Parliamentary questions

Commemorative Events

Fergus O'Dowd

45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach his views on a day of commemoration for those that have lost their lives to Covid-19 following consultation with his Department; and if there are plans within Departments to progress such proposals. [63369/21]

Electric Vehicles

Fergus O'Dowd

212. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the measures that will be introduced to address the difficulties persons are experiencing in applying for and successfully installing EV charger infrastructure in communal areas and residential units that do not have private car spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63364/21]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

213. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Meath County Council draft appraisal for the proposed Julianstown bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63365/21]

Public Sector Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

438. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2021 recruitment process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2272/22]

State Examinations

Fergus O'Dowd

821. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to the current school and education setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1941/22]

State Examinations

Fergus O'Dowd

837. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in relation to the leaving certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2200/22]

State Examinations

Fergus O'Dowd

838. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to correspondence from a student (details supplied) in relation to the leaving certificate examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2204/22]

State Examinations

Fergus O'Dowd

840. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence by a student (details supplied) in relation to the leaving certificate examination 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2251/22]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

1248. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the breakdown of these incidents by incident types (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1201/22]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

1249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons convicted of breaching domestic violence orders; the number of cases which resulted in jail terms for the perpetrators in 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1202/22]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

1250. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons convicted of coercive control in 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1203/22]

Immigration Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

1251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the undocumented scheme criteria will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1276/22]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

1464. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position of his Department in respect of the Regulation of Homecare paper published by HIQA; if it will be used by his Department to progress the development of the new statutory home support scheme as part of the Sláintecare programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63348/21]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

1465. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the details of the proposed financing model that will be used to fund a statutory scheme for homecare; the way this transition will take place; his views on whether it can be accomplished within budget parameters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63349/21]

Disability Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1467. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding transitional plans to ensure that young persons with a disability who wish to reside outside of nursing home settings and who wish to live independently have sufficient choice and options available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63351/21]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

1468. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed east Meath primary care centre which is to be located in Bettystown town centre; when he expects works to commence; if other relevant details in this regard will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63352/21]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

1469. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed Dundalk primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63353/21]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

1478. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the actions taken to date to ensure that nursing homes have effective ventilation systems in place in both private and public nursing homes to reduce Covid-19 risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63368/21]

Departmental Inquiries

Fergus O'Dowd

1479. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he has progressed discussion on the provision of a public inquiry into Covid-19 deaths in nursing homes to examine the nursing homes with high and low Covid-19 death rates in order to learn from their experiences and provide answers for the many loved ones who lost family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63370/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Fergus O'Dowd

1488. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a process will be put in place for Irish citizens who had paid for PCR and antigen tests in order to comply with the newly announced travel recommendations that a PCR or antigen test would be required for all passengers on inward travel to Ireland only for the measures to be deferred for 48 hours which has left a large number of citizens out of pocket unnecessarily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63386/21]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1526. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the development by the HSE of a well-governed and patient-centred healthcare service for adults and children in the transgender community, in line with the Programme for Government; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being faced by persons on the matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63494/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

1680. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to correspondence received (details supplied) in relation to Covid recovery certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1317/22]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

Fergus O'Dowd

1759. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if a request for a meeting by an association (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1648/22]

Animal Breeding

Fergus O'Dowd

1958. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions for offences involving illegal puppy farms since new stronger regulations were introduced in 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63180/21]

Animal Breeding

Fergus O'Dowd

1959. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sellers and suppliers of pets and animals who have registered with his Department since the new regulations in the area were introduced in 2020; the details on further actions that are required to target the sale and distribution of animals through illicit puppy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63181/21]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

344. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current status of the proposed new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth since €1.6 million was awarded for the design and site purchase; if he will provide details on the proposed site for the station as the local community are eager to learn the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62870/21]

Trade Agreements

Fergus O'Dowd

13. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on talks and agreements that have taken place with member states in respect of tariffs for steel products being imported from outside of the European Union and the significant effect it is having on local steel businesses in Ireland given the very serious pressure on supply and the subsequent price hikes as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62307/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

26. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way his Department intends to encourage local authorities to enforce the national smoky coal ban that is due to come into effect in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62149/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

27. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the level of engagement with local authorities to ensure best practice of enforcement of the smoky coal ban within their functional areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62150/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

28. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of local authority staff who are undertaking inspections of premises and vehicles being used for the sale and distribution of solid fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62151/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

29. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of prosecutions that were made under the Air Pollution Act 1987 for breaches of the regulations in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62152/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

30. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fixed payment notices that were issued in 2020 and to date in 2021 for alleged offences relating to the marketing, sale and distribution of prohibited fuels in low smoke zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62153/21]

Fuel Inspections

Fergus O'Dowd

31. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of residential properties that have been reported to local authorities for the burning of smoky coal in 2020, by the local authority's functional area; the number of alleged offences that were investigated by local authority staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62154/21]

Air and Water Pollution

Fergus O'Dowd

32. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to tackle air pollution, particularly in urban areas and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62155/21]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

44. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the discussions with key energy sector stakeholders which have taken place to date to try and reduce the very high current cost of energy utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61264/21]

Illegal Dumping

Fergus O'Dowd

73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects the use of CCTV to be authorised to combat illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61263/21]

Health Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

753. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of ophthalmologists contracted by the HSE to deliver primary care services for children in County Louth in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by location; if no ophthalmologists will be available in Drogheda primary care in the coming weeks given that the existing ophthalmologist is leaving the post and no replacement has been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61972/21]

Coillte Teoranta

Fergus O'Dowd

16. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of proposed investment that Coillte is currently assessing for the County Louth and east County Meath area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60664/21]

Brexit Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

35. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applicants that applied for the Brexit tie-up scheme since September 2021 on a regional basis; the number that have been approved; the total cost of the provision of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60665/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

125. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the additional supports that will be put in place which will be targeted for the hospitality sector considering the widely reported and significant impact the new wave of Covid-19 and the subsequent recommendations have had on their businesses in the run up to Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60668/21]

Industrial Development

Fergus O'Dowd

145. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date since the IDA announcement in June 2021 that a 39 acre site had been purchased in north Drogheda; the projected timelines for the completion of the advanced building solution which will be housed on the new site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60669/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

203. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the extension of the employment wage subsidy scheme to the travel sector industry considering the significant loss of earnings for the calendar year of 2021 (details supplied) in view of newly announced travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60957/21]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

215. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the process by which 200 new posts for local authority housing delivery teams were chosen; if councils were consulted in the process of the allocations; if so, the way in which they were chosen; if the allocations are representative of the number of persons on respective waiting lists; if they are representative of the average waiting time in local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60890/21]

Education Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

279. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assistance available in the case of a person (details supplied) to pursue a play therapy course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60979/21]

Community Development Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

68. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new fund for enhancing or upgrading community centres; if consideration is being given to assisting communities that currently do not have a centre to develop one; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60080/21]

Greenways Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

73. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda for which Louth County Council received €200,000 through the outdoor recreational scheme in February 2020; if there are timelines for a commencement of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60081/21]

Dental Services

Fergus O'Dowd

196. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to concerns raised by an association (details supplied) in respect of VAT interpretations and the possible knock-on effect to oral healthcare in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59781/21]

Customs and Excise

Fergus O'Dowd

197. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the details of the average length of time a foreign registered vehicle is awaiting a customs clearance in each of the years 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the reason delays are currently being experienced by used car sale dealers which is having a knock-on impact on their ability to operate; if a more streamlined process is currently being considered to speed up the customs clearance process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59782/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

204. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to concerns raised by a business (detail supplied) in respect of current pressures and need for further supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60074/21]

Pension Provisions

Fergus O'Dowd

289. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will respond to concerns raised by a person (details suppled) in respect of their applicable pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59779/21]