Parliamentary questions

Library Services

Carol Nolan

208. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware that the lift in the recently opened library in Portlaoise is not suitable for most wheelchair users; if she is also aware that the chief executive officer of Laois County Council has effectively stated that no further consideration is to be given to this serious oversight; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9656/24]

Educational Disadvantage

Carol Nolan

205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the reason a school (details supplied) has not been designated with DEIS status despite the fact that the area of Lumcloon, County Offaly is identified as a disadvantaged area by Pobal; if this will be re-examined by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8826/24]

School Staff

Carol Nolan

235. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on efforts by her Department to ensure that school caretakers will be offered a new agreement for revised salary and annual leave entitlements similar to the agreement put in place for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9337/24]

Septic Tanks

Carol Nolan

284. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an urgent review of adjustment of zones pertaining to a new national scheme for grants to upgrade or replace septic tanks could be undertaken as there are issues whereby people are now excluded from the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9042/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Carol Nolan

198. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice what level of proficiency in English and-or Irish is expected of an applicant for naturalisation before their application will be decided on; how this is monitored; whether she proposes to make any legislative or policy changes in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8463/24]

Asylum Seekers

Carol Nolan

250. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers currently being accommodated at a location (details supplied); the number at this site who are single males with no other family members on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8464/24]

Personal Injury Claims

Carol Nolan

266. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total cost of defending medical negligence litigation against the HSE and Department of Health in each year from 2010 to date, including awards made in the courts or settlements made out of court to resolve disputes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8462/24]

Library Services

Carol Nolan

135. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the lift in the recently opened library in Portlaoise is not suitable for most wheelchair users; if he is also aware that the chief executive officer of Laois County Council has effectively stated that no further consideration is to be given to this serious oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/24]

Special Educational Needs

Carol Nolan

312. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to address concerns around the adverse impact of proposals to cut the number of SET hours within schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7975/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

441. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 14 February 2024, if her Department in undertaking checks to ensure that spending is not used on activities outside that specified within the relevant grant agreement has uncovered any breaches of this condition since 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8112/24]

Ukraine War

Carol Nolan

463. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement his Department has had with efforts to relocate pets or animals belonging to beneficiaries of temporary protection from the Ukraine to Ireland since the opening of the conflict in 2022; if his Department has assisted international protection applicants in a similar manner; the costs involved; the contract provider engaged to deliver this service; if a tender process was involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8000/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

481. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish in full the minutes and documents associated with the Interdepartmental Group that met to discuss the forthcoming referenda on the Constitution; if he will provide details of the membership of the Group; the number of times it met; the attendees at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7546/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

43. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles. [6769/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

44. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6761/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

70. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6759/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

72. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6756/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

89. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

106. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6760/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

113. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6766/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

118. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

140. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6757/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

182. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6770/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

196. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

234. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6768/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

255. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6765/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

290. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6755/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

304. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6763/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

332. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6762/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Carol Nolan

337. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6767/24]

Teaching Qualifications

Carol Nolan

272. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will address concerns raised by a teacher (details supplied) who qualifies for an allowance for the professional Master’s in Education is not being paid this allowance; the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6109/24]

Legislative Measures

Carol Nolan

88. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020; if any preliminary assessments have been made as how the agency will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5919/24]

Prison Service

Carol Nolan

258. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to clarify what eligibility conditions must a prisoner satisfy before she approves temporary release; if such conditions are the same or different with respect to the gravity of the offence which led to imprisonment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5965/24]

Prison Service

Carol Nolan

259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of temporary release orders she has approved for persons within the Irish prison system for the years 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5966/24]

Prison Service

Carol Nolan

260. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to clarify if her Department collates data on the number of offences committed by persons while on temporary release; if so, will she provide that information for the years 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5967/24]

Abortion Services

Carol Nolan

526. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide the names of the members of the National Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Service Improvement Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5291/24]

Abortion Services

Carol Nolan

527. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to identify the ten work-streams identified by the National Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Service Improvement Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5292/24]

EU Funding

Carol Nolan

161. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of recent reporting that the EU has developed a confidential plan to cut-off all EU funding to Hungary in the event that Hungary exercises a veto with respect to EU funding for Ukraine (details supplied); if Ireland is a party to this plan; if Ireland has been involved in drawing up or signing off on this plan. [4808/24]

International Protection

Carol Nolan

136. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify if the premises formerly known as The Limit Bar in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, is being considered or has been accepted for use as an international protection accommodation site; if so, the number to be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/24]

International Protection

Carol Nolan

137. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify if the Technology Centre in Birr, County Offaly, is being considered or has been accepted for use as an international protection accommodation site; if so the number to be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/24]

General Practitioner Services

Carol Nolan

174. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide, in tabular form, the number of GPs reimbursed (PCRS) for the years 2019 to date for first and second consultations for terminations of pregnancy; the number of payments issued for all termination of pregnancy consultations by all other providers for the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4511/24]

Sports Funding

Carol Nolan

298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of allocations under the Sports Capital Programme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3851/24]

International Protection

Carol Nolan

299. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide, in tabular form, the number and the stated or declared nationalities of those persons who arrived at Dublin Airport and who subsequently claimed international protection without being in possession of correct identifying documentation or no identifying documentation for the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3590/24]

International Protection

Carol Nolan

300. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to provide, in tabular form, the number and the stated or declared nationalities of those persons who arrived at an International Protection Office and who subsequently claimed international protection without being in possession of correct identifying documentation or no identifying documentation for the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3591/24]

Immigration Policy

Carol Nolan

166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1103 of 17 January 2024, the number of SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) Ireland has sent and received on persons and objects, for example persons wanted by Member States for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose during the period from 2018 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3270/24]

School Funding

Carol Nolan

311. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education to confirm that under Project Ireland 2040, her Department is investing in excess of €5 billion over the period 2021 to 2025, to add capacity and develop and upgrade school facilities across the country for the almost one million students and over 100,000 staff that learn and work in our schools every day; if this level of investment will be revised upward in light of rapidly escalating population growth particularly since March 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3014/24]

International Agreements

Carol Nolan

133. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, being international agreements involving a charge upon public funds, were approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the State agreeing to be bound by them, as required under Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2210/24]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

165. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of licenced premises in the State in each year from 2010 to date; to give a breakdown of the number of pubs, off-licences and licensed restaurants in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2247/24]

Fiscal Policy

Carol Nolan

167. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the reason Ireland intends to borrow between €6 billion and €10 billion on the international markets in early 2024, given the current large budget surpluses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2248/24]

Media Sector

Carol Nolan

190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether her Department or the relevant statutory agencies have any oversight or regulatory role in relation to advertising on British TV channels which are available in Ireland through the major TV subscription services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2250/24]