Parliamentary questions

Rural Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline, in relation to the local improvement scheme, the amount of funding available for County Meath under the scheme; the initiatives taking place in County Meath; if she plans to increase funding available to County Meath under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20810/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline, in relation to internships, apprenticeships and graduate schemes run by her Department, the places that are available in County Meath; the number filled in County Meath; if there are plans to increase same; the length of any waiting list for places in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20811/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on the measures/initiatives his Department is taking to support less-developed countries with climate change mitigation and adaptation; the progress that has been made to scale up climate financing through existing channels; the new funding initiatives planned and/or underway; the plans to enhance reporting on the gender responsiveness of Ireland's climate financing; if official 2023 figures have been submitted to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/24]

European Union

Darren O'Rourke

119. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the proposed reappointment of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, considering her interventions in respect of Israel's aggression against the people of Palestine. [20813/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Darren O'Rourke

64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Ambassador of Ireland based in Riyadh has met formally with the Saudi Foreign Minister to date in 2024. [20167/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

83. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the SEAI retrofitting schemes; to report to on the process through which a contractor is registered with the SEAI as part of their various retrofitting schemes; what the requirements are for contractors to become registered with the SEAI; what insurance and other documentation must they have; how often is this documentation rechecked; what responsibility does the SEAI take for works completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20553/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

84. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to the SEAI retrofitting schemes; to report on the process through which BERs are accessed pre-works per scheme; to report on the process through which BERs are assessed post-works per scheme; does the SEAI sign off on works completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20554/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

85. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to heat pump installations as part of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; if he is aware of instances where heat pumps are installed incorrectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20555/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in relation to heat pumps as part of the SEAI’s retrofitting scheme; the measures he is taking to ensure they are used correctly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20556/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the offshore renewable energy future framework policy statement; when he anticipates this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on targets for floating offshore wind off the west coast; to provide a breakdown of targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050; how this compares to targets in Scotland; how this compares to targets in Britain and the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/24]

Defence Forces

Darren O'Rourke

104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if a person in County Meath (details supplied) can be issued with the transcript of his testimony to the Independent Review Group into the Defence Forces; the process for applying for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20682/24]

Rail Network

Darren O'Rourke

109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if Iarnród Éireann will introduce new rapid security response hubs throughout 2024; and if so, the locations in which these new hubs will be operational, in tabular form. [20165/24]

Dublin Airport Authority

Darren O'Rourke

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if not, when his Department expects to receive same. [20166/24]

Tax Data

Darren O'Rourke

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the full-year cost of abolishing stamp duty on first-time house buyers where the value of the house is less than €400,000. [20155/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Darren O'Rourke

151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners staff, by grade, currently answering telephone calls on the Personal PAYE hotline. [20156/24]

Business Supports

Darren O'Rourke

181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the trading online voucher scheme can be used to help businesses migrate from a copper broadband connection to a fibre broadband connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/24]

School Funding

Darren O'Rourke

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all schools that were approved for capital investment of more than €1.5 million in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20158/24]

Departmental Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from the National Concert Hall; and if not, when her Department expects to receive same. [20159/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

300. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE medical officers working in her Department in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20157/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Darren O'Rourke

327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of section 317 appeals with the appeals office; the average and median time for a decision on section 317 appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20744/24]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

340. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of juvenile liaison officers, by rank, attached to the Meath Garda division as of 29 April 2024; and if she will provide same as of 1 January 2022, in tabular form. [20160/24]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

341. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda unmarked Garda cars and marked Garda vans that came into the fleet in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number of these types of vehicles withdrawn from the fleet during this period, in tabular form. [20161/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

357. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of community safety wardens appointed so far for Dublin city; and the number she believes will be the full complement. [20267/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Darren O'Rourke

399. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from Horse Racing Ireland; and if not, when his Department expects to receive same. [20164/24]

Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

486. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for genetic testing services for rare diseases in Ireland; and the measures the HSE is taking to improve access and speed of results for patients in need of genetic testing services. [20153/24]

Care of the Elderly

Darren O'Rourke

487. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE funds daycare centres within CHO 8 for older persons’ services that are opened on the weekends; and if so, the locations of same, in tabular form. [20154/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

493. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE funds adult disabilities day care centres within CHO8 that are opened on the weekends; and if so, the location of same, in tabular form. [20181/24]

Departmental Funding

Darren O'Rourke

494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to psycho-oncology services in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [20182/24]

Health Services Staff

Darren O'Rourke

495. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the impact of the recruitment embargo on cardiology services; the number of positions that cannot be filled; and if services have been affected. [20183/24]

Health Services Staff

Darren O'Rourke

549. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if there are particular restrictions on overtime for HSE carers for home help at this time compared to the restrictions which ordinarily apply; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20383/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

646. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the 2023 and 2024 budget allocation for near zero energy building training centres of excellence; and the amount of that budget that has been spent. [20162/24]

Further and Higher Education

Darren O'Rourke

647. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report and 2023 Audited Financial Statement from SOLAS; and if not, when his Department expects to receive same. [20163/24]

Eating Disorders

Darren O'Rourke

15. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will report on treatment for adults with eating disorders; how it was envisaged that 20 new beds would be provided with no new additional funding; if he is aware of the issues raised in a documentary (details supplied) that aired on 25 April 2024; how many children are on a waiting list for treatment for an eating disorder in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 in tabular form; how he plans to address these issues; how he plans to increase treatment services for children and adults with eating disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19725/24]

General Practitioner Services

Darren O'Rourke

43. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs currently practicing in Meath; the number of new GPs who have taken up work in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; if he plans to increase this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19726/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

270. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a response will issue to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 29 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19956/24]

Cabinet Committees

Darren O'Rourke

13. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [17709/24]

Cabinet Committees

Darren O'Rourke

14. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [17710/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if her Department has applied for an extension of the existing planning permission for a school (details supplied) in light of current delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19621/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education what contingency plans are in place for pupils in a school (details supplied) for the 2024/2025 school year in light of current delays with the anticipated new school building; if additional accommodation will be available; if this will be at the current site; if agreement has been reached with the local landlord in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19622/24]

State Pensions

Darren O'Rourke

182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the anomaly that some people with less contributions are receiving greater State pensions due to the method of calculation (details supplied); if she has assessed this anomaly; if she intends to address it, perhaps by moving away from the ‘first date of contribution’ criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19616/24]

Agriculture Industry

Darren O'Rourke

206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a service of general economic interest exists, or has ever existed, in relation to software for farm management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/24]

Agriculture Industry

Darren O'Rourke

207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if companies (details supplied) are now part of a national agtech service of general economic interest; if not, whether they have ever been part of one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19614/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown of the staff numbers and grade in each of the CDNTs in County Meath in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19187/24]

Child Protection

Darren O'Rourke

96. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the number of children deemed at risk who have not been allocated a social worker in County Meath in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed broken down, by scheme, to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19193/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of overall number of heat pumps installed to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19194/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the National Broadband Plan and its roll-out; if there will be further works in the Ashbourne LEA areas of Kentstown and Skryne; what plans there are to improve broadband access to those households who have not yet been covered by the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his Department’s preparations for the switch-off of copper based broad band services; the measures he is taking to ensure that all services have migrated to fibre based networks in advance of the switch off; the percentage of households currently still use copper based services; the percentage of businesses still use copper based services; the timeline for their migration to fibre based services; if he anticipates that all broadband service users will have access to fibre broadband services in advance of copper based switch off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19316/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on connectivity blackspots in terms of Ireland’s broadband network; the breakdown of postcodes that are not included in the national roll-out nor commercially available; his plans to address these blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/24]