Parliamentary questions

Traffic Management

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his future plans to combat the daily traffic congestion on the M4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13458/24]

Transport Policy

Bernard Durkan

173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has studied the weakest links in the transport system nationally; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13459/24]

Road Network

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which his Department continues to evaluate the transport system, road and rail, public and private to ensure the development of efficient and effective transport in all areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/24]

Transport Costs

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to have discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to ensuring that transport costs here are competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13461/24]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently intervene to ensure the reintroduction of the 20/X20 route by Bus Éireann in view of the recent withdrawal of the services of a company (details supplied) on the Galway – Dublin route. [13493/24]

Public Transport

Richard Bruton

177. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number, location and capacity of local link transport services; and his plans to grow this service. [13533/24]

Transport Policy

Richard Bruton

178. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the possibility of creating a digital platform for people living in isolated areas where public service transport is not feasible to access rides either by volunteers or on a cost covering basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13534/24]

Road Network

Richard Bruton

179. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the adequacy of the funding for regional and local roads in 2024; how it compares with last year; how need is measured; what measure he uses to establish relative need in different counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13546/24]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

180. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if actively farmed farmland will be exempted from the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13509/24]

Fiscal Policy

Neasa Hourigan

181. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure the Irish Strategic Investment Fund divests itself of holdings in companies currently listed on the UN database of businesses operating within the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/24]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

182. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 7 February 2024, when a response will issue; the number of times he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [13390/24]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to protect customers from the actions of vulture funds, particularly homeowners whose mortgages are with such entities; his views on the need to ensure adequate access for such mortgage holders to greater protections through statutory agencies; if he proposes to implement additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13542/24]

Financial Services

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to introduce additional measures to assist mortgage holders who are under financial pressures due to increased interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13543/24]

Tax Code

Richard Bruton

185. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that “community gain” allocations under the process for developing renewal energy projects, is subject to income tax; and if he would consider altering its tax status or allowing a tax free amount, in order that it could become of greater value to the communities affected by these essential infrastructures for a net-zero world. [13548/24]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 2024 of not proceeding with scheduled increases in excise duty on petrol and diesel on 1 April 2024, 1 August 2024 and 9 October 2024. [13556/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Richard Bruton

187. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of people who now have a public service or State body pension; and his projection for this number for 2030 and for 2040. [13521/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Richard Bruton

188. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated proportion of income which would be necessary to set aside during each working year of a typical public servant in order to create an adequate actuarial fund to pay the prospective public service pension. [13522/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Richard Bruton

189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the size of the fund that would be needed at retirement age to pay a prospective public service pension of €20,000 per year. [13523/24]

Office of Public Works

Alan Kelly

190. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of OPW WTE staff, by job title, which are based in the Rock of Cashel; and if this number will be further increased during the peak tourism season. [13346/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 182 to 184 of 17 October 2023, to provide further details on the non-core capital expenditure above the additional capital from windfall receipts outlined in the summer economic statement; if is all Exchequer expenditure; the Department allocated the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13426/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the non-Exchequer State expenditure on capital since 2021; projections into the future, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13427/24]

Employment Rights

Seán Canney

193. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what supports are in place for employees who are owed wages and holiday pay from an employer who has closed down its business and is no longer contactable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/24]

Work Permits

Brendan Smith

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, there are to improve the visa criteria for the farming and agri-food sector, in view of the shortage of workers in some areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Brendan Smith

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when additional financial provision will be introduced to assist local authorities, particularly those councils with a small rates base, to develop enterprise centres, as such workspaces are of extreme importance in enabling the establishment and growth of small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 8 September 2022, the progress that has been made on the review of the eligibility for the insolvency payment scheme to date; the anticipated timeframe in finding a solution to this long-running saga (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on incorporating electric vehicles and other low-emission vehicles into the school transport fleet in accordance with the Phase 2, p11, Climate Action Plan 2021 of the review of the school transport scheme; to provide projected timelines and targets for the expansion of low-emission vehicles within the fleet, in tabular form; the total cost of the incorporating EVs and low-emissions vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13294/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

198. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a breakdown of the total current cost to meet Climate Action Plan 2021 and National Mobility Policy, as outlined in Phase 2 of the school transport scheme, in each of the school years 2024/2025 to 2029/2030, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13295/24]

School Transport

Sorca Clarke

199. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to provide a summary of projects or initiatives planned collaborations between the school transport scheme and the Connecting Ireland bus programme; to provide a summary of projects or initiatives planned with timelines and expected outcomes; to provide a breakdown of these collaborations in each of the school years 2024/2205 to 2029/2030, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13296/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education further to Topical Issue debate on 20 February 2024, when construction will commence on a new school building at a school in County Meath (details supplied); when the school will be notified with an update; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13350/24]

School Enrolments

Marian Harkin

201. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education given the shortage of school places for first years in Athenry, County Galway, what are her Departments plans to provide for additional places for first years in Athenry so that no incoming first year is without a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13367/24]

School Enrolments

Catherine Murphy

202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide the capacity for intake of first year students at second level schools in Maynooth, Celbridge, Leixlip, Clane, Naas and Prosperous for the year 2023/2024, in tabular form; and the number on each respective waiting list of same, in tabular form. [13368/24]

School Accommodation

Ged Nash

203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if land reportedly donated by an organisation (details supplied) to a school has been formally transferred to the school; if planning permission has been sought for a playground for the school on that land; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13377/24]

Special Educational Needs

Eoin Ó Broin

204. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the efforts being made by her Department to ensure a place in a reading school is available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13381/24]

School Admissions

Bernard Durkan

205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which it is possible for a child (details supplied) to obtain a school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13421/24]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when measures will be put in place to bring about the early completion of the new replacement school (details supplied); if steps will be taken in this regard as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13423/24]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Murphy

207. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the date on which a letter of intent to start work at a school will issue; and the reason for the delay in issuing same. [13431/24]

School Accommodation

Seán Canney

208. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made in the review of the tender report for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied); when will the review be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13463/24]

School Transport

Seán Canney

209. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 22 February 2024, if she will provide the information requested for 2005 to 2015 of net surplus cash derived from the School Transport by Bus Eireann as categorised in the accounts for each of these years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13464/24]

Special Educational Needs

James O'Connor

210. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding an expression of interest to her Department by a school (details supplied) in establishing an ASD unit; if she will address the matters raised in correspondence supplied by the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13473/24]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Murphy

211. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education when she expects the letter of intent to be signed for the last phase of a school (details supplied); when the contractor will be on site; when the school will be available for use; if there are any impediments to signing the letter of intent; if so, if she will outline these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13475/24]

Schools Building Projects

Cian O'Callaghan

212. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a case (details supplied); when her Department will issue a decision to the school in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13513/24]

School Accommodation

James O'Connor

213. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding an additional accommodation scheme application lodged by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13515/24]

Irish Language

Thomas Gould

214. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for further clarification on the governance issues that were not resolved previously referenced in her Parliamentary Question response No. 352 of 5 March 2024, and whether she is aware that the organisation have not been provided with these details. [13366/24]

Official Engagements

Paul Murphy

215. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will withdraw from attending a festival (details supplied) and make a statement which represents and supports the views of Irish artists; if she will ensure that Culture Ireland honours the payments of travel and accommodation costs to the artists who have boycotted the event; and if she will instruct her Department to urgently seek a statement from Culture Ireland, and/or her Department on this. [13412/24]

Social Media

Brendan Smith

216. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date in introducing measures to counteract misinformation, disinformation and abuse on social media platforms; if additional measures are proposed, when same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13491/24]

Universal Basic Income

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number in receipt of the artists’ basic income scheme; if the workings of this scheme have been reviewed; the proposals, if any, there are to extend this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13492/24]

Parking Provision

David Stanton

218. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department or any agency under the aegis of her Department supports local authorities to develop overnight pull-in parking facilities for motor homes and campervans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13499/24]

Swimming Pools

Richard Bruton

219. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the damage suffered to a swimming pool (details supplied); if he is considering setting aside a special fund to support swimming pools in forthcoming capital allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13547/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Eoin Ó Broin

220. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the final outturn of expenditure for Vote 34 for 2023, with a breakdown by each sub heading and individual spending programme within each sub head, in tabular from. [13298/24]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Seán Haughey

221. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the deliberations to date of the oversight group established by his Department in association with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive to advise on recent developments in a homeless charity (details supplied); if the review undertaken by a company of this organisation has concluded; if he is aware that several contractors employed by this organisation which are owed a substantial amount of money have not been paid to date; if he will endeavour to assist these contractors; if the organisation has complied with the conditions specified for receipt of emergency Government funding; if further emergency funding will be provided to this organisation; how much money has been given to this organisation by his Department in total since its foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13299/24]