Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

25. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the work that has been carried out to establish an inquiry into the State’s handling of the Covid-19 which he announced in January 2023; the timeline for this inquiry; and the scope and nature of the inquiry. [1880/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

26. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 will next meet. [1881/23]

Cabinet Committees

Alan Dillon

27. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [2028/23]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

28. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [2119/23]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

29. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet [3346/23]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

62. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the introduction of timely, targeted and temporary mortgage interest relief in the context of rising interest costs for mortgage borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3328/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

63. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the 9% reduced VAT rate on electricity and gas bills to 31 December 2023; if he will provide costings for extension of the measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3084/23]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

64. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on extending the reduced 9% rate of VAT for the hospitality and tourism sector; its estimated cost, including and excluding hotel accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3329/23]

Public Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

65. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the additional revenue raising measures he is considering to ensure sustainable funding of public services, following the Parliamentary Budget Office and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council calculation that an extra €7 billion per year is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3331/23]

Insurance Industry

Pearse Doherty

66. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce measures to ensure that recent reforms in the insurance sector will result in proportional reductions in premiums for consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3330/23]

Tax Code

Róisín Shortall

67. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will waive the 23% VAT rate on antigen tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3332/23]

Inflation Rate

Alan Farrell

68. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance what consideration his Department is giving to further anti-inflationary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3135/23]

Tax Rebates

Aindrias Moynihan

70. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department received in overpaid PAYE taxes in 2021 and 2022; the measures that are in place to make individuals aware of any overpayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3140/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Alan Dillon

71. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the measures being considered to support small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3058/23]

Banking Sector

Rose Conway-Walsh

72. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the assessments that have and will be undertaken with regards to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, CCMA, including the suite of alternative repayment arrangements; his plans to give the code full legal effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3100/23]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

74. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on introducing additional tax measures for developers and investors in the residential property market; if he agrees with a previously commissioned report (details supplied) that such incentives would represent a clear waste of scarce public resources and would lead to an increase in site and property prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/23]

Tax Code

Joe Flaherty

75. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he will be bringing forward in relation to income tax over the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2994/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

76. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date on replacing the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3023/23]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Matt Carthy

77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the requirements of third parties and funds in possession of mortgage contracts with regard to the code of conduct on mortgage arrears; and his views regarding the refusal of third parties and funds to engage with borrowers, including with respect to alternative repayment arrangements under the mortgage arrears resolution process. [3095/23]

Tax Code

Darren O'Rourke

78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his position on introducing additional tax measures for developers and investors in the residential property market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3098/23]

Tax Code

Cormac Devlin

79. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to undertake a review of the income tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3082/23]

Inflation Rate

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

110. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if he anticipates further measures being taken in relation to cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2980/23]

Disability Services

Michael Moynihan

115. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of primary medical certificate appeals currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/23]

Disability Services

David Cullinane

129. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the current status of the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be in operation; the number of outstanding appeals before the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3094/23]

Disability Services

Catherine Connolly

150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 10 November 2022, the timeline for the publication of the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3092/23]

Inflation Rate

Peter Fitzpatrick

157. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to extend the cost-of-living measures introduced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2932/23]

Inflation Rate

Fergus O'Dowd

237. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance what further measures his Department is considering in dealing with rising inflation in the year 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56473/22]

Disability Services

Catherine Connolly

240. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the status of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3132/23]

Tax Code

Martin Kenny

247. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Finance his position on introducing additional tax measures for developers and investors in the residential property market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3182/23]

National Car Test

Darren O'Rourke

1. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the engagement that he has had to date with the operators of the National Car Test Service, NCTS, regarding long wait times for tests and proposed changes to work practices; when backlogs will be addressed; if he has met with trade unions in relation to the concerns of workers in the NCTS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2408/23]

Aviation Industry

Duncan Smith

2. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the measures that he is taking to ease the concerns of residents in north County Dublin in the Dublin Airport flight path who have had a substantive increase in aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/23]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

3. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures that he will take to ensure the safety of public transport workers and passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2409/23]

National Car Test

Catherine Murphy

4. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he will take to address the difficulties that persons are having in obtaining an appropriate date on which to put their vehicle through the NCT. [2608/23]

Driver Test

Joe Carey

6. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are awaiting a driving test appointment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1919/23]

Public Transport

Willie O'Dea

7. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if discussions have taken place between his Department and transport services regarding safety and public order onboard their services. [2229/23]

Road Network

Frankie Feighan

8. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed N4 upgrade and bypass works for Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, and for the eastern Garvogue bridge scheme in Sligo town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2387/23]

Road Tolls

Paul Donnelly

9. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport his views on the payment of tolls in circumstances (details supplied); and the steps that can be taken to prevent same occurring in the future. [2342/23]

Public Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

10. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline his engagement with Local Link operators in the context of their increased role in providing rural public transport under Connecting Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1945/23]

Departmental Funding

Denis Naughten

11. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the establishment of a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1835/23]

Rail Network

Pearse Doherty

12. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport his Department's views on the need to provide rail infrastructure to the north west; the current status and future plan for the all-island strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/23]

Rail Network

Alan Dillon

13. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the all-Ireland strategic rail review to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1720/23]

Rail Network

Ruairí Ó Murchú

23. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the progress of the all-island strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2145/23]

Rail Network

Matt Carthy

70. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his proposed timeline to publish the strategic rail review. [1795/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Mairéad Farrell

106. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for reforming public procurement legislation to allow the procurement system to be used in a more strategic way. [63831/22]

Defence Forces

Cathal Berry

107. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount that was returned unspent by the Department of Defence from 2022; if any of this money was from pay savings due to the significantly under strength Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2528/23]

Construction Industry

Mairéad Farrell

108. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to increase construction sector capacity in order to better deliver on the targets of the national development plan. [63832/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Michael McNamara

109. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that are being taken to implement the right to work from home in the Civil Service; the systems that are in place to ensure there is no resultant diminution of the output of the Civil Service; the way the impact on civil servants and the output of the Civil Service is being monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2614/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Richard O'Donoghue

110. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Department of Rural and Community Development was allocated voted capital and current expenditure of only €331 million or 0.45% of the overall voted allocation in 2022 at a time when regional and rural infrastructure is creaking at the seams and many rural services are subpar or non-existent when compared with urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2526/23]

National Development Plan

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to continue to implement the national development plan in all of its aspects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2350/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Mairéad Farrell

112. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he will take to ensure fewer cost overruns in major public works contracts going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2280/23]

Flood Risk Management

Ruairí Ó Murchú

113. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made in relation to flood risk management at Annagassan and Termonfeckin in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2148/23]

Freedom of Information

Ged Nash

114. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will publish legislation informed by the recent review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2205/23]

Electric Vehicles

Brian Leddin

116. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider developing a scheme, separate to grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, SEAI, to support home help, home care and domiciliary carers who are car-dependent due to their work to purchase electric vehicles in order to support this sector and contribute to the Government’s climate goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2437/23]

Civil Service

James O'Connor

117. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the criteria which are applied for promotion relating to interdepartmental staff in the civil service; if any concerns have been identified for interdepartmental staff promotions within the civil service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2275/23]

Flood Risk Management

Pádraig O'Sullivan

118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the selection of a contractor for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2162/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total underspend of capital across all Departments, including capital allocations deferred to 2023; the steps that he intends on taking to ensure that the total capital allocation in this year’s Revised Estimates Volume is expended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1372/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ged Nash

120. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total additional cost to the Exchequer in 2022 of the inflation co-operation framework in respect of the delivery of projects under public works projects; if the framework will be reviewed in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2206/23]

Freedom of Information

Peadar Tóibín

126. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the review of the workings of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. [1601/23]

Flood Risk Management

Colm Burke

135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current position of the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; when work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1915/23]

Rural Schemes

Claire Kerrane

1. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the development of a rural-proofing mechanism, as outlined in ‘Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62447/22]

Community Development Projects

Paul Donnelly

2. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of projects that are community owned and those that are owned by local authorities which applied for the community centres investment fund; and the number of local authority-owned projects that were awarded funding under the community centres investment fund. [62623/22]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

3. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding that she envisages providing in 2023 for the local improvement scheme; if she intends to increase the level of funding to meet the demand for this very important scheme for rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63051/22]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 27 October 2022, the status of the new policy for the islands; if the policy and action plan are on track to be finalised by the end of 2022; the timeline for the publication of the new policy and action plan; the date of the last meeting of the interdepartmental committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62557/22]

Library Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

6. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if further progress has been made with regard to the purchase and location of a new library for Dunleer, County Louth, given the large increase in local population and the welcome increase in the numbers attending the current facility over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62718/22]

Rural Schemes

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the CLÁR areas will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62767/22]

Island Communities

Claire Kerrane

8. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has engaged with representatives from island communities regarding the establishment of an island-specific local action group under the LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62465/22]

Social Isolation

Christopher O'Sullivan

9. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that her Department is taking to address poverty and social exclusion across Ireland. [62730/22]

Departmental Policies

Claire Kerrane

11. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the roll-out of the towns first policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62464/22]

Social Isolation

Aindrias Moynihan

13. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures that her Department is taking to address poverty and social exclusion in rural Ireland. [62468/22]

Rural Schemes

Alan Dillon

14. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62737/22]

Offshore Islands

Catherine Connolly

15. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 27 October 2022, the engagement that she or her Department has had with representatives of island communities in relation to the creation of an island-specific regional grouping for the purposes of the LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62558/22]

Departmental Schemes

Kieran O'Donnell

17. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce the successful applicants under the community and voluntary energy support scheme, CVESS; if the full list of successful projects is available by county; when payments will start to issue to organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62795/22]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the upcoming climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62750/22]

Climate Action Plan

Ivana Bacik

69. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the ways in which the ongoing review into energy security will integrate sectoral emissions ceiling and carbon budget obligations; his plans to ensure that as-demand reduction measures are prioritised in the review; and the ways in which the principles of a just transition will be integrated into the review. [62757/22]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

70. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he has taken since the publication of the energy security review to improve Ireland’s energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62751/22]

Climate Action Plan

Jennifer Whitmore

71. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on all carbon reductions achieved as a direct result of implemented targets in the Climate Action Plan 2021. [62721/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

72. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that his Department is taking to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind energy to ensure that Ireland meets the target of 7 GW by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62752/22]

Data Centres

Ivana Bacik

73. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ensure that confirmed data centre connections will not increase emissions; and his plans to ensure that confirmed data centre connections do not lock in higher gas demand. [62758/22]

Climate Action Plan

James O'Connor

74. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department intends to carry out an audit on the capital infrastructure projects contained within the national development plan, in relation to the Climate Action Plan 2021. [62459/22]

Climate Action Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

77. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date since the approval of the national climate action plan to achieve the targets in the plan; if he is satisfied that the full objectives of the plan will be achieved by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62724/22]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

78. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will increase the grant support for lower income households to aid the installation of solar PV; the target number of homes for solar PV installation in the years 2023 to 2025, inclusive, to help meet the recently announced increased target of 5 GW of installed solar power capacity by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62754/22]

National Broadband Plan

Colm Burke

80. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a progress report on the roll-out of the national broadband plan in County Cork from 1 January 2022 to 30 November 2022; the number of premises connected during this timeframe, including schools and broadband connection points in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62537/22]

National Broadband Plan

Colm Burke

81. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if NBI is continuing to engage with a company (details supplied) to provide broadband to premises in cases in which the company's fibre broadband infrastructure is bordering an amber area under the national broadband plan and given that the company has sufficient capacity to accommodate more premises on this line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62538/22]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [57559/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

2. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment will next meet. [58885/22]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

3. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economic recovery will next meet. [59151/22]

Cabinet Committees

Jackie Cahill

4. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [59153/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

5. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [58890/22]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on transport will next meet. [59252/22]

Cabinet Committees

Aindrias Moynihan

7. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [59341/22]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on transport will next meet. [59255/22]

Cabinet Committees

Brendan Smith

9. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [59342/22]

Cabinet Committees

Bríd Smith

10. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on transport will next meet. [59258/22]

Cabinet Committees

Michael Moynihan

11. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [59343/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

12. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economic recovery will next meet. [60871/22]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

13. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment will next meet. [60881/22]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with agriculture will next meet. [60882/22]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach which Cabinet committee deals with transport; and when it will meet next. [60895/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cormac Devlin

16. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach which Cabinet committee deals with transport; and when it will meet next. [60896/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

17. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with church leaders. [59155/22]