Parliamentary questions

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

256. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the REPowerEU funding of €56 million that will be allocated to the electrification works at Drogheda train station to facilitate the charging of battery electric trains, has been drawn down yet from the European Union; if so, when; if he will seek a detailed description on what the funding will provide in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/24]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

257. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from the CEO of the Road Safety Authority on the progress/lack of progress on the long-awaited driving test centre for Drogheda; what sites have been considered or investigated; the expected timelines for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/24]

Waterways Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

259. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene and insist that Louth County Council, as a responsible party, that action is taken to remove the hebble dredge from the River Boyne in Drogheda following its original sinking in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15314/24]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress to introduce the new DART hybrid fleet on the northern line to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15322/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

264. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed Ardee by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the funding requirements and allocations required to advance the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

368. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site since the welcome announcement of up to €10 million in shared island funding to develop the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15330/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

369. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the delivery of the CFRAM scheme for County Louth and east Meath, further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/24]

Coastal Erosion

Fergus O'Dowd

370. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to identify if reports have been undertaken to ascertain the level of coastal erosion underway between the mouth of the River Boyne at Baltray to Clogherhead in County Louth; if so, what are the results; what plans, if any, there are to mitigate coastal erosion at this location into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15369/24]

Foreign Direct Investment

Fergus O'Dowd

387. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the advanced building solution facility in Drogheda, County Louth; when he expects construction to commence on the facility and any other related details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/24]

Departmental Priorities

Fergus O'Dowd

388. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the implementation of the North East Regional Enterprise Plans, considering the need to provide employment in the area and reduce the outward commute from towns such as Drogheda, Ardee and Dunleer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to urgent concerns relating to a child’s enrolment in an ASD unit in Dundalk (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

546. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the joint major building project for schools (details supplied) in Drogheda; what stage it is currently at; when they can expect progression to the next stage of the planning process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15291/24]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

550. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will seek or support calls for additional school bus places to cater for all secondary school children travelling from Collon to Ardee, County Louth for the forthcoming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15337/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines on the croí cónaithe scheme considering the worrying figures reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on the number of applicants who have successfully drawn down funding on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/24]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

712. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15346/24]

Departmental Contracts

Fergus O'Dowd

1170. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, with regard to the 300 contracts that have been terminated with his Department for the accommodation of BOTPs since 2022, the cancellation was instigated by the service provider or his Department, in tabular form; if any follow-up investigations or audits were carried out by the An Garda Síochána and/or his Department; the details of same, if any; if any monies are still outstanding on any of the cancelled contracts; if so if the Department is actively chasing payments on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the current plans for the provision of accommodation services within a location (details supplied) in Drogheda; if this centre is now operating as a dispersal centre as reported; to provide an update on how he and his Department are now planning to support Drogheda, considering the impact of this decision which has taken Drogheda's only hotel of scale from the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15289/24]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

1531. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of primary care centres operating within counties Louth and Meath, by location, itemised services, and the areas that they serve, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/24]

Dental Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of specialist orthodontists, consultant orthodontists and orthodontist assistants currently working within HSE dental services in County Louth for both adults and children from 2020 to date, by location, areas served, current wait times and current vacant open posts for same; if the HSE recruitment embargo has impacted on these posts; if so, if he will undertake to have the embargo removed immediately for this sector to ensure adults and children receive appropriate orthodontic care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15206/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

1590. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to immediately interject to ensure that all remaining beds at the new wing within a nursing home (details supplied) are immediately released for use, considering the pressure in the area and the significant public investment that was put into delivering the units which now lie semi-vacant due to the embargo; and if he will provide absolute clarity on this issue. [15279/24]

Ambulance Service

Fergus O'Dowd

1600. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the largest town in Ireland to develop a new ambulance station-base to meet the considerable ever growing pressures in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

1708. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans for the further expansion of apprenticeship courses in Louth and Meath for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/24]

Community Development Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

1734. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will seek an update on the purchase of a building (details supplied) in Dunleer for use as a multipurpose community space through the building acquisition measures; if any further request has been received from Louth County Council for any further buildings in the county under the BAM scheme; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15345/24]

Hospital Services

Fergus O'Dowd

277. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to direct concerns and questions raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13330/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Fergus O'Dowd

97. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration will be given to the introduction of a public subsidy where an estate in a town or urban area for which it is uncommercial for operators to service high speed broadband due to infrastructure deficits, which operators can tender for, which provides funding to bridge the gap between the excess cost in rolling out to such estates and the commercial cut off point that is, the point at which it is uncommercial for an operator to serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12044/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Fergus O'Dowd

98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to concerns raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12052/24]

Climate Change Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

105. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures which are currently being undertaken to identify and implement strategies that will assist in reducing Ireland's carbon footprint in regard to future decisions on public procurement contracts across all areas and public bodies, including targeted timelines for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12208/24]

Climate Change Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to identify any and all grant supports for new businesses building new premises that wish to make their sites carbon neutral and avoid fossil fuel energy sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12212/24]

Business Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

329. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a response will issue to queries raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the Increased Cost of Business Grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12258/24]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to detail the best route forward for a school (details supplied) in terms of progressing their request for an identified ASD need within the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11626/24]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

533. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will arrange for a further review of a case (details supplied) in respect of their need for a special education placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12983/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

618. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of access to the housing market for single persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Fergus O'Dowd

645. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines and the targeted publication of the final updated guidelines, if a windfarm planning application is before the local planning authority or An Bord Pleanála, if the new guidelines supersede the old 2006 guidelines and the planning application would then be determined/reassessed on the new guidelines in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12272/24]

Immigration Status

Fergus O'Dowd

952. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if advice will be provided for persons (details supplied) in respect of their current status within the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12919/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1165. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to providers of accommodation and serviced accommodation to BOTPS and or separately IPAS applicants, if any of these contracts have been terminated by his Department; the reason for same; if that service provider still continues to provide services to his Department at that location, or separately at any other location, from January 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total yearly cost to his Department to date for security at centres for BOTPS and for IPAS applicants, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12543/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1167. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the management company in place in a hotel (details supplied); the total number of other centres it has provided accommodation centres for BOTPS; the cumulative number involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1168. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of centre management teams that have been offered his Department's training course for centre managers for IPAS and BOTPS facilities; if the centre management company for a hotel (details supplied) has taken up the offer; the content and duration of the course offered; the cost of running the course; if the centre companies make a financial contribution to this course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12545/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consultation undertaken by his Department in relation to his decision to locate IPAS applicants in a hotel (details supplied) both within and outside his Department, to include all third parties consulted or from whom advice was sought or/and received including Louth and Meath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12547/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

1171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant beds in existing IPAS centres and BOTPS centres, by county location, and the remaining number of occupied beds in those same centres, by county location, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12549/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1329. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if assessments and diagnosis services for adults within counties Louth or Meath are available through the public system; if not, the reasons for same; if they are not, if the cost of accessing a diagnosis can be applied for through the NTPF or other funding avenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12070/24]

Medical Cards

Fergus O'Dowd

1480. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter in relation to the new thresholds for GP cards and associated childcare costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12876/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1521. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided to a person (details supplied) on available supports for required dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13164/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 29 February 2024, if he will provide the details on the following (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11223/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Fergus O'Dowd

109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a full progress report on the draft wind energy guidelines considering the significant number of applications that continue to be submitted despite the use of outdated guidelines; the expected timeframe for publication of finalised deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10873/24]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised (details attached); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/24]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

405. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek updates from both Louth and Meath county councils on projected affordable housing units that are schedule or in the pipeline for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10238/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date that the contract to provide accommodation for international applicants in a hotel (details supplied) was signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

593. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a break clause in the contract between his Department and a hotel (details supplied); if so, the notice period for the break clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10607/24]