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 9 of 34
Thu, 11 May 2023
written
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]
Wed, 10 May 2023
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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]
Wed, 10 May 2023
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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]
Wed, 10 May 2023
written
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]
Tue, 9 May 2023
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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]
Tue, 9 May 2023
written
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]
Thu, 4 May 2023
written
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]
Wed, 3 May 2023
written
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]
Wed, 3 May 2023
written
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
oral
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
written
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]
Wed, 26 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 25 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
written
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]
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
written
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]
Wed, 19 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]
Tue, 18 Apr 2023
written
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]