Parliamentary questions

School Meals Programme

Brendan Griffin

226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date position regarding the rolling out of further hot school meals in schools in County Kerry; the number of new schools that are included in the most recent addition of schools; if she will provide a list of all schools in County Kerry now benefitting from the scheme, including the date on which the schools were approved for the programme; the number of schools in County Kerry that remain outside the programme; the number of them that expressed an interest in the programme in the most recent call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17236/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Griffin

227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for supplementary welfare will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17082/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

231. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the practice of the Social Protection Appeals Office accepting appeals in the context of scoping decisions without grounds for those appeals being set out and-or examined will be discontinued; how frequently this practice occurred in each of the past five years; the amount of time, on average, between an appeal being lodged and a case being further decided upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17125/24]

Care Services

Brendan Griffin

294. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a bed will be made available through emergency community support for a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17156/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

319. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how she is determining whether value for money is being achieved by local authorities through the spending of State funding and local contributions on the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. []

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

320. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how many audits of local authorities have taken place in relation to the spending of State funding and local contributions on the local improvement scheme; the local authorities that were audited, the years audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17203/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out price comparisons on the cost of roads being improved by different local authorities under the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17204/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out price comparisons on the cost of roads being improved by local authorities under the local improvement scheme versus private contractor quotations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17205/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

323. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has queried any returns from any local authorities in the past eight years under the local improvement scheme; if any further examination of drawdown and inspection has taken place; if so, the specific local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17206/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

324. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has identified any circumstances in local authorities where funding was drawn down under the local improvement scheme in respect of roads that were not completed at the time of drawdown; if so, if she will identify the local authorities that were involved and list each such instancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17207/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount in local contributions from residents and landowners, per local authority, under the local improvement scheme since 2016, in tabular form; the number of roads improved in each of these local authority areas in the corresponding period; the total length/area of road completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17208/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

326. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amounts sought by each local authority and subsequently granted to each local authority under the local improvement scheme for each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17209/24]

Departmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the ORIS stream 3 funding allocations will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/24]

Tax Collection

Brendan Griffin

24. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will urgently examine the situation whereby some RTÉ employees are being forced to make punitive payments to the Revenue Commissioners in respect of bogus self-employment contracts wrongly issued by their employer over many years; if settlements by RTÉ entered into with Revenue have also covered these individuals; if so, if the individuals continue to make payments to Revenue in respect of already settled cases; if, in the event that these individuals' cases were not settled by RTÉ, the reason therefor, as it would be the responsibility of the party issuing the bogus self-employment contract to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Brendan Griffin

36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a person (details supplied) is on the correct rate of teacher's pension; if there is any other pension or benefit available to the person from the Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16785/24]

Tourism Schemes

Brendan Griffin

66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what progress has been made on commitments in the programme for Government in respect of developing a wild Atlantic walkway and a Carlingford-to-Cobh coastal route; what stage each project is at; if either is a real priority at this stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17068/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Brendan Griffin

70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a sewerage scheme will be available for a housing estate in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16819/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Griffin

85. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's allowance appeal (details supplied) in respect of a person in County Kerry. [17050/24]

Family Reunification

Brendan Griffin

89. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if a decision has been made on a join family visa in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16777/24]

State Pardons

Brendan Griffin

100. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the up-to-date position regarding the possible posthumous pardoning in the historic cases of Poff and Barrett in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17039/24]

Aquaculture Industry

Brendan Griffin

112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will issue on the renewal of aquaculture licences at a location in County Kerry (details supplied); if licences will be further extended pending decisions on these renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Griffin

141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16826/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Brendan Griffin

170. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17013/24]

Tax Exemptions

Brendan Griffin

237. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/24]

Environmental Schemes

Brendan Griffin

385. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a 2023 payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied) for Natterjack toad ponds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Griffin

386. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a 2023 NPWS farm scheme application submitted by a person in County Kerry (details supplied) for the Natterjack toad pond payments was rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/24]

Ministerial Staff

Brendan Griffin

499. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the process for the selection of Garda drivers for Government Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16144/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

534. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is his Department that is responsible for granting planning permission for forestry roads exiting onto main roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15983/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Brendan Griffin

697. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a mobility chair will be provided to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16266/24]

Rural Schemes

Brendan Griffin

775. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if value for money reviews are carried out on local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16557/24]

Housing Schemes

Brendan Griffin

28. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if staged payments will be introduced for the croí cónaithe home renovation grant scheme, given the difficulties being experienced by grant recipients in having to find the finance upfront before drawing back the grant; if the entire process will be streamlined to reduce red-tape and speed up processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15695/24]

Housing Schemes

Brendan Griffin

105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if recipients of the croí cónaithe home renovation grant scheme who are first-time homeowners will also be eligible for the help-to-buy-scheme, given that a new housing unit is being delivered but with the relative increased expense of renovation versus greenfield development in some cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15696/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Griffin

172. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the reason the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 imposes maximum stakes limits and prize-winning limits on certain games including bingo, local lotteries and charity fundraisers, but no such restrictions will apply to general sports betting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15888/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Griffin

173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the reason schedule 2 of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, which provides for certain limits and restrictions, is necessary when the proposed legislation will allow the gambling regulator the powers to amend these limits, and if it would be more appropriate that the said regulator should set any limits or restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15889/24]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Griffin

174. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she is satisfied that Government policy is consistent and coherent in relation to the proposed ban on certain forms of gambling advertising when no such ban will apply to the advertising of National Lottery games; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15890/24]

Health Service Executive

Brendan Griffin

178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15804/24]

Tax Yield

Brendan Griffin

13. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the total tax take from fuel in 2023, broken down by category; how this figure compares with the estimated amount of total tax take from fuel as set out in Budget 2023 in October 2022; the total estimated tax take from fuel for 2024 as set out in Budget 2024 in October 2023, with a breakdown of each category; the estimated and actual figures for Quarter 1 2024; how much additional tax the planned excise increases in August are estimated to generate by year end; how much the recent excise increases on 1 April 2024 will generate by year end; if the planned August increase will be scrapped in light of the overall tax take performance and the negative impact of excise increases on individual motorists and the wider economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15213/24]

Tax Yield

Brendan Griffin

35. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the total tax take from the restaurant sector in 2023, broken down by category; how this figure compares with the estimated amount of total tax take from the restaurant sector as set out in Budget 2023 in October 2022; the total estimated tax take from the restaurant sector for 2024, with a breakdown of each category; how much additional tax the increased VAT rate of 13.5% for the entire year is estimated to generate by year end; if he is concerned with the closure of restaurants nationwide; if estimated tax take figures need to be revised as a result; if he is reconsidering the reintroduction of the 9% VAT rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15214/24]

Rights of Way

Brendan Griffin

55. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if permission is required from a local authority to close a public right of way linking two public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15661/24]

School Staff

Brendan Griffin

63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if caretakers in schools will be recognised and receive benefits under her Department and statement (details supplied). [15521/24]

International Protection

Brendan Griffin

99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15533/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/24]

Aquaculture Industry

Brendan Griffin

118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/24]

Fodder Crisis

Brendan Griffin

123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a financial support package for farmers given the prolonged period of bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Griffin

124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if planning permission in the business name of a sole trader farmer in County Kerry (details supplied) will be accepted for a TAMS grant application for a new shed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15694/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Griffin

125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if confirmation that all 2023 direct farm payments were made to a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15710/24]

Aquaculture Industry

Brendan Griffin

126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if force majeure will be accepted for a late 2023 Brexit inshore business model adjustment scheme application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15722/24]

Hospital Staff

Brendan Griffin

141. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/24]

Rural Schemes

Brendan Griffin

189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a grant will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15534/24]

Road Network

Brendan Griffin

258. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland will address an issue affecting a homeowner on the N86 in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15295/24]