Parliamentary questions

Special Educational Needs

Paul Donnelly

63. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the lack of autism places in schools for September 2024; and if she will investigate the case of a child (details supplied). [22403/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will revise the new way of calculating special education resources to ensure that no school has a reduction in resources next year compared to this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23889/24]

Education Costs

Paul Murphy

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education what action she will take to make primary and secondary education genuinely free in light of the continuing cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23914/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pauline Tully

66. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the actions she is taking to ensure that all disabled students are provided with an appropriate school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23872/24]

Schools Building Projects

Christopher O'Sullivan

67. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education to provide an overview of the timescale for the approval of school building projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23835/24]

Pleananna Oideachais

Catherine Connolly

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais de thoradh Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 102 den 16 Aibreán 2024, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an bplean chun beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, idir leibhéal an oideachais réamhscoile agus leibhéal an oideachais do mhúinteoirí, a fhorbairt agus a fhoilsiú; cathain a fhoilseofar an beartas nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23691/24]

Special Educational Needs

David Stanton

69. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if there is a way that people who are not qualified as teachers, but who are highly experienced and qualified in other ways in working with children with exceptional special needs, can work with such students in special schools and in special classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23863/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

70. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; and the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form. [23475/24]

Ministerial Staff

Gary Gannon

71. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach the payments made or due to be made to advisers and staff of the former Taoiseach who left office on his resignation, in tabular form. [23794/24]

Ministerial Staff

Gary Gannon

72. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if staff who left on the resignation of the former Taoiseach or any other Minister and who were subsequently appointed to adviser roles by the current Taoiseach or other current Ministers are entitled to receive severance or termination payments; and if so, if any such were made or are scheduled to be made. [23795/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

73. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland will meet next. [24030/24]

Middle East

John Paul Phelan

74. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 14 May 2024, to list previous occasions where the State has recognised a new state in circumstances where the recognised governing body of that state does not have de facto governing authority over its entire territory. [23792/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

75. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review a passport application (details supplied) and expedite same. [23532/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited. [23535/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

77. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an application (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited. [23536/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to passport applicants in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to review a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23600/24]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

80. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23645/24]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the French government; if he has discussed current civil unrest in New Caledonia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23646/24]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

82. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23647/24]

Official Engagements

Matt Carthy

83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Moldova; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23648/24]

Passport Services

Matt Carthy

84. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications received in 2023 and to date in 2024, by month; the number of applications whereby a witness was unavailable and as a result the Passport Service required a new witness form to be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23649/24]

Passport Services

Niamh Smyth

85. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if paper passport applications (details supplied) which are past their due date will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23661/24]

Human Rights

Ivana Bacik

86. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to re-examine the position regarding recognition of the Armenian Genocide 1915-1917; and if he will report on any engagement with his counterparts in the European Union in respect of same since his taking office. [23667/24]

Middle East

John Paul Phelan

87. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all previous instances where the State has recognised a new state in circumstances where that state had not first been recognised by, and admitted to membership of, the United Nations. [23791/24]

Passport Services

Bernard Durkan

88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will be issued in the case of a person (details supplied), given the passport was supposed to issue on 24 April 2024; if every effort can be made to ensure that this passport is expedited given its now one month since the processing target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23829/24]

Overseas Development Aid

Patrick Costello

89. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to reach the 0.7% of gross national income for overseas development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/24]

Official Engagements

Patrick Costello

90. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on international engagements carried out by the Minister for International Development and the Diaspora carried out since the start of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23952/24]

Official Engagements

Patrick Costello

91. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on his Department's engagements and general relations between Ireland and Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23953/24]

Military Neutrality

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can confirm Ireland's signature of a letter reported in the Austrian press (details supplied); if he will publish the text of this letter; if the details reported reflect the official policy of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/24]

Departmental Funding

Matt Carthy

93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 1 May 2024, the amount allocated to multilateral international organisations in 2024, by organisation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24088/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

94. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of embassies operated by his Department in 2023; the total operating cost for each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24089/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

95. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of consulates operated by his Department in 2023; the total operating cost for each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24090/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation to the emigrant support programme in the years 2019 to 2024, by year, in tabular form; the projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24091/24]

Defective Building Materials

Ivana Bacik

97. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to ensure homeowners eligible for the defective concrete blocks scheme can apply for SEAI grants including if they have already previously availed of them; when this problem will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/24]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Francis Noel Duffy

98. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that solar panels being installed on domestic roofs must be installed 500mm from the edge, whereas in the UK and other European countries they can be installed up to 200mm from the edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how frequently the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the proposed floating storage and regasification unit will need to be replenished, if approved, given the inevitable boil-off of LNG over time; where this gas will be sourced; what measures will be taken to minimise the frequency of this occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

100. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated length of time a proposed temporary floating storage and regasification unit, if approved, would be in operation in Ireland until a carbon neutral energy system is in place and we are no longer reliant on gas for our energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23621/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

101. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated timeline for the proposed acquisition of a floating storage and regasification unit and construction of ancillary grid-connection facilities, if approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23640/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated budget required for the proposed acquisition of a floating storage and regasification unit and the construction of ancillary grid-connection facilities, if approved; the estimated annual budget to be allocated for the protection of a floating storage and regasification unit from potential attack during both the construction phase and following project completion; if he will outline the comparative estimated budget to develop infrastructure for the geological storage of natural gas and associated defence costs during construction and following project completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23641/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Ivana Bacik

103. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the relative risks pertaining to the probability of gas supply disruption from the UK, given the presence of two separate Moffat pipelines, outweigh the climate risks, at national and international level, associated with the inevitable emissions from a proposed new floating storage and regasification unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23642/24]

Building Energy Rating

Aindrias Moynihan

104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason works carried out to a home under the free energy upgrades warmer home scheme (details supplied) did not improve the BER rating; the objective of these works carried out on homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23673/24]

National Broadband Plan

Holly Cairns

105. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households that were included in the NBP intervention areas, in error (details supplied); what engagement they have had with households, NBI and commercial providers on this issue; and the steps being taken to resolve it. [23708/24]

National Broadband Plan

Martin Kenny

106. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timeline on the roll-out of the national broadband, including a breakdown of current and capital spend. [23756/24]

Cybersecurity Policy

Martin Kenny

107. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a timeline on improvement works to cybersecurity infrastructure, including a breakdown of current and capital spend. [23757/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

108. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the timetable for publication and consideration of draft legislation to ban disposable vapes; if primary or secondary legislation is planned; and if it is intended to hold public pre-legislative scrutiny with respect to the draft legislation. [23788/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

109. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when Ireland intends to notify the European Commission of draft legislation to ban disposable vapes in accordance with the TRIS Directive; and what form of draft legislation will be notified to the Commission. [23789/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

John Paul Phelan

110. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in relation to draft legislation to ban disposable vapes, noting the substantial, cumulative cost impact on industry as a result of the proposed new ban. [23790/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Éamon Ó Cuív

111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the guidelines for the development of offshore wind farms will be published; if a draft of the guidelines will be published for public consultation before adoption; what consultations have taken place between his Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure that the two sets of guidelines dove tail with each other (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23840/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the will report on the excellence in energy efficient design scheme; the funding available to be drawn down; how much funding was drawn down; the number of grants awarded; the average amount awarded in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23841/24]