Parliamentary questions

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bríd Smith

24. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. [15157/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

25. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. [15159/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Gary Gannon

26. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the Spanish Prime Minister. [14895/23]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ivana Bacik

27. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. [15092/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bernard Durkan

1. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [11562/23]

Cabinet Committees

Aindrias Moynihan

2. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [13067/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [12864/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [12867/23]

Cabinet Committees

Gino Kenny

5. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [12869/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

6. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [13431/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

7. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [14827/23]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

8. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [14832/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

9. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place. [14880/23]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

10. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [14890/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

11. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet committee on health took place; and when the next one is scheduled. [15096/23]

Ukraine War

Bernard Durkan

12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine took place. [11563/23]

Ukraine War

Mick Barry

13. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine took place. [14881/23]

Ukraine War

Gary Gannon

14. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine took place. [14891/23]

Ukraine War

Ivana Bacik

15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine will next meet. [15091/23]

Departmental Offices

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the international division of his Department. [11604/23]

Departmental Offices

Bríd Smith

17. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [11607/23]

Departmental Offices

Gino Kenny

18. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [11609/23]

Departmental Offices

Seán Haughey

19. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [12707/23]

Departmental Offices

Ruairí Ó Murchú

20. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [13882/23]

Departmental Offices

Mary Lou McDonald

21. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international and EU division within his Department. [14828/23]

Departmental Offices

Mick Barry

22. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [14882/23]

Departmental Offices

Gary Gannon

23. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [14892/23]

Departmental Offices

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

24. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [15077/23]

Departmental Offices

Ivana Bacik

25. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the international division of his Department. [15089/23]

Job Creation

Claire Kerrane

77. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will carry out a review of the JobPath scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15344/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Claire Kerrane

79. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the reduced qualifying period for community employment, CE, schemes from 12 months on the live register to nine months for all qualifying social welfare payments, in view of the recent announcement made regarding Ukrainian nationals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15345/23]

Departmental Offices

Peadar Tóibín

80. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reopen a full-time social protection office in Castlepollard, County Meath. [15407/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Catherine Connolly

82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 56 of 9 February 2023, the status of the development of the straw-man proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments; the timeline for the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15173/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Michael Moynihan

83. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers that applied for the disability awareness support scheme in 2022; the number of employers who were successful and received this funding; if there are plans to promote the scheme among the business community in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14923/23]

Fuel Poverty

Gary Gannon

84. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will ensure that households that have accumulated significant debts, including arrears on bills and on prepayment meters, have access to sufficient support to avoid a long-term legacy of indebtedness and reduced financial resilience among the poorest households in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15179/23]

Pensions Reform

Brendan Smith

85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date on introducing a total contributions approach, aligning a person’s contributory pension more closely with the contributions they make; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15139/23]

Pension Provisions

David Stanton

89. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the situation regarding overpayments in respect of non-contributory pensions in circumstances where the amount of capital in the estate of a deceased person exceeds the allowed amount; when the current amount was decided; her plans, if any, to increase the amount allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15127/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Peadar Tóibín

90. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of individuals who availed of the winter fuel allowance payment in each of the past five years and to date in 2023. [15130/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Bruton

93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has undertaken an assessment of the take-up of the working family dividend and consulted with the Revenue Commissioners, which collects income data to ensure that this support is fully taken up. [14949/23]

Departmental Programmes

Peadar Tóibín

94. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection what measures her Department is putting in place to help those affected by the ending of the eviction ban. [15132/23]

Naval Service

Sorca Clarke

1. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence given that the ceremonial handover of two inshore patrol vessels from New Zealand has taken place, the estimated additional crew, by rank, required to put these vessels to sea; and the duration and location of any familiarisation and training for crew before they can enter service. [13837/23]

Military Neutrality

Gino Kenny

2. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any concern regarding Irish military neutrality following the decision for Irish troops to be withdrawn from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, in the Golan Heights on the Israeli-Syrian border for participation in the German-led EU battle group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13380/23]

Naval Service

John Brady

3. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on efforts to address difficulties within the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14311/23]

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

Carol Nolan

5. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the efforts being made to implement the working time directive for members of the Defence Forces; if he will address concerns from serving personnel that the military management and his Department are seeking significant exemptions to the implementation of the Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14429/23]

Defence Forces

Mark Ward

6. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the report carried out by the independent review group into allegations made by a group (details supplied); when this will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14199/23]

Defence Forces

Robert Troy

7. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the independent review into a group (details supplied); when the report will be published; the actions he will be taking in respect of the report; and if all the recommendations be implemented. [14165/23]

Defence Forces

Barry Cowen

8. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the action being taken on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the future disposition and structures of the Army be regionally balanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/23]

Defence Forces

Éamon Ó Cuív

9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if it is intended to review the ages at which members of the Defence Forces have to retire, particularly taking into account specialist skills that have been acquired by many of them during their careers and positions held as a consequence that can capably be carried out by such personnel up to the normal age of retirement in comparable employment outside of the Defence Forces, and the ongoing shortage of members in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13976/23]

Defence Forces

Sorca Clarke

10. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps that have been taken to date regarding the Workplace Relations Commission ruling in December 2020 to roll out anti-discrimination training course and materials for all Defence Forces personnel with staff responsibilities due to be completed by the end of 2022. [13839/23]

Defence Forces

Pádraig O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the implementation of the working time directive in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14185/23]

Defence Forces

Ruairí Ó Murchú

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a definitive timeline on when a decision will be made about the mandatory retirement age of 50 years being extended for Defence Forces members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13880/23]

Defence Forces

Catherine Connolly

33. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 61 of 2 February 2023, when the final report of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13641/23]

Defence Forces

John Brady

34. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on plans to implement the working time directive for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14314/23]

Defence Forces

Sorca Clarke

36. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed update on the current status of the report from the Independent Review Group into allegations of abuse in the Defence Forces. [13838/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

43. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to ensure the Defence Forces conform with the working time directive as per the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13684/23]

School Accommodation

Thomas Gould

53. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education when a decision was taken to reduce school hall sizes in new school buildings, the reason this decision was taken and if she is satisfied that current provision for multi-use rooms is satisfactory for the whole school community. [14324/23]

School Patronage

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

54. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene in the flawed process for school reconfiguration in the Raheny area and if she will restart the process with a wider consultation. [14295/23]

Special Educational Needs

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

55. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the parts of the country where there are inadequate numbers of spaces in special classes and special schools; if she and the NCSE are aware of the number of children that will currently not have a place for next September in such locations; and the actions she and the NCSE intend to take on foot of this, including if she intends to use her powers under section 37A or any other parts of legislation. [14325/23]

State Examinations

Gary Gannon

56. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding the review of the eligibility criteria of the deferred leaving certificate examinations; when the criteria to be applied to this year's exams will be communicated to students, schools and parents; if a distinction will continue to be made between medical emergencies before and during the examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14339/23]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Michael McNamara

57. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael McNamara den Aire Oideachais cén dul chun cinn atá déanta chun Gaelcholáiste an Chláir neamspleách a fhorbairt in Inis; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14588/23]

School Patronage

Richard Bruton

59. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied with the model being piloted for the transfer of patronage in schools; and if modifications in that approach are planned. [14233/23]

School Curriculum

Peadar Tóibín

60. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education if her Department has undertaken a study to determine if the increase in those failing ordinary level maths is attributable to the removal of foundation levels maths from the junior cycle. [13576/23]

Schools Building Projects

Pearse Doherty

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the concerns of a school (details supplied); if she has taken steps to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13406/23]

School Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

64. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will expedite the building process for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14310/23]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

65. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil sé i gceist aici an t-éileamh i mBaile Átha Cliath 2, 4, 6, agus 8 a shásamh agus Gaelcholáiste a bhunú sa cheantar chomh luath agus is féidir, agus an aithníonn sí gur gá an córas roghnúcháin do phatrúin iarbhunscoile a leasú chun a chinntiú nach ndéanfar leithcheal orthu siúd atá ag lorg scoil dara leibhéal lánGhaeilge. [14242/23]

Special Educational Needs

John Lahart

69. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education if she will develop a centralised application system to schools for children with ASD and additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13889/23]

Special Educational Needs

David Stanton

70. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the progress made by her Department in establishing a special school in the east Cork area; her further plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14155/23]

Church-State Relations

Ivana Bacik

1. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [11009/23]

Church-State Relations

Mary Lou McDonald

2. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with church leaders. [12442/23]

Church-State Relations

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent engagements with church leaders. [12857/23]

Church-State Relations

Bríd Smith

4. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent engagements with church leaders. [12860/23]

Church-State Relations

Gino Kenny

5. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on recent engagements with church leaders. [12861/23]

Church-State Relations

Gary Gannon

6. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [12654/23]

Gender Equality

Ivana Bacik

7. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the events in his Department to mark International Women's Day; and the measures he has taken to improve gender equality in his Department. [11058/23]

Gender Equality

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

8. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the events in his Department to mark International Women's Day; and the measures he has taken to improve gender equality in his Department. [12705/23]

Gender Equality

Gary Gannon

9. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the events in his Department to mark International Women's Day; and the measures he has taken to improve gender equality in his Department. [12655/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

10. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [11398/23]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

11. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12945/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

12. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [13428/23]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

13. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12656/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12863/23]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

15. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12866/23]

Cabinet Committees

Gino Kenny

16. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12868/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [12973/23]

Northern Ireland

Peadar Tóibín

1. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [11112/23]

Northern Ireland

Ivana Bacik

2. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [9677/23]

Northern Ireland

Ruairí Ó Murchú

3. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [11253/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

4. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [11295/23]

Northern Ireland

Seán Haughey

5. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [11297/23]

Northern Ireland

Mary Lou McDonald

6. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [12441/23]

Northern Ireland

Mick Barry

7. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [12648/23]

Northern Ireland

Gary Gannon

8. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [12651/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Britain and Northern Ireland division of his Department. [12838/23]

Northern Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [12855/23]

Northern Ireland

Bríd Smith

11. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [12858/23]

Departmental Meetings

Mary Lou McDonald

12. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board, co-chaired by his Department, that have taken place to date in 2023. [10768/23]

Departmental Meetings

Mick Barry

13. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board, co-chaired by his Department, that have taken place to date in 2023. [12649/23]

Departmental Meetings

Gary Gannon

14. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board, co-chaired by his Department, that have taken place to date in 2023. [12652/23]

Departmental Meetings

Christopher O'Sullivan

15. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the climate action delivery board, co-chaired by his Department, that have taken place to date in 2023. [12657/23]