Parliamentary questions

Work Permits

Éamon Ó Cuív

219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the reason applicants who are granted a work permit from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment also have to apply for a working visa to come here; when this procedure came into place; the reason that a person applying for a working visa coming here has to give their current financial details as the very reason in coming here to work is to better themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/23]

Medicinal Products

Éamon Ó Cuív

245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a medicine (details supplied) is currently on the GMS list of approved medicines; if so, if there is a shortage of supply of the medicine; the steps being taken to overcome this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14151/23]

Traveller Community

Éamon Ó Cuív

249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment of the National Traveller Health Action Plan Implementation Group which was due to be established in November 2022; the reason for the delay in establishing this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14157/23]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

280. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a forestry felling licence will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14147/23]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends making money available to an organisation (details supplied) or to local authorities to develop piers, slips and loading places on inland lakes, including improving existing ones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13015/23]

Flood Risk Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when necessary maintenance work will be carried out on the Bunadober River near Bunadobar Mill, Ballinrobe County Mayo, given the channel is blocked and is causing a lot of flooding upstream from this part of the channel. [13416/23]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

384. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir lena polasaí i leith fhorbairt Chalafort Ros a’ Mhíl ar fad agus an cheantair timpeall air chun deiseanna fostaíochta a chruthú sa cheantar láidir Gaeltachta sin; ar thug sí treoir d’Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le plean forbartha cuimsitheach a réiteach don talamh atá ag an Údarás ansin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13072/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

385. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndearna duine (sonraí tugtha) iarratas chuig Údarás na Gaeltachta ar cheart slí trí thalamh an Údaráis le haghaidh gnó, bunaithe ar acmhainn nádúrtha a fhorbairt; an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Údarás an ceart slí a ghéilleadh agus, i gcás nach bhfuil, cén fáth; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13073/23]

Traveller Community

Éamon Ó Cuív

414. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is intended to re-open the caravan loan scheme for the Traveller community; if funding will be made available to fund a replacement caravan for all those that are eligible and need one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12696/23]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

432. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a response will issue to proposed amendments that were submitted by Galway County Council to the heritage section of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in September 2022 for approval in relation to the method statements for the upgrade of the road from Bunakill to Claremont on the N59 in accordance with the planning permission for this project; the reason for the delay in reverting to the County Council on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12989/23]

Legislative Measures

Éamon Ó Cuív

436. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will consider the amendments made to the Wildlife Bill 2016 in Seanad Éireann; when he will complete his consideration of the Bill; when he will propose to Government that permission be sought to have this Bill restored to the order paper for Dáil Éireann’s final consideration; the reason for the more than four year delay in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13013/23]

Wind Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

488. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he hopes to designate designated marine areas so that the planning and development of wind farms can proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13659/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Éamon Ó Cuív

537. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application for foreign birth registration will be processed (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13221/23]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

597. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he plans to raise the mandatory age of retirement for non-commissioned members of the Defence Forces from 50 years of age to 60, in view of the declining numbers in the Defence Forces and the specialised training given to technical back-up staff there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13418/23]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of staff in the Defence Forces who must retire in the next three years due to the mandatory age of retirement; the way it is intended to replace these members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13419/23]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

599. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of trained paramedics in the Defence Forces; the age at which they must retire; the reason for this, given that paramedics in the Ambulance Service can serve until they are 66 years of age; the cost to the Defence Forces of losing these highly-trained staff at such an early age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13420/23]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

677. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she intends to improve and reform the school transport scheme in time for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, following the completion of the review of the scheme; if she intends reducing the minimum distances a student has to be from a school to qualify for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13017/23]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

774. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if details of a family (details supplied) have been forwarded to her Department for consideration for the remote area grant; the steps the family need to take to pursue this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13695/23]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

778. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if students attending their nearest or second-nearest secondary school will be eligible for school transport in the 2023-24 academic year; if not, the reason the rules have changed compared with the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13730/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

904. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason payments have not issued to an accommodation centre housing Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) for December, January and February; when these payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12567/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

965. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when payment will issue in relation to accommodation being provided for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13425/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1066. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the total number of occasions on which prisoners slept on mattresses, by prison during Q4 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12995/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1067. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of remission and structured temporary release for people in prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12996/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1068. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if he will report on progress on the review of the Prison Rules 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1069. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to place the Irish Prison Service on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12998/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1070. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the prison chaplain reports for 2021 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13016/23]

An Garda Síochána

Éamon Ó Cuív

1072. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cé na comhráití a bhí aige le Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána maidir leis an dualgas atá air a chinntiú go bhfuil comhaltaí den Gharda a bhfuil Gaeilge acu lonnaithe i ngach staisiún Gaeltachta. [13139/23]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

1073. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when it is intended to publish all outstanding reports on the Dóchas centre for women prisoners; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13141/23]

Departmental Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

1225. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the report of the review of the model of care for the termination of pregnancy service for telemedicine abortion is available publicly; if not, if he plans to publish this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12554/23]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure dialysis patients can get treatment in different centres around the country to allow them visit relatives or go on holiday within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13144/23]

Dental Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1395. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when an urgent dental appointment for surgery will be issued to a person (details supplied) in Shantalla Health Centre, Galway in light of the exceptional medical circumstances of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13252/23]

Hospital Facilities

Éamon Ó Cuív

1425. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in relation to the site selection process for proposed elective hospitals in Galway, Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13417/23]

Hospital Facilities

Éamon Ó Cuív

1469. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date with the site selection process for three elective hospitals, one each for Galway, Cork and Dublin which was advertised by the HSE in 2021 under the heading Elective Centre (EC) information and submission process May 2022; if no decision has been made the reason for the nearly two year delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13657/23]

Hospital Facilities

Éamon Ó Cuív

1470. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in providing a new 40-bed community nursing unit in Clifden to replace Clifden Hospital and St. Annes nursing home; when it was originally decided to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

1557. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new scheme replacing the BEEP scheme for suckler cows called SCEP will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13014/23]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

1606. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the local contribution required by her Department under the local improvement scheme 2023; if there is a cap on the contribution depending on the cost of a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12532/23]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

1607. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the local contribution for the local improvement scheme is pitched at a lower percentage for islands in view of the extra cost per square metre of doing roads on islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12533/23]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

1608. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is a standard cost per square metre accepted by her Department for applications by county councils under the local improvement schemes; if this is higher on islands than on the mainland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12534/23]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

1617. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to provide funding for the purchase or long lease, including fit-out, of long-term secure accommodation for an organisation (details supplied) in view of its importance to society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13415/23]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

369. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a thosófar an obair ar Chéim a Trí den obair ar mhuiríne Ros an Mhíl; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [12130/23]

Wildlife Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends amending bye law 806 and 809 in relation to inland waters for all SAC-designated waters in order to preserve the ecosystems there and preserve the wild trout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Éamon Ó Cuív

93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance when a new Medical Appeal Board will be appointed to assess appeals in relation to primary medical certificates for purchasers of cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11986/23]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

102. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a fuair an Roinn iarratas ar íocaíocht deontais (sonraí tugtha); cén uair a dhéanfar an t-iarratas sin a phróiseáil; cén fáth a bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11973/23]

Wildlife Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

114. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a complaint has been received about unauthorised works in a priority habitat (details supplied); the action that is being taken by his Department as a consequence of the complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11970/23]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a new scheme will be introduced to replace the motorised transport grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11987/23]

Heritage Sites

Éamon Ó Cuív

279. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date in providing improved bus, car, cycle and horse carriage parking facilities at a location (details supplied); whether it is intended to organise a round table of people with the local authority and the local State-funded development organisation due to safety concerns at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11599/23]

Traveller Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

309. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the 2023 caravan loan scheme will reopen for applications; whether such a loan will be available to all households residing in caravans that are in bad condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Éamon Ó Cuív

314. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the discussions he has had with Teagasc, the EPA, and third level institutions in relation to developing improved wastewater treatment systems for small developments, single houses and businesses to virtually eliminate the risk of ground water pollution and contamination of the environment from this source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11482/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Éamon Ó Cuív

315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of pollution caused in ground water by wastewater systems from single-house treatment systems; the steps he is talking to eliminate this damage to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11483/23]

Work Permits

Éamon Ó Cuív

502. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made in respect of three applications lodged under the atypical working scheme by a nursing home (details supplied); the reason for the delay in considering said applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10997/23]