Parliamentary questions

Enterprise Policy

Louise O'Reilly

258. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current percentage of Irish SMEs who export; whether exporting by SMEs has increased, decreased, or remained the static since this Government came to office; if his Department has a target to increase SME exporting; if so, the target; and the timeframe for same. [2837/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

259. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total research and development funding provided under his Department for 2023, in tabular form corresponding by agency and/or scheme; and the total funding allocated for 2024 by agency and/or scheme. [2838/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

260. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of WRC inspectors; how many more inspectors it is planned to hire in 2024; and how many are expected to retire. [2839/24]

Departmental Data

Louise O'Reilly

261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the total number of Health and Safety Authority inspectors; how many more inspectors it is planned to hire in 2024; and how many are expected to retire. [2840/24]

Equality Issues

Louise O'Reilly

372. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the unemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2842/24]

Equality Issues

Louise O'Reilly

402. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the underemployment levels amongst social groups, that is, men, women, young people, people with disabilities, and migrants; what specific plans her Department has to support these groups and increase employment across all; the success of these plans to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2841/24]

Driver Test

Louise O'Reilly

145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if student paramedics on a national HSE panel will be added to the list of workers prioritised for emergency driver test appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2102/24]

National Broadband Plan

Louise O'Reilly

110. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) can expect to be provided with high-speed broadband. [1121/24]

Driver Test

Louise O'Reilly

178. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the Department of Education is currently piloting the use of well-being practitioners for primary schools in the Dublin area; if any consideration had been given to including this group in the category for fast track driving tests to facilitate this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56392/23]

Budget 2024

Louise O'Reilly

369. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if the Government still supports the Budget 2024 announcement to introduce a tax on e-cigarettes in Budget 2025; if the plans to introduce the measure in Budget 2025 will still go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1786/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

444. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount in unpaid wages that has been returned to workers following workplace investigations by the Workplace Relations Commission, by sector and value of wages, in 2023, in tabular form. [1787/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

445. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of inspections carried out by the Workplace Relations Commission in 2023, by NACE sector; the number of breaches detected; the types of breaches detected; and the counties in which the breaches were detected, in tabular form. [1788/24]

Workplace Relations Commission

Louise O'Reilly

446. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cases settled in favour of workers in 2023; and the total amount of compensation awarded by the WRC to these workers. [1789/24]

Export Controls

Louise O'Reilly

447. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has investigated whether dual-use items being traded with Israel are currently being used against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; and what actions his Department will be taking under the Control of Exports Act 2023 to end this trade if these items are being used to target civilians and civilian infrastructure. [1793/24]

Economic Sanctions

Louise O'Reilly

448. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what powers his Department has to enact trade sanctions against Israel as a mechanism to stop the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Israel-Hamas war; what powers rest at EU level; if he will give a breakdown of the powers that he has and the powers the EU has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1794/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

455. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the provision of State supports for businesses damaged and affected due to the riots in Dublin on 23 November 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1950/24]

Special Educational Needs

Louise O'Reilly

643. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education what supports are in place for neurodivergent students who will sit their Leaving Certificate oral examinations over the Easter holiday period; if she is aware that neurodivergent students special needs assistants will be on unpaid leave during this period (details supplied); and if she will ensure that SNAs who provide essential support to neurodivergent students sitting their leaving certificate oral examinations will be renumerated. [1471/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Louise O'Reilly

862. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available to a person (details supplied) in a situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56480/23]

Public Sector Pay

Louise O'Reilly

88. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 72 of 18 October and 102 of 7 November 2023, if he can arrange for a member of staff to examine the case of person (details supplied), in light of the financial hardship experienced by the individual; if a resolution can be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54598/23]

Work Permits

Louise O'Reilly

287. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 17 October 2023, to provide an update on whether upholstery and furniture making will be added to the general employment permit list following receipt of the November report containing recommendations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54594/23]

School Funding

Louise O'Reilly

311. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if additional supports and funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) to allow the school to increase the student population, specifically an increase in next September’s junior infants intake. [54705/23]

Third Level Fees

Louise O'Reilly

863. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a degree at a third level institution (details supplied) is not covered for the reduction of third level fees announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54611/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Louise O'Reilly

246. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 7 November 2023, if precautions are in place to ensure that the deciding officer who rejects an applicant’s social protection payment is not also the appeals officer who conducts the appeal on the rejected application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54373/23]

Currency Circulation

Louise O'Reilly

340. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of a number of third-level institutions which are refusing to accept cash on-site in college restaurants, shops, and other establishments; and if he is aware of the difficulties this is causing many students. [54374/23]

Public Transport

Louise O'Reilly

56. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide reminders/advertising on trains that bikes, with the exception of foldable bikes, are not allowed on trains during peak travel times. [54100/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

107. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Taoiseach how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53808/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

139. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53800/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53798/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

156. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53795/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

183. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53810/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

197. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53799/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

207. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53805/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

220. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53797/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53796/23]

School Funding

Louise O'Reilly

262. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if additional supports and funding will be provided to a school (details supplied) in an effort to allow the school to increase the student population, specifically next September’s first year intake. [53811/23]

School Staff

Louise O'Reilly

263. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education when school caretakers will be afforded a new agreement for revised salary and annual leave entitlements similar to the agreement recently put in place for school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53812/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

287. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53809/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

341. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53803/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

374. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53807/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Louise O'Reilly

375. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if self-employed individuals are excluded from the rent supplement scheme regardless of whether they meet the requirements of the means test, as outlined by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53819/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

417. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53804/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

449. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53793/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

493. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53794/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Louise O'Reilly

494. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) in order to hire additional staff to deliver necessary services in the north county Dublin region. [53813/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

613. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53802/23]

Departmental Advertising

Louise O'Reilly

623. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how much his Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether his Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53801/23]

Further and Higher Education

Louise O'Reilly

624. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the current role of community training centres within our education system. [53815/23]

Further and Higher Education

Louise O'Reilly

625. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres remain relevant to the needs of young people and employers in an ever-changing job market and educational landscape. [53816/23]

Further and Higher Education

Louise O'Reilly

626. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how community training centres align with the broader national further and higher educational and workforce development goals. [53817/23]

Further and Higher Education

Louise O'Reilly

627. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to enhance funding and support for community training centres; or if there are plans to withdraw funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53818/23]