Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

243. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any chief executive of a State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body/organisation for each of the years 2019 to date; if so, the amount and details, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40754/23]

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

252. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any chief executive of a State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body/organisation for each of the years 2019 to date; if so, the amount and details, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40762/23]

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

291. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any chief executive of a State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body/organisation for each of the years 2019 to date; if so, the amount and details, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40761/23]

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

308. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if any chief executive of a State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of her Department received any benefit from taxable benefits being paid on their behalf by the body/organisation for each of the years 2019 to date; if so, the amount and details, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40766/23]

Bord na Móna

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 11 September 2023 and the subsequent response received from Bord na Móna (details supplied), if he can confirm that the employer paid the employee’s tax on behalf of the employee; if he can confirm whether such an arrangement in respect of a company car and health insurance was agreed in advance with Revenue; if so, if he will provide a copy of any said confirmation by Revenue; if he will confirm whether any other employees are subject to BIK on any benefits; if so, if Bord na Móna plc pays the tax due on these benefits or if the arrangement is in place for the CEO only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40457/23]

State Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

56. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 11 September 2023 and the table provided, if he will seek a detailed breakdown of the 'other' payments listed which amount to €123,000 over the four years from 2019 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40568/23]

Transport Costs

Fergus O'Dowd

74. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek defined timelines on when the new distance-based fare structures announced in April 2023 will be implemented by the NTA for the Drogheda and east Meath area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39538/23]

Road Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

77. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing curve warning signs with recommended speed limits, as used in New Zealand (details supplied), for Irish roads to improve general road safety on a phased basis to offset costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39562/23]

Industrial Disputes

Fergus O'Dowd

405. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the Government's position with respect to industrial action (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/23]

Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

809. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the IFCA budgetary requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39544/23]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

931. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to urgently intervene and provide direct support to family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39843/23]

Mental Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

932. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns in respect of counselling and psychotherapy services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39877/23]

Medical Cards

Fergus O'Dowd

950. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if there is any consideration being given to the automatic provision of medical cards to people with a spinal cord injury based on certified medical needs, rather than means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40053/23]

Medical Cards

Fergus O'Dowd

951. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline if there is any consideration being given to extending the review cycle for medical card holders with a spinal cord injury to ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40054/23]

Local Development Companies

Fergus O'Dowd

1094. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide clarity on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39800/23]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

1095. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the social inclusion and community activation programme (SICAP) budgets will be increased to reflect the exorbitant inflation experienced over recent years and with due consideration given to the demands on SICAP, which have grown considerably; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39801/23]

Voluntary Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

1096. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, with respect to Government policy, specifically within 'DRCD: Sustainable, Empowered and Inclusive Communities, Action Point 4.1' on page 27, which commits to moving towards a multi-annual funding model for organisations in the community and voluntary sector, on the basis that annual funding arrangements create uncertainty and inefficiencies within the voluntary sector, she will detail how this area is to be developed over the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39803/23]

Broadband Infrastructure

Fergus O'Dowd

80. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to address the situation such as the one set out (details supplied) where one neighbour in an area is receiving 1000mbs and the other has very slow broadband; the steps he will take to ensure that if two thirds of an estate is connected to ultra-high speed broadband, the entire estate is supplied as a matter of practicality and fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37420/23]

Bord na Móna

Fergus O'Dowd

82. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will seek a detailed breakdown on the €64,000 payment under the taxable benefits included in the 2022 Bord na Móna annual returns (details supplied) and itemise the benefits accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37439/23]

State Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

83. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 5 July 2023, to which there was an inadequate response, if he will ensure that the figures, as provided by the vast majority of other Departments, are completed in tabular form under specific headings (details supplied); if he will seek assurances where there are no BIK payments on the returns that the CEO of said bodies does not benefit from any mode of transport/allowance or health benefits paid/leased by the said bodies; if he will ensure that returns are sought for each of the State/semi-State bodies or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37440/23]

Protected Disclosures

Fergus O'Dowd

84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to confirm if any protected disclosures have been received by him or his Department in respect of Bord Na Móna management over the years 2018 to date; if so, the number; if all disclosures have been investigated; if any are yet to be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37443/23]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will comment on the fact that no equitable process has been agreed by which full-time residents in mobile homes can access the electricity credit that all other households have benefitted from where it is their primary residence, despite previously indicating that a process would be brought in to address this inequity, and taking into account that referral to an exceptional/additional needs payment is not a solution as the applicants cannot show engagement with an energy supplier and are ineligible if they have any modest savings which is clearly an inequity where households with extraordinary wealth have benefited from the credits to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37882/23]

Energy Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to respond to concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of energy companies purporting to use 100% renewable sources and where they actually get their energy from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

274. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to the publication of the All Island Strategic Rail Review, if he will seek an urgent update on the feasibility and long-term need to reopen Dunleer train station to reduce vehicles, improve connectivity in mid-Louth and reduce commuting costs for mid-Louth residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/23]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

275. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport further to the publication of the All Island Strategic Rail Review, if he will seek an urgent update on the feasibility and long-term need to open a new rail station in north Drogheda to adequately deal with the exponential growth and development on the north side of Drogheda and reduce the town's carbon footprint and congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37719/23]

Bus Services

Fergus O'Dowd

292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider an extension of the 20% fare discount to private operators to not only boost the numbers using buses but also to reduce the number of cars using the roads in the context of the upcoming budgetary discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37877/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

312. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline if any engagement has taken place between TII and Louth and or Meath County Councils in respect of the closure of the Obelisk Bridge for much needed redevelopment works, considering the expected ten month traffic impact this will have on the already over congested town of Drogheda; if any further consideration has been given by the Government to provide a temporary waiver on the Drogheda M1 slip tolls that would alleviate the said traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38067/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

319. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond regarding the actions that he and his Department have taken to date to offset the devastating impact the closure of the Obelisk Bridge will have on local persons and businesses in Drogheda (details supplied), notwithstanding that the project responsibilities lie with Louth and Meath County Councils; if he will take a lead role to find a solution to a situation that will essentially cause further congestion to an already congested town and impose significant additional costs to people at a time of a cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38213/23]

Banking Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

431. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to serious concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the issues arising with a mortgage provider; if he will intervene to ensure this type of behaviour and lack of engagement ceases once and for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37421/23]

State Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

433. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 25 July 2023, in respect of the NTMA, if he can seek clarity on the “Other” payment of €54,462 and confirm that this was paid as accrued holidays; if he can confirm that the NTMA does not provide a vehicle or any other transport benefits to the CEO as indicated in the return (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/23]

State Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

434. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 25 July 2023, in respect of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, if he will seek clarity on the “bonus” payment of €30,000; to provide a breakdown of the professional subscriptions indicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37448/23]

Budget 2024

Fergus O'Dowd

435. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the pre-Budget 2024 submission from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37482/23]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

454. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38173/23]

Banking Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

482. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the circumstances where a case is referred to the ombudsman in respect of cases where there are two names on a bank account and the case cannot be investigated if one or the other joint account holders will not engage with the FSPO (details supplied); if he would consider strengthening the powers of the Ombudsman to address this type of anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38867/23]

Flood Risk Management

Fergus O'Dowd

522. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to the flooding that occurred in east Meath recently which destroyed many homes, if he will seek an urgent update on when proposals for additional flood relief works for the area will progress as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37682/23]

Work Permits

Fergus O'Dowd

582. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek a review of the complicated employment permit case (details supplied) relating to a person and his hope to progress a career through the National Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38985/23]

Schools Building Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

619. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education the status of a school project (details supplied); if further progress has been made on the site; to provide the relevant timeframes in terms of progression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37724/23]

School Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

620. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she will review the need for additional Bus Éireann resources to accommodate families from an area (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37734/23]

Departmental Inquiries

Fergus O'Dowd

664. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if he will respond to concerns raised in respect of the school scoping inquiry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38343/23]

Urban Development

Fergus O'Dowd

832. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek details on the feasibility of introducing a metropolitan area plan for the ever-growing Drogheda and east Meath settlement areas, to appropriately plan and address the increasing needs of the population in the areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37453/23]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

862. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the long-awaited new fire station for Dunleer, County Louth; the location and details of the development; the key project expected timelines; the total number of staff expected to be employed once complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37720/23]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

940. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has given any consideration in supporting a new Home Market Tech Fund (details supplied) to broaden the scope of solution-based housing policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38844/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

954. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received the concerns of persons (details supplied); if a response will issue in due course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39078/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

991. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to proposals raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in respect of expanding the children's allowance to children aged 18 years in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37566/23]

Gambling Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

1149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied ) in respect of the potential impact the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 may have on not just charities but also local sporting organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38211/23]

Missing Persons

Fergus O'Dowd

1178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will seek a response to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38359/23]

Animal Breeding

Fergus O'Dowd

1273. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the number of sellers and suppliers of pets and animals who have registered with his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if he will provide further details on plans to target the sale and distribution of animals through illicit puppy farms, in particular a crackdown on online advertisements which are misleading the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37796/23]

Animal Breeding

Fergus O'Dowd

1274. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to respond directly to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the sale of puppies online despite the Government’s best efforts to address these illicit sales; if anything can be done to target sites such as the one referred to in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37808/23]

Forestry Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

1292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the plans, if any, to reform the Forestry Act 1988 and the remit of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38125/23]

Nitrates Usage

Fergus O'Dowd

1331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39093/23]