Parliamentary questions

Traveller Accommodation

David Stanton

92. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received an application from Cork City Council for stage two funding regarding the redevelopment of Spring Lane, halting site in Cork; when this application was received; when he intends to agree to the funding request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53960/23]

Social Welfare Payments

David Stanton

113. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans, if any, to award a cost-of-living lump sum payment to disablement benefit holders similar to that awarded to those in receipt of a disability allowance, invalidity pension or blind pension payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53997/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

167. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health with reference to the current embargo on recruitment in the HSE, if a fully qualified and experienced nurse employed by the HSE and on a full-time contract, on returning from a career break, can resume working with the HSE again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53965/23]

Health Services Staff

David Stanton

168. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if the current recruitment pause in place in the HSE prevents the hiring of personnel such as cooks to fill vacancies which arise due to resignations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53984/23]

Public Transport

David Stanton

17. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport his views on either extending the existing rail service to Youghal, County Cork or putting in place a bus rapid transit service alongside the Midleton to Youghal greenway route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52692/23]

Road Projects

David Stanton

22. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a funding application from Cork County Council to repair local bridges damaged by recent flooding as a result of Storm Babet; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51886/23]

School Enrolments

David Stanton

91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 16 November 2023, to outline her Department's current specific projections of annual demand for second level school places in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill school planning area for each respective year from 2024 to 2028 inclusive; the specific projected demand for non-denominational second level school places during the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52810/23]

Traveller Education

David Stanton

93. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education to report on her Department’s initiatives to support Traveller children to remain in school and in education; the current situation with respect to so called "reduced timetables" for Traveller children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52839/23]

Departmental Policies

David Stanton

164. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the countries for which his Department currently has a "Do not travel" security status in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50204/23]

Foreign Policy

David Stanton

220. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on future plans for Global Ireland, Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019 – 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50197/23]

Road Projects

David Stanton

278. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a funding application from Cork County Council to repair local roads damaged by recent flooding as a result of Storm Babet; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51887/23]

Road Projects

David Stanton

279. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he has given permission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to proceed with the Mallow relief road project, with the upgrade of the N25 national road between Carrigtwohill and Midleton, County Cork and with the bypassing of Castlemartyr along the N25 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52665/23]

Departmental Funding

David Stanton

384. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline the various funding schemes under the aegis of her Department and under Fáilte Ireland that are open for applications at present; the closing dates for any such schemes; the details of any further schemes she plans to open for applications in the next six months [52893/23]

Traveller Education

David Stanton

72. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education her views on the supports given by the provision of homework clubs for Traveller children; the homework clubs, if any, that her Department funds either partially or fully; the number of children benefitting from such support; her future plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52825/23]

Local Authorities

David Stanton

88. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the resources made available to, and drawn down by, Cork County Council in respect of the appointment of full-time vacant homes officers; the number of such full-time officers currently employed and supported by his Department in Cork County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/23]

Flood Risk Management

David Stanton

39. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the decisions, if any, that have been made by the OPW to put in place interim measures in Midleton and in the wider east Cork area to help prevent possible future flood damage, pending the completion of local flood relief schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52309/23]

Flood Risk Management

David Stanton

56. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the OPW’s plans to address flooding issues in Castlemartyr, County Cork; the timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52318/23]

Industrial Development

David Stanton

51. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No.76 of 23 February 2023, to outline his plans, if any, for the development of the IDA site at Ballyadam, Carrigtwohill, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51304/23]

Business Supports

David Stanton

76. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way his Department is assisting businesses that were adversely impacted by the recent flood events in Midleton, County Cork and elsewhere in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51303/23]

Credit Unions

David Stanton

112. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance to outline his policy with respect to credit unions; the action he is taking or plans to take to encourage credit unions to foster good saving habits among young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51546/23]

Tax Code

David Stanton

149. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance to explain the rationale by the Revenue Commissioners for considering computerised calf feeders which are either bolted to a concrete floor or set in concrete to be “movable goods” and therefore not eligible for a VAT reclaim which is available to non-VAT-registered farmers; when this policy change was decided; if he will direct that this policy revert to that which was previously in place where VAT reclaim was permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51237/23]

Public Transport

David Stanton

238. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that a fee is charged online to free travel pass holders when an allocation of bookings for free travel pass or valid ticket holders is fully booked on Irish Rail InterCity services; if such a fee is charged when a free travel pass holder is looking to purchase a ticket in similar circumstances in person; when such a fee was introduced; if the imposition of such a fee is compatible with the free travel scheme operated by her Department; her plans, if any, to remove the fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51644/23]

Special Educational Needs

David Stanton

276. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered reimbursing parents who avail and pay for private assessments in respect of ASD services for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51670/23]

Flood Risk Management

David Stanton

73. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the procedure required so that householders and businesses can be supported by the Office of Public Works and by local authorities to install flood defence doors and barriers in areas at risk of flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51457/23]

Schools Building Projects

David Stanton

84. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education when she expects the new special school announced by her Department for Carrigtwohill, County Cork, to open; the proposed location of the school; the number of students who will be able to attend the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51285/23]

Agriculture Schemes

David Stanton

129. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he considers computerised calf feeders to be non "non-movable" in respect of TAMS grant payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51213/23]

Departmental Policies

David Stanton

188. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to outline the policy guidance, if any, that he has issued to the HSE with respect to unused or underused buildings such as old dispensaries that would not be suitable as residences; if he will consider allowing any such buildings to be used by local communities where a need for facilities such as community hubs exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51313/23]

Departmental Schemes

David Stanton

255. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the various funding schemes under the aegis of her Department that are open for applications at present; the closing dates for any such schemes; the further schemes she plans to open for applications in the next six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51297/23]

Environmental Policy

David Stanton

118. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline Government policy with respect to the development of anaerobic digesters to produce renewable energy from slurry and other such material; if he has communicated any such policy to the respective local authorities; the supports, if any, that he has put in place to encourage the construction of anaerobic digesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51120/23]

Defence Forces

David Stanton

125. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his Department’s plans for the provision and upgrade of living accommodation for Defence Forces personnel in the State’s respective military institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51035/23]

Business Supports

David Stanton

204. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports, if any, made available by his Department to businesses that were not actively trading at the time of the recent flooding caused by Storm Babet, but whose assets are now beyond repair and unsellable as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50557/23]

Special Educational Needs

David Stanton

226. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education the second level schools in east Cork that have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classes; the number of students that can be accommodated in these classes in each school, respectively; if she is satisfied that the needs of all students from east Cork requiring ASD class places at second level are being met; her plans to further increase the number of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50554/23]

Regeneration Projects

David Stanton

312. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the next call for funding applications under his Department’s urban regeneration and development fund is expected to be issued; if public realm improvement projects will be considered for funding under this call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51002/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

David Stanton

9. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline as part of proposals for a floating offshore wind and green H2 policy for Ireland; his Department's plans, if any, to announce suitable designated maritime area plans for the south and west coasts to plan and attract necessary industry investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50230/23]

Postal Services

David Stanton

45. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on his plans for the further development of postal policy in the state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50212/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

David Stanton

90. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the way that the various State agencies under the aegis of his Department are facilitating the rollout of generation of renewal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50372/23]

School Enrolments

David Stanton

143. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education further to Topical Issue Debate No. 2 of 5 July 2023, and with reference to her Department’s projected growth in enrolments in the east Cork area in the short to medium term, if she will outline the projected demand figures for second level school places in the Midleton and Carrigtwohill school planning area for each respective year for the next five years, beginning September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50328/23]

Regional Development

David Stanton

64. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, his Department has to implement the recommendations from the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce Report pertaining to his Department's policy responsibilities; if similar recommendations are being considered for Cork and Bantry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50223/23]

Community Development Projects

David Stanton

31. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development with reference to the 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund-New Builds Measure, if lead parties could have included primary or second level schools working in partnership with local community organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49470/23]

Patent Applications

David Stanton

163. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to outline his plans, if any, for the establishment of an oversight committee to support the work of a referendum on the Unified Patent Court; the membership of this committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49445/23]

Patent Applications

David Stanton

164. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the establishment of an Irish local division of the Unified Patent Court; the work carried out to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49449/23]

Patent Applications

David Stanton

165. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is intended to allow Irish judges to participate in the Unified Patent Court on a part-time basis; if so, what changes to legislation of the constitution would be required to enable this to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49451/23]

Wastewater Treatment

David Stanton

243. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 24 May 2023, to list the number of funding applications submitted in 2022 and in 2023 respectively by each local authority under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2022-2025 Measure A8 - Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs for Villages and Settlements without access to Public Waste Water Services; the number of applications approved under the measure in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49479/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

David Stanton

391. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to his Department’s Minimum Specifications for the Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems S.198 and in particular with reference to the Declaration of Works Documentation pertaining to solar PV installations, to outline the number of registered companies currently on his Department’s Solar Photovoltaic Company Register; the number of individual installers on his Department’s Solar Photovoltaic Installer Register; if both registers are publicly accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49798/23]

Youth Services

David Stanton

614. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of Youthreach centres; the number of students attending Youthreach centres, by county; if his Department has carried out any studies to ascertain areas in the country not served by Youthreach; if so, to provide details of same; his plans, if any, to open further Youthreach centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49460/23]

Mental Health Services

David Stanton

73. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, for the further development and expansion of South Lee Mental Health Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/23]

Primary Care Centres

David Stanton

81. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on plans to develop a primary care centre and day care centre in Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49075/23]

Housing Policy

David Stanton

145. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the policy with respect to the establishment of housing developments with self-contained apartments for older people, similar to a development (details supplied); the supports put in place by his department to encourage such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49074/23]

Building Regulations

David Stanton

158. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether there is a need for an increase in the number of changing places and toilets for people with severe disabilities; if his Department has considered the establishment of a fund to enable these facilities to be installed in public and private buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47471/23]

Social Welfare Code

David Stanton

75. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered increasing the current limit of €5,000 of unearned income over which a person is deemed to be a "chargeable person" and is liable to pay the PRSI charge at 4% on all their unearned income; the date when the current limit was set; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48909/23]