Parliamentary questions

Business Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment why premises whose rates valuation was revised in the past year and increased as a result, as part of the national rates revision that this ongoing, are not eligible for a grant of 50% of the new rate this year subject to the other criteria appertaining to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18643/24]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

205. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether a remote area grant is payable to the parent(s) of a student where the school bus pick up point is more than 4.8km from their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18638/24]

School Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of schools with a principal and two mainstream teachers, which based on enrolment figures of September 2023 are due to lose a teacher for the 2024/2025 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with one a principal and one mainstream teacher that are due to gain a teacher based on enrolment figures of September 2023, based on the present teacher pupil schedule in their school; whether it is intended to change this schedule this year for smaller schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18640/24]

Disadvantaged Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to review the decision not to grant DEIS status to a school (details supplied), given that this is a recently amalgamated school where one component of the new amalgamated school had DEIS status previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18642/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the NPWS branch of his Department applies for and receives any annual grants or Common Agricultural Payments on State owned land from the Department of Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/24]

Departmental Contracts

Éamon Ó Cuív

223. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money being paid by her Department to private bus companies under contracts for the free travel scheme; the reason these companies are not precluded from charging a booking fee on scheduled services and particularly on services where the buses are often forced to refuse passengers due to being at capacity, thus forcing people who need to ensure they get on the bus to pay the booking fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18646/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a call for applications for section 39 funding for organisations will next be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/24]

Hospital Overcrowding

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to ensure there are a sufficient number of beds available in Galway University Hospital to meet demand, particularly as cancer treatments have been delayed as a result of a lack of beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18641/24]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists in Galway city and county treating patients under the medical card scheme; the number of these accepting new patients at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18645/24]

Psychological Assessments

Éamon Ó Cuív

342. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health why there is no dedicated adult ADHD team operating in Galway who carry out assessments of people suffering from ADHD; whether his Department have received an application from the HSE that such a service would be provided in GUH; the response to such an application, if any, from the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18651/24]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

359. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of valid applications received under the new build module set up to deliver new-build community centres in Rural Ireland under the Community Centre Investment Fund; the number of these granted funding to date; whether the applications not funded under this round of funding will be considered for funding under further funding rounds of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18625/24]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the scoring system that was applied to the evaluation of applications under the new build module set up to deliver new-build community centres in rural Ireland under the Community Centre Investment Fund; if unsuccessful applications will be debriefed on the score their application achieved and the lowest score of any successful application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18626/24]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

361. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil iarratas faighte ag a Roinn ó Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe le staidéar chun dáta a dhéanamh ar na riachtannais calaíochta in Inis Meáin; cén plé atá ar bun idir a Roinn agus an Chomhairle Contae faoi seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [18639/24]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the progress made in discussions with the British government in relation to implementing the recommendation of the Independent Reporting Commission regarding appointing an independent person to explore what a process of engagement and group transition might look like; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17766/24]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Éamon Ó Cuív

29. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the discussions she has had with the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland since the reappointment of the Executive there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17767/24]

Coastal Erosion

Éamon Ó Cuív

76. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date with the survey of coastal erosion damage on Inishbofin Island; when a decision will be made on funding necessary works there, including the reinstatement of Roisin Pier (east end); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17768/24]

Flood Risk Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

87. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the criteria in terms of cost benefit used to assess flood mitigation works in areas subject to coastal flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17769/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17813/24]

Public Sector Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason interviews for a position (details supplied) which is to be located in Galway and where all the applicants come from the region, are being held in Dublin, thus adding unnecessarily to the national carbon footprint and causing cost and inconvenience to the applicants and most interview panel members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17943/24]

Water Fluoridation

Éamon Ó Cuív

377. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is the policy of his Department that all public water schemes are fluoridated; if not, the schemes that have fluoridation and those that do not, respectively; the total cost of fluoridating water; the amount of this cost borne by the Exchequer by way of grant to Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17917/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

411. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for carer’s allowance submitted on 15 February 2024 (details supplied) in respect of a person caring for an individual who is terminally ill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17699/24]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in relation to a felling licence application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway, given observations from both the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland were submitted to his Department over a month and a half ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17901/24]

Health Strategies

Éamon Ó Cuív

631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a “Diabetes Taskforce” of relevant stakeholders will be set up to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/24]

Hospital Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

632. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when multidisciplinary diabetes team members consisting of consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, diabetes nurse specialists, dietitians, psychologists for both a paediatric diabetes clinic, and an adult diabetes clinic will be set up in each region as recommended; the number of hospital-based diabetes clinics that meet these standards at present and their location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17732/24]

Pleanáil Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

18. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media cé na pleananna nua atá aici agus na beartais nua atá i gceist aici a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta don tréimhse atá fágtha i dtéarma an Rialtais seo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16942/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

36. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cathain atá sé i gceist aici an bille leasaithe ar Údarás na Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16941/24]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of schools with three mainstream teachers that, based on the enrolment figures of September 2023, are due to lose a teacher for the 2024-25 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with two mainstream teachers that, based on the enrolment figures of September 2024 are due to gain a teacher based on the present teacher-pupil schedule in their school; whether, in view of the data available, she intends adjusting the pupil-teacher ratio downwards for the 2024-25 school year to ensure rural schools can continue to provide a high level of education in their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16976/24]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her plans to improve the school transport system for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16977/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the issuing of said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16714/24]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date by his Department in the replacement by the OPW of a structure that comes under its remit (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16179/24]

Vacant Properties

Éamon Ó Cuív

32. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when statistics for the vacant homes grant for quarter 4 of 2023 and quarter 1 of 2024 will be published; whether he is satisfied with the uptake of the grant to date, including the number of applications, the number of approvals and the number of grants paid; if he has any proposals to improve the terms of the scheme or its administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15306/24]

Water Supply

Éamon Ó Cuív

59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he would consider introducing a scheme to bring a public water supply to all houses and businesses in the country, similar to the national broadband scheme for broadband, in view of the fact that approximately 10% of all households depend on private supplies of water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15307/24]

Oideachas Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

126. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nár ceadaíodh iarratas ar mhúinteoir/Chúntóir Riachtanais Speisialta (CRS) a shannadh do rang speisialta i scoil (sonrai tugtha) le freastal ar pháiste a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta air, atá ag freastal ar Scoil Ghaeltachta agus atá i dteideal na ndeiseanna céanna oideachais a fhaigheann gach páiste eile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15871/24]

School Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when approval will be given for emergency works at a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay with this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15873/24]

School Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

128. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made to date with processing payment of a grant to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15874/24]

Pleanáil Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

130. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán líon na mBailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta atá ainmnithe go dtí seo agus ainm gach baile acu sin; an líon acu atá sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15869/24]

Sports Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on an application under the Sports Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15875/24]

Sports Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on an application under the Sports Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15876/24]

Pleanáil Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

133. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán líon na mbailte sa nGaeltacht a bhfuil daonra os cionn 1,000 duine iontu; ainm gach baile acu sin, an bhfuil i gceist aici leasú a dhéanamh ar an Acht cuí chun an bundaonra sin a laghdú ionas go bhféadfaí bailte ar nós na Ceathrún Rua a ainmniú mar Bhailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15879/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Éamon Ó Cuív

271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made on works at the Cappahoosh Trail near Doie Iorrais Bridge funded by her Department, which was to include the upgrade of a mountain bike trail and the replacement of two bridges and which she turned the sod on 30 July 2021; the amount of money allocated to this project and the funding expended on it to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15872/24]

United Nations

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the process of consultation he intends following in considering whether Ireland should change the “Triple Lock” arrangement in relation to sending troops on missions abroad; whether at present UN sanction for a mission can only be given if there is unanimity amongst the members of the Security Council or if there is another route involving both the Security Council and the General Assembly not requiring unanimity on the Security Council; the efforts Ireland has made to get agreement for a change in the protocols to be followed in approving missions by the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13665/24]

Defence Forces

Éamon Ó Cuív

134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of troops serving at present on UN approved missions; the number of UN approved missions worldwide that Ireland does not have troops involved in due to lack of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13666/24]

Driver Licences

Éamon Ó Cuív

249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the NDLS office in Galway was closed on Saturday, 23 March 2024, despite appointments having been made for that date; the arrangements made to facilitate the customers let down, with other appointments; the frequency that scheduled appointments did not take place at NDLS offices around the country in the past year because offices were not open at the appointed times; the steps he intends taking to ensure that NDLS provides a better service to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15238/24]

Public Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

267. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when the draft revised transport strategy for Galway will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15365/24]

School Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

461. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the provision of extra accommodation will be approved for a school in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in making a decision on the school’s application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14329/24]

Commercial Rates

Éamon Ó Cuív

600. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the way that the rates valuation on islands are calculated in view of the lack of public services on the islands in the form of sewerage, footpaths, street lighting, waste collection services etc. and the extra cost of doing business on an offshore island and also to stimulate business on the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13664/24]

Planning Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

686. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the percentage of planning appeals decided within four months which is the statutory objective under the current law; whether it is intended to provide further resources urgently to An bord Pleanála to ensure that this objective is achieved in the vast majority of all appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/24]

Employment Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

746. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a pay claim by RSS and TÚS supervisors that was lodged with the Department some time ago; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14069/24]

Employment Support Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

808. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if all Ukrainian refugees who sought protection here and are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance are required to engage with Intreo in relation to seeking work, be available for work, and engage with activation services under the same conditions as all other JSA recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15309/24]

Social Welfare Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

809. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the checks that are in place to ensure all recipients of jobseeker’s allowance, including Ukrainian refugees, are still resident in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15310/24]