Parliamentary questions

School Admissions

Emer Higgins

118. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the existing capacity of second level schools in the Newcastle-Rathcoole school planning area to meet the demand for actual number of additional first year places required for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 school years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3179/24]

School Admissions

Emer Higgins

119. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the campaign by parents in Newcastle, County Dublin for the establishment of a school in their village; when the New Schools Establishment Group will next revisit the provision of an additional secondary school in the Newcastle-Rathcoole school planning area, specifically in Newcastle village; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3180/24]

Hospital Services

Emer Higgins

220. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the closure of the endoscopy unit in Connolly Hospital and the postponement of the BowelScreen Programme; if his Department plans to mitigate the growing waiting lists as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3327/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Emer Higgins

231. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on the situation confronting gardaí enlisted post-1995 who are required to retire at age 60 years but are ineligible for their full pension until 66 years of age; what measures are in place to bridge this pension gap, which compels numerous retired Garda members to depend on social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2935/24]

School Facilities

Emer Higgins

301. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education to reassess a school's application (details supplied) for a weather porch at their front door, given a senior architect from the buildings unit recently confirmed that the lack of weather porch and heavy front doors is an issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2933/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Emer Higgins

224. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of women who have been affected by the change from the old 'W' PPS to a new PPS format; and the steps her Department has taken to ensure these women, particularly older adults, are notified and assisted during this transition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2156/24]

Health Promotion

Emer Higgins

314. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the actions that are being taken to ensure public awareness and accessibility of vitamin D supplements in accordance with new recommendations issued by the Department of Health, regarding the extended use of vitamin D supplements by children and adults throughout the winter season up to St. Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2264/24]

Departmental Schemes

Emer Higgins

78. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for a breakdown of the property upgrades completed through the warmer homes scheme over the course of 2023, by local authority area. [56824/23]

Tax Rebates

Emer Higgins

324. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide clarification where in the Revenue Commissioners guidance it is stated that uploading health receipts is a prerequisite for availing of a tax reclaim for gluten free foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56774/23]

Tax Rebates

Emer Higgins

325. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide clarification on whether a receipt must specifically state ‘gluten-free’ to claim for gluten-free foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56775/23]

Tax Code

Emer Higgins

342. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance to provide details of the amount of money claimed by the agricultural sector in VAT 58 reclaims annually for the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1051/24]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

512. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education further Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 30 November 2023, for an outline of and update on the smaller student accommodation projects which are at various stages of planning and delivery throughout Dublin mid-west. [56825/23]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

537. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education to outline capital investments in Clondalkin and Lucan during 2023, by school. [57201/23]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

538. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and post-primary schools, by name and locality in an area (details supplied), that have been approved for delivery and construction; the stage of the planning process each is currently at, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57202/23]

Housing Provision

Emer Higgins

746. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new homes delivered in 2023; and the breakdown in terms of cost rental, social, affordable, build to rent apartments and private homes. [56605/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Emer Higgins

883. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider launching an awareness campaign for the household benefit package targeted towards persons over 70 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56760/23]

Family Reunification

Emer Higgins

1092. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if the income requirement of €40,000 for family reunification will be reviewed to allow individuals in full-time employment within the State to reunite with their immediate family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1362/24]

Pension Provisions

Emer Higgins

1347. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to increase the pension contributions or pay increases per child for foster carers who are unable to take up other employment due to their role as a foster carer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56761/23]

Primary Care Centres

Emer Higgins

1454. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that an existing premises (details supplied) which is planned to be adapted for use as a primary care centre is sufficient in size to provide adequate range and level of services for the large population area it is meant to serve. [56820/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Emer Higgins

1554. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health to provide details on a proposed health centre (details supplied). [56822/23]