Parliamentary questions

National Security

Éamon Ó Cuív

55. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether there have been any discussions at an EU level in relation to introducing extra obligations on member states in relation to defence; whether Ireland has been a part of these discussions; and the stance Ireland has taken in the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13034/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

80. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to agree and implement the All Island Strategic Rail Review; the reason for the delay in doing so; whether in the meantime it is intended to do preliminary work on those elements of the strategy totally within the remit of the Irish State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/24]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure that adequate resources are provided to the NTA in order that bus services on the main radial routes into and from Galway, including the services from Casla (route 424), Clifden, Headford and Kilcolgan can meet current demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

126. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application lodged by a person in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/24]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason for the delay with the commencement of the Leader Programme in County Galway; the number of companies that will deliver the Leader Programme there; the areas they will cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13470/24]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the arrangements that have been made to deliver SICAP on the offshore Islands off the coast of Galway; when delivery of the Programme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13469/24]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1473. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the new criteria used to assess applications for discretionary payments for items such as specialised spectacles for children in the CHO network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12816/24]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

1503. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health what efforts are being made to ensure that adequate dentists participate in the scheme to provide dental services to medical card patients as the current dentists are at capacity and cannot meet the demand for the service thus leaving people on low incomes without a vital health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13035/24]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what discussions he has had recently with relevant British Ministers in relation to developments in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/24]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

59. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding committed under the Shared Island Fund to date on each side of the border; the amount of this committed to cultural projects across all communities; the details of the cultural projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11067/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide details of the increase in the amount of electricity being generated from onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and other renewables respectively in 2023; the research being carried out in the State in respect of harnessing wave and tidal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11069/24]

Air Quality

Éamon Ó Cuív

106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the improvement in air quality since he introduced the Statewide ban on selling smoky fuels in retail outlets etc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11068/24]

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici líon na scoláireachtaí do dhaltaí lasmuigh de na hOileáin a fhreastalaíonn ar na scoileanna ar na trí cinn d’Oileáin Árann a mhéadú le nach mbeidh na scoileanna ag brath ar scoláirí a bheith i dteideal an “Deontas Ceantar Iargúlta” de chuid na Roinne Oideachais le bheith inmharthana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11234/24]

Water Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that there must be a minimum of 25 houses seeking water to be eligible for a “ Community Connection” to an existing Uisce Éireann main as per the conditions of measure A7 Community Water Connections of the Water Framework; how it is intended to make mains water available where there are small pockets of houses dependent on individual wells and streams for supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11376/24]

Water Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether, in view of the fact that 10% of houses are not connected to either the Uisce Éireann network or an approved group water scheme, he will consider introducing a national scheme to bring mains water to all the remaining houses in the State without such a supply to ensure that all houses in the State have a good supply of potable water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11377/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

275. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are published national guidelines or SWA policy guidelines in relation to the operation of the supplementary welfare system and, in particular, in relation to additional needs payments and exceptional needs payments; if so, how can they be accessed by public representatives and the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11378/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

276. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum percentage payment payable to a person living on jobseekers' allowance who has no savings under the exceptional needs payment supplementary welfare allowance; the reason for the maximum percentage if the applicant cannot borrow money or pay the difference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11379/24]

Foreshore Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a foreshore licence will issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11197/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether those who were in “mother and baby homes” will be automatically entitled to dental, chiropody, homecare services and counselling as part of the compensation package for survivors of the homes; if they are, how will the services be delivered and how can they be accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when financial compensation will be paid to the survivors of the “mother and baby” homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11354/24]