Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Payments

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

1. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in light of her not proceeding further with the consultation on the Green Paper on disability payments, she intends to examine a cost-of-disability payment; and whether she intends to introduce different reforms to the disability payments. [18467/24]

Citizens Information Services

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

3. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she and her Department are taking to ensure workers in citizens information companies are provided with a pay increase, given the length of time since their last pay increase; and if she will provide the funding to ensure this happens [18468/24]

EU Directives

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

5. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify whether she intends to taper benefits received by beneficiaries of temporary protection in advance of the ending of the temporary protection directive in 2025. [18469/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Pauline Tully

6. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering the consolidation of all disability payments together into one single payment system; if so, her plans to consult and co-design this scheme in conjunction with the disability community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18411/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Peadar Tóibín

8. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who, having been refused the disability allowance, were successful in their appeals of her Department’s decision to refuse in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [17667/24]

School Meals Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

9. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has measured the progress and success of the school meals programme in the context of diet, attendance and educational attainment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18078/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Ciarán Cannon

11. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when the extension of child benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education will take effect; the number of students who will benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18169/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ciarán Cannon

12. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when people with epilepsy can apply for the free travel pass; if she will outline the process for applying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18168/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

14. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who availed of the activation and family support programme in 2022 to fund the cost of training supports and education courses for people on social welfare in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18137/24]

School Meals Programme

Alan Farrell

15. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the hot school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17836/24]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Bruton

16. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the scope for promoting engaging activities and positive health measures as a part of the welfare programmes promoted by her Department to the pensioners whom she supports with regular financial payments and occasional urgent need payments as part of a more joined-up approach to positive ageing. [18076/24]

Social Welfare Offices

Ruairí Ó Murchú

17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the creation of processing hubs for community welfare and other services; whether she is aware of any administrative difficulties caused by the creation of the hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18405/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Niamh Smyth

48. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of plans to extend child benefit for those continuing in secondary education but who have turned 18 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18135/24]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

54. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on measures to assist farmers with the difficulties they are facing as a result of weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18245/24]

Fodder Crisis

Peter Fitzpatrick

55. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to reinstate the fodder scheme to help compensate farmers for the financial losses they are facing due to the particularly wet conditions this spring; if flexibility is being extended and consideration being given to farmers who are struggling to meet the stipulated three-cop rule due to very difficult weather and ground conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18665/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

56. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the awaited strategy to address ash dieback will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18246/24]

Departmental Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

57. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of employees employed by his Department at the end of 2022 and at the end of 2023; the current numbers for 2024; if there is an embargo on recruitment in his Department at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

58. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the proposal to bring forward a solution for the group known as the "forgotten farmers", given he has advised that his Department has been working on establishing systems for the roll-out of a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18241/24]

Agriculture Industry

Peadar Tóibín

59. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms in Ireland in each of the past ten years. [17665/24]

Agriculture Industry

Richard Bruton

61. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the potential of a carbon farming initiative in the transformation of the sustainability profile of the farming sector. [18080/24]

Harbours and Piers

Pearse Doherty

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has considered the reclassification of Magheraroarty pier in County Donegal as a pier for landing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18300/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the women farmers' capital investment scheme under TAMS III; if there has been, or will be, a review of eligibility criteria for the scheme, given concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18242/24]

Common Agricultural Policy

Paul Murphy

64. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned about negative environmental impacts from the CAP simplification process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18332/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Ruairí Ó Murchú

65. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent report completed by Teagasc and submitted to his Department about the impact on farmers following damage to their farmland as a result of recent flooding on the Cooley Peninsula in November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18433/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Paul Murphy

66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for his decision to rule out introducing any compensation scheme for dairy farmers who wish to reduce the size of their herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18334/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

1. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18319/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

2. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Government Co-ordination has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18320/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

3. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Housing has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18321/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

4. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Migration, Integration and Ukraine has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18322/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

5. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Northern Ireland has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18323/24]

Cabinet Committees

Patrick Costello

6. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services has met in each year of this Dáil Éireann term. [18324/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

7. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; and if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising. [18400/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

8. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; and if he or his officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same [18452/24]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

9. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18256/24]

Passport Services

John Brady

10. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application (details supplied) will be expedited given the applicant’s travel date is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

11. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

12. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department 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. [18444/24]

Departmental Schemes

Matt Carthy

13. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given any consideration to facilitating the prioritisation of particular applications to the SEAI regarding retrofitting/home upgrades in instances whereby such works may be of benefit to a person's health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18293/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

14. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18390/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

15. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department 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. [18442/24]

Defence Forces

Chris Andrews

16. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if urgent assistance will be provided in relation to a housing issue at Cathal Brugha Barracks (details supplied). [18151/24]

Military Aircraft

Paul Donnelly

17. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he expects to put out a contract for the tender for a new Government transport military aircraft before the end of Quarter 3 this year. [18230/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

18. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/24]

Tribunals of Inquiry

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the way persons can make submissions to the tribunal of inquiry into the Defence Forces handling of bullying, harassment and sexual assault allegations; if there will be a public notification of the process; if there will be restrictions on who can submit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

20. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department 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. [18439/24]

Bus Services

Ciarán Cannon

21. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to carry out a review of the Dublin-Galway bus service following the withdrawal of a provider (details supplied) from the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18143/24]

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]

Driver Test

Claire Kerrane

23. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to allowing a carer to accompany a candidate during driving tests, including in situations where a candidate has an invisible disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18162/24]

Road Projects

Brendan Griffin

24. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a safety improvement scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/24]

Bus Services

Michael Healy-Rae

25. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18171/24]

Pension Provisions

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that detailed consideration is given to the issues outlined by an association (details supplied) and to have same resolved without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18236/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to local authorities in 2023 to carry out essential road and bridge improvement works due to flooding problems; the funding provided for such works in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17845/24]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council in 2023 to carry out essential road and bridge improvement works due to difficulties caused by flooding; the funding that will be allocated to these local authorities for such works in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17846/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

29. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18402/24]

Road Projects

Martin Kenny

30. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if an individual update will be provided on the investment to support the ambition for development of the Border region on roads (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18403/24]

Road Projects

Martin Kenny

31. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide individual update on the investment in road projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18404/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

32. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department 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. [18454/24]

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]

Business Supports

Carol Nolan

34. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the tax warehousing scheme for the farm and forestry contractors’ sector in Ireland, which has been the most severely impacted by the bad weather since September 2023 and now faces huge cashflow difficulties due to the late spring sowing season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18207/24]

Business Supports

Claire Kerrane

35. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to allowing an extension to the tax warehousing scheme for agricultural and forestry contractors, given concerns from the sector around financial and weather constraints on work activity in the agricultural and forestry contractor sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/24]

Tax Exemptions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

36. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the submission from a body (details supplied) regarding a VAT exemption for counsellors and psychotherapists; if a VAT exemption will be forthcoming; the measures put in place by his Department to support counsellors and psychotherapists and to improve access to mental health supports for the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18294/24]

Customs and Excise

John Paul Phelan

37. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the points-of-entry, that is, ports and airports, at which mobile x-ray scanners and sniffer dogs were deployed to over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18312/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Michael Healy-Rae

38. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if guidelines can be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18367/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18391/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

40. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department 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. [18443/24]

Protected Disclosures

Thomas Pringle

41. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is satisfied that the structure and robust framework has been out in place for the operation of the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2022 as outlined by his officials at the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18204/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Aindrias Moynihan

42. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the capital funding allocated to build the new Macroom Garda Station; the up-to-date position on the construction of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

43. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

44. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department 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. [18449/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he intends to support the current scope of application of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which would exclude the vast majority of Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18146/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

46. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the current lengthy approach to the transposition of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which would delay the administering of justice; if he will commit to ensuring that the Directive is transposed into Irish law as soon as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18147/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

47. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will support the ‘value chain’ definition based on internationally agreed standards from the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD guidelines and work to ensure that serious downstream human rights impacts are not excluded when it comes to transposing the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18148/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

48. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to ensure that the financial sector in Ireland is held to account for its impact on human rights and the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18149/24]

EU Directives

Louise O'Reilly

49. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports or opposes the changes to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive which reduces the number of companies covered under the Directive to companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million annual turnover. [18153/24]

EU Directives

Louise O'Reilly

50. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, if he supports the lengthy approach to transposition of the Directive which would delay the provision in the Directive; if not, if he will commit to ensuring that cross-departmental work is initiated as soon as possible to transpose the directive into Irish law as quickly as possible. [18154/24]

EU Directives

Louise O'Reilly

51. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will commit to supporting the value chain definition based on the internationally agreed standards (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for MNCs) and work to ensure that serious downstream human rights impacts are not excluded when it comes to transposing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive into Irish law. [18155/24]

EU Directives

Louise O'Reilly

52. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he supports the agreed compromise in relation to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive which excludes the financial sector from carrying out due diligence on its clients; and if not, the steps is he willing to take to rectify this domestically. [18156/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

53. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in his Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18389/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

54. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department 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. [18441/24]

Educational Disadvantage

Cathal Crowe

55. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if her Department will give positive consideration to the application supplied by a school (details supplied) seeking DEIS status. [18142/24]

School Staff

Cathal Crowe

56. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to the disbandment of Croke Park hours for teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18152/24]

Special Educational Needs

Peadar Tóibín

57. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of special education teachers within the education system for each of the past five years; and the number of National Educational Psychology Services staff that exist for each of the past five years. [18164/24]

Special Educational Needs

Frankie Feighan

58. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department has made a decision regarding a two-classroom autism unit for a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18179/24]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Murphy

59. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will sign a letter of intent in respect of a gaelscoil building project (details supplied) in Clondalkin, County Dublin; the reason for the delay in delivering this build; if her attention has been drawn to the duration of time that the school has operated in prefabs; the budget allocated to the delivery of the project and estimated time for delivery (details supplied). [18184/24]

Schools Building Projects

Catherine Murphy

60. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the date on which a building (details supplied) in Naas, County Kildare will be ready for pupils to use. [18185/24]

Schools Building Projects

Colm Burke

61. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to confirm why a school (details supplied) has recently been refused approval under the Emergency Works Programme for an urgent project which impacts children’s safety in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18199/24]

School Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

62. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when her Department's ICT grant monies will be paid to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18200/24]

School Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

63. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when her Department minor works grant monies will be paid to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18201/24]

School Enrolments

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the latest updates on provision of new school places in the Dún Laoghaire area at primary and post-primary level; the latest population projections for the area; whether planned school place expansion is consistent with those projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18210/24]

Special Educational Needs

Patricia Ryan

65. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a definite location for the proposed special school in County Kildare; the current status of the process; and the timeline for completion of same. [18220/24]

School Funding

Patricia Ryan

66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education with regard to the removal of the ICT grant in Spring 2023, if she will take steps to speed up the payment of the late payment of the ancillary services grant and ICT digital strategy grant to schools that are running out of funds due to having purchased ICT and special needs equipment in anticipation of receiving the ICT grant as in the case of a school (details supplied). [18221/24]

School Funding

Brendan Smith

67. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will give further consideration to an increase in capitation grants for smaller primary schools, in view of the particular financial pressures facing some schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18248/24]

School Transport

Peadar Tóibín

68. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if the school transport section will approve a school bus for an area (details supplied) in County Meath given the demand. [18255/24]

After-School Support Services

Duncan Smith

69. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if, given the serious shortage in childcare and in particular after school facilities, she will approve the use of primary school buildings as after school service premises by childcare operators, as there is a severe shortage of premises available to provide these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18260/24]

School Staff

Ged Nash

70. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if there is a mechanism that would facilitate late applications for the PME/HDip allowance for post-primary teachers as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18372/24]

Departmental Advertising

Ged Nash

71. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education for figures on the total spend for all forms of advertising in the years 2022 and 2023 in her Department; if figures can be provided on each Department’s spend on local media advertising (print and broadcast respectively, and broken down on that basis) for those years; if the Department used/uses an agency to place advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18388/24]

School Staff

Brendan Griffin

72. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a teacher in County Kerry (details supplied) will be granted the pre-2011 academic allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18418/24]

Departmental Contracts

Carol Nolan

73. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if her Department has at any time engaged the services of a company (details supplied) or allocated the company funding or support in any capacity; if she or her officials have engaged with personnel from the company; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18440/24]

Sports Funding

Chris Andrews

74. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a date has been selected yet for the opening of applications for the next round of sports capital grants. [18234/24]

Sports Funding

Matt Carthy

75. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available to gymnastics clubs for the purchase of equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18306/24]