Parliamentary questions

Road Safety

Peter Fitzpatrick

169. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the reason why, at a time when road traffic deaths are on the rise again, BoxyMo supervisory type insurance which could prevent at least 100, and possibly up to 200 road traffic accident deaths per year, and has been in use in Ireland for over ten years, is not made mandatory and rolled out nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45880/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Peter Fitzpatrick

233. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a carer's payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45892/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peter Fitzpatrick

283. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an urgent medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peter Fitzpatrick

584. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an urgent medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45143/23]

Rail Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

4. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the negative affect the increase in the number of suburban DART services on the Intercity services from Belfast, Dundalk and Drogheda such as the Enterprise during peak times; the ticket-checking processes that occurs to prevent dangerous overcrowding at peak times (details supplied); if he has plans to increase the number of tracks from two to four on the Malahide to Connolly Station stretch of the line, similar to the improvement that has been carried out on the Cork line between Heuston Station and Hazelhatch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43236/23]

Rail Network

Peter Fitzpatrick

169. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the negative impact the proposed new Irish Rail timetable will have on commuters from Dundalk (details supplied); if he has plans to increase the number of trains between Drogheda and Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43237/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Peter Fitzpatrick

203. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if and when he plans to reinstate the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; if he plans to amend the criteria of the primary medical certificate process; if he plans on implementing a comprehensive needs-led transport support scheme to replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43235/23]

Legislative Measures

Peter Fitzpatrick

114. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide updated details regarding the timeframe for the implementation of legislation around e-scooters; their proposed classification; the limits proposed regarding the operation of said classified vehicles, including information regarding the details of driver testing and the requirements for licence, registration, tax and insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40191/23]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Peter Fitzpatrick

57. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has confidence in the RTÉ board, considering the board directly withheld information relating to requesting the resignation of a person (details supplied) and the subsequent drip-feeding of information in previous weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34690/23]

Sports Funding

Peter Fitzpatrick

74. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify when the €500,000 earmarked for grassroots girls' programmes, adult women recreational football and women in football leadership programmes will be accessible; the application process to secure funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34693/23]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Peter Fitzpatrick

78. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a former member of the RTÉ board (details supplied) has been appointed as one of the persons to investigate the work culture at RTÉ, considering there is a perceived conflict of interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34689/23]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Peter Fitzpatrick

79. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a breakdown of her engagement with a person (details supplied) with regard to the actions being considered by RTÉ's new director general in dealing with those who were complicit in or aware of the controversial payments and his intentions on regaining staff and public trust via accountability and transparency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34691/23]

Sports Funding

Peter Fitzpatrick

89. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, in light of recent statements by the Football Association of Ireland regarding the lack of funding for League of Ireland clubs, she will provide the total amount of funding allocated to soccer clubs and soccer organisations in County Louth through the sports capital funding programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34692/23]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Peter Fitzpatrick

827. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the urgent services they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34213/23]

Nursing Education

Peter Fitzpatrick

174. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the €9 million in additional supports promised to student nurses and midwives; when nurses and midwives will receive the €500 increase (details supplied); if this will be backdated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31360/23]

Public Sector Staff

Peter Fitzpatrick

32. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is planning any new measures in budget 2024 to address the recruitment and retention difficulties across key areas of the public sector; specifically healthcare, home care, the Garda, the military and firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31361/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Peter Fitzpatrick

134. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for further information on proposed refund to parents who are forced to seek private assessments for their children if waiting lists are not shortened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28723/23]

Third Level Costs

Peter Fitzpatrick

176. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available for adults looking to return to higher education in low-income, single-parent households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/23]

Animal Welfare

Peter Fitzpatrick

947. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans his Department has to ensure that all breeders selling animals as pets online are registered with his Department under The Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of pet animals) Regulations 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27505/23]

Suicide Prevention

Peter Fitzpatrick

212. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide in detail the funding amounts that are allocated to various organisations (details supplied) and other charity groups working directly in suicide care in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26507/23]

Special Educational Needs

Peter Fitzpatrick

261. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding ASD placement in Dundalk; if the family situation will be taken into consideration; her plans to approve an additional co-educational class at a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25583/23]

Medical Cards

Peter Fitzpatrick

646. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when the approved GP visit card extended in budget 2023 to children aged under seven years and approved from April 2023 is expected to be implemented, given that to date it is yet to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25593/23]

Passport Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

42. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide information regarding a passport application (details supplied) needing further clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25058/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peter Fitzpatrick

89. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims in the education sector for short-term jobseeker’s payments from substitute teachers and all non-permanent education employees in each of the past five years to date for school summer-holiday periods; the average length of time for processing the claims; if she will review the way in which claims are processed to ensure that payments are issued in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24668/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Peter Fitzpatrick

100. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received by the social welfare appeals office per month since 2021; the current average processing time for an appeal with the social welfare appeals office; the efforts being made to reduce appeal processing times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24671/23]

School Transport

Peter Fitzpatrick

112. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection the engagement that she has had with the Minister for Education on the matter of school transport since 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24670/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peter Fitzpatrick

114. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider in Budget 2024 extending the child dependent cut-off age to 24 years if the child is still attending a third-level course. [24669/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Peter Fitzpatrick

191. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for information on why Parkwind’s Oriel Windfarm in Dundalk Bay was unsuccessful in its recent bid to generate electricity from offshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23942/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Peter Fitzpatrick

374. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recent cost-of-living bonus paid to those in receipt of certain social welfare payments; the amount the Government saved by not allowing those on adult dependant payments to receive this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23943/23]

Road Safety

Peter Fitzpatrick

222. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport to provide information in relation to lighting the M1 motorway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22604/23]

Foreign Direct Investment

Peter Fitzpatrick

56. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will seek briefings from IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland on the work they are currently undertaking to actively secure foreign and indigenous direct investment in areas in County Louth, such as at a complex in Dundalk (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/23]

Medicinal Products

Peter Fitzpatrick

1671. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the supply of two medications, amitriptyline and dalmane (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17678/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peter Fitzpatrick

1672. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when the person (details supplied) will receive their urgent medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17679/23]

Defence Forces

Peter Fitzpatrick

4. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline any updates in relation to the mandatory retirement age within the Defence Forces for post-1994 privates and corporals; the steps he will take to retain the affected personnel amidst a staffing retention crisis; if there have been advancements in his discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/23]

Defence Forces

Peter Fitzpatrick

242. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in lieu of forcing personnel who want to remain in the Defence Forces to retire on age grounds, he will consider a proposed fix of rehiring them under 2013 contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13558/23]

School Curriculum

Peter Fitzpatrick

182. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to concerns raised regarding the SPHE junior curriculum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14337/23]

Disability Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

195. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence regarding access to services in south Louth CDNT (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14364/23]

Passport Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

77. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason a passport, which is out of date for more than five years, is seen as a first-time passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13512/23]

Disaster Response

Peter Fitzpatrick

91. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the action Ireland is taking to provide humanitarian and medical aid to the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/23]

Passport Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

111. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of online passport applications that are currently waiting to be processed; the general processing times for online applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13514/23]

Passport Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

124. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason there is such a disparity in online passport application processing timeframes compared to postal application processing timeframes, given that the online application process is not accessible to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13515/23]

Passport Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

125. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of postal passport applications that are currently waiting to be processed; the estimated timeframe for this backlog to be cleared; and the general processing times for postal applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13513/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peter Fitzpatrick

1407. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; the reason their scheduled appointments have been constantly postponed for the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/23]

Tax Reliefs

Peter Fitzpatrick

226. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the criteria in relation to the first-time buyers grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/23]

Nursing Education

Peter Fitzpatrick

150. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if he will grant allowances for student nurses and midwives in line with the expenses incurred as part of their training, and recognising the additional challenges placed on students while they made their extraordinary contribution to the frontline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2934/23]

Disability Services

Peter Fitzpatrick

61. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the changes he plans to implement in order to improve and to fulfil the rights of children and adults with disabilities, specifically in respect of access to assessment of need, AON, tests and required services come 1 March 2023, when the remit will transfer to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6396/23]

International Protection

Peter Fitzpatrick

202. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the claims by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of international protection breaches in the context of accommodating newly arrived refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6397/23]

Tax Code

Peter Fitzpatrick

126. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the 9% VAT reduction for the tourism and hospitality industry further than the current expiry date in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2931/23]

Budget 2023

Peter Fitzpatrick

127. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cumulative cost of the measures taken since and including budget 2023 to help address cost-of-living issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2933/23]

Tax Reliefs

Peter Fitzpatrick

145. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that claimed the help-to-buy scheme since its inception to purchase a home; the value of these claims, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2935/23]