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 281 of 20 January 2022, 532 of 13 December 2022 and 528 of 5 December 2022, if he will confirm that the review and service demand need analysis which have been carried out in part to identify the allocation of long-stay, respite, palliative care beds in St. Antony's unit Clonmel can be made available to myself and the Hospital Palliative care Tipperary Group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/23]