Parliamentary questions

Departmental Data

Alan Dillon

18. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the well-being framework for Ireland, overseen by his Department. [29570/23]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Dillon

39. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment will next meet. [28358/23]

Airport Policy

Alan Dillon

75. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which his Department is involved in developing anti-drone technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29571/23]

Defence Forces

Alan Dillon

105. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on Ireland’s submarine cables; if they have been put at risk in recent months by hostile states travelling through Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29572/23]

Motor Fuels

Alan Dillon

150. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide information on the provision of policy advice for projects related to the development of green hydrogen projects; how the Government is supporting and encouraging the advancement of green hydrogen initiatives; the specific policy measures that are being considered to foster the growth of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/23]

Motor Fuels

Alan Dillon

219. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he will support measures to promote the establishment of hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel as a viable alternative to diesel, given the growing interest in renewable energy sources and the need to transition to greener transportation options, similar to compressed natural gas, CNG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/23]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Dillon

220. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the alternatively-fuelled heavy-duty vehicle purchase grant scheme introduced in March 2021; the current status of the scheme; how many applications have been received; how many have been approved; the cost of the scheme to date; the effectiveness of the scheme in promoting the adoption of alternatively-fuelled large vans, trucks, buses and coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29503/23]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Dillon

221. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport to elaborate on the expansion of the accelerated capital allowance scheme for natural gas propelled vehicles and equipment to include hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, and hydrogen vehicles and equipment; the measures that have been taken to facilitate the inclusion of HVO and green hydrogen technology within this scheme; what impact is expected from this expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29504/23]

Motor Fuels

Alan Dillon

222. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport following the roll-out of the compressed natural gas, CNG, fuelling network, if he will provide an update on the progress made in establishing an extensive CNG infrastructure across the country; if there are any plans to expedite this roll-out and ensure wider accessibility of CNG as a fuel option for heavy-duty vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29505/23]

Departmental Schemes

Alan Dillon

223. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport given the positive response to the alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle purchase grant scheme, the details of the additional funding allocations for the scheme in 2023; the way these funds will be utilised to further support the purchase of alternatively-fuelled heavy-duty vehicles; the outcomes that are expected from this increased investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29507/23]

Airport Policy

Alan Dillon

232. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding provided to Ireland West Airport Knock under the various schemes and investment programmes for our regional airports since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29724/23]

Motor Fuels

Alan Dillon

252. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has initiatives and plans to facilitate the adoption of alternative fuel source to transition to greener transportation options; if he can provide details on any financial incentives, grants, or assistance programmes currently in place or being considered to encourage the utilisation and production of hydrotreated vegetable oil fuel, biofuels, biomethane, green hydrogen or other greener fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29502/23]

Departmental Reviews

Alan Dillon

277. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he can provide clarification on the role and focus of the independent review panel for senior public service recruitment and pay processes; if he can confirm what the terms of reference primarily pertain to in this process, including remuneration and recruitment; when the findings and recommendations from this panel are expected to be presented to the Cabinet for consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/23]

School Transport

Alan Dillon

320. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided in the case of each child from a household (details supplied) who have concessionary tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29488/23]

Commemorative Events

Alan Dillon

347. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can verify whether any funding for the commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion was provided under the auspices of her Department; if she can provide information on which counties have received grant funding under this initiative; when this scheme was advertised; when applications closed; if there will be funding available to facilitate a commemorative event in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29409/23]

Heritage Schemes

Alan Dillon

360. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the Céide Fields lost its place on UNESCO's tentative list for world heritage status, considering its significance as a world-renowned heritage site and its historical evidence of Ireland's first farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29174/23]

Commemorative Coins

Alan Dillon

385. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm the specific funding scheme, under the auspices of his Department, that facilitated the allocation of capital funding for the commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion; if he can provide information on which counties applied and received funding through this scheme; when this scheme was advertised; when applications closed; if he will confirm whether an application for such funding would be considered from County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29410/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Alan Dillon

479. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide progress and a timeline for the announcement and implementation of the replacement scheme for BEEP; if measures are being taken to ensure the new scheme adequately addresses the concerns raised by farmers to sustain the suckler sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29368/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Alan Dillon

480. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the number of farmers who have applied to join the newly introduced suckler carbon efficiency programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29369/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Alan Dillon

481. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the specific criteria farmers need to meet in order to join the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme and thereby be eligible for participation in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29370/23]