Parliamentary questions

Insurance Industry

John Lahart

113. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if new mediation measures are providing a significant step change for resolving insurance claims nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

123. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in each of the four Dublin local authority areas 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. [16886/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

30. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in each of the four Dublin local authority areas that have to date registered for the increased cost of business grant; when payments under the grant will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16943/24]

Insurance Industry

John Lahart

31. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if new mediation measures are providing a significant step change for resolving insurance claims nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16944/24]

Departmental Staff

John Lahart

165. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s policy on the appointment of civilian clerical staff to other posts within his Department, including positions such as storekeeper supervisor; if it is the case that civilian clerical staff who have carried out functions of such posts on an acting basis for an extensive period, have thereby earned eligibility for permanent appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15236/24]

Public Transport

John Lahart

217. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport whether the NTA has engaged even in exploratory discussions with State landowners along the t-route of a possible Metro South extension from either Stephen's Green or Charlemont that would travel via Cathal Brugha Barracks, for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14527/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

John Lahart

218. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport to outline in detail what plans and action have been taken by the NTA to date, or are planned for the future, in terms of providing park-and-ride facilities for Dublin commuters - particularly on the southside of the city, to take advantage of any proposed BusConnects projects which are due to be implemented subject to An Bord Pleanála decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14528/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

John Lahart

219. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport to outline what steps have been taken to provide park-and-ride facilities at major motorway interchanges, as is the case in Derry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14529/24]

School Accommodation

John Lahart

497. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to outline the details of the works at a school (details supplied) approved by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14695/24]

School Inspections

John Lahart

552. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if her Department will send an official to a school (details supplied) in order to assist the school in ascertaining the best approach to improve and enhance the school building. [15364/24]

Wildlife Regulations

John Lahart

990. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for expanding deer management in the country; and if he plans to extend deer management areas to the Glenasmole Valley/Bohernabreena area in Dublin south west, where there is great interest in such a scheme. [14649/24]

Departmental Properties

John Lahart

1165. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what plans his Department is connected with in relation to a location (details supplied); what are the latest plans, if any, for another location in Brittas, County Dublin; and if there are plans for any other sites located in the constituency for Dublin South West. [15140/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

John Lahart

1423. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health If a decision has been made on the location for the main laboratory for genetic testing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14502/24]

Hospital Services

John Lahart

1424. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health where the testing for the recently announced new conditions to be added to the national bloodspot screening programme, namely SMA and SCID, will take place (details supplied); whether CHI Crumlin is the interim solution to ensure testing for babies commences this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14503/24]

Healthcare Policy

John Lahart

1457. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the regulation and registration of counsellor and psychotherapy professionals, he will outline the latest position and development, which has been ongoing for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14670/24]

Animal Welfare

John Lahart

1730. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when and how the public and public representatives can engage with the new stakeholder group established to deal with dangerous breeds of dogs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14693/24]

Recycling Policy

John Lahart

112. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the latte levy on disposable cups will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12535/24]

Tax Code

John Lahart

265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance to discuss any plans for the restoration of tax exemption liability that was in place before the economic crash; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/24]

Tax Credits

John Lahart

266. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to allowing surplus tax credits from the year of a deceased individual to be carried over subsequent years, particularly when gross credits exceed net tax liabilities in alignment with the current practice for those under 70 years of age to ensure consistency across age groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12867/24]

Heritage Sites

John Lahart

293. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW plans to refresh and refurbish the exterior of Rathfarnham Castle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

328. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the rates rebate for businesses that was announced as part of Budget 2024 will be rolled out; how qualifying businesses will receive these grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/24]

Schools Building Projects

John Lahart

438. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education for an update on the tender process for the construction of a permanent building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12090/24]

School Funding

John Lahart

463. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the position in relation to the minor works scheme for primary schools, which for some if not many schools have not been paid for 2022 and 2023; if such works will be funded in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12429/24]

Electoral Process

John Lahart

649. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason postal votes cannot be arranged in advance of election day to accommodate people who are abroad/cannot make it to their local polling station on election day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12320/24]

Medical Cards

John Lahart

1479. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to assessing medical card applications for individuals over 70 years-of-age based on their net income, in alignment with the current practice for those under 70 years-of-age, to ensure consistency across age groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12870/24]

Hospital Facilities

John Lahart

1519. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the HSE still has management control over a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13126/24]

Foreign Policy

John Lahart

52. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland and the EU's position with regard to the current situation in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10914/24]

Human Rights

John Lahart

75. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he considers that the Iranian government has committed crimes against humanity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10915/24]

International Relations

John Lahart

105. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline Ireland's position, and that of the EU, with regard to the present government in Iran, and if the Irish Government is pushing for the IRGC to be recognised as a terrorist organisation. [10708/24]

Special Educational Needs

John Lahart

285. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to facilitate the contact from an official within her planning department and a school (details supplied) specifically concerning an additional special classroom as recommended to it by the NCSE to fulfil a need in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10103/24]

School Funding

John Lahart

286. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the status of funding for a school (details supplied) to enable it to resource its sensory room. [10104/24]

Schools Building Projects

John Lahart

287. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education for a progress report on a school (details supplied). [10105/24]

Naturalisation Applications

John Lahart

494. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice whether her attention has been drawn to the fact that many people who attended citizenship ceremonies on December 18 and 19 have yet to receive their certificates (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10577/24]

Departmental Funding

John Lahart

514. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much State funding has been provided to the DSPCA facility at Mount Venus Road from 2019-2024, in tabular form; the purposes for which this money was granted to the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10102/24]

Health Services

John Lahart

686. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he has been given an explanation by the HSE as to who within the HSE or at what level of management issued a directive in relation to the cuts to mastectomy supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10240/24]

Nursing Homes

John Lahart

19. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to clarify the ownership of a nursing home (details supplied); if it remains in the ownership of the State in the form of the HSE; if there are plans to dispose of it; if local people can continue to enjoy historical rights-of-way over parts of the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9377/24]

Vaccination Programme

John Lahart

48. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if RSV vaccines will be available to sections of the population this winter; if so, how such a vaccination programme will be rolled out; how the vaccines will be procured in light of the State's experience of the pandemic vaccine procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/24]

Disability Services

John Lahart

88. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO6 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO6 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO6 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO6 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/24]

Disability Services

John Lahart

147. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons with disabilities that received home support hours in CHO7 in 2023; the number of persons with disabilities in 2023 that received personal assistance hours in CHO7 in 2023; the total number of hours provided in each category in CHO7 in 2023; the target number of hours for each category in CHO7 in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/24]

Road Traffic Offences

John Lahart

89. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice the number of vehicles that were confiscated by gardaí at the roadside for non-display of road tax in 2023; and the normal protocol for dealing with a driver with an out-of-date or non-display of motor tax disc. [9462/24]

Taxi Licences

John Lahart

120. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the reason why, in the new regulations introduced as a consequence of Covid-19 extending the maximum permissible age for taxis on the road (details supplied), taxis with registration plates dating back to 2015 were not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9104/24]

Consumer Rights

John Lahart

178. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given some recent media highlighting of various issues, if he can make a statement in relation to a company website (details supplied) which acts as an agent for processing tax returns on behalf of individuals, and particularly the costs or charges that this company imposes; and whether consumer rights are protected in this regard. [9233/24]

Sports Funding

John Lahart

240. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated timeline for the announcement of the sports capital funding grant (details supplied); the details of the clubs and organisations that have applied for sports capital funding in the constituency of Dublin South-West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8645/24]

Departmental Schemes

John Lahart

661. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when another round of community recognition fund applications will take place; if she will provide details of the organisations in Dublin south west that received funding under the community recognition scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8633/24]

School Accommodation

John Lahart

127. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education for an update on whether or not the application by a school (details supplied) has been approved, or when it will be approved in terms of additional accommodation, which is badly needed at this location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8407/24]

School Accommodation

John Lahart

128. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education when the Department will provide the money for the contract work that was carried out at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8408/24]

Disability Services

John Lahart

248. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can provide any information on funding that may be available for providers of early intervention services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8417/24]

Driver Test

John Lahart

163. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport what plans can be put in place to reduce the backlog for driving test appointments; if consideration is being given for appointments to be made available at weekends and evenings as a temporary measure to try to reduce the backlog; if the testers who were employed in 2023 are helping to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7480/24]

Schools Building Projects

John Lahart

314. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education her plans to provide additional post primary schools for the Knocklyon/Firhouse area; if she has any plans, or has she been requested to, expand the existing school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8003/24]

School Meals Programme

John Lahart

367. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a progress report on the school meals programme and its successful expansion. [7554/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John Lahart

620. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if St. John of God's Hospital received the Covid payment for front-line staff who worked through the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8016/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

63. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in South County Dublin that are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant scheme; what discussions his Department has had with South Dublin County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5450/24]

Co-operative Sector

John Lahart

69. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for the development of the co-operative sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5451/24]

Business Supports

John Lahart

154. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many businesses in south County Dublin are likely to qualify for the increased cost of business grant; what discussions his Department has had with South Dublin County Council in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5586/24]

Co-operative Sector

John Lahart

155. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for the development of the co-operative sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5587/24]

Commemorative Events

John Lahart

225. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it would be possible, given an RTÉ documentary on Spike Island suggesting there are unmarked Famine graves there, that the island be considered as the venue for the 2025 National Famine Commemoration Day; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5323/24]

Vaccination Programme

John Lahart

524. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he is considering adding the shingles vaccine to the adult immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5268/24]

Health Services

John Lahart

525. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health when the new dementia specific weekend day centres are intended to be operational; the locations of same and how carer's/those suffering with dementia can avail of this new and exciting service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5283/24]

Departmental Data

John Lahart

557. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to report on the outcomes of having taxed sugar drinks; and whether any detailed research has been carried out into the outcomes. [5539/24]

Special Educational Needs

John Lahart

42. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if her Department is aware of the lack of learning support resources in classrooms due to the shortage of teachers and, as a result, resource teachers having to be redirected to fill the place of the teacher in many classrooms across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4352/24]

Widow's Pension

John Lahart

92. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the terms of the widows' or widower's pension, particularly in respect of non-married or co-habiting couples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4343/24]

Foreign Policy

John Lahart

125. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what initiatives his Department’s embassies are taking to gain international recognition of St. Brigid’s Day, with a particular reference to the 1,500th anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3744/24]

Waste Management

John Lahart

160. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how Ireland's public and private hospitals deal with radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4051/24]

Schools Building Projects

John Lahart

263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education her plans for a new post-primary school to serve the Knocklyon and Rathfarnham areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3753/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John Lahart

146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the threshold for fuel allowance for a single person is the same for a couple; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3169/24]

Schools Building Projects

John Lahart

293. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on school building projects (details supplied). [2715/24]

Waste Management

John Lahart

566. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health how do Ireland's hospitals, public and private, deal with radioactive waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/24]

Hospital Services

John Lahart

569. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the new services that are available at the surgical hub at Mount Carmel Hospital, Churchtown Dublin 14 which he recently opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2432/24]

Consular Services

John Lahart

44. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives his Department's embassies are undertaking to gain international recognition of St. Brigid's day with a particular reference to the 1500th anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/24]

Post Office Network

John Lahart

126. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in light of the Post Office scandal in the UK, if he has considered conducting a review of the situation of postmasters in this country, or of the potential need for an independent adjudication mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1664/24]

School Curriculum

John Lahart

520. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the reason school curricula are not audibly accessible to children who struggle with reading; and if plans are in place to facilitate this across the board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56950/23]

Housing Provision

John Lahart

829. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the recent revelation that an estate built-to-sell originally has been bought by a company which is now charging rents of €3,000 per month (details supplied) excluding first-time buyers completely from the market; and what action he will take in this regard, if any, to prevent this from happening. [1663/24]

Refugee Appeals Tribunal

John Lahart

1010. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice how a person can apply for the position of adjudicator on the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. [56513/23]

An Garda Síochána

John Lahart

1141. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has commissioned any survey work with regard to obstacles to recruitment into An Garda Síochána; and if so, the insights garnered from such an essential process, given the challenges in terms of Garda recruitment. [1780/24]

Disabilities Assessments

John Lahart

1370. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he could provide an update for ASD and speech and language assessment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56952/23]

Medicinal Products

John Lahart

1548. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health what additional amount has been allocated to orphan/new drugs for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56756/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

John Lahart

1768. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide details in relation to what is involved in the six new surgical hubs announced; and where they will be located. [1782/24]

Departmental Budgets

John Lahart

1769. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide details in relation to his digital health budget for 2024 which has been increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1783/24]

Mental Health Services

John Lahart

1770. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to provide some details in relation to recovery colleges announced as part of the CAMHS approach to mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1784/24]

Mental Health Services

John Lahart

1771. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to outline what is involved in the new youth mental health app mentioned in Budget 2024; who it is intended to serve; how younger people can learn about it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1785/24]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

1807. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 504 of 14 December 2023, the breakdown of the additional 1,125 acute hospital beds opened since 2020, by hospital, in tabular form. [1963/24]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

149. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56110/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

164. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56107/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

186. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56104/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

203. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56120/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

226. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56109/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

248. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56115/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56106/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

285. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56105/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

304. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56119/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

336. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56113/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

377. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56117/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

400. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56114/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

445. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56102/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

480. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56103/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

504. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56112/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

525. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56111/23]

Departmental Policies

John Lahart

535. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56116/23]

Sports Funding

John Lahart

101. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the application by a school (details supplied), under the 2020 Sports Capital Programme; and the name of the community sports organisations that assisted the school in its successful application for funding towards its dome project. [55695/23]

Cabinet Committees

John Lahart

6. Deputy John Lahart asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services will next meet. [55089/23]