Parliamentary questions

Visa Applications

Michael Lowry

356. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application (details supplied); the exact location of the application; when this application will be reviewed; the average processing times for such applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5337/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Michael Lowry

479. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health for a status update concerning an inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State; when the terms of reference for this inquiry will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4977/24]

Education and Training Boards

Michael Lowry

584. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when hourly-paid adult education tutors with the ETB will receive parity with their full-time equivalent colleagues in respect of the terms and conditions for their employment, particularly a public service contract and access to an incremental salary scheme (details supplied); what work he is undertaking to avoid further disputes with this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

244. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review the matter of school placements for children with disabilities in County Tipperary (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4694/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

8. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he can review an application (details supplied), given the urgent nature of this application, if all documentation required has been received to have this application processed at the earliest possible convenience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/24]

Business Supports

Michael Lowry

37. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the increased cost of business scheme, ICOB, announced as part of budget 2024 (details supplied); the current status of the ICOB; the date on which it will start; the process businesses need to follow to apply for this grant; the measures in place to ensure the grant is distributed fairly and reaches the businesses most in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4550/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

115. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the progress made in afforestation efforts, particularly in relation to the targets set for 2024; what measures are being implemented to ensure sustainable forestry practices in these operations; how these trends align with the national forestry management strategies and environmental conservation efforts; the impact of the ash dieback scheme and the native tree scheme on biodiversity and forest health in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Michael Lowry

224. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 23 January 2024, if he will provide further clarification on when the Revenue Commissioners interpretation of section 86 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 changed (details supplied); when Revenue Commissioners notified farmers, accountants and tax consultants that their interpretation of section 86 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 was going to change and differ considerably from the previous 12 years of interpretation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4270/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Michael Lowry

221. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to review the correspondence from a person (details supplied); if he will provide clarification on the interpretation by the Revenue Commissioners of section 86 of the VAT Consolidation Act 2010; the reason and when the Revenue Commissioners reviewed and changed its interpretation of section 86 of Act; the reason farmers are being refused refunds/reclaims of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3019/24]

Work Permits

Michael Lowry

251. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the Government's approach in accessing and approving employment permits in Ireland, specifically the current guidelines and procedures for obtaining employment permits for companies who are trying to secure employment permission for foreign nationals who are seeking employment opportunities with their company; if he could provide details on the reason permit applications submitted by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2821/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Lowry

543. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3017/24]

Land Issues

Michael Lowry

268. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a tree growing on private land falls onto the public road and a car collides with an already fallen tree, is the landowner or the County Council liable particularly in the case of Ash trees impacted by Ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2159/24]

Land Issues

Michael Lowry

269. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that dealing with a fallen tree following a storm can often be the most dangerous tree related operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2160/24]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

20. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if an FBR application (details supplied) will be reviewed; if all information required to have this application processed at the earliest convenience has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56521/23]

Flood Relief Schemes

Michael Lowry

400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 14 November 2023, if he has completed his investigation into this matter and if he can now provide a more substantive response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1488/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

542. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review correspondence (details supplied); when her Department will contact the principal of this school to offer assistance and advice on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57235/23]

School Meals Programme

Michael Lowry

859. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the position regarding the hot school meals programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56431/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

1066. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice when applications by a group (details supplied) will be finalised and permission granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57390/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

1280. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required in the new forestry programme under the new forest types can be only one broadleaf species or if a variety of broadleaf species are required under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1747/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

1281. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required under FT12 can comprise only one broadleaf species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1748/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

1282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if alder does not qualify for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme in both plots and as additional broadleaves in other forest type plots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

1283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that the Forestry Service will not fail or ask for remedial actions where deer have damaged or eaten alder planted as additional broadleaves under the afforestation or reconstitution programme as alder is not eligible for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1750/24]

Hospital Staff

Michael Lowry

1500. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when a Parkinson's nurse specialist will be assigned to the south Tipperary area and Tipperary University Hospital; and if any submissions were made regarding recruitment for this specialised area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56529/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

152. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to examine the case and review the documents of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55681/23]

Departmental Inquiries

Michael Lowry

216. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55844/23]

An Garda Síochána

Michael Lowry

229. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the measures being considered to address the pension concerns of post-1995 Garda members, specifically regarding the requirement to register as job seekers for nine months for pension eligibility, and the restrictions on post-retirement part-time work affecting their supplementary pension; if he will clarify what reforms, if any, are planned to alleviate these issues and uphold the dignity of these public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55899/23]

An Garda Síochána

Michael Lowry

238. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding the potential discontinuation of the longstanding pay/pension parity link with serving Garda members; what steps are being taken to address these concerns in light of the Building Momentum Agreement expiring on 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55927/23]

Turf Cutting

Michael Lowry

423. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to urgently address the critical issue of the delayed ACRES cooperation payments until February 2024, which was announced without any prior consultation with affected farmers or stakeholders (details supplied); if he agrees that immediate action and a review of the document submitted by an organisation are crucial; the steps he will take to rectify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55946/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Lowry

304. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her Department will review correspondence from the management of a school (details supplied); when her Department will contact the management of this school to offer them immediate assistance and advice to on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54580/23]

Media Sector

Michael Lowry

368. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media regarding the funding to support news and current affairs on independent radio in the run-up to the local and European elections 2024, when she will provide the specific details of this funding to the European Commission for examination under State aid rules; if she is confident that the European Commission will issue approval in time for the funding to be rolled out for the 2024 local and European elections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55181/23]

Industrial Disputes

Michael Lowry

501. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the actions that are being taken to address the pay disparity between Tús and CE supervisors (details supplied), given the prolonged negotiations and delay; the steps being taken to prevent potential industrial action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55238/23]

Child and Family Agency

Michael Lowry

702. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55092/23]

Health Services

Michael Lowry

818. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 16 November 2023, concerning home birth services in north Tipperary and CHO3, when the services were suspended on a temporary basis in CHO3; when the external review of the home birth services commenced; how long is the external review expected to take; when the review will be completed and its findings made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55141/23]

Housing Policy

Michael Lowry

2. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in light of the ongoing challenges in our housing sector, if he will provide an update on the progress and effectiveness of the current strategies implemented by his Department, particularly in the realms of affordable housing provision and homelessness prevention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54300/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

218. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he has taken to expedite the process of issuing payments under the croí cónaithe scheme to applicants who have submitted payment requests through their local authority, following the successful completion of works; the total value of payments that have been issued to persons who have completed works and issued payment requests, by each local authority; the amount paid out to individuals who have completed the required works and submitted payment requests; the number of applications and that are waiting for payment approval by his Department to each local authority; the length of time that this payment is outstanding, since July 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54279/23]

Local Authorities

Michael Lowry

219. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he has taken to expedite the issuing of clarification on unvouched expenditure that has been submitted with payment requests to local authorities through approved applications under the croí cónaithe scheme, given the lack of clarification on unvouched expenditure is delaying the processing of payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54280/23]

State Pensions

Michael Lowry

263. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of the State pension (contributory) that will apply to those who have an entitlement to the maximum rate of contributory pension from January 2024, should they decide to defer drawing down their pension until they reach ages 67, 68, 69, and 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50752/23]

Disability Services

Michael Lowry

292. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a valid application has been received through the strengthening children’s disability services scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54264/23]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Michael Lowry

42. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of the codes of practice for CCTV, particularly in relation to their use by local authorities for the detection of dumping, following recent developments where the LGMA submitted the codes of practice to him for approval; when these codes will be approved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54119/23]

Tax Reliefs

Michael Lowry

60. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance his views on the ending of agricultural relief from January 2024; if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied) and clarify their entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53946/23]

Teaching Qualifications

Michael Lowry

83. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the qualifications that are considered acceptable for obtaining primary school teacher status in Ireland as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54090/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

225. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to provide assistance in the case of a person (details supplied); what other services and educational supports can be offered should this child not be able to obtain placement in any ASD unit for the 2024/2025 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53201/23]

Departmental Meetings

Michael Lowry

309. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a response to the representations made to his Department on 9 August 2023, regarding an event (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53328/23]

State Pensions

Michael Lowry

365. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of contributory pension that will apply to those who have an entitlement to the maximum rate of contributory pension from January 2024 should they decide to defer drawing down their pension until they reach ages 67, 68, 69 and 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53670/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

452. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 121 and 122 of 29 November 2023, if his Department will refuse to permit the conversion of existing forest land to agroforestry as is not a policy objective of his Department, nor is it a strategic action in his Department’s Forestry Strategy implementation plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53918/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Lowry

630. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed to ascertain whether assistance will be provided to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53898/23]

Education Policy

Michael Lowry

127. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the challenges currently facing the Irish education system; if she will directly address concerns on the recruiting and retaining of qualified teachers, particularly in subjects such as mathematics, science, and languages; if she will address concerns regarding the current educational inequalities in Ireland, particularly focusing on access to resources and opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52693/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when the long-awaited review of the school transport scheme is due to be completed and the recommendations published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53101/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

445. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forest Service of his Department has cross-referenced the ash dieback RUS applications with corresponding road licence applications on a forest level basis to ensure that forest road approvals will be issued in conjunction with ash dieback reconstitution approvals to enable the necessary clearance works to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52944/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

451. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible to change the replanting species on a felling licence that has issued from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53103/23]