Parliamentary questions

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

68. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25667/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

69. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25685/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Louise O'Reilly

70. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 249 and 258 of 23 January 2024, the current percentage of Irish SMEs that export services; if exporting by SMEs has increased, decreased, or remained the static since this Government came to office; if his Department has a target to increase SME exporting; if so, the target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25735/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Louise O'Reilly

71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 249 and 258 of 23 January 2024, to provide an update on the percentage of Irish SMEs currently exporting services and the domestic value added in Irish service exports from SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25736/24]

School Enrolments

Bernard Durkan

72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that school places will be provided to children (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25622/24]

School Enrolments

Paul Murphy

73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will request that a reason is provided explaining why a child was not accepted as a pupil at a school (details supplied); and the reason the newly built section is not being used to allow for a bigger capacity for pupils, given that there are waiting lists for entry. [25628/24]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

74. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision not to provide an additional ASD class at a school (details supplied), despite the school having been contacted by her Department in March asking if the school was interested in opening an additional class to cater for pupils in the school in need of ASD support, some of whom have now been advised to transfer to a school some distance outside of the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25632/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pádraig O'Sullivan

75. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will engage with the NCSE regarding the sanctioning of a special class at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25640/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

76. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the Project Boyne school building initiative; how this bundle is being progressed; if it is to be split, how that will proceed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25641/24]

Special Educational Needs

Louise O'Reilly

77. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools who agreed to open special classes in modular units for the school year starting September 2024; the number of these schools who had their request rejected by the Department; in tabular form by school name and county. [25651/24]

Special Educational Needs

Louise O'Reilly

78. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of secondary schools who agreed to open special classes in modular units for the school year starting September 2024; the number of these schools who had their request rejected by the Department; in tabular form by school name and county. [25652/24]

Special Educational Needs

Louise O'Reilly

79. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if her Department rejected the opening of a special class in a modular unit at a school (details supplied), citing that the area did not have the numbers for additional classes; how this decision was arrived at given the level of need which exists in the Swords area, and given that Fingal is the fastest growing area in Ireland. [25653/24]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Ring

80. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education the up to date position with applications for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25658/24]

Special Educational Needs

Bernard Durkan

81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a dedicated SNA can be assigned to the child of a person (details supplied), given the combination of her autism diagnosis with her intellectual disability diagnosis are giving rise to extremely difficult in-school circumstances; the procedure to apply for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25660/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25666/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

83. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25684/24]

Special Educational Needs

Denis Naughten

84. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education if she will review the decision to withdraw five hours of special education teaching from a school (details supplied); the basis for this withdrawal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25699/24]

Grant Payments

Michael Healy-Rae

85. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25708/24]

School Transport

Bernard Durkan

86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if all is in order with the school transport application of the children of a person (details supplied); when confirmation of a bus ticket will be forthcoming for the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25710/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sean Fleming

87. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education when the circular on the allocation of special needs assistants for the coming school year will be published in order that each school will know which pupils with special needs they can enrol as they are waiting on the circular for clarification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25720/24]

School Accommodation

James O'Connor

88. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the position regarding two external works scheme applications for a school (details supplied); if every effort can be made to ensure that decisions are returned on both applications at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that the approved ASD class can be facilitated following completion of necessary health and safety works and to ensure that efforts can commence on reconfiguring a space into a sensory room for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25722/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

89. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, in relation to the summer programme, of the number of children in each of the primary inclusion scheme, post-primary inclusion scheme and special school scheme respectively in 2023 and expected in 2024, in tabular form. [25726/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

90. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of increasing the rate of payment for the primary inclusion scheme and the post-primary inclusion scheme from €30 to €45 per week. [25727/24]

Special Educational Needs

Sorca Clarke

91. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the number of children who availed of the home-based summer programme in 2023 and expected to avail of it in 2024; and the number of children who were eligible for the programme in each of these years. [25728/24]

School Accommodation

Richard Bruton

92. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if an application has been made by a school (details supplied) for redevelopment of its school hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25729/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Cian O'Callaghan

93. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will look at a case (details supplied) whereby a teacher cannot register for route 1 primary teaching due to a delay in receiving their QTS, despite having worked at primary level since January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25764/24]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Cian O'Callaghan

94. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a future Teaching Council CAR system; if the scheme will be re-opened to allow teachers to complete their induction here in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25765/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

95. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if she or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25679/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

96. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25697/24]

Water Services

Patrick Costello

97. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where an end-of-terrace property is derelict but the water mains pipework on the derelict site is damaged and affecting the water supply for a row of terrace properties, what the appropriate avenue is for maintenance to be carried out, given Uisce Éireann has no jurisdiction over pipework on private property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25625/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

98. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25673/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25691/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Frankie Feighan

100. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cross-border or shared island initiatives currently being progressed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25723/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Frankie Feighan

101. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the Ulster canal project; how many phases of the project have been completed to date; the total spend on each phase of the project to date; the total amount committed by Government for the next phase of the project; if negotiations with landowners have started in respect of future phases of the project; the expected completion date for the overall project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25725/24]

Tourism Industry

Cian O'Callaghan

102. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if traditional bed and breakfasts (details supplied) will be impacted by the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25773/24]

Housing Policy

Violet-Anne Wynne

103. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the national rightsizing policy; when his Department plans to have that published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25779/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Paul Kehoe

104. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied); when a decision will issue from the appeals office following an oral hearing in January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25661/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

105. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if she or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25677/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25695/24]

Victim Support Services

Seán Haughey

107. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will amend current legislation as a matter of urgency to ensure that a victim of a serious assault has the right to information about the release date of their convicted attacker in circumstances where the attacker is being detained in the Central Mental Hospital for a different crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25647/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

108. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if she or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25674/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25692/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for EUTR1 application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25701/24]

Victim Support Services

Cian O'Callaghan

111. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has made any progress in relation to a situation (details supplied) where a victim of a crime has not been given the release date of the convicted person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25762/24]

An Garda Síochána

Violet-Anne Wynne

112. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of elder abuse; if there are data collated by an Garda Síochána in respect of incidents reported of elder abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25781/24]

Domestic Violence

Violet-Anne Wynne

113. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 522 of 16 April 2024, when a response will issue to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25782/24]

Agriculture Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

114. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a licence required from his Department for the selling of vermicast (the processing of organic wastes through earthworms) in Ireland; what is being done by the Department to promote this industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25654/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

115. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25663/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

116. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25681/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Ring

117. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the low-emissions slurry spreading scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) given that their payment claim was submitted several months ago and the delay is causing undue financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25721/24]

Health Services

Seán Crowe

118. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the options available to the family of a person (details supplied) who requires urgent access to a dietician when there is currently none in post for the CHO7 area. [25650/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

119. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25664/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

120. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25682/24]

Direct Provision System

Eoin Ó Broin

121. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many letters have been issued to date to people with status/leave to remain in direct provision centres giving them dates by which they would have to leave the direct provision centre or be moved to another centre; the criteria for issuing such letters; the number of people who have been moved on foot of these letters; to provide a breakdown of these moves, including information on from where; and the location to which they have been moved. [25734/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Pa Daly

122. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any further plans to audit emergency accommodation beds to identify vacancy after the audit carried out in mid-March of this year. [25749/24]

International Protection

Pa Daly

123. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the spread of the 13,000 bed capacity among Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres in the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants. [25750/24]

Home Help Service

Violet-Anne Wynne

124. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1168 of 9 April 2024, the reason only two additional hours were granted for the person; the reason the additional two hours had to be organised as one additional hour on two separate days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25775/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Violet-Anne Wynne

125. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the delay for a person (details supplied) in accessing an assessment of needs and how this is vitally important in order to enrol in school and receive speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/24]

Disability Services

Violet-Anne Wynne

126. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of security and safety technology that can be provided to age-friendly persons; if there is a mechanism in place currently for people with disabilities to enable them to live independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25778/24]

Disability Services

Violet-Anne Wynne

127. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether dialectical behaviour therapy can now be accessed by persons in Clare; to confirm if it is a pilot scheme; how many places will be available for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25774/24]

Hospital Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of job vacancies in Kerry University Hospital as a result of the HSE recruitment freeze (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25620/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Healy-Rae

129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on a home help application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25629/24]

Disease Management

Róisín Shortall

130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to expanding access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to those with type 2 diabetes under the long-term illness scheme, given that they can help prevent the deterioration of the condition, support nutrition and influence lifestyle behaviours; the reason a request by the national clinical programme for diabetes for a health technology assessment for CGM for people with type 2 diabetes was refused by HIQA; if the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics is considering making CGM available to all based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25633/24]

Health Service Executive

Pádraig O'Sullivan

131. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with a group (details supplied) regarding the use of a building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25639/24]

Dental Services

Róisín Shortall

132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the consideration been given to alternative pathways to registration for non-EAA dentists on Stamp 4 permits (details supplied); the consideration been given to a new process for recognition of qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25642/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

133. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the recommended equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25643/24]

Health Services Staff

Seán Crowe

134. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if they are aware of the lack of dietitians in the CHO7 area; if they will make allowances under the ongoing recruitment embargo to fill specialist posts such as this, particularly where there are no posts filled; the alternatives available to individuals who require diagnosis and treatment by a dietitian in the CHO7 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

135. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25690/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25704/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25705/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

139. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25709/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Denis Naughten

140. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25732/24]

Medicinal Products

Patricia Ryan

141. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health when the 1,500 people living with lupus in Ireland can expect to be given access to belimumab and anifrolumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus when the 1,500 people living with lupus in Ireland can expect to be given access to belimumab and anifrolumab for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25738/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

142. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to address the delay in issuing an appointment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25755/24]

Health Service Executive

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

143. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will recognise plantar fasciitis as an occupational injury (details supplied). [25756/24]

Health Services Staff

Violet-Anne Wynne

144. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health to confirm if the recruitment process for the MW dual diagnosis team has been completed; if all refurbishments have been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25777/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

145. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if he or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25671/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

146. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department and each body and agency under the remit of his Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25689/24]

EU Meetings

Denis Naughten

147. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of her Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually and the corresponding number held in person; if she or his predecessor attended each meeting, or a Minister of State or ambassador represented the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25676/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Denis Naughten

148. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department and each body and agency under the remit of her Department has achieved the Government-mandated public sector remote working target of 20%; when this was achieved in each instance; the current percentage of staff working remotely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25694/24]

Control of Dogs

Cian O'Callaghan

149. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any progress update from the high-level stakeholder group on dog control given the recent increase in dog attacks; if this group is due to write a report on the issue of dog attacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25763/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

David Stanton

1. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of cases currently being considered by the social welfare appeals office, in tabular form; the longest waiting times under each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25415/24]

Citizens Information Services

Pauline Tully

2. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to put adequate funding in place to ensure that the business case submitted to the Citizens' Information Board by the National Advocacy Service in relation to pay, grades and other conditions, on foot of a Labour Court recommendation, is undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25425/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

3. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent, if any, to which improvements might be made in respect of various social welfare payments which currently might fall short of an equality with other recipients of payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25394/24]

Social Insurance

Paul Murphy

4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will support withdrawing the planned increases to employees' PRSI and increasing employers' PRSI towards European levels instead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25407/24]

State Pensions

Violet-Anne Wynne

5. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that foster caring for children with additional complex needs does not qualify one for full pension support, even in cases where Tusla has advised these carers they need to be on call 24-7 to support the child's medical needs and therefore one carer per household should not rejoin the workforce (details supplied); if she has liaised with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this matter, as that Department's Minister promised in Question No. 1347 of 17 January 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Ruairí Ó Murchú

6. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times at the Social Welfare Appeals Office; if additional resources will be allocated to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25416/24]

Community Employment Schemes

Richard Bruton

7. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community employment scheme has been subject to programme evaluation; if there are plans for its evolution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25413/24]

School Meals Programme

Violet-Anne Wynne

8. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the hot school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25423/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase social welfare rates in budget 2025 in order that no one is living below the poverty line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25409/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

David Stanton

10. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, with reference to section 317 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, the number of revisions carried out under the section in each respective year from 2021 to 2023 inclusive; the number of these revisions that resulted in a changed decision; the number of revisions currently being considered under the section; of these, the longest waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25414/24]

School Meals Programme

Paul Murphy

11. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expand the free school meals programme to all schools from September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25410/24]

Disability Services

Catherine Connolly

12. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 25 April 2024, her plans to reconsider the introduction of a cost-of-disability payment; the details of her or her Department's engagement with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on this matter since the scrapping of the Green Paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25427/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she expects to examine the possibility of allowing pro rata pensions for those that currently have insufficient contributions to qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25393/24]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

23. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in his Department during the period 2021 to date; the content of such training and presentations; the provider of any such training and presentations and the costs incurred for each event; and if attendance at such training and presentations is mandatory or voluntary for staff. [24678/24]

Labour Market

Leo Varadkar

24. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach to provide the most up to date numbers on employment levels in the hospitality sector and whether there is any evidence of reduced hours or net job losses [25147/24]

Labour Market

Leo Varadkar

25. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach to provide the most up to date numbers on employment levels in the retail sector and whether there is any evidence of new job losses or reduced hours [25148/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Leo Varadkar

26. Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Taoiseach the number of PPS numbers issued to Ukrainian adult and children beneficiaries of temporary protection and to estimate how many of these are still active [25151/24]

Departmental Contracts

Catherine Murphy

27. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a schedule of all contracts they have and/or had with a company in the past 25 years to date (details supplied); the agreed contract cost; the ultimate contract cost including extras, design changes, conciliation, claims etc; project name/title; and the name of the body responsible for the delivery of projects where responsibility has been devolved. [25483/24]