Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 56 of 69
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
written
Early Years Sector
Darren O'Rourke
149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no official recognition for naíonraí services that operate through the medium of Irish which means that there is no proper inspection or quality assurance system to ensure that Irish is the language of the naíonra; the way he plans address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13617/21]
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
written
Early Years Sector
Darren O'Rourke
150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that initial training and certified continuous professional development through the medium of Irish is not available to naíonraí outside the Gaeltacht; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13618/21]
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
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Early Years Sector
Darren O'Rourke
151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a huge administrative burden for early years staff reporting on schemes and inspections which is even more burdensome for naíonra staff given their working language is not taken into account; the way he plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13619/21]
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
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Vaccination Programme
Darren O'Rourke
184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the way and when Covid-19 vaccines will be provided for persons aged over 85 years in Ratoath, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13576/21]
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
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Covid-19 Pandemic
Darren O'Rourke
197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a family is permitted under the current regulations to travel to Lanzarote if the purpose of the journey is to attend a specialised centre for water-based physiotherapy for a child with cerebral palsy. [13639/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
oral
Legislative Process
Darren O'Rourke
37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the climate action and low carbon development (amendment) Bill will be brought before Dáil Éireann; if he has amended the Bill to include recommendations from the pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Climate Action; if so, the recommendations adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13516/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
oral
Electricity Grid
Darren O'Rourke
39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if EirGrid has recently sought between €700 million and €3 billion for grid investment; if so, the new and existing projects this will fund; the way in which he plans to deliver this crucial grid investment while also working with local communities; his views on delays to key grid improvements and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13517/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
oral
North-South Interconnector
Darren O'Rourke
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has spoken to an Taoiseach regarding the concerns in regard to the proposed North-South interconnector; his plans to address the significant concerns of local representatives and communities across counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan; if funding will be provided to underground this important project for the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
oral
Broadband Infrastructure
Darren O'Rourke
59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans for all persons in Ireland to have access to high-speed broadband when commercial operators are reluctant or refuse outright to extend existing lines, even by a few metres, to other homes and businesses in need of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Environmental Policy
Darren O'Rourke
90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which he plans to address the concerns of households that rely on solid fuels for their heating while also recognising the need to improve air quality; if he has examined new schemes that can help such households transition to cleaner heating sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Illegal Dumping
Darren O'Rourke
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to combat fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Local Authority Staff
Darren O'Rourke
153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of litter wardens employed by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Illegal Dumping
Darren O'Rourke
154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount each local authority spent in 2018, 2019 and 2020 cleaning up fly tipping and illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Local Authority Staff
Darren O'Rourke
155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and value of on-the-spot fines issued for littering in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of prosecutions and convictions in relation to same for the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12601/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Darren O'Rourke
207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if consumers who have flights booked during the period of level 5 restrictions, for example, those with postponed flights from 2020, are entitled to a refund if they cannot travel during level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12518/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Penalty Points System
Darren O'Rourke
220. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of penalty points issued by age and gender in 2020 and to date in 2021. [12720/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Road Projects
Darren O'Rourke
221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when constructions work on the Athy southern distributor road will commence. [12721/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Public Transport
Darren O'Rourke
222. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of child fares or equivalent fare types sold in 2019 and 2020 by the main public transport providers. [12722/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Driver Test
Darren O'Rourke
239. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of hiring one additional driver tester. [12902/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Driver Test
Darren O'Rourke
240. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some learner drivers cannot bring their children to school or travel to work as they cannot sit a driver test and the waiting list for a test could be up to 30 weeks when testing resumes; the way in which he plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Road Safety Authority
Darren O'Rourke
241. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the RSA submitted a request for 80 additional driver testers in October 2020; the reason the request has not yet been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Airport Landing Slots
Darren O'Rourke
242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to extend the 80:20 use it or lose it slot allocation rule for airlines that is set to expire at the end of March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12905/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Aviation Industry
Darren O'Rourke
243. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the value of financial requests submitted by airlines here during the ongoing pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12906/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Darren O'Rourke
244. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to put legislative protections in place for those persons who postponed flights from 2020 into 2021 but still may not be able or want to travel in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12907/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Driver Test
Darren O'Rourke
245. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when driver tests and lessons will resume; the additional protections that will be provided to driver testers and approved driving instructors to ensure their safety at work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
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Bus Services
Darren O'Rourke
257. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the supports in place for bus and coach operators (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13413/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Tobacco Smuggling
Darren O'Rourke
278. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons successfully prosecuted for either tobacco or cigarette smuggling in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12725/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Departmental Funding
Darren O'Rourke
341. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding her Department provided to each national cultural institution in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form [12726/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Darren O'Rourke
360. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rules under level 5 restrictions for a house that has been partially built and has no roof and is therefore exposed to the elements; if the roof can be completed under level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13163/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
National Planning Framework
Darren O'Rourke
365. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the national planning framework policy objective (details supplied) is being delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12481/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Consular Services
Darren O'Rourke
433. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of times he has spoken formally with the Irish Consulate General in Sydney since 1 March 2020. [12719/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
School Transport
Darren O'Rourke
497. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question 376 of 17 February 2021, if he will provide details of the membership of the steering group; the number of times and dates on which it has met; the terms of reference of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12797/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Social Welfare Rates
Darren O'Rourke
575. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the telephone support allowance by €1, €2.50, €4 and €5, respectively, in tabular form. [12723/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Jobseeker's Payments
Darren O'Rourke
576. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the earnings disregard for the jobseeker's transitional payment by €5, €10 and €15, respectively, in tabular form. [12724/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Covid-19 Pandemic
Darren O'Rourke
661. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current plans for third-level institutions for September 2021, for example, if online learning will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12591/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Garda Data
Darren O'Rourke
703. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of cases that the Meath protective services unit has dealt with since being established. [12727/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Court Judgments
Darren O'Rourke
704. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons convicted of drink driving in Trim District Court in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12728/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Firearms Licences
Darren O'Rourke
705. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the licensing requirements for gun silencers. [12729/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Garda Transport Provision
Darren O'Rourke
706. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and vans allocated to the Meath Garda division as of 26 February 2021. [12730/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Vaccination Programme
Darren O'Rourke
741. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when adults with intellectual disabilities living in residential facilities will receive the Covid-19 vaccination; if there are plans to move them up the priority list from phase 8 given the particular vulnerabilities involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12494/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Hospital Procedures
Darren O'Rourke
792. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of tricuspid valve replacement procedures carried out at St. James's Hospital in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [12715/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Darren O'Rourke
793. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the capital works that were carried out at National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the estimated cost of each project; and the duration of each of the capital works projects in tabular form. [12716/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Home Care Packages
Darren O'Rourke
794. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Meath seeking an intensive home care package. [12717/21]
Wed, 10 Mar 2021
written
Health Services Staff
Darren O'Rourke
795. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant cardiothoracic surgeon posts that have been advertised since 2016; and the number of these posts that have been filled to date. [12718/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
Driver Test
Darren O'Rourke
19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting to sit their driving test at the end of February 2021, by test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
Driver Test
Darren O'Rourke
20. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons currently registered to sit their driver theory test by test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
Road Safety Authority
Darren O'Rourke
21. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver testers employed by the RSA at the end of February 2021; the number employed by the RSA at the end of February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12257/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
Road Safety Authority
Darren O'Rourke
22. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of approved driving instructors registered at the end of February 2021; the number that were registered at the end of February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12258/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
National Planning Framework
Darren O'Rourke
76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which national policy objective 58 in the national planning framework (details supplied) is being overseen and implemented; if he will provide a progress report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12381/21]
Thu, 4 Mar 2021
written
National Planning Framework
Darren O'Rourke
77. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which regional planning objective 7.22 of the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (details supplied) is being overseen and implemented; if he will provide a progress report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12382/21]