Parliamentary questions

Departmental Consultations

Catherine Connolly

149. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend the public consultation deadline on the Green Paper on disability reform; the number of submissions received to-date; the expected timeline for the consideration of all submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54183/23]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

174. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the grounds on which aircraft on contract to the US military transportation command are being allowed by his Department to transit through Shannon Airport and through Irish airspace on their way to and from supporting wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, including Israeli bombardment of Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54354/23]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

175. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department approved the transport of US soldiers, weapons or munitions on aircraft (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54355/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice if, in light of recent events in Dublin city, additional security measures will be considered for upcoming citizenship ceremonies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54359/23]

State Bodies

Catherine Connolly

107. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the final report of the External Scoping Exercise into certain matters pertaining to An Bord Pleanála by a person (details supplied) has been completed to-date; the details of any interim reports provided to-date; the timeline for the publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54205/23]

Planning Issues

Catherine Connolly

108. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review by his Department of resources for the planning sector; the status of the development of the related ministerial action plan; the timeline for the publication of the action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54206/23]

Housing Policy

Catherine Connolly

109. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the development of the new rural housing guidelines; the timeline for the publication of the new guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54207/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte 45678/23, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an obair athbhreithniúcháin atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i ndáil leis na córais agus an cur chuige atá i ngníomh ag an Údarás chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus i ndáil leis na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riar; chun a iarraidh uirthi soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na moltaí atá tagtha as an obair athbhreithniúcháin; chun a fhiafraí di cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an scéim nua tacaíochta forbartha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53611/23]

Pleanáil Teanga

Catherine Connolly

73. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte 45680/23, cé mhéad limistéar pleanála teanga nach bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga fostaithe iontu faoi láthair; chun a iarraidh uirthi soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an anailís atá faoi chaibidil ag an Roinn maidir leis an ábhar seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53610/23]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, for a status update on the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to-date; for a breakdown of where any funds drawn down to-date have been allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53607/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

81. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 45986/23, soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an bplean atá tagtha as an obair athbhreithniúcháin atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin bpunann iomlán mhaoine atá aige agus ar na féidearthachtaí forbartha atá ann; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na hacmhainní airgeadais a bheidh ag teastáil chun an plean a chur i gcrích; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53608/23]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of any engagement she or her Department has had with Údarás na Gaeltachta in relation to the provision of housing on lands and property owned by the Údarás, and in particular the provision of public housing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53609/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

138. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs given that the International Criminal Court is engaged in an active investigation of the situation in Palestine, including an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity, and given Ireland's political and financial support for the Court's work, if there are any plans to communicate advisories to Irish citizens and residents who may be serving or volunteering in the Israel Defence Forces on the potential legal consequences and individual criminal liability that could arise under both Irish and international criminal law from their conduct in the course of such service or volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53774/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken to ensure that a US navy aircraft (details supplied) was not transporting US soldiers or military materials for delivery to Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53820/23]

Culture Policy

Catherine Connolly

281. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, the details of the performance delivery agreement between her Department and Galway Culture Company, which was signed in June 2023; if the agreement it publicly available; if not, her plans to publish it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53627/23]

Culture Policy

Catherine Connolly

282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, and the performance delivery agreement, the dates of all bilateral meetings on progress against milestones under the PDA that have taken place to-date between her Department and Galway Culture Company; her plans to publish the minutes of the meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53628/23]

Culture Policy

Catherine Connolly

283. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, and the Performance Delivery Agreement, the dates of all quarterly reporting meetings that have taken place to-date between Galway Culture Company and the public funders; the details of the public funders included in these quarterly meetings; the plans to publish the minutes of the meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53629/23]

Acht na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

284. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 9 an 19 Deireadh Fómhair 2023, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an obair athbhreithniúcháin ar na chéad 10 bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012; cathain a thosófar an obair athbhreithniúcháin ar na bpleananna eile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53630/23]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Catherine Connolly

6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 5 October 2023, the status of the roll out of park-and-ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52832/23]

Public Transport

Catherine Connolly

41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 5 October 2023, the status of the feasibility study on light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the development of the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; the details of the engagement between the National Transport Authority and local groups in the development of the draft strategy, and in particular the feasibility study on light rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52833/23]

School Enrolments

Catherine Connolly

83. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a map of the catchment area for a school (details supplied), given that a number of local residents have been unable to get places in the school despite living in close proximity to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52862/23]

School Admissions

Catherine Connolly

123. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education what engagement she or her Department has had with post-primary schools in Galway with a view to implementing a common application system along the lines of the Limerick Area Post-Primary Schools Common Application System; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52863/23]

Official Travel

Catherine Connolly

212. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent visit to Israel/Palestine; if he made a request to visit Gaza; if any such request was granted or refused; the reasons given for any refusal; the reason he did not visit Gaza on this trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to call for a comprehensive international arms embargo to be placed on Israel; the details of any engagement he has had at EU and UN level in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50113/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as per the commitment in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50114/23]

Ukraine War

Catherine Connolly

244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of Ireland's financial and in-kind assistance to Ukraine since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52857/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Catherine Connolly

415. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of the disablement pension and the unemployability supplement are entitled to receive the winter 2023 and January 2024 cost-of-living bonus payments; if not, the reason for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53102/23]

School Transport

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been brought to the shortage of bus contractors and drivers available to provide the school transport service in parts of Galway, and in particular on bus route 5060, which has left up to 50 families without school transport since September 2023; the engagement she or her Department have had with Bus Éireann with a view to resolving this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52865/23]

School Transport

Catherine Connolly

75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 17 October 2023; the timeline for the publication of the final report of the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52866/23]

School Staff

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 713 of 18 January 2023; the status of plans to establish a new system of redeployment for post-primary teachers, whereby teachers wishing to relocate could retain their permanent and CID status; the details of any engagement her Department has had in this regard in 2023 with teacher representative groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52867/23]

Oideachas trí Ghaeilge

Catherine Connolly

77. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 150 an 29 Iúil 2023, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an bplean chun beartas cuimsitheach don Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, idir leibhéal an oideachais réamhscoile agus leibhéal an oideachais do mhúinteoirí, a fhorbairt agus a fhoilsiú; cathain a fhoilseofar an beartas nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [52868/23]

School Funding

Catherine Connolly

78. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education what analysis her Department has carried out into the different approaches to funding, and any disparities that may arise as a result, between ETB Irish-medium secondary schools and voluntary sector schools; what engagement she has had with the ETB sector in 2023 in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52869/23]

Flood Risk Management

Catherine Connolly

27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 26 October 2023, the status of the review by the Coirib go Cósta steering group of the draft revised programme for the Coirib go Cósta flood relief scheme; the timeline for the publication of the revised project programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52247/23]

Flood Risk Management

Catherine Connolly

61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the details of his Department’s plan for assisting the recovery of communities in County Galway impacted by recent flooding, with regard to flood relief measures, flood defences and climate adaptation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52248/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

90. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when it was agreed to permit Israeli security personnel to be located on the premises of Dublin Airport in order to screen passengers intending to travel on El Al flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv; if similar arrangements are in place for any other sovereign nations’ security or intelligence personnel in addition to those of the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52012/23]

Export Controls

Catherine Connolly

250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for details of all export licences under the various categories of the Control of Exports (Goods and Technology) Order that have been approved and are currently in existence for export of goods to Israel; the number that fell within the scope of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1922; the type of export licence issued in each instance; if his Department has been made aware of exemptions from licencing requirements by exporters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52529/23]

Airport Security

Catherine Connolly

408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice when it was agreed to permit Israeli security personnel to be located on the premises of Dublin Airport in order to screen passengers intending to travel on El Al flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv; if similar arrangements are in place for any other sovereign nations’ security or intelligence personnel in addition to those of the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52011/23]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

17. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Question No. 7 of 12 October 2023, the status of the review by his Department of the eligibility of occupations appearing on the critical skills occupations list and the ineligible occupations list for employment permits; his plans to remove dental nurses from the ineligible occupations list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51383/23]

Regional Development

Catherine Connolly

18. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 12 October 2023, the status of the implementation of the west regional enterprise plan to 2024; for a status update on the implementation of action 7.2 to "develop initiative to encourage emergence of 'born sustainable, born circular' start-ups”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51391/23]

Departmental Priorities

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 12 October 2023, the status update on his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new business and human rights action plan and implementation body; the status of the business and human rights stakeholder forum, and if it has been re-convened to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51389/23]

Trade Relations

Catherine Connolly

54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of any engagement he has had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the human rights considerations that may arise from the issuing of dual-use export licences in respect of end-users in Israel, particularly in light of Israel’s actions in Gaza since 7 October 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51392/23]

White Papers

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 12 October 2023, for an update on the implementation of the white paper on enterprise; the details of the first update report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51390/23]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 5 October 2023, his plans for the phasing out of the help-to-buy scheme; the details of the analysis underpinning the decision to extend the scheme to the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51364/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Catherine Connolly

91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 5 October 2023, if he will provide an update on the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; when he expects the appeals process to re-commence; the expected timeline for the clearing of the backlog; what analysis his Department carried out into the reasons for the difficulty in recruiting the new board, as evidenced by the fact that it took four expression-of-interest campaigns in 18 months to fill the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51363/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

156. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he agrees that Ireland has a duty under the UN Genocide Convention to prevent genocide; if any assessment has been carried out as to whether there is a serious risk that genocide is being committed by Israel in Gaza; if so, the outcomes as a result of such an assessment; what action the Government now proposes to take in view of the very serious and worsening situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51732/23]

Military Aircraft

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the purpose for which a military plane (details supplied) flew across Ireland en route to Gander from Nottingham; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51197/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish-Israeli dual citizens currently in Israel; the number currently in the occupied Palestinian territories, specifically the number in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; of those, the number who have their habitual residence there; the number in the Gaza Strip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51319/23]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, given the indications of wide-spread violations of international humanitarian law being committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, and in light of the IDF's widespread commission of war crimes related to Israel's settlement regime in the occupied West Bank, and illegally annexed East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan Heights, Ireland has communicated advisories to Irish citizens and residents of Ireland who may be serving or volunteering in the IDF on the potential legal consequences and individual criminal liability that would arise under Irish criminal law (Geneva Conventions Act 1962 and International Criminal Court Act 2006) for any of their acts or omissions in the course of their service or volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51321/23]

Work Permits

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the report by the Implementation Group to address the recommendations of the March 2022 Department of Justice Report on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet; the timeline for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51379/23]

Ukraine War

Catherine Connolly

65. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since February 2022, and the details of the contribution given by Ireland to-date; the details of the contribution given by Ireland towards common costs of the EU military assistance mission in support of Ukraine; the details of any contributions or donations made by the Defence Forces to Ukraine to-date since February 2022, and any contributions or donations planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50891/23]