Parliamentary questions

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16982/24]

International Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of applicants under the current fire safety certificate, which is approximately half of the quoted 500 in the original brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17000/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health how many adults are currently waiting for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting times for audiology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the development of any future national hearing care plan will include consideration for adult medical cardholders to be assessed and treated by community audiologists, who currently provide care to working age adults under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/24]

Tax Exemptions

Fergus O'Dowd

229. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to proposals raised in respect of extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide the details of the CFRAM assessment in Termonfeckin, County Louth, which suffered from extremely damaging floods in the recent flooding events, given the OPW indicated that a possible structural flood relief measures for Termonfeckin was not an economically viable scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16616/24]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16503/24]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding and supports are available to assist a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16191/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

400. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further supports or review of the croí cónaithe application (details supplied) can be undertaken; if there are any additional supports that he is aware of that might assist in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16507/24]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/24]

Vacant Properties

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the details on how he and his Department will simplify and enhance the application process and application timelines for the Croí Cónaithe scheme considering the very worrying figures reported in a paper (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. [15674/24]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to consider a review of the Drogheda school planning area, with consideration of the population sprawl in Drogheda rural, which in many cases is leaving students in Drogheda rural unable to attend their nearest primary/secondary schools in the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15794/24]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to correspondence and proposals set out by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Family Courts Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15768/24]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the Gambling Regulation Bill. 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15523/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update with any engagement his Department has had with Louth County Council in respect of progressing phase 2 of the port access northern cross route in Drogheda; if he supports this vital infrastructure; if he will commit to fast-tracking and/or assisting any discussion to allow for its progression, including any funding required to complete an over/under passage of the main Dublin to Belfast rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15281/24]

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]