Parliamentary questions

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

122. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an bhfuil cur chun cinn na litearthachta i nGaeilge mar chuid den Straitéis Litearthachta Fadsaoil do Dhaoine Fásta a sheol sé i mbliana agus ráiteas a thabhairt ar chur chuige an Rialtais maidir le litearthacht a spreagadh sa Ghaeilge. [45592/23]

Tax Data

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

161. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance to explain how the estimated €3 million cost figure was arrived at in relation to the proposed VAT zero-rating of ebooks and audiobooks in budget 2024, including by outlining the number of ebooks and audiobooks sold annually and the average price of ebooks and audiobooks used in calculating this figure. [44957/23]

General Practitioner Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

507. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health is he aware that as of September 2023 the HSE no longer allocates a GP to medical card holders if they are unable to find in their locality a GP with capacity to take them onto their patient lists; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in some case severely ill patients whose existing GP is retiring and who are dependent on GPs to issue their repeat three-monthly prescriptions, will now have to rely on attending hospital monthly to ensure continuation of supply. [44728/23]

Hospital Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

508. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason that St. James's Hospital has ended the GP blood clinic (details supplied). [44729/23]

Health Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

509. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health is he aware that the Limekiln Lane Health Centre, Dublin, has ended its important development checks on two-year-olds; the steps that are being taken to reopen the service which parents of young children were dependent on; and his views on the matter which is causing stress to parents. [44730/23]

General Practitioner Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

512. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps a person should take to get medical treatment from a doctor, given that their existing GP is retiring and he has been unable to find another practice in Dublin 8, 10, 12, 20 or 22 that will take them on to ensure continuity of treatment for liver disease and continuity of medication after the current three-month prescription runs out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44737/23]

Film Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

22. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the practice of so-called ‘buy-out’ contracts in the film industry, and the campaign by Irish performers and writers to secure their future residual payments from work on film through stronger implementation of the European Copyright Directive; the action, he plans to take to address their concerns and ensure that Irish performers are not forced to work for worse terms and conditions than performers from other countries working on the same films; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44317/23]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

50. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta an bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta maidir le comhráite idir a Roinn agus an feachtas ar son pacáistiú dátheangach sna siopaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44318/23]

General Practitioner Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

177. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will address a mater (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44486/23]

Recycling Policy

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

41. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps being taken to introduce the EU Textile EPR Directive of July 2023 for fashion brands in Ireland; whether retailers and producers will be encouraged to work with social enterprise and charitable companies primarily to deliver on the intention to extend the lifetime of textiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44068/23]

Recycling Policy

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

42. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made in relation to the measures set out in the A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020-2025 in relation to developing a separate collection framework proposals which would take account of the potential global impacts of the international trade in used textiles and whether any consultation has been had with Ireland’s recycled textile collection operators. [44074/23]

Recycling Policy

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

43. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the regulations that exist to regulate the distribution, location and operation of textile collection banks [44075/23]

Legislative Measures

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

54. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if the stakeholder engagement relating to horse-drawn carriages has been satisfactorily completed; and when he plans to bring forward legislation to allow local authorities to regulate horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward, the associated insurance, registration, horse welfare and other related issues. [43545/23]

Tax Reliefs

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

98. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance where the intellectual property rights of a designated activity company, established for the purpose of section 481 tax relief, go upon the dissolution of the said company. [43580/23]

Tax Credits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

115. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance his plans to organise the stakeholder forum to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Section 481 credit for all concerned stakeholders and facilitate discussion of relevant issues, as recommended in the Budgetary Oversight Committee Report on the Section 481 Film Tax Credit; when he expects this forum will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43785/23]

EU Directives

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

158. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason Article 26 of the European Copyright Directive has not been transposed in full; to outline any plans she has to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43579/23]

EU Directives

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

165. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the review, promised within 12 months of its transposition, into the impact of the European Copyright Directive was conducted; if he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43948/23]

EU Directives

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

166. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the stakeholder consultation forum, promised by the end of Q3 of 2023 on the operation of the European Copyright Directive, has not yet taken place; when it will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43949/23]

Tax Reliefs

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

242. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the progress of the digital games relief under section 481A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43578/23]

Tax Credits

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

248. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to organise the stakeholder forum to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Section 481 credit for all concerned stakeholders and facilitate discussion of relevant issues, as recommended in the Budgetary Oversight Committee Report on Section 481 Film Tax Credit; when she expects this forum will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43784/23]

Heritage Sites

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

259. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will issue a response to correspondence from a person (details supplied) to his office; if he will outline the efforts, if any, made by his Department to verify the claims put forward; and if he will outline the plans, if any, to conduct upgrade or refurbishment works at Sí an Bhrú in the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site. [43521/23]

Artists' Remuneration

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

125. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that the observation of selection process for the basic income for the arts pilot scheme, commissioned from a company (details supplied) and received by her Department in June 2023, at a cost of €8,462.40, is not due to be published; and if she will reconsider this decision. [42995/23]

Film Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

126. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will agree to include the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act 2007 and the EU copyright directive among the specifically listed relevant legislation to which production companies must comply on the statement they must sign in order to obtain a cultural certificate for section 481 relief; if she will make the provision of a cultural certificate for section 481 relief contingent on a further assurance, as part of the industry development test, that Irish performers will not be subject to lesser terms and conditions regarding their intellectual property rights in comparison with international performers in similar roles when employed on the same project receiving section 481 relief, in line with recommendations 7 and 8 of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight report on section 481 tax relief; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43031/23]

Postal Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

157. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he would consider the introduction of a postcode capable of being used by An Post in light of recent articles (details supplied) detailing how parcels addressed with Eircode are often returned to the sender as being incompletely addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42691/23]

Middle East

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

27. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what actions he will take given the accelerating illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank of Palestine. [41763/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

56. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what Ireland's response is to the escalating situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh. [41762/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

204. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify whether or not, in a situation such as that of a person (details supplied), where the 24/7 care of a person is split between their three children, each of whom is working full-time, even one of those three carers could be eligible for carer's allowance; if not, the other financial supports that are in place for such a family; and how they should apply for free incontinence pads. [41960/23]

Care of the Elderly

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

267. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health to clarify, in a situation such as that of a person (details supplied), where the care of a person is split between their three children, each of whom is working full-time, how they should apply for free incontinence pads. [41961/23]

Defence Forces

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

61. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of serving military doctors who have been arrested, by either the military police or by An Garda Síochána; the number of times they have been arrested and the reason for the arrests and whether any of them were subsequently charged with an offence; if they were found guilty or not in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/23]

Air Corps

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

62. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason civilian aeroplane Beechcraft Model 18 tail number G-BSZC overnighted in No2 hangar in Baldonnell in 2004; the precise date of the visit; the name of the pilots, crew and passengers; and the originating airport. [40244/23]

Visa Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

711. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that a visa application (details supplied) will be processed as a matter of urgency as the delay has cost the person their job and is having a very real and negative impact on their mental and physical health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40552/23]

Passport Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

33. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs given the ongoing delays in the processing of passports, some of which is caused by the delays in managing to get confirmation of signatures of members of An Garda Síochána, if consideration has been given to setting up a system by which a Garda can certify their signature on a passport application contemporaneously via a Passport Office secure portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38014/23]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

567. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta cén fáth nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge, nó fiú Gaeilge ar bith, ar shuíomh gréasáin na Gníomhaireachta Forbartha Tionscail agus cé na céimeanna atá á nglacadh chun a chinnitú go mbeidh leagan dátheangach den suíomh gréasáin sin ar fáil go luath. [38013/23]

Child Abuse

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

625. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that the victims of abuse in Protestant-ethos institutions are treated equally with victims of abuse in other schools in Ireland, including other religious schools, by changing the terms of reference of her Department’s scoping inquiry to ensure they are pluralist and reflective of a non-sectarian republic. [37924/23]

Child Abuse

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

635. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education what action can be taken to address the failure of the Church of Ireland to thus far properly treat the victims of a cleric (details supplied). [37990/23]

Child Abuse

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

636. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of confidentiality agreements, otherwise known as 'gagging clauses’, that have been imposed on Church of Ireland-schools, associated institutions, or the church itself, in relation to information regarding victims of abuse claimants in schools run by or associated with the Church of Ireland; if this runs contrary to the announced scoping inquiry by her Department into abuse in schools in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37991/23]

Child Abuse

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

637. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she can confirm if the homes run by an order (details supplied), that also operated as schools, will be covered in the scoping inquiry by her Department. [37992/23]

Child Abuse

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

638. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education if she can confirm if the child abuse in a school (details supplied) will be covered in her Department’s scoping inquiry of abuse in schools in Ireland. [37993/23]

Heritage Sites

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

859. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans, if any, he has in relation to safeguarding and preserving the built heritage of Aldborough House on Portland Row; and his views on the campaign by the Dublin Civic Trust, the Irish Georgian Society, and An Taisce to have the building saved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37707/23]

Pensions Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1012. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection what steps have been taken to ensure that the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection recommendation that the new automatic enrolment pension scheme should be prohibited from investing in fossil fuels or the arms industry is complied with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38016/23]

Pensions Reform

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1013. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection what steps have been taken to implement the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection recommendation that a minimum percentage of the new automatic enrolment pension funds should be invested in Irish renewable energy developments in order to ensure our climate action obligations. [38017/23]

Departmental Reviews

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1134. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice if the policy directive relating to the handling of covert human intelligence sources published on 9 June 2022 has been reviewed; if so, if it is intended to publish that review; if a process is in place to ensure that the tri-annual review set out thereafter is scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38015/23]

An Garda Síochána

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1135. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice if anyone has ever been convicted under section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018, relating to receiving or giving bribes; and the number of officers of An Garda Síochána’s who are in the National Economic Crime Bureau. [38018/23]

Na Meáin Chumarsáide

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

531. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an mbeadh sí sásta obair lena chinntiú, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na n-athbhreithnithe atá beartaithe don chraoltóir seirbhíse poiblí, go ndéanfar an céatadán de bhuiséad iomlán RTÉ a chaitear ar chraolachán Gaeilge a dhúbailt ó 7.5% go 15% chun na dualgais reachtúla atá orthu faoin Acht Craolacháin, 2009 a chomhlíonadh; breis soláthair a dhéanamh ar chláracha Gaeilge teilifíse agus raidió agus tacú le cothromaíocht pá agus forbairt caipitil do RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35683/23]

Disability Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

989. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the case of a child (details supplied) whose original application for an assessment of need was lost by the HSE; if he will ensure that this child receives their AON and support as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35858/23]

Arts Council

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

52. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she met with the Arts Council in relation to the incorrect correspondence promising an award of €25,000 each to 141 artists under the next generation artists fund at a total cost of €3.525 million; if she is satisfied that measures have been put in place to ensure a repeat of this incident will not occur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34774/23]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

55. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí buartha mar an tAire atá freagrach as cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 go bhfuil teip ar alt 7 sa chomhthéacs nach bhfuil leagan Gaeilge foilsithe seachas i gcás 21% den 511 Acht a bhí le cur ar fáil i nGaeilge faoi 2024 de réir chinneadh na hArd-Chúirte i 2019, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aici dul i mbun comhrá leis an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Rannóg an Aistriúchán, nó Seirbhís Thithe an Oireachtais chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm an alt seo go luath. [34777/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

63. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén cur chuige atá idir í féin agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun cinntiú go mbeidh leas á bhaint as na 60 foirgnimh folamh atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [34776/23]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

92. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí buartha faoin titim leanúnach ar líon na gcainteoir laethúil Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht atá léirithe i nDaonáirimh 2016 agus 2022; agus an aithníonn sí go léiríonn seo go bhfuil géarchéim teangeolaíoch sa Ghaeltacht; agus ráiteas a thabhairt faoi conas dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb. [34778/23]

Film Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will agree to make her issuance of the cultural certificate for applicants for section 481 film tax relief conditional on the fulfilment of clear metrics for quality employment and training, and compliance with copyright legislation; and if she will convene a stakeholder forum as a matter of priority in line with recommendation No. 14 of the report of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight on the section 481 tax credit for film. [34775/23]