Parliamentary questions

Road Network

Joe Flaherty

173. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to publish the preferred route corridor for the N4 Mullingar to Rooskey. [17740/24]

School Enrolments

Joe Flaherty

294. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the enrolment numbers at 30 March 2024 for all national schools in County Longford. [17592/24]

School Enrolments

Joe Flaherty

295. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the enrolment numbers at 30 March 2024 for all secondary schools in County Longford. [17593/24]

Grant Payments

Joe Flaherty

380. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that local authorities need greater discretion when deciding on the housing adaptation grant aid for elderly and disabled people given the increased rate of building inflation over the past two years; and if he agrees the grant amount should be increased by 50%. [17992/24]

Grant Payments

Joe Flaherty

381. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that the six-month timeframe allowed to carry out approved works under the housing adaptation grant scheme for the elderly and disabled is too tight; and if he agrees that it should be increased to 12 months in order to counter weather issues, availability of contractors and other issues. [17993/24]

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

72. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois, respectively, that have registered for the increased cost of business Grant to date; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16881/24]

Regional Development

Joe Flaherty

112. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the progress being made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16882/24]

Community Welfare Services

Joe Flaherty

82. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the return of community welfare offices to principal secondary towns in provincial Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16893/24]

Community Development Projects

Joe Flaherty

394. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects a decision and announcement on successful applications for this year’s community monuments fund. [16299/24]

Departmental Data

Joe Flaherty

502. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the number of Church of Ireland patronage national schools, by county. [14725/24]

Departmental Data

Joe Flaherty

503. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the number of Church of Ireland patronage national schools that have been funded for SEN capital development, by county, in tabular form; and the timeframe for the data would be most beneficial such as the past five or ten years. [14726/24]

Greyhound Industry

Joe Flaherty

996. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System as exported to Great Britain in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/24]

Greyhound Industry

Joe Flaherty

997. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how an Irish greyhound (details supplied) with total prize money of €82,755 is registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System following reports of his export to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/24]

School Facilities

Joe Flaherty

422. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education the status of plans for a new classroom and wheelchair accessible WC at a school (details supplied). [11977/24]

Visa Applications

Joe Flaherty

143. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the current processing times for de facto partnership visa applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11194/24]

Mental Health Services

Joe Flaherty

298. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a breakdown, by county of the number of schools that have been able to avail of supports as of 23 February 2024 under the pilot counselling in primary schools project. [10202/24]

Further and Higher Education

Joe Flaherty

39. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on plans for development of Longford Westmeath ETB further education campus in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8777/24]

Home Care Packages

Joe Flaherty

467. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will include functional neurological disorders in the home care support criteria nationwide (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/24]

Housing Provision

Joe Flaherty

73. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new houses completed in Longford in 2023; the number commenced; his expectations for 2024 with regard to construction activity in the residential sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6668/24]

Vacant Properties

Joe Flaherty

109. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant social homes returned to active use in Longford from 2020 to 2023; his expectations for same in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6669/24]

Disability Services

Joe Flaherty

536. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the need for a dedicated behaviour therapist for the CDNT in Longford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6313/24]

Industrial Development

Joe Flaherty

8. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/24]

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

73. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of Longford businesses that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; the discussions his Department has had with Longford County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5507/24]

Tax Reliefs

Joe Flaherty

113. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the tax incentives for the SME sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4442/24]

Tax Code

Joe Flaherty

140. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will be introducing new measures for the warehousing of tax debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4443/24]

Schools Building Projects

Joe Flaherty

293. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the approved plan for a new site and build for a school (details supplied). [4258/24]

Housing Schemes

Joe Flaherty

357. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have been issued with guidelines to enable them to assess croí cónaithe applications under the local authority mortgage scheme. [4259/24]

Septic Tanks

Joe Flaherty

358. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities have been issued with guidelines to enable them to implement the new and increased grant for replacement or update of septic tanks to the value of €15k. [4260/24]

Immigration Status

Joe Flaherty

402. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice for an update on a change of immigration application for a person (details supplied); and if there is a timeframe for which it might be processed and concluded. [3847/24]

Foreign Policy

Joe Flaherty

49. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is working to support the Republic of Moldova and Georgia in addressing the challenges they face as a consequence of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3213/24]

European Union

Joe Flaherty

66. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will remain one of the strongest advocates of Ukraine’s European path and if we will continue to support them along their journey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3214/24]

Irish Language

Joe Flaherty

117. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the reintroduction of the allowance for teachers in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools (details supplied). [3171/24]

Departmental Funding

Joe Flaherty

265. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new IT system for which tenders have been sought by a club (details supplied) will be funded, in total or in-part, from the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2112/24]

Tax Data

Joe Flaherty

360. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses that have availed of the debt warehousing scheme, by county; and the amounts owing, per county. [1486/24]

School Accommodation

Joe Flaherty

607. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the approved project for additional accommodation at a school (details supplied). [1237/24]

Housing Provision

Joe Flaherty

847. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social housing units by local authority and the total numbers of each nationalities tenanting these properties, in tabular form. [2006/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Joe Flaherty

873. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the carer’s benefit payment is not considered a qualifying payment for the household benefits package (details supplied). [56662/23]

Direct Provision System

Joe Flaherty

991. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the official status by group of the residents at the Richmond Street direct provision centre in County Longford as of 31 December 2023. [2039/24]

International Protection

Joe Flaherty

1447. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants accommodated in County Longford at 31 December 2023. [2034/24]

Ukraine War

Joe Flaherty

1448. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainians provided emergency accommodation in County Longford at 31 December 2023. [2035/24]

International Protection

Joe Flaherty

1449. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants in County Longford at 31 December 2023, by location, in tabular form. [2036/24]

Ukraine War

Joe Flaherty

1450. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainians in emergency accommodation in County Longford at 31 December 2023, by location, in tabular form. [2037/24]

Direct Provision System

Joe Flaherty

1451. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residents at the Richmond Street, DP centre in County Longford as of 31 December 2023. [2038/24]

Driver Test

Joe Flaherty

222. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason a driver (details supplied) has been left waiting 13 months to be called for his tractor driving test. [55075/23]

Customs and Excise

Joe Flaherty

248. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the removal of excise from HVO or hydrogenated vegetable oil fuel, given it has 90% reduced emissions and would be transformative if used in fleet operations especially. [54874/23]

Tax Code

Joe Flaherty

249. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a tapered carbon tax which would reward companies that are earnestly reducing their carbon footprint (details supplied). [54875/23]

School Transport

Joe Flaherty

320. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education when she intends to publish the findings of the review into the school transport programme. [54960/23]

School Transport

Joe Flaherty

321. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if, as part of the ongoing review of the school transport scheme, she will consider allowing the option of a third school for families living in rural Ireland. [54961/23]

Departmental Data

Joe Flaherty

578. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [55357/23]

Food Security

Joe Flaherty

194. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what action Ireland is taking with European partners in relation to Russia continuing to weaponise food and undermine global food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50059/23]

Ukraine War

Joe Flaherty

196. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what action Ireland is taking with European partners to support the Republic of Moldova in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50060/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Joe Flaherty

29. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how Budget 2024 will help theSME sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51233/23]

Industrial Development

Joe Flaherty

31. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress being made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51232/23]

Tax Rebates

Joe Flaherty

175. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will address an inequality in the fuel rebate scheme for disabled drivers (details supplied). [51765/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

261. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will look at opening the fodder scheme 2023 to new entrants in view of recent adverse weather (details supplied). [51675/23]

Departmental Bodies

Joe Flaherty

168. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance when the new board of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals will be constituted and operational; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of appeals, by county awaiting a decision at the inactive Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals, given the unacceptable delay in processing appeals following the dissolution of the board in November 2021; and if he will consider an amnesty and approval for the many cases left waiting an inordinate length of time through no fault of their own. [50759/23]

Cost of Living Issues

Joe Flaherty

329. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether an anomaly exists under the cost-of-living payments (details supplied). [50538/23]

Immigration Policy

Joe Flaherty

382. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice if it is possible to issue a longer term of stamp 4 permission to persons who are now studying at third level, due to the financial strain it imposes on them along with paying for their fees. [50983/23]

Departmental Programmes

Joe Flaherty

604. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide an update on an application to POBAL under the CSP programme by an association (details supplied). [50760/23]

School Funding

Joe Flaherty

84. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education to confirm the status of the ancillary grant for a school (details supplied). [50125/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

115. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in relation to the publication on e-tenders of a call from Horse Sport Ireland for the provision, implementation and support of an equine e-passport application and related services, any other agencies or bodies oversee this tendering. [50186/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

116. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to a call from Horse Sport Ireland for the provision, implementation and support of an equine e-passport application and related service, his views on whether it is realistic to deliver a €3.5 million project by the end of May 2024 (details supplied). [50187/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

117. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the call from Horse Sport Ireland for the provision, implementation and support of an equine e-passport application and related services, if there is any provision allowed in the proposed work programme for fact checking and rectifying errors in the existing studbook and epassport system (details supplied). [50188/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

118. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason why a funding mechanism (details supplied) was chosen. [50189/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

119. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a project (details supplied) will meet the stringent requirements of the Brexit adjustment reserve regulations. [50190/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Joe Flaherty

120. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what other projects or proposed services will be funded through the Brexit adjustment reserve fund (details supplied). [50191/23]

School Staff

Joe Flaherty

205. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if, following on from the receipt of the report proposing the introduction of a teacher relocation scheme from a working group established by one of the teacher unions earlier this year, there is an update on the progression of the scheme; and what arrangements are being put in place. [49509/23]

School Funding

Joe Flaherty

219. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education what digital funding has been made available for primary and post-primary schools for the 2023/2024 academic year. [49836/23]

Vacant Properties

Joe Flaherty

233. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [49277/23]

Vaccination Programme

Joe Flaherty

503. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he has an estimated date for when the health technology assessment on the herpes zoster vaccine, which protects against shingles, will be completed. [49446/23]

Housing Provision

Joe Flaherty

99. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the target in place for housing completions in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49079/23]

Housing Provision

Joe Flaherty

124. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he expects the housing target for 2023 of 29,000 new homes to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49078/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

55. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48940/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

56. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48941/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

57. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48942/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

58. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48943/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

59. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48944/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

60. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48945/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

61. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48946/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

62. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48947/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

63. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48948/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

64. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48949/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Joe Flaherty

65. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise in relation to an NPWS farm plan application (details supplied). [48950/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Joe Flaherty

770. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will ensure that claimants who are likely to lose the free transport benefit over the next eight months and before fulfilling eligibility from July 2024, are not deprived of this important and crucial benefit (details supplied). [48551/23]

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

237. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will examine a bespoke scheme for the challenged horticulture sector as we move to the increased €12.70 minimum wage (details supplied). [46668/23]

Work Permits

Joe Flaherty

238. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update and timeline for the seasonal work permit scheme, given its introduction is crucial to the horticulture sector as Ireland moves to the €12.70 minimum wage. [46669/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Joe Flaherty

356. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who was forced to stop working 20 years ago, now aged 61 years and in receipt of a local authority pension of €294 per week is eligible for the household benefits package. [46240/23]

Animal Feedstuffs

Joe Flaherty

424. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a product (details supplied) will be released to the business that bought the product. [46177/23]

Horticulture Sector

Joe Flaherty

439. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the white mushroom production sector and the vast majority of Irish strawberry growers are excluded from the new horticulture support scheme. [46674/23]

Horticulture Sector

Joe Flaherty

440. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine a bespoke scheme for the challenged horticulture sector as we move to the increased €12.70 minimum wage (details supplied). [46675/23]

Education and Training Boards

Joe Flaherty

140. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the total allocation of capital grants (devolved capital grant and the further education capital grants) to the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45529/23]

Education Policy

Joe Flaherty

154. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is acting to support the workforce and talent development of Irish SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45530/23]

Greyhound Industry

Joe Flaherty

417. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the necessary legislation has not been introduced to allow Rásaíocht Con Éireann to set up its own dedicated stud book, as promised in its Strategic Plan 2018-22, given that Rásaíocht Con Éireann incurs a loss of revenue estimated to be €1 million a year to the Irish Coursing Club, and given that this is not a question about the merits or otherwise of their new traceability system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/23]

Greyhound Industry

Joe Flaherty

418. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, he agrees with claims frequently made by representatives of Rásaíocht Con Éireann that greyhound racing is an important part of Irish culture (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44739/23]

Vaccination Programme

Joe Flaherty

520. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to introduce the shingles vaccine to the national immunisation programme similar to what is in place for people over 65 years of age, with no charge, in Northern Ireland. [44802/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Joe Flaherty

35. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how Budget 2024 will help the SME sector. [44196/23]

Industrial Development

Joe Flaherty

60. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on progress being made to acquire an IDA Ireland purpose-built facility in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44195/23]

Business Supports

Joe Flaherty

85. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has plans for any further supports to help businesses coping with increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43191/23]

Housing Schemes

Joe Flaherty

282. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a tenant-in-situ application, whereby a couple qualifies for the scheme, but it is not the landlord’s intention to sell the house but rather to take up occupancy themselves, can still be processed; and if an applicant can access the help-to-buy scheme and the first-home scheme in respect of the same property. [43761/23]

Tax Reliefs

Joe Flaherty

137. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will be reviewing the tax reliefs available for the SME sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43190/23]