Parliamentary questions

School Funding

Noel Grealish

289. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of a digital strategy ICT grant for 2023 and 2024 for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16050/24]

Rural Schemes

Noel Grealish

771. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a new community centres investment fund - improvement and refurbishment of existing community centres is to be announced and open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16143/24]

Lobbying Reform

Noel Grealish

352. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how a person can de-register as a lobbyist if they are no longer engaging in lobbying activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14558/24]

Property Registration

Noel Grealish

889. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the lengthy delays adversely impacting the conveyancing process; what steps she is taking to address these delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14557/24]

An Garda Síochána

Noel Grealish

920. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of the following Garda numbers, by year, from 2007 to date; the number of serving members of An Garda Síochána in each year and to date in 2024; the number of new recruits to An Garda Síochána in each year and to date in 2024; the numbers of gardaí passing out from the Garda Training College in each year from 2007 and to date in 2024; the numbers of candidates offered places in the Garda College and the number who do not take them up for each year and to date in 2024; the numbers of gardaí retiring in each year and to date in 2024; the numbers of gardaí on sick leave for each year and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15034/24]

Nursing Homes

Noel Grealish

1196. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the overall staff levels at St. Anne's Community Nursing Home, Clifden and Clifden District Hospital, broken down by nursing staff, HCAs and other staff; the number of these staff on sick leave and for how long, broken down by nursing staff, HCAs and other staff; what steps are being taken to replace staff on long-term leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13560/24]

Health Services

Noel Grealish

1197. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed health centre for Carraroe; can he confirm that the project will still go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13561/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Noel Grealish

267. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if provisions are in place for an individual whose application for a primary medical certificate was refused and subsequently appealed the decision, but is unable to travel to Dun Laoghaire for the appeal appointment due to ill-health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12911/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

654. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of the 7 March 2024, if there is an appeals process for the vacant home refurbishment grant when the local authority has refused the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12433/24]

Health Services

Noel Grealish

1487. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 20 February 2024, the steps a person (details supplied) who is employed in a private company, but worked on a contract in a clinical setting in a hospital during the peak of the Covid pandemic can take in order to apply for the Covid bonus when their employer refuses to lodge an application on their behalf, but they meet the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12912/24]

Illegal Dumping

Noel Grealish

80. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what additional resources will be given to local authorities to better enforce illegal dumping laws following the introduction of legislation clearing the way for the use of drones, CCTV and other technologies in detecting offenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11050/24]

Schools Building Projects

Noel Grealish

215. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of the provision of a second modular classroom for a school (details supplied); when this second modular classroom will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11208/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

246. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 30 January 2024, if a person can avail of the vacant home refurbishment scheme for works not yet commenced on the property before the local authority carries out an inspection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11241/24]

Environmental Policy

Noel Grealish

245. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are plans to introduce penalties for businesses that fail to reduce their carbon emissions; if so, when these penalties would be likely to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10479/24]

Island Communities

Noel Grealish

324. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education for an update regarding the current status of a possible post-primary school to serve students on Inisbofin, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10675/24]

Legislative Measures

Noel Grealish

490. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if she acknowledges the benefits of the Seller's Legal Pack for Property Buyers' Bill 2021; and if she will provide an update on when it will be heard at committee stage. [10370/24]

Climate Change Policy

Noel Grealish

527. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can provide a timeline on when the national biomethane strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10478/24]

Road Safety

Noel Grealish

129. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 15 February 2024, if he will provide an itemised breakdown of how funding of €300,000 allocated in December 2022 for Bóthar Dhoirefhearta, Carraroe, County Galway, was spent on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9222/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Noel Grealish

115. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the exact procedure for a person wishing to import a car from Australia; the costs associated with importing a car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8568/24]

School Meals Programme

Noel Grealish

182. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection they way in which a company applies to provide school meals under the school meals programme; when applications will open and the way in which applications are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8570/24]

Medicinal Products

Noel Grealish

172. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will support the provision of melatonin on the list of drugs available under the medical card scheme for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8262/24]

Protected Disclosures

Noel Grealish

173. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied). [8263/24]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

165. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Claregalway Inner Relief Road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

355. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current length of time it takes for housing assistance payments (HAP) to be made to a landlord, when a qualified tenant takes up occupancy of a rented house; the current average length of delays in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Noel Grealish

427. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice what progress has been made in establishing the conveyancing profession; when the results from the Legal Services Regulatory Authority report on the matter will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7696/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Noel Grealish

428. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice what actions she is taking to address delays in the property purchasing processes pertaining to conveyancing; if she will consider implementing a seller's legal pack under the Bill of the same name, or a similar measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7697/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Noel Grealish

593. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health what an individual, who is employed in a private company, but worked on a contract in a clinical setting in a hospital during the peak of the Covid pandemic can do in order to apply for the Covid bonus when their employer refuses to lodge an application on their behalf, but they meet the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7850/24]

Community Development Projects

Noel Grealish

654. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when applications for the new Community Recognition Fund 2024 will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7502/24]

Climate Action Plan

Noel Grealish

159. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when five-year contract positions for the post of climate action officer and climate action coordinator in local authorities will be converted to permanent positions for those staff who have been appointed, particularly considering all those employed during the course of 2023 will have their employment contracts expire in 2028, the year prior to the end of the lifetime of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan (2024-2029), and before 2030 targets will have been measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/24]

Road Safety

Noel Grealish

167. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport how much funding was allocated to Bóthar Dhoirefhearta, Carraroe, County Galway, in 2021, 2022 and 2023; if any funding allocated was unused; if so, what happened to this unused funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7115/24]

School Transport

Noel Grealish

192. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will increase the upper age limit for school bus drivers from 70 to 75 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7117/24]

Schools Building Projects

Noel Grealish

193. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7118/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Noel Grealish

444. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons that are in receipt of a reduced rate of disability allowance as a result of a legacy pension following the death of a parent, and the disability allowance is reduced on a euro for euro amount, did not qualify for any bonus or cost of living payment, given that they are still only in receipt of an income up to the maximum rate of disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6334/24]

Commemorative Medals

Noel Grealish

53. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider awarding 1916 commemorative medals to veterans of the Defence Forces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5713/24]

Road Safety

Noel Grealish

67. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if permanent speed cameras and driver feedback signs can be erected on the main N84 in Cloonboo village, County Galway to try to reduce speeding in the 50kmp/h zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5131/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Noel Grealish

130. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will retain the current link between pensions of retired members of An Garda Síochána with pay for serving members, which was previously agreed with all staff associations and was scheduled to change at the end of January 2024 to a link between pensions and the consumer price index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5482/24]

Rental Sector

Noel Grealish

245. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps a landlord needs to take to avail of the landlord guarantee scheme (details supplied); how long the scheme will operate when a tenant does not make their contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4976/24]

Pension Provisions

Noel Grealish

503. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for processing pensions for recently retired staff in the HSE, particularly in the CHO2 district; the steps being taken to speed up the processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5132/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

313. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes to the tenant incremental purchase scheme, which come into force on 29 January 2024, mean that tenants of Part V houses can purchase their homes under the tenant incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3615/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

314. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many houses have been purchased, broken down by each local authority, under the tenant-in-situ scheme; how much money has been allocated to each local authority for purchasing houses under this scheme for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3617/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

326. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an individual can apply for the vacant home refurbishment grant if they have already started renovation works prior to applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Noel Grealish

364. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if her officials have been in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a policy to have local authorities authorise works/ purchases under the exceptional needs/additional needs payments applications for individuals who have recently been allocated local authority properties, if this is a requirement to qualify for an exceptional needs/additional needs payment in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3616/24]

Bus Services

Noel Grealish

183. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric buses purchased by the NTA in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the overall investment made; if all of these buses are currently in operation; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56575/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Noel Grealish

327. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the reason the VRT refund scheme was originally set up; if it was to comply with an EU directive; how much it cost to set up the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56862/23]

Hospital Facilities

Noel Grealish

1734. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the State on the 31 December in each of the years 2013 to 2023; the number of hospital ICU beds in State-funded and private hospitals in each year; his views on the implementation of the Government's stated intention to increase the provision of ICU hospital beds in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1618/24]

Business Supports

Noel Grealish

14. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any grants from his Department for businesses that are operating eco-friendly laundry services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55618/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

40. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Claregalway inner relief road; when this bypass is likely to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55617/23]

National Lottery

Noel Grealish

300. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if any records exist for the National Lottery Sports Programme application or approval for funding, which was allocated for a centre (details supplied) from 1989-1999; if so, whether these records can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54493/23]

State Claims Agency

Noel Grealish

807. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of claims made to the State Claims Agency related to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, by categorisation of severity, from 1 January 2019 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54914/23]

Tax Code

Noel Grealish

62. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the local property tax applies to buildings only and not to each unit in a multi-unit, pre-1963 property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54049/23]