Parliamentary questions

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

738. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of abolishing all prescription charges for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24185/23]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

739. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of abolishing all parking charges at public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24186/23]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

740. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of introducing a fully funded universal contraception scheme. [24187/23]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

741. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of staffing public health teams to the WHO-recommended levels [24188/23]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

742. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost in 2023 of reinstating all the benefits that were available under the dental treatment services scheme before the economic crash; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

933. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of ensuring all postgraduate research students receive a full-year €28,000 stipend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24073/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

934. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of providing a funded psychology postgraduate course for counselling, education and clinical services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24074/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

935. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing postgraduate third-level registration and tuition fees, including the associated reduction in the student support grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24075/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

936. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing third-level registration fees for all EU students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

937. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing tuition fees for postgraduate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24078/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

938. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing tuition fees for mature or repeating students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24079/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

939. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of ensuring that the maintenance grants for both undergraduate and postgraduate students are doubled, and that the adjacent rate is reduced to 24km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24080/23]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

18. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has read the recently published report on the section 481 film tax credit produced by the Budgetary Oversight Committee, particularly its recommendations that vindication of the employment rights of film crew under fixed term workers legislation, and the I.P rights of performers under the copyright directive, be fully vindicated by film producers as a condition of receiving the credit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23579/23]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will agree to an all inclusive film industry stakeholders forum, as recommended by the recently published budgetary oversight committee report on the section 481 film tax credit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23580/23]

Sports Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she intends to take to boost support and funding to improve the provision of facilities for community sports, particularly in disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23581/23]

Culture Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

47. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is going to request a further increase in the proportion of GDP that is spent on arts and culture in the forthcoming budget to progress towards the EU average of 0.6%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23583/23]

Artists' Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to report on the progress of the universal basic income for artists pilot scheme; if she intends to expand it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23582/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered grants for mid-to-low-income households that wish to expand their bedroom space through extensions or attic conversions to help address the current housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23569/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he intends to take to close the gap between HAP thresholds and market rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23566/23]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

99. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what he intends to do to ensure emergency accommodation is available for those who need it in their local particularly appropriate door accommodation for families and pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23568/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will introduce legislation or regulations to ensure that the tenant-in-situ and cost rental tenant-in-situ-schemes will include first refusal for the tenant, the council or approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/23]

Rental Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

152. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what actions he intends to take to reduce rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23567/23]

Transport Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of making all public transport free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23797/23]

Transport Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the average unit cost of new electric buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/23]

Rural Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the rural transport programme, including the cost of the programme and the annual capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/23]

Rural Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the annual costs of PSO funding for all transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/23]

Road Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the cost in 2022 of providing funding across the country for safe routes to school. [23801/23]

Road Safety

Richard Boyd Barrett

201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the total amount of funding that was applied for the safe routes to schools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23802/23]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

324. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he or his Department are taking to ensure the delivery of 6,000 affordable homes per year as outlined in NSO 1 of the NDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22157/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

360. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing children's allowance by 10%, and extending the payment until children are finished in full-time education or turn 18 years, whichever is the later; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23787/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

361. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the respite carer's support grant to €2,500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23788/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

362. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance to €350; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23789/23]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

363. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all post-primary school pupils in public schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23790/23]

School Meals Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

364. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all primary school pupils in public schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23791/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

365. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the fuel allowance to all pensioners, to all in receipt of the working family payment and/or a medical card; the estimated cost of abolishing the waiting period of a year for those on JSA, and by increasing the rate by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23792/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

366. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of extending eligibility for the household benefits package to all pensioners and to all in receipt of the working family payment and/or a medical card, and by increasing the rate to €60; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23793/23]

State Pensions

Richard Boyd Barrett

367. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of restoring the pension age to 65 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23794/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

368. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing all headline social protection payments to €300 per week, excluding disability-related payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23795/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

369. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing disability, blind pensions and invalidity pensions to €350 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23796/23]

Energy Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the estimated full-year cost of providing a €100 electricity credit to each principal private residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23529/23]

Defence Forces

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans for St. Bricin’s military hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23393/23]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost of reversing the 2023 carbon tax increase and postponing the 2024 increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23527/23]

Universal Social Charge

Richard Boyd Barrett

40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost of abolishing USC for all earners and replacing it with a higher income social charge of 10% on all earnings over €100,000 per year; and the estimated revenue that would be generated by the introduction of this new higher charge. [23528/23]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost of increasing tax bands by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23530/23]

Defective Building Materials

Richard Boyd Barrett

133. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of 100% redress for Mica-affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23509/23]

Defective Building Materials

Richard Boyd Barrett

134. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of 100% redress for buildings defects redress-affected homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23510/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes in Dublin under the buy-and-renew scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23511/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost of acquiring one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes outside Dublin under the buy-and-renew scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23512/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

137. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated per year cost of planned Part V purchases under Housing for All; the projected cost per unit for one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes; the number planned to be purchased for each year, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23513/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated construction cost of building one-, two-, three- and four-bed homes on local authority land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23514/23]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing enough women’s refuge places to bring Ireland in line with its commitments under the Istanbul Convention. [23515/23]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

140. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of refuge places to 300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/23]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23517/23]

Homeless Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

142. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of providing emergency accommodation for homeless people in Dublin in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/23]

Traveller Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

143. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of doubling Traveller-specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23519/23]

Traveller Community

Richard Boyd Barrett

144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of establishing a Traveller ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23520/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost of increasing HAP limits to the average cost of rents in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/23]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

146. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full cost of retrofitting all local authority-owned homes by 2030; the estimated average cost per home in 2024; the number to be carried out this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23522/23]

Local Authorities

Richard Boyd Barrett

147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of funding local authorities in place of revenue for the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23523/23]

Mother and Baby Homes

Richard Boyd Barrett

198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the resources available to the survivors of mother-and-baby homes once they receive their information; if the social worker quoted in his Department's letter will make themselves available to all who need help deciphering and understanding the information they have been sent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Richard Boyd Barrett

100. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to advise exactly when and how schools can apply for solar panels on their schools as part of the commitment the Government gave in September 2022 to put solar on all schools for free; when he expects the first solar panels to be put on the first schools under the commitment made almost eight months ago in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22729/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

264. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance when the help-to-buy scheme will be expanded to help private renters who are facing eviction to buy their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22712/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Richard Boyd Barrett

331. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education when and how schools can apply for solar panels on their buildings as part of the commitment the Government gave last September to put solar on all schools for free; when she expects the first solar panels to be put on the first schools under the commitment made almost eight months ago in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22722/23]

Mother and Baby Homes

Richard Boyd Barrett

569. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the plan to pay redress to the survivors of mother and baby homes who satisfy the existing criteria; whether he plans to expand the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22640/23]

Hospital Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

604. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to advise the reason the podiatry service in the diabetes centre in Loughlinstown Hospital has been removed; whether there are plans to replace it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

635. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health how a non-national physiotherapist (details supplied) can meet work placement requirements enforced by CORU for physiotherapy practice in Ireland if the restrictions will not allow the applicant to carry out the placement in their current place of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/23]

Health Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

636. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health to respond to a formal complaint made against a centre (details supplied) based on the rejection of one of the Alzheimer’s patients attending a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/23]

Community Care

Richard Boyd Barrett

637. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the urgent need of a community health nurse assessment by Cabinteely primary care centre for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/23]

Research Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

753. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how the board will be appointed to the new research body that is a merger of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland; how funds will be allocated across disciplines and between blue-sky/fundamental research and targeted programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22725/23]

Departmental Reports

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has read the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES, housing analytical notes published on 5 December 2022, particularly the Planning Permissions and Housing Supply analytical note; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22159/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has relayed to the Government the findings in the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service, IGEES, publication, Housing Analytical Notes, published on 5 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22158/23]

Public Sector Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

52. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is planning any new measures in Budget 2024 to address the recruitment and retention difficulties across key areas of the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22156/23]

Care Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

251. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details on the reason a respite service (details supplied) is closed for three months; the replacement service that will be available for parents and carers in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22219/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

1. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with the circular economy will next meet. [19912/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [21530/23]

Departmental Policies

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social policy and public service reform division of his Department. [21528/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on European Union and international affairs will next meet. [21529/23]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

52. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the recent examination of the section 481 film tax credit by the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight, in particular the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the use of buy-out contracts by producer companies on the intellectual property rights of performers and the issues raised by film crew representatives about the failure of producer companies to vindicate employment rights; and if he will address these concerns through changes to the film credit. [21854/23]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a windfall tax on banks and vulture funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21569/23]

Budget 2024

Richard Boyd Barrett

66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to make further tax changes in budget 2024 to address the issue of vacant and derelict properties, given the current housing emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21570/23]

Banking Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

69. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will stop the sell-off of two banks (details supplied) and use the State's majority stake as the basis for a publicly owned non-profit banking system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21571/23]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Richard Boyd Barrett

89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce a cap on mortgage interest rates to prevent mortgage holders and families being impoverished by rising interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21568/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

92. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the recent examination of the section 481 film tax credit by the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight, and in particular the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) about the use of buy-out contracts by producer companies on the intellectual property rights of performers and the issues raised by film crew representatives about the failure of producer companies to vindicate employment rights; and if he will address these concerns through changes to the film credit. [21572/23]

Domestic Violence

Richard Boyd Barrett

383. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if hardship funds are available for victims of domestic violence who are left in financial trouble after leaving their abusive partner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21076/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

384. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection how An Post will rectify deductions made in errors to the extra cost-of-living Department of Social Protection payment of €200 for some recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21083/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

428. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a catering assistant who worked in a nursing home all through the pandemic for a company (details supplied) will receive their pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20467/23]

Residential Institutions

Richard Boyd Barrett

249. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education whether she has any plans to re-open the residential institutions redress in order to accommodate those people who, due to the nature of their personal trauma, were unable to apply before the deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19975/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

292. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the exact date on which the first-home affordable purchase shared equity scheme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20003/23]

Child Poverty

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the proposed child poverty unit in his Department. [19371/23]

School Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

92. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the legal basis on which she can refuse to answer Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 21 March 2023 in relation to the annual rental costs for the current temporary accommodation and site of a school (details supplied); if such a request for those costs is not disclosed, how oversight and transparency on the expenditure of these public funds are to be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19732/23]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

134. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 282 and 292 of 23 February 2023, while noting his acknowledgement of the recommendations of the Comptroller and Auditor General Report for 2018 that the previous cost-benefit analysis for State Aid for forestry 2014-2021 failed to account for a number of factors, the reason he does not specifically address the recommendation to include the cost to the State of the final tax-free sales of forestry; if he can provide an assurance that this specific recommendation of the Comptroller and Auditor General has been accepted by his officials and forms part of the cost-benefit analyses of Irish forestry undertaken in the context of Ireland's current application for approval by the European Commission of State aid to Irish forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19660/23]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 23 February 2023, while noting his announcement that he is 'reassessing its policy with regard to future afforestation on organic soils and that this will be informed by the UN Global Peatlands Assessment', if he will re-examine his reply in the context of this report's recommendations to set a depth-defining peat (organic) soils at 10 centimetres to avoid GHG emissions, and as in his reply it was stated that 'applying a depth threshold that is based on the carbon stocks associated with tropical forests and wetlands is not appropriate' (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19661/23]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are concerns within his Department regarding health and safety issues regarding rotten ash trees breaking off and falling within plantations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/23]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

140. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately and without further bureaucracy or prejudice grant permission to remove rotten ash trees resulting from chalara fraxinea, ash dieback disease affected this year, given the serious health and safety risks associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19724/23]

Forestry Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal position regarding liability where dead or rotten ash plants within plantations fall causing injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19725/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Richard Boyd Barrett

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 368 of 8 February 2023, if he will provide an update on an assessment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19879/23]

Departmental Strategies

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the current situation in regard to the development of a national security strategy. [18277/23]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment will meet next. [18278/23]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recent meeting of the European Council. [18279/23]

Energy Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 8 February 2023, if a solution has been found yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19199/23]