Parliamentary questions

Road Safety

Robert Troy

22. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be referred to the Road Safety Authority for review. [18157/24]

Tax Exemptions

Robert Troy

33. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if a favourable response will be given to extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists. [18160/24]

State Pensions

Robert Troy

97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to bring forward proposals to amend pension entitlements in order that women who had to leave work due to marriage could qualify for a pension in their own right regardless of their husband’s means. [18158/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Robert Troy

161. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the resources available to people suffering from long-Covid. [18159/24]

Departmental Contracts

Robert Troy

188. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; if he or his officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18371/24]

Hospital Services

Robert Troy

189. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite blood test results for a person (details supplied). [18371/24]

Crime Prevention

Robert Troy

17. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will implement the recommendation of the Hamilton report to introduce a standard of recklessness into fraud offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17792/24]

Visa Agreements

Robert Troy

28. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will reconsider joining the EU's Visa Information System in a bid to tackle migration and security challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17793/24]

Public Sector Pay

Robert Troy

63. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the efficiencies to be achieved under the new public sector pay deal; how these are to be measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17794/24]

Flood Risk Management

Robert Troy

83. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the action being taken to strengthen flood defences in Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/24]

Passport Services

Robert Troy

99. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that a recently naturalised applicant’s birth certificate (details supplied) cannot be accepted by his Department as part of their passport application when it was accepted by the Department of Justice as part of their approved naturalisation application. [17488/24]

National Educational Psychological Service

Robert Troy

316. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education how a school requests a NEPS assessment for a student. [17949/24]

Commercial Rates

Robert Troy

376. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a reduction or waiver regarding the cost and payments of commercial rates for businesses that are impacted by disruption of construction works affecting their business; and the likelihood of a waiver of property rates during these periods of disruption to local businesses. [17881/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

416. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a domiciliary care allowance review for a person (details supplied). [17933/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

417. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an invalidity appeal will be urgently expedited for a person (details supplied). [17935/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

579. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for surgery (details supplied). [17333/24]

Patient Transport

Robert Troy

611. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if measures can be put in place to assist nursing home patients to attend hospital appointments where they can only be transported by ambulance as currently families are being faced with costs of up to €1,000 to engage an ambulance in such cases. [17578/24]

Medicinal Products

Robert Troy

673. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the approval of fenfluramine for the treatment of dravet syndrome (details supplied). [17972/24]

Medicinal Products

Robert Troy

680. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will approve the funding of a fenfluramine for a child (details supplied) on compassionate grounds. [17985/24]

Health Service Executive

Robert Troy

689. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to arrange for a proper boundary wall to be erected between Lakepoint housing estate and the HSE building in Lakepoint, Mullingar, as there is currently a timber fence at this location but a proper wall needs to be built to discourage people climbing over the timber fence. [18047/24]

Business Supports

Robert Troy

68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to support those SMEs that are currently struggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16996/24]

Industrial Development

Robert Troy

125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for a update on the construction of an advanced manufacturing facility at Marlinstown, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17001/24]

Probate Applications

Robert Troy

156. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance the reason a spouse can only access €27,000 of a deceased spouse’s credit union savings and any remainder must go to probate; his views on whether this rule is fair when the spouse is clearly the next-of-kin and automatic beneficiary; and if he plans to review such rules in the short term. [17177/24]

Sports Funding

Robert Troy

198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied). [17176/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

130. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an outpatient physiotherapy appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [16781/24]

State Properties

Robert Troy

139. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the future plans the HSE has for the old GP building on the Galway Road, Kinnegad (details supplied). [16818/24]

Departmental Schemes

Robert Troy

158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on a community climate action programme application (details supplied). [16025/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Robert Troy

180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property owner (details supplied) will be able to avail of high-speed broadband; and the company that will provide same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16555/24]

Housing Schemes

Robert Troy

227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if the eligibility for help to buy in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed. [16519/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

321. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the reason that in the most recent meetings in relation to special education, the removal of complex needs was included. [16431/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

322. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education to list the exemptions for which schools can apply to the National Council for Special Education. [16432/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

323. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a school will be able to enrol a child with special educational needs if there are no SET hours. [16433/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

324. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the reason Down’s syndrome specifically is not recognised as complex needs under the definition of complex needs. [16434/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

325. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education to quantify the numbers which determine the significant intake of additional needs. [16435/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied). [16311/24]

Departmental Data

Robert Troy

500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the amounts paid to private practitioners in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the amount paid to each of the top-ten recipients of fees under the international protection private practitioners scheme, by the practitioner's name and fees in those years. [16154/24]

Health Services Staff

Robert Troy

570. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a child psychologist vacancy in an area intervention team (details supplied). [16437/24]

Childcare Services

Robert Troy

591. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider insuring that the capitation rate paid per child in the early years setting is allocated for the full calendar year or the full school year to enable the school to forward plan. [16441/24]

Community Development Projects

Robert Troy

592. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider introducing a grants scheme in order that community facilities can apply for the grant aid to upgrade their community facilities. [16442/24]

Childcare Services

Robert Troy

593. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to help the early years sector retain staff as currently many staff are being recruited into the SNA roles in primary schools. [16443/24]

Departmental Schemes

Robert Troy

594. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason access to the AIMS scheme is only available from the age of three years when it is known that the most critical time for a child's brain development is 0 to 6 months. [16444/24]

Childcare Services

Robert Troy

595. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason, in relation to the inspection regime, child care providers subject to multiple agency checks; and if he would explore the possibility of one agency carrying out all checks to improve efficiency for child care providers. [16445/24]

Childcare Services

Robert Troy

596. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he intends to support child care settings with the additional cost of infrastructure by Government, the auto-enrolment for pensions, sick pays, and also from his own Department in relation to preparation of accounts in duplicate is leading to additional professional fees. [16446/24]

Health Services Staff

Robert Troy

601. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff that are working in the speech and language therapy in the HSE in Springfield, Mullingar; the number of vacancies that currently exist in that service; the number of people waiting to access that service; and his plans to address this concern. [16529/24]

Home Help Service

Robert Troy

730. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the home help hours of a person (details supplied) will be increased. [16518/24]

Rural Schemes

Robert Troy

768. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review the eligibility criteria for men's/women's sheds grants ahead of future rounds of funding (details supplied). [16530/24]

Heritage Sites

Robert Troy

12. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support the establishment of a consultation forum for the future development of Columb Barracks, Mullingar by the Land Development Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15700/24]

Housing Provision

Robert Troy

23. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline plans to utilise State owned land and modular homes to address the homeless crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15701/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Robert Troy

175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite an application for the 2024 horticulture grant scheme (details supplied). [15753/24]

State Properties

Robert Troy

202. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline plans within his Department for the future use of the St. Vincent's Hospital site in Athlone. [15813/24]

Ambulance Service

Robert Troy

203. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline plans by his Department for an ambulance base in Athlone. [15814/24]

State Pensions

Robert Troy

94. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was never advised to apply for a pension (non-contributory) when awarded a reduced rate contributory pension on turning 66 years. [15576/24]

Inland Fisheries

Robert Troy

108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current situation regarding the bye law banning the fishing of eels in the country which has not been renewed by the Minister since 2018; if the ban on eel fishing remains in place; and if not, if it is currently subject to review. [14617/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Robert Troy

129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions are being taken by his Department to ensure An Post complies fully with the terms of section 46 of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs Act 1983 in providing the correct pension entitlements to retired employees (details supplied). [15137/24]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

193. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority following the decision by Aircoach to withdraw the Athlone service, to ensure connectivity is maintained in this growth centre. [14006/24]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport when the additional capacity will be in service on the Sligo to Dublin rail line. [14065/24]

Greenways Provision

Robert Troy

214. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that an updated lease on the old rail trail greenway is brought forward and put in place. [14330/24]

Economic Sanctions

Robert Troy

374. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the analysis that has been done on the Russian trade sanctions; and if he is satisfied they are working and not being circumvented in any way. [13999/24]

Civil Service

Robert Troy

375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the civil service mobility transfer list in relation to positions in Mullingar, County Westmeath; how many positions have been filled through this list within the past year; and the position of a person (details supplied) with regard to this particular list. [14082/24]

Trade Agreements

Robert Troy

380. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current status of full ratification of CETA; and if he considers the recent decision by the French parliament to reject CETA will impact on the agreement. [14378/24]

Schools Building Projects

Robert Troy

426. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education when construction works will commence on schools (details supplied). [14004/24]

Departmental Data

Robert Troy

427. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education the annual capital budget for schools in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and her views that this allocation is keeping pace with housing allocation and to keep pace with population increase. [14005/24]

Special Educational Needs

Robert Troy

447. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure an ASD place is allocated to a student (details supplied). [14186/24]

Education Schemes

Robert Troy

485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will approve an application under the pilot physical activity in teaching and learning scheme for a school (details supplied). [14606/24]

School Textbooks

Robert Troy

517. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education when the schoolbook scheme moneys will be paid out to schools; the full criteria for the scheme and the specific allocation per pupil; and if additional resources will be made available to schools for the administration of the scheme. [14876/24]

Departmental Schemes

Robert Troy

690. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider awarding a built heritage investment grant to a person (details supplied); and if there is an appeal avenue for this grant scheme. [15019/24]

Departmental Reports

Robert Troy

693. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will amend the criteria for housing adaption grants in order that a change of circumstances that is, a reduction in earnings, can be taken into consideration rather than the earnings of the previous calendar year. [15049/24]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Robert Troy

887. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if a place at a citizenship award ceremony can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [14441/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Robert Troy

1033. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a young farmers scheme application (details supplied). [14987/24]

Health Services Staff

Robert Troy

1303. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the posts which are sanctioned and remain vacant currently in CHO8. [14000/24]

Health Services Staff

Robert Troy

1304. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the posts that are vacant and awaiting sanction. [14001/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Robert Troy

1305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the numbers on the waiting lists across each discipline under their remit; and the actions that are being taken to address these lists. [14002/24]

Health Services Staff

Robert Troy

1306. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to recruit staff to vacant posts; if international recruitment campaigns have commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14003/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

1354. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the case of a planned surgery, which did not go ahead, and ensure a new appointment is issued to the person (details supplied) as soon as possible.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14285/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

1372. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a surgery appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [14389/24]

Health Services

Robert Troy

1481. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently re-examine the transfer of the physiotherapy/occupational therapy service to Longford for parts of Westmeath who previously attended Clonbrusk in Athlone (details supplied); and if these services must remain in Longford if his Department will discuss the provision of transport links with the Department of Transport as a matter of urgency. [14771/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Robert Troy

1504. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he is confident that all contracts put to tender are awarded to companies who meet the tender criteria; and if it was to be identified where one clearly did not meet the stated criteria in the tender specs, what the recourse would be. [14868/24]

Technological Universities

Robert Troy

1691. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Technological Universities that have the capacity to deliver student accommodation; the TUs that have proposals waiting on the new funding model to be approved and how many beds this will deliver; and when he anticipates this funding model to be approved. [14064/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the actions he is taking to optimise retention amongst Defence Forces members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13265/24]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

56. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when a decision will be taken on the location of the new Army HQ; if Athlone will be considered given its central location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13266/24]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the delivery of additional carriages for Dublin Sligo rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13267/24]

Rail Network

Robert Troy

108. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the delivery of the transport study for east Westmeath and its inclusion of the reopening of the Killucan railway station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13268/24]

Electric Vehicles

Robert Troy

160. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the action he is taking to support the roll-out of the EV charging network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11123/24]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently intervene to ensure the reintroduction of the 20/X20 route by Bus Éireann in view of the recent withdrawal of the services of a company (details supplied) on the Galway – Dublin route. [13493/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

43. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12728/24]

Passport Services

Robert Troy

48. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to clarify how long an Irish passport must be expired to be considered a first-time application with the Passport Office. [11778/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

70. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12720/24]

Energy Prices

Robert Troy

115. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of any omissions by the electric supply company in terms of customers receiving the correct energy credits; and if he will seek a report from the electricity supply companies in terms of any omissions and whether they have been rectified. [12682/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

117. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12718/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Robert Troy

124. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the provision of fibre broadband to a property (details supplied). [13100/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12715/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12730/24]

Bus Services

Robert Troy

191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the NTA to review the withdrawal of the 706 and 706X bus service by a company (details supplied) from Athlone and Dublin. [12849/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12719/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

297. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level of funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12725/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

337. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12717/24]

Trade Sanctions

Robert Troy

339. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has carried an assessment on how effective the trade sanctions are with Russia; if he is confident these sanctions are not being circumvented in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12808/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will publish a list of the NGOs funded by her Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12716/24]

Schools Building Projects

Robert Troy

538. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education to provide an update and timeframe for the delivery of the development works at a school (details supplied). [13057/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

563. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will publish a list of the NGOs funded by her Department; and the level of funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12729/24]