Parliamentary questions

Diplomatic Representation

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the dates in 2023 and to-date in 2024 on which he or his officials spoke with the Irish Consul General in Sydney, in tabular form. [6157/24]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the chairperson position in the Arts Council will be filled; and the length of time this position has been vacant for. [6160/24]

Tourism Industry

Darren O'Rourke

364. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will attend the next EU tourism ministers meeting. [6161/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

431. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of WTE accountants working in her Department in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [6154/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appeals received by the social welfare appeals office, per month in 2023, in tabular form. [6155/24]

Departmental Staff

Darren O'Rourke

461. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the citizenship division of her Department as of 6 February 2024; the number of vacancies within this division, by grade; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. . [6152/24]

Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

567. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of electroencephalographic machines in use currently at the Mater Hospital. [6158/24]

Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

568. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE staff members required to sufficiently staff an ophthalmology department within model 4 Hospitals. [6159/24]

Mental Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

569. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to CAMHS as a percentage of the health budget for each of the years 2021 to 2024, in tabular form. [6162/24]

Mental Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

570. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to CAMHS as a percentage of the health budget for each of the years 2021 to 2024, in tabular form. [6163/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; the proportion that are complete and the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5668/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

33. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial stock as outlined in the climate action plan; the progress on the commercial built action roadmap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5667/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform about delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan 2021; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5679/24]

National Development Plan

Darren O'Rourke

106. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform about the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider outlining the renewable electricity support scheme and offshore renewable electricity support scheme auctions to take place between now and 2030; the dates they will take place; how they will be sequenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5809/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the progress of the designated maritime area plans for offshore wind to date; if there are plans for a designated maritime area plan for the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5811/24]

Wind Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the means through which designated maritime area plans are being identified; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5812/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the initiatives his Department is taking to increase the number of energy customers to adopt a smart tariff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5818/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he gathers data on the number of households that are on a smart tariff following completion of a retrofit as part of the SEAI’s schemes; if so, the proportion, that are on a smart tariff following a retrofit for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if measures are used to encourage households that have had a retrofit of their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5819/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023, what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; what is the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; what is the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; what is the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5909/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the work his Department is doing to ensure that Ireland will meet its 2030 target of 500,000 dwellings to B2 BER status 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5680/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5905/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

272. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that are have been completed; the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 Climate Action Plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; what measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5904/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that Ireland has dropped six places on the climate change performance and is now 43rd amongst 63 countries; to report on the factors to that contributed to Ireland falling down the list; what steps he is taking to improve Ireland's performance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the findings by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study of the warmth and wellbeing pilot scheme; if a report has been published or will be published in the future; how the finding of the study will inform the SEAI retrofitting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 168 and 169 of 25 January 2024, his views on the particular cases in questions and whether or not they are eligible payment for the microgeneration support scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/24]

Public Transport

Darren O'Rourke

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport in relation to the proposals to introduce later opening hours for pubs and clubs; what work has his Department carried out to assess the potential impact on night time transport; what plans have been put in place to address its potential impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4980/24]

Departmental Data

Darren O'Rourke

205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 687 of 17 January 2024, the funding provided per fee paying school for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; if she is aware of funding to fee-paying schools from other Government Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5470/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

549. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason care assistants working during the Covid pandemic with an organisation (details supplied) nationwide have been excluded from payment of the special recognition payment, despite doing the same work as all the other healthcare professionals who received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5465/24]

Bus Services

Darren O'Rourke

21. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the deteriorating public bus services in County Meath; the level of bus cancellations; how he plans to improve these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4448/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the Climate Action Plan for 2023 in respect of the transport sector; what actions are still outstanding from 2023; the timeline for delivery of these delayed actions; how he thinks delayed actions will impact on rising emissions in the sector; his plans to address rising emissions in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/24]

Fiscal Policy

Darren O'Rourke

99. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance about the actions outlined in Ireland’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap; the progress to date to implement same; what engagement has been carried out at EU and international levels by him and his Department as outlined in the 2023 climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/24]

European Investment Bank

Darren O'Rourke

146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date to promote opportunities for the European Investment Bank to invest in relevant climate projects in Ireland; if a working group has been established; how many times the working group has met; if will he report on these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4483/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

26. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the progress to date to consider a number of reforms to the taxation system under relevant tax heads from an environmental perspective as outlined in the climate action plan 2023; what, if any reforms have been made; what is the environmental impact of these reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4484/24]

Energy Usage

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/24]

Energy Usage

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households availing of smart tariffs in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3706/24]

Data Centres

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres currently operating. [3740/24]

Data Centres

Darren O'Rourke

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres proposed but not yet operating. [3741/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 55, 59, 60, 72, 92 and 93 of 17 January 2024, the process that is followed if the post BER rating of a retrofit completed remains the same or is downgraded; if there is an established procedure to follow up with the contractor and or homeowner; if there are any penalties for the contractor; if these procedures are the same across all SEAI schemes; what oversight is performed when contractors carry out a retrofit where post BER rating remains the same or is downgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3850/24]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of illegal dumping, broken down by local authority, in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3903/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 58, 59, 60, 82 and 92 of 17 January 2024, the reasons that pre-and post BER ratings of properties retrofitted as part of the SEAI’s warmer homers scheme are not available for thousands of properties; the steps he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3904/24]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what assessments are carried out to assess BER rating pre and post-retrofit across SEAI schemes; if these are standardised across all schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/24]

Waste Management

Darren O'Rourke

156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what proportion of households have their waste collected, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3911/24]

Illegal Dumping

Darren O'Rourke

157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of illegal dumping in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, broken down by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3912/24]

Departmental Policies

Darren O'Rourke

241. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the 'right to repair' measures as set out in the European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan; if his Department will implement any of the proposals contained within; what is the progress to establish right to repair measures in Ireland; what preparations his Department is making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3843/24]

Climate Change Policy

Darren O'Rourke

44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made to scale up climate financing through existing channels; what new funding initiatives are planned and/ or underway; what plans there are to enhance reporting on the gender responsiveness of Ireland's climate financing; if official 2023 figures have been submitted to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3343/24]

Recycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the deposit return scheme; what measures he has taken to ensure that the retail sector is sufficiently prepared; what measures he is taking to ensure that the scheme is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

126. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of growing concerns of industry that Ireland’s renewable energy targets are unlikely to be achieved; what measures he is taking to address the identified key barriers to progress; if he is aware of the recent report from the European Commission that Ireland’s share of energy consumption from renewables is the lowest level in the EU 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/24]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the small-scale renewable support scheme; what additional supports are available to renewable energy communities; what measures his Department is taking to address the difficulties that renewable energy communities are facing including connecting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3413/24]

Departmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications about the microgeneration scheme, and if he is aware of concerns of some customers that they will have to wait until at least 2025 to participate despite already having the investment. [3515/24]