Parliamentary questions

Local Authorities

John Paul Phelan

91. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that local authority county and city development plans are being prepared or amended to take account of the population increases in the 2022 Census of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/22]

Housing Schemes

John Paul Phelan

329. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he is aware of persons who apply under homeless housing assistance payment, HAP, in the jurisdiction of Fingal County Council being transferred to the housing list of another local authority area Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53455/22]

State Examinations

John Paul Phelan

412. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay by the State Examinations Commission in processing appeals submitted by Leaving Certificate students (details supplied) given that students are dependent upon the outcome of appeals in order to accept college places and the delay in processing appeals has resulted in students losing out on many weeks of college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53456/22]

Industrial Relations

John Paul Phelan

52. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his Department's public consultation on collective bargaining; the number of submissions that his Department received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52260/22]

EU Regulations

John Paul Phelan

53. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of engagement that his Department has had on the European Union Chips Act; the impact that it will have on the semiconductor industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52268/22]

EU Regulations

John Paul Phelan

55. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of Ireland's implementation of the eIDAS regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52272/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

56. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clearly outline the Government's plan to ensure security of supply of energy during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

57. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the latest work of the energy security emergency group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

58. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the implications that the United Kingdom's Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ warning of a significant supply shortage of natural gas could have on Ireland's gas supplies from the United Kingdom; if current contractual agreements will be affected as a result of a shock in supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52264/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

59. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to publish a public consultation into the usage of direct lines and private wires; the reason that this consultation has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52266/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

60. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his Department's consultation on producing a national hydrogen strategy for Ireland; when such a strategy will be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52269/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

61. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the context of reviewing planning laws pertaining to renewable energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52270/22]

Regulatory Bodies

John Paul Phelan

82. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to expedite the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to ensure that the board is in place before the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52263/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

John Paul Phelan

86. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in the context of reviewing planning laws pertaining to renewable energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52271/22]

Legislative Programme

John Paul Phelan

177. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline to publish a general scheme of a new research Bill in the context of the Impact 2030 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52265/22]

Medicinal Products

John Paul Phelan

234. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health when he intends to outline Ireland's national position in respect of the revision of the EU pharmaceutical strategy; if his Department intends to meet with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52267/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Paul Phelan

104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the future farming apprenticeships which he plans to announce in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51225/22]

Budget 2023

John Paul Phelan

361. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €50 million funding allocated to the approval of new medicines in Budget 2021 and the €30 million Budget 2022 that was spent on the approval of new medicines; the amount that was not spent from the allocation in each respective fiscal years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50795/22]

Medicinal Products

John Paul Phelan

362. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the 2021 and 2022 funding for approval of new medicines that was spent on non-oncology orphan medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50796/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

6. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the way that salmon catchment numbers were put together for the rivers Suir and Nore in each of the years 2018 to 2022, inclusive; the way that the calculations were adjusted to take account of low water during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50471/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

7. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request the installation of a salmon counter on the River Suir at Carrick On Suir to ensure the accuracy of the number of salmon that go up the River Suir to spawn rather than depending on guesswork; if the number of salmon recorded in future will be based over a full calendar year using a counter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50472/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

8. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request the installation of a salmon counter on the River Nore at Inistiogue to ensure accuracy of the number of salmon that go up the River Nore to spawn rather than depending on guesswork; if the number of salmon that are recorded in future will be based over a full calendar year using a counter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50473/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

9. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that representatives of the ancient and cultural tradition of snap net fishing will be included in the decision-making process in relation to the salmon catch that is allowed on the rivers Suir and Nore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50474/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

10. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the way that the ancient tradition of snap net fishing that has been in place since the time of the Vikings will be protected into the future to ensure that the unique skills are not lost forever; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50475/22]

School Transport

John Paul Phelan

107. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the way in which she proposes to use the additional funding for school transport allocated in Budget 2023 to ensure that students who previously would have had access to a discretionary school bus ticket are catered for in the free school transport scheme as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49861/22]

School Funding

John Paul Phelan

126. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the measures included in Budget 2023 to increase the financial supports available to all school boards of management to ensure that they can meet the increased costs of heating school premises in the coming winter months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49862/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

171. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clearly outline Ireland's position on the proposal to extend the TRIPS waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics for Covid-19, which is the subject of discussion at the World Trade Organization; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50239/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

172. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether intellectual property rights should be protected, especially in the development of innovative medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50240/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

173. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of engagement that his Department has had with the European Commission in respect of the proposed extension of the TRIPS waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50241/22]

Departmental Policies

John Paul Phelan

259. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be set up and operating again (details supplied); the way in which the huge backlog of applicants will be dealt with in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49470/22]

Mental Health Services

John Paul Phelan

736. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of female patients in Dóchas suffering with mental health conditions awaiting a specialist bed; the length of time that each has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50118/22]

Greyhound Industry

John Paul Phelan

799. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the 18 month delay in his Department approving the commencing construction of a project (details supplied); if he will give a commitment that the project will proceed; the proposed timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50183/22]

Tax Credits

John Paul Phelan

244. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the way that he intends to provide for amendments to the payable element of the research and development tax credit, to ensure that it aligns with the new international definitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48591/22]

Tax Reliefs

John Paul Phelan

245. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out the current mechanism of the knowledge development box; the way the measures outlined in budget 2023 will have an impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48592/22]

Tax Reliefs

John Paul Phelan

246. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the research and development tax credit and knowledge development box public consultation; the next steps that his Department will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48593/22]

Energy Prices

John Paul Phelan

84. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with energy-intensive industries and large multinational corporations regarding the difficulties that they are facing in addressing rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47484/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

88. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the European Commission's proposal to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand across the European Union, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47485/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

89. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; his views on whether an incentivised reduction model would be more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47486/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

99. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand contrasts sharply with the approach of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in its proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47488/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

100. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the Commission for Regulation of Utilities should revise its proposals to impose a tariff system among consumers, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users, given the publication of the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand. [47489/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he or his Department has had further interaction with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities since its publication of proposed measures to tackle rising electricity costs; if he expects these proposals to be implemented on 1 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47490/22]

Emergency Planning

John Paul Phelan

102. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Project Dara war-game preparedness exercises for emergency energy shortages that were recently carried out; if his Department intends to carry out any further exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/22]

Departmental Consultations

John Paul Phelan

122. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his Department's recent public consultation on the implementation of the pillar 2 minimum tax rate; the next steps he expects to take in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47483/22]

Pharmacy Services

John Paul Phelan

262. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the last time the European Union pharmaceutical cross-departmental group met; the date it will next meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47492/22]

Jobs Data

John Paul Phelan

1. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated number of full-time job vacancies in the State at present, by sector. [46455/22]

Enterprise Support Services

John Paul Phelan

166. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that have been taken by the Government to date in 2022 to assist the restaurant sector in dealing with labour shortages and rising costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46454/22]

Departmental Data

John Paul Phelan

208. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of widening the tax bands for income tax and cuts to the rates of universal social charge for each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46450/22]

Departmental Data

John Paul Phelan

209. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of workers who paid PAYE income tax and the total number who paid universal social charge in 2021; the total amount of PAYE income tax and USC received in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46452/22]

Departmental Data

John Paul Phelan

210. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of single unmarried persons with no dependents who paid PAYE income tax or universal social charge in 2021; the total amount of PAYE income tax and USC which they paid in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46453/22]

Fiscal Policy

John Paul Phelan

235. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value in euros of total additional spending commitments at each Budget for each of the years 2015 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46451/22]

Energy Prices

John Paul Phelan

109. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the outcome of the recent EU meeting of Energy Ministers with regard to EU rules regarding energy pricing and any changes being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45688/22]

Trade Promotion

John Paul Phelan

127. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the establishment of the proposed new Expert Group on Global Value Chains and Supply Chains, including details of its membership, remit and processes for engaging with export businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45531/22]

Tourism Policy

John Paul Phelan

248. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she intends to develop a new food and drinks tourism strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45530/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

83. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that emergency procurement for power generation is required in the years 2024 to 2026 when generation capacity shortfall in these years can be procured via the existing capacity market process; if due consideration has been given to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40101/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

84. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason that resources being provided for emergency power generation have not been provided to successful T-3 and T-4 projects in the existing capacity market process, specifically in relation to procurement of equipment, planning and provision of grid connections when the T-3 and T-4 projects provide a long-term security of supply solution; if he will be procuring further resources to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40102/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

85. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if further resources will be provided to ensure adequate support for existing projects which have already been successful in the capacity market process in the context of energy security issues, specifically T-3 and T-4 projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

86. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if due consideration has been given to the possibility of a legal challenge from the successful applicants in the capacity market process in the T-3 and T-4 periods given the apparent disadvantage conferred on them relative to emergency procurement participants as they cover the same years; if any legal challenges have been received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40104/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

87. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to any delays to the delivery of emergency power generation for the period commencing September 2022; the reason, if any, for these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40105/22]

Education Policy

John Paul Phelan

102. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department is supporting the European Year of Youth initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35388/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

John Paul Phelan

136. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of take-up for the Transition Fund for Early Years providers; the estimates of the way this payment is supporting providers with their sustainability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35387/22]

Cybersecurity Policy

John Paul Phelan

114. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Defence the measures that his Department has taken to improve its resilience in terms of cyber-attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33757/22]

Defence Forces

John Paul Phelan

124. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Defence the measures that his Department is taking to actively address staffing issues within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33758/22]

Coast Guard Service

John Paul Phelan

183. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the specific details of the significant programme of change across key areas of the Irish Coast Guard that he announced recently taking into account the issues raised and recommended in the final report on an accident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33960/22]

Cost of Living Issues

John Paul Phelan

121. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department still plans for public sector workers to receive a 1% increase in October 2022 under the Building Momentum pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31082/22]

Cost of Living Issues

John Paul Phelan

143. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's strategy towards tackling the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31081/22]

Health Services Staff

John Paul Phelan

1397. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and physiotherapy vacancies in the children’s disability network teams by county from May 2021 to June 2022; the way in which these vacancies are advertised; the length of time for which each advertisement is displayed; the number of applications that were received; the number of persons who were employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28944/22]

Health Services Staff

John Paul Phelan

1398. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and physiotherapy vacancies related to staff on the children’s disability network teams who are on maternity leave or other long-term absence; if they have been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28945/22]

School Facilities

John Paul Phelan

361. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if an application has been received by his Department from a school (details supplied) to get funding in order to upgrade to three phase ESB connection; when a decision can be expected regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25787/22]

Taxi Regulations

John Paul Phelan

58. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport when taxi fares will be increased given that in July 2020 taxis were to get a fare increase which was put on hold due to Covid-19. [25024/22]

Taxi Licences

John Paul Phelan

59. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport his response to the situation in which there are very few new entrants coming into the taxi industry (details supplied); and the steps that are being taken to speed up the issuing of SPSV licences. [25025/22]

Legislative Programme

John Paul Phelan

550. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he proposes to introduce the necessary legislation to support the Government’s policy concerning the allocation of the revenue collected from the carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/22]

Dublin Airport Authority

John Paul Phelan

226. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the annual amount that the DAA receives in airport passenger charges which are part of all fares in and out of the airport; if detailed information will be provided on the monies received by the DAA across all flights over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18966/22]

Planning Issues

John Paul Phelan

68. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing units that applied for planning that are being held up by judicial reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18491/22]

Fire Safety

John Paul Phelan

69. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current average length of time from application of a fire certificate to receiving it; the number of housing units that are being delayed due to the delays in providing fire certificate required for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18492/22]

Planning Issues

John Paul Phelan

70. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to review the various section 28 guidelines referenced in recent judgements (details supplied) in particular the sustainable residential development in urban areas 2009, design standards for new apartments 2018 and Urban Development and Building Height Guidelines 2018, to provide greater clarity and to remove ambiguity and discrepancies in respect of recommended densities and the extent to which public transport services serving the sites of a proposed developments must demonstrate existing capacity, frequency and good links to other modes of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18493/22]

Planning Issues

John Paul Phelan

71. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the 40 new recruits approved by him for An Bord Pleanála; when he expects them to be in situ; the expected reduction in planning delays anticipated arising from the recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18494/22]

School Staff

John Paul Phelan

101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 285 of 10 March 2022 and given the incorrect information provided in response, if she will provide an update on the status of the special needs application for increments (details supplied), given that the person was registered with the Teaching Council during previous teaching employment. [18495/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

John Paul Phelan

6. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount that has been allocated for the working family payment scheme that supports parents at work in 2022; the additional allocated funding as part of cost-of-living measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14663/22]

Teaching Council of Ireland

John Paul Phelan

285. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) will have a response to a query raised with her Department in relation to their entitlement to increments. [13616/22]

Road Network

John Paul Phelan

62. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the changes he plans to make to ensure those national route improvements not funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in 2022 will still be progressed towards construction including the N25 Waterford bypass to New Ross bypass road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/22]

Road Network

John Paul Phelan

97. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the changes he plans to make to ensure those national route improvements not funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in 2022 will still be progressed towards construction including the N24 Waterford to Cahir road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12078/22]

Angling Sector

John Paul Phelan

156. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of the salmon conservation limit that was achieved on the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir in relation to inland fisheries in each year from 2007 to 2021 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11031/22]

Angling Sector

John Paul Phelan

157. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rod harvest of salmon or rod catch and release returns on the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir in each year from 2007 to 2021 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11032/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John Paul Phelan

497. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualification mechanism for the living alone allowance; her proposals to allow single persons to claim this allowance or part thereof such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7715/22]

Child and Family Agency

John Paul Phelan

86. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if she will amend the current regulations in which pupils enrolled in and attending primary schools are not counted by the Tusla education support service when doing school returns given that they are under the age of six; if regulations will be changed to cover all pupils once they attend primary school; the number of pupils falling into this particular category in recent returns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6786/22]

Technological Universities

John Paul Phelan

101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional support is being provided for the establishment of technological universities and the transition that institutes of technology undergo to form the new technological university. [6090/22]

Educational Disadvantage

John Paul Phelan

111. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that he plans to tackle educational disadvantage in terms of accessing further and higher education institutions in 2022. [6091/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John Paul Phelan

26. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to enhance supports for family carers from her Department in view of the extraordinary contribution carers make; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5084/22]

Employment Schemes

John Paul Phelan

52. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the new arrangements for community employment schemes such as those operated in counties Kilkenny and Carlow which she confirmed in late 2021 will be implemented. [5085/22]

Courts Service

John Paul Phelan

604. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Courts Service or any other public body produce annually a categorisation of the amount of different types of criminal prosecutions taken under different headings and a breakdown of the number of convictions achieved and the range of sentences handed down upon conviction under these categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4728/22]

Disability Services

John Paul Phelan

708. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health if the appropriate services will be expedited for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4576/22]

Housing Policy

John Paul Phelan

74. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress of the review into rural housing guidelines. [3047/22]

Construction Industry

John Paul Phelan

132. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement his Department has had with other stakeholders on ensuring the availability of suitably skilled construction workers to meet Housing for All targets. [3048/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Paul Phelan

378. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if a child who is deemed high-risk of contracting Covid-19 and is being home-schooled will be marked absent from school; if the authorities will be contacted to investigate the reason this is done in cases in which there are too many absences in the school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3204/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John Paul Phelan

379. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that whilst provision is in place for children who are high-risk to be home-schooled there is no provision for parents who are deemed high-risk and who are in contact with each person their child is being exposed to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3205/22]

Departmental Reports

John Paul Phelan

393. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current number of persons employed in the public service; the current number of persons employed in the civil service; the number employed at each civil service grade level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1762/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Paul Phelan

1168. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public bodies in counties Carlow and Kilkenny that will be included in his new proposals to develop public bodies apprenticeship schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1761/22]

Tax Data

John Paul Phelan

201. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the number of employees that have taken part in the key employee engagement scheme in 2019; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60907/21]

Community Development Projects

John Paul Phelan

711. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of support provided to hubs, such as those that are part of the Connected Hubs initiative since the start of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60008/21]

Voluntary Sector

John Paul Phelan

712. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided to community and voluntary organisations by her Department to assist with the impact of Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic. [60009/21]