Parliamentary questions

Cost of Living Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

483. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide clarification on whether partial capacity recipients will be in a position to claim the €500 cost-of-living grant for disabilities; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53479/22]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

702. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the financial supports that were paid to individual nursing homes by his Department and the HSE, by name and location due to the effects of the Covid -19 pandemic since April 2020; if such payments have been subject to an audit; if so, if the audit has been or will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53501/22]

Crime Prevention

Fergus O'Dowd

23. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a detailed update on the progress made with respect to the Drogheda implementation report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52170/22]

Crime Prevention

Fergus O'Dowd

39. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on when the community safety innovation fund successful projects are expected to be announced; the total number of applications received; the future plans to expand the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52169/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide timelines for the expected publication of a report (details supplied) and any other details, further to his acknowledgement that he received the report concerning the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52165/22]

Mental Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health : if he will provide details of the €210,000 that was secured through Social Inclusion Ireland from dormant funds to fund a full time mental health post in Mosney, County Meath on a pilot basis for 3 years; if he will also provide the details on the date that the monies were secured and the expected timeline for commencement of the pilot programme; if he will make available any and all other details on the reason there have been for delays incurred to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52099/22]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

114. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration is currently being given with respect to part-time students and their access to the SUSI grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51223/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

143. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he and his Department plan to expand apprenticeship offerings in the north-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51224/22]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

252. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to his statement in Dáil Éireann on Thursday 22 September 2022 that 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds would be added to the young adult card scheme, the timeline on when this cohort will be added to the young adult card scheme given the urgent need for families to cut unnecessary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51870/22]

Hospital Services

Fergus O'Dowd

678. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of radiation therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51113/22]

Health Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

763. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details with respect to a previous statement on Section 56 organisations that pay restoration in relation to organisations funded through section 39 was applied to organisations who met certain specific criteria (details supplied); if he will detail the way this criterion was developed and the person or body that was involved in developing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51497/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

28. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the announcement made to support carers in Budget 2023; if she will also provide an update on plans to allow carers to qualify for contributions for State pensions for the first time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49596/22]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the social protection supports currently being considered to improve the overall departmental response to domestic abuse situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49597/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that his Department has re-organised to effectively meet the demands of the Ukrainian crisis; if he will provide the total cost of the response to date and any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50210/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

140. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian International Protection applicants; the total number of applicants who are in IPAS sources accommodation since the crisis commenced; if he will also provide details on whether independent advocates are available to applicants to support them if they require assistance with respect to their accommodation placement or provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50211/22]

Tax Reliefs

Fergus O'Dowd

209. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the upcoming changes to benefit-in-kind, which are of great concern to the many recipients who believe it will force them from the scheme from 2023 due to the expected increase in payments and the current cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50786/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

225. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she was consulted about the appointment of a judge to review the recent allegations concerning cheating and fixing of Irish dancing competitions as revealed in a newspaper (details supplied); the extent of such consultation and or advice requested and offered by her Department, if any; when the attention of her Department was first drawn to such allegations. [50976/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

250. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education her views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of possible training requirements for school escorts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50788/22]

Taxi Regulations

Fergus O'Dowd

34. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any consideration has been given to a further extension of age limits for taxis and hackneys considering the ongoing issues that the sector is facing to extend beyond the end of 2022, and in cases in which the car is tested to the highest standard levels available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50494/22]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the projected timelines for resolution of the school transport crisis which has left thousands of concessionary students stranded without transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49476/22]

Departmental Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

151. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the rollout expansion of the Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme for 2023-2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49477/22]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the significant issues highlighted by a person (details supplied) in respect of access to solar photovoltaic grants through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland whereby houses that were originally due to be completed before the end of December 2020 but were delayed due to the impact of Covid-19 are subsequently ineligible; if the criteria can be reviewed for homes in this category; if he will outline the alternative avenues, if any, that can be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49516/22]

Energy Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

202. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a response will issue to serious concerns raised by a person (details supplied); if any policy can be added to the review framework for persons without electricity meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50158/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Fergus O'Dowd

283. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the details on the expected timelines for the reopening of the offices of the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate face-to-face engagement with consideration of the significant tax changes that have been announced and the expected increase in queries on PAYE and other revenue-related services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/22]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

437. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the total number of ASD spaces available for post-primary students in the east Meath catchment area (details supplied); if urgent intervention will be provided to increase the ASD units in a school or other post-primary schools to cater for additional placements in this area of significant population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50162/22]

Mental Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

641. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any consideration has been given to providing persons above the age of 16 years suffering with long-term mental illness, to be included in the HSEs long-term illness scheme, which would provide much needed relief to those without medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49580/22]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

670. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for when rental income from renting out the family home will be deemed exempt under the fair deal scheme, given the significant number of persons who are holding applications back until the commencement has been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49791/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

721. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he will publish in full the report that he received from a person (details supplied) into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic; the date that he received the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50007/22]

Industrial Development

Fergus O'Dowd

47. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will seek an update on the provision of an advanced building solution in Drogheda's new IDA landbank; if he will seek a technical brief on the proposed development; the expected timelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48724/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will seek advice as to whether a local sports club (details supplied) in County Louth is eligible for supports to offset rising electricity costs for the upcoming winter months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48870/22]

Tax Credits

Fergus O'Dowd

213. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if a response will issue to a query raised by person (details supplied) in respect of the rent tax credit that was announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48396/22]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to cases in which a person with a disability is left an inheritance (details supplied); if a mechanism will be put in place to ensure that the disabled recipient can benefit from the entire inheritance without losing the capital gains tax due which takes significant amount away from the registered disabled person who may need the money for their future care needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48463/22]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

491. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the decision-making process for re-designating Section 38 and 39 residential childcare organisations as Section 56 organisations; the consultation that took place with the management and staff of these organisations before their re-designation as Section 56 organisations; if management or staff of Section 38 and 39 organisations were informed by either his Department, the HSE or Tusla of any potential changes to their terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48568/22]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

492. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Section 56 organisations were informed that their funding would be reduced by an initial 5% if they refused to sign Section 56 service-level agreements with Tusla in respect of the redesignation of Section 38 and 39 organisations to Section 56 organisations; if any of these organisations subsequently lost funding as a result; if so, the total number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48569/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

493. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that section 56 organisations were excluded from pay restoration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48570/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

494. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that Section 38 organisations were excluded from public sector pay agreements and pay restoration when re-designated Section 56 organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48571/22]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

495. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details with respect to a previous statement on Section 56 organisations (details supplied); the way that this criterion was developed; the person or body that was involved in developing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48572/22]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

496. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has given consideration to the potential impact on voluntary organisations that were redesignated as Section 56 organisations due to their exclusion from pay restoration and in which in many cases staff have had no pay increase for more than 12 years leading to many leaving the organisation to work in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48580/22]

Third Level Costs

Fergus O'Dowd

501. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if engagement will be undertaken with third level institutions to implement monthly and quarterly payment plans for families that are struggling with the cost-of-living (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48016/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

78. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to address the matter of energy suppliers and the extortionate standing charges that in some cases have increased dramatically, given many tens of thousands of smart meters are currently being installed, which should lower any standing charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/22]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

52. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any further consideration has been given to previous proposals (details supplied) in respect of the first home scheme to address boundary issues in Drogheda, County Louth and County Meath, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47084/22]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 20 September 2022, if a response will issue directly on the question submitted in respect of full-time mobile home residents who have been very unfairly treated with regard to access to the previous energy rebates and possible future rebates. [47441/22]

Maritime Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will use the powers within his remit to ensure the timely removal of a vessel (details supplied) that recently sank on the north quay, Drogheda, following years of continued decay; if he will ensure those responsible for the subsequent environmental impact are held to account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/22]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in respect of calls for a public enquiry into nursing home deaths in Ireland during Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47500/22]

Bus Services

Fergus O'Dowd

92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently review the anomaly which will severely affect students at 18 years of age given that they are unable to access student rates on bus journeys; the work that is currently being undertaken to address this anomaly which actively discriminates against students who are 18 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47094/22]

Education Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

227. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if he will seek additional detail on the research and evidence upon which a statement (details supplied) by the interdepartmental group that decides on the school starting age policy relies upon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46589/22]

Budget 2023

Fergus O'Dowd

439. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pre-Budget 2023 submission by an organisation (details supplied); if consideration has been given to its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46614/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

555. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he has received an invitation to meet with the families who lost loved ones in a nursing home (details supplied) during the third wave of the pandemic at the start of 2021; if he has considered and or responded to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47175/22]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will directly intervene and press for the Road Safety Authority to commit to a permanent driver test centre for Drogheda considering the fact that Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland along with the longest wait times in the country which is completely unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46100/22]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently seek a review of supports which are currently in place to support the overall Government strategy to transition to electric vehicles in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45757/22]