Parliamentary questions

Living Wage

Louise O'Reilly

52. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the status of the living wage; the expected year at which the minimum wage will reach a living wage as based on current Government projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44310/23]

Artificial Intelligence

Louise O'Reilly

54. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the establishment of the artificial intelligence advisory council; the level of expression of interest to date; and if the council will contain worker representatives from the trade union movement. [44312/23]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

57. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the work to incorporate into legislation the recommendations on collective bargaining made by the high-level group on collective bargaining and industrial relations; if he will provide a timeline as to when the matter will be legislated for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44308/23]

Health and Safety

Louise O'Reilly

68. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will meet with retail and security workers regarding workplace safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44311/23]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Louise O'Reilly

304. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware that people with outstanding loans of relatively small amounts are being offered mortgages with proportionately large reductions because of the outstanding loan under the local authority home loans scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44041/23]

Childhood Obesity

Louise O'Reilly

476. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the person or body that will be representing Ireland at the High-level Meeting on Childhood Obesity - A comprehensive framework to reduce childhood obesity in the EU in Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43547/23]

Healthcare Policy

Louise O'Reilly

477. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the resources being made available for the research of the evaluation of the sugar-sweetened drinks tax in Ireland; the funding being made available to access data sources such as household panel purchasing data; if sufficient resources will be made available such that a comprehensive study can be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43548/23]

Disease Management

Louise O'Reilly

478. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will set up a diabetes taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a national diabetes strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43550/23]

Education Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

596. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the means by which students can prove that they are not supported by their parents in the circumstances where they do not have a record with TUSLA or An Garda Síochána; if there is another person or group that they can apply in order to prove that they have no support from their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43549/23]

Departmental Policies

Louise O'Reilly

606. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if future supports for PhD students will be distributed equitably amongst students, including students who conduct research under Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine-funded projects. [43922/23]

Pension Provisions

Louise O'Reilly

191. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that pensioners of a company (details supplied) are struggling with the cost of living because their pensions were cut and are in no way keeping pace with inflation; if he has any plans to meet with them or their representatives to discuss their pension issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42275/23]

Waste Management

Louise O'Reilly

112. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Environmental Protection Agency is involved in the issuing of all waste licences for landfill sites, or if it is only involved in the issuing of licences for larger landfill sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41292/23]

Schools Administration

Louise O'Reilly

260. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the responsibility of a school in situation (details supplied); if the school is responsible for arranging alternative education or supervision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41275/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

308. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that tens of thousands of children in Ireland are denied access to State funding in the practice of taekwondo due to the exclusive and exclusionary practices of organisations (details supplied). [41110/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

309. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that Sports Ireland has allowed organisations (details supplied) to develop exclusionary practises that exclude taekwon-do practitioners in clubs all over the country from accessing supports from Sports Ireland that they should be entitled to. [41111/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

310. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the issues that arose in a report (details supplied) on the audit of Covid and capital grants to IMAC have been remediated to the satisfaction of Sport Ireland (specifically the IMAC procurement process and related party terms that were highlighted in the audit report). [41112/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

311. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that the Sports Ireland NGB model for non-Olympic martial arts has taken a more severe exclusionary approach in the taekwondo area, allowing only one association to join in its entirety, whereas the UK model for taekwondo is much more inclusive and has several groups. [41113/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

312. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that the Irish Martial Arts Commission taekwondo NGB model approach is so different to the IMAC Karate NGB model, which is more inclusive with a membership of multiple different types and styles of karate. [41114/23]

Sports Funding

Louise O'Reilly

313. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that Sport Ireland has not taken a more proactive role in supervising governance and oversight in an organisation (details supplied) that has allowed a situation to develop such that 100+ taekwondo clubs spread throughout the country do not have access to Government grants and other supports for their adult, youth, and child members. [41115/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Louise O'Reilly

314. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the cost of increasing the funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 10%, 20% and 50%, in tabular form. [41273/23]

Defective Building Materials

Louise O'Reilly

340. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what supports are available for homeowners whose houses are affected by pyrite but were built prior to 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41274/23]

Housing Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

350. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether plans to extend the first-home scheme to self-build units can be applied retrospectively to homes currently under construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41507/23]

Housing Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

351. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is support available for those who self-build but exceed the help-to-buy threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41508/23]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

586. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the evaluation of the sugar sweetened drinks tax; if he will provide a timeline for the evaluation process, including completion and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41501/23]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

587. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the recommendation of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight report on the Examination of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare Report that completion and the publication of the evaluation of the sugar sweetened drinks tax be prioritised, will be considered and prioritised in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41502/23]

Hospital Facilities

Louise O'Reilly

594. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatres open in each of the Dublin hospitals respectively, by day, for the past 60 days, in tabular form. [41635/23]

Hospital Procedures

Louise O'Reilly

595. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgery cancellations, by week, in each of the Dublin hospitals respectively, since 1 August 2023 to date, in tabular form, by reason for cancellation. [41636/23]

Hospital Facilities

Louise O'Reilly

596. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of operating theatre closures in each of the Dublin hospitals respectively by week since 1 August 2023 to date, in tabular form, by reason for closure. [41637/23]

Hospital Facilities

Louise O'Reilly

597. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the spending on pest control in hospitals, by week, since 1 August 2023 to date, in tabular form, by hospital. [41638/23]

Bus Services

Louise O'Reilly

79. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the decision of the NTA not to fund the Local Link service for Knocksedan and Rivermeade, Swords, County Dublin; the reason the funding for this enhanced service has not been approved; and when BusConnects will be in operation for the Swords area and servicing Knocksedan and Rivermeade. [39586/23]

Education Costs

Louise O'Reilly

301. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a school (details supplied) is withholding homework journals from children whose parents cannot afford to pay the school contribution charge-fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39985/23]

Schools Building Projects

Louise O'Reilly

342. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of delays to building of a SEN unit at a school (details supplied); if she will instruct her Department to approve the Stage 2B proposal so works can proceed to tender for a contractor and commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40254/23]

Schools Building Projects

Louise O'Reilly

343. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of delays to building of a SEN unit at a school (details supplied); if she will instruct her Department to approve the Stage 2B proposal so works can proceed to tender for a contractor and commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40254/23]

Employment Support Services

Louise O'Reilly

641. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing the WALK providing equal employment routes, PEER, employment support service model in all 26 counties for people with disabilities. [40255/23]

Departmental Contracts

Louise O'Reilly

376. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport in regard to a company (details supplied) being awarded the contract for the supply of the search and rescue helicopter and fixed wing elements for the next ten years, if the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations will apply to CHC Helicopter Ireland workers who currently perform these functions. [38648/23]

Tax Rebates

Louise O'Reilly

483. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if the State is in line for a rebate on its contribution to the EU given the EU's reported higher-than-expected customs duties and VAT receipts; if so, the estimated value of this rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38915/23]

Taxi Regulations

Louise O'Reilly

494. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 269 of 18 April 2023, the penalty for a business which refuses card payment; the legislation concerned; and the penalty for such an offence. [39113/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

583. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide the data relating to the share of Government enterprise financial support, funding and investment (direct and indirect) awarded to women-only founder companies, men-only founder companies, and mixed founders men-and-women companies; for a breakdown in relation to Enterprise Ireland's HPSU, Enterprise Ireland's Pre Seed Start Fund (formerly CSF), New Frontiers Programme, NDRC Accelerator, other Government VC investments (often indirect via Enterprise Ireland), and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), for the period between 2017 and 2022; and for all information to be provided in tabular form. [39009/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

584. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide the number of company applicants for each support (Enterprise Ireland's HPSU, Enterprise Ireland's Pre Seed Start Fund (formerly CSF), New Frontiers Programme, NDRC Accelerator, other Government VC investments (often indirect via Enterprise Ireland), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)), broken into women-only founder companies, men-only founder companies, and mixed founders men-and-women companies, for the period between 2017 and 2022; and for all information to be provided in tabular form. [39010/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

585. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies which were awarded funding, broken down into women-only founder companies, men-only founder companies, and mixed founders men-and-women companies, for each support (Enterprise Ireland's HPSU, Enterprise Ireland's Pre Seed Start Fund (formerly CSF), New Frontiers Programme, NDRC Accelerator, other Government VC investments (often indirect via Enterprise Ireland), and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)), for the period between 2017 and 2022; and for all information to be provided in tabular form. [39011/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

586. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to confirm the total euro value awarded to companies directly and indirectly through each support (Enterprise Ireland's HPSU, Enterprise Ireland's Pre Seed Start Fund (formerly CSF), New Frontiers Programme, NDRC Accelerator, other Government VC investments (often indirect via Enterprise Ireland), and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)), broken down into women-only founder companies, men-only founder companies, and mixed founders men-and-women companies, for the period between 2017 and 2022; and for all information to be provided in tabular form. [39012/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

643. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of reported assaults on secondary school teachers during the 2022/2023 school year; whether these assaults were committed by students, parents/guardians, or others; to provide this information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38120/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

644. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education the number of reported assaults on primary school teachers during the 2022/2023 school year; whether these assaults were committed by students, parents/guardians, or others; to provide this information in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38121/23]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

750. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if raac lightweight building material, has been used in the construction of any Irish schools; if so, how many, by primary and post-primary, name and location, in tabular form; what safety precautions her Department is taking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39110/23]

Schools Building Projects

Louise O'Reilly

751. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that the return school start date for students at school (details supplied) has been delayed due to a failure to finish building works on time; the reason the school was not completed on time; the reason parents were not informed that the building was not completed on time until a week before students were due to return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39112/23]

Departmental Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

845. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how a person in a situation (details supplied) can qualify for a local authority disability grant for the adaptation of their bathroom. [37560/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

907. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of money spent by his Department, and agencies under the auspices of his Department, on legal firms for the purposes of answering/dealing with 'Freedom of Information' requests and appeals to the Office of the Information Commissioner, in each of the past five years; the names of the companies used and the amount of money paid to each company; and for this information to be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38365/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Louise O'Reilly

1018. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if carers from Northern Ireland are entitled to free travel on public transport in this State; if there are reciprocal arrangements for carers across the island to travel for free on all public transport; if not, the reason that is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38122/23]

Disability Services

Louise O'Reilly

1869. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific adult ADHD clinic available to adults living in CHO 9; if not, the reason; and if he will commit to establishing an adult ADHD clinic in CHO9. [39005/23]

Building Regulations

Louise O'Reilly

1886. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if raac lightweight building material has been used in the construction of any healthcare facilities; if so, how many, by name and location, in tabular form; what safety precautions his Department is taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39111/23]

Medical Qualifications

Louise O'Reilly

1887. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to the HSE requiring transcripts of the final degree of medical students at training institutions in Northern Ireland at an earlier date than is possible for the institution to issue, these medical students cannot apply for internship posts with the HSE in the year they finish their medical degree; and if he will engage with the HSE and medical training institutions in Northern Ireland in order to address this anomaly. [39114/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Louise O'Reilly

1891. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if a health facility (details supplied) qualifies for the pandemic special recognition payment; if so, when this will be paid; and, if not, the reason. [39133/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Louise O'Reilly

1892. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the assessment process for the pandemic special recognition payment was outsourced to a company outside the State; if so, the cost of outsourcing this work; the reason this was not conducted by an existing State agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39134/23]

Industrial Development

Louise O'Reilly

393. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount the IDA has spent in the past five years utilising legal firms and consultancy firms to consult on and answer freedom of information requests; how many FOI requests this covered; the breakdown of costs per individual FOI request; how much was paid to each company; the reason internal legal advisors were not used for this work; and whether the IDA will be upskilling or hiring in legal advisors instead of outsourcing this work. [36533/23]

Financial Services

Louise O'Reilly

293. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of supports available for people making a complaint about a financial product or service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35048/23]

Defective Building Materials

Louise O'Reilly

490. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the progress made on the introduction of the interim measures associated with the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013. [35462/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

707. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total spend on external legal fees for representing the HSE and/or his Department in third-party industrial relations hearings for the period 2016 to 2023, broken down by company and by case type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35049/23]

Transport Policy

Louise O'Reilly

71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether motor tax discs, and other motor discs, should go paperless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/23]

Electric Vehicles

Louise O'Reilly

72. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on changes to a grant system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Louise O'Reilly

95. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the breakdown of the €750 million in non-core expenditure listed as "other" in the summer economic statement (details supplied); and the monetary value of funding from that non-core expenditure which will be set aside for the temporary business energy support scheme. [34510/23]

Industrial Relations

Louise O'Reilly

103. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will encourage the management of a company (details supplied) to engage with pickers and drivers and their trade union regarding the imposition of a new work schedule without dialogue or agreement. [34538/23]

Planning Issues

Louise O'Reilly

142. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in terms of Planning and Development Regulations, specifically, schedule 9, Fees for Planning Applications, section 2, Scale of Fees for Planning Applications, Class of Development; 12. the use of land as a burial ground; if consideration will be given to maintaining the need for a planning application, but waiving the fee for applications under this class of development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34543/23]

Disability Services

Louise O'Reilly

213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied), who has been on the list for residential care since 2010, can expect to be offered a residential care place. [34430/23]

Energy Conservation

Louise O'Reilly

129. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of one-stop-shop SEAI energy retrofit providers refusing to undertake initial energy rating assessments for works of less than €30,000 under the guise of being bound to only undertake works that deliver a BER of B2; if this is permitted in law; and if not, the steps he will take to address this matter. [33636/23]

Enterprise Policy

Louise O'Reilly

241. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing the funding for the Green For Micro Programme by 10%, 20%, and 25% [34326/23]

Enterprise Policy

Louise O'Reilly

242. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing the funding for the Green Start Programme by 10%, 20%, and 25%. [34327/23]

Enterprise Policy

Louise O'Reilly

243. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing the Innovation Voucher Scheme to €10,000. [34328/23]

Enterprise Policy

Louise O'Reilly

244. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of increasing funding for the innovation voucher scheme by 50%. [34329/23]

Official Engagements

Louise O'Reilly

245. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of meetings his Department, including the current and previous Minister, Ministers of State, and Department officials, have had with food delivery platform companies (details supplied) in the past 24 months; the reason for these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33429/23]

Official Engagements

Louise O'Reilly

246. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of meetings his Department, including the current and previous Minister, Ministers of State, and Department officials, has had with trade unions regarding the EU Platform Workers Directive. [33430/23]

Industrial Relations

Louise O'Reilly

261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the case of a campaign by persons (details supplied); and if he will meet with the persons in question and their trade union regarding their alleged unfair dismissal. [34323/23]

Departmental Bodies

Louise O'Reilly

262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 7 March 2023, if a person (details supplied) is still on the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34336/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

364. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that when a Government Department confirms a recurring threat to public health and safety for the first time there should be a clear and distinct public administration response from said Department and from relevant executive agencies, and as the Minister - on the advice of his Department or the NPWS legally declared in July 2022, and again in April 2023, that high density urban gull colonies are a threat to the health and safety of the people of Balbriggan, a town of circa 25,000 citizens, if he will assure the Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service's (NPWS) over-arching role and responsibilities include policy, direction of appropriate executive agencies actions, and review of implementation, especially where public health and safety is threatened, and that the Department or the NPWS also retains a proactive role and procedural and reporting mechanisms for ensuring that effective reduction of the threat is being achieved by the executive agencies, and that all of these activities are encompassed in accurate and timely advice to the Minister from his Department or the NPWS. [33662/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

365. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that when a Government Department confirms a recurring threat to public health and safety for the first time there should be a clear and distinct public administration response from said Department and from relevant executive agencies, and as the Minister - on the advice of his Department or the NPWS legally declared in July 2022, and again in April 2023, that high density urban gull colonies are a threat to the health and safety of the people of Balbriggan, a town of circa 25,000 citizens, if he will provide copies of the formal correspondence between his Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fingal County Council regarding the above threat since he made the legal declaration in July 2022. [33663/23]

Wildlife Regulations

Louise O'Reilly

366. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied), in particular where he advised, in respect of the Public Consultation on the Wild Bird Declarations that closed on 24 February 2023, that "The results will be made available on the National Parks and Wildlife's (NPWS) website when analysis of the results has been completed," if he will provide details of the number of submissions received; and if he will outline his Department/NPWS's current scheduled date for completion of the analysis of submissions. [33665/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

367. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied), in particular where he provided additional information not actually sought in the questions viz that "Matters relating to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds; correctly disposing of rubbish on our streets to make them less attractive and to discourage them from congregating in particular areas; any warning signage or publicity campaigns in relation to same is a matter for the local authority concerned.", will he advise as to relative extent to which his Department believes feeding of gulls in urban areas is responsible for the rapid proliferation of high density breeding (i.e. not just "congregating" per his reply) colonies as evidenced in his Department/NPWS's National Urban Gull Survey 2021, compared to i) the lack of predators compared to natural sea habitats, ii) ideal breeding conditions compared to natural sea habitats, iii) almost blanket legal protection for decades, iv) no resistance from humans compared to other wild bird species, and v) limitless food opportunities in the species typical 50k daily foraging range (seaward, rural and urban) as advised by the UK expert on urban gull ecology that was consulted by his predecessor's Consultative Committee on Urban gulls in 2019. [33666/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied) particularly the part of his reply where he provided "Details of key elements of the evidence base that were available to NPWS to inform the Wild Birds Declarations 2023-2024”, can he note that none of the evidence sources that he quoted address the question asked, viz will he provide the evidence considered, accepted and rejected by his Department in respect of the species listed for control for reasons of public health and safety, and the sources and dates thereof, and will he instruct his Department to provide the information requested, such that will allow an objective and transparent analysis and comparison of the decision criteria used across all species or evidence. [33667/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

369. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will he explain why his Department/National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is applying a decision threshold in relation to the control of urban gull species (herring gulls) whereby they must pose a threat to public health and safety in densely populated urban areas in order to be included in the annual derogation declarations, and will he set out the specific evidential criteria being applied by his Department/NPWS when it is deciding whether or not such a threat exists, and will he explain why, when such a threat has been recognised by his Department/NPWS, for example, in Balbriggan, that the only action it has taken is to declare the threat in the annual declarations, when it is in fact a duty of the State to act proactively to protect citizens and public health and safety. [33668/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

370. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware that the coastal city of Malaga, Spain, EU member state, population 569,005 in 2016, which has a surveyed population of 3,200 gulls, that is, a ratio of one gull to 177 people, provides a service to its residents as part of an "Environmental Health Service" (details supplied) via a phone-based app or a free phone service to have gull nests and eggs or injured gulls removed in order to protect its citizens from aggressive attack and or injury by gulls, and will he compare that basic public health and safety service in another EU member state, under the same legislation as applies in Ireland, to the complete lack of a response to urban gulls issues here in Ireland, for example, in Balbriggan, population 23,000 people, gull population 3,000 per NPWS's survey 2021, or a ratio of one gull to eight people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33669/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

371. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is he aware that Natural England, NE, the public body responsible for nature protection in England, implemented in 2022 a joint initiative with the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA, that was commenced in 2000, whereby Local Authorities across England which have public health and safety issues with urban gull colonies are granted, subject to submission of an acceptable gull management plan to NE, 'Organisational Licences' which empower them to control urban gulls in order to preserve public health and safety under the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, legislation which the UK implemented in order to comply with the 1979 EU Birds Directive, and will he inform the Deputy whether his Department intends to protect public health and safety in our cities and towns that are being negatively impacted by high density urban gull colonies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33670/23]

Animal Culls

Louise O'Reilly

372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Questions (details supplied) particularly the part of his reply were he provided "Details of key elements of the evidence base that were available to NPWS to inform the Wild Birds Declarations 2023-2024", in particular the evidence provided via his Department's National Urban Gull Survey, Keogh, N. T. and Lauder, A. W., 2021, is he aware of the serious public concerns now widespread in areas with regard to serious urban gull issues, and given the warnings about the risk of such concerns with regard to said areas in his Department's 2021 survey, that is, two years ago, will he explain to the Deputy why the people of Drogheda have still not been afforded protection of public health and safety in the Annual Declarations. [33671/23]

Departmental Funding

Louise O'Reilly

860. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of increasing the funding for the MentorsWork Programme by 10%, 20% and 25%. [34325/23]

Enterprise Support Services

Louise O'Reilly

208. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to the establishment and implementation of the national cluster programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33331/23]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position Ireland took at European Council level in discussions regarding the Council approach to the Platform Workers Directive; if Ireland pushed for stronger safeguards for workers, or if it lent support for the general approach, which did not offer such safeguards for workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33423/23]

Disability Services

Louise O'Reilly

307. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current caseload for Balbriggan CDNT as of 30 June 2023, or the latest available date for which data is compiled; how many children are receiving services; how many children are still on the waiting list; if the list has been validated, and if so, when this was completed. [33348/23]

Disability Services

Louise O'Reilly

308. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many staff are currently in posts (details supplied) in Balbriggan CDNT; how many vacancies exist for each discipline; if those vacancies have been advertised; what is the recruitment process for these vacancies; when the CRC expects to fill those roles; and the estimated start dates. [33349/23]

Employment Rights

Louise O'Reilly

259. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of a court injunction (details supplied). [32267/23]

Food Industry

Louise O'Reilly

266. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings held by his Departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in relation to the issue of infant nutrition in Ireland from June 2022 to date, including the issue of infant formula; the dates, attendees and the matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32500/23]

School Staff

Louise O'Reilly

288. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the situation whereby some school secretaries may be worse off financially under the new changes to regularise the employment, terms and conditions and pension rights of school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32268/23]

Food Industry

Louise O'Reilly

463. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings held by his departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in relation to the issue of infant nutrition in Ireland from June 2022 to date, including the issue of infant formula; the dates, attendees and the matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32501/23]

Special Educational Needs

Louise O'Reilly

479. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of any assistance available to childcare providers or summer camp operators, or directly to parents, for children with additional needs who receive supports in school and who wish to access after-school, childcare or summer camps during school holiday periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32027/23]

Community Care

Louise O'Reilly

509. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the length of time that children in CHO 9 wait for supports from the CDNT; if he will examine a case (details supplied); the advice he can give to the parents of this child, who are concerned about their school attendance and who need the assistance of the CDNT; if he can provide a realistic timeframe to expect this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32421/23]

Pension Provisions

Louise O'Reilly

599. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when retired HSE workers will receive their pension increments; the reason former HSE staff are awaiting over a year for these increments to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32269/23]

Departmental Meetings

Louise O'Reilly

637. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the meetings held by his officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in 2022 and 2023 to date; the dates, attendees and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32502/23]

Further and Higher Education

Louise O'Reilly

729. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of rolling out a one-year blue cert certification process to professionalise the small and medium enterprise sector pilot project between organisations (details supplied). [32579/23]

Food Industry

Louise O'Reilly

1. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will convene a meeting of large food companies and large food producers considering the information in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission High-level Analysis of the Irish Grocery Retail Sector report, which outlined that profits for this sector were significantly higher than profits for supermarkets. [31678/23]

Unfair Dismissals

Louise O'Reilly

5. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on strengthening the redress available under section 7 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 to employees unfairly dismissed from their employment. [31680/23]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

12. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the scheme for businesses impacted by kerosene price increases will go live; and if it will be expanded to businesses impacted by liquid petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas price increases. [31537/23]

Inflation Rate

Louise O'Reilly

13. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on European Central Bank data that corporate profiteering is contributing more to inflation than wages, and similar data from the Central Bank of Ireland’s quarterly report that profits have contributed more to domestic inflation than wages; and if he believes that profit restraint will have a key role in reducing inflation. [31540/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Louise O'Reilly

25. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he can provide an update as to when the WRC Code of Conduct for remote working will be published. [31536/23]