Parliamentary questions

Departmental Offices

Ivana Bacik

25. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [15089/23]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

329. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the organisations and stakeholders he and his Department officials met with as part of deliberations regarding the lifting of the eviction ban. [15456/23]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

330. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to conduct modelling on the effect of the lifting of the eviction ban; and if this modelling will inform the development of contingency plans to mitigate the risk of increased pressure on homeless services. [15457/23]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

331. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if plans to give tenants first refusal of their landlord's property will fix the sale price at the market rate. [15458/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

401. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the names and locations of the 58 schools which have had construction paused; if her Department maintains data on the shortfall of primary and secondary school places in each of those respective areas; and, if so, if she will present that data, in tabular form. [14942/23]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

536. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the practice in place to ensure that homeless international protection applicants have access to the daily expenses allowance and other material resources; his further views on the practice in place to ensure that international protection applicants resident at Citywest transit hub are paid the daily expense allowance; if these practices were introduced recently; if so, his views on the practices in place prior to these systems’ introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/23]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Ivana Bacik

718. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify whether retrospective declarations of parentage can be dealt with prior to the establishment of an Assisted Human Reproduction Regulator under the provisions of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15260/23]

Church-State Relations

Ivana Bacik

1. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [11009/23]

Gender Equality

Ivana Bacik

7. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the events in his Department to mark International Women's Day; and the measures he has taken to improve gender equality in his Department. [11058/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

12. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [13428/23]

Northern Ireland

Ivana Bacik

2. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [9677/23]

Departmental Meetings

Ivana Bacik

18. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board, co-chaired by his Department, that have taken place to date in 2023. [13427/23]

Health Strategies

Ivana Bacik

25. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the well-being framework for Ireland overseen by his Department. [13430/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ivana Bacik

127. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the International Division of his Department. [13429/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

128. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees took place. [13433/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ivana Bacik

363. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the allocation of capital funding for construction of schools in Budget 2023; his plans to commit additional funding to ensure construction can resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13023/23]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

442. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on delays in response times by the Residential Tenancies Board; his further views on how current delays compare with wait times in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13100/23]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

443. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to allocate additional staff to the Residential Tenancies Board. [13101/23]

Referendum Campaigns

Ivana Bacik

444. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the proposed referendum on housing will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13102/23]

Equality Issues

Ivana Bacik

445. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to collate and publish data on LGBTQ+ homelessness in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13103/23]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

446. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if proposals to give first refusal to tenants, where their landlord seeks to sell their property, will include measures to offer second refusal to local authorities. [13104/23]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

447. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant in situ scheme to introduce mandatory local authority purchase for certain tenants who are supported through the housing assistance payment or rental accommodation scheme. [13105/23]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

496. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the average wait-time for a response from the Residential Tenancies Board to landlords seeking to register a tenancy in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. [13749/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

678. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her views on the pause placed on 58 new school buildings; if current delays are expected to affect the 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic school years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

679. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if she will report on her representations to the Minister for Public Expenditure in respect of capital funding pressures preventing the construction of 58 schools; and if she drew his attention to the shortfall for construction of schools in advance of Budget 2023, in particular. [13022/23]

Special Educational Needs

Ivana Bacik

693. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the number of persons waiting for a laptop, tablet or other specialist software under the assistive technology grant; how this figure compares with previous waiting lists in 2020, 2021 and 2022; if priority will be given to students sitting State examinations in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13099/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ivana Bacik

980. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the steps involved in making a complaint to Pobal in respect of an alleged breach of Core Funding; and if it is possible for complainants to remain anonymous. [13748/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

1090. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by the Courts Service. [13491/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

1091. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by the Prison Service. [13492/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

1092. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by An Garda Síochána. [13493/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

1093. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by the Legal Aid Board. [13494/23]

Departmental Staff

Ivana Bacik

1113. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff employed by the Irish Immigration Service; and his plans to appoint additional staffing. [13829/23]

Citizenship Applications

Ivana Bacik

1114. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice his plans to institute a guaranteed timeframe for the completion of naturalisation applications; and his plans to clear the backlog in applications. [13830/23]

Healthcare Policy

Ivana Bacik

1352. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to prescribe dedicated training for HSE-funded personnel administering sexually transmitted infection tests, and providing support to persons living with HIV to ensure that patients do not experience stigma in individual clinics. [13097/23]

Healthcare Policy

Ivana Bacik

1353. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure holistic supports for persons with a HIV+ diagnosis. [13098/23]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

82. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to restrict no-fault evictions here; the number of units purchased by each local authority as part of the tenant in situ scheme in each county throughout the eviction moratorium; and if he is satisfied that data sharing arrangements with the Residential Tenancies Board, RTB, are adequate for prioritising tenants facing no-fault eviction who are particularly vulnerable to homelessness, in the context of the scheme. [12189/23]

Driver Test

Ivana Bacik

177. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving testers in each county, in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, and if he has plans to recruit additional driving test staff. [12005/23]

Driver Test

Ivana Bacik

178. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of people waiting for a driving test in each county in each month since February 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on any change in the waiting times for driving tests. [12006/23]

Northern Ireland

Ivana Bacik

5. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island initiative. [11010/23]

Economic Policy

Ivana Bacik

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Government’s response to Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2022. [11007/23]

An Garda Síochána

Ivana Bacik

15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the work of the policing reform implementation programme office in his Department. [11008/23]

Climate Action Plan

Ivana Bacik

39. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the progress report on the Climate Action Plan. [11012/23]

Road Safety

Ivana Bacik

77. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding committed to each local authority under the safety improvement scheme in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023. [11839/23]

Departmental Funding

Ivana Bacik

78. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if his Department maintains data as to the proportion of active travel funding spent by local authorities on new infrastructure, compared with the restoration of existing infrastructure; and, if so, for a breakdown of the proportion of active travel funding spent by each local authority in 2022 on new infrastructure, compared with existing infrastructure such as repair of footpaths (in tabular form). [11841/23]

Departmental Funding

Ivana Bacik

79. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if his Department maintains data on the funding provided to local authorities in 2022 for footpath repair; and, if so, the amount of funding drawn down by each local authority in 2022 for repair of pavements.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11843/23]

Tax Reliefs

Ivana Bacik

83. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the rent a room scheme in the context of supply of housing; and his views on the accessibility of the scheme for persons seeking to offer accommodation under the scheme. [11837/23]

Tax Reliefs

Ivana Bacik

87. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance his views on the adequacy of the rent a room scheme. [11838/23]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

108. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the criteria used to determine the duration of the eviction moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11835/23]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to amend the data sharing arrangements in place with the Residential Tenancies Board to impose more comprehensive reporting obligations in relation to disputes between landlords and tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11836/23]

Local Authorities

Ivana Bacik

110. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount paid in compensation by each local authority in 2022 due to defective roads and pavements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/23]

Special Educational Needs

Ivana Bacik

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the number of children with special educational needs who are waiting for primary and secondary school places in each county, in tabular form; and the number of school places that will be made available in each county for children with special educational needs for the academic year 2023-2024. [11878/23]

Special Educational Needs

Ivana Bacik

139. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the number of notices she has served to schools for additional provision for children with special educational needs under section 37A of the Education Act 1998 in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [11879/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ivana Bacik

180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Pobal in respect of reported breaches of core funding for both the underpayment of wages under the agreement, and the failure to implement a fee freeze for clients, in tabular form; the number of disputes which have been resolved for both the underpayment of wages under the agreement and failures to implement a fee freeze for clients; and the number of adverse findings made in respect of the underpayment of wages under the agreement, and failures to implement a fee freeze for clients. [11875/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ivana Bacik

181. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Tusla in respect of reported breaches of required child to staff ratios in early childhood education and care facilities in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023; and the number of adverse findings made by Tusla in respect of same in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023. [11876/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ivana Bacik

182. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Tusla in respect of unqualified staff caring and educating children in early childhood education and care facilities in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023; and the number of adverse findings made by Tusla in respect of same in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023. [11877/23]

Sentencing Policy

Ivana Bacik

192. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice when a review will be completed on the temporary release of certain offences, as required by section 29 of the Judicial Council Act 2019. [11873/23]

Legislative Measures

Ivana Bacik

195. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice when the Private Security Services (Amendment) Act 2021 will be fully commenced; when the insertion of definitions of "court messenger" and "enforcement guard" will be inserted into the Principal Act (S.I. No. 379 of 2021); if she will report on the delay of the commencement of the Act; and whether the lifting of the eviction moratorium has affected the timetable for its commencement. [11964/23]

Departmental Priorities

Ivana Bacik

3. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic policy unit of his Department. [11006/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

22. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education will next meet. [9675/23]

Citizens Information Services

Ivana Bacik

253. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a statement on her department's oversight role in relation to the Citizens Information Service. [10660/23]

Citizens Information Services

Ivana Bacik

254. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if the independent review of volunteering in the Citizens Information Service has been completed; and when the report will be published. [10661/23]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

265. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of accommodation centres that were not subject to inspection by officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service or a company (details supplied). [10658/23]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

266. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of accommodation centres that were subject to inspection by officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service or a company (details supplied) and that failed the inspection process in each month of 2022 and to date in 2023, expressed as a figure and also as an overall proportion of registered centres at the time of inspection. [10659/23]

Departmental Functions

Ivana Bacik

1. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [8212/23]

Defence Forces

Ivana Bacik

9. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the high-level steering board, chaired by the Secretary General of his Department, to oversee the implementation of the high-level action plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [9674/23]

National Security Committee

Ivana Bacik

14. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the membership and terms of reference of the national security committee chaired by the Secretary General of his Department. [9673/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

19. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change will next meet. [9676/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ivana Bacik

31. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [9678/23]

Departmental Offices

Ivana Bacik

32. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit. [9679/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Ivana Bacik

33. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the latest shared island dialogue initiatives. [9680/23]

European Council

Ivana Bacik

4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the special European Council on 9 and 10 February. [8209/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

13. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [9672/23]

Constitutional Amendments

Ivana Bacik

23. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for constitutional amendments. [8210/23]

Tax Credits

Ivana Bacik

232. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance his views on the eligibility of international students studying and paying rent in Ireland for the rental tax credit; his further views on the eligibility of those on Stamp 2 visas, in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10192/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

338. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education when the review of her Department’s overall requirements for 2023 and associated work programme will be completed; and when work will recommence on a project (details supplied). [9562/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

455. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early learning and care and school age childcare services that have changed registered provider in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. [10148/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

3. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment will next meet. [8205/23]

Nursing Homes

Ivana Bacik

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans for reform of the Office of the Attorney General; and the legal actions under way against his Department [6928/23]

National Risk Assessment

Ivana Bacik

17. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the draft list of strategic risks 2023 in the national risk assessment. [6929/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ivana Bacik

73. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the purchase of €4.1 million carbon credits from Slovakia; his further views on the increase in greenhouse gas pollution in Ireland in the third quarter of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9029/23]

Natural Resources

Ivana Bacik

74. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the 75% loss of wetlands in Ireland in 300 years; his plans for the preservation of wetlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9030/23]

Departmental Policies

Ivana Bacik

185. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the need for a public information campaign in respect of the national response to the arrival of refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland. [9028/23]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

186. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has read reports of refugees and asylum seekers experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea due to inadequate catering services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9032/23]

Medical Qualifications

Ivana Bacik

229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will report on progress to give statutory recognition and protection to the designation of "counsellor"; if he will provide a timeline for the opening of the planned register for counsellors; and his views on the adequacy of existing and planned measures to regulate rogue crisis pregnancy agencies. [9099/23]

Healthcare Policy

Ivana Bacik

230. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on rogue crisis pregnancy agencies performing transvaginal ultrasounds in early pregnancy; and his plans to regulate the practice. [9100/23]

Hedge Cutting

Ivana Bacik

252. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to remove the exemption which allows for the destruction of up to half a kilometre of hedgerows without assessment or special permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9031/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [6925/23]

Departmental Strategies

Ivana Bacik

14. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the annual report of his Department for 2022 will be published. [8207/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ivana Bacik

25. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social dialogue co-ordination unit of his Department. [8206/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

126. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8248/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8237/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

152. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8238/23]

Waste Management

Ivana Bacik

173. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the prevalence of inappropriate disposal of lithium batteries arising from the use of e-cigarettes and vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8740/23]

Public Transport

Ivana Bacik

183. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the value of performance-related penalties issued to each public transport provider by the National Transport Authority in 2022. [8063/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

188. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8250/23]

Insurance Industry

Ivana Bacik

212. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reform flood insurance here; if he will make a statement on insurance cover for persons living in areas with demountable flood defences; and his views on legislating for compulsory insurance cover for those living in areas which are prone to flooding. [8062/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

222. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8239/23]

Tax Credits

Ivana Bacik

235. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the number of renters who have claimed the rent credit to date. [8849/23]

Irish Sign Language

Ivana Bacik

241. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8245/23]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

255. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the need to replace or reconstitute an organisation (details supplied); his views on which Department such an organisation should be based; and his plans to promote transparency in Government Departments and agencies. [8739/23]