Parliamentary questions

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

168. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a full life cycle analysis has been undertaken or will be undertaken for the proposed ban on the use of single-use cups versus reusable delph when dining in in cafés, as proposed under the Circular Economy Bill 2022; when the assessments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28646/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

169. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a full regulatory impact assessment has been undertaken/or will be conducted for the proposed ban on the use of single-use cups versus reusable delph when dining in in cafés as proposed under the Circular Economy Bill 2022; when the assessments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28647/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

170. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if economic impacts (details supplied) have been included or will be included in the regulatory impact assessment for the proposed ban on the use of single-use cups versus reusable delph when dining in in cafés, as proposed in the Circular Economy Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28648/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

171. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the 20 cent levy on single-use cups, as proposed in the Circular Economy Bill 2022 will be ringfenced for use by SMEs in the hospitality sector to subsidise re-usable cups to encourage behavioural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28649/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

172. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the report on the consultation on the regulations to introduce a levy on single-use cups and a ban on the use of single-use cups when dining in in cafés, as proposed under the Circular Economy Bill 2022 will be published ahead of the proposed introduction on 1 December 2022; if time will be given to consult with stakeholders on the consultation report; if an adequate transition period will be given to prepare for the new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28650/22]

Waste Management

Neale Richmond

173. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a full regulatory impact assessment will be conducted ahead of the introduction of single-use cold cup levy, as proposed in the Circular Economy Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28651/22]

Taxi Licences

Neale Richmond

199. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the incentives that he is considering to increase the amount of taxis in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/22]

Rental Sector

Neale Richmond

227. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to ensure that small landlords stay in the rental market rather than selling their properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28665/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

305. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place to support those who take in Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/22]

Legal Aid

Neale Richmond

351. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the breakdown of legal aid payments for 2019, 2020 and 2021 by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28668/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

1. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent conversation with the British Prime Minister. [24532/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

87. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider implementing a windfall tax on energy firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28302/22]

International Protection

Neale Richmond

186. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the situation in which the expiration of short-term visas in May 2022 will lead to a shortage of homecare workers; if she will address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28361/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

48. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to support the development of walking routes in the Dublin mountains; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27624/22]

Vacant Properties

Neale Richmond

57. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to ensure that vacant buildings can be restored for use by community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27625/22]

Public Transport

Neale Richmond

146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to expand the capacity of the Luas green line given the number of housing developments along the route which will significantly add to the line’s use and capacity in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28053/22]

Public Transport

Neale Richmond

147. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to expand the regularity and capacity of bus routes in the Dublin 18 area given the number of housing developments along the route which will significantly add to the service’s use and capacity in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28054/22]

Schools Administration

Neale Richmond

410. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the use of assistive technology in the Drumcondra primary tests scoring system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27860/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Neale Richmond

457. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive their travel pass as per their application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27416/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

615. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for citizenship applications for minors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28052/22]

Vaccination Programme

Neale Richmond

757. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he expects second Covid-19 booster doses to be administered to the wider age cohorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27986/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

21. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will address the issues raised by medical scientists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

62. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Leopardstown area in Dublin 18 does not have sufficient public health nurse services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25996/22]

Food Industry

Neale Richmond

157. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the destinations for Irish agri-food exports post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25998/22]

Brexit Supports

Neale Richmond

194. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Brexit supports provided by his Department for the agri-foods industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25999/22]

Sentencing Policy

Neale Richmond

31. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider introducing mandatory minimum sentences for those persons who assault frontline workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25984/22]

Alcohol Sales

Neale Richmond

50. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the reform of licensing laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25985/22]

Exports Growth

Neale Richmond

44. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the main location for Irish trading destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25202/22]

Third Level Education

Neale Richmond

166. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to improve access to third-level education across the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25204/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Neale Richmond

183. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure a sufficient number of trained construction workers through apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25205/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

115. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) is not participating in the Summer Education Programme for Children with Additional Needs given that it is not safe to do so; if she has engaged with the school to provide solutions to these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24991/22]

Northern Ireland

Neale Richmond

53. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he has spoken to the leaders of the parties in Northern Ireland following the Stormont elections. [22930/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

83. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to ensure the welfare of Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24215/22]

Live Register

Neale Richmond

140. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the figures on the Live Register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24214/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

585. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on a pathway to citizenship for those born in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24198/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

586. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the current number of citizenship applications being processed for minors with a naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24199/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

587. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for citizenship applications for a minor with at least one naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24200/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

588. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of decisions made per year over the past five years for citizenship applications for a minor with at least one naturalised parent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24201/22]

Immigration Status

Neale Richmond

616. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that students on stamp 2 visas who are due to enter third-level education in September must leave the country for the summer sacrificing their accommodation and jobs; if she will consider extending stamp 2 visa permissions until 31 September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24785/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Neale Richmond

740. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if contact tracers are eligible for the Covid-19 bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24807/22]

European Union

Neale Richmond

45. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the European Strategic Compass and Ireland’s role within this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23801/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

56. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the supports that have been sent to the Ukrainian army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

106. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of special needs assistants for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23813/22]

Site Acquisitions

Neale Richmond

117. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of a permanent site for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23812/22]

Schools Building Projects

Neale Richmond

190. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the review for exemptions for educational and community buildings to obtain planning permission to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23911/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

318. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the supports that he will introduce to support those with long-Covid throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23912/22]

Health Services

Neale Richmond

319. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce additional occupational therapy posts across the country to help deal with the numbers of those suffering with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

320. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a central mechanism for registered doctors to volunteer to help Ukrainian refugees access healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23915/22]

Citizens' Assembly

Neale Richmond

22. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the timeline for citizens’ assemblies as included in the programme for Government. [22026/22]

Official Travel

Neale Richmond

88. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent trip to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22926/22]

Official Travel

Neale Richmond

144. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent trip to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22927/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

412. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his work at European Union level in response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. [18298/22]

Swimming Pools

Neale Richmond

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

Sports Funding

Neale Richmond

33. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that are in place and will be introduced to support women’s rugby; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22137/22]

Ukraine War

Neale Richmond

83. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the way local authorities are co-ordinating their refugee supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22140/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

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

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

113. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport when the scheme will be launched for electric vehicle chargers for those who live in apartment blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21760/22]

Citizenship Applications

Neale Richmond

221. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person who was born and raised in Canada but adopted by an Irish born father must register their adoption to claim their right to Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22029/22]

Tax Data

Neale Richmond

10. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the tax receipts for the first quarter of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21166/22]

EU Meetings

Neale Richmond

49. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recent meeting of the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21167/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Neale Richmond

117. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the Civil Service blended working policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21192/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Neale Richmond

124. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the recently announced measures to tackle the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

181. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will remove the VAT on automated external defibrillators, replacement pads and batteries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

242. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will explore options to allow students in Northern Ireland to receive full access to the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21633/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Neale Richmond

60. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will undertake a study into all the renewable energy options available to Ireland to examine the infrastructure development that is required and that can be achieved to help Ireland achieve the climate action goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/22]

North-South Implementation Bodies

Neale Richmond

9. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the shared island unit of his Department. [18297/22]

North-South Implementation Bodies

Neale Richmond

11. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the National Economic and Social Council comprehensive report on Shared Island: Shared Opportunity. [21062/22]

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of electric vehicle charging points in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21067/22]

Public Transport

Neale Richmond

160. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to make public transport more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21068/22]

Fuel Prices

Neale Richmond

197. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has considered ways to make consumers aware of the prices of petrol in a centralised database prior to purchasing to help combat the rising costs of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/22]

State Bodies

Neale Richmond

229. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no one stop shops listed on the SEAI websites that the SEAI has stated that these will be available in a couple of weeks for some time now; if he will engage with the SEAI on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19272/22]

Post Office Network

Neale Richmond

331. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will explore the introduction of a five-year plan for the Post Office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21251/22]

Electricity Supply Board

Neale Richmond

371. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to price increases for electric car owners to avail of ESB charging points; if he has liaised with ESB on this; his views on whether this will dissuade persons from making the switch to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19947/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

372. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport when will the youth travel card come into effect for those that operate commercial buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19948/22]

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

409. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of electric vehicle charging points in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20820/22]

Electric Vehicles

Neale Richmond

410. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle charging points that are to be supplied in each county over the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/22]

Bus Services

Neale Richmond

411. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to bus providers limiting their transport routes from the greater Dublin area to Dublin airport and the impact this is having on those who want to avail of a public transport option to the airport as opposed to driving; if he has taken steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/22]

Tax Code

Neale Richmond

519. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing the VAT to 9% on home heating oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20612/22]

Banking Sector

Neale Richmond

520. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a bank (details supplied) has decided to cancel its loans for graduate entry medicine students; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this was the only source of funding for many students; if he has engaged with the bank on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20613/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

936. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if she has been in contact with the State Exams Commission regarding the delays to Irish oral leaving certificate examinations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20822/22]

State Examinations

Neale Richmond

937. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her views on whether delays to the leaving certificate Irish oral examinations are warranted; if they will be carried out as soon as possible to ease stress on students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20823/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

938. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a school (details supplied) has not received a new special needs assistant since September 2020 despite a rise in students requiring same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20827/22]

Special Educational Needs

Neale Richmond

939. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to ensure that a school (details supplied) has adequate resources to facilitate its student body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20828/22]

Third Level Costs

Neale Richmond

1207. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a bank (details supplied) will cancel its loan system for students of graduate-entry medicine; if he has engaged with universities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20614/22]

Alcohol Sales

Neale Richmond

1305. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice if she has engaged with publicans regarding their concerns over the upcoming reform of licensing laws; if she has heard and addressed their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20824/22]

Health Services Staff

Neale Richmond

1408. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the number of paediatric occupational therapists currently allocated to each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19452/22]

Medical Cards

Neale Richmond

1409. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the reason that gross income as opposed to net income is considered when assessing medical cards for those who are over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19453/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Neale Richmond

1488. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of funded IVF for couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19812/22]

Abortion Services

Neale Richmond

1538. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the status of his work to legislate for safe zones around abortion providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20019/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Neale Richmond

1812. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if healthcare workers who previously worked on Covid-19 wards but who have since moved to a new position within the HSE will be eligible for the Covid-19 bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21104/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neale Richmond

1846. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will remove the age restriction for the Freestyle Libre device for those with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21248/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neale Richmond

1847. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a health technology assessment for the Freestyle Libre device for diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/22]

Brexit Issues

Neale Richmond

28. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the impact that Brexit has had on Ireland’s trading destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/22]

Trade Promotion

Neale Richmond

77. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the work he is undertaking to promote new and existing trading links; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/22]

Energy Prices

Neale Richmond

128. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the impact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had on Ireland’s energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18740/22]

Departmental Schemes

Neale Richmond

147. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the electricity costs emergency benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18739/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has been in contact with small childcare providers to discuss concerns with the new core funding model for childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

147. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether childcare providers with staff with additional qualifications should receive additional funding to provide staff with increased wages on the basis of these increased qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18511/22]

Childcare Services

Neale Richmond

148. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with childcare providers over concerns regarding the ability to pay sick and holiday pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18512/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Neale Richmond

9. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Taoiseach what measures have been agreed at European Council level in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. [14475/22]