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Parliamentary questions

Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.

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Parliamentary questions by Member are available from 01/07/2012

Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term

Page 1 of 40

Thu, 7 Mar 2024

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Human Rights

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the call of the UN Secretary General for an independent investigation into the deaths of more than 100 Palestinians as they sought aid in Gaza; the action he has taken to avoid mass starvation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11215/24]

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Thu, 7 Mar 2024

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United Nations

Brendan Howlin

132. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out his views on the escalating security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the reason for the withdrawal after a 25-year presence of UN Peacekeepers, MONUSCO, from the DRC; if adequate protection will remain in place for the civilian population of the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11214/24]

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Thu, 7 Mar 2024

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Media Pluralism

Brendan Howlin

133. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he supports the campaign by more than 50 journalists calling on Israel and Egypt to provide free and unfettered access to Gaza for all foreign media; the steps he will take to achieve this important objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11216/24]

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Thu, 7 Mar 2024

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Foreign Policy

Brendan Howlin

134. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the actions he has taken to protest to Russia on foot of the death in custody of Alexei Navalny; if he believes that the number of persons accredited to the Russian Embassy in Dublin are appropriate for a country of Ireland's size; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11217/24]

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Tue, 5 Mar 2024

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Human Rights

Brendan Howlin

95. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the representations he has made to the Iraqi authorities regarding the illegal detention of an Irish citizen and anti-corruption advocate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/24]

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Tue, 5 Mar 2024

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School Admissions

Brendan Howlin

314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the plans to address the shortage of secondary school places in the Greystones Municipal District; if she is aware of the population growth in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10535/24]

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Wed, 28 Feb 2024

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Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Brendan Howlin

126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if a capital allocation to construct the new 97-bed block at Wexford General Hospital, which has full planning permission, is included in this year's capital programme for the HSE; when he expects construction to begin on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/24]

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Tue, 27 Feb 2024

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Road Projects

Brendan Howlin

123. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe envisaged for the completion of the M11 motorway from Oylegate to Rosslare Europort; when the location of the required motorway service station will be known; when he expects construction to begin; when the motorway will be open to traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/24]

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Tue, 27 Feb 2024

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Legislative Measures

Brendan Howlin

296. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to commence part 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022; if he intends for these parts of the Act to be in force before the upcoming European and local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9286/24]

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Tue, 27 Feb 2024

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Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

405. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be put in place for CHO 5; if funding has been allocated in 2024 to provide this service; when recruitment for this team will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9145/24]

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Thu, 22 Feb 2024

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Public Sector Pensions

Brendan Howlin

129. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education the reason the pension abatement of a person (details supplied) who worked on occasions for WWETB after his retirement was calculated on a daily basis; when a daily calculation of days worked, regardless of hours worked, was introduced by her Department for pension abatement purposes; if this method of calculation applies to all employees under the auspices of her Department; if this method of calculation applied to employees of ETBs prior to the issuing of circular letter 0003/2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8409/24]

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Thu, 22 Feb 2024

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Social Welfare Payments

Brendan Howlin

187. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if, pending the submission of additional information requested for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied), she will allow continued payment of the allowance until eligibility has been established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8438/24]

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Thu, 22 Feb 2024

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General Practitioner Services

Brendan Howlin

275. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that it is now virtually impossible for any new patient in Wexford town to be accepted by any of the existing GP practices, which are at capacity in terms of service delivery; the plans he intends to put in place to address this critical health issue, which is having a significant impact both on the health and well-being of the existing growing Wexford population and on the prospects of attracting new people to live and work in the town; if he plans to provide any particular incentives to attract new doctors to work in general practice in Wexford, or to existing practices to expand their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8450/24]

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Thu, 15 Feb 2024

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Departmental Schemes

Brendan Howlin

179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance when the revised disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be introduced; when the criteria for issuing a primary medical certificate for his scheme will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7180/24]

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Thu, 15 Feb 2024

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Citizenship Applications

Brendan Howlin

281. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on the application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) who applied to her Department for citizenship on 19 February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7194/24]

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Tue, 13 Feb 2024

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Middle East

Brendan Howlin

154. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government accepts that Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories is a breach of peremptory norms of international law, including in particular international humanitarian law; if the Government recognises the obligation of the State not to recognise the illegal situation created by this breach, and not to aid or assist in maintaining this illegal situation; his views on whether this includes a legal obligation to abstain from entering into economic or other forms of relationship or dealings with Israel or Israeli entities that purport to acknowledge Israeli authority over Palestinian territory or which would give legal effect to settlement activities or would otherwise entrench the illegal situation; his views on whether the State has a duty to dissuade Irish business from contributing to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including by developing economic relations with settlement enterprises; whether the Implementation Group of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights has considered the issue; if so, to outline its view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6653/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Ukraine War

Brendan Howlin

6. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects an agreement to be reached at the EU Council on the Special Fund for Ukraine; the discussions he has had with other EU Foreign Ministers on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3131/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Official Engagements

Brendan Howlin

50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the issues he raised with the Mexican Foreign Minister on his recent visit to Mexico; if he will provide details of the meetings he had there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3128/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Middle East

Brendan Howlin

75. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any contact with the government of South Africa to discuss that country's legal case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, concerning the carnage being inflicted of the people of Gaza; if he sees a role for Ireland in assisting or supporting this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3127/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

86. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide details of the contact he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State since the beginning of the year; the efforts made by him to encourage a restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3130/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Official Engagements

Brendan Howlin

87. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out the issues he raised with Columbian officials on his recent visit to Columbia; the role Ireland will play as guarantor of the ongoing peace dialogue there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3129/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

153. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs why there is a difference in duration in the validity of a card passport and a book passport; why both cannot run for a full ten years, which would reduce the necessity of renewal applications and the workload of the Passport Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3593/24]

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024

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Electric Vehicles

Brendan Howlin

193. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will set out the number and location of fast electric vehicle chargers currently available in the country; the number expected to be in place in each of the next three years; if it is his intention to have a common pricing system for chargers across the country in order to encourage greater E.V usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3523/24]

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Tue, 23 Jan 2024

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Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

384. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is considering the excluding of maintenance payments made by social welfare recipients in the calculation of weekly means in determining eligibility for the free fuel allowance; if she considers it fair and reasonable to include such regular outgoing payments as means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2453/24]

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Tue, 23 Jan 2024

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Asylum Seekers

Brendan Howlin

421. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice the supports available to enable international protection applicants, long-time resident in direct provision centres, to undertake courses of study to acquire skills that will be useful to enable them to find employment if their applications are approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2440/24]

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Wed, 17 Jan 2024

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Work Permits

Brendan Howlin

435. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the new minimum salary requirements for general employment permits announced by his Department will also apply to existing permit holders when they apply to renew their permits to work in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1213/24]

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Wed, 17 Jan 2024

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Qualifications Recognition

Brendan Howlin

1679. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the length of time it normally takes between the registration of an application with CORU for professional recognition as an occupational therapist and the verification of such an application by CORU; the number of such applications currently awaiting verification at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1331/24]

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Wed, 17 Jan 2024

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Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

1681. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when a registration with CORU for a qualified occupational therapist (details supplied) will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1345/24]

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Tue, 5 Dec 2023

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Driver Licences

Brendan Howlin

180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport when a bus driver licence will issue to a person (details supplied) who has passed all relevant tests and is urgently required by their employer to begin work as a bus driver; the length of time, on average, it takes to issue a bus licence following the successful completion of all test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53735/23]

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Thu, 30 Nov 2023

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Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Howlin

229. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Pakistan as a result of the decision of the Government of Pakistan to deport 1.7 million Afghan refugees, many of whom face persecution in Afghanistan; the action he has taken to date to highlight this issue; if he has made contact with the Pakistan authorities to set out his concerns on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48922/23]

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Tue, 21 Nov 2023

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Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50519/23]

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Tue, 21 Nov 2023

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Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

328. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a social welfare appeal for a carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50520/23]

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Thu, 9 Nov 2023

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Forestry Sector

Brendan Howlin

282. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 26 September 2023, if it is his intention to appoint members of the Social Economic Environmental Association (SEEFA) to the Forestry Programme Consultative Committee, since SEEFA is the largest private sector representative association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49197/23]

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Tue, 7 Nov 2023

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Medical Cards

Brendan Howlin

1215. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who has a full medical card, is being charged for blood tests by their GP surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/23]

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Tue, 7 Nov 2023

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Further and Higher Education

Brendan Howlin

1412. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the current position in relation to providing a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scale for tutors employed by ETBs on an hourly paid rate; the outcome of discussions his Department has had with trade union representatives on this issue; when an improved contract will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/23]

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Thu, 19 Oct 2023

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Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

374. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the supports his Department offers to students living in the Republic of Ireland who are studying in universities and colleges of further education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45810/23]

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Thu, 19 Oct 2023

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Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

375. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review an application for a SUSI grant for a person (details supplied) who returned to third-level education as a mature student; if he will review the requirement that a three year gap occurs between leaving a course and commencing a further course to qualify for a SUSI grant, regardless of personal circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/23]

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Tue, 17 Oct 2023

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Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

211. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that an additional needs class is provided for a school (details supplied) for the 2024/2025 school year, that this class has been sanctioned and funded by the NCSE but has yet to be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44634/23]

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Tue, 17 Oct 2023

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School Funding

Brendan Howlin

212. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will set out the additional supports her Department will provide to a school (details supplied) which is in an area of obvious economic and educational poverty; if there are any other supports available to this school other than rural DEIS status; the reason this status is of less support than the urban DEIS band 1 status; if she is aware that the Pobal Deprivation Index for the immediate area is at -25.02; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44650/23]

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Tue, 10 Oct 2023

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Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

49. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence following the successful operation of the Joint Task Force in interdicting a huge drugs consignment off the Irish coast, and acknowledging the importance of having members of An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners on secondment to the Maritime Operations Centre in Lisbon, if it is intended that an Irish naval officer would also be seconded there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43764/23]

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Tue, 10 Oct 2023

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Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Howlin

315. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the ceasing of the payment of the State pension to a person (details supplied) who suffers from dementia and did not respond to questions posed by her Department due to the condition; if she accepts that the questions asked have now been responded to; if she acknowledges that any delay in restoring this person's pension is imposing severe financial hardship on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43459/23]

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Tue, 10 Oct 2023

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Nursing Education

Brendan Howlin

563. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are an estimated 3,000 trained nurses from India and the Philippines currently working in Ireland; if he plans to allow those who wish to have their nursing qualifications recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and those who need additional language training to progress to recognition as nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44039/23]

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Thu, 5 Oct 2023

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Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 11 May 2022, if any improvement has been made in filling vacant therapist posts (occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology therapy) in County Wexford’s four CDNTs; the plans he has to ensure that an adequate service for children in County Wexford is provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/23]

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Wed, 4 Oct 2023

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Special Educational Needs

Brendan Howlin

182. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and location of therapist posts, including speech and language therapists, occupational, psychological and other, appointed to special schools to date in 2023, setting out the CHO areas of each appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43112/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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Disaster Response

Brendan Howlin

2. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the contribution made by Ireland to address the humanitarian crises following the earthquake in Morocco and the floods in Libya; if our emergency response capabilities need to be upgraded in the face of growing climate disasters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41906/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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Middle East

Brendan Howlin

11. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the matters discussed and the responses received in his discussions with the President of the state of Palestine Mr. Mahmoud Abbas; if the issue of the recognition of the state of Palestine by Ireland was discussed; if he raised the issue of holding elections in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39899/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

26. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out his views on the prospects for the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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EU Enlargement

Brendan Howlin

48. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on progress to EU membership of each of the Western Balkan state applicants, the issues to be resolved by each country to advance their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41901/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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Middle East

Brendan Howlin

54. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the matters raised by him and the responses received, in his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; if he specifically raised the continued annexation of Palestinian land by Israeli settlers and the treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39898/23]

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Thu, 28 Sep 2023

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European Union

Brendan Howlin

55. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to set out his views on the EU reform proposals from the Franco-German expert group which were presented to the General Affairs Council on 19 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/23]

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