Parliamentary questions

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

601. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the ash dieback RUS grant aid scheme is to be treated by applicants as a de-minimis payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47274/22]

Grant Payments

Michael Lowry

602. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated net VAT payment to applicants for the environmental report grant, per file, outlined in circular 13/2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47275/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

603. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the required legislation change will take place enabling the replacement species for the RUS scheme to be conifers on an area up to ten hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47276/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

604. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be mandatory professional forester involvement in the small-scale tree planting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47277/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

605. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if existing forestry woodland, if present on the farm, included in the Farm Sustainability Plan is to be completed on the generic land management for all ACRES applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47278/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Lowry

606. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the direct integration and compatibility mechanisms proposed for afforestation and the organic farming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47279/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

607. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, in stating that there is no licence requirement if a landowner wishes to remove some of this material from a site; if this is an unlicensed activity and that harvesting lop and top or brash from forestry harvesting sites is outside the scope of the felling licence system and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47290/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

608. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, if the Department standard or guideline or guidance document that forest-owners should review when harvesting lop and top or brash from harvesting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47291/22]

Nursing Homes

Michael Lowry

324. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the measures that are being introduced to ensure that the fee payable for nursing home resident care recognises the extraordinary increase in costs being incurred (details supplied). [46480/22]

Nursing Homes

Michael Lowry

325. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the immediate measures that will be implemented to stem the closure of small nursing homes (details supplied). [46481/22]

Nursing Homes

Michael Lowry

326. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent pattern of closure of smaller nursing homes; and his further views on whether the loss of these nursing homes within communities are of particular concern for his Department and the Government with regard to the care options available to persons. [46482/22]

Visa Applications

Michael Lowry

110. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if an application for a work employment visa submitted by a doctor (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited given that they are waiting to start employment in a HSE-managed facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46177/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

160. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, in stating that removing lop and top or brash from site is not described in the standards for felling and reforestation, if harvesting lop and top and brash from forestry harvesting sites is outside of the scope of the standards for felling and reforestation of October 2019 and that the standards for felling and reforestation do not apply to such standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46215/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

161. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, in stating that there is no licence requirement if a landowner wishes to remove some of this material from a site, if this is an unlicensed activity and that harvesting lop and top or brash from forestry harvesting sites is outside the scope of the felling licence system and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46216/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

162. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 14 September 2022, if he will confirm the Department's standard or guideline or guidance document that forest owners should review when harvesting lop and top or brash from harvesting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46217/22]

Office of Public Works

Michael Lowry

241. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received a licence request from a person (details supplied) to use the swimming pool at Templemore Garda Training College to train Special Olympics swimmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45471/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Lowry

361. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will investigate the provision of making free travel passes available to persons with epilepsy who are temporarily barred from driving for one year or more due to having a breakthrough seizure; if she will consider uncoupling the free travel pass from other qualifying payments to ensure that there is a direct application process for a free travel pass (details supplied); if she will consider this request as part of her Department’s Budget 2023 proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45560/22]

Research and Development

Michael Lowry

448. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the Government intends to open up the new PhD programme for PhD researchers that will be valued at €28,000 per annum; If he acknowledges that introducing a new stipend will cause an up-to €21,500 pay-gap between current and new researchers given that the current PhD stipends which are between €6,500 and €18,500 per annum for a full-time PhD, when their work and contribution to the Irish research economy is equal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45713/22]

Visa Applications

Michael Lowry

465. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if an application for a work employment visa submitted by a doctor (details supplied) will be reviewed given that they are waiting to start employment in a HSE-managed mental health services facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45921/22]

Departmental Data

Michael Lowry

574. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if a full-time psychiatrist is assigned to St. Marys Health Centre, Thurles, County Tipperary; if so, the number of hours per week and the number of days per week that they work; if there are any plans to increase the availability of mental health psychiatrist services in the Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44810/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

647. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if harvesting lop and top or brash from forestry harvesting sites is permitted with the current standard for harvesting and replanting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44728/22]

Transport Costs

Michael Lowry

202. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if Leap cards will be introduced for commuters across the complete Irish Rail network; his views on whether such an introduction would be an incentive for persons to use public transport in order to ease traffic congestion in cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42684/22]

Pension Provisions

Michael Lowry

376. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the current issue business owners face concerning their single-member scheme, personal retirement savings accounts; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that currently the Pensions Authority regulator is warning business owners they will face prosecution if they continue using their current pension schemes as under IORP II governance rules from 1 July 2022 and that their old single-member schemes are no longer compliant with guidelines; the alternative that will be put in place by the Government to assist these business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42873/22]

Budget 2023

Michael Lowry

382. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if provisions will be prioritised in budget 2023 for the removal of VAT from defibrillators as requested in a pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43062/22]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

726. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when foreign birth registrations will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42638/22]

Defence Forces

Michael Lowry

795. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if he will address issues which were raised by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who is a retired member of the Army Defence Forces and is trying to obtain his Army disability pension; the assistance that can be offered to this person to address their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43728/22]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

1004. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason an Irish exemption for a person (details supplied) was refused by their post-primary school; the reason that this student's post-primary school has refused to apply for an exemption even though an educational psychologist assessment confirming dyspraxia and dyslexia was provided to the post-primary school and the student has significant educational difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43883/22]

Departmental Meetings

Michael Lowry

1069. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns (details supplied); if she will confirm when she will be in a position to meet with representatives of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42240/22]

Departmental Budgets

Michael Lowry

1099. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied); if she will address these concerns as part of her Department's 2023 Budget proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42701/22]

Swimming Pools

Michael Lowry

1417. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the reason that the use of the swimming pool at the Templemore Garda training college has been withdrawn from members of the community in Templemore despite the fact that this has been the practice for many years and has helped to foster good relations between the community and the Garda College; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43169/22]

Departmental Data

Michael Lowry

1677. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of children under the age of 18 years with an intellectual, physical or sensory disability currently referred and waiting to be seen by HSE disabilities and special needs services in County Tipperary broken down into North and South Tipperary in tabular form; the length of time that each child is on the waiting list; the type of service they are waiting to attend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42650/22]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

1679. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the hours worked by support staff in community hospital settings (details supplied) as his attention has been drawn to a reduction of the working week to 37.5 hours has already been provided to all other grades such as, nurses, managers, clerical staff, physiotherapists and occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42655/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

1696. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42699/22]

Medicinal Products

Michael Lowry

1698. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason that Glucogel, formerly known as Hypostop, has been removed from the long-term illness card and medical card for persons with diabetes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42704/22]

Dental Services

Michael Lowry

1724. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if free orthodontic treatment for children who have a condition called hypodontia will be provided through the Health Service Executive school age dental treatment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42814/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Lowry

1820. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when non HSE/section 38 workers in the six areas covered by the pandemic bonus payment will receive their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43172/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Lowry

1821. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to the Mater Hospital Dublin in order that it can continue to provide medical services and support persons experiencing the effects of long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43173/22]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

2109. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assist a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who wants to return their plantations back into grassland for general agriculture purposes after a total fell of the plantation has been completed due to ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42539/22]

Animal Welfare

Michael Lowry

2113. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assist an organisation (details supplied) in County Tipperary that urgently requires emergency funding due to increased veterinary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/22]

Bus Services

Michael Lowry

207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided to deliver a town bus service in Clonmel, County Tipperary (details supplied) concerning the previous service which has not stopped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39834/22]

Tax Code

Michael Lowry

332. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the impact of the uncertainty of the delays in the adoption of the corporation taxation rate at European Union level on the investment strategies of multinational companies and the way that this may adversely impact Ireland’s attractiveness in a competitive global marketplace. [39874/22]

Tax Code

Michael Lowry

333. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the consultation that he has had with multinational companies to ascertain their concerns in relation to the increase in Ireland’s corporation tax rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39875/22]

Budget 2023

Michael Lowry

345. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget 2023 submission from an organisation (details supplied) asking that an 6% annual vacant property tax is imposed on vacant and derelict properties in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/22]

Tax Reliefs

Michael Lowry

346. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a pre-budget 2023 submission from an organisation (details supplied) that is calling for an overhaul of the dental tax relief scheme in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40117/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Michael Lowry

347. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 12 July 2022, if he will provide an envisaged timeframe for when a review of applications received through the second expression of interest campaign will be completed given that he has confirmed that the campaign recently closed on 5 July 2022 and that the selection process is ongoing; when the new disabled drivers medical board of appeal will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40124/22]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

1038. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will address the concerns raised by the parents (details supplied) of a young child with an ASD diagnosis; the assistance that her Department can offer this family to alleviate their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39678/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Michael Lowry

1043. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason that her Department has failed to extend DEIS status to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39775/22]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

1090. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reasons that additional SNA supports were not provided to a school (details supplied); the extra supports that her Department will provide to this school to assist its pupils who have additional educational and physical needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/22]

Hospital Services

Michael Lowry

1663. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update concerning the provision of neurology services at Tipperary University Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39737/22]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

1714. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget submission by an organisation (details supplied) that seeks an investment of €1.75 million to provide the best end-of-life and bereavement care for all in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40071/22]