Parliamentary questions

Disabilities Assessments

Michael Lowry

35. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will verify the current and precise total number of children on waiting lists for assessment of need in CHO 5, south Tipperary and CHO 3, north Tipperary; the number of children waiting on historical waiting lists, the number of new applications, and the number of children or families still awaiting assessment following a preliminary team assessment review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26325/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps his Department has taken to address the challenges of retaining part-time firefighters; when he will address the unsatisfactory employment terms and conditions for part-time firefighters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25563/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

359. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the most recent engagement/meeting of the Fire Service National Oversight and Implementation Group took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25564/23]

Fire Service

Michael Lowry

360. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of chief fire officers, senior assistant chiefs, fire officers, full-time firefighters and part-time firefighters in County Tipperary's fire service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25565/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

568. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 542 of 16 May 2023, if he will provide the metrics used by officials in his Department to conclude that financial supports through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund were inapplicable for the sheep farming sector, as he is aware, the sheep farming sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; the additional financial provisions that he will provide to assist the sheep farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Lowry

797. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed new veterinary school at University Limerick (details supplied); whether he has fully reviewed the recommendations of a report from the Higher Education Authority, HEA, expert panel concerning the relative capacities of UL for the provision of additional veterinary training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25937/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 552 of 18 April 2023, if she will confirm whether the assessment process for a school's (details supplied) additional accommodation scheme application is now complete; when a decision will be communicated to the school authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25077/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

291. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of a two-classroom autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit build at a school (details supplied), given that this school's tender report has been with her Department since 21 December 2022, and the successful builders currently have an opening in their schedule and are ready to begin construction as soon as the go-ahead is given; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24334/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

316. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 27 April 2023, if she will confirm whether Bus Éireann has reviewed the school transport application in question to determine whether concessionary transport is available from the nearest pick-up point from their family home; if Bus Éireann has contacted the family directly in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24766/23]

Departmental Funding

Michael Lowry

660. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate the case of a company (details supplied) regarding delayed payments from his Department's Ukrainian accommodation section; the reasons for these delays; if he can confirm whether his Department has contracted with a third party to manage such payments, or if these payments are managed in-house by Departmental staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24167/23]

Family Law Cases

Michael Lowry

400. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice when his Department will publish the parental alienation research study considering the draft report was received by his Department at the end of November 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23767/23]

Family Law Cases

Michael Lowry

401. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has commenced a public consultation on the issue of parental alienation legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason the reasonable accommodations at certificate examinations (race) scheme does not apply to dyslexic pupils in Ireland; if she will support the request of an organisation (details supplied) that the State Examinations Commission reconsider its policy on reasonable accommodations for dyslexic students immediately in order to "help level the playing field" for examination this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23505/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Lowry

187. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) seeking his support and endorsement in the modifying of the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (RUS) to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees that pose a safety risk to the public and road users on public roads; if the RUS scheme will be reconfigured to acknowledge the financial loss incurred; if he will consider the introduction of a financial support scheme to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees for the safety of others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23536/23]

International Protection

Michael Lowry

196. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence from a company (details supplied) regarding delayed payments from the Ukrainian accommodation section of his Department; the reasons for these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/23]

Energy Conservation

Michael Lowry

175. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-cost loan scheme for energy upgrades will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/23]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

246. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport when adequate funding will be made available for structural repair works and a pedestrian bridge adjacent to Ardfinnan Bridge, County Tipperary, to allow traffic to resume on a two-way system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

266. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the help-to-buy scheme to include help for first-time buyers with the purchase of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22752/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

270. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the number of prosecutions secured against those involved in tobacco smuggling in 2022; if he considers this level of prosecutions sufficient, in light of the recent Revenue Commissioners’ survey which found that 30% of tobacco products consumed in 2022 were non-Irish duty paid and illegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

271. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the measures he has in place to enforce adherence to duty-free travel allowances for tobacco and alcohol at Ireland’s ports and airports; and if he considers these enforcement measures adequate, in light of a recent Revenue Commissioners’ survey which found that 30% of tobacco products consumed in 2022 were non-Irish duty paid and illegal cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/23]

Illicit Trade

Michael Lowry

272. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the cost to the Exchequer of illegal cigarettes in 2022 was approximately €384 million in lost excise and VAT receipts, a figure that represents an additional loss of €120 million when compared to 2021; the new measures he proposes to resolve the significant increases in illicit tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22945/23]

State Examinations

Michael Lowry

359. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if an emergency request for reasonable accommodations at the Leaving Certificate examinations will be taken into account for a candidate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23180/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Lowry

433. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if flexibility will be granted on the 24-month vacancy criteria for the refurbishing vacant home grant scheme for an application by a person (details supplied) with Dublin City Council, given that this person will be living in the home as their principal primary residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23169/23]

Departmental Schemes

Michael Lowry

458. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a school (details supplied); if she is aware that this school now has a funding shortfall because the breakfast club is funding capped at 150 pupils; the additional funding that will be provided to this school to supplement this financial shortfall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22708/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

542. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 516 of 9 May 2023, if he will direct officials in his Department to develop a case study for the provision of financial support through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, given that the sheep sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22839/23]

Departmental Contracts

Michael Lowry

731. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health concerning the homecare sector which has been engaged in discussions with his Department and the HSE since December 2022 about homecare Tender 2023; the reason in December 2022, the HSE informed the sector they were not ready to go to market with the tender 2023, forcing homecare sector providers to agree to a second extension of the original tender 2018 through to 30 April 2023; the reason on 25 April, the HSE again informed homecare sector providers that they had not yet concluded the Tender 2023 and again informed providers they were unilaterally extending the arrangements yet again to 30 June 2023; if he will ensure a resolve to the situation is found as soon as possible, ensuring that Tender 2023 is not delayed again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

190. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 18 April 2023, if the form of acceptance is now with her Department; if this ASA project for a two-classroom SEN base has progressed to the next stage; if the review of the temporary accommodation application has been completed by her Department; the recent correspondence her Department has had with the school authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22306/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

78. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a school (details supplied) which was approved for an extension to include an ASD unit that would accommodate over 12 special needs students; the status of the new ASD unit for the school; when construction will commence on the new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21903/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

88. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on phases two and three of the ongoing school transport scheme review, which began in February 2021; if the review has made any recommendations to change the distance criteria eligibility for school transport (details supplied); if the school transport scheme review will consider reducing this distance to less than two kilometres; when the review finding of phases two and three will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22129/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Lowry

176. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 09 March 2023, if the present special leave with pay scheme will be extended for eligible staff beyond 30 June 2023; if his Department examined all available options to support staff who are unable to return to work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21938/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Lowry

277. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied); when this student will be offered a primary school place in this special unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21246/23]

Brexit Supports

Michael Lowry

516. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a support package for the sheep sector can be established through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, given the extreme financial pressures faced by sheep farmers in Ireland; if he will direct officials in his Department to develop a case study for the provision of financial support through the fund, given that the sheep sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21598/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Lowry

171. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 521 of 18 April 2023, if he will provide an update on an additional school accommodation application for a school (details supplied); if her Department has all of the necessary documentation to make a decision on this application; when a final decision will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21001/23]

Travel Trade Sector

Michael Lowry

102. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of people traveling to the UK from Ireland by air and by sea on an annual basis in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/23]

Hospital Charges

Michael Lowry

395. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he is personally aware that accounts for inpatient charges in public hospitals are referred to collection services within two months of non-payment from the date of issue of the invoice by the hospital; if this is standard practice; if he considers this appropriate practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/23]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Michael Lowry

2. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of recent discussions he had with the President of the United States and the US authorities during the recent visit to Ireland regarding the need to regularise the status of the undocumented Irish in the US and have an appropriate visa programme put in place to protect them, and the progress made in relation to securing citizenship for them; if he will consider appointing an Irish Government representative who will be solely responsible for dealing with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/23]

Tax Rebates

Michael Lowry

211. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that provision will be made to allow anyone who installed solar panels prior to 1 May 2023 to obtain a refund for the VAT they have previously paid, given that the VAT rate on the supply and installation of solar panels will drop to zero for private dwellings on 1 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20064/23]

Visa Applications

Michael Lowry

234. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will provide more data on the reasons for the refusal of a visa for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20067/23]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

253. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate the reason two school transport applications for post-primary students (details supplied) who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied for school bus tickets to their second nearest school were denied bus tickets by Bus Éireann due to their not attending their nearest school; if she will clarify and confirm the criteria Bus Éireann should use in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19999/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific policy or piece of legislation that prevents the afforestation of lands designated as geological sites in county development plans with species composition comprising 80% conifer and 20% broadleaves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20114/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific policy or piece of legislation that prevents the afforestation of land designated in the County Galway development plan as a county geological site with species composition comprising 80% conifers and 20% broadleaves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20115/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Lowry

30. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 23 March 2023, if he will confirm if the Foreign Births Office has received the additional supporting documents from the applicants; when a decision on these applications is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/23]

Road Projects

Michael Lowry

163. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he has received correspondence (details supplied) requesting additional funding to progress phase 3 of the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project; his efforts to ensure that this road project is allocated the appropriate funding as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19453/23]

Departmental Data

Michael Lowry

430. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 29 March 2023, when he will make the reports by the Firearms Expect Committee available in full; when his Department will convene a broader consultation process with firearms stakeholders to address any recommended policy or legislative changes resulting from the committee’s final report and recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19577/23]

Official Engagements

Michael Lowry

438. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1552 of 21 March 2023, if he will outline the number of engagements he or his officials have had with the relevant Algerian ministry regarding plans for a sanitary agreement to be established between Ireland and Algeria for dairy and infant formula; the most recent engagements he or his officials have had on the matter; if he will indicate the timelines for the implementation of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19117/23]

Coillte Teoranta

Michael Lowry

450. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the Coillte group is fully committed to keeping a company (details supplied) as a wholly owned subsidiary; if he will confirm that the Coillte group does not intend selling this subsidiary to an external third party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19468/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

122. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide compensation, reconstitution grant aid and annual forest premiums for forest owners impacted with the fatal Ash dieback disease and if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18535/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

136. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to provide immediate financial assistance to the private forestry sector given the failure of his Department to ensure the forestry programme was introduced in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/23]

EU Directives

Michael Lowry

137. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will revisit the Nitrates Derogation Condition in accordance with the agreement reached with the European Commission to hold an interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/23]

Road Safety

Michael Lowry

166. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of all the locations on the N24 under the management of Tipperary County Council where Transport Infrastructure Ireland have found safety issues and asked Tipperary County Council in the past five years to do feasibility and options reports for road safety and improvement works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/23]