Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

210. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing full redress to Mica-affected homes by removing any cap on payments to homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

251. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of raising all social insurance and social protection payments to €300 per week, excluding disability allowance, invalidity and blind pensions, and all carer’s payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45306/22]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

206. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the definitive date for the increase in HAP payments and other associated changes that were due at the end of August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44421/22]

Housing Schemes

Bríd Smith

217. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the incremental tenant purchase scheme introduced in 2016 is still operating; the funding allocated to the scheme in the past three years; if changes to the scheme now stipulate that tenants must be in receipt of housing assistance for ten years before availing of such schemes; the reason for this change; if such criteria applies across all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44544/22]

Nursing Homes

Bríd Smith

545. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the position concerning the case of two elderly persons (details supplied); if one of the homeowners can refuse to sign fair deal scheme forms resulting in the denial of full-time appropriate care for the other deteriorating homeowner; if the homeowner can be legally compelled to sign the forms in order that full-time care can be provided; the measures that can be employed in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44646/22]

Health Service Executive

Bríd Smith

565. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a matter in which a Section 39 care provider who could not provide consistent and regular care to two women with disabilities in County Wicklow was advised to approach the HSE home-support approved providers to determine whether there is capacity to fill the gaps in these women’s care (details supplied); the steps that he will immediately take to address the issue of no carer capacity in the Greystones area at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44730/22]

Healthcare Policy

Bríd Smith

596. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will acknowledge the ongoing issues and needs of the diabetes community in Ireland, that is, living with one of the top-ten most-challenging health problems, as described by the World Health Organisation; if he will commit to establishing a national diabetes strategy as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44939/22]

Energy Prices

Bríd Smith

88. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the position in relation to the previous scheme of support for electricity bills and specifically the position of some Traveller sites without individual supply; if the funding given to those individuals in these sites which was taken from an accommodation budget has or will be reimbursed to that fund from his Department; if he will further clarify whether alternative arrangements are in place to deal with this in the case of any future support scheme on electricity costs being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43029/22]

Energy Infrastructure

Bríd Smith

116. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the state of affairs at Huntstown power station operated by an organisation (details supplied); if another company can provide details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43716/22]

Public Sector Pensions

Bríd Smith

123. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position in relation to the proposed 2% rise to the An Post pension scheme; when he will sanction same; the likely timeframe for payment to retired workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43867/22]

Departmental Policies

Bríd Smith

213. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to address the recent violent attacks including those occurring on public transport on members of the LGBTQ+ community; the steps that are being taken to challenge the anti-gay and trans rhetoric evident in the national media recently; the ways in which he is working with the community to identify new and effective strategies to address issues of homophobia and transphobia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42781/22]

Rail Network

Bríd Smith

237. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of the following measures to improve Irish Rail services; increasing the frequency of current DART services by 10% and 20% respectively; increasing the frequency of current commuter services by 10% and 20% respectively; increasing the frequency of current Intercity services by 10% and 20% respectively; and the expected cost of completing the Western Rail Corridor. [43035/22]

Tax Code

Bríd Smith

407. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the impact of changes in the Finance Act 2022 in relation to section 31E of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 (as amended), which introduced an increased rate of 10% stamp duty on multiple purchases of housing units; the impact of this change on home reversion products which seek to help elderly persons remain in their home in situations in which they have fallen into mortgage arrears and so on; if he will consider amending the Act to allow for persons to continue to avail of such help and such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43837/22]

Housing Policy

Bríd Smith

590. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans, if any, to legislate or alter current regulations on subletting of a tenancy without the consent of a landlord given the increase in such practices and the impact on living conditions and tenant rights of those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43214/22]

Wildlife Conservation

Bríd Smith

630. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the species of birds which are on the open season hunting list; if these include birds that are amber and red listed or for which there are conservation concerns; and if the working group that was established in 2021 has reported to him yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43423/22]

Defective Building Materials

Bríd Smith

650. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that he intends to provide for owners of defective apartments; if he will support a redress scheme similar to the mica and pyrite schemes for those homeowners; if owners of defective apartments built prior to the 1990s and 2000s will be included in any future support schemes or tax treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43835/22]

Middle East

Bríd Smith

740. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will condemn Israel’s military raids on the offices of Palestinian human rights and civil society organisations as an internationally wrongful act; if he will summon the Israeli Ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and request that the Israeli military commander in the occupied West Bank be ordered to lift the closure order on offices of the Palestinian human rights organisations; if he will request the Israeli Minister of Defence to immediately rescind the terrorist designation on Palestinian human rights and civil society organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42905/22]

School Transport

Bríd Smith

879. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the supports available in a situation (details supplied) where a child is not able to avail of public transport and can no longer be transported by her family to her school, specifically in this case when the circumstances mean that the family was unable to apply to any scheme before now and the new school term is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/22]

Schools Building Projects

Bríd Smith

999. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will approve tender notices for works in a school (details supplied); the reason for the delays to this process; if her attention has been further drawn to the impact of any delay on the school and its students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43843/22]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

1056. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 108 and 149 of 14 July 2022, the reason the figures on refused, discontinued and-or disallowed applications for fuel allowance are not complied and available (details supplied); if she plans to supply the information requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41998/22]

Employment Schemes

Bríd Smith

1161. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the position regarding the local employment services provided by South Dublin County Partnership, SDCP, specifically; if the SDCP has lost the tender to provide the local employment services; if funding from her Department has been delayed to the partnership; if so, the reason for same; if her attention has been drawn to the threat of the redundancy facing 37 workers at the partnership; if she or her officials will meet with the workers representative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43717/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1204. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the length of time that the current proposed core funding model for early childhood care and education will run; the length of time that the current freeze in fees will last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42041/22]

Departmental Strategies

Bríd Smith

1231. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to address the recent violent attacks including those occurring on public transport on members of the LGBTQ+ community; the steps that are being taken to challenge the anti-gay and trans rhetoric evident in the national media recently; the ways in which he is working with the community to identify new and effective strategies to address issues of homophobia and transphobia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42782/22]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Bríd Smith

1248. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure equality for families that have children through surrogacy; if leave entitlements for such families will be equal to maternity leave arrangements and so on; if he will support amendments to the Health (Assisted Human reproduction Bill) 2022 at committee stage to permit same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1249. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers currently provided with accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Service, by type of accommodation, duration in IPAS accommodation and the number of children at the end of July 2022, in tabular form. [43424/22]

Qualifications Recognition

Bríd Smith

1324. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene in a case affecting students enrolled in a degree course of a third level institution (details supplied) for applied social care for which students have recently been told will not be recognised by CORU; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that this will have on the current students; if his Department will examine any solutions to ensure that CORU recognises the qualification; if he will contact the college in order to seek a solution to this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43171/22]

Grant Payments

Bríd Smith

1351. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that he intends to provide for students who fail to meet the SUSI criteria of being on a long-term social protection payments for maintenance grants; if he will consider changing current criteria which discriminates against many students who must work prior to commencing study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43836/22]

An Garda Síochána

Bríd Smith

1396. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she has discussed with the Garda Commissioner the recent violent attacks including those occurring on public transport on members of the LGBTQ+ community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42780/22]

Departmental Data

Bríd Smith

1433. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who were refused permission to land at Dublin Airport, by country of origin or nationality, between July 2021 and July 2022, in tabular form. [43425/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

1499. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the way that any parent of a child who is failed by the State in the provision of needed services for their wellbeing may make a complaint or seek any redress under the Disability Act 2005; the way that parents should proceed in making such complaints or in seeking remedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/22]

Disability Services

Bríd Smith

1500. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the procedures that are available to the parents of children who are unable to access services in a timely fashion to make complaints or to seek that the HSE ensures that the development of children is not adversely affected by delays in accessing services in relation to waiting times for access to speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42008/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bríd Smith

1874. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to support persons suffering from long-Covid; if he will ensure the continued operation of a dedicated clinic for same; if he will further commit to funding necessary services for persons with long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43421/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

1973. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the current position and plan of action in relation to the use of vaginal mesh products in the HSE specifically the engagement he or his Department has had with campaigners suffering severe side effects from its use; the supports that he presently has or intends to have in place for women in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/22]

Health Services

Bríd Smith

1974. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify in relation to the use of vaginal mesh products and techniques, the number of women who have sought access to these since the present ban was introduced specifically the numbers awaiting procedures for SUIs and POP and soon using TVT and other mesh techniques; when those women who wish to have these procedures and have a medical recommendation for them can expect to have access to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43893/22]

Departmental Schemes

Bríd Smith

147. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) which previously had some work done by a previous occupant is now barred from receiving support under the better energy scheme for additional work if the work entails similar measures such as wall insulation, even if the current BER rating of the home is a D1 while the proposed work would result in an improvement to a BER rating of B1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41422/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

694. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all private and voluntary companies and agencies contacted by the State to provide emergency accommodation for homeless persons for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40686/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

695. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the details of all funding provided to private and voluntary bodies and agencies for services for homeless persons including accommodation for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40687/22]

Homeless Accommodation

Bríd Smith

696. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of circumstances in which homeless services and emergency accommodation have been contracted by the State or local authority to a private entity; the relevant officials or bodies with responsibility for ensuring that such accommodation meets required standards; the way that it is ensured that persons and bodies providing such services are adequately and properly trained to provide such services; the way that homeless persons availing of such services can appeal or question decisions regarding their accommodation to a relevant authority, that is,. not the provider of such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1235. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost in a full year of paying current fuel allowance payments to all those in receipt of any social assistance payment regardless of time on that payment or living alone rules, etc., and of paying the fuel allowance to all those in receipt of any social insurance payment. [40592/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1236. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising jobseeker’s allowance and jobseeker’s benefit payments to €350 per week. [40593/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1237. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising the full rate of carer's allowance and carer's benefit to €350 per week per person cared for. [40594/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1238. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising certain payments (details supplied) to €350 per week. [40595/22]

State Pensions

Bríd Smith

1239. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year of raising the maximum contributory and non-contributory pension payment to €350 per week. [40596/22]

State Pensions

Bríd Smith

1240. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in a full year or removing all current bands for the contributory and non-contributory pension schemes and placing all applicants on one band at €350 per week. [40597/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Bríd Smith

1241. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated costs of raising certain payments (details supplied) to €350 per week. [40598/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1347. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the funding in relation to the core funding model for early childcare will be aligned with each service’s calendar year and backdated in order that sessional and full-day care services do not lose out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40184/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1348. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has examined the position of some providers who, in the event that core funding model funding is not aligned to the calendar year or backdated, face losing up to two weeks’ payments; the measures or supports that his Department will have in place to ensure that such providers do not lose out on funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40185/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1349. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the core funding graduate uplift will be paid for the total hours worked in the sessional services and not just the 15 hours contact time with the children; if additional hours paid by providers will be covered by this uplift; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40186/22]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

1350. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has examined the position of some providers who had used the previous support such as higher capitation and programme support to boost payments for staff, but now face having the graduate support limited to one staff member per room under the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/22]

International Protection

Bríd Smith

1367. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all private and voluntary agencies and bodies contracted by his Department to provide services for asylum seekers and those seeking international protection for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40689/22]