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.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 82
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
written
Motor Industry
Fergus O'Dowd
190. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the significant delays for motor traders in securing registration appointments to import cars from the UK, which is causing major business disruptions and cash flow problems, putting many businesses at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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Motor Industry
Fergus O'Dowd
191. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the current wait times to secure appointments through a company (details supplied) and the NCT to import and register cars from the United Kingdom over the years 2022 and 2023 and to date in 2024, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17335/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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Motor Industry
Fergus O'Dowd
192. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that in some cases motor dealers are waiting for up to four weeks and beyond for appointments to import and register cars in County Louth through a company (details supplied) for the second-hand marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17336/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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Schools Building Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
321. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18002/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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Departmental Funding
Fergus O'Dowd
345. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications received for the community monument fund 2024, by county, in tabular form; if there is an appeals process a local authority can enact whereby a project that is of an urgent nature can be reassessed or placed on stand-by if any other funding is returned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17309/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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International Protection
Fergus O'Dowd
570. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1166 of 20 March 2024, if he will clarify statements (details supplied); his views on whether these statements directly contradict each other; his further views on whether there is no transparency regarding the entire process, no separate tendering for security services and presently no way of stating what security services cost; if this has been commented on by the auditor for his Department; the professional security advice his Department use when forming an opinion on the level of security required and the background checks, if any carried out into the security staff employed; the background checks that are carried out separately into all employees of the centre management company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18017/24]
Tue, 23 Apr 2024
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Law Reform Commission
Fergus O'Dowd
649. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the recommendations made in the recent report by the Law Reform Commission on the need for the Government to establish a regulatory framework for adult safeguarding and to introduce the recommended necessary legislation and other fundamental changes necessary to protect vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
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Tourism Industry
Fergus O'Dowd
17. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will expedite a review and provide supports to address the lack of hotel beds for the tourism sector in Drogheda, the largest town in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16857/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Tourism Industry
Fergus O'Dowd
54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the role of the night-time economy manager in Drogheda since the Government policy decision to close the last remaining hotel beds of scale in the town, thereby majorly impacting the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16858/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
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Enterprise Support Services
Fergus O'Dowd
92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with the local business community and stakeholders in Drogheda to discuss their significant concerns on employment and trade within the town of Drogheda, the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
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Enterprise Support Services
Fergus O'Dowd
108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will organise urgent meetings with officials within his Department to formulate a dedicated plan to provide employment in Drogheda, with consideration of the very significant number of workers commuting from the town daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
School Enrolments
Fergus O'Dowd
178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No.119 of 11 April 2024, if she will arrange for a further response to issue to follow-up queries (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17090/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Wind Energy Guidelines
Fergus O'Dowd
210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a pause on wind farm developments until the new guidelines are put in place to replace the current 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which remain in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17092/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
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Local Authorities
Fergus O'Dowd
216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount sought by each local authority from his Department for each of the past two years for housing adaptation grants; the amount granted by his Department; if further allocations were sought by any local authority; if so, the amount granted for each of the past two years; if any funds were returned by any local authority; the waiting list for each such local authority and the amount returned, in tabular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17149/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Contracts
Fergus O'Dowd
276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of properties and corresponding beds offered to his Department that met the requirements under both the IPAS and BOTP schemes, by county, since 1 January 2023 to date, in tabular form; the total number of contracts entered into by his Department; the opposing number of contracts that were not progressed, by county, in tabular form for the corresponding period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17083/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Fergus O'Dowd
45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to urgently review and action the very concerning case of revoked autism places for the coming school term (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16921/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Museum Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 11 July 2023, considering the ongoing funding issues that continue with the Drogheda Museum, if she will assist in organising a meeting with officials competent in the sector who could advise the museum on the best way forward for the organisation, with a view of future funding options and supports at the forefront of its requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16814/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Eligibility
Fergus O'Dowd
83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will seek a review of a domiciliary care allowance case (details supplied) where the child is profoundly deaf but this is not seen as meeting the required criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16900/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Legislative Measures
Fergus O'Dowd
84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16982/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
International Protection
Fergus O'Dowd
127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of applicants under the current fire safety certificate, which is approximately half of the quoted 500 in the original brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17000/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Health Services Waiting Lists
Fergus O'Dowd
136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health how many adults are currently waiting for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Health Services Waiting Lists
Fergus O'Dowd
137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting times for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Health Services Waiting Lists
Fergus O'Dowd
138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the development of any future national hearing care plan will include consideration for adult medical cardholders to be assessed and treated by community audiologists, who currently provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/24]
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
written
Tax Exemptions
Fergus O'Dowd
229. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to proposals raised in respect of extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/24]
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
written
Flood Relief Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide the details of the CFRAM assessment in Termonfeckin, County Louth, which suffered from extremely damaging floods in the recent flooding events, given the OPW indicated that a possible structural flood relief measures for Termonfeckin was not an economically viable scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16616/24]
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16503/24]
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Funding
Fergus O'Dowd
375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding and supports are available to assist a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/24]
Tue, 16 Apr 2024
written
Housing Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
400. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further supports or review of the croí cónaithe application (details supplied) can be undertaken; if there are any additional supports that he is aware of that might assist in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16507/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
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Housing Policy
Fergus O'Dowd
54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
oral
Vacant Properties
Fergus O'Dowd
91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines for the Croí Cónaithe scheme considering the very worrying figures reported in a paper (details supplied) on the number of applicants who have successfully drawn down funding on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15674/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
School Enrolments
Fergus O'Dowd
119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to consider a review of the Drogheda school planning area, with consideration of the population sprawl in Drogheda rural, which in many cases is leaving students in Drogheda rural unable to attend their nearest primary/secondary schools in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15794/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Legislative Measures
Fergus O'Dowd
166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to correspondence and proposals set out by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Family Courts Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15768/24]
Wed, 10 Apr 2024
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Legislative Measures
Fergus O'Dowd
98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Gambling Regulation Bill. 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Road Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update with any engagement his Department has had with Louth County Council in respect of progressing phase 2 of the port access northern cross route in Drogheda; if he supports this vital infrastructure; if he will commit to fast-tracking and/or assisting any discussion to allow for its progression, including any funding required to complete an over/under passage of the main Dublin to Belfast rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15281/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Rail Network
Fergus O'Dowd
256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the REPowerEU funding of €56 million that will be allocated to the electrification works at Drogheda train station to facilitate the charging of battery electric trains, has been drawn down yet from the European Union; if so, when; if he will seek a detailed description on what the funding will provide in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Driver Test
Fergus O'Dowd
257. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from the CEO of the Road Safety Authority on the progress/lack of progress on the long-awaited driving test centre for Drogheda; what sites have been considered or investigated; the expected timelines for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Waterways Issues
Fergus O'Dowd
259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene and insist that Louth County Council, as a responsible party, that action is taken to remove the hebble dredge from the River Boyne in Drogheda following its original sinking in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15314/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Rail Network
Fergus O'Dowd
262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress to introduce the new DART hybrid fleet on the northern line to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15322/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Road Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
264. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed Ardee by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Road Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the funding requirements and allocations required to advance the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Capital Expenditure Programme
Fergus O'Dowd
368. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site since the welcome announcement of up to €10 million in shared island funding to develop the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15330/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Flood Relief Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
369. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the delivery of the CFRAM scheme for County Louth and east Meath, further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
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Coastal Erosion
Fergus O'Dowd
370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to identify if reports have been undertaken to ascertain the level of coastal erosion underway between the mouth of the River Boyne at Baltray to Clogherhead in County Louth; if so, what are the results; what plans, if any, there are to mitigate coastal erosion at this location into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15369/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Foreign Direct Investment
Fergus O'Dowd
387. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the advanced building solution facility in Drogheda, County Louth; when he expects construction to commence on the facility and any other related details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Priorities
Fergus O'Dowd
388. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of the North East Regional Enterprise Plans, considering the need to provide employment in the area and reduce the outward commute from towns such as Drogheda, Ardee and Dunleer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Correspondence
Fergus O'Dowd
507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to urgent concerns relating to a child’s enrolment in an ASD unit in Dundalk (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
546. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the joint major building project for schools (details supplied) in Drogheda; what stage it is currently at; when they can expect progression to the next stage of the planning process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15291/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
School Transport
Fergus O'Dowd
550. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek or support calls for additional school bus places to cater for all secondary school children travelling from Collon to Ardee, County Louth for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15337/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Housing Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines on the croí cónaithe scheme considering the worrying figures reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on the number of applicants who have successfully drawn down funding on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Fire Stations
Fergus O'Dowd
712. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15346/24]