Parliamentary questions

Citizens' Assembly

Ivana Bacik

63. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when a citizen’s assembly on the future of education will be established. [20844/24]

Defective Building Materials

Ivana Bacik

279. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the safeguards in place to ensure that public monies committed to owners’ management companies under the defects remediation schemes will be spent in their entirety on remediation works. [20475/24]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

374. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the reason she will not meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the implementation of the Multi-Unit Developments Act [20472/24]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

375. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the reason her Department cannot issue regulations on service charges and sinking funds under sections 18 and 19 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act; and if she will make a statement on the development of the interim remediation scheme and the drafting of legislation for the full remediation scheme for defective apartments and duplexes with respect to those provisions. [20473/24]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

376. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the reason her Department will not review the Multi-Unit Developments Act; and if she will make a statement on the Programme for Government commitment to review the Act. [20474/24]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

377. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if draft regulations under sections 18 and 19 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act were delivered to her Department in February 2022; and the reason these regulations have not yet been issued by her Department. [20476/24]

Programme for Government

Ivana Bacik

378. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she will make a statement on the need to regulate owners’ management companies. [20477/24]

Departmental Policies

Ivana Bacik

380. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the written standard operating procedure for returning asylum seekers between the UK and Ireland, as agreed in November 2020; and if the document is publicly available. [20493/24]

Hospital Services

Ivana Bacik

640. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when provisions of the Public Safety (Notifiable Incidents and Open Disclosure) Act 2023 will be commenced to bring private hospitals into the remit of HIQA for the purpose of investigation of adverse patient events. [20877/24]

Foreign Policy

Ivana Bacik

109. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh - Artsakh region of Azerbaijan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19923/24]

EU Directives

Ivana Bacik

93. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the nature of and current situation with regard to the European Commission's announcement of 24 April 2024 that it was sending Ireland a reasoned opinion (INFR(2021)2116) for the non-conformity of Irish legislation with Directive 2010/75/EU on Industrial Emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19629/24]

Prison Service

Ivana Bacik

196. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to change the purpose of the progression unit at Mountjoy Prison; and, if so, where the progression unit will be located. [19661/24]

Environmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

159. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the new low cost home energy upgrade loan scheme, announced on 26 October 2023, will commence in April 2024; the reason for the delay; and when the scheme will commence. [18779/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

391. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications received by each local authority area under the croí cónaithe town fund scheme, standard grant and top-up grant, respectively since the launch of the vacant property refurbishment grant; the number of approvals by each local authority area for the standard grant and the top-up grant, respectively; the average processing time through to completion for both grants, respectively; if the same qualifying criteria is applied across all local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18825/24]

Vacant Properties

Ivana Bacik

422. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of reports of a failure by a municipal district office (details supplied) to maintain vacant and derelict sites registers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19380/24]

School Meals Programme

Ivana Bacik

455. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 400 of 23 April 2024, if the national standards for school meals stipulates that produce which is delivered under the school meals programme must or should be sourced in Ireland; and the proportion of foods provided under the programme with a country of origin which is not Ireland. [19084/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Ivana Bacik

470. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on delays experienced by returning emigrants in obtaining a PPSN; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19383/24]

Cabinet Committees

Ivana Bacik

96. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach his views on the new Cabinet committee on disability; and if the Minister for Health will sit on the new committee. [17897/24]

EU Directives

Ivana Bacik

137. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the exact nature and current status of the European Commission’s announcement of 24 January 2024 that it was sending Ireland a formal notice (INFR(2024/0072) for failing to transpose Directive (EU) 2023/958 amending Directive 2003/87/EC regarding aviation’s contribution to the Union’s economy-wide emission reduction target and the appropriate implementation of a global market-based measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17927/24]

EU Directives

Ivana Bacik

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the exact nature and current status of the European Commission’s announcement of 24 January 2024 that it was sending Ireland a formal notice (INFR(2024/0073) for failing to transpose Directive (EU) 2023/959 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union's greenhouse gas emission trading system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17928/24]

Post Office Network

Ivana Bacik

140. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the disposal of public assets through the sale of An Post offices is consistent with his Department’s policy. [18129/24]

Departmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

141. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce a non-profit district heating scheme in Ireland; and his plans to transition existing schemes to a non-profit model. [18130/24]

National Transport Authority

Ivana Bacik

189. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the value of performance-related penalties issued to each public transport provider by the National Transport Authority in 2023. [18122/24]

Insurance Coverage

Ivana Bacik

217. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reform flood insurance in Ireland; his views on insurance cover for persons living in areas with demountable flood defences; his views on legislating for compulsory insurance cover for those living in areas which are prone to flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/24]

Departmental Contracts

Ivana Bacik

246. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has undertaken an assessment with other Departments of the ending of work by an organisation (details supplied). [18124/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Ivana Bacik

360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to the European Commission's announcement of 7 February 2024 that it was sending Ireland a letter of formal notice (INFR(2023) 2178) for failing to fully comply with its obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (Directive 91/271/EEC), the eight towns with a population of more than 2,000 where wastewater is not properly treated before being discharged and the three towns of more than 10,000 in which wastewater is being discharged into sensitive areas without the more stringent treatment required by the directive; if he has responded to the Commission's letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/24]

Planning Issues

Ivana Bacik

370. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of strategic housing developments still undecided by An Bord Pleanála; his plans to ensure the backlog of cases is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/24]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

387. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of disputes lodged with the Residential Tenancies Board regarding alleged failures to pass on the electricity rebate; and the number of adverse findings made by the Residential Tenancies Board in respect of same. [18123/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

388. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the tenant-in-situ scheme to introduce mandatory local authority purchase for certain tenants who are supported through the housing assistance payment or rental accommodation scheme. [18127/24]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

389. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the average wait time for a response from the Residential Tenancies Board to landlords seeking to register a tenancy in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. [18128/24]

School Meals Programme

Ivana Bacik

400. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the provenance of meat, vegetables and other ingredients for the hot school meals programme; if the ingredients are sourced in Ireland; and the procurement process for same. [17495/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Ivana Bacik

421. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection , further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 9 April, how an assessment is conducted with respect to determining the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person's capacity to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18082/24]

Registration of Births

Ivana Bacik

422. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the making public of the stillbirth register; if she has further plans for reform to support families through pregnancy loss and stillbirth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18083/24]

Work Permits

Ivana Bacik

474. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for processing applications for labour market access permits for international protection applicants; and the average waiting times for renewal of same. [18084/24]

An Garda Síochána

Ivana Bacik

476. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time equivalent gardaí currently stationed at Kevin Street Garda station, Irishtown Garda station, Donnybrook Garda station, Rathmines Garda station, Terenure Garda station, Sundrive Road Garda station and Pearse Street Garda station, in tabular form. [18131/24]

Departmental Policies

Ivana Bacik

543. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to commission research into the support needs of persons with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. [17595/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

573. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine the introduction of public provision of childcare, as recommended by the expert group report entitled Partnership for the Public Good; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18120/24]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

574. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of accommodation centres for international protection applicants that were subject to inspection by officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service or a company (details supplied) and which failed the inspection process in each month of 2023 and to date in 2024, expressed as a figure and as an overall proportion of registered centres at the time of inspection. [18125/24]

Research Funding

Ivana Bacik

700. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to allocate increased funding across all career stages for researchers; and his views on the importance of basic or frontier research and the need for parity of esteem across disciplines. [17530/24]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

130. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent engagement with the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the West Bank and Gaza. []

Planning Issues

Ivana Bacik

72. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the planning guidelines in respect of childcare facilities as part of large-scale developments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/24]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

138. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Spanish Prime Minister’s statement that Spain would recognise Palestinian statehood before the summer; and if Ireland will also recognise Palestinian statehood before the summer. [16163/24]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

219. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the recent Ireland Strategic Investment Fund divestment from certain investments in occupied territories. [16164/24]

Departmental Reports

Ivana Bacik

234. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the timeline for publishing the updated report on the funding landscape for housing delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16628/24]

Departmental Reviews

Ivana Bacik

235. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the progress in reviewing the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund funding programme, which allocated an additional €400 million for equity-based housing investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16657/24]

Departmental Reports

Ivana Bacik

253. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for the publishing of a report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on skills requirement for modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16649/24]

Construction Industry

Ivana Bacik

265. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress in developing a dashboard of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) metrics to benchmark, and subsequently track, levels of MMC adoption in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/24]

School Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

370. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 20 March 2024, if she will offer a timeframe for commencement and completion of building works for those schools which submitted a stage one response in February 2023. [16759/24]

Tourist Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

382. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for introducing new regulatory controls requiring short-term and holiday lets to register with Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16670/24]

Planning Issues

Ivana Bacik

391. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the proportion of planning applications which are decided by An Bord Pleanála within eight weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024; the proportion of planning applications which were decided by An Bord Pleanála within sixteen weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the proportion of planning applications which were decided by An Bord Pleanála in a period exceeding sixteen weeks in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to-date in 2024. [16161/24]