Parliamentary questions

Transport Costs

Éamon Ó Cuív

124. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is permissible for bus companies that are part of the "free travel scheme" of her Department to charge an online booking fee to those eligible for "free travel" to book online under the terms of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10443/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of the "free travel scheme" to her Department in each year since 2010; the number of persons each year over the same period with free travel passes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10444/23]

Abortion Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

179. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the current status of telemedicine abortion; if it is intended to revert back to the pre-Covid practice in this regard, now the Covid pandemic restrictions are ended; if so, when this is likely to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10436/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if nursing homes that are part of the "nursing home subvention scheme" are entitled to charge a general daily "contribution charge" to the resident over and above the amount agreed with the HSE for the resident; if not, the steps the HSE intend taking to ensure that this practice is happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10445/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

181. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if nursing homes that are part of the "nursing homes subvention scheme" are entitled to charge for ancillary services not covered by the scheme as a general charge, even though they are not being availed of by the resident of the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10446/23]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to send inspectors to nursing homes that are part of the "nursing home subvention scheme" to ensure they are not overcharging residents against the rules of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10447/23]

Water Pollution

Éamon Ó Cuív

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of pollution caused in ground water by wastewater systems from single house treatment systems; the steps he is taking to eliminate this damage to the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9735/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the discussions he has had with Teagasc, the EPA, and third level institutions, in relation to developing improved wastewater treatment systems for small developments and 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. [9734/23]

Housing Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

307. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the disability allowance payment, as well as a list of other social welfare payments, is not disregarded when assessing income for the purposes of securing a housing grant under the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability grant scheme; if he proposes amending this rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10167/23]

Work Permits

Éamon Ó Cuív

529. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice if changes are proposed to the atypical work permit scheme to make the processing time of applications more efficient; when these proposed changes are likely to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10211/23]

Offshore Islands

Éamon Ó Cuív

34. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when work commenced on the development of an Island Plan or Policy; when it is now hoped to publish it; the reason for the delay in doing this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9176/23]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

66. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date in improving the pier facilities in Inis Oírr and at an Caladh Mór, Inis Meáin; the next steps in progressing each project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9175/23]

Waste Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the assistance available from his Department or agencies funded by his Department to assist organisations or companies involved in waste diversion projects to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and increase the amount of reuse and recycling of all types of material that both domestic and commercial business are disposing of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9377/23]

Greenways Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the details of the works to be carried out with the €400,000 allocation for 2023 for the Bellaghy to Collooney Greenway for 2023; if the route for this greenway has been selected, and whether it will compromise the possibility in both the short and long-term of re-opening the Collooney to Claremorris railway line ahead of the report of the Strategic Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9370/23]

Fuel Sales

Éamon Ó Cuív

201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance when a decision will be made by the National Excise Licence Office of revenue on an application lodged for an auto fuel traders licence by a company (details supplied) on 23 November 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9404/23]

Harbours and Piers

Éamon Ó Cuív

204. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date by the OPW in re-instating the pier at the East End, Inishbofin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9381/23]

Scéimeanna Rannach

Éamon Ó Cuív

227. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach n-íoctar na teaghlaigh atá ag coinneáil scoláirí faoin scéim scoláireachta chuig scoileanna dara leibhéal ar na hoileáin gach mí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [9378/23]

Scéimeanna Rannach

Éamon Ó Cuív

228. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais fáth nach n-íoctar na teaghlaigh atá ag coinneáil scoláirí faoin scéim scolaireachtaí chuig scoileanna dara liebhéal ar na hoileáin ar laethannta nach bhfuil na scoláirí ann de bharr droch aimsire, tinneas, cluichí agus turais scoile de bharr go mbíonn othu na seomrai a choinneáil dóibh na laethannta seo agus go mór mhór le droch aimsir agus tinneas is minic a tharlaíonn sé gan choinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [9379/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a payment will be paid to a centre housing Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) as payment has not issued for the months of September, October, November, December 2022 and January 2023; the reason for the delay with these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9375/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether consideration has been given to outsourcing the payment of refugee centres to an organisation at a location (details supplied) with a proven record of making payments on time on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/23]

Primary Care Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made with the provision of a new health centre in Inishbofin, County Galway; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9380/23]

Offshore Islands

Éamon Ó Cuív

310. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total capital allocation she has for works to be carried out on the offshore islands this year by county councils, exclusive of major island pier developments; the value of the submissions she recently received from county councils; when she will make a decision on the allocations for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9371/23]

Offshore Islands

Éamon Ó Cuív

311. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is intended to approve the minor works programme for roads, piers, and so on, for islands this year, given that it will be absolutely necessary that an urgent decision be made on this if the money provided is to be spent in this calendar year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9382/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years [9060/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

34. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; and if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies. [9078/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9049/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9067/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

75. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9050/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

76. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9068/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9062/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/23]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if the desirability and possibility of having heavy rail or light rail connections to, or adjacent to, Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Shannon and Ireland West Airport, Belfast city, Belfast International and Derry airports is being examined as part of the all-Ireland rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9191/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

108. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9051/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

109. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9069/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

112. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9057/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9075/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9061/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

120. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of senior staff members of her Department or of State bodies under the aegis of her Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions at to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9079/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9055/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

142. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9073/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

147. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9052/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

148. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9070/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

152. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9047/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

153. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9065/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

165. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9048/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of senior staff members of her Department or of State bodies under the aegis of her Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9066/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

177. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9059/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of senior staff members of her Department or of State bodies under the aegis of her Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9077/23]

Appointments to State Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

187. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9046/23]

Lobbying Reform

Éamon Ó Cuív

188. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9064/23]