Parliamentary questions

Wildlife Regulations

Michael Lowry

361. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the review of the game bird open seasons Order; if he will provide an update on the progress of meetings held between key stakeholders and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as a list of any potential changes or recommendations that have emerged from the review and public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29181/23]

Wildlife Regulations

Michael Lowry

362. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage concerning the review of the game bird open seasons Order, if he will provide a list of key stakeholders and other organisations of interest within the game shooting fraternity that have been invited to engage the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the review and public consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29182/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

475. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications for the native woodland conservation scheme in situations pertaining to the conversion of existing conifer forest to native woodland must be lodged with the Forestry Service before the clear felling or final harvesting of commercial sitka spruce takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/23]

Climate Change Policy

Michael Lowry

92. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for the Government's strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainable development; if he will elaborate on the key policies and measures being implemented in Ireland to achieve the country's climate goals, particularly in the areas of the farming sector, transport, renewable energy, carbon reduction and fostering a green economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28785/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the measures being taken to address the issue regarding the recent Leaving Certificate maths exam paper 1, given that concerns have been expressed by teachers and students about the wording and structure of the Leaving Certificate maths exam paper, which has caused confusion and uncertainty among students who sat the exam, to ensure fairness for all affected students; how impacted students will be accommodated in terms of grading and assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28999/23]

Departmental Policies

Michael Lowry

242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 400 and 401 of 18 May 2023, when she plans to publish both the research report and the policy paper following the public consultation on the issue of parental alienation as part of the Justice Plan 2022 on her Department’s website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28934/23]

Recycling Policy

Michael Lowry

48. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) which expresses the concerns that the deposit return scheme will have on their small brewery business; the steps he will take to address these concerns; if he will be elaborating on any support mechanisms or mitigating measures that are being considered to assist small businesses in adapting to the scheme while minimising any potential adverse effects on their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28693/23]

Pharmacy Services

Michael Lowry

164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health concerning the review of fees that pharmacies receive from the State for the State drug payment schemes; if he is aware that the current fees agreement that pharmacies receive for the schemes, is due to be reviewed before the end of June 2023; if he will provide an update on the progress of the review; the reasons for the lack of engagement with an organisation (details supplied) thus far; what engagement has taken place between him, the HSE, and the organisation regarding this matter; if he will provide details on the Government's commitment to ensuring a fair and sustainable fee structure that supports the vital role of pharmacies in delivering healthcare services to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28771/23]

Electric Vehicles

Michael Lowry

317. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline his involvement to date with Tipperary County Council in the advancement of EV charging infrastructure for County Tipperary; if EV charging infrastructure will be installed in Templemore, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28415/23]

Fiscal Policy

Michael Lowry

391. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the Government's plans and policies for economic growth and fiscal stability; if he can explain the strategies being pursued to attract foreign investment, support small businesses, and create long-term job opportunities; if he will provide details on any recent tax reforms or incentives aimed at promoting economic development and addressing income inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28546/23]

Departmental Strategies

Michael Lowry

472. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's strategies and initiatives to promote economic growth, innovation and job creation in Ireland; the steps being taken to attract foreign investment, support local businesses and develop a skilled workforce; if he will provide details on the Government's plans to promote entrepreneurship, trade, and ensure a thriving and inclusive economy for the benefit of all citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28548/23]

Work Permits

Michael Lowry

473. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's approach to work permits in Ireland, specifically the current guidelines and procedures for obtaining work permits for foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities in the country; if he will provide details on any recent developments or initiatives aimed at reviewing the critical skills occupations list, streamlining the work permit application process, and addressing labour market needs, given that the country is now considered to be at full employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28553/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

486. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will require the State Examination Commission to use and distribute dyslexia-friendly exam papers to all dyslexic students sitting their Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations, regardless of their reasonable accommodations at State examinations (RACE) status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27236/23]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Lowry

487. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the building project of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27250/23]

Education Policy

Michael Lowry

618. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education her efforts to enhance the quality of education in Ireland; the steps being taken to improve students' digital literacy skills, promote inclusive education and assist teachers in adapting to changing educational needs; the initiatives and policies in these areas that are being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28545/23]

Housing Policy

Michael Lowry

786. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Government's approach to addressing Ireland's housing crisis; the measures being taken to increase affordable housing options, alleviate homelessness and ensure sustainable urban development; the progress in these areas; the upcoming initiatives aimed at addressing the housing challenges faced by individuals and communities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28547/23]

An Garda Síochána

Michael Lowry

936. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the resources allocated to An Garda Síochána; the Government's planned investments aimed at ensuring that An Garda Síochána has adequate resources and a modern Garda fleet of vehicles to effectively carry out their duties in maintaining law and order, preventing crime and protecting the safety of communities across Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28563/23]

Animal Slaughtering

Michael Lowry

994. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on his efforts to protect Ireland's ritual (religious) slaughter practices in order that the meat industry can continue to supply meat to the Jewish and Islamic religious faiths in Ireland and throughout Europe (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28558/23]

Agriculture Supports

Michael Lowry

995. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Government's efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, ensure food security, and support rural farmers in Ireland; the initiatives and policies being implemented to improve environmental stewardship, promote sustainable farming practises, and assist farmers in adopting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/23]

Disease Management

Michael Lowry

1116. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when a clinical care programme will be implemented to meet the requirements of patients with lung fibrosis; the resources that will be allocated to its implementation and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27184/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Lowry

1225. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 176 of 10 May 2023, in relation to long-Covid and providing financial support for HSE personnel suffering from long-term-Covid illness and unable to work; if his Department has looked at all available options to support staff who are unable to return to work, given that the current scheme is due to end on 30 June this year; the additional financial support that will be offered to such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27987/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

1322. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to reduce medical treatment wait times, improve healthcare infrastructure, and ensure equitable healthcare provision across County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28544/23]

Rural Schemes

Michael Lowry

1390. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1620 of 21 March 2023, if she will provide an update on the RRDF Project funding for Cahir, County Tipperary; when the local authority will be able to draw down funds and begin work on the town centre renovation, car park, and library projects in Cahir; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27198/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

64. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason that her Department and the State Examinations Commission do not allow for extra examination time to be offered to students with dyslexia through the reasonable accommodations at State examinations (RACE) scheme; if she is aware of the recent campaign by an organisation (details supplied) that is supporting the need for RACE to be offered to students with dyslexia; if she agrees that continuing to deny these students RACE puts them at a disadvantage when sitting State examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26487/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Michael Lowry

35. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will verify the current and precise total number of children on waiting lists for assessment of need in CHO 5, south Tipperary and CHO 3, north Tipperary; the number of children waiting on historical waiting lists, the number of new applications, and the number of children or families still awaiting assessment following a preliminary team assessment review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26325/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department has taken to address the challenges of retaining part-time firefighters; when he will address the unsatisfactory employment terms and conditions for part-time firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25563/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

359. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the most recent engagement/meeting of the Fire Service National Oversight and Implementation Group took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

360. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of chief fire officers, senior assistant chiefs, fire officers, full-time firefighters and part-time firefighters in County Tipperary's fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25565/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

568. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 16 May 2023, if he will provide the metrics used by officials in his Department to conclude that financial supports through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund were inapplicable for the sheep farming sector, as he is aware, the sheep farming sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; the additional financial provisions that he will provide to assist the sheep farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Lowry

797. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed new veterinary school at University Limerick (details supplied); whether he has fully reviewed the recommendations of a report from the Higher Education Authority, HEA, expert panel concerning the relative capacities of UL for the provision of additional veterinary training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25937/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 552 of 18 April 2023, if she will confirm whether the assessment process for a school's (details supplied) additional accommodation scheme application is now complete; when a decision will be communicated to the school authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25077/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

291. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of a two-classroom autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit build at a school (details supplied), given that this school's tender report has been with her Department since 21 December 2022, and the successful builders currently have an opening in their schedule and are ready to begin construction as soon as the go-ahead is given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24334/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

316. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 27 April 2023, if she will confirm whether Bus Éireann has reviewed the school transport application in question to determine whether concessionary transport is available from the nearest pick-up point from their family home; if Bus Éireann has contacted the family directly in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24766/23]

Departmental Funding

Michael Lowry

660. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate the case of a company (details supplied) regarding delayed payments from his Department's Ukrainian accommodation section; the reasons for these delays; if he can confirm whether his Department has contracted with a third party to manage such payments, or if these payments are managed in-house by Departmental staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/23]

Family Law Cases

Michael Lowry

400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice when his Department will publish the parental alienation research study considering the draft report was received by his Department at the end of November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23767/23]

Family Law Cases

Michael Lowry

401. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has commenced a public consultation on the issue of parental alienation legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason the reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations (race) scheme does not apply to dyslexic pupils in Ireland; if she will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) that the State Examinations Commission reconsider its policy on reasonable accommodations for dyslexic students immediately in order to "help level the playing field" for examination this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23505/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Lowry

187. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) seeking his support and endorsement in the modifying of the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (RUS) to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees that pose a safety risk to the public and road users on public roads; if the RUS scheme will be reconfigured to acknowledge the financial loss incurred; if he will consider the introduction of a financial support scheme to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees for the safety of others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23536/23]

International Protection

Michael Lowry

196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence from a company (details supplied) regarding delayed payments from the Ukrainian accommodation section of his Department; the reasons for these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/23]

Energy Conservation

Michael Lowry

175. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-cost loan scheme for energy upgrades will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/23]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

246. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport when adequate funding will be made available for structural repair works and a pedestrian bridge adjacent to Ardfinnan Bridge, County Tipperary, to allow traffic to resume on a two-way system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

266. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the help-to-buy scheme to include help for first-time buyers with the purchase of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22752/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

270. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the number of prosecutions secured against those involved in tobacco smuggling in 2022; if he considers this level of prosecutions sufficient, in light of the recent Revenue Commissioners’ survey which found that 30% of tobacco products consumed in 2022 were non-Irish duty paid and illegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

271. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the measures he has in place to enforce adherence to duty-free travel allowances for tobacco and alcohol at Ireland’s ports and airports; and if he considers these enforcement measures adequate, in light of a recent Revenue Commissioners’ survey which found that 30% of tobacco products consumed in 2022 were non-Irish duty paid and illegal cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

272. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the cost to the Exchequer of illegal cigarettes in 2022 was approximately €384 million in lost excise and VAT receipts, a figure that represents an additional loss of €120 million when compared to 2021; the new measures he proposes to resolve the significant increases in illicit tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22945/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

359. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if an emergency request for reasonable accommodations at the Leaving Certificate examinations will be taken into account for a candidate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23180/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

433. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if flexibility will be granted on the 24-month vacancy criteria for the refurbishing vacant home grant scheme for an application by a person (details supplied) with Dublin City Council, given that this person will be living in the home as their principal primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

458. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a school (details supplied); if she is aware that this school now has a funding shortfall because the breakfast club is funding capped at 150 pupils; the additional funding that will be provided to this school to supplement this financial shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22708/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

542. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 516 of 9 May 2023, if he will direct officials in his Department to develop a case study for the provision of financial support through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve 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. [22839/23]

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]