Parliamentary questions

Tourism Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

17. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will expedite a review and provide supports to address the lack of hotel beds for the tourism sector in Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16857/24]

Tourism Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the role of the night-time economy manager in Drogheda since the Government policy decision to close the last remaining hotel beds of scale in the town, thereby majorly impacting the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16858/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with the local business community and stakeholders in Drogheda to discuss their significant concerns on employment and trade within the town of Drogheda, the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will organise urgent meetings with officials within his Department to formulate a dedicated plan to provide employment in Drogheda, with consideration of the very significant number of workers commuting from the town daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/24]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No.119 of 11 April 2024, if she will arrange for a further response to issue to follow-up queries (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17090/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Fergus O'Dowd

210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a pause on wind farm developments until the new guidelines are put in place to replace the current 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which remain in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/24]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount sought by each local authority from his Department for each of the past two years for housing adaptation grants; the amount granted by his Department; if further allocations were sought by any local authority; if so, the amount granted for each of the past two years; if any funds were returned by any local authority; the waiting list for each such local authority and the amount returned, in tabular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17149/24]

Departmental Contracts

Fergus O'Dowd

276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of properties and corresponding beds offered to his Department that met the requirements under both the IPAS and BOTP schemes, by county, since 1 January 2023 to date, in tabular form; the total number of contracts entered into by his Department; the opposing number of contracts that were not progressed, by county, in tabular form for the corresponding period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17083/24]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to urgently review and action the very concerning case of revoked autism places for the coming school term (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16921/24]

Museum Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 11 July 2023, considering the ongoing funding issues that continue with the Drogheda Museum, if she will assist in organising a meeting with officials competent in the sector who could advise the museum on the best way forward for the organisation, with a view of future funding options and supports at the forefront of its requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16814/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will seek a review of a domiciliary care allowance case (details supplied) where the child is profoundly deaf but this is not seen as meeting the required criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16900/24]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16982/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of applicants under the current fire safety certificate, which is approximately half of the quoted 500 in the original brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17000/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health how many adults are currently waiting for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting times for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the development of any future national hearing care plan will include consideration for adult medical cardholders to be assessed and treated by community audiologists, who currently provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/24]

Tax Exemptions

Fergus O'Dowd

229. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to proposals raised in respect of extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide the details of the CFRAM assessment in Termonfeckin, County Louth, which suffered from extremely damaging floods in the recent flooding events, given the OPW indicated that a possible structural flood relief measures for Termonfeckin was not an economically viable scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16616/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16503/24]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding and supports are available to assist a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

400. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further supports or review of the croí cónaithe application (details supplied) can be undertaken; if there are any additional supports that he is aware of that might assist in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16507/24]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/24]

Vacant Properties

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines for the Croí Cónaithe scheme considering the very worrying figures reported in a paper (details supplied) on the number of applicants who have successfully drawn down funding on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15674/24]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to consider a review of the Drogheda school planning area, with consideration of the population sprawl in Drogheda rural, which in many cases is leaving students in Drogheda rural unable to attend their nearest primary/secondary schools in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15794/24]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to correspondence and proposals set out by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Family Courts Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15768/24]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Gambling Regulation Bill. 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update with any engagement his Department has had with Louth County Council in respect of progressing phase 2 of the port access northern cross route in Drogheda; if he supports this vital infrastructure; if he will commit to fast-tracking and/or assisting any discussion to allow for its progression, including any funding required to complete an over/under passage of the main Dublin to Belfast rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15281/24]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the REPowerEU funding of €56 million that will be allocated to the electrification works at Drogheda train station to facilitate the charging of battery electric trains, has been drawn down yet from the European Union; if so, when; if he will seek a detailed description on what the funding will provide in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/24]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

257. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from the CEO of the Road Safety Authority on the progress/lack of progress on the long-awaited driving test centre for Drogheda; what sites have been considered or investigated; the expected timelines for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/24]

Waterways Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene and insist that Louth County Council, as a responsible party, that action is taken to remove the hebble dredge from the River Boyne in Drogheda following its original sinking in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15314/24]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress to introduce the new DART hybrid fleet on the northern line to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15322/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

264. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed Ardee by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the funding requirements and allocations required to advance the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

368. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site since the welcome announcement of up to €10 million in shared island funding to develop the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15330/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

369. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the delivery of the CFRAM scheme for County Louth and east Meath, further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/24]

Coastal Erosion

Fergus O'Dowd

370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to identify if reports have been undertaken to ascertain the level of coastal erosion underway between the mouth of the River Boyne at Baltray to Clogherhead in County Louth; if so, what are the results; what plans, if any, there are to mitigate coastal erosion at this location into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15369/24]

Foreign Direct Investment

Fergus O'Dowd

387. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the advanced building solution facility in Drogheda, County Louth; when he expects construction to commence on the facility and any other related details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/24]

Departmental Priorities

Fergus O'Dowd

388. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of the North East Regional Enterprise Plans, considering the need to provide employment in the area and reduce the outward commute from towns such as Drogheda, Ardee and Dunleer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to urgent concerns relating to a child’s enrolment in an ASD unit in Dundalk (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

546. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the joint major building project for schools (details supplied) in Drogheda; what stage it is currently at; when they can expect progression to the next stage of the planning process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15291/24]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

550. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek or support calls for additional school bus places to cater for all secondary school children travelling from Collon to Ardee, County Louth for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15337/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines on the croí cónaithe scheme considering the worrying figures reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on the number of applicants who have successfully drawn down funding on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/24]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

712. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15346/24]

Departmental Contracts

Fergus O'Dowd

1170. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, with regard to the 300 contracts that have been terminated with his Department for the accommodation of BOTPs since 2022, the cancellation was instigated by the service provider or his Department, in tabular form; if any follow-up investigations or audits were carried out by the An Garda Síochána and/or his Department; the details of same, if any; if any monies are still outstanding on any of the cancelled contracts; if so if the Department is actively chasing payments on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the current plans for the provision of accommodation services within a location (details supplied) in Drogheda; if this centre is now operating as a dispersal centre as reported; to provide an update on how he and his Department are now planning to support Drogheda, considering the impact of this decision which has taken Drogheda's only hotel of scale from the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15289/24]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

1531. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of primary care centres operating within counties Louth and Meath, by location, itemised services, and the areas that they serve, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/24]

Dental Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of specialist orthodontists, consultant orthodontists and orthodontist assistants currently working within HSE dental services in County Louth for both adults and children from 2020 to date, by location, areas served, current wait times and current vacant open posts for same; if the HSE recruitment embargo has impacted on these posts; if so, if he will undertake to have the embargo removed immediately for this sector to ensure adults and children receive appropriate orthodontic care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15206/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

1590. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to immediately interject to ensure that all remaining beds at the new wing within a nursing home (details supplied) are immediately released for use, considering the pressure in the area and the significant public investment that was put into delivering the units which now lie semi-vacant due to the embargo; and if he will provide absolute clarity on this issue. [15279/24]

Ambulance Service

Fergus O'Dowd

1600. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the largest town in Ireland to develop a new ambulance station-base to meet the considerable ever growing pressures in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

1708. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans for the further expansion of apprenticeship courses in Louth and Meath for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/24]