Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

810. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people received the fuel allowance in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; the cost of the scheme in each of these years; the details of any improvements being considered for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15334/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

811. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people received the household benefit package in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; the cost of this scheme to the state in each of these years; whether consideration is being given to increasing the payment under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15335/24]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

931. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in relation to a felling licence application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway, given the fact that the initial application has been lodged with his Department since 2018; if he can assure that a decision will issue without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13610/24]

EU Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

1046. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is intended to introduce an EIP scheme specially for the Aran Islands, County Galway due to the extremely valuable natural heritage there and the fact that the ACRES scheme does not suit the very small farms on the island with its patchwork of very small fields which has meant that less than half the farmers are participating in the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15391/24]

Caiteachas Ranna

Éamon Ó Cuív

1047. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist tairiscintí a lorg i leith foirgnimh (sonraí tugtha) atá le ceannach nó le tógáil ar léas; má tá aon chúis leis an moill maidir leis seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [15392/24]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

1172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the rates being charged to Ukrainian refugees living in State accommodation for their board and lodgings; the basis by which this was calculated; whether this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15311/24]

Cancer Research

Éamon Ó Cuív

1218. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the amount being invested each year towards cancer research; the amount of this directed towards research into brain cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13661/24]

Cancer Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health what arrangements are in place to ensure Irish brain tumour patients have access to advanced cancer treatments abroad not available in this jurisdiction funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13663/24]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

1369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a hard copy of the breakdown of a means assessment as part of a medical card application can be provided to a person (details supplied) as they did not receive one following multiple requests; if they will be granted a time extension to request a review and an appeal as they await the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14346/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1596. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the HSE treatment abroad scheme over 24 years of age who have travelled outside of Ireland for specialised cancer treatment not available in Ireland in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the total number of applicants to the scheme seeking to avail of specialised cancer treatment for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15331/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1597. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of recipients of the HSE treatment abroad scheme aged 0-24 years of age who have travelled outside of Ireland for specialised cancer treatment not available in Ireland in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the total number of applicants to the scheme seeking to avail of specialised cancer treatment for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15332/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether he is considering expanding the treatment abroad scheme to include an allowance for accommodation, and other such essential expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/24]

Research Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

1682. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of money being invested each year by his Department or agencies funded by his Department into cancer research; the amount of this directed towards research into brain tumours and brain cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13662/24]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

8. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the annual cost of providing Army security at Portlaoise prison; the number of prisoners in the prison that this security relates to; whether the need for an Army presence there is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13033/24]

National Security

Éamon Ó Cuív

55. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether there have been any discussions at an EU level in relation to introducing extra obligations on member states in relation to defence; whether Ireland has been a part of these discussions; and the stance Ireland has taken in the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

80. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to agree and implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review; the reason for the delay in doing so; whether in the meantime it is intended to do preliminary work on those elements of the strategy totally within the remit of the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/24]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure that adequate resources are provided to the NTA in order that bus services on the main radial routes into and from Galway, including the services from Casla (route 424), Clifden, Headford and Kilcolgan can meet current demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

126. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application lodged by a person in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/24]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason for the delay with the commencement of the Leader Programme in County Galway; the number of companies that will deliver the Leader Programme there; the areas they will cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13470/24]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the arrangements that have been made to deliver SICAP on the offshore Islands off the coast of Galway; when delivery of the Programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13469/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the new criteria used to assess applications for discretionary payments for items such as specialised spectacles for children in the CHO network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12816/24]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

1503. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health what efforts are being made to ensure that adequate dentists participate in the scheme to provide dental services to medical card patients as the current dentists are at capacity and cannot meet the demand for the service thus leaving people on low incomes without a vital health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13035/24]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what discussions he has had recently with relevant British Ministers in relation to developments in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/24]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding committed under the Shared Island Fund to date on each side of the border; the amount of this committed to cultural projects across all communities; the details of the cultural projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11067/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the increase in the amount of electricity being generated from onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and other renewables respectively in 2023; the research being carried out in the State in respect of harnessing wave and tidal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11069/24]

Air Quality

Éamon Ó Cuív

106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the improvement in air quality since he introduced the Statewide ban on selling smoky fuels in retail outlets etc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11068/24]

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici líon na scoláireachtaí do dhaltaí lasmuigh de na hOileáin a fhreastalaíonn ar na scoileanna ar na trí cinn d’Oileáin Árann a mhéadú le nach mbeidh na scoileanna ag brath ar scoláirí a bheith i dteideal an “Deontas Ceantar Iargúlta” de chuid na Roinne Oideachais le bheith inmharthana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11234/24]

Water Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that there must be a minimum of 25 houses seeking water to be eligible for a “ Community Connection” to an existing Uisce Éireann main as per the conditions of measure A7 Community Water Connections of the Water Framework; how it is intended to make mains water available where there are small pockets of houses dependent on individual wells and streams for supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11376/24]

Water Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, in view of the fact that 10% of houses are not connected to either the Uisce Éireann network or an approved group water scheme, he will consider introducing a national scheme to bring mains water to all the remaining houses in the State without such a supply to ensure that all houses in the State have a good supply of potable water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11377/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

275. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are published national guidelines or SWA policy guidelines in relation to the operation of the supplementary welfare system and, in particular, in relation to additional needs payments and exceptional needs payments; if so, how can they be accessed by public representatives and the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11378/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

276. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum percentage payment payable to a person living on jobseekers' allowance who has no savings under the exceptional needs payment supplementary welfare allowance; the reason for the maximum percentage if the applicant cannot borrow money or pay the difference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11379/24]

Foreshore Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a foreshore licence will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11197/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether those who were in “mother and baby homes” will be automatically entitled to dental, chiropody, homecare services and counselling as part of the compensation package for survivors of the homes; if they are, how will the services be delivered and how can they be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when financial compensation will be paid to the survivors of the “mother and baby” homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11354/24]

Driver Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

51. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 264 of 17 January 2024 and 176 of 20 February 2024 (details supplied), if he will contact the Road Safety Authority and request that it urgently replies to the query in relation to an applicant for a CPC test stating that the matter was being referred to the RSA for direct reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11001/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

54. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the reason a reply has not been issued to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 13 February 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11043/24]

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

108. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici méadú mór a dhéanamh ar an maoiniú atá ar fáil do naíonraí agus naíscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, agus an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an earnáil sin do luathshealbhú agus nós úsáide na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht á cur i gcuntas, de bharr go bhfreastalaíonn beagnach gach gasúr anois ar naíonraí agus naíscoileanna; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11184/24]

Rental Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if short term lets, such as Airbnb, will be required to get a specific planning permission if they wish to continue in business in view of the new EU legislation in regard to short term lets; the areas this will apply to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11107/24]

Paramilitary Groups

Éamon Ó Cuív

138. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the progress made since the return of Stormont to implement the strong recommendation of the Independent Reporting Committee which works to end paramilitarism, in relation to structured dialogue with paramilitary organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11093/24]

Parole Boards

Éamon Ó Cuív

139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of recommendations received by her Department from the Parole Board since its inception; the number of these that are awaiting decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11094/24]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether it is intended to provide dedicated integration funding to an area (details supplied) in view of the large number of people seeking international protection living in the area and the proposal to locate further refugees there and the disadvantaged nature of the area based on the Pobal Index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11171/24]

General Practitioner Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not been issued from the HSE to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 136 of 8 November 2024 and 493 of 7 February 2024 (details supplied); if he will take this matter up with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11044/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

221. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the replies will issue to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1265 of 7 November 2023 and 494 of 7 February 2024 (details supplied); if he will take this matter up with the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11045/24]

Island Communities

Éamon Ó Cuív

228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to provide a special allowance for people living on offshore islands in relation to the assessment of eligibility for medical cards, in view of the extra cost associated with living on an offshore island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11104/24]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

230. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to address the fact that there was no increase in salaries and pensions for former district medical officers for many years, and that inflation has seriously impacted their pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11175/24]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

231. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to address the fact that there has been no increase in salary and pensions for a former permanent medical officer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11176/24]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

63. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the closing date for applications under the present round of applications to the Rural and Regional Regeneration Fund; when the next trance of approvals will be given under this fund; the total amount of money to be approved in this round; the total amount approved under this scheme to date from its inception and the actual expenditure under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10358/24]

Community Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

65. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the closing date for applications last year under the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund – New Builds Measure; when approvals will be given under the fund; the reason for the delay with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10359/24]

Seirbhísí Leathanbhanda

Éamon Ó Cuív

122. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide an bhfuil sé sasta treoir a thabhairt do NBI cúram a ghlacadh de sholáthar leathanbhanda snáthoptaice do chuideachta a bhfuil géarghá práinneach acu le leathanbhanda den chineál seo (sonraí tugtha) agus nach bhfuil seirbhís sásúil acu i láthair na huaire agus nach fios cén uair a bheidh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10346/24]

Scoileanna Oileáin

Éamon Ó Cuív

291. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar iarratais le haghaidh síneadh a chur le scoil i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí tugtha) ag tógail san áireamh an gá atá ann go gcuirfear an síneadh seo leis an scoil le go mbeidh spás féiliúnach ar fáil do na daltaí agus an fhoireann i gcoitinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10127/24]