Parliamentary questions

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her agenda for improving Ireland’s drowning rate, with regard to her responsibility for Water Safety Ireland; to provide details of any engagement with lifeguards and lifeguarding groups to this end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10353/24]

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her recent engagements with the board of Water Safety Ireland regarding recommended equipment guidelines for lifeguarding that it issues to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10352/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 27 February 2024, how Irish medical volunteers can offer their services specifically to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza to third countries, for example, Egypt; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10589/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 27 February 2024, if he is aware of an offer by a group which has a team of over 20 highly qualified specialist doctors, licensed and experienced in various medical fields in Dublin, ready to volunteer their services to communities displaced from Gaza into third countries, for example, Egypt (details supplied); if he has considered this offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 27 February 2024, if his Department has considered the direct deployment of Irish medical personnel in the region, including supporting or facilitating volunteer aid from Irish individuals; what in-kind and personnel contributions Ireland has made for same to European bodies for the purposes of humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, in tabular form; whether the Department will consider unilateral deployment of in-kind aid in the absence of an adequate response from the above European bodies, given discordant views on the conflict between member-states (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10591/24]

Rail Network

Richard Boyd Barrett

187. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport when the Woodbrook rail station will be opened and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/24]

State Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

270. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a State funded event (details supplied) is issuing consent forms to parents of children participants and attendees which states that the consent form is for filming and photography with wide usage allowed for third parties of which include commercial and non-commercial partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10027/24]

Visa Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

471. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice which visas are most suitable for Palestinians in Gaza to apply for in order to be permitted to enter Ireland; which visas are most suitable specifically for those with no family here, but who have previously resided in Ireland and for family members of such individuals; her Department's current policy on approving visa applications for Palestinians from Gaza; to provide a breakdown of available visas for Palestinians and guidance on which are most suitable for different categories of applicant, including guidance on making a successful application; if her Department will publish guidance in Arabic to potential applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9990/24]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the form of redress that is available to former residents of an orphanage (details supplied) given reports of abuse and its exclusion from the mother and baby homes redress scheme (details supplied); whether the confessional character of the orphanage has played a role in the State's attitude towards liability to victims there, as it was a Protestant institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10250/24]

After-School Support Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

569. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter in relation to an after school service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10308/24]

Passport Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what avenues are open to a person (details supplied) who has to apply for a passport if the copies of their birth certificate, name change and gender recognition certificate are notarised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9767/24]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [7881/24]

Immigration Status

Richard Boyd Barrett

90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the avenues a person with a three-month visa who has arrived in Ireland from Gaza can now use to apply for citizenship in Ireland whose close family member holds a work visa permit in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9469/24]

Child and Family Agency

Richard Boyd Barrett

105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what avenues are available for a person (details supplied) to access missing information from their early life report which they recently received from Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9487/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Irish medical volunteers might be able to offer their services in Gaza, or to communities of individuals displaced from Gaza, for example in Rafah, Egypt, in light of the worsening humanitarian and health crisis unfolding in Gaza; the steps his Department will take to assist individuals or groups who contact them expressing an intention to do so; what contact points in the Department are suitable for such individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the provision of emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza and the surrounding region (details supplied); if this includes the potential for direct deployment of Irish medical professionals; if this further includes the potential for deploying a humanitarian response that is not initiated through the DG ECHO platform; if this includes assisting and facilitating Irish medical professionals seeking to volunteer in Gaza or the surrounding region; his views on how the HSE Global Health Programme might support the amelioration of the humanitarian and health crisis in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9269/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the person or body that can make a formal request for assistance on the DG ECHO platform; how they would go about it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/24]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

334. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) is required to complete another on-line e-vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8840/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

335. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the significant delays in processing times for naturalisation applications and in the sending of certificates to those who have attended naturalisation ceremonies; the current expected processing times and times to allocate certificates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8841/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

336. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the current number of applicants awaiting naturalisation applications to be processed; the number pending from 2021, 2022 and 2023; the estimated timeline for clearing the backlog and the percentage of rejected candidates; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8842/24]

An Garda Síochána

Richard Boyd Barrett

337. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice how long the e-vetting process takes in the naturalisation process; the length of time for which e-vetting is valid; if she is aware of the issue with inputting the county on the on-line form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8843/24]

Disability Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

444. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information (details supplied) for the CDNTs in CHO 6 for each month from January 2022 to April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9144/24]

Mental Health Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

505. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the long-term illness scheme only includes mental health conditions for persons under 16 years of age; his plans to extend this beyond 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8798/24]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU budget. [7882/24]

Transport Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [6662/24]

Judicial Appointments

Richard Boyd Barrett

118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice how a person (details supplied) was appointed as a State solicitor and then as a judge when there were serious complaints to two separate school boards of management; the vetting system for State solicitors and judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8180/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6661/24]

Northern Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. [7880/24]

Passport Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

123. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if in the instance of a first passport application there is a necessity of the identity verification form section 7 to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána or whether any witness from the list provided on the gov.ie website is suitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7626/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to report on what schools in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area provide properly serviced reading classes for dyslexic children, and if there are any upcoming plans to provide properly serviced reading classrooms for dyslexic children in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7525/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

350. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the implications for a RAS tenant, considering RAS is designated like social housing as social housing support, whose income goes over the income limit, who pays rent in line with the increased income but then receives a notice to quit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7675/24]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

370. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the timeline for the full installation of the hot school meals programme; if there is a commitment by her Department to cover all schools by the next Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7614/24]

Judicial Appointments

Richard Boyd Barrett

429. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice in light of the recent conviction of a Circuit Court judge for sexual offences, to explain how it was possible for somebody with so many serious complaints against them to be appointed as a Circuit Court judge; to confirm that neither the Gardaí nor the school previously employing the judge undertook any activity which could be perceived as covering up complaints against the judge (or any behaviours similar to those subject to complaint) prior to his appointment; to outline any efforts taken by the Department or agencies of the Department to ascertain whether any possible covering-up took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7722/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media following the recent film industry section 481 stakeholder forum, her views on the widespread and legitimate concern of actors, writers, directors and film crew in relation to sustainable and secure employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7003/24]

Sports Facilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

42. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to address the significant shortfall of sports pitches and other sports facilities, that is growing particularly acute in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, considering the huge growth in people participating in sport, in particular women and girls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7001/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

44. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her assessment of the recent film industry section 481 stakeholder forum; her plans are to address the concerns, issues and proposals raised at the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7002/24]

Television Licence Fee

Richard Boyd Barrett

57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to give an update on the Government’s latest thinking on the central funding of RTÉ and public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7004/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he now accepts the need for an outright ban on vulture funds purchasing large numbers of new homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/24]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he intends to put in place to ensure availability of affordable homes in south Dublin, in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he will take in relation to the cohort of people who earn more than the limit for social housing but are not eligible for cost rental on affordability grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7010/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will immediately raise the HAP and homeless HAP limits, considering the ever increasing numbers entering homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/24]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

153. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is concerned about the increase in family homelessness and the lack of three bed homes coming on stream via the Part V programme; what changes he intends to make to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/24]

Water Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

409. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that Ireland has amongst the worst drowning rates in Europe; whether she intends to remedy this by increasing the number of lifeguards employed, ensuring proper training of all lifeguards, extending the months of the year that lifeguards are employed to cover the whole year, and by providing all lifeguards with the necessary equipment, such as radios, all-terrain vehicles and defibrillators, in line with European best practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7110/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. [2797/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with the President of China. [6660/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his visit to the western Balkans. [2796/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

73. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there has been an increase in the amount of ammunition for automatic rifles expended at the Curragh and the Glen of Imaal army ranges since the beginning of 2021; and whether any of this ammunition was used for training soldiers from NATO countries. [6786/24]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach for an update on the child poverty and well-being unit. [4031/24]

Citizens' Assembly

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the expected timeline for the citizens' assemblies committed to in the programme for Government. [4019/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education will next meet. [2807/24]