Parliamentary questions

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

158. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the rollout of the EV Commercial Fleet Trial; if his Department is promoting this among local and national enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54027/22]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

162. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the amount of electric vehicle charging points that are currently in operation in Ireland; the targets that have been set by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54018/22]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

163. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the public consultation on the EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy; if he still intends on publishing a final strategy before the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54020/22]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

164. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the number of trials that have taken place under the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland EV Commercial Fleet Trial; if his Department is engaging with businesses to promote this trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54022/22]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

165. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport his views that businesses can be a driving force as part of the modal shift towards electric vehicles and the overall electrification of the fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54024/22]

Electric Vehicles

John Paul Phelan

166. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment regarding the EV Commercial Fleet Trial; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54026/22]

Departmental Consultations

John Paul Phelan

260. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will establish a working group in advance of the publication of the newly proposed Research Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54014/22]

Local Authorities

John Paul Phelan

91. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is satisfied that local authority county and city development plans are being prepared or amended to take account of the population increases in the 2022 Census of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/22]

Housing Schemes

John Paul Phelan

329. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he is aware of persons who apply under homeless housing assistance payment, HAP, in the jurisdiction of Fingal County Council being transferred to the housing list of another local authority area Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53455/22]

State Examinations

John Paul Phelan

412. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay by the State Examinations Commission in processing appeals submitted by Leaving Certificate students (details supplied) given that students are dependent upon the outcome of appeals in order to accept college places and the delay in processing appeals has resulted in students losing out on many weeks of college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53456/22]

Industrial Relations

John Paul Phelan

52. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on his Department's public consultation on collective bargaining; the number of submissions that his Department received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52260/22]

EU Regulations

John Paul Phelan

53. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of engagement that his Department has had on the European Union Chips Act; the impact that it will have on the semiconductor industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52268/22]

EU Regulations

John Paul Phelan

55. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current status of Ireland's implementation of the eIDAS regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52272/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

56. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clearly outline the Government's plan to ensure security of supply of energy during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52261/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

57. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the latest work of the energy security emergency group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

58. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the implications that the United Kingdom's Office of Gas and Electricity Markets’ warning of a significant supply shortage of natural gas could have on Ireland's gas supplies from the United Kingdom; if current contractual agreements will be affected as a result of a shock in supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52264/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

59. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he intends to publish a public consultation into the usage of direct lines and private wires; the reason that this consultation has been delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52266/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

60. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on his Department's consultation on producing a national hydrogen strategy for Ireland; when such a strategy will be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52269/22]

Energy Policy

John Paul Phelan

61. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the context of reviewing planning laws pertaining to renewable energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52270/22]

Regulatory Bodies

John Paul Phelan

82. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to expedite the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority to ensure that the board is in place before the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52263/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

John Paul Phelan

86. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of engagement that his Department has had with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in the context of reviewing planning laws pertaining to renewable energy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52271/22]

Legislative Programme

John Paul Phelan

177. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline to publish a general scheme of a new research Bill in the context of the Impact 2030 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52265/22]

Medicinal Products

John Paul Phelan

234. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health when he intends to outline Ireland's national position in respect of the revision of the EU pharmaceutical strategy; if his Department intends to meet with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52267/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Paul Phelan

104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the future farming apprenticeships which he plans to announce in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51225/22]

Budget 2023

John Paul Phelan

361. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the €50 million funding allocated to the approval of new medicines in Budget 2021 and the €30 million Budget 2022 that was spent on the approval of new medicines; the amount that was not spent from the allocation in each respective fiscal years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50795/22]

Medicinal Products

John Paul Phelan

362. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the amount of the 2021 and 2022 funding for approval of new medicines that was spent on non-oncology orphan medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50796/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

6. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the way that salmon catchment numbers were put together for the rivers Suir and Nore in each of the years 2018 to 2022, inclusive; the way that the calculations were adjusted to take account of low water during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50471/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

7. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request the installation of a salmon counter on the River Suir at Carrick On Suir to ensure the accuracy of the number of salmon that go up the River Suir to spawn rather than depending on guesswork; if the number of salmon recorded in future will be based over a full calendar year using a counter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50472/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

8. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will request the installation of a salmon counter on the River Nore at Inistiogue to ensure accuracy of the number of salmon that go up the River Nore to spawn rather than depending on guesswork; if the number of salmon that are recorded in future will be based over a full calendar year using a counter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50473/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

9. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that representatives of the ancient and cultural tradition of snap net fishing will be included in the decision-making process in relation to the salmon catch that is allowed on the rivers Suir and Nore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50474/22]

Fisheries Protection

John Paul Phelan

10. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the way that the ancient tradition of snap net fishing that has been in place since the time of the Vikings will be protected into the future to ensure that the unique skills are not lost forever; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50475/22]

School Transport

John Paul Phelan

107. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the way in which she proposes to use the additional funding for school transport allocated in Budget 2023 to ensure that students who previously would have had access to a discretionary school bus ticket are catered for in the free school transport scheme as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49861/22]

School Funding

John Paul Phelan

126. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the measures included in Budget 2023 to increase the financial supports available to all school boards of management to ensure that they can meet the increased costs of heating school premises in the coming winter months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49862/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

171. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clearly outline Ireland's position on the proposal to extend the TRIPS waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics for Covid-19, which is the subject of discussion at the World Trade Organization; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50239/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

172. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether intellectual property rights should be protected, especially in the development of innovative medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50240/22]

Intellectual Property

John Paul Phelan

173. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of engagement that his Department has had with the European Commission in respect of the proposed extension of the TRIPS waiver to therapeutics and diagnostics for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50241/22]

Departmental Policies

John Paul Phelan

259. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be set up and operating again (details supplied); the way in which the huge backlog of applicants will be dealt with in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49470/22]

Mental Health Services

John Paul Phelan

736. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the number of female patients in Dóchas suffering with mental health conditions awaiting a specialist bed; the length of time that each has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50118/22]

Greyhound Industry

John Paul Phelan

799. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the 18 month delay in his Department approving the commencing construction of a project (details supplied); if he will give a commitment that the project will proceed; the proposed timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50183/22]

Tax Credits

John Paul Phelan

244. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance the way that he intends to provide for amendments to the payable element of the research and development tax credit, to ensure that it aligns with the new international definitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48591/22]

Tax Reliefs

John Paul Phelan

245. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out the current mechanism of the knowledge development box; the way the measures outlined in budget 2023 will have an impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48592/22]

Tax Reliefs

John Paul Phelan

246. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the research and development tax credit and knowledge development box public consultation; the next steps that his Department will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48593/22]

Energy Prices

John Paul Phelan

84. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with energy-intensive industries and large multinational corporations regarding the difficulties that they are facing in addressing rising energy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47484/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

88. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the European Commission's proposal to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand across the European Union, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47485/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

89. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on the Commission for Regulation of Utilities proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; his views on whether an incentivised reduction model would be more appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47486/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

99. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand contrasts sharply with the approach of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in its proposed measures to reduce electricity demand among large and extra-large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47488/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

100. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications his views on whether the Commission for Regulation of Utilities should revise its proposals to impose a tariff system among consumers, particularly in the context of large and extra-large energy users, given the publication of the European Commission's proposed regulation to incentivise a reduction in electricity demand. [47489/22]

Energy Usage

John Paul Phelan

101. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he or his Department has had further interaction with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities since its publication of proposed measures to tackle rising electricity costs; if he expects these proposals to be implemented on 1 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47490/22]

Emergency Planning

John Paul Phelan

102. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Project Dara war-game preparedness exercises for emergency energy shortages that were recently carried out; if his Department intends to carry out any further exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/22]

Departmental Consultations

John Paul Phelan

122. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his Department's recent public consultation on the implementation of the pillar 2 minimum tax rate; the next steps he expects to take in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47483/22]