Parliamentary questions

Ports Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

24. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the number of ports that receive incoming shipping containers; the number receive incoming Ro-Ro (trucks) freight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26386/24]

Dublin Airport Authority

Darren O'Rourke

25. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE customer service staff employed by DAA working in Dublin Airport in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26472/24]

Illicit Trade

Jim O'Callaghan

26. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to introduce a new national anti-smoking strategy to tackle illicit trade in tobacco and alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26348/24]

Illicit Trade

Jim O'Callaghan

27. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of legally imported tobacco seized by customs officials in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26347/24]

Tax Data

Steven Matthews

28. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the number of residential properties deemed exempt from the local property tax in 2023 for reasons of being either unsuitable for use as a dwelling, or unoccupied as a dwelling in 2023, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26354/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Jim O'Callaghan

29. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the cost of a mobile scanner used by Revenue for the detection of illegal goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26385/24]

Illicit Trade

Jim O'Callaghan

30. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the number of customs checks that have been carried out at Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport in the past 12 months for the excess purchase of duty-free tobacco products (200 cigarettes); the number of fines issued; the number of these that were paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26387/24]

Illicit Trade

Jim O'Callaghan

31. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the cost of both training a Revenue detection dog and employing supporting staff used to identify illegally smuggled goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26388/24]

State Bodies

Paul Donnelly

32. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount IDA Ireland has spent on hiring a business development consultant on its behalf in Australia and in the US in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [26331/24]

Work Permits

Michael Healy-Rae

33. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on an application by a person (details supplied) for a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26350/24]

Corporate Governance

Darren O'Rourke

34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget allocation for the Corporate Enforcement Authority in the years of 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [26464/24]

School Transport

Pauline Tully

35. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the details of areas in Cavan-Monaghan covered by the school transport for children with special needs; the areas in Cavan-Monaghan not covered by the school transport for children with special needs. [26334/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pauline Tully

36. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the number of special schools taking part in the summer programme special school pilot scheme; and the number of special schools not taking part. [26335/24]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

37. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the 30 September cut-off point for teacher allocations for the following primary school year; if this deadline can be reviewed to reflect the significant changes that can occur to student numbers in the school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26338/24]

School Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

38. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the reason the newly planned school in the Donaghmede/Howth/D13/Baldoyle/Stapolin school planning area has been deferred; the number of students who did not receive a place and were listed on the waiting list for two schools (details supplied) in September 2022 and September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26342/24]

School Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

39. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline, in relation to the Donaghmede/Howth/D13/Baldoyle/Stapolin school planning area, how her Department assesses the demand for secondary school places where significant new developments are being constructed; if this assessment takes place in the planning of new developments or after the developments are built; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26343/24]

School Facilities

Mick Barry

40. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the facilities in a school (details supplied); to provide a timeline as to when it can move to appropriately sized facilities that are safe for staff and pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26384/24]

Special Educational Needs

Patricia Ryan

41. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the location for the new special school in Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26407/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

42. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the plans being put in place for a school (details supplied) in Monasterevin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26412/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

43. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education who is responsible for the portacabins still in a school (details supplied) in Monasterevin; who is paying for those cabins; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26413/24]

Schools Building Projects

Joe Flaherty

44. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a minor works grant application to repair a roof by a school (details supplied). [26415/24]

Legislative Measures

Thomas Pringle

45. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the total number of section 29 appeals under the Education Act 1998 taken in 2023; a breakdown of the total number admissible/inadmissible; the number upheld/rejected; and any balance withdrawn or still under review, in tabular form. [26433/24]

Legislative Measures

Thomas Pringle

46. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the total number of persons currently eligible to serve on section 29 appeals panels (of the Education Act 1998); the nature of their appointment; the eligibility for appointment; their term of office; whether such appointments are publicly advertised and the relevant fees/expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26434/24]

Trade Unions

Michael Healy-Rae

47. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a proposal by a teachers' union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26437/24]

Trade Unions

Michael Healy-Rae

48. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a proposal by a teachers' union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26438/24]

Irish Language

Michael Healy-Rae

49. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will consider a proposal by a teachers' union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26439/24]

Trade Unions

Michael Healy-Rae

50. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if a new gaelcholáiste will be opened in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26440/24]

Schools Building Projects

James O'Connor

51. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on an emergency works application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26524/24]

State Bodies

Paul Donnelly

52. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of requests her Department has received from Tourism Ireland seeking approval to recruit additional staff in 2023 and to date in 2024; and of the number of requests received, the number that were approved or pending in each of those years in question, in tabular form. [26329/24]

Sports Facilities

Paul Donnelly

53. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of capital funding Sport Ireland has put into a facility (details supplied) in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the nature of capital works projects carried out, in tabular form. [26330/24]

Sports Organisations

Darren O'Rourke

54. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next meeting with the Sport Ireland CEO is scheduled. [26483/24]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Brendan Griffin

55. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she became aware of a consideration before the RTÉ board concerning a proposed severance package for a senior member of staff, as revealed at the Oireachtas Media Committee meeting of 12 June 2024; if she is aware of the amount involved; her views on whether this expenditure would be excessive and unwarranted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26486/24]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Brendan Griffin

56. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she most recently met the chairman of RTÉ to discuss severance-related matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26487/24]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Brendan Griffin

57. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the dates on which she has met the new chairman of RTÉ; if she will clarify the agenda for each of these meetings; if severance payment-related matters were discussed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26488/24]

Derelict Sites

Cian O'Callaghan

58. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if all local authorities have furnished the details on the total number of derelict properties currently on their registers; the number of actions and fines issued under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 for each respective local authority; the changes he will make based on this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26669/24]

Derelict Sites

Steven Matthews

59. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the number of properties that are on the derelict sites register in each local authority area; the amount that was levied and collected within each local authority area in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/24]

Planning Issues

Steven Matthews

60. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the number of notifications of change of use from commercial use to residential use issued to planning authorities under Regulation S.I. No. 75/2022 - Planning and Development Act (Exempted Development) Regulations 2022, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26355/24]

Planning Issues

Pauline Tully

61. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any disability-proofing took place in regard to the Planning and Development Bill 2023, as required under article 4 (3) of the UNCRPD, to ensure that the built environment is fit for all residents for the foreseeable future. [26368/24]

Traveller Accommodation

Bríd Smith

62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the PSEHRD assessment his Department has undertaken regarding reported difficulties by Travellers to open housing applications and retain open application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26399/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Thomas Pringle

63. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons registered on the electoral register in each local authority area; and the number of persons who were added to the electoral register via the supplementary register for each local authority area for the recent local and European elections, in tabular form. [26435/24]

Electoral Process

Niall Collins

64. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to calculate the amount payable to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26436/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Darren O'Rourke

65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost to recruit thirty additional WTE conservation rangers for the NPWS. [26481/24]

Special Areas of Conservation

Brendan Griffin

66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a small area on the boundary of a special protection area in County Kerry (details supplied) will be removed given its insignificance due to its size and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26489/24]

Local Authorities

Mairéad Farrell

67. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in line with his obligations under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 2001, he will provide a breakdown of the number of employees by local authority who were qualified in 2023 under architectural services, building surveyor services and engineering services, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26503/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Thomas Pringle

68. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision will be expedited on an appeal for a supplementary allowance payment and a decision on a carer’s allowance review (details supplied). [26333/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Healy-Rae

69. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26365/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul Kehoe

70. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration can be given to include a service (details supplied) under the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26373/24]

State Pensions

Richard Boyd Barrett

71. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is the case that currently, to receive the full State pension (contributory), a person requires 980 A1 stamps, equivalent to 20 years full-time work, but that as of 2034 (that is, those born after 1 January 1968), the requirement will increase to 2,100 A1 stamps, equivalent to 45 years full-time work; the rationale for such a change; if this change will affect all workers/pensioners, regardless of their income while working, or will affect people differently depending on their incomes while working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26392/24]

State Pensions

Cathal Crowe

72. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider changing the rules to allow stamps paid before marriage be taken into account for the State pension (contributory) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26397/24]

Gender Recognition

Patrick Costello

73. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 11 June 2024, for an update on the implementation of recommendation 6A of the 2018 Review of the Gender Recognition Act 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26400/24]