Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Brian Leddin

123. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education if her Department is taking steps to roll-out workplace travel plan initiatives for all schools and her Department campuses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22909/23]

Public Appointments Service

Brian Leddin

283. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will publish the short-listing procedure and scoring matrix used by the Public Appointments Service regarding the appointment of city and county chief executives, including the upcoming Dublin City Council chief executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/23]

Local Authorities

Brian Leddin

284. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans for regular updates of the job description and appointment assessment procedure for the role of the chief executive of a local authority to ensure the appointees have the relevant skills to lead on the challenges councils face regarding housing, climate, energy and land use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/23]

Flood Risk Management

Brian Leddin

43. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress of the CFRAM programme in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/23]

Site Acquisitions

Brian Leddin

61. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress on procuring of sites for the development of new industrial estates in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/23]

Transport Policy

Brian Leddin

44. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport whether local authorities in Ireland have the necessary powers to introduce a direct vision and HGV safety standard permit system similar to that in operation in London; and if not, whether he will consider giving them the necessary powers by way or statutory instrument or proposing primary legislation. [21940/23]

Legislative Process

Brian Leddin

139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the legislative progress of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022; his intentions to move the Bill to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/23]

Tax Code

Brian Leddin

112. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to introduce weight- and size-based taxes on private vehicles in Ireland to incentivise a switch to smaller and lighter vehicles in an effort to ensure Ireland's vehicle fleet is as efficient as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21506/23]

Electric Vehicles

Brian Leddin

7. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will develop plans to target electric vehicle, EV, grants towards lighter, smaller vehicles to encourage a market for the types of electric vehicles frequently observed in other European cities, which are generally priced lower than the €14,000 threshold that is set for eligibility for grants in Ireland, with a view to ensuring that the new vehicle fleet is as efficient as possible and less of a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists than heavier sport utility vehicles, SUVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/23]

Electric Vehicles

Brian Leddin

72. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will develop plans to target EV grants to certain cohorts of the population based on socio-economic or geographic criteria to ensure that those who need private car travel the most are in a position to switch from an ICE vehicle to an electric vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20805/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Brian Leddin

16. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department's plans for contingency planning for the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/23]

Sustainable Development Goals

Brian Leddin

58. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of Ireland's role as a co-facilitator of the upcoming SDG summit; the specific actions his Department is taking to ensure the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, both domestically and internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19891/23]

Energy Policy

Brian Leddin

94. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to publish and implement the national hydrogen strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19898/23]

Climate Change Policy

Brian Leddin

120. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what role the proposed EU nature restoration law will play in meeting Ireland and the EUs climate commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/23]

Departmental Policies

Brian Leddin

102. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received applications from all local authorities in respect of the new building acquisition measure funding to tackle vacancy and dereliction in towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19333/23]

Regeneration Projects

Brian Leddin

111. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps her Department is taking to collaborate with the LDA and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support the Town Centre First Policy Objectives in the developments it is involved with in towns with a population over 10,000 people, as outlined in action 9 of the Town Centre First policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19381/23]

School Admissions

Brian Leddin

75. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education if she will report on the progress made to date in securing additional provision for first year places in Limerick city for the 2023-2024 school year to accommodate 26 children in Limerick who have not received an offer of a secondary school place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14230/23]

Local Authorities

Brian Leddin

218. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is any obstacle to a local authority signing up to the Climate Perks Programme, which would involve certain commitments as an employer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14458/23]

Forestry Sector

Brian Leddin

14. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that will be made available to farmers to plant agroforestry under the new Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11886/23]

Organic Farming

Brian Leddin

72. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers to be accepted into the organic farming scheme in 2023; the expected increase in agricultural land under organic production as a result of these new entrants to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11887/23]

Housing Policy

Brian Leddin

89. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the work his Department is doing to support and accelerate transit-oriented development, in particular medium-to-high density housing projects around high-capacity transport nodes in our urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11962/23]

State Bodies

Brian Leddin

206. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the sites under consideration by the Land Development Agency in Limerick; the projected supply of homes on those sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12012/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Brian Leddin

113. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance his plans for reviewing motor tax and VRT for ICE and electric vehicles to encourage the uptake of smaller, lighter and more efficient vehicles on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11386/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

687. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 4,150 jobs given for industry-supported full-time and part-time jobs (details supplied) that consist of jobs in the greyhound racing industry only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9631/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

688. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 10,361 given for the total number of persons deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector, that refers to those deriving economic benefit from the greyhound racing sector exclusively (details supplied); the level of economic benefit derived from greyhound racing that qualifies individuals for inclusion in this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9632/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

689. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of the figure of €103.8 million per annum for the gross wage bill that refers to wages earned by those involved exclusively in the greyhound racing industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9633/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

690. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the estimated €88.2 million given for net incomes generated in the greyhound racing industry, that relates to net incomes generated solely by the industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9634/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

691. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion 6,211 owners that refers to owners of greyhounds used solely in the greyhound racing industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9635/23]

Greyhound Industry

Brian Leddin

692. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the meaning of greyhound industry in several references on page 4 of a report (details supplied); if it refers to greyhound racing alone or includes hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9636/23]

Departmental Schemes

Brian Leddin

26. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the outcomes of the pilot bike and e-bike upcycling initiative; her plans to bring additional organisations into the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9229/23]

Departmental Schemes

Brian Leddin

56. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the proactive steps her Department is taking to work with the Department of Transport to explore and realise the potential of e-bikes for rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9230/23]

Industrial Development

Brian Leddin

149. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to expand the regional business innovation centres to include the Midwest region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9221/23]

Transport Policy

Brian Leddin

86. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the approved Pathfinder programme for Naas, County Kildare; and if the funding is in place and can be drawn down as soon as the local authority is ready to do same. [9025/23]

Sport and Recreational Development

Brian Leddin

71. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way increased participation in women’s sport at local and community level will be advanced in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8594/23]

Childcare Services

Brian Leddin

64. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract to date; the number of services that have entered a core funding agreement that have ceased operations since the scheme began in September 2022; the number of those that cited financial sustainability issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6034/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Brian Leddin

94. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to expand the provisions of flexible working and remote working contained in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 to all employees, beyond those who are in care relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6033/23]

Ukraine War

Brian Leddin

170. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to use the European Peace Facility Fund to purchase non-lethal weaponry and other equipment to intercept lethal force weapons such as those used in the recent Russian attack on residential buildings in Dnipro, Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5223/23]

Legislative Measures

Brian Leddin

41. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to introduce or amend relevant legislation to allow Ireland to send the Defence Forces overseas on protection missions (details supplied). [5222/23]

School Enrolments

Brian Leddin

82. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education if she will outline plans for new primary and secondary school developments in Limerick city in order to support the steep population growth targeted for the city under the national planning framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5225/23]

School Facilities

Brian Leddin

130. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education the progress of the summer works scheme 2023; when she expects the announcement of approved works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5224/23]

Teacher Training

Brian Leddin

298. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education the role of her Department and that of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to developing and funding upskilling programmes for post-primary teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5315/23]

Teacher Training

Brian Leddin

299. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education her plans to introduce funding for upskilling of home economics teachers in post-primary education; the criteria underpinning the funding of upskilling for maths, physics and Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5316/23]

School Staff

Brian Leddin

300. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Education the current number of vacancies in home economics teaching posts in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5317/23]

Sport and Recreational Development

Brian Leddin

80. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to develop high performance women’s sports in the near and long-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3641/23]

Mayoral Election

Brian Leddin

92. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the legislation for a directly elected mayor with executive functions in Limerick; the date for the publication of the legislation; if he plans to proceed with the mayoral election in Limerick in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3654/23]

Departmental Policies

Brian Leddin

149. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to develop a mechanism for evaluating embodied carbon in our existing building stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/23]

European Investment Bank

Brian Leddin

149. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the European Investment Bank-supported low-cost loan guarantee scheme for the national retrofit programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brian Leddin

162. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance if the potential for establishing Ireland as an international financing centre for renewable energy projects, akin to that in the aviation sector, has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/23]

Cycling Policy

Brian Leddin

68. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the progress of the new National Cycle Manual; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2439/23]

Road Traffic Offences

Brian Leddin

103. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if the effectiveness of increased fines for parking on footpaths and cycle lanes is being reviewed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2438/23]