Parliamentary questions

Departmental Projects

Claire Kerrane

969. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the progress of the Ag Nav platform; how many farmers have utilised the tool to carbon audit their farms to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14149/24]

Departmental Reviews

Claire Kerrane

970. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the land use review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14162/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

975. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many afforestation applications have been received to the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 to date; the details of the different afforestation schemes for which submitted applications have been made; how many have been approved and how many rejected, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14257/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is giving consideration to providing flexibility around deadlines under ACRES, for measures such as such as submitting soil samples, establishing wild bird covers and fencing margins/riparian zones, given the challenging weather conditions causing difficulty for farmers in meeting current deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14498/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

994. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many applications have been received to the succession planning advice grant; the number of payments made under tranche 1 of the scheme; the total amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/24]

Fodder Crisis

Claire Kerrane

995. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to allowing fodder support scheme applications from farmers who did not participate in the 2022 scheme, given there are young farmers who were unable to apply for the 2022 scheme and who were locked out of the scheme in 2023 and subsequent years due to eligibility rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14722/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what measures are being taken to address low planting levels in 2024 as a result of a low number of approvals for afforestation licences in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

1018. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise why felling licensing levels are lower than usual given there has been a drop of the number of felling licences being approved month on month so far in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14881/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

1038. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the development of the Agrisnap app for ACRES, including the IT development was a collaboration between Department of Agriculture staff, an organisation (details supplied), farmers and farm advisors; if he will provide details of the farmers and farm advisors involved in the design of the Agrisnap app; how these participants were remunerated for their involvement in the Agrisnap design process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15150/24]

Food Labelling

Claire Kerrane

1039. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of his visit to Milan in March 2024 with farm organisation representatives and an organisation (details supplied) to launch a PGI logo; if he will advise on aspects of the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/24]

Health Service Executive

Claire Kerrane

1329. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the total spent by the HSE on contractors for maintenance work (details supplied) in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14207/24]

Bus Services

Claire Kerrane

162. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport his views on a second operator (details supplied) pulling out of the Galway to Dublin route from April; if he is concerned at bus routes being pulled at a time when people are being encouraged to use public transport; his plans to ensure greater public transport options for rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Claire Kerrane

283. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he could advise as to avenues of funding available to a community group (details supplied) to replace and refurbish defibrillators in their area. [13360/24]

Climate Change Policy

Claire Kerrane

122. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will advise on measures to provide due regard to the special economic and social role of agriculture with regard to the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12860/24]

Driver Licences

Claire Kerrane

184. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport with regard to recently announced changes to licensing categories, if he will review the change to category W licences, given the challenges it would present to farmers and agricultural contractors who also utilise non-farm vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12757/24]

Aviation Industry

Claire Kerrane

205. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the impact that increased Irish Aviation Authority fees could have on smaller flying clubs and students; if he is considering any measures to address concerns around this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13236/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

406. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education the status of the schools summer works scheme; if the scheme will open for summer 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11897/24]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

407. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when an application (details supplied) made under the school summer works scheme will be considered and a decision made on it and communicated to the school. [11898/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Claire Kerrane

413. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on a specific case (details supplied) regarding a student who is due to graduate and wishes to return to Ireland to complete their induction rather than in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11925/24]

Education Policy

Claire Kerrane

444. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a proposal (details supplied); if he will consider funding this and rolling it out State-wide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12220/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Claire Kerrane

473. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will act immediately when the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools run by religious orders is provided to her in June 2024, given this timeline is already delayed and given survivors involved in the process need to see immediate action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12482/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Claire Kerrane

474. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that survivors who were involved in the scoping inquiry into abuse in schools run by religious orders will receive a copy of the report in June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12483/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

589. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of additional households that became eligible for septic tank grants since his announcement in November 2023 of changes to the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11658/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

590. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who can apply for the septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11659/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

591. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in the State that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11660/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

592. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households in County Roscommon and County Galway that are in the eligible areas for septic tank grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/24]

Septic Tanks

Claire Kerrane

593. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise if he will review the eligible areas for the septic tank grant given the majority of areas cannot access it as they are outside the eligible area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11662/24]

Housing Provision

Claire Kerrane

680. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to extend the temporary waiver scheme in respect of development contributions beyond April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/24]

Disability Services

Claire Kerrane

722. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will roll out WALK employment across the State to ensure that young people with intellectual disabilities finishing post-primary school have opportunities for training and employment after school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11726/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

771. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine the income thresholds for the fuel allowance in the case of under 70s in light of recent increases for those aged over 70 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12957/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

772. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those aged under 70 years with modest occupational pensions which they worked for, who are unable to access the fuel allowance; if she will examine this cohort in the context of the next Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12958/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Claire Kerrane

773. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to continue increasing the weekly income threshold for the over 70s when accessing the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12959/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

981. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 28 February 2024, if there has been direct engagement with any farmers whose scores are affected as a result of the proposed buffer zone; if he is aware that turbary zones on commonage are often shared and accessed across communities, and that farmers taking part in ACRES cannot police commonage areas; if consideration has been given to not proceeding with a buffer zone in turbary areas on commonage, given that farmers were unaware of such a rule, and the negative impact it could have on scoring for ACRES payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/24]

Horticulture Sector

Claire Kerrane

982. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on concerns raised in relation to imports of hawthorn and the risk of fireblight; what measures will be introduced to mitigate this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12037/24]

Tax Exemptions

Claire Kerrane

1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance on the residential zoned land tax on behalf of farmers to ensure that farmers whose land is being actively farmed is excluded from this tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12486/24]

Tax Exemptions

Claire Kerrane

1018. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether farmers whose land is being actively farmed should be excluded from the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

1039. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to extending the closing date for the spreading of lime under the liming scheme, given challenging weather and ground conditions in many places and concerns raised by farmers regarding their ability to spread lime by the current deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12828/24]

Fodder Crisis

Claire Kerrane

1069. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of concerns about farmers facing a shortage of fodder over the coming weeks; if he is considering supports for farmers with addressing this gap or with high costs of buying silage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13258/24]

Education and Training Provision

Claire Kerrane

1098. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the further education, training and employment opportunities for young people with intellectual disabilities finishing post-primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11725/24]

Healthcare Policy

Claire Kerrane

1365. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to open new rounds of funding under a walking tracks initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12297/24]

Departmental Policies

Claire Kerrane

1583. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will include an organisation (details supplied) in the newly established Stakeholder Group on Dog Control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12053/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Claire Kerrane

1586. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a library (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12209/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

1587. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding under town renewal scheme or any such funding was approved by her Department for an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12210/24]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review eligibility for the free travel scheme for people who have a severe illness but who are not in receipt of the relevant qualifying payment; if consideration has been given to allowing discretion in certain cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10905/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

149. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on any delays to payments under the organic farming scheme; if delays to other farm payments such as ACRES have caused delays to payments for organics; if this is the case what measures are his Department taking to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11002/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

150. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 28 February 2024, if he will engage with any farmers whose ACRES payments may be affected by the introduction of this rule and consider them on an individual basis given it has been raised that farmers were unaware of this rule and he confirmed that the implementation of the rule was under review; if a timeline can be provided for when farmers whose ACRES scoring is affected as a result of the rule will be notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Claire Kerrane

207. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise why there is no pathway available to access diagnostic assessments for autism via primary care services in County Roscommon; if he will outline what plans are being put in place to provide same going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10970/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Claire Kerrane

208. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise the reason there is no service available to access diagnostic assessments for ADHD (adult) in County Roscommon; if he will outline what plans are being put in place to provide this service going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10971/24]

Defence Forces

Claire Kerrane

146. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) received no feedback on an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10172/24]

Sports Funding

Claire Kerrane

353. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any funding available to support community centres purchasing sports equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10474/24]