Parliamentary questions

Schools Building Projects

Ged Nash

234. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education for an update on progress and a timeline for the development of a permanent school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50732/23]

Departmental Policies

Ged Nash

236. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education how individuals can avail of the additional supports announced by her Department on 27 June 2023 for survivors of abuse in industrial schools, reformatories and related institutions, in areas including health, advocacy and education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50737/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Ged Nash

350. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on policy matters raised by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51109/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Ged Nash

580. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will provide a date for a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51108/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Ged Nash

248. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an urgent hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50449/23]

EU Funding

Ged Nash

131. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance to outline how much Ireland received under the SURE EU programme; to confirm how these funds were used; what auditing was required under the EU facility; how the funds were accounted for in the GGB; what the repayment schedule for the loans are; what the interest rate is on the repayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49847/23]

National Educational Psychological Service

Ged Nash

196. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when the child of a person in Meath (details supplied) will get an appointment for a NEPS assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49463/23]

Disability Services

Ged Nash

415. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when transport will be provided to a person in Drogheda (details supplied) to attend much-needed disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49368/23]

Departmental Funding

Ged Nash

505. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 14 February 2023, if he will confirm when the promised resource for the Drogheda area, by way of provision for a full-time staff post on the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement (DRIVE) programme, as provided for in Budget 2023, will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49456/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ged Nash

28. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in regard to the low emission vehicle toll incentive scheme; if he agrees that apparent uncertainty over the future of the scheme could act as a disincentive to the purchase of EVs; if he will put the scheme on a more permanent footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49000/23]

Weather Events

Ged Nash

287. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if Louth County Council has made a request to his Department to provide the local authority with financial assistance to undertake repairs to roads in the north Louth area as a result of recent serious flooding incidents; if so, what level of financial support his Department will provide to the council in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48767/23]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

319. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the banking review; if has considered the merits of establishing a review group to oversee the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47856/23]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

328. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied); if his officials briefed him and-or his immediate predecessor on reported claims made by the senior official; when was he briefed by officials on these concerns; what action he took to address these concerns; if he plans to address these issues by means of amending legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48368/23]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

329. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance to confirm how many enforcement actions the Central Bank has taken against Russian individuals or entities who are on the EU sanctions list since the current sanctions regime became operational in 2022, and who have a presence in the Irish financial services system vis a vis ‘Section 110’ Special Purpose Vehicles; how many live investigations are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48377/23]

Redundancy Payments

Ged Nash

397. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times his Department, under the Protection of Employment Act 1977 (as amended), has been notified to date in 2023 of a collective redundancy situation; to supply a list of companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47854/23]

Redundancy Payments

Ged Nash

398. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is satisfied that the current round of redundancies undertaken by Google does not fall under a collective redundancy situation; and to outline what steps his Department has made to ascertain the number of redundancies taking place currently in Google; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47855/23]

Business Supports

Ged Nash

424. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider, given the frequency of flooding events, putting a form of the emergency business flooding support scheme and the enhanced scheme on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48769/23]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

658. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48146/23]

Weather Events

Ged Nash

687. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what additional supports his Department is making available to Louth County Council in relation to the clean-up operation after the recent flooding events in north Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48768/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ged Nash

999. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of how many qualifying organisations applied for the recent 'Scheme A: Supporting Community Services for LGBTI+ Persons' funding open call; the names of those qualifying organisations; how many were successful in receiving 100% of funding requested and the names of those organisations; how many were successful in receiving 80% to 90%, 70% to 80%, 60% to 70%, 50% to 60%, and 1% to 50% of funding requested and the names of those organisations; how many were unsuccessful in receiving any amount and the name of those organisations, for this year and the previous three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47714/23]

Health Service Executive

Ged Nash

1013. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the HSE will provide the assessments and services required to an individual (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47946/23]

Departmental Funding

Ged Nash

1016. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) has not been granted; if this matter can and will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/23]

Childcare Services

Ged Nash

1071. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify the position as it relates to the accounting and financial reporting requirements placed on private childcare providers accessing support through his Department's core funding scheme as detailed in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48499/23]

Health Service Executive

Ged Nash

1201. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on access to green space (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47950/23]

Hospital Facilities

Ged Nash

1367. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health for an update on the additional units being built at St. Mary's hospital, Drogheda; when the units will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48807/23]

Estimates Publication

Ged Nash

2. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will publish the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47188/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Ged Nash

140. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to review the medical criteria for the provision of a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47080/23]

Public Sector Pay

Ged Nash

158. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proposed funding allocation for potential pay increases across the public service in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47199/23]

Flood Risk Management

Ged Nash

159. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the flood relief work planned by the OPW in the Bettystown and Mornington areas of County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47200/23]

Defective Building Materials

Ged Nash

202. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a matter (details supplied); if he will advise on access to financial support to the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47171/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ged Nash

99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 19 October 2023, if she will supply the complete terms of reference provided to the working group in question, as requested; the dates of all meetings of the group, whether virtual or in-person, since the group was established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46985/23]

Mining Industry

Ged Nash

134. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will agree to the temporary warehousing of royalties from 2022 on the activities of a company (details supplied) in an effort to assist the company and the return of workers to the operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46407/23]

Exploration Industry

Ged Nash

135. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason for the delay in the renewal of the drilling licence for an area of the operation of a company (details supplied); when a decision will be made on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46408/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

190. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayer units who may have either underpayments or overpayments for the 2021 and 2022 tax years, respectively, and who have not yet submitted a tax return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46222/23]

Housing Policy

Ged Nash

206. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a policy change to Government’s various assistance schemes for first-time buyers based on a policy matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46682/23]

Disadvantaged Status

Ged Nash

245. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) has not been designated as a DEIS school; if her Department will designate additional schools in the DEIS category this year based on most recent census data; when the next review will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46069/23]

State Examinations

Ged Nash

301. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the reason candidates who sat the L2LP Junior Cert Programme will receive their certificates later than those who sat the Junior Certificate; when candidates and/or parents and guardians were informed that this would be the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46640/23]

Housing Policy

Ged Nash

346. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a policy change to Government’s various assistance schemes for first-time buyers based on a policy matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46681/23]

School Accommodation

Ged Nash

194. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will receive an update and approval to proceed to the next stage on a matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45925/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ged Nash

203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the terms of reference for the working group charged with developing policy on students who are exceptionally able or gifted; the membership of the working group; if she agrees that parents or guardians of students who are exceptionally able or gifted ought to be represented on the group; when the group will report to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46034/23]

Housing Schemes

Ged Nash

225. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received by his Department to date for the vacant property refurbishment grant; the number of applications awarded to date broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45937/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Ged Nash

236. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason recipients of the partial capacity benefit will not receive a once-off lump sum payment; if she will review this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45971/23]

School Transport

Ged Nash

145. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when an application for a change in the nature of the school transport provision will be made for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45448/23]

Tax Reliefs

Ged Nash

168. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if tracker and variable rate mortgage holders who benefit from the rent-a-room scheme in respect of their principal private residence will be able to access the proposed new mortgage interest relief scheme announced in Budget 2024, provided they meet the criteria as outlined by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45257/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Ged Nash

188. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Code of Practice on the right to request remote work will be in place; if it will be in place before the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44635/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Ged Nash

206. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will seek and provide an update from the WRC as to the expected timeline on production of a code of practice on the “Right to Request Remote Working”, for which public consultation closed in early June 2023; when legislation will be progressed following the production of the code of practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45226/23]

Labour Market

Ged Nash

4. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he plans to expand the critical skills occupations list to address skills and labour shortages in the construction industry, especially in view of demand in the area of residential construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44370/23]

Corporate Governance

Ged Nash

56. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, as reported in May 2023 (details supplied), he plans to further examine if new reporting mechanisms are required for companies such as supermarket chains that would oblige them to provide details on their margins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44372/23]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

98. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for the full transposition of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages; if he will provide an update on the work of his Department in developing, with the relevant LEEF sub-committee, the Action Plan to be presented to the European Commission no later than November 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44371/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

96. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline, in view of the Low Pay Commission's recommendation that the hourly rate of the national minimum wage should rise to €12.70 in 2024, the estimated full-year cost of adjusting USC rates to avoid a cliff edge for full-time workers on the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43507/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

120. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a change of approach by the Revenue Commissioners to the tax affairs of general practitioners who hold general medical services contracts with the HSE, specifically those who operate within a partnership structure, as is common practice (details supplied); his views on whether the position should be reconsidered, as outlined in the correspondence provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43916/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

123. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is reviewing the position as regards the exit tax applicable to life insurance investment arrangements in the context of the forthcoming Finance Bill; his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43970/23]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

137. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of inconsistencies occurring on the migration of debt management practices from the Credit Bureau to the Credit Central Register (CCR), and current operational practices by some financial institutions with respect to statute barred loan defaults and the CCR (details supplied); if his Department has raised this issue with the CCR/Central Bank; if he and the CCR intend to remedy the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44051/23]

Schools Refurbishment

Ged Nash

232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of necessary alterations needed in relation to the construction of a school (details supplied); if she can confirm receipt of correspondence regarding same; if she can detail the process her Department will make to address these needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44061/23]

Low Pay Commission

Ged Nash

318. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline, in view of the Low Pay Commission's recommendation that the hourly rate of the national minimum wage should rise to €12.70 in 2024, the estimated full-year cost of adjusting PRSI rates to avoid a cliff edge for full-time workers on the national minimum wage and employers in terms of any impact on them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43508/23]

Legal Aid

Ged Nash

364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice her views on a matter (details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43802/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

79. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the low numbers who pay the domicile levy; if he plans to reform the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43387/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

96. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance to report on any work his Department has undertaken to advance the recommendations contained in the Commission on Taxation and Welfare's report on capital taxes; if he agrees that the balance between income and capital taxes needs to change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43053/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

150. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the low number of individuals who pay the domicile levy; if he has any plans to reform the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43054/23]

Archaeological Sites

Ged Nash

267. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his view on a matter raised in relation to Newgrange and related matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43259/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

320. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to confirm if an employer (details supplied) was approved for the pandemic recognition payment; if so, whether payment has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43193/23]

Legislative Measures

Ged Nash

238. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance when he hopes to commence the provisions in the 2022 Finance Act in relation to the key employee engagement programme; the nature of any conversations he is having with the European Commission on this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42246/23]

Budget 2024

Ged Nash

250. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the full-year cost to the Exchequer of increasing the pension fund threshold from €2 million to €2.4 million; if he is considering any adjustments to the threshold for Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42448/23]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

254. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance when the Central Bank plans to introduce a regulatory regime to govern the independent operators of ATMs, as recommended by the Retail Banking Review; if his Department has raised this issue with the Central Bank in 2023; if he is concerned at reports that the operators may consider introducing charges on transactions prior to any new regulatory framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42495/23]

Disability Services

Ged Nash

580. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has succeeded in recruiting a psychiatrist with responsibility for treating and supporting children with autism or intellectual disabilities in the Louth and Meath area at any point in 2023; if so, if the person in question is still in post; if not, when the specialist in question stood down, and for what reasons; how many children the psychiatrist saw during their tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42216/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Ged Nash

725. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to respond to correspondence mailed to his office (details supplied) on a policy matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42715/23]

Energy Policy

Ged Nash

45. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yield respectively in 2022 and 2023 from the temporary solidarity contribution on fossil fuel production and oil refining sectors; if he will outline the formula applied for determining the amount; what the projected estimates provided to him by officials in his Department for the amount to be raised were; when the last estimate was made; what the additional revenue would be if extended to end of 2023 and 2024 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41837/23]

Electricity Generation

Ged Nash

46. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected yield respectively in 2022 and 2023 from the price cap on non-gas electricity generators; if he will outline the formula applied for determining the amount; what the projected estimates provided to him by officials in his Department for the amount to be raised were; when the last estimate was made; what the additional revenue would be if extended to end of 2023, and 2024 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

63. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by the domicile levy for the past three years, in tabular form; the estimated revenue that would be raised from doubling the domicile levy from €200,000 to €400,000 under the existing criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41758/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

64. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the numbers of individuals subject to the domicile levy in 2021, 2022 and 2023; if he is considering any reforms in the structure and implementation of the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41759/23]

Energy Policy

Ged Nash

66. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if the yield from the two measures targeted at windfall gains in the energy sector has been included in the Budget exchequer revenue figures for 2024; if not what the projected yield his Department expects to receive, and if not accounted for in 2024, he will confirm if it is included in Exchequer accounts for 2022 or 2023; what the estimated amount in each year is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41839/23]

School Transport

Ged Nash

82. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on a school transport access case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41851/23]

Social Insurance

Ged Nash

388. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the projected yield in 2024 from increasing the employers' PRSI rate of 11.05% by 1%, and what the full year yield in 2025 would be; how many people would be impacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41538/23]

Legal Aid

Ged Nash

394. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to address the serious issues raised by the Bar Council on the need for fees paid to barristers practising criminal law in respect of the legal aid scheme to be increased in the context of cuts to the fees schedule which were first introduced in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41204/23]

Visa Applications

Ged Nash

430. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application by a person (details supplied) for a de facto visa; to provide, if possible, an indication of when a decision might be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41658/23]

Health Services

Ged Nash

581. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is planning to increase investment and promotion of menopause services in Louth; if the HSE will consider the creation of a new complex menopause clinic at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41478/23]

State Properties

Ged Nash

178. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to a campaign to secure a home (details supplied) for cultural use; if her Department has been contacted with a view to the State or agencies of the State purchasing the home; if she will consider supporting the objective of purchasing the home and putting the property to appropriate cultural use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40844/23]

Transfer of Undertakings

Ged Nash

101. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and/or agencies under the aegis of his Department have ensured that EU transfer of undertakings (TUPE) requirements will be applied in full by the new operator of the search-and-rescue helicopter contract as it relates to employees of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40062/23]

Central Statistics Office

Ged Nash

10. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach to confirm if the CSO is considering switching to a different way of measuring Ireland's economic performance and industrial output (details supplied); if so, what techniques will be used; when any change will be introduced; and if a request for such a change has been made by Eurostat. [38360/23]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

437. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance whether he issued any instructions or gave any directions to the special liquidator of IBRC, pursuant to section 9 of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013 or otherwise, relating to legal proceedings taken against a company (details supplied) arising from its previous role as auditor of Anglo Irish Bank; if so, to outline the nature of those instructions or directions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37530/23]

National Archives

Ged Nash

438. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if the file relating to a matter (details supplied) has been provided to the National Archives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37662/23]

Third Level Costs

Ged Nash

2050. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to reduce the substantial financial burden on graduate entry medical students as part of his proposals in the context of budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37823/23]

Mining Industry

Ged Nash

75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the calls by the group of unions at a mine (details supplied) for a review of the annual royalties regime as it relates to production; if he is prepared to review and consider a temporary suspension or postponement as a means to support the early return to production at the mine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36009/23]

Mining Industry

Ged Nash

76. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if as Minister with responsibility for minerals policy he will meet trade unions that represent the workers at a mine (details supplied) about the future of the mine and related matters; if his Department will engage with the unions and other relevant departments and agencies on the proposition of a taskforce to consider the future of the mine and with a focus on 'Tara Deep'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36010/23]

Mining Industry

Ged Nash

77. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of correspondence between an individual representing an important sectoral interest (details supplied) which raises important matters in relation to a company and his Department's function in respect of minerals policy; if his officials will engage more formally with the body on the issues laid out in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36011/23]

Road Projects

Ged Nash

192. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the current status of funding for the Ardee by-pass; his views on whether the development of the planned by-pass would allow the centre of Ardee to become a more liveable and healthier place from the point of view of a reduction in air pollution in a built-up area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35720/23]

Road Projects

Ged Nash

200. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport when his Department plans to approve Meath County Council to move to the next stage of the proposed Julianstown traffic relief by-pass scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35816/23]

Road Tolls

Ged Nash

216. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will establish through TII and a company (details supplied) the amount of revenue generated by the town tolls on the Donore Road, Drogheda, in 2021 and 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36137/23]

Departmental Legal Cases

Ged Nash

289. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money a firm (details supplied) has agreed to pay in relation to the settlement of a case; the total cost to the State of litigating the case in question since 2012; if the settlement included a contribution to the State’s legal costs; if so, if he will provide details in monetary and/or percentage terms of the proportion of the settlement that covered such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35814/23]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

310. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of an anomaly in the application of the zero VAT rate on books and e-books that exempts popular online audiobook platforms (details supplied) which are judged to be providing a digital service and are therefore obliged to charge VAT; if he will address this anomaly that unfairly discriminates against those with visual impairments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36145/23]

Office of Public Works

Ged Nash

348. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide mapping details and a report detailing the state of completion of works undertaken as a result of a €22,500 grant the OPW provided to Meath County Council in 2011 which was designed to remove and relocate existing pipes and ancillary works at Eastham Stream, Bettystown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35817/23]

Job Creation

Ged Nash

369. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new net jobs created in IDA-client companies (broken down by client company name), in County Louth, in tabular form, for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35630/23]

Job Creation

Ged Nash

370. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of new net jobs created in Enterprise Ireland-client client companies (broken down by client company name), in County Louth, in tabular form, for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35631/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Ged Nash

390. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); if he and his officials plan to engage further with the organisation on the matters raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36458/23]

Ukraine War

Ged Nash

403. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is concerned at reports (details supplied) of Irish manufactured components having found their way into armaments used by the Russian military; if he will describe the nature and scope of the investigation referred to by the Taoiseach on his recent visit to Kyiv; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/23]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

404. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in view of the European Commission's announcement of 13 July 2023 that it is to send Ireland a reasoned opinion for the failure to fully transpose the Representative Actions Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/1828) by the agreed deadline of 25 December 2022, when he expects the Government to fully comply with its obligations in respect of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36864/23]

Planning Issues

Ged Nash

560. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request from An Bord Pleanála details of the current waiting times for decisions; if he will provide information on the average waiting time for decisions in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35641/23]

Planning Issues

Ged Nash

561. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has asked An Bord Pleanála to develop a system whereby those who are awaiting a decision will be provided with a number in a queue in order that applicants and appeal parties can have information and updates as to when a decision on their file may be made; if an online and accessible system is under consideration; if An Bord Pleanála plans to initiate communication with all individuals who currently have an application awaiting decision in order to provide an estimate as to when their case will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35642/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Ged Nash

686. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will sanction the employment of an assistant supervisor for a community employment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35843/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Ged Nash

703. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider providing for the extension of the free travel scheme to a category of individuals (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36151/23]