Parliamentary questions

School Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

1152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost of making primary and post-primary education totally free, abolishing all charges including voluntary contributions, providing free school uniforms, books and all other required equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41493/22]

National Educational Psychological Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

1153. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of psychologists currently employed by the National Educational Psychological Service; the number of sanctioned psychologist posts in NEPS; the full-year cost of running NEPS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41494/22]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

1154. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of SNAs currently employed by her Department; the number of sanctioned SNA posts and the full-year cost of employing these SNAs; the average cost of each SNA to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41495/22]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

1155. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of SETs currently employed by her Department; the number of sanctioned SET posts; the full-year cost of employing these SETs; the average cost of each SET to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41496/22]

Traveller Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

1156. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the details of the Traveller education budget including the services that it provides; the number of staff that are employed providing these services; if there are vacant posts; the details of all posts in the service; the full-year cost of running this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41497/22]

State Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

1173. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under her aegis; the list of all State bodies under her aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the OPW to acquire their own property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42021/22]

Social Insurance

Richard Boyd Barrett

1174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year revenue that would be generated by establishing a new employer PRSI rate of 19.75% on any salaries paid over €90,000 per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41558/22]

Social Insurance

Richard Boyd Barrett

1175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year revenue that would be generated by increasing the 11.05% employers PRSI rate to 13.05% on salaries paid below €90,000 per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41559/22]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

1191. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to raise the income limit for access to the State pension non-contributory to bring into the net those on semi-State pensions who cannot access living alone allowance, fuel allowance and the household benefits package due to being marginally over the limit but yet are under the poverty line and at serious risk due to the rise in the cost of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39810/22]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

1192. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on semi-State pensions that are unable to access the living alone allowance, the fuel allowance or the household benefits package due to being over the income limit for a State pension but below the poverty line; if she intends to extend the income limit further to bring these persons into the net given the cost-of-living crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39811/22]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

1210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has examined the way in which persons can be accommodated in the case of schemes that are not yet compliant with the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision II regulations and its impact on one-member pension arrangements established after 22 April 2022 , given that are no suitable PRSA arrangements in place; if she will consider extending the deadline for compliance with the Provision for these schemes for six months from 1 July to 1 January 2023, to allow for the proposed changes to be made to the PRSA system (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40083/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1281. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing children’s allowance by 10% and extending payment until children are finished in full-time education or become 18 whichever is the later; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41435/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1282. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the respite care grant to €2,500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41436/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1283. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance to €350; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41437/22]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

1284. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all post-primary school pupils in public schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41438/22]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

1285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all primary school pupils in public schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41439/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1286. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to all pensioners, to all in receipt of the working family payment and or a medical card; the estimated full-year cost of abolishing the waiting period of a year for those on jobseeker’s allowance and by increasing the rate by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41440/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

1287. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending free travel to those in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41441/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

1288. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the household benefits package to all pensioners and to all in receipt of the working family payment and or a medical card; and by increasing the rates from €35 to €50; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41442/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1289. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the budget amount for the exceptional needs payment; the details of the rules surrounding this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41443/22]

Pensions Reform

Richard Boyd Barrett

1290. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of restoring the pension age to 65; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41448/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1291. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing all headline social welfare payments to €350 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41449/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1292. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year cost of increasing all headline social protection payment to €300 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41450/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1293. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing children’s allowance by 10% per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41451/22]

State Bodies

Richard Boyd Barrett

1317. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under her aegis; the list of all State bodies under her aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the OPW to acquire their own property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42030/22]

Prison Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

1336. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that an inmate in Mountjoy Prison would be denied a personal visit from their child unless according to Tusla that they tell their child that they are in prison while other inmates are not required to tell their children but can pretend to their young children that they are at work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40098/22]

Children in Care

Richard Boyd Barrett

1354. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to provide an entitlement to an increase in allowances (details supplied) for foster parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40252/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1398. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of increasing the spending on childcare to 1% of GDP. [41475/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1399. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of providing free childcare for all children under five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41476/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1400. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of providing free after school childcare for all children in primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41477/22]

Childcare Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1401. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full cost moving to a fully publicly run childcare service; the estimated length of time needed for same; the estimated cost in year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41478/22]

Ombudsman for Children

Richard Boyd Barrett

1402. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of establishing the Ombudsman for Children; and the equivalent amount with the costs for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41479/22]

Ombudsman for Children

Richard Boyd Barrett

1403. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of running the Ombudsman for Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41480/22]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

1404. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full cost of implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timeframe for same; the estimated cost of implementation in year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41499/22]

Ombudsman for Children

Richard Boyd Barrett

1405. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of running the Children’s Ombudsman. [41500/22]

Disability Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

1406. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of bringing spending on disabilities up to the European Union average of 2% of GDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41501/22]

Education and Training Boards

Richard Boyd Barrett

1416. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of a new staff member in each education and training board to promote disabled students’ participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41812/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

1433. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to remove the financial barriers for graduates to enter medical degrees given the need in Ireland for medical professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39840/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

1443. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an emerging issue in relation to the availability of e-books in third level libraries as a result of market manipulation by the so-called Big Five British publishers and the potential for this to damage the quality of education delivered and the depth of research produced by students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40152/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

1479. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing third level registration fees for all European Union students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41483/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

1480. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing fees and charges for apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41485/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

1481. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing tuition fees for postgraduate and repeat students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41486/22]

Grant Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1482. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of restoring the grant thresholds to their pre-Budget 2011 rates for both undergraduate and postgraduate grants. [41487/22]

Grant Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1483. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of ensuring that the maintenance grants for both undergraduate and postgraduate students are increased by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41488/22]

Grant Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1484. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of increasing the maintenance grants for both undergraduate and postgraduate to €1,500 per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41489/22]

Grant Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

1485. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of restoring the grant adjacency rate to 24km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41490/22]

Third Level Admissions

Richard Boyd Barrett

1486. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of providing 100 new spaces at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41491/22]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

1493. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year cost of providing enough women’s refuge places to bring us in line with Ireland's commitments under the Istanbul Convention. [41419/22]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

1494. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a list of all women’s refuges in the country; and the full year cost of running each [41420/22]

Family Reunification

Richard Boyd Barrett

1544. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the reason that some nurses from Nigeria and Ghana who are registered and working in Ireland are currently waiting up to 12 months for their applications of family unification visas to be processed compared to their colleagues from other countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and India whose applications are processed in a few weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40151/22]