Parliamentary questions

Public Expenditure Policy

Richard Bruton

8. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what programmes of public expenditure will be subject to evaluation in the coming year; and whether this process needs to be reformed [46962/23]

Public Expenditure Policy

Richard Bruton

14. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether the budgeting process operated by his Department promotes innovation to a sufficient extent. [46963/23]

Climate Change Policy

Richard Bruton

63. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the top priorities in 2024 for carbon emission abatement in agriculture, in marine and in forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46964/23]

Departmental Functions

Richard Bruton

83. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions his Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices and prosecution; and if he plans to step up activity. [46965/23]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Richard Bruton

121. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the standards that apply to radiation emissions from telecommunication masts; if different standards apply where they are in close proximity to residential areas, and if the standards applied are updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47120/23]

Departmental Functions

Richard Bruton

45. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions his Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if he plans to step up activity. [46967/23]

Departmental Functions

Richard Bruton

83. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions his Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if he plans to step up activity. [46969/23]

Departmental Functions

Richard Bruton

114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions his Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if he plans to step up activity. [46966/23]

Departmental Functions

Richard Bruton

148. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the environmental standards and nature protection provisions her Department oversees; the level of activity of enforcement in each case, covering inspections, issuing of notices, and prosecution; and if she plans to step up activity. [46970/23]

State Pensions

Richard Bruton

102. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of persons who were allowed to remain long-term on illness benefit when restricted duration was first introduced, but who now on reaching retirement age, find that the required paid stamps have increased to 520 paid stamps, and thus have no pension rights, whereas persons on invalidity pension who also have been long-term unable to work, are allowed waive the obligation; the number of persons that are on long-term illness benefit; and her views on the fairness of this apparent differential treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46423/23]

Bus Services

Richard Bruton

169. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport for the delivery date of all proposed BusConnects routes serving the Swords area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46457/23]

Public Services Provision

Richard Bruton

214. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has taken steps to ensure that across the public service, there are alternative forms of access for those who are not equipped to use digital systems; and if telephone access alternatives with monitored speed of response and hubs in the community are part of a robust alternative. [46618/23]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Bruton

287. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if consideration is being given to an Irish-medium secondary school to serve the Swords area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46458/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

312. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an increase in payment to RTÉ pensioners is under consideration; if she will indicate how long has elapsed since the last increase; and whether the process for assessing this issue can be accelerated. [46641/23]

Departmental Funding

Richard Bruton

426. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to increase the stipends to PhDs working on research for agricultural agencies, in line with the recent increases made within the higher education system. [46224/23]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

443. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied with services being provided in St. Michael’s House across its various locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46456/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Bruton

562. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health his views on whether additional incentives or pay increases are necessary for staff nurses working in bodies, such as St. Michael’s House, that receive direct funding from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46455/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Bruton

598. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health how the recruitment embargo will be managed to protect front line delivery, while other cost control measures are evolved; whether measures such as exempting the appointment of dentists, while continuing the embargo on dental nurses are self-defeating as one requires the other to deliver service. [46572/23]

Third Level Costs

Richard Bruton

635. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider extending the grants which are available on a means-tested basis towards the student contribution charged by Irish colleges, to cover Irish students studying in the EU or the UK who face similar charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46245/23]

Education Policy

Richard Bruton

216. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the call for a national education strategy for gifted children; whether the current system for the allocation of resource teachers recognises the needs of gifted children; and if she will consider creating a strategy or issuing a circular to schools on the matter. [44697/23]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Bruton

217. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools that have ASD units in the Clontarf, Killester, Raheny school planning area; the number of new ASD which have been approved to open in the area; the expected date of opening of these additional units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44698/23]

Housing Provision

Richard Bruton

311. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has reviewed the data on the success of HAP-qualified tenants to obtain tenancies in Dublin; and if measures are under consideration to make the system more successful, either by shortening the administrative processes or by lifting the current caps. [44740/23]

Third Level Admissions

Richard Bruton

632. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has examined the cases of the students who earned a place on their chosen college course, when their papers were re-evaluated, but have been told it will not be available until next year; and if he will assess whether, for at least some of those students, it would be possible for the college to accommodate them without too much disruption. [44754/23]

Enterprise Policy

Richard Bruton

42. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has plans to address the challenges to Irish competitiveness outlined by the National Competitiveness Council. [44199/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Richard Bruton

58. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has analysed the main sources of pressure on business costs at present; and how he believes these might best be addressed. [44200/23]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Richard Bruton

39. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied that there is good oversight of the safety of telecommunications infrastructure in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44018/23]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

414. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the policy of the children’s disability network teams for scheduling interventions for children in different age groups, aged two years and under, aged over two and under six, aged six and over, and so on; whether there has been a change in the way resources are allocated to different age groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43530/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Bruton

560. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the payment of the Covid bonus; and whether he has an estimate of those who have yet to receive payment. [44019/23]

Public Transport

Richard Bruton

11. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with discussions between the NTA and other agencies and a private developer in relation to privately developed transport infrastructure (details supplied). [43050/23]

Transport Policy

Richard Bruton

56. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the manner in which transport planning and road and transport infrastructures respond to the needs of fast-growing population areas, particularly around our cities. [43049/23]

Fiscal Policy

Richard Bruton

109. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether tax policy can play a more active role in incentivising climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43048/23]

Economic Policy

Richard Bruton

160. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance how the international economic outlook will bear on Ireland’s economic performance and budgetary strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43047/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

163. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a breakdown by county on SEAI home energy upgrades support by the Government from January 2023 to June 2023. [43306/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

164. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a breakdown by county on free energy upgrades for low-income households from January 2023 to June 2023. [43307/23]

Hospital Charges

Richard Bruton

348. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the charges at hospitals will be from the start of 2024 for accident and emergency attendance, outpatient attendance, blood tests or diagnostic tests, inpatient care and private beds from the start of 2024. [43373/23]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Bruton

356. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will indicate his latest estimate of recipients of post-graduation student support from SUSI; if he will indicate their distribution between adjacent colleges and distance colleges, and within these categories at the special maintenance rate, at standard maintenance, at partial maintenance and at contribution reduction only support. [43379/23]

Legal Aid

Richard Bruton

168. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered the case made by barristers that the FEMPI restrictions are being unfairly still applied to them; if any engagement is underway on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43007/23]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Bruton

200. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the supports in subsidies and VRT concessions which will be available to the purchaser of electric vehicles from the start of 2024, both hybrid and fully electric. [42424/23]

Tax Code

Richard Bruton

247. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance what the structure of motor tax and of VRT will be from the start of 2024; and whether it will embody any new measures to promote more sustainable purchases. [42423/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

248. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the request that the tax relief for filmmaking should include requirements of more generous copyright for creative workers on these films, so that the same rights would be available in Ireland as in other countries. [42428/23]

Tax Code

Richard Bruton

249. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who avail of the exemption from income taxes of room rental generating less than €14,000, and of childcare in the home of under €15,000; and if he will estimate the cost of each of these reliefs. [42432/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

282. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated number of claims and their duration under the employer funded sick pay scheme since it was introduced this year; whether he has any estimate of under-claiming of potential eligibility; whether steps are required to promote its full use and if he will indicate the phasing planned for increased periods of cover and the date from which they shall become effective. [42142/23]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

390. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will indicate the waiting period of claims before social welfare recipients become eligible for back to education, work placement programmes, community employment, training support grant and JobsPlus; and if she has considered the change in these waiting periods or their standardisation. [42135/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

391. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see a larger pension for those who work beyond age 66 years; if phasing arrangements are planned for introduction of same, and if she will outline the detail. [42136/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

392. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see total contributions determine the size of pension paid; if phasing arrangements are planned for the introduction of same and if she will outline the detail. [42137/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

393. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see a specific pension for carers; if phasing arrangements are planned for the introduction of same and if she will outline the detail. [42139/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

394. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection the current estimated date for the commencement of the provision which would see auto-enrolment for a pension top-up; if the phasing arrangements are planned for the introduction of same and if she will outline the detail. [42140/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Richard Bruton

536. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people who applied for the childminder development grant advertised in June 2023; whether he was satisfied with the take-up; and if he plans to extend or develop this type of scheme in 2024. [42426/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Richard Bruton

537. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects Phase 1 of the extension of the national childcare programme to childminders to be complete; if the details of the remaining phases to be completed before childminders can be fully included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42427/23]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

541. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when vacancies in speech and language and occupational therapists in the north Dublin HSE region will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42465/23]

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

624. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the means thresholds for the medical card and for the GP-only card that will apply from the start of 2024, will be; and whether it is intended that these will be indexed, in line with incomes or the cost of living, in the years ahead. [42413/23]

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

625. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the expected number of medical card holders and the expected number of GP-only card holders; and the respective total number of people who will have cover under these cards. [42414/23]

General Practitioner Services

Richard Bruton

626. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the annual capitation payments which will be in place in 2024 for GPs to cover the provision of service to the different age groups; and the increase that this represents in each case. [42415/23]

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

627. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the provisions in respect of means test for the medical card and for assessing savings for those aged 70 years and over from the start of 2024. [42416/23]

Departmental Policies

Richard Bruton

628. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the regime for sharing for prescriptions and for drugs refund from the start of 2024. [42417/23]

Hospital Charges

Richard Bruton

629. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the charges at hospitals will be from the start of 2024 for A&E attendance, outpatient attendance, blood tests/diagnostic tests, inpatient care, and for private beds from the start of 2024. [42418/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

630. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the terms under which a patient can obtain treatment abroad under the schemes from the start of 2024; and whether rules of access for care in Northern Ireland or the UK differ from those applying within Member States of the European Union. [42419/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

631. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether he has received any reports from the NTPF of the main types of procedures which it has been supporting; whether the target waiting time before an offer is made to patients is reported to be different for different procedures; and the scale of these differences. [42420/23]

Nursing Homes

Richard Bruton

632. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the system of assessing contribution by patients from their income and from their assets towards the cost of nursing home care under the fair deal scheme, that will be in place from the start of 2024; and if there are particular changes being made. [42421/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Richard Bruton

710. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current estimate of first-time registration on traditional apprenticeships and newly developed apprenticeship, respectively; the number of occupation paths under each heading now in place and the further occupations which he anticipates will be in place by the end of 2024. [42143/23]

Departmental Data

Richard Bruton

711. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current estimate of recipients of undergraduate student support from SUSI, and if he will indicate their distribution between adjacent colleges and distant colleges, and within these categories at the special maintenance rate, at standard maintenance, at partial maintenance and at contribution reduction only support. [42144/23]

United Nations

Richard Bruton

34. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the progress being made in reforming the operation of the United Nations. [41750/23]

Energy Policy

Richard Bruton

101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Energy Security Review. [41746/23]

Climate Action Plan

Richard Bruton

112. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the approach used for oversight of the Climate Action Plan to the complementary strategies for the circular economy and biodiversity. [41747/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

136. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the name of organisations who have been approved for one stop shop services for retrofitting homes; the expected number of upgrades which is expected to be able to complete per year when fully operational, and if the level of national coverage has yet been achieved. [41985/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

137. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the latest position in relation to the proposed loan for retrofitting being developed with the EIB; whether it is intended that this will only be available for works above a certain threshold, or achieving a certain standard of BER; the likely maximum term of the loan and the prospective interest rate range which will apply and if it is expected it will be open to the public before the end of the year. [41986/23]

Energy Production

Richard Bruton

138. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solar panel installations which are now selling surplus power back to the grid, distinguishing household suppliers, farm or business suppliers; if he has conducted a survey of the price being earned per kilowatt hour, and if he will indicate how he expects this practice to evolve in the coming years. [41987/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

139. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to alter any of the conditions or the grant payments available from SEAI for different elements of retrofitting for the coming year, based on evolving take-up of the various schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41988/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

166. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the full value of help to buy support combined with equity support, through either first homes or a local authority's affordable purchase, continues to be constrained by ceilings on permitted ratios to valuation; if he has considered easing this constraint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41976/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

167. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered extending the help to buy tax relief for affordable purchase beyond new homes; if he has plans to extend the availability of this scheme beyond 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41984/23]

School Admissions

Richard Bruton

179. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of a shortage of places in primary schools that teach through the medium of Irish in the Clontarf, Killester and Raheny catchment area; if she has any plans to increase the availability of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41972/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

188. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if affordable homes for purchase or cost rental, developed by the LDA or by AHBs, will be allocated to prospective clients through the local authorities; if the mix between cost rental and affordable purchase will be a matter for the local authorities or the respective developer, and if the retained equity share will be held by the Council or by the LDA or AHB. [41975/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the increase in the Central Bank recommendation on raising the ratio of mortgage to income from 3.5 to 4.0 has been fully carried over into the terms of first homes and of a local authority's affordable purchase schemes, and if he will outline how the approved equity injection is now calculated. [41977/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

190. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered extending the equity supports for affordable purchase beyond new homes [41978/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Bruton

191. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will indicate whether the interest rates charged on loans under the local authority home loan have been increased to reflect rising ECB rates; if he will indicate what is the current rate charged, with and without mortgage protection insurance; the total payment which has to be paid per month per €1000 of loan, and whether this rate has incorporated all the prospective changes based on the most recently set ECB rate. [41979/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Bruton

192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the interest rates charged on the equity in later years under the first homes scheme have been altered in the face of rising ECB rates; if he will indicate what is the current rate chargeable, and if this rate has incorporated all the prospective changes based on the most recently set ECB rate. [41980/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

193. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the ceiling for income which he has set for the following respective housing supports: a local authority home loan, a social tenancy and a cost rental tenancy; if he has plans to review these thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41981/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

194. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current ceiling for the purchase of a home using a local authority home loan and if he has plans to review this ceiling. [41982/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

195. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the ceilings on rents supported by HAP for different household composition, different areas, and for those at risk of homelessness, and if he has plans to alter these ceilings. [41983/23]

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

273. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the means thresholds and savings thresholds for medical card, and for GP only cards, both for those under 70 years and those aged 70 and over, when the recently announced extension of GP cards is complete; his plans to index either or both to the trend in any income indicator for future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41989/23]

Hospital Charges

Richard Bruton

274. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which a charge will be made to a patient visiting the casualty department, visiting an outpatient department or obtaining a blood test, and the level of charge in each case, and the circumstance in which a patient may apply to have such charges waived. [41990/23]

Nursing Homes

Richard Bruton

275. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the concessions offered under the fair deal scheme within the means-testing arrangements where homes of patients have been sold, and where homes of patients have been rented, and if he will indicate the number of instances where this option has been taken up in each case since the concession was put in place. [41991/23]

Medicinal Products

Richard Bruton

276. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the prescription charges now paid by medical card holders and if the level of these thresholds is under review. [41992/23]

Medicinal Products

Richard Bruton

277. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the threshold for drug refund which is now in place and if the level of this threshold is under review. [41993/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

278. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the National Treatment Purchase Fund is on track to deliver the targeted level of procedures, scopes, diagnostic tests and outpatient appointment during 2023, and whether target waiting times for arranging different interventions have been set. [41994/23]

Health Services

Richard Bruton

279. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of patients who have been treated abroad under different options in the year to date; if he has any breakdown of this number by procedure or specialty, and if the conditions for obtaining treatment in the UK and Northern Ireland, or in other member states of the EU is likely to change in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41995/23]

General Practitioner Services

Richard Bruton

280. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has set prospective dates by which he expects to extend the age groups who qualify for free GP services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41996/23]

Third Level Costs

Richard Bruton

298. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the concessions made on the student registration fee and the bonus payment on maintenance have been continued into the new academic year; if so, if he will indicate on what terms the concessions are available in the academic year 2023/2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41974/23]

Cybersecurity Policy

Richard Bruton

105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the NIS2 Directive on cybersecurity will be implemented in Ireland; and whether consultation and an information campaign are planned to better inform the public and affected bodies. [40990/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the details of those companies who are obligated entities in terms of energy savings; the extent of the obligation in each case; the opportunities for charitable bodies to seek support from such bodies to improve their energy consumption; and whether each entity has published contact details for those who wish to participate. [41395/23]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Bruton

131. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport whether public service bodies who have outreach services delivered by employees using their personal cars are obliged to count the carbon impact of these journeys in their carbon impact; whether there are initiatives in place to facilitate the switch of this necessary mileage to electric vehicles; if there is a role for a centralised scheme to promote such shifts across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

187. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has reviewed the value of the thresholds set out for tax relief on pensions; and if he will consider adjusting them, in view of the substantial inflation since they were set almost ten years ago. [41437/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Bruton

369. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection whether it is possible to set up a trust for a person with a severe disability, without undermining their eligibility for disability allowance, which normally assesses a nominal weekly means to all capital exceeding €50,000. [41173/23]

Hospital Deaths

Richard Bruton

523. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the reports of elevated death rates; and whether any research is being undertaken to evaluate underlying factors. [41033/23]

Medical Records

Richard Bruton

548. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the reports of elevated death rates; and whether any research is being undertaken to evaluate underlying factors. [41165/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Bruton

564. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has started to recruit to the position of physician associates; whether the extent of the responsibility of such posts have been defined: and whether there is a need for registration and regulation of such posts by an appropriate body to ensure that they only work within their area of established qualifications. [41276/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

628. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has calculated a multiplier for the knock-on value within the community of the different schemes under which she allocates funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41309/23]

Departmental Policies

Richard Bruton

629. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has analysed trends in remote working as the economy has fully reopened again; and if there are areas of initiative to help embed this as a pattern to bring new activity to rural Ireland. [41310/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

13. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an estimate of the average number of inpatient and outpatient procedures that have been delivered by public hospitals and by the NTPF to date in 2023; and if he is considering any innovations to deliver more procedures. [40277/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Richard Bruton

60. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the key drivers of the reported overruns in health expenditure are; whether there are improvements that can be made in spending management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40276/23]