Parliamentary questions

Housing Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

337. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the income thresholds for those applying for the Rebuild Ireland Local Authority Home Loan under the fresh start principle; if there was a change in this rate in Budget 2024; if he will consider an increase in the threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46555/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

114. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if the school transport bus route that operates from Kilteevan to Dunmore can return to its original route passing to accommodate children (details supplied) that would benefit from this stop; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44529/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Fitzmaurice

13. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on the application for foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied) who applied in February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43894/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

179. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education the number of staff suffering from long-Covid who have had their employment terminated by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43525/23]

Departmental Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

341. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff suffering from long-Covid who have had their employment terminated by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43526/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

472. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of staff suffering from long Covid who have had their employment terminated by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43524/23]

Tax Code

Michael Fitzmaurice

207. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance to provide, in tabular form, a sectoral breakdown of the estimated annual costs to the Exchequer of reverting to the previous temporary 9% VAT rate for tourism-related industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/23]

Tax Code

Michael Fitzmaurice

208. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance to provide the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of creating a specific 9% VAT, as opposed to the current 13.5% VAT rate, which would apply only to food sales, be it restaurant, takeaway, hotel food sales and so on, assuming that bed and breakfast deals would simply attract the current rate of 13.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/23]

Tax Code

Michael Fitzmaurice

209. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has conducted a balancing exercise to determine the impact of the reversion of temporary VAT rate of 9% to the current VAT rate of 13.5% for tourism-related activities, in the context of reduced employment, closures, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43338/23]

Tax Code

Michael Fitzmaurice

210. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has not conducted a balancing exercise to determine the impact of the reversion of temporary VAT rate of 9% to the current VAT rate of 13.5% for tourism-related activities, in the context of reduced employment, closures and so on, if it will do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43339/23]

Tax Code

Michael Fitzmaurice

211. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department has considered splitting VAT rates on accommodation between rural accommodation providers and urban accommodation providers, given the vast differences in rates and price gouging being engaged in by some urban accommodation providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/23]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Michael Fitzmaurice

373. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 26 September 2023, if he can confirm whether he or persons (details supplied) consulted with the Commission for Public Service Appointments prior to issuing said order; if so, if there is any documentation evidencing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42684/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the fodder scheme for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42153/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

464. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 740, 744, 748, 754, 760, 772, 773, 776 and 778 of 20 September 2023, and his reply, in stating that he wants to ensure that the farmer deferential benefits farmers directly and exclusively, if other landowners recognised and registered as carrying out a farming activity in other sections of his Department are not actually recognised as farmers by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42157/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

465. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 740, 744, 748, 754, 760, 772, 773, 776 and 778 of 20 September 2023, to provide necessary documentation to show that considerations were made regarding the implications of the farmer definition as it appears in the scheme document, considering the clarifications sought by stakeholders; to confirm that his Department has not changed any of the rules on farmer definition since the launch of the scheme document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42158/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

282. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to a child (details supplied) who has no other means of getting to school, and who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41505/23]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Michael Fitzmaurice

336. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can clarify which functions have been delegated under legislation (details supplied); if an order is still in place; if not, when it expired and what has replaced it; if he or named persons consulted with the Commission for Public Service Appointments prior to issuing said order; if so, if there is any documentation evidencing of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41181/23]

Rights of Way

Michael Fitzmaurice

442. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the legal division within his Department will make a decision in respect of a request by a person (details supplied) in December 2021 seeking its consent and-or agreement to discharge a right of way from their folio in order to facilitate the sale of said person's lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41361/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

451. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the fodder scheme for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41493/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

585. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 658 of 7 March 2023, when staff from a nursing home (details supplied), which has since closed down will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41484/23]

Hospital Facilities

Michael Fitzmaurice

256. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon can now return to the admission of new patients in view of the closure of the church in the facility which has been the reason for no intake of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40814/23]

Hospital Facilities

Michael Fitzmaurice

257. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when will works commence on the upgrading of facilities at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

307. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue for two siblings (details supplied) who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40014/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

310. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to a child (details supplied) who has no other means of getting to school, and who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40029/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

311. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue for two siblings, (details supplied), who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets and have no other means of getting to school, with the bus passing their gate twice daily; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40030/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

313. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to a child (details supplied) who is now entering 5th year in secondary school, has always had a ticket and who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40051/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

315. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education whether two siblings (details supplied) can travel together on wheelchair-accessible transport, where one child has been approved this service and the other gets the regular Bus Éireann school bus and cannot be at the bus stop at the allocated time due to their parent assisting with the other child being put into the wheelchair-accessible transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40056/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

316. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when a bus will be made available for students on route F661, who have already been allocated tickets and are attending a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40058/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

318. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to a child, (details supplied) who has no other means of getting to school, and who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40064/23]

School Transport

Michael Fitzmaurice

353. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to four families (details supplied) who have no other means of getting to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40317/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

761. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total hectares of high nature value grassland now excluded from the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39996/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

762. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who was the qualified authority who decided the definition and area of high nature value grasslands to be removed form afforestation activity in the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39997/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

763. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine If he will provide actual details of European forestry legislation relating to planting on peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39998/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

764. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualified authority that advised his Department on peat definition, which will be used to exclude land from commercial afforestation activity in the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40000/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

765. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out in-person training to prepare foresters for the new programme specifically regarding organo-mineral soil with a peat depth or equal to 30cm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40001/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

766. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out in-person training to prepare foresters for the new programme specifically on how to identify modified fen of modified cutaway raised bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40002/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

1253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information technology issues are preventing the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes (TAMS) 3 applications from being processed in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

1284. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to publish his licensing plan for Autumn 2023 and for the full year 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37923/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

1285. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of people in the Forest Service of his Department employed to deliver just 52 licences during the second week of August 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37927/23]

Hospital Equipment

Michael Fitzmaurice

1152. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will advise which hospital has a MRI machine that is compatible with a pace-maker in order for a patient who has this fitted to have a MRI completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35899/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

1154. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 663 of 7 March 2023 and 610 of 9 May 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied), who worked as clerical staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital, will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

1165. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 7 March 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied) will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/23]

Postal Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

135. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will approve the increase for pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/23]

Visa Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

461. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when decisions will be made in the applications for atypical visas by a nursing home (details supplied), which has applied for 35 atypical visas since 15 March 2023, and has yet to receive a decision on any of these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29708/23]

Medicinal Products

Michael Fitzmaurice

701. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the drug, sativex, will be made available for people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29595/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Fitzmaurice

168. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in the application for foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied), who applied in February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28454/23]

Workplace Relations Commission

Michael Fitzmaurice

441. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the WRC is no longer fit for purpose in the Government's eyes; the implication for all employees across all sectors, public and private, especially if they see Government bodies belatedly disrespecting the WRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/23]

School Curriculum

Michael Fitzmaurice

530. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education the plans her Department has in place to accommodate students with learning difficulties to have the option of having two or three different levels in the Leaving Certificate examinations, having already had the option and ability to complete the Junior Certificate examinations at three different levels, in order that all students, regardless of abilities, are no longer discriminated against and can attain a Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27570/23]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

697. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is honouring the brokered Management Transformation Framework Document delivered in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27464/23]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

698. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the implementation of the outcome of industrial relations mechanisms through the WRC for the purposes of ensuring the smooth transition of water services to Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27465/23]