Parliamentary questions

School Enrolments

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

116. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the number of children due to start a new school in September in the Dublin area who have yet to be offered a place in a local school; and the efforts her Department is making to ensure that every child will have a place in time. [16340/24]

Disadvantaged Status

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

117. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the reason the DEIS summer programme scheme has been changed in order that literacy and numeracy inclusion camps must be run concurrently. [16342/24]

Schools Building Projects

Darren O'Rourke

118. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the building programme for a school (details supplied); when construction will commence; when the school will be notified with an update; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16228/24]

Scoileanna Lán-Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

119. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil sé fós mar sprioc ag a Roinn dúbailt a dhéanamh ar líon na ndaltaí ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge de réir an Chláir Rialtais agus cén uair a bheidh sé sin sroichte. [16351/24]

Special Educational Needs

Martin Kenny

120. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will provide some clarity on the removal of funding for an ASD unit in a Leitrim school (details supplied) after physical accommodation was unable to be sourced. [16371/24]

Special Educational Needs

Gary Gannon

121. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education to explain the adaptation of standardised testing to dictate the assignment of SET hours, which prevents early intervention as testing does not begin until second class. [16495/24]

School Enrolments

Catherine Connolly

122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 13 February 2024, the status of the analysis underway by her Department into the number of additional first-year secondary school places required in Galway city and county in the academic year starting in September 2024; the steps her Department is taking to reduce the current enrolment pressures; the details of the engagement her Department has had to date in 2024 with affected schools in Galway city and county in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16314/24]

Road Safety

Violet-Anne Wynne

123. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Education if she will give consideration to adding road safety to all levels of the primary and post-primary curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16469/24]

Homeless Persons Supports

Gary Gannon

124. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education the actions her Department is taking to provide supports for primary school students experiencing homelessness in Dublin's north inner city, where a large percentage of pupils are homeless. [16493/24]

Departmental Properties

Mark Ward

125. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education for an update of the transfer of a plot of land in a school (details supplied) from her Department and the Dublin Education and Training Board to the HSE that is required to progress the delivery of a primary care centre in north Clondalkin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16366/24]

National Educational Psychological Service

Sorca Clarke

126. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the staffing crisis within the National Educational Psychological Service. [16338/24]

School Accommodation

Thomas Gould

127. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education for an update on the proposed extension to a school (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and the timeline for delivery of the building. [16368/24]

Pleananna Oideachais

Aindrias Moynihan

128. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Oideachais cén dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh le straitéis don Ghaelainn a chur i bhfeidhm tríd an gcóras oideachais ar fad; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16377/24]

Trade Data

Darren O'Rourke

129. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach to report on the levels of exports to Israel in 2020, 2021, 2022; 2023 and to date in 2024 and if there has been any change in the level of agricultural exports since 7 October 2023. [16030/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Bruton

130. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach the distribution of retirees across the entire Irish workforce, by age of retirement; the difference of pattern among the self-employed and the rest; and their estimate of the number of persons at work aged 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 70 or over. [15927/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Neasa Hourigan

131. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's representation and involvement in the 9th Our Ocean Conference 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16521/24]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

132. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what steps, if any, were taken to ensure that US Air Force C17 Globemaster aircraft number 08-8201 was not carrying weapons or munitions when it travelled through Shannon Airport on 10 April 2024, coming from Mac Dill US Air Force base in Tampa, Florida, and which then travelled on to Tel Aviv, Israel on 11 April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16760/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Matt Carthy

133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in light of reports of extensive usage with flagrantly inadequate oversight of artificial intelligence systems by the Israeli Defence Forces, which has significantly contributed to the killing of in excess of 33,000 civilians, he will engage with international partners with a view to establishing a treaty prohibiting or regulating the use of artificial intelligence systems in warfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15971/24]

Consular Services

Jackie Cahill

134. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what consideration his Department has given to opening a consulate in Costa Rica; what plans his Department has to expand its consular service in Central America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16020/24]

EU Directives

Peadar Tóibín

135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times Ireland has been fined by the EU for delays in implementing EU Directives and for breaches of EU legislation, respectively; the nature of each fine; and the total financial value of each for each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [16037/24]

Departmental Data

Matt Carthy

136. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total investment the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund holds in companies which operate within illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, by portfolio and company, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16057/24]

Passport Services

Danny Healy-Rae

137. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); if the passport will be expedited urgently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16135/24]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Spanish Prime Minister’s statement that Spain would recognise Palestinian statehood before the summer; and if Ireland will also recognise Palestinian statehood before the summer. [16163/24]

European Convention on Human Rights

Carol Nolan

139. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 10 of 28 February 2024, the annual costs to the State arising from Ireland’s ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights; the annual costs of our contributions towards the running costs of treaty bodies such as the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16206/24]

Official Travel

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs If he plans to visit Turkey in 2024. [16279/24]

Passport Services

Danny Healy-Rae

141. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of passport applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16322/24]

Departmental Funding

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

142. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government will commit to contributing to the UN pooled fund that will support local and international organisations, such as an organisation (details supplied) that is working in Haiti. [16417/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

143. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the recent violations of the inviolability of diplomatic missions in breach of the Vienna Convention by the government of Ecuador; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16550/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to the recent violations of the inviolability of diplomatic missions in breach of the Vienna Convention by the government of Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16551/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the issuing of said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16714/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Matt Carthy

146. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s contribution to the EU Mission in Armenia; if, given the announced expansion of the observer mission, he will commit to seeking a greater role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16735/24]

Departmental Strategies

Matt Carthy

147. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his Department’s strategy for the Caucasus region; the permanent missions through which Ireland engages with the region; his recent diplomatic engagements regarding the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/24]

Consular Services

Matt Carthy

148. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has considered opening an Irish embassy in Armenia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/24]

EU Enlargement

Matt Carthy

149. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with regard to Armenia potentially seeking candidate status for EU membership; Ireland’s position in relation to such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16738/24]

Historical Conflicts

Matt Carthy

150. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government intends to recognise the massacre of one-and-a-half million Armenians as an act of genocide perpetrated by the Turkish government; if discussions have taken place within his Department or at a Government level as to developing a stance on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16739/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Armenia; his efforts to develop and deepen bilateral, economic and cultural relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16740/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

152. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with the government of Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16741/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Matt Carthy

153. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagements with international partners regarding Armenia and Azerbaijan, with a view to contributing to conflict resolution and bringing about a lasting peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/24]

Departmental Legal Services

Neasa Hourigan

154. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline, in tabular form, spending on legal advice, legal action and/or legal expenses related to cases in the European Court of Human Rights on defending Ireland's position in relation to the Right to a Healthy Environment from 2019 to 2024 inclusive. [16321/24]

EU Funding

Brian Stanley

155. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of applications seeking to avail of the EU just transition community and enterprise grant scheme that were received up to the deadline of 28 February 2024; the number of these from counties Laois and Offaly; the successful applicants processed since 28 February; and the breakdown of the amount paid to applicants via the scheme to date. [15973/24]

EU Funding

Brian Stanley

156. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of unapproved applicants for the EU just transition community and enterprise grant scheme; if these applications will be processed ahead of the proposed April deadline; and if she plans to extend the current delivery dates for, as yet, unprocessed applications beyond the dates of June 2024 to March 2026. [15974/24]

Departmental Schemes

Duncan Smith

157. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the warmth and well-being pilot for COPD sufferers; if there are plans to expand the pilot or to expand access to the fully funded energy upgrade scheme for all who are recognised as COPD sufferers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16008/24]

Departmental Schemes

Robert Troy

158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on a community climate action programme application (details supplied). [16025/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the energy storage policy for Ireland; if there are plans to alter EirGrid’s market systems in order to allow that energy storage asset to trade in the market; the reason that the participation of energy storage assets is restricted in EirGrid’s market systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16110/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

160. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide up update on co-located projects; how he plans to address the barriers that currently exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has plans to establish investment frameworks for long-duration energy storage; to report on progress on long-duration energy storage in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16112/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Electricity Storage Policy Framework; if he expects that this will be published in Q2 this year; how he plans to ensure that the regulatory structure delivers high standards of safety and environmental standards; what international standards will be followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16113/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

163. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the Electricity Storage Policy Framework; if the safety standards will take account of the international recognised NFPA 855 (2023) in which all battery cells to conform with UL9540a specifications and testing (including second-life batteries) and be up to date in regard to NFPA, EPRI and independent experts in the field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16114/24]

Energy Infrastructure

Darren O'Rourke

164. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the development of a large battery storage facility at Shankill, Cavan (108mw); what measures have been put in place to address safety concerns of local residents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16117/24]

Energy Conservation

Jackie Cahill

165. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of applications for the warmer homes scheme under the SEAI that were deemed ineligible for works due to the terms of the scheme, following the initial assessment phase, 1 January 2023 and 8 April 2024 in cases where the applicants meet the means test requirement for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16120/24]