Parliamentary questions

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the December European Union Council meeting. [2805/24]

School Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for allocating school buses to schools or to areas within the greater Dublin area. [3120/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will lift the mandatory 90-day period for being declared homeless for HAP tenants if the tenant finds a property before the 90 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

193. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the worsening humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, the alarming rate of conflict-related injury and illness affecting children there, the rate at which children are made orphans there, the destruction of Gazan hospitals, and the severe pressures on hospitals in the wider region, he is aware of calls to host Palestinian orphans in severe need of medical care in Ireland; if he is aware of pledges by the United Arab Emirates to evacuate up to 1,000 injured children from Gaza for treatment in hospitals in the UAE; if he is aware of the evacuation of dozens of displaced patients from Gaza to Turkey for treatment; if he is aware of any other medical evacuations of displaced Palestinians to other states; to look into undertaking a similar effort in Ireland; to outline what avenues humanitarians in the region could pursue to see sick and injured orphans from Gaza treated in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3152/24]

Economic Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his Department’s new publication entitled Government Response to Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2023. [53909/23]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

112. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports that a number of Irish citizens are serving in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), in light of Government statements that Israeli actions in Gaza may amount to war crimes, in light of the proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice under the Genocide Convention, in light of Ireland’s obligations as a signatory to the latter to take measures both to prevent and to punish the crime of genocide, including by punishing perpetrators, including private individuals, and in light of domestic legislation such as the Genocide Act 1973; his views on whether these individuals serving in the IDF may be in breach of Irish law; if he intends to publicly advise those eligible to serve in the IDF against doing so; his further views on whether it is appropriate for Irish citizens to serve in foreign militaries, particularly where the documented conduct of these militaries might seriously conflict with international human rights law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2768/24]

Air Corps

Richard Boyd Barrett

153. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if, in light of the French and Jordanian delivery of aid to Gaza using military aircraft, and in light of the fact that it is unconfirmed whether France received permission from Israel to carry out this operation, acknowledging that the Irish Air Corps has similarly capable CASA-CN235 aircraft, and acknowledging the deployment of these aircraft by the State in relief and evacuation operations in response to crisis situations in Ukraine and Lebanon, if he intends to look into deploying Irish military aircraft in operations to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2769/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance what input his Department and the Revenue Commissioners will have in the film industry stakeholders' forum planned for early 2024, given their involvement in the film sector through Section 481; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2403/24]

Insurance Coverage

Richard Boyd Barrett

211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the practice of insurance companies refusing to provide building/property insurance to anyone with previous convictions who has an interest in a property and whether he believes this practice would make it far more difficult for ex-prisoners to find accommodation and reintegrate and if he will take action to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2576/24]

School Transport

Richard Boyd Barrett

268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to facilitate a school (details supplied) with the school bus they were promised to aid students travelling to a location from areas in the previous locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2381/24]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

318. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 5 December 2023, to provide a further progress update on the convening of the film industry stakeholder forum; how the terms of reference for the forum will be formulated; to list the categories of stakeholders that will be invited to attend; whether representatives of political parties from either Dáil Éireann or the Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee will be invited to attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2402/24]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

331. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if guardianship payments are assessable income for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2887/24]

Postal Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to consider establishing an Ombudsman for An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2185/24]

Work Permits

Richard Boyd Barrett

176. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to reconsider the refusal of a critical skills employment permit for a person (details supplied) in light of the applicant's legal residency in the country as an international protection applicant, and in light of the applicant's Irish Dental Council registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2181/24]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the guidelines set out in section 4.2.4 of the national guidelines for the assessment and allocation process for social housing provision for people with a disability, in relation to the time scale of processing applications, have a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2289/24]

Coillte Teoranta

Richard Boyd Barrett

271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the commitment to keep all Coillte lands in public ownership in the Programme for Government and the claim on Coillte's website that land is available for sale; the steps the Government has taken to ensure that Coillte land is not sold or privatised during the life of this Government. [2182/24]

Coillte Teoranta

Richard Boyd Barrett

272. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of Coillte's advertised policy on the sale and leasing of public land; how much land has been sold or leased since he became Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2183/24]

Human Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

50. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of reports of human rights abuses in Balochistan, Pakistan; if he has taken the matter up with the Government of Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1863/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to ensure Ireland’s commitments under the political declaration regarding the use of explosive weapons in populated areas are being vindicated in relation to the ongoing bombardment by Israel of Gaza, one of the most densely populated areas on earth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1901/24]

Energy Usage

Richard Boyd Barrett

124. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason people with low energy usage between July 2022 and June 2023 are being penalised by ineligibility for the electricity credit, as many of these people are on low incomes and are desperately in need of the credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1645/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Richard Boyd Barrett

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of reports that the EPA and SEAI are only including Dublin Airport’s on-site operating emissions in their reports, that this would not include emissions driven by its core business (aviation) or any associated road traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1659/24]

Financial Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

351. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance to investigate reports that performing loans with AIB are being transferred to debt collectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1155/24]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

361. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if the help-to-buy scheme will be extended to previous home owners who can demonstrate a housing need which they cannot meet for reasons of breakdown of a relationship, insolvency and so on or whether there is any other scheme available to help with a purchase deposit for this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1550/24]

Health and Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

430. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what recourse an employee has when the regulations on the right to sit in SI. No. 358/1995 are not being adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57322/23]

Departmental Policies

Richard Boyd Barrett

748. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to remedy the adverse effects made to households by vegetation from public and private lands, including the obstruction of natural light; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56639/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

815. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 6 July 2023, whether the statistical data referred to in relation to the tenant-in-situ scheme has been published yet; if not, when it will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1340/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

1093. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1371/24]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

419. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 771 of 20 September 2023, if he will now provide the details requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55895/23]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

126. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details on the targets and delivery of social and affordable housing, including targets for cost rental, LA or AHB provided affordable to buy and social, since the beginning of Housing for All and the actual delivery of each type up to end of quarter 3 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55692/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services will next meet. [55112/23]

British-Irish Co-operation

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent meeting of the British-Irish Council. [55113/23]

Climate Change Negotiations

Richard Boyd Barrett

25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at COP28. [55114/23]

Driver Licences

Richard Boyd Barrett

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to account for the length of time it takes to acquire a motorbike licence in Ireland; what he intends to do to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55064/23]

Emergency Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the sharp increase in family homelessness, and what measures he intends to take to ensure that this trend is reversed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54220/23]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the progress of the cost rental delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54223/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

45. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the HAP limits in line with rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54222/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

78. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline when he intends to bring forward the promised "first refusal" legislation with regard to the tenant in situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54219/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what measures he is going to put in place to address those families and individuals in homeless services who are above the income limits for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54221/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [53589/23]

Departmental Offices

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit in his Department. [53907/23]

National Economic and Social Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, a statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [53908/23]

Broadcasting Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government is committed to ensuring there will be no diminution in the quality and offering of public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53637/23]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the film industry stakeholder forum will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53634/23]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

92. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the film industry stakeholder forum will be instituted and who will be invited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53635/23]

Bus Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 7.45 a.m. service on the No. 7 bus from Brides Glen to the city centre is cancelled so frequently (details supplied); if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53349/23]

Childcare Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

475. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will remove the requirement for childcare providers to provide a separate set of financial records to the ones filed with the Revenue Commissioners in the core funding model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53433/23]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

204. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he believes the actions of the Israeli Government with regard to the onslaught in Gaza should be referred to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50268/23]

Official Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

216. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts he has made with the Israeli Government to end the onslaught in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50267/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) is receiving a reduced rate of social welfare of €129.70; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52213/23]

Alcohol Sales

Richard Boyd Barrett

415. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice to report on the general scheme of Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022, which seeks to reform alcohol licensing legislation in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52136/23]