Parliamentary questions

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the means through which designated maritime area plans are being identified; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking to increase the number of energy customers to adopt a smart tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he gathers data on the number of households that are on a smart tariff following completion of a retrofit as part of the SEAI’s schemes; if so, the proportion, that are on a smart tariff following a retrofit for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if measures are used to encourage households that have had a retrofit of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5819/24]

North-South Interconnector

Pauline Tully

141. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a reply will issue to the elected members of Monaghan County Council regarding their letter (details supplied) in relation to the route and undergrounding of the north south interconnector. [5825/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023, what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; what is the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; what is the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; what is the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is doing to ensure that Ireland will meet its 2030 target of 500,000 dwellings to B2 BER status 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/24]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

144. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 12 December 2023, if his Department has funding options for community and voluntary organisations to lead on climate action including training and awareness raising. [5932/24]

Recycling Policy

Jennifer Whitmore

145. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures that are in place for the deposit return scheme for housebound or disabled persons who shop for groceries online and are unable to physically access the deposit return scheme in shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5943/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

146. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has been contacted by local authorities interested in acquiring the decommissioned naval vessel, LÉ Éithne, to be turned into a naval or maritime museum; if so, to provide an update on these requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5884/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

147. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has carried out a feasibility study in relation to proposals to turn the decommissioned naval vessel, LÉ Éithne, into a naval or maritime museum; if so, to provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

148. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update of LÉ Éithne; the stumbling blocks that were identified preventing it being turned into a naval or maritime museum as suggested by many local authorities and port companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5881/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

149. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the future of the decommissioned LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5882/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

150. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline in detail the process that is carried out when considering how to dispose of former naval vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5883/24]

Naval Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether his Department considered the use of the decommissioned vessels LÉ Eithne, LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla by the Irish Coastguard or the Irish Naval Reserve for training purposes or as a maritime museum ship located at Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour, as noted in a scoping study (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/24]

Road Network

Matt Shanahan

152. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide his Department’s approved budget figures for the purposes of road maintenance and new road developments infrastructure outlined by individual region totals over the past four years of Government; if he will clarify how regional equity is demonstrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5918/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Pauline Tully

153. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if a reply will issue to the elected members of Monaghan County Council regarding their letter (details supplied) in relation to additional funding for the salting of roads and footpaths. [5823/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Pauline Tully

154. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if a reply will issue to the elected members of Monaghan County Council regarding their letter (details supplied) in relation to additional funding to expedite driver testing services and NCT car testing services. [5824/24]

Road Projects

Alan Dillon

155. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5879/24]

Road Projects

Alan Dillon

156. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5880/24]

Active Travel

Niamh Smyth

157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and the NTA will review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5916/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Róisín Shortall

158. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 459 of 21 April 2021 and 313 of 30 November 2023, the current steps being taken to address the proliferation of illegal vehicle registration plates on motor cars; whether sufficient legislation is in place for gardaí to apply a fixed charge penalty notice for this offence (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5968/24]

Tax Code

Claire Kerrane

159. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the revision of residential zoned land tax maps; if the revision will allow farmers whose land was previously zoned and whose land is actively in use for agricultural purposes will be able to seek exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5793/24]

Tax Code

Claire Kerrane

160. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the revision of residential zoned land tax maps, if the revision will allow farmers whose land was previously zoned and whose land is actively in use for agricultural purposes will be able to seek exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5820/24]

Tax Code

Claire Kerrane

161. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the revision of residential zoned land tax maps; how his Department is ensuring that accessible systems are in place to allow farmers to submit a request for exemption if their land is actively being used for agricultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5826/24]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

162. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of unclaimed tax reliefs in each of the years 2019 to 2023; and a breakdown of the estimated amount by individual relief, that is, medical relief, rent relief, disabled child relief and so on, in tabular form. [5816/24]

Tax Credits

Gino Kenny

163. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the last time a budget increased the blind persons tax credit. [5835/24]

Tax Credits

Gino Kenny

164. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Finance the reason the blind persons tax credit was not increased in line with other tax credit increases in Budget 2024; and his plans to increase the credit in the future. [5836/24]

Tax Rebates

Michael Creed

165. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance when a person in County Cork (details supplied) will receive their VAT refund. [5934/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

166. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total number of complaints made with regard to the operation and services provided by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; and if he will consider the value of introducing an independent assessor in order to independently assess complaints and make recommendations to the FSPO and the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6013/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the jurisdiction of the FSPO with respect to complaints made regarding entities that were not regulated by the Central Bank prior to a particular date, where the complaint concerns a time prior to that date; and if legislative provisions are possible to address this. [6019/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints (case) handlers operating in the Financial Services and Pension Ombudsman in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; the number of current vacancies for the role of complaint (case) handler at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6020/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to be allocated to a complaint handler, disaggregated by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to have a preliminary decision issued disaggregated, by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to have a final decision issued disaggregated by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6021/24]

Legislative Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

170. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [3500/24]

Public Sector Pay

Pearse Doherty

171. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the first year cost of the recently announced and proposed public sector pay deal; and if, following its implementation, it will require a further revised estimate for 2024. [5897/24]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

172. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is considering the high cost of accommodation as a significant factor in recruitment and retention challenges; and what considerations will be given to this. [5955/24]

National Development Plan

Richard Boyd Barrett

173. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will consider the establishment of a state-run construction company to assist in achieving the National Development Plan goals and particularly the urgent need to address the housing crisis and critical infrastructure development. [5956/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5981/24]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the impact of Brexit on the public and private sectors with a view to addressing such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5982/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which he continues to rely on reform as a means of meeting public expenditure challenges ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5983/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent if any to which public expenditure and reform strategies need to be revised to meet any challenges in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5984/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which his Department continues to monitor public contracts with a view to achieving optimum value for money while at the same time facilitating an expeditious process leading to increased efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5985/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent, if any, to which various Government Departments can be rewarded for adherence to public expenditure and reform guidelines while maintaining maximum level of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5986/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the degree to which value for money targets continue to be met by various Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5987/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which targets in respect of public expenditure for the year 2024 remain in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5988/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Bernard Durkan

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure here are adequately proofed to ensure best outcome for the Exchequer and taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5989/24]

Freedom of Information

Ged Nash

183. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will publish legislation to modernise and update the Freedom of Information Act and ethics in public office legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5994/24]

Job Creation

Brendan Smith

184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of employment created to date since the jobs announcement in 2019; the level of State funding provided to a company (details supplied) to create employment; the up-to-date position regarding this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

185. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to areas of expenditure (details supplied) in each of the years 2018 to 2023; if an underspend existed, by year; and the funding allocated for 2024, in tabular form. [5805/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the projects under his Department that are being funded as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan that is funded under the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, by funding and project, in tabular form. [5837/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total amount of funding provided to businesses for support digitisation over the past five years; and the funding allocated to support firms with digitisation in 2024. [5838/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

188. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for his Department for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, broken down for the expenditure base for the programme expenditure under 'jobs and enterprise development', 'enterprise innovation and commercialisation', 'regulation', listing all subheads within each, in tabular form. [5869/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

189. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the expenditure base for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Development, InterTradeIreland, Science and Technology Development Programme, Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, Workplace Relations Programme, and the Health and Safety Authority for the years 2024 to 2027, or as far as is projected, in tabular form. [5870/24]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions of the Digital Services Act with respect to online platforms which platform fraudulent advertising on their channels, the requirements, obligations and sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to review the key outcomes and key impacts for the LEO network in performance budgeting; his views on the introduction of key outcomes and impacts for green budgeting across all departmental programmes, as reported on in the annual Public Service Performance Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5953/24]

Enterprise Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

192. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline the targets for Green for Business take up in each county for 2024 and for an update, if available, on the applications approved, training attended or completed assessments broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5954/24]

Labour Court

Bernard Durkan

193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which action is underway to meet staff shortages in the construction sector with particular reference to the need to meet such deficiencies in full in early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5971/24]

Work Permits

Bernard Durkan

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit-related visa applications currently awaiting process with particular reference to various aspects of the economy particularly affected by staff shortages; the extent to which this issue is being addressed in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5972/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which Irish people overseas can be encouraged to return in order to meet staff vacancies throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5973/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which employment has fluctuated in this jurisdiction over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Bernard Durkan

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which working from home or working through digital hubs is being optimised and progressed with a view to ensuring the optimum results for employer, employee and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5975/24]

Trade Data

Bernard Durkan

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which Ireland’s trade with EU countries has fluctuated over the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5976/24]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Bernard Durkan

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the degree to which his Department continues to support small and medium sized enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5977/24]

Enterprise Policy

Bernard Durkan

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether any further particular incentives are being considered to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of younger people throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which this country’s workforce continues to have the increased skills necessary to meet modern market requirements; the extent to which this issue continues to be examined and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5979/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of job opportunities for women likely to emerge in the manufacturing or services sectors over the next twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5980/24]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

203. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil cinneadh déanta maidir le líon na sraithphictiúir atá le déanamh ag daltaí atá ag ullmhú don Ardteist; an bhfuair a Roinn aon chomhfhreagras ó dhaltaí ag léiriú míshástacht faoin mbrú a chuireann an 20 sraithphictiúir reatha orthu; agus cén iarrachtaí atá ar bun aici chun an brú i measc an chúigiú agus an séú bliain a laghdú [5817/24]

School Staff

Cathal Crowe

204. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) can expect to hear the outcome of their application to have their salary increments reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5839/24]

School Transport

Pearse Doherty

205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when a response will issue to communication regarding school transport for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5891/24]

School Funding

Michael Lowry

206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if an environmental grant is available for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6011/24]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will give an update in relation to the development of upgrading/provision of new schools at primary and second level in Naas, County Kildare; the degree to which plans are in hand to cater for the expanding population with particular reference to September 2024; the extent to which a solution has been found to facilitate the continuation of works on site at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6023/24]

School Enrolments

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which it has been found possible to meet the pupil accommodation requirements in all schools throughout Kildare north, an area of rapid population expansion with particular reference to the need to ensure an adequacy of school places in time for enrolment in September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6031/24]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Robert Troy

209. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has she received a proposal from RTÉ for the removal of its plus one channels and its digital radio stations, as outlined in its New Direction strategy, as required under section 103 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (details supplied); if he received RTÉ's proposal, when she plans to commence her decision making process under the Act; and if that process will include taking submissions from the public. [5850/24]

Television Licence Fee

Pearse Doherty

210. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of summonses applied for, and the number of cases brought to court, respectively, with respect to non-payment of the TV license in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [5895/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Michael Healy-Rae

211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media where the results of the national swimming strategy survey of 2022 can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5960/24]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Brendan Griffin

212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what follow-up she gave to correspondence relating to allegations of historic bullying within RTÉ (details supplied); if she or a representative has engaged with the individual with a view to resolving the matter; how she intends to deal with similar cases surfacing in relation to RTÉ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5970/24]

Television Licence Fee

Brendan Griffin

213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date weekly figures regarding TV licence renewal and purchase of TV licences for January 2024 versus January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5996/24]

Television Licence Fee

Brendan Griffin

214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department contributes in any way to the monetary cost of the advertisement of the TV licence fee on platforms; if she will outline details of such expenditure; if she and her Department contribute to the formulation of messaging in any such advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5997/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Paul Murphy

215. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline what action is being taken to implement the recommendation of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity that Ireland adopt the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the recommendation that the legal rights of nature be recognised via a constitutional referendum. [5957/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Paul Murphy

216. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he intends to establish an expert group with resources to design and draft the potential question or questions on the rights of nature as recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee in its report on the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity. [5958/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Alan Dillon

217. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of the review conducted as part of the NDP review process and supply a list of villages and settlements in each county that do not currently have access to public wastewater infrastructure, including those specific for County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5789/24]

Rental Sector

Patrick Costello

218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for a Residential Tenancies Board mediation session after application and the subsequent wait time for a dispute session when mediation ends in no resolution. [5851/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure in the future that historically significant vessels, such as LÉ Éithne and the Naomh Éanna, will be evaluated and feasibility studies carried out by his Department to consider potential heritage options are fully considered before any decisions about their future are made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5886/24]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

220. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide current guidelines and policy documents in respect of his Department's policy and advices to local authorities with regards to tenant transfers between local authorities on compassionate or exceptional grounds particularly with respect to elderly persons and senior citizen housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5896/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/24]

Wildlife Protection

John Paul Phelan

222. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm that the proposed stakeholder forum on the sustainable hunting of protected wild birds will include all relevant stakeholders in its membership, including game conservation organisations (details supplied). [5914/24]

Planning Issues

Patrick Costello

223. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown in tabular form of the number of staff, and their grade currently, employed within An Bord Pleanála, highlighting if they are employed on a part-time or full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5935/24]

Planning Issues

Patrick Costello

224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown in tabular form of the number of vacant staffing positions and their grade within An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5936/24]

Local Authorities

Louise O'Reilly

225. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that local authorities are establishing designated activity companies as special purpose vehicles, thereafter disposing of lands for the purpose of development under a service level agreement; if this is considered good practice; if he has concerns about such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6014/24]

Legislative Measures

Louise O'Reilly

226. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects to bring forward the required amendments to the section 25 (2) (b) (II) of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019. [6015/24]

Housing Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

227. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the review of the rental accommodation scheme will be published. [6018/24]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

228. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will comment on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6022/24]

Departmental Strategies

Thomas Pringle

229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection what progress has been made to realise recommendation 41.2 of Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (0-24) 2023-2028 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5795/24]

Departmental Staff

Brendan Griffin

230. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 828 of 13 June and 829 of 13 June 2023, what if any benefits accrued to Department of Social Protection employees who were former community welfare officers under the HSE and who paid a 5% levy on their incomes from October 2011 to December 2015; if no pension benefit has accrued in respect of these payments, if her Department will sanction the return of these payments to the employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6010/24]

Departmental Strategies

Thomas Pringle

231. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if foster carers will be included in the access to the State pension (contributary) measures (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5794/24]

Departmental Staff

Cathal Crowe

232. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a cohort of workers funded by her Department (details supplied) have not received a pay increase in 15 years; if any pay increases are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5813/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Haughey

233. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review has taken place in relation to the issue concerning class S PRSI contributions arising solely from personal pensions and the implications for those who are applying for the benefit payment for 65 year olds; if it will be acknowledged that these potential claimants are not self-employed and that they should be considered for this payment provided all other criteria are met; if this payment can be made to claimants in these circumstance who reached 65 years in the last 12 months; the position regarding a particular claimant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5814/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Joan Collins

234. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 882 of 17 January 2024, if the case will be reviewed, given the person (details supplied) did not receive the payment.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5831/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

235. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlements under class P PRSI contributions; how long a person needs to pay class P contributions in order to benefit; if there are other qualifying requirements for persons to claim class P; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5840/24]

State Pensions

Duncan Smith

236. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for the old age pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) has been processed and awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5902/24]