Parliamentary questions

Home Repossessions

Mattie McGrath

412. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the total number of possession orders not granted against mortgagors broken down by county and or district since 2000 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47151/22]

Home Repossessions

Mattie McGrath

413. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the current outstanding number of court possession or execution orders against mortgagors which are pending enforcement broken down by county and or district since 2000 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47152/22]

Home Repossessions

Mattie McGrath

414. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of execution orders of those granted, notified to mortgagors broken down by county and or district since 2000 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47153/22]

Home Repossessions

Mattie McGrath

415. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of execution orders completed against mortgagors; the number of execution orders extinguished via voluntary surrender; the number of execution orders accomplished by the abandonment of the dwelling by the mortgagor broken down by county or district in each of the years 2000 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47155/22]

Community Development Projects

Mattie McGrath

610. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the outcome of community centres investment fund applications will be known; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46905/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Mattie McGrath

139. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of export grid applications that have been processed and accepted for exporting micro generated electricity back to the grid; the cost to applicants of establishing an export grid connection; if the electricity network needs to be upgraded to three phase to allow for export grid connections; the areas of the country that already have three phase cabling and the areas that don’t have three phase cabling and need to be upgraded; the cost of upgrading the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45459/22]

Water Services

Mattie McGrath

258. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide information on Irish Water’s request to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities to allow Irish Water to use the funding previously allocated for pre-planning works on the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project to be used in the current day-to-day budget; the reason for this request; the level of funding being sought for this purpose; the full current deficit in Irish Water's budget; the way in which Irish Water will fund the ongoing pre-planning works on the Eastern and Midlands Water supply project if the budget is being used elsewhere and if all correspondence between Irish Water and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in relation to this request will be made available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45414/22]

Vacant Sites

Mattie McGrath

271. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant sites listed per county; the amount received in vacant site levies per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45621/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

471. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the payment of the Covid healthcare bonus; when the payment will be paid to all non- HSE staff; the number of health care workers that have received the payment to date; the number of health care workers that are awaiting the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45411/22]

Health Strategies

Mattie McGrath

472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to introduce further regulations into the sale and supply of vapes to reduce their attractiveness to young people; if there is any estimation on the number of people that currently vape; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45412/22]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

81. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the category 2 applications from Tipperary County Council under the rural regeneration and development fund. [45401/22]

Employment Rights

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to ensure that the terms of an employment regulation order (details supplied) for the security industry are honoured; the actions that he intends to take to ensure that the terms and conditions of the ERO are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44422/22]

Energy Policy

Mattie McGrath

114. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to ensure security of energy supply to vulnerable patients including those on oxygen and dialysis given the warnings regarding power outages and shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44952/22]

Nursing Homes

Mattie McGrath

620. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the immediate steps that he will take to ensure that the departure of a large number of private nursing homes from the market due to the severe underfunding of the industry will not occur; the reason that there is such a large discrepancy in the levels of funding between private and public nursing homes given that the level of care provided is the same; the steps that he will take to ensure that Ireland will have sufficient nursing home places in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45041/22]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

651. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when local authorities will be issued with the new guidelines for the tenant purchase scheme that was launched in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43840/22]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

881. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of concessionary school bus ticket holders who have been refused a bus ticket to date in 2022 due to the additional demand following the Government’s decision to introduce free school travel; the steps that she will take to ensure that all those who were in receipt of tickets last year will receive their tickets this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43039/22]

Animal Welfare

Mattie McGrath

2125. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that the grants for animal welfare organisations are accessed; the way that each organisation which receives funding is selected for increased funding while others are not; if he will honour his commitment to increase the grants, across the board, to include those organisations struggling to do the work on the ground in their locality and not just those based in large towns and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42963/22]

Animal Welfare

Mattie McGrath

2126. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to distribute animal welfare grants earlier than December due to the rising costs given that many organisations will definitely cease under the current pressure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42964/22]

Naval Service

Mattie McGrath

999. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the procedure relating to requests for transfers between the Naval Service and the Army in cases in which a person requests a transfer for family reasons; the length of time for consideration of this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39642/22]

Defence Forces

Mattie McGrath

1002. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his Department recently carried out a title search of the Nenagh military barracks site; the results of the title search; his Department's future plans for the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/22]

Defence Forces

Mattie McGrath

1003. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will make someone available as a contact for the local authority to deal with some issues of dereliction of the Nenagh Kickham Barracks site and also health and safety issues due to the site being open to persons walking in and around the ruins due to the council having difficulties getting answers to queries from local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39802/22]

Defence Forces

Mattie McGrath

1004. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will carry out a survey of the Nenagh military barracks to examine whether it is possible to save the barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39803/22]

School Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

1045. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application under the additional accommodation scheme for a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39809/22]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

1068. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 13 July 2022, the point at which the matter will be reviewed given that a number of bus companies providing buses for the school transport scheme are reporting difficulties recruiting drivers and are seeking to retain their drivers; the severity of shortages that will be necessary in order to reach the point at which this matter will be reviewed given that her Department states that the matter will be kept under review; when she expects the matter to be reviewed; the engagement, if any, that she has had with Bus Éireann on the matter; if she will address further concerns (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40216/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

1215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who moves to Tús from the disability allowance loses their eligibility for the disability allowance following completion of the Tús programme; if so, if they have to reapply for the disability allowance and be re-assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40170/22]

International Protection

Mattie McGrath

1339. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to asylum seekers; the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to refugees; the level of payments being made to hotels per person per night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40138/22]

International Protection

Mattie McGrath

1340. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a full list of all the private hotel accommodation contracted by his Department to provide accommodation; the levels of payments being made to each hotel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40139/22]

International Protection

Mattie McGrath

1343. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of student accommodation beds that have been contracted by his Department for housing of refugees and asylum seekers; the plans for September 2022 when students will be returning to their education and require accommodation; if the contracts between his Department and student accommodation providers will cease in September; the locations in which those refugees currently being housed in student accommodation will be accommodated from September when students return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/22]

Asylum Seekers

Mattie McGrath

1539. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of non-Ukrainians that have arrived in the State seeking asylum since January 2022; the nationality of all those seeking asylum in Ireland since January 2022; their mode of transport; the last country from which they travelled directly to enter the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40135/22]

Asylum Seekers

Mattie McGrath

1540. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the current policy of the State whereby someone arrives in the State seeking asylum but has travelled from a safe country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40136/22]

Asylum Applications

Mattie McGrath

1541. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the current timeframe for decisions on applications for asylum in the State; the number of asylum seekers currently in the State; the numbers waiting for decision and length of time waiting for decision; the number of asylum seekers who have had their application refused but who remain in the State; the number of asylum seekers who have appealed a decision to refuse permission to stay; the average length of time for an appeal; the numbers of asylum seekers who have been refused permission to stay and have had an appeal rejected but remain in the State; the steps being taken to speed up the process; the levels of payments being made to those who have been refused permission to stay and have had an appeal rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40137/22]

Medicinal Products

Mattie McGrath

1639. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if Esbriet will be included in the long-term illness scheme; the reason it has not been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39632/22]

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Mattie McGrath

1660. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that nursing registration applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland are taking over one year; the number of applications waiting for registration; the number of staff in the office the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland dealing with these applications; the current backlog; the efforts that are being made to expedite these applications given the shortage of nursing staff across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39733/22]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

1683. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that a patient (details supplied) who is suffering from mental health issues following a traumatic miscarriage would be forced without any other option to attend a mental health support and counselling service within their local maternity hospital ward at University Hospital Galway; if this policy will be immediately changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39876/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Mattie McGrath

2077. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 535 of 1 June 2021, if he will address queries in relation to his reply stating that leased payment entitlements must be accompanied by a transfer of the equivalent number of eligible hectares unless force majeure, or exceptional circumstances apply, in which case the leasing of the entitlements without land may be facilitated (details supplied). [40180/22]

Ukraine War

Mattie McGrath

2078. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the State is happy to import feed stuffs from Russia while placing sanctions on Russian oil; the reason that both products are being treated differently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40209/22]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

469. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if there is an appeals mechanism for the emergency works scheme; and if so, if she will provide the details of same. [38819/22]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

470. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when applications for the summer works scheme will open. [38820/22]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

306. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the restrictions on bus drivers preventing those aged over 70 years will be lifted in view of the current shortage of drivers to allow those aged 70 years or over to continue to drive; if those over 70 years will be allowed to drive a Bus Éireann contracted bus if they undergo a medical assessment and are deemed medically fit to do so; the additional efforts that are being made to fill the shortfall in drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38421/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mattie McGrath

23. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the actions that he has taken to raise and highlight the ongoing record energy and food prices which are further compounding the tragic inequalities caused by the pandemic in view of his attendance at the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos [30981/22]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Mattie McGrath

24. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that he attended the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos. [30983/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

319. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when an appeal (details supplied) will be heard by the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; the reason for the delay in having this appeal heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37260/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Mattie McGrath

538. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will issue a school (details supplied) with a thorough report outlining the reason for the refusal by her Department to award DEIS status to the school; the data-sets used in the decision-making process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37133/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Mattie McGrath

539. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will issue a school (details supplied) with a thorough report outlining the reason for the refusal by her Department to award DEIS status to the school; the data sets used in the decision-making process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37134/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Mattie McGrath

540. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will make available a thorough report on the way that DEIS status is adjudicated and awarded to schools, which also references any data sets used in the decision-making process in order to assist schools in the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37135/22]

School Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

544. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37274/22]

Medicinal Products

Mattie McGrath

838. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide the coaguchek meters and self-test strips free of charge to patients who require them to allow for self-testing of their international normalised ratio; the number of patients nationwide attending regular acute or general practitioner appointments for regular blood testing; the estimated cost to the State of providing regular monitoring of patients using warfarin; the estimated savings to be made from allowing patients self-test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37306/22]

Forestry Sector

Mattie McGrath

350. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a query regarding the retrieval of forestry land (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36958/22]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

16. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the reduction in VAT from 13.5 % to 9% will be passed onto the customer in relation to the electricity account credit payment of €200 or if it has been retained by the electricity supplier; if each supplier received €200 per account; or if he will confirm the amount that they received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36463/22]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

123. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the options available to students to receive their education who cannot obtain a place in a mainstream school in their catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36464/22]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

5. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to the electricity credit scheme in cases in which multiple accounts are connected to the one ESBN meter and residents pay using a provider (details supplied); if the provider is entitled to pay just €100 to each account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34633/22]

Passport Services

Mattie McGrath

66. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a refund of a cancelled passport application will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing such a refund; the correct procedure and timeframe for such refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34656/22]

Residential Institutions

Mattie McGrath

126. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birthmothers admitted as residents to the Tusla-funded mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork in each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34690/22]

Residential Institutions

Mattie McGrath

127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birthmothers discharged without their children from the mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork for each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34691/22]

Residential Institutions

Mattie McGrath

128. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who went directly into State care from the mother and baby home located in Bessborough, County Cork for each of the years 2014 to 2022. [34692/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

168. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus payment will be paid to healthcare staff; the date the payment will be made to each cohort; if he will confirm the criteria for receipt of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34659/22]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

238. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the next round of the sports capital grants scheme to reopen for applications from clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33704/22]

Military Neutrality

Mattie McGrath

343. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the purpose of the Royal Naval vessel which was docked in Cork Harbour for a number of days; the permissions sought and granted for this vessel to dock; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33683/22]

Scoileanna DEIS

Mattie McGrath

610. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made in relation to DEIS appeals by schools (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34083/22]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

813. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of the vaccine compensation scheme; if he will expedite the establishment of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33993/22]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a detailed breakdown of the State funding provided by his Department to all environmental groups in 2019, 2020, 2021 and the budget allocation for 2022; if a cost-benefit analysis of this funding has been undertaken before the 2022 approval given the reported increased budget for environmental groups from €1 million to €1.7 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33516/22]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

203. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that the annual audited accounts and financial statements of a public company, Cill Ulta, LAN Teoranta, Cill Ulta, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, which is funded by several agencies under the remit of her Department, is not published on the company’s website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33519/22]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

204. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a copy of the audited accounts and financial statements of a public company, Cill Ulta, LAN Teoranta, Cill Ulta, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, which is funded by several agencies under the remit of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33520/22]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

205. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown of the salary scales paid to the management team at a public company funded by her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33521/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

449. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to provide a full breakdown including the type of procedure of all persons currently on a HSE waiting list in County Tipperary, including those waiting up to 3 months, between 3 and 6 months, between 6 and 9 months, between 9 and 12 months, over 1 year and over 2 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33515/22]

Bus Services

Mattie McGrath

16. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason that private bus operators contracted to Bus Éireann that do not receive a diesel rebate or VAT back; if bus operators will be included and receive a diesel rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33064/22]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

34. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the housing assistance payment rates for single applicants will be extended; if so, when these rates will be extended in cases in which the options that are available to a HAP approved applicant cannot get accommodation within their allowed limits to ensure that they do not become homeless; if the rates will be increased on a case by case basis in cases in which there are extenuating circumstances; if so, the way that an applicant can get their rate extended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32877/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

39. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses that are currently providing homeless accommodation; the number of beds being provided to homeless persons in hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses; the cost of such emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32913/22]

Housing Policy

Mattie McGrath

40. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the guidelines pertaining to mobile homes can be relaxed or amended to take into account the housing crisis and the difficulties of those who are currently using mobile homes to put a roof over their head; if the planning and housing section of his Department will work on this matter to provide guidance to planning authorities in terms of planning enforcement on such matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32984/22]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

626. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who were taken into State care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were returned home to their birth mothers. [32049/22]

Child and Family Agency

Mattie McGrath

627. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were sanctioned for professional misconduct. [32050/22]

Child and Family Agency

Mattie McGrath

628. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas for each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were sanctioned for a failure to meet professional standards. [32051/22]

Child and Family Agency

Mattie McGrath

629. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were dismissed for professional misconduct. [32052/22]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

630. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of birth mothers of children in State care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who took their own lives after their children were taken from them. [32053/22]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

631. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022 who were taken into care under a voluntary care order. [32054/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the steps that he is taking to improve the competitiveness of mortgage interest rates particularly with rates due to increase and the withdrawal of banks (details supplied) from the Irish market; the steps that he is taking to bring the variable interest rates here back in line with the Eurozone average rate of 1.46 % compared to Irish average variable rates of 3.64 %; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31521/22]

Insurance Coverage

Mattie McGrath

187. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the immediate steps that his Department is taking to ensure that those with thatched properties can obtain insurance; the supports that are available to owners of thatched properties in cases in which they are currently unable to obtain insurance to ensure that they can insure their properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31522/22]

Health Services

Mattie McGrath

545. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if clarification will be provided on the practice by the HSE in relation to the hiring of couriers and taxis to transport abortion pills to a woman through telemedicine given the claim made by a person (details supplied). [31721/22]

Local Authorities

Mattie McGrath

39. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of electric vehicles within each local authority fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31164/22]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Mattie McGrath

161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotel rooms being used to accommodate refugees; the numbers of hotels, guestrooms and bed and breakfasts that are being used to accommodate refugees in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31169/22]

World Economic Forum

Mattie McGrath

147. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the full extent of all meetings, events and gatherings that he attended during his attendance at the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos. [30939/22]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

248. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport her role in ensuring that State services are fully accessible and supportive for people with a disability in cases in which issues have been raised with the Road Safety Authority in relation to difficulties with the driver theory test for those with learning disability; if she will engage with the Authority to ensure that immediate efforts are made to make the theory test more inclusive in terms of the manner in which the questions are worded for those with language difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29170/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

415. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the current position with the Medical Board of Appeal; and if the Board is operational and processing appeals in a timely manner.
[30977/22]

Disadvantaged Status

Mattie McGrath

1007. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on a DEIS appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30016/22]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

1284. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the grants or supports that are available to clubs that engage with the probation service but require equipment for works being carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28918/22]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

1804. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if taxi drivers and couriers who are contracted to deliver pills directly to women are informed of the nature of the pills that they are transporting as part of the telemedicine process of procuring abortion pills. [30395/22]

Heritage Projects

Mattie McGrath

223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the thatch steering group that his Department is currently establishing; the persons who will sit on this steering group; the aim of the steering group; and if any member of the steering group has a thatched roof. [27325/22]

Solar Energy Guidelines

Mattie McGrath

229. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policies which exist in relation to the development of solar farms in rural areas; if there are guidelines in relation to the maximum size relative to the area; if not, if he has any plans to develop such guidelines or policies given the rise in applications for solar farms in rural Ireland; if an analysis has been carried out in relation to the potential benefits and detriments of the development of such farms on prime agricultural land; if an analysis has been carried out by his Department on the estimated cost to the local community of the change of use of agricultural land to solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27357/22]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

152. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that are being made to simplify the language used within the driver theory test to accommodate applicants that have learning and language difficulties; if he will review the driver theory test in terms of its accessibility for those with learning difficulties and disabilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26389/22]

Office of Public Works

Mattie McGrath

169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an OPW inspector will contact a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/22]

Departmental Bodies

Mattie McGrath

220. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the thatch steering group that is being established within his Department; the persons that will be on the steering group; the remit of the group; if the group will address the difficulties obtaining insurance for thatched properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25946/22]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

693. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason that he has selected a university from a non-European Union country has selected to carry out research into the experiences of Irish abortion providers as part of the three-year review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018. [26508/22]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

694. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of taxi or courier services that were hired in 2020 and 2021 by the HSE to transport abortion pills from a general practitioner to a person who opted to have an abortion since the introduction of telemedicine abortion service in Q1 2020; and the costings for these transport and courier services as budgeted for in 2020 and 2021. [26509/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

136. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if an Irish citizen who emigrated abroad but who has recently returned home due to bad health to be near their family is entitled to a social welfare payment; if the habitual residency clause as an Irish citizen is satisfied in cases in which they only have family connections living here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25003/22]

Water Quality

Mattie McGrath

302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are plans to introduce limits in regulations for water hardness and lime; the supports that are available to persons who have high levels of lime in their water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24456/22]

Passport Services

Mattie McGrath

351. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a circular or note can be sent to all Garda stations to remind same of the importance of completing passport application forms correctly to avoid errors and undue delays being experienced by applicants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24216/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mattie McGrath

495. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the disability allowance and the blind pension are treated differently in terms of the means allowed; the reason for the difference in the savings disregard between the two schemes; if she will review the terms for disability schemes that restrict the ability of a person to work, particularly in the instance of artists who engage in the arts for rehabilitative reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24484/22]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

663. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applications that were received by his Department from bidders in response to the e-Tender to carry out the research into the views of abortion providers prior to the eventual award being made. [24254/22]

Abortion Services

Mattie McGrath

664. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount in remunerations that will be paid to the recently announced awardee (details supplied) of the eTender to carry out research into the views of abortion providers. [24255/22]

Hospital Overcrowding

Mattie McGrath

700. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 442 of 4 May 22, the terms of reference of the expert teams review of additional resources for acute services at University Hospital Limerick; if the expert team will be consulting with patient groups or patients and health staff unions that have had to endure horrific conditions at the hospital since the reconfiguration of acute services in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24509/22]