Parliamentary questions

Coastal Erosion

Brendan Howlin

161. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if funding will be allocated in 2024 to address the ongoing serious coast erosion in Rosslare, County Wexford, and other coastal areas of the county; his plans to protect the coastline in these areas and the total funding allocated to this task; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17154/24]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

181. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the reasons the application of a school (details supplied) in County Wexford for an increase in special education teaching hours has been denied; if the needs of pupils in this school, contained in a 34-page document submitted to the National Council for Special Education, were fully considered; the reasons the case made failed to meet the criteria for additional SET hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17104/24]

Family Reunification

Brendan Howlin

246. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if she has reviewed the requirements for family reunification and the granting of stamp 1G visas for spouses and-or dependants of eligible permit holders employed as healthcare assistants in the health service; if she is aware that the refusal of permission to have close family members join such workers in Ireland is having an impact on the recruitment and retention of healthcare assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17126/24]

Rail Network

Brendan Howlin

255. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his views on the proposal by the National Transport Authority to terminate the Wexford to Dublin Intercity rail link in either Greystones or Wicklow town and to require passengers to disembark there to access commuter DART services; if he accepts that this substantial down grading of a main intercity link is totally unacceptable, if he will contact the NTA and Irish Rail on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15282/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

774. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements to illness benefit for a person (details supplied); if their situation was addressed in the post-Brexit settlement between Ireland and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14436/24]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Howlin

1209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the current waiting list for service assessment for CAMHS services in County Wexford; the number of children and adolescents currently receiving services from CAMHS in the county; the number of professionals set out by professional discipline currently working in CAMHS services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13600/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific projects that are being undertaken by Ireland under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, including Permanent Structured Cooperation, PESCO; his plans for future projects under this programme and the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme, ITPP, through NATO’s Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/24]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

29. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the optimum number and type of naval vessels for the Naval Service; when he expects the Naval Service to acquire a multi-role vessel to replace the L.E. Éithne; the progress made in ensuring that double crews are available for all vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9156/24]

Military Aircraft

Brendan Howlin

38. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the optimum number and type of aircraft for the Air Corps; his plans to acquire new aircraft; the timelines for their delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9411/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

46. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made to date on the acquisition of a primary radar system for Ireland; when he expects such a system to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress made on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces to significantly strengthen the military intelligence and cyber defence capabilities of the Defence Forces and the creation of a joint cyber defence command; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/24]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

134. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the specific equipment for the Army, Naval Service and Aer Corps that he expects to acquire in 2024; the specific capital allocated to each acquisition in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12275/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Howlin

1508. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for an early assessment for ADHD and ASD for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13050/24]

Human Rights

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the call of the UN Secretary General for an independent investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians as they sought aid in Gaza; the action he has taken to avoid mass starvation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/24]

United Nations

Brendan Howlin

132. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out his views on the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the reason for the withdrawal after a 25-year presence of UN Peacekeepers, MONUSCO, from the DRC; if adequate protection will remain in place for the civilian population of the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11214/24]

Media Pluralism

Brendan Howlin

133. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the campaign by more than 50 journalists calling on Israel and Egypt to provide free and unfettered access to Gaza for all foreign media; the steps he will take to achieve this important objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11216/24]

Foreign Policy

Brendan Howlin

134. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the actions he has taken to protest to Russia on foot of the death in custody of Alexei Navalny; if he believes that the number of persons accredited to the Russian Embassy in Dublin are appropriate for a country of Ireland's size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11217/24]

Human Rights

Brendan Howlin

95. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the representations he has made to the Iraqi authorities regarding the illegal detention of an Irish citizen and anti-corruption advocate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/24]

School Admissions

Brendan Howlin

314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the plans to address the shortage of secondary school places in the Greystones Municipal District; if she is aware of the population growth in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10535/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brendan Howlin

126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if a capital allocation to construct the new 97-bed block at Wexford General Hospital, which has full planning permission, is included in this year's capital programme for the HSE; when he expects construction to begin on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Howlin

123. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the M11 motorway from Oylegate to Rosslare Europort; when the location of the required motorway service station will be known; when he expects construction to begin; when the motorway will be open to traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Howlin

296. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to commence part 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022; if he intends for these parts of the Act to be in force before the upcoming European and local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

405. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be put in place for CHO 5; if funding has been allocated in 2024 to provide this service; when recruitment for this team will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9145/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Brendan Howlin

129. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the reason the pension abatement of a person (details supplied) who worked on occasions for WWETB after his retirement was calculated on a daily basis; when a daily calculation of days worked, regardless of hours worked, was introduced by her Department for pension abatement purposes; if this method of calculation applies to all employees under the auspices of her Department; if this method of calculation applied to employees of ETBs prior to the issuing of circular letter 0003/2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8409/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Howlin

187. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if, pending the submission of additional information requested for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied), she will allow continued payment of the allowance until eligibility has been established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8438/24]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Howlin

275. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that it is now virtually impossible for any new patient in Wexford town to be accepted by any of the existing GP practices, which are at capacity in terms of service delivery; the plans he intends to put in place to address this critical health issue, which is having a significant impact both on the health and well-being of the existing growing Wexford population and on the prospects of attracting new people to live and work in the town; if he plans to provide any particular incentives to attract new doctors to work in general practice in Wexford, or to existing practices to expand their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8450/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Howlin

179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance when the revised disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be introduced; when the criteria for issuing a primary medical certificate for his scheme will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7180/24]

Citizenship Applications

Brendan Howlin

281. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on the application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) who applied to her Department for citizenship on 19 February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7194/24]

Middle East

Brendan Howlin

154. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government accepts that Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories is a breach of peremptory norms of international law, including in particular international humanitarian law; if the Government recognises the obligation of the State not to recognise the illegal situation created by this breach, and not to aid or assist in maintaining this illegal situation; his views on whether this includes a legal obligation to abstain from entering into economic or other forms of relationship or dealings with Israel or Israeli entities that purport to acknowledge Israeli authority over Palestinian territory or which would give legal effect to settlement activities or would otherwise entrench the illegal situation; his views on whether the State has a duty to dissuade Irish business from contributing to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including by developing economic relations with settlement enterprises; whether the Implementation Group of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights has considered the issue; if so, to outline its view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6653/24]

Ukraine War

Brendan Howlin

6. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects an agreement to be reached at the EU Council on the Special Fund for Ukraine; the discussions he has had with other EU Foreign Ministers on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/24]

Official Engagements

Brendan Howlin

50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the issues he raised with the Mexican Foreign Minister on his recent visit to Mexico; if he will provide details of the meetings he had there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3128/24]

Middle East

Brendan Howlin

75. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any contact with the government of South Africa to discuss that country's legal case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, concerning the carnage being inflicted of the people of Gaza; if he sees a role for Ireland in assisting or supporting this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3127/24]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

86. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of the contact he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State since the beginning of the year; the efforts made by him to encourage a restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/24]

Official Engagements

Brendan Howlin

87. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the issues he raised with Columbian officials on his recent visit to Columbia; the role Ireland will play as guarantor of the ongoing peace dialogue there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3129/24]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

153. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs why there is a difference in duration in the validity of a card passport and a book passport; why both cannot run for a full ten years, which would reduce the necessity of renewal applications and the workload of the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3593/24]

Electric Vehicles

Brendan Howlin

193. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the number and location of fast electric vehicle chargers currently available in the country; the number expected to be in place in each of the next three years; if it is his intention to have a common pricing system for chargers across the country in order to encourage greater E.V usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3523/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

384. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering the excluding of maintenance payments made by social welfare recipients in the calculation of weekly means in determining eligibility for the free fuel allowance; if she considers it fair and reasonable to include such regular outgoing payments as means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2453/24]

Asylum Seekers

Brendan Howlin

421. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice the supports available to enable international protection applicants, long-time resident in direct provision centres, to undertake courses of study to acquire skills that will be useful to enable them to find employment if their applications are approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2440/24]

Work Permits

Brendan Howlin

435. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the new minimum salary requirements for general employment permits announced by his Department will also apply to existing permit holders when they apply to renew their permits to work in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1213/24]

Qualifications Recognition

Brendan Howlin

1679. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the length of time it normally takes between the registration of an application with CORU for professional recognition as an occupational therapist and the verification of such an application by CORU; the number of such applications currently awaiting verification at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1331/24]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

1681. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when a registration with CORU for a qualified occupational therapist (details supplied) will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/24]

Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when a bus driver licence will issue to a person (details supplied) who has passed all relevant tests and is urgently required by their employer to begin work as a bus driver; the length of time, on average, it takes to issue a bus licence following the successful completion of all test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53735/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Howlin

229. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Pakistan as a result of the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deport 1.7 million Afghan refugees, many of whom face persecution in Afghanistan; the action he has taken to date to highlight this issue; if he has made contact with the Pakistan authorities to set out his concerns on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48922/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50519/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

328. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50520/23]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

282. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 26 September 2023, if it is his intention to appoint members of the Social Economic Environmental Association (SEEFA) to the Forestry Programme Consultative Committee, since SEEFA is the largest private sector representative association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49197/23]

Medical Cards

Brendan Howlin

1215. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who has a full medical card, is being charged for blood tests by their GP surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Howlin

1412. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the current position in relation to providing a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scale for tutors employed by ETBs on an hourly paid rate; the outcome of discussions his Department has had with trade union representatives on this issue; when an improved contract will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

374. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the supports his Department offers to students living in the Republic of Ireland who are studying in universities and colleges of further education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45810/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

375. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review an application for a SUSI grant for a person (details supplied) who returned to third-level education as a mature student; if he will review the requirement that a three year gap occurs between leaving a course and commencing a further course to qualify for a SUSI grant, regardless of personal circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/23]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

211. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that an additional needs class is provided for a school (details supplied) for the 2024/2025 school year, that this class has been sanctioned and funded by the NCSE but has yet to be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44634/23]

School Funding

Brendan Howlin

212. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will set out the additional supports her Department will provide to a school (details supplied) which is in an area of obvious economic and educational poverty; if there are any other supports available to this school other than rural DEIS status; the reason this status is of less support than the urban DEIS band 1 status; if she is aware that the Pobal Deprivation Index for the immediate area is at -25.02; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44650/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

49. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence following the successful operation of the Joint Task Force in interdicting a huge drugs consignment off the Irish coast, and acknowledging the importance of having members of An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners on secondment to the Maritime Operations Centre in Lisbon, if it is intended that an Irish naval officer would also be seconded there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43764/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Howlin

315. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the ceasing of the payment of the State pension to a person (details supplied) who suffers from dementia and did not respond to questions posed by her Department due to the condition; if she accepts that the questions asked have now been responded to; if she acknowledges that any delay in restoring this person's pension is imposing severe financial hardship on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43459/23]

Nursing Education

Brendan Howlin

563. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are an estimated 3,000 trained nurses from India and the Philippines currently working in Ireland; if he plans to allow those who wish to have their nursing qualifications recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and those who need additional language training to progress to recognition as nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44039/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 11 May 2022, if any improvement has been made in filling vacant therapist posts (occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology therapy) in County Wexford’s four CDNTs; the plans he has to ensure that an adequate service for children in County Wexford is provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/23]

Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

182. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and location of therapist posts, including speech and language therapists, occupational, psychological and other, appointed to special schools to date in 2023, setting out the CHO areas of each appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43112/23]

Disaster Response

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the contribution made by Ireland to address the humanitarian crises following the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in Libya; if our emergency response capabilities need to be upgraded in the face of growing climate disasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41906/23]

Middle East

Brendan Howlin

11. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the matters discussed and the responses received in his discussions with the President of the state of Palestine Mr. Mahmoud Abbas; if the issue of the recognition of the state of Palestine by Ireland was discussed; if he raised the issue of holding elections in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39899/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

26. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out his views on the prospects for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/23]

EU Enlargement

Brendan Howlin

48. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on progress to EU membership of each of the Western Balkan state applicants, the issues to be resolved by each country to advance their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/23]

Middle East

Brendan Howlin

54. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the matters raised by him and the responses received, in his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; if he specifically raised the continued annexation of Palestinian land by Israeli settlers and the treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39898/23]

European Union

Brendan Howlin

55. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out his views on the EU reform proposals from the Franco-German expert group which were presented to the General Affairs Council on 19 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/23]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

447. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2518 of 21 April 2021, if he could update the table provided to include 2021 and 2022 figures and, using the same methods as before, to calculate the CO2 missed capture due to failed afforestation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41471/23]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

448. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if officials from his Department have carried out analyses on the afforestation files on hand that will be affected by new restrictions relating to peat, high nature value farmlands and extended bird exclusion zones; to detail the overall number of applications affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/23]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

449. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is accommodating all forestry stakeholder groups equally in terms of facilitating meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41474/23]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

450. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been any changes within his Department at Assistant Secretary-level with responsibility for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41475/23]

Bus Services

Brendan Howlin

85. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out his proposals to increase LocalLink bus services to facilitate access to Wexford town from adjoining rural areas; if there are any plans, in particular, to provide disabled persons access from the Curracloe area into services in Wexford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39763/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Brendan Howlin

190. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he proposes to approve the Labour Court recommended increase in pension entitlements for An Post pensioners who have been due pension increases from 1 January 2022 and further increases from January 2023 and July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39621/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Howlin

605. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 698 of 25 July 2023, if she will accept that a great injustice has been done in requiring the repayment to her Department of monies caused by the extraordinary requirements of the Covid crisis whereby a person (details supplied) exceeded their allowed working hours to facilitate the national response to maintain nursing care at this critical time; if she will review the decisions made by her Department in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39480/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Brendan Howlin

623. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention that foster carers be allowed to maintain a social protection stamp/credit while continuing their foster caring and not be required to fulfil the signing-on requirements for jobseeker's credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39770/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

630. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to include fibromyalgia as a recognised long-term illness condition for social protection purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39894/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

1049. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will facilitate an appeal in relation to the awarding of a SUSI grant to a person (details supplied) who, due to their being abroad during the allowed appeal period, in line with Teaching Council requirements, has been unable to forward an appeal under the statutory provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39486/23]

Military Exports

Brendan Howlin

39. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the measures he has taken to ensure that Ireland does not facilitate the transit of cluster munitions through Irish airports, ports or airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36000/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

41. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36055/23]

Consular Services

Brendan Howlin

43. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to previous Parliamentary Questions, the engagement to date with the Togolese authorities in relation to the treatment of a person (details supplied) who has been detained in Togo for four and a half years in horrific conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/23]

Overseas Development Aid

Brendan Howlin

49. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 12 July 2023, if he will provide a detailed breakdown as originally requested of the various programmes under which ODA is spent; the amount assigned to each for 2022 (€1.045 billion and €1.446 billion) and for 2023; to provide a breakdown of the details and the components of the total submitted to the OECD for 2022 of the €1.233 billion in 2023, of which €716 million was allocated to Irish Aid; to provide a breakdown of the remainder that totals up to €517 million, in tabular form; the sources of each and under which programme, that allows the State to arrive at a total ODA commitment of €1.233 billion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36434/23]

Ukraine War

Brendan Howlin

50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown of the assistance Ireland provided to Ukraine in 2022 and to date in 2023; the expected outturn for 2023; whether this assistance was provided through the EU or directly; to describe what the programme was; the purpose of the aid or financial assistance; if the full outturn for 2022 has been confirmed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Brendan Howlin

51. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of the membership fees, subscriptions or other contributions paid to international bodies by his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on behalf of his Department, other Departments or agencies, or the State itself, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36436/23]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Howlin

52. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of his plans for new embassies or consulates over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36437/23]

Diaspora Issues

Brendan Howlin

53. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide the details of the various programmes for supporting the diaspora; the funding committed to each in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36438/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

54. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure the urgent processing of a passport card for a person (details supplied) by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36439/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

157. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the capital allocations in 2023 for the Defence Forces; the breakdown, by project, of expenditure that has been or will be incurred in 2023; the projected capital budget in 2024; when the Equipment Development Plan was last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36260/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

158. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline what progress has been made on the procurement of ground-based air defence radar; when he expects a tender to be made; the projected cost of the project; if this project will be separated to the requirement for primary radar capability; to outline specifically what progress has been made in 2023 in exploring how to develop same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36261/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

159. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline what progress has been made on the procurement of multi-beam sonar-echo sounder for the P60 class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36262/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

160. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the lance corporal rank will be introduced in the Army and Air Corps; the projected cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36263/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

161. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been made on the introduction of new long service increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel; the projected cost of introducing a new long service increment to each rank in the Defence Forces including enlisted ranks and private 3 star or able seamen; the current number of LSIs available, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36264/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

162. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount allocated in budget 2023 for the provision of private medical care for Defence Forces personnel; what progress has been made in delivering on the commitment made in May 2023; when personnel will be able to avail of the scheme; what additional allocation will be required in 2024; the full-year projected cost of the scheme; if additional medical personnel are required in the Defence Forces to deliver on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36265/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

163. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the progress made on implementing the working time directive in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36266/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

164. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been to address mandatory retirement ages for post-1994 personnel in the interdepartmental working group; the projected cost of increasing the retirement age to 55 years for privates, corporals and sergeants and 60 years for NCO ranks above that, if they meet all other required criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36267/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

165. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the additional projected cost of providing a Naval Service patrol duty allowance of €100 per day that merges the current allowances and tax credit into one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36268/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

166. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when Defence Forces regulation C.S.4 was last updated; when he next expects to update it; what progress has been made to ensure this is more flexible and subject to regular revision to reflect changes and reforms within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

167. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been made on implementing the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces' recommendation for the introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of the application of existing specialist pay rates and allowances to groups and categories of military personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36270/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

168. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure members of the Defence Forces can more easily obtain specialist techpay in recognition of their qualifications and roles; his plans to ensure this is addressed to improve retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36272/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

169. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if backdated payments have now commenced to the members of the Army Ranger Wing; how much in total remains to be paid arising out of pay reviews in 2010 back dated to 2006 and 2014, and to how many personnel serving or retired; the current rate of special allowance; when this was awarded; if the backdated payment to October 2021 has now commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36273/23]

Military Exports

Brendan Howlin

209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the measures he has taken to ensure that Ireland does not facilitate the transit of cluster munitions through Irish airports, ports or airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/23]

School Transport

Brendan Howlin

467. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that siblings (details supplied) will be provided with school transport, which is now their only means of getting to school; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36335/23]

School Transport

Brendan Howlin

472. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that siblings (details supplied) will be provided with school transport, who availed of the service in the last school term; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36512/23]

Tourism Promotion

Brendan Howlin

547. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the threat to the future of the Celtic Routes Project, a unique tourism initiative linking counties in south east Ireland with counterparts in Wales; if she will ensure that sufficient funding is provided to continue this important project; if she has had any contact with her Welsh government colleague to discuss this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36354/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Howlin

698. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will personally intervene in a case of an overpayment of carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) whose overpayment arose because they were required to work additional hours as a nurse in the early stages of the Covid pandemic; if, in these circumstances, she will ensure that this person's appeal is allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36140/23]