Parliamentary questions

Environmental Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

161. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends on making eco-friendly products such as laundry products more affordable and accessible in Ireland over the coming years, considering that many people currently accessing such products are ordering from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54369/23]

Air Quality

Fergus O'Dowd

38. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the EPA has any future plans to expand the monitoring of permanent air quality testing systems on site in Drogheda south; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53926/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of funding for the Ardee by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54029/23]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

80. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to the publication of the most recent Census figures, if she will provide information on the possible review of school place requirements in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54027/23]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing commencements in Louth and Meath to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53959/23]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to concerns raised by a union (details supplied) in respect of the Planning and Development Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54025/23]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

95. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54026/23]

Home Help Service

Fergus O'Dowd

157. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; how he plans to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53920/23]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total funding provided to each of the CHOs from 2016 to date with consideration of the highest population increase being in the CHO8 area (details supplied); if he is ensuring that the highest increased funding levels are being delivered in this catchment to meet the exponential demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54009/23]

Library Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the progress which has been made with regard to the purchase of the old Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer to house a new library for the growing area; when she expects the works to be completed at the site; when the new library is expected to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54028/23]

Bus Services

Fergus O'Dowd

188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the increased investment being made on LocalLink services in counties Louth and Meath, including future plans for such extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53914/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

189. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any further consideration has been given since the publication of the draft all-island rail strategy to extending services to include passenger services along the existing Navan-Drogheda rail line, thereby providing a rail link to Dublin from Navan in a relatively inexpensive and fast manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53915/23]

Flood Risk Management

Fergus O'Dowd

210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a full update on the delivery of the CFRAM scheme for County Louth and east Meath further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53896/23]

Mother and Baby Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

459. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53316/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Fergus O'Dowd

464. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53390/23]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53691/23]

Health Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

608. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to detail the total number of vacant posts, by grade, for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53777/23]

Health Strategies

Fergus O'Dowd

609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health as part of Government’s response to drug intimidation, if the full-time recommended role for the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement programme has been progressed, and if it has been affected by the recent moratorium announced within the Health Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53781/23]

Community Care

Fergus O'Dowd

610. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update on the site plan at the St. Mary's hospital in Drogheda, including more detailed plans of the proposed enhanced community care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to respond to queries raised by a person (details supplied) following the most recent flooding event; to outline the supports in place; if the emergency flood relief scheme can be accessed in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51672/23]

National Car Test

Fergus O'Dowd

145. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider changing the policies in respect of NCT certification, in that any vehicle which passes an NCT should receive a minimum of 12 months roadworthiness from the date of any given test, which will reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50741/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

156. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the discussions which have taken place with Meath County Council in respect of progressing the proposed Julianstown bypass which aims to deal with the relentless congestion experienced in the village and separately, the Julianstown traffic calming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/23]

Legislative Measures

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to urgent concerns raised by GPs (details supplied) in respect of tax changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51013/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

406. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any funding available for agricultural related flooding (details supplied); the supports that are in place; if the emergency flood relief scheme can be accessed in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50984/23]

Dental Services

Fergus O'Dowd

122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 26 September 2023, if he will provide further details to queries (details supplied) with absolute clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50298/23]

Social Welfare Code

Fergus O'Dowd

169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50405/23]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

58. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to review concerns raised by a person in respect of the situation of single applicants (details supplied) and their struggles accessing the help to buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/23]

Industrial Development

Fergus O'Dowd

68. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the masterplan for the IDA land bank in Killally, Dundalk; when he expects to see progress on this project and the long-term objectives of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50264/23]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Fergus O'Dowd

98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide advice on the best way forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50132/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49662/23]

Business Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects the details of the increased cost of business grant to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49838/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Fergus O'Dowd

284. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the current timeline for the implementation of the extension of child benefit to 18 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49324/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on when he expects a motorised transport grant and mobility allowance scheme to be introduced since its abolishment in 2013; what supports are currently available for low-income households to purchase disability-adapted vehicles, notwithstanding the available primary medical certificate tax rebates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49344/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

26. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised about the efficacy of the rail services on the northern line (details supplied); if he can engage with Irish Rail to ensure that these issues are addressed into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48904/23]

Defective Building Materials

Fergus O'Dowd

53. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek advice for a person (details supplied) in respect of the very concerning condition of their home; if he will outline what schemes or processes are available in such a circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48910/23]

Flood Risk Management

Fergus O'Dowd

343. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if, further to the second serious flooding incident that occurred in east Meath since September, which has destroyed many homes, he will seek an urgent update on discussions between the OPW and Meath County Council in respect of additional flood works required and plans going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/23]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

498. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to a school transport case (details supplied), despite the case being submitted on four separate occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47978/23]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

659. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to concerns raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48154/23]

Social Insurance

Fergus O'Dowd

735. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns and proposals (details supplied) relating directly to the introduction of a temporary abolition of pay-related social insurance (PRSI) for lower earning workers in 2024, 2025 and 2026 which is a matter for her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47921/23]

An Garda Síochána

Fergus O'Dowd

833. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to detail how a perception test (details supplied) is applied to An Garda Síochána; and if he will provide details of same. [48187/23]

Childcare Services

Fergus O'Dowd

979. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of any funding strands that might be available to creches which are unfinished and need capital works/investment in order to complete and open to the public and meet the incredible demand in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47420/23]

Healthcare Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

1340. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if, further to World Stroke Day, he will provide a full update on the funding requirements and overall implementation plans for the National Stroke Strategy; if he will respond to the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48622/23]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

180. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 2 February 2023, if she will review the further response received (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47116/23]

Health Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently review the decision to embargo the hiring of new genomic resource associate roles as previously committed to in the implementation of the National Genetics and Genomics Strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47117/23]

Business Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

82. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will respond to concerns and proposals raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46882/23]

Planning Issues

Fergus O'Dowd

110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average time taken for An Bord Pleanála decisions from the date an appeal is lodged in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; the projected average timescales for decisions in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/23]

Budget 2024

Fergus O'Dowd

490. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide clarity with regard to the Government commitment in budget 2024 to deliver 22 million hours of home support; to confirm the exact funding being provided for the sector in 2024 and the total increase from the 2023 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46652/23]

Education Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support staff and students of further and higher education who are parents, in order to make education more accessible those returning or continuing education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45544/23]

Education and Training Boards

Fergus O'Dowd

158. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on current and future development plans for the Drogheda Institute for Further Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45543/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

349. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide further detail on the internal HSE TAPS audit; the date it was received by the HSE, Minister and Department; to make a full copy of the results and recommendations of this audit available; when he intends to publish the final audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45927/23]