Parliamentary questions

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

135. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent phone conversation with the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32849/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

159. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent conversation with EU Commission Vice-President; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32850/22]

Taxi Licences

Neale Richmond

187. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he believes that age limits on taxi licences should be extended to keep more drivers in the industry; if he intends to extend these age limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33489/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

190. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views that the gap between the exit tax of 41% and the capital gains tax of 33% with an inclusion of a €1,250 exemption is to be maintained; his further views that the 41% rate of exit tax should be lowered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33292/22]

Pension Provisions

Neale Richmond

362. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues regarding former RTE staff and access to pensions; if she has met the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33359/22]

Pension Provisions

Neale Richmond

363. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update into the ongoing issues with RTE pensions and the lack of increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33360/22]

Family Support Services

Neale Richmond

374. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the roll-out of the baby bundle scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/22]

Family Support Services

Neale Richmond

375. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national roll-out of the baby bundle will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33366/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

421. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will consider adding spinal muscular atrophy to the new-born heel prick test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33363/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

423. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in relation to an additional palliative care bed for a care centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

20. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to view separated and divorced persons as first-time buyers for the help to buy scheme even if they have previously owned a home as is the case for the local authority schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32883/22]

Office of Public Works

Neale Richmond

25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the OPW intends to provide comments back to Dublin City Council on the preliminary contract documents that have been furnished to it in respect of phase 2 of the flood relief works which goes from north of Sandymount Strand to Sean Moore Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32864/22]

Residency Permits

Neale Richmond

157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that non-European Union citizens must apply online for Irish Residence Permit cards and the process takes nine to ten weeks whereas pre-Covid this could be carried out in the Garda National Immigration Bureau Office in a matter of hours; if she will take steps to allow for in-person applications to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32917/22]

Residency Permits

Neale Richmond

158. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will establish a helpline through which non-EU citizens can receive updates on their Irish Residence Permit card applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32985/22]

Medical Qualifications

Neale Richmond

171. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many qualified nurses living in Ireland who received their qualifications in Australia but they are not recognised in Ireland; if he will take steps to recognise these qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32865/22]

Sports Funding

Neale Richmond

48. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to provide additional supports to assist local authorities to meet demand for playing pitches in their areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32413/22]

Sports Funding

Neale Richmond

66. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will conduct a review into sports capital grants; if she will outline her future plans for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32412/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Neale Richmond

39. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the measures that he believes are contributing to the decrease in consumer spending to date in 2022; the steps that he will take to address this and the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31067/22]

Financial Services

Neale Richmond

64. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the steps that he is taking to increase the diversity of the workforce in the financial services sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31068/22]

Tax Yield

Neale Richmond

85. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the tax revenues to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31019/22]

Job Creation

Neale Richmond

190. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance when he expects that Ireland will reach full employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25203/22]

Foreign Birth Registration

Neale Richmond

127. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on an application to the foreign births register (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31290/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

3. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine. [30513/22]

National Car Test

Neale Richmond

74. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to address the backlog of NCT tests and the long wait time for appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/22]

Taxi Licences

Neale Richmond

128. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to increase the numbers of taxis in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30510/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

166. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will ensure that businesses that infer that they are based in Ireland with a .ie web domain do not leave customers with customs and VAT charges post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29026/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

182. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are available for retail businesses that require financial support and assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30110/22]

Trade Relations

Neale Richmond

183. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline Ireland’s major trade destinations from 2015 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30418/22]

Trade Relations

Neale Richmond

184. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline the impact that the Northern Ireland Protocol has had on Ireland’s trade destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30419/22]

Work Permits

Neale Richmond

185. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that he is taking to ensure that work permits are accessible in order to combat staff shortages in the homecare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30420/22]

Trade Missions

Neale Richmond

186. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a report on the trade missions that he has embarked on to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30421/22]

Energy Usage

Neale Richmond

234. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to apartment blocks such as apartments (details supplied) in County Dublin being forced to utilise an energy provider such as one that charges rates much higher than those on the general market; the steps that can be taken to ensure that these residents will be able to choose their own energy provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30085/22]

Airport Policy

Neale Richmond

257. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the possibility that taxi drivers will be refused applications for Dublin Airport taxi permits if their vehicles are not wheelchair-accessible; if exceptions can be made for vehicles which are not adaptable in this manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29001/22]

National Car Test

Neale Richmond

297. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that can be taken to ensure that a car can receive an NCT in advance of its current expiration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30151/22]

National Car Test

Neale Richmond

298. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that are being taken to ensure that there are sufficient NCT appointments to cope with demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30152/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

307. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting list for driving tests in each centre across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30431/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

308. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting list for the driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30432/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

309. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting list for motorbike practical tests in each centre across Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30433/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

310. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to reduce the waiting list for driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30434/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

311. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to reduce the waiting list for driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30435/22]

Driver Test

Neale Richmond

312. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to reduce the waiting list for motorbike practical tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30436/22]

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

339. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps he will take to ensure that all apartment and homeowners can install electric vehicle charging points in their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27631/22]

Airport Policy

Neale Richmond

340. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Dublin Airport has significantly increased the prices of their car park offerings for the summer period; his views that this is suitable given the lack of parking options at the airport; if he has engaged with Dublin Airport on this; the steps he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30776/22]

Tax Exemptions

Neale Richmond

403. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making tips received in hospitality tax-free in advance of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30427/22]

Official Engagements

Neale Richmond

404. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his recent meeting with United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30428/22]

Insurance Industry

Neale Richmond

405. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the steps that he is taking to reduce the costs of insurance to childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30429/22]

Insurance Industry

Neale Richmond

406. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the steps that he is taking to reduce the costs of car insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30430/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

408. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the OECD proposals relating to corporation tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30563/22]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Neale Richmond

409. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the status of his work as president of the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30564/22]

Official Engagements

Neale Richmond

818. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30438/22]

Official Engagements

Neale Richmond

819. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his meeting with Sweden’s Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30440/22]

Departmental Strategies

Neale Richmond

820. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s Africa Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30441/22]

Official Engagements

Neale Richmond

821. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the United States Congressional visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30442/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

822. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Communicating Europe Initiative scheme; the amount of funding that has been allocated to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30443/22]

EU Meetings

Neale Richmond

823. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30444/22]

Passport Services

Neale Richmond

828. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff in his Department who have been allocated to the passport section; the number of staff allocated to the Passport Office in each of the years since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30561/22]

Foreign Birth Registration

Neale Richmond

829. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current waiting time for applications to the foreign births register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30562/22]

Foreign Policy

Neale Richmond

890. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his reaction to recent reports highlighting levels of acute hunger and food insecurity throughout Africa and the Middle East; the status of the low level of current funding towards United Nations humanitarian appeals for these regions; his views on whether the Annual Meeting on the Grand Bargain on 30 June 2022 as an opportunity for Ireland to rally its partners to pledge real aid to this situation of utmost urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30931/22]

Foreign Policy

Neale Richmond

891. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans that Ireland has in the context of food insecurity in Syria that may be exacerbated by the political and economic effects of the Ukrainian crisis in the event that humanitarian access to Syria from Turkey becomes blocked and its partners have to address this crisis at political and humanitarian levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30932/22]

Departmental Meetings

Neale Richmond

924. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his meeting with Finland’s Defence Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30439/22]

School Enrolments

Neale Richmond

998. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the planned location of a school (details supplied); if she recognises the stress and concerns that this is causing among parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29929/22]

School Enrolments

Neale Richmond

999. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the rationale behind the decision to move the location of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29930/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

1008. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will move to its permanent site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30018/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

1009. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when her Department expects to apply for planning permission for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30019/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

1010. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education when she expects work to begin on a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30020/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

1022. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of special educational needs provision for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30204/22]

Site Acquisitions

Neale Richmond

1035. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30422/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

1036. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30423/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

1037. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the results date for the leaving certificate examination in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30424/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1038. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the number of Ukrainian refugees who have enrolled in primary school across Ireland, per county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30425/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1039. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the number of Ukrainian refugees who have enrolled in secondary schools across Ireland, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30426/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1139. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainian refugees who have been issued with PPS numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30554/22]

Arts Policy

Neale Richmond

1140. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on her Department's involvement in the basic income for the arts pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30555/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1141. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that she is taking to ensure that Ukrainian refugees have access to social protection supports upon their arrival in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30556/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1142. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainian refugees who have availed of rent supplement by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30557/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1162. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of all refugees that have been granted asylum in Ireland including their country of origin from 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30661/22]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Neale Richmond

1188. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a system is in place whereby Ukrainian refugees currently in accommodation in one part of the country can be rehomed in another part following a successful job offer to facilitate their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30028/22]

Direct Provision System

Neale Richmond

1194. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to ensure that all persons within the direct provision system are treated with dignity and respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30150/22]

Departmental Programmes

Neale Richmond

1199. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the baby box programme as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30414/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

1200. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to ensure that childcare is affordable and accessible for all parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30415/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

1201. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to minimise staff turnover in the childcare industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30416/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

1202. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to ensure pay and conditions for staff in the childcare industry are sufficient to incentivise people into the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/22]

Social Welfare Rates

Neale Richmond

1203. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration has been given to increasing the foster care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

1267. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure that there are sufficient places in third-level education given points inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30445/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

1268. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure that students are safe and protected from assault in third-level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30446/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

1269. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure that third-level students have access to adequate mental health supports in their-third level institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30447/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1270. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Ukrainian refugees who have enrolled in third-level education institutions across Ireland, by institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30448/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

1271. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to ensure that students in Northern Ireland retain their access to the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30449/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

1364. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been awarded Irish citizenship and their country of origin from 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30662/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

1698. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if there is a system whereby Ukrainian refugees in Ireland that are qualified in areas such as psychology can help in the settlement of their fellow refugees through the provision of therapy in both English and Ukrainian; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30027/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

1808. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the shortages of hormone replacement therapy; when the issue will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/22]

Home Help Service

Neale Richmond

1809. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure there are adequate numbers of home help carers to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30411/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

1810. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to ensure that early intervention services for autism are accessed as soon as possible for those referred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30412/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

1811. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the current average waiting times for access to early intervention autism services for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30413/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

68. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with childcare providers to discuss their concerns regarding the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27629/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

81. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to provide accommodation for the Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/22]

Electricity Transmission Network

Neale Richmond

111. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Celtic Interconnector project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27632/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

158. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a SME test has or will be conducted on the proposed ban on the use of single-use cups when dining in cafés, as proposed in the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28653/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

159. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a SME test will be conducted on the proposed single-use cold cup levy, as proposed in the Circular Economy Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28655/22]

Energy Prices

Neale Richmond

166. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the VAT reduction as of 1 May 2022 many ESB customers are not receiving the full €200 electricity bill credit but €192.08; if he will take steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28619/22]