Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

2. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [20611/22]

Cabinet Committees

Pádraig O'Sullivan

3. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [21795/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [21856/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cathal Crowe

5. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [22932/22]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

6. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [22942/22]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

7. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on education will next meet. [22979/22]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [20604/22]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [20607/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

10. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [21060/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cathal Crowe

11. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22933/22]

Cabinet Committees

Mick Barry

12. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22945/22]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

13. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on health will next meet. [22980/22]

Cabinet Committees

Peadar Tóibín

14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [21867/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

15. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [22895/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cathal Crowe

16. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [22934/22]

Cabinet Committees

Seán Haughey

17. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [22935/22]

Cabinet Committees

Gary Gannon

18. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Brexit and Northern Ireland will next meet. [22981/22]

Passport Services

John Brady

72. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the current situation in respect of passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23370/22]

United Nations

Peadar Tóibín

73. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost and expense of Ireland's United Nations Security Council membership broken down by expenditure in tabular form. [23346/22]

Ukraine War

John Brady

74. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the activities being undertaken by the Government on the United Nations Security Council and within the European Union in order to aid the Ukrainian people and help bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23371/22]

Passport Services

Michael Collins

75. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that are being taken to ensure first-time passports are issued within a reasonable timeframe (details supplied). [23343/22]

Ukraine War

John Brady

76. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures the international community, including Ireland, is taking to address the issue of impending food shortages as a consequence of the war in Ukraine, particularly as it affects countries in the global south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23372/22]

Overseas Development Aid

Bernard Durkan

77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland's bilateral and multilateral overseas aid programme continues to meet the needs of the people in the various locations for which it is intended, with particular reference to the need to alleviate starvation and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22908/22]

International Sanctions

Pádraig O'Sullivan

78. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if sanctions will be imposed on the Belarusian Government for its role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22870/22]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions that he has had recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about affairs in Northern Ireland; if the possibility of transferring additional powers to the Executive was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22654/22]

Trade Relations

Aindrias Moynihan

80. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has reviewed the current situation with congestion in the port of Shanghai, the implications this will have for global supply chains and ultimately its impact on the Irish economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/22]

Human Rights

John Brady

81. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the response of the Government to reports that Israeli authorities are holding 600 Palestinians without charge under what Israel terms administrative detention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22880/22]

Passport Services

John Lahart

82. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from Dublin that are currently outstanding; the planning that is being carried out to ensure that there is no repeat of the delays with applications experienced in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22893/22]

Passport Services

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

83. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of first-time passport applications in the Passport Office; the steps being taken to reduce and maintain the current wait time for first-time passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22909/22]

Passport Services

Dara Calleary

85. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications for passports from counties Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Galway and Donegal, respectively, that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/22]

Tourism Industry

Niamh Smyth

1. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline her Department’s strategy to tackle cyberbullying and harassment, particularly of children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22104/22]

Artists' Remuneration

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the changes she will make to the basic income for the arts pilot scheme to ensure that recipients of the disability pension will have their disability supports protected if successful in qualifying for the pilot; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22099/22]

Artists' Remuneration

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that she plans to support the recovery of those artists who do not receive the basic income for artists for the three years of the pilot scheme. [22466/22]

Artists' Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will work with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure that payments to artists with disabilities will be protected as the basic income for artists scheme is rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22552/22]

Arts Policy

Holly Cairns

6. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to ensure that the supports offered under the live performance support scheme 4 are being distributed as quickly as possible to prevent the permanent closure of venues. [22151/22]

Tourism Policy

Steven Matthews

7. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the Irish sea way walking trail to boost tourism along the east and south coasts as committed to in the programme for Government; the position regarding the consultation process with communities along the coastline from Carlingford Lough to Cobh; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21878/22]

Tourism Promotion

Steven Matthews

8. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to promote slow tourism through sail-rail-trail sustainable tourism offerings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21879/22]

Tourism Industry

Dara Calleary

9. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her strategy to support building the capability of employees to help businesses to bridge the skills gaps they are experiencing and to drive greater employee retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22101/22]

Tourism Funding

John Lahart

10. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proportion of the annual tourism budget which is spent on research and development of the tourism product; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22112/22]

Tourism Industry

Christopher O'Sullivan

11. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline her strategy to provide support to the tourism sector to address the immediate labour and skills supply challenges which will be critical to the short-term recovery of the sector including staff retention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22108/22]

Departmental Reports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

12. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the Future of the Media Commission report, including when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22117/22]

Regulatory Bodies

James O'Connor

13. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the establishment of the media commission, including recruitment of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22110/22]

Swimming Pools

David Stanton

14. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department supports public swimming pools in order to assist them in remaining financially viable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22089/22]

Swimming Pools

Neale Richmond

15. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to develop and support local swimming pools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22138/22]

Tourism Industry

Bernard Durkan

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she can assist the hospitality and tourism sector towards full economic recovery in the wake of Covid-19 with particular reference to the utilisation of particular methods to ensure the availability of necessary staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22131/22]

Housing Policy

Eoin Ó Broin

51. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the March 2022 homelessness report of his Department. [22549/22]

Planning Issues

Eoin Ó Broin

52. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the terms of reference for his senior-counsel-led report on alleged conflicts of interest at An Bord Pleanála cover all three sets of issues now in the public domain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22550/22]

Housing Provision

Mattie McGrath

53. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the current income limits to qualify for social housing immediately given the ongoing rising inflation and difficulties being experienced in meeting the rising costs of rent within the current income limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21949/22]

Housing Schemes

Alan Dillon

54. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which County Mayo was assessed to determine the level of demand for an affordable housing scheme; and the reason Mayo County Council was not included by his Department when finalising the affordable housing targets for 18 local authorities level for the period 2022-2026. [22198/22]

Housing Schemes

Christopher O'Sullivan

55. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the Croí Cónaithe funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22312/22]

Housing Schemes

Seán Sherlock

56. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new Croí Cónaithe fund to service sites and refurbish vacant properties in regional towns and villages. [17862/22]

Homeless Persons Supports

Christopher O'Sullivan

57. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there will be a review of the current policy whereby persons or families on the brink of homelessness can avail of assistance from the local authority homeless prevention office only after that person or family has become homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/22]

Ukraine War

Richard Bruton

58. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he proposes to introduce to address the needs of people arriving from Ukraine. [22142/22]

Planning Issues

Holly Cairns

59. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to assist local authorities taking over housing estates and developments from private developers when these estates and developments need additional infrastructure investment for issues such as lighting, roads, and wastewater infrastructure. [22152/22]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

60. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently review the housing assistance payment limits for social housing which are hopelessly inadequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22195/22]

Housing Provision

David Stanton

61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 3 March 2022, when he expects the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, works to begin on the Midleton Water Rock LIHAF project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which identified the ongoing challenges faced by the approved housing body sector in the delivery of its targets in Galway county the details of his plans to address these challenges and a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/22]

Housing Provision

Catherine Connolly

67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which highlighted an increase in the number of families and persons presenting for homelessness services in Galway city and county as well as a notable increase in Traveller homelessness, the engagement he or his Department has had in 2022 with Galway City and County Councils with a view to addressing this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

87. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the Croí Cónaithe towns fund as outlined in Housing for All, which will allow local authorities to support homeownership by making available serviced sites at a reduced cost and by supporting the refurbishment of vacant properties; when it is likely to come on stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

1. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent discussions with the President of the United States of America. [14068/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America. [16691/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

3. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America. [16694/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ivana Bacik

4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the President of the United States of America. [17880/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

5. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagement with the President of the United States of America. [20343/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagement with the President of the United States of America. [20345/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mick Barry

7. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the President of the United States. [21270/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mary Lou McDonald

8. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagement with the British Prime Minister. [17582/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [18413/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul Murphy

10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [18416/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Paul McAuliffe

11. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the UK Prime Minister. [20346/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ivana Bacik

12. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagements with the British Government and Prime Minister. [21059/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Brendan Smith

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [21793/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Seán Haughey

14. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [21794/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

15. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister. [22025/22]

Cabinet Committees

Mary Lou McDonald

16. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [17581/22]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [18412/22]

Cabinet Committees

Cian O'Callaghan

18. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20037/22]

Cabinet Committees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

19. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20081/22]

Cabinet Committees

Paul McAuliffe

20. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20347/22]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

21. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20348/22]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

22. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [20606/22]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

1. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the categories of energy for which he sought flexibility in relation to VAT in his written correspondence with Commissioner Gentiloni on 10 March 2022 and any subsequent correspondence or communication with the European Commission; and if he sought a special derogation or flexibility on VAT applied to home heating oil. [21562/22]

Tax Code

Ged Nash

2. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to introduce a windfall tax on the extraordinary profits of energy companies to fund measures to combat the rising cost of energy for households and enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21422/22]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

3. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a windfall tax on excess profits made by energy suppliers in the context of the rising cost of energy; if his Department has undertaken any preparatory work on the introduction of such a tax and the revenue it could raise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21563/22]

Tax Credits

Róisín Shortall

4. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the research that has been carried out in his Department on the introduction of refundable tax credits; his views on the benefits of such a policy as a means of ensuring greater equity in the tax system as well as a means of addressing the widespread issue of low pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21016/22]

Energy Prices

Pearse Doherty

5. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered reducing excise duty as it applies to home heating oil in accordance with the excise directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21564/22]

Insurance Industry

Cormac Devlin

7. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the work that he is carrying out to ensure that the benefits of the insurance reform agenda are passed on to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/22]

Credit Unions

David Stanton

11. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the way he plans to support credit unions in the expansion of services to encourage community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21411/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Barry Cowen

12. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cumulative cost of the measures that he has taken since and including budget 2022 to help address cost of living issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20523/22]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is proposing any further reforms to section 481 film and tax relief to protect the employment status and rights of workers in the film industry, particularly given that production companies in receipt of this relief are abdicating their responsibility in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21448/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

16. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in the country. [21420/22]

Banking Sector

Darren O'Rourke

18. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance his views on the current status of the withdrawal of banks (details supplied) from the Irish market and the closure of accounts and migration of their customers to receiving banks; if he has raised concerns with the banks with respect to their preparedness for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/22]

Fiscal Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

22. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the steps he intends taking in 2022 in relation to direct and indirect taxes to lessen the burden on people due to the very large increase in the cost of living, interest rates and fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20989/22]

Credit Unions

Joe Flaherty

30. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance the initiatives that he is taking to expand the credit union sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20525/22]

Departmental Schemes

David Stanton

31. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his Department’s plans, if any, to encourage greater take up of the research and development, R and D, tax credit by small domestic companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/22]

Fiscal Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

33. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is proposing any tax or other measures to counteract the accelerating cost of living in all areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21445/22]

Inflation Rate

Pearse Doherty

58. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce further targeted measures to support lower- and middle-income families in response to the level of inflation projected for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21476/22]

Credit Unions

James Lawless

75. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance when the review of the credit union policy framework will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20528/22]

National Development Plan

Mairéad Farrell

78. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the national development plan; the impact of cost inflation on same; the projects which might now need to go back out for tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21488/22]

Ethics in Public Office

Mairéad Farrell

79. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of his review of the ethics framework; the work that has been carried out to date examining the specific issue of tackling conflicts of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/22]