Parliamentary questions

Broadband Infrastructure

Jennifer Whitmore

128. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the connection of high-speed broadband to Glendalough (details supplied) is facing an additional delay to July 2025; the reason for this additional delay; whether the connection of the Glendalough area can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17634/24]

Traffic Management

Jennifer Whitmore

151. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to deal with increased capacity for traffic at Bray train station in light of BusConnects proposals for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17306/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

152. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress of the assessment for the reopening of Avoca train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17307/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

153. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he has been informed of the allocation of new carriages coming on stream in 2024; if carriages will be allocated to Wicklow line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/24]

Bus Services

Jennifer Whitmore

171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the proposed coastal local link bus service serving towns and villages between Arklow and Greystones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17653/24]

Traffic Management

Jennifer Whitmore

183. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any statistics on the impact that school traffic has on commuting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17973/24]

School Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

285. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education what happens to parents who are unable to apply for a school transport ticket before the closing date of 26 April 2024 as their child has yet to be allocated a school place for secondary school for September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17493/24]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

134. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland accepts the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the Swiss climate case; if so, whether any policy changes will arise from that determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17137/24]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

135. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the rationale for Ireland intervening in the recently decided European Court of Human Rights Swiss climate case; the size of the legal team involved; the associated costs of that case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17138/24]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

137. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what interaction he had with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to Ireland's intervention in the European Court of Human Rights Swiss climate case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17139/24]

Climate Change Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

138. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the climate action plan to take into account the recent decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the Swiss climate case; his views on whether any policy changes will arise from that determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

143. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport to detail which intercity rail services will be allocated the new railcar carriages; when they will be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17141/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

144. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when the first 95 electric and battery-electric carriages will be deployed; what services they will be deployed to; how decisions on deployment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17142/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

145. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the electric DART service for Wicklow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17143/24]

Fire Service

Jennifer Whitmore

215. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to increase the retirement age for retained firefighters; if so, when this will be in place; what will happen to those firefighters who reach the earlier retirement age in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17136/24]

Departmental Data

Jennifer Whitmore

272. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recorded or confirmed dates of fireblight erwinia amylovora infections detections by his Department to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17170/24]

Legislative Process

Jennifer Whitmore

6. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether the delay in publishing the marine protected areas Bill will have consequences for the State’s ability to identify potential offshore energy locations; whether that, in turn, will undermine the State’s efforts to meet its renewable targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/24]

Transport Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

12. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the barriers to student bodies establishing a carpooling scheme for travel to a university campus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16797/24]

Legislative Process

Jennifer Whitmore

68. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that the marine protected areas Bill will be brought forward in April; whether the delay to date in publishing the Bill has been a technical issue; if so, if he will provide details on what that issue is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16795/24]

Disability Services

Jennifer Whitmore

115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether those with a disability from birth have the same qualifying criteria for access to speech and language therapies as those with an acquired disability; if not, if he will outline the different criteria for such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Jennifer Whitmore

116. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the Mother and Baby Home Commission of Inquiry has called on the Government to grant redress to residents (details supplied); if these calls are to be addressed by his Department, either through the current redress schemes or by another means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16799/24]

General Practitioner Services

Jennifer Whitmore

132. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his Department has any responsibility for the monitoring of medical card patients' access to appointments in private GP facilities; specifically, if there is a practice of longer waiting times for patients in primary care on medical cards as opposed to for those paying full fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16796/24]

Departmental Reports

Jennifer Whitmore

172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the timeline for completion of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

63. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on delivery of the new school build for a school (details supplied), and the planned building extensions for other schools in Greystones. [16426/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Jennifer Whitmore

81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to endorse the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action for a referendum that would acknowledge the rights of nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11150/24]

National Broadband Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

120. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the immediate measures that are in place to ensure that the residents of Ardee, and similar communities who are awaiting fibre broadband, are not left behind in our national effort towards digital inclusivity; how he plans to hold accountable those responsible for the delivery of these services; what measures are being implemented to prevent such discrepancies in broadband access in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14760/24]

Energy Conservation

Jennifer Whitmore

121. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the low-interest loans for retrofitting; when an interest rate will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14762/24]

Educational Reform

Jennifer Whitmore

511. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason the use of assistive technology for students is only tested for in third year for the purposes of State exams; the reason it is not granted to first years in need of the technology to learn and prepare on the three-year cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14784/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

528. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update and estimated timeline for the development of a new school at (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14978/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

529. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update and estimated timeline for the development of a new school at (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14979/24]

Prison Service

Jennifer Whitmore

899. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice the total number of prisoners under 21 years of age; the number in each institution in which they are held; the number of such prisoners who are on restricted regimes; the number of hours, each day, such prisoners are confined to their cells; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14763/24]

Forestry Sector

Jennifer Whitmore

998. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the Members’ Agreement entered into, on or about the date of 11 November 2021, between three organisations (details supplied), including any subsequent amendments to that agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/24]

Health Services

Jennifer Whitmore

1102. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on provision for a neuro-rehabilitation unit in CHO 7, which was due to be progressed in 2023; where the unit will be based; the roles that have been provided funding within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Jennifer Whitmore

1478. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the long wait times for transgender adults wishing to access gender-affirming healthcare through the National Gender Service at Loughlinstown; if increased funding and resources have been allocated to clear the current ten-year backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14759/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

449. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay to the start date of construction for a school (details supplied) from December 2024 to September 2025; when that decision was taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12250/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

450. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the supports in place to help accommodate the growing school community (details supplied), in light of the delayed construction start date for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12251/24]

School Enrolments

Jennifer Whitmore

469. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to detail the process for enrolments to schools under the Limerick area post primary programme; how this programme was initiated; whether a similar programme could be applied to schools in particular areas in Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12461/24]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

91. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/24]

Rail Network

Jennifer Whitmore

155. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport to provide details on how many occasions the rail line between Greystones and Bray has been closed annually from 2020-2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10090/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

198. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for information on the completion of the snag list for a school (details provided); when all outstanding works will be completed; the reason for the delay in completion; if any assessment will be undertaken as to whether long term damage has been caused by these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9857/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of the third class for secondary students for the Greystones area, which is required to meet demand for September 2024; when that class will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9858/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education to detail the process by which students, currently without places for September 2024 in Greystones, will be offered a place in one of the three additional classes being established if they had not applied for that school in the first instance and they are therefore not eligible for a place under the enrolment policy of that school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9859/24]

Special Educational Needs

Jennifer Whitmore

201. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if, as part of the significant upgrade to a school (details supplied), special classrooms were sanctioned; if those classrooms are currently available for students with special needs; if not, if she will direct the school to provide those classrooms in the event there is demand in the area for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9860/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

202. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education for an update on the extension for a school (details supplied); when the review of the Stage 1 report will be completed; to detail the process for all subsequent stages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9861/24]

School Admissions

Jennifer Whitmore

203. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if, in light of the significant pressures on school places in the Greystones area, she will prioritise the construction of an extension a school (details supplied) within its bundle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9862/24]

Schools Building Projects

Jennifer Whitmore

204. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education when she expects the tender process for a school (details supplied) to be completed; the next stages in the process; the timelines for those steps; if she expects the school to be completed in time for September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9863/24]

School Transport

Jennifer Whitmore

205. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if she will direct Bus Éireann to pay the exceptional no service interim grant to school transport ticket holders on a term-by-term basis, rather than retrospectively at the end of the school year, in acknowledgment of the cost of travel being placed on parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9864/24]

Fisheries Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

81. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the process and timelines for decision surrounding the consultation on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone. [7870/24]

Telecommunications Services

Jennifer Whitmore

136. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications whether he has a view in relation to broadband issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/24]

Electricity Generation

Jennifer Whitmore

143. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for details on how the Government envision community electricity generation projects to raise funds for the construction of such projects; if the Government have any plans to create green financing packages that will allow such projects to access funds to ensure such projects are financially viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7977/24]