Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Capital Expenditure Programme

Darren O'Rourke

1321. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the progress in the Hospital Building Programme in each of the past four years to date. [36523/23]

Ambulance Service

Darren O'Rourke

1322. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the average response times for ambulances for 999 calls in CHO8 in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [36524/23]

Hospital Staff

Darren O'Rourke

1323. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in respiratory medicine at the Mater Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [36525/23]

Ambulance Service

Darren O'Rourke

1324. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the pathfinder alternative programme from the National Ambulance Services will be extended to County Meath. [36526/23]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

1438. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full list of all approved undergraduate courses for applications under SUSI provided within the State to which the free fees scheme does not apply. [36514/23]

Education and Training Provision

Darren O'Rourke

1445. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the skills gap to deliver the national retrofitting plan, including heat pump installation; if he has plans to expand green apprenticeships to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36853/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

131. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that wholesale electricity prices fell by 35% in June 2023 (details supplied); when he expects this will be passed on to the final customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34868/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

132. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he was aware of comments made by the Taoiseach that energy prices would remain very high this winter; how many times he has met with the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities to discuss this; if he will report on these meetings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34873/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

133. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he was aware of comments (details supplied) made by the Taoiseach that energy prices would remain very high this winter; how many times he has met with energy companies to discuss this; if he will report on these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34874/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the wholesale price of energy; if he expects the price of gas and electricity to fall; what has informed his conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34875/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what reliefs will be put in place for high energy prices, and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34876/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that the easing in energy prices inflation for consumers in Ireland has to date lagged in the euro area as a whole (details supplied); what his plans are to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the legislation for the cap on market revenues; when he expects it to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34884/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

138. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the decisions to end the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity; when the revenue will be collected; if an analysis was conducted to estimate how much revenue would be earned by extending the measure to the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34885/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

139. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the revenue collected from the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity will be used to fund targeted cost-of-living supports, as detailed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34886/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

140. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the revenue from the inframarginal revenue cap for electricity will be collected; how this revenue will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

141. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the cross-departmental and inter-agency Energy Poverty Steering Group; how many times it has met over the past year; the issues it addressed and the actions that followed from this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

142. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the cross-departmental and inter-agency Energy Poverty Steering Group progress to address how the revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector will be distributed to provide relief from high energy prices; how many times it has met; how stakeholder voices have been included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34910/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

143. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the revenue from revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector will be distributed to large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34911/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

144. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if large energy users will be excluded from the distribution of revenues earned from the temporary solidarity contribution and the cap on market revenues to address windfall gains in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

145. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the Energy Poverty Stakeholder Forum on 7 July 2023; the outcomes and any actions to be carried forward; and if there are plans to conduct another forum in the future. [34913/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

146. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the Government's summit on energy independence held on 6 July 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34914/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on his public comments (details supplied) that he expects energy bills to fall from this autumn; how this conclusion was informed; if he has met energy firms to discuss this; and how much he anticipates they will decrease by. [34915/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the stakeholder engagement with the commercial built environment's working group; how often they have met and met with stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34935/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures he is taking to reduce energy demand, in particular the demand coming from large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34950/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the CRU will be resourced to carry out its new functions with respect to the cap on market revenues; if new staff will be recruited; when he expects this to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34971/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the draft Bill for the cap on market revenues will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34972/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the draft Bill for the cap on market revenues contains specific provisions around hedging in the energy market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34973/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

154. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the evidence base for the policies the Government has put in place to address energy poverty. [34983/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

155. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the evidence base for Government policy that seeks to address Ireland's high energy prices. [34984/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

156. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the work of the research network on energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/23]

Building Energy Rating

Darren O'Rourke

157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date on the work to match Building Energy Rating (BER) data with the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC); if this data will be released; if a report will be published; when this can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34989/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

158. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the consultation on private wires/direct line renewables will be released; his plans for the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34990/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

159. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the green hydrogen strategy will be published; if he will provide an update on its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34994/23]

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Darren O'Rourke

160. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the public consultation document on the design of ORESS auctions in phase two will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34995/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

161. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 15 June 2023, regarding his request to the CRU to investigate pricing strategies, taking account of the hedging strategies of electricity market participants and any possible market failures, if he will provide an update and report on this request and the outcome of the investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35008/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

162. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Government’s energy security review and the review by a person (details supplied), respectively; when he expects both to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35009/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

163. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Governments electricity storage policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35010/23]

State Bodies

Darren O'Rourke

164. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the workforce plan for the CRU, which included the approval of 74 new whole-time positions; how many have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35011/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

166. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, by post-BER standard, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the average cost to retrofit a home to a BER cost optimum standard for each retrofit scheme under subhead B4, in tabular form. [35107/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total number of retrofits completed under the one-stop shop (national homes retrofit); and the total per post-conversion rating, per scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35108/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

169. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average waiting time for a retrofit under all SEAI schemes in Q2 in 2023, by scheme, per BER rating pre-completion, and per BER rating post-completion, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35109/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy warmer homes scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35112/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

171. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the one-stop-shop scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35113/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

172. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost to retrofit a dwelling to a building energy rating of B2 or higher under the better energy community grant scheme in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, in tabular form. [35114/23]

Energy Policy

Darren O'Rourke

173. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the progress of the energy security review (details supplied); when he expects both to be published; if they will be published this quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35123/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

175. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of heat pumps installed in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 in 2023, per scheme, in tabular form. [35118/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed in 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023 by post-BER standard, per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35119/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the percentage of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post-completion, per scheme, in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35120/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed that were of a standard of B2 or higher post completion per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of total retrofits completed by post-BER standard per scheme, in tabular form in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35122/23]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Darren O'Rourke

180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of gas and electricity disconnections in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35125/23]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Darren O'Rourke

181. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of gas and electricity disconnections per local authority in 2022, in Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35126/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

182. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he aware of a survey (details supplied) which highlights barriers to achieving retrofit targets; how he plans to address these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35127/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a survey (details supplied) which cites lack of availability of finance or grant funding as key barriers to achieve national retrofitting targets; how he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 700 of 23 May 2023, to report on the monitoring his Department carries out on the effect of existing supports to address the high cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/23]

Energy Prices

Darren O'Rourke

185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has discussed with energy providers what proportion of the wholesale energy they use is hedged; if so, to report on this; if not, if he has plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35149/23]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

196. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on Q2 2023 targets in the Climate Action Plan to manage our energy transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35289/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Darren O'Rourke

197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the number of new grid connections in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q2 2023 for renewable energy per source, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/23]

Sustainable Energy Communities

Darren O'Rourke

198. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the level of funding provided to sustainable energy communities in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35292/23]

Sustainable Energy Communities

Darren O'Rourke

199. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the number of sustainable energy communities that were funded in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; the level of funding provided to each project funded in 2022, in q1 2023 and in q3 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35293/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35301/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

201. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average wait time for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

202. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the average cost for retrofits completed to a standard of B2 or higher as part of the National Residential Retrofit Plan per year and per scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35303/23]

Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan

Darren O'Rourke

203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on his plans to develop Ireland’s offshore wind energy grid connection capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35335/23]

Rental Sector

Darren O'Rourke

204. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to address retrofitting in the rental sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35400/23]

Environmental Schemes

Darren O'Rourke

205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if will provide an update on the commitment in the Energy Poverty Action Plan to introduce a mechanism to ensure homeowners have the option of paying for upgrades “net of grant”, and to explore options to support homeowners to convert from oil and solid fuel to heat pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35401/23]

Rental Sector

Darren O'Rourke

206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how many rental properties were retrofitting in 2022, Q1 2023 and in Q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35404/23]

Motor Fuels

Darren O'Rourke

221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on Ireland's biofuel supply and Ireland's capacity to meet EU sustainability requirements; Ireland's current biofuel supply; the increase that will be required to meet EU sustainability requirements; the measures to increase supply that are in place; when is it estimated that supply will increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34947/23]

Motor Fuels

Darren O'Rourke

222. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the engagement between his Department and the European Commission on biofuel, including verification and increasing Ireland's supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34948/23]

Motor Fuels

Darren O'Rourke

223. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on Ireland's biofuel supply and capacity to meet 2030 targets; what is Ireland's current biofuel supply; what increase will be required to meet our 2030 targets; what measures to increase supply are in place; when is it estimated that supply will increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34949/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Darren O'Rourke

241. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to report on the progress of the pathfinder programmes, particularly with reference to increasing momentum to the delivery of projects at a local level, providing templates for replication and scaling up elsewhere; further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 29 June 2023, how this incorporates experimental and innovative approaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34940/23]

Cycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when the finalised cycle connects plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34941/23]

Rail Network

Darren O'Rourke

243. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to report on the progress of the all-island strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/23]

National Transport Authority

Darren O'Rourke

247. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to report on the progress of the National Transport Authority in completing the walking and cycling index in Ireland's main cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34980/23]

Transport Policy

Darren O'Rourke

248. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when the report of the most recent national household travel survey in 2022 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34981/23]

Transport Policy

Darren O'Rourke

249. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to report on the work of the sustainable mobility research network; if he can provide an update on the mapping on the research already being undertaken on gaps identified; what research has been conducted or is currently being completed; how this provides an evidence-base for Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34982/23]

Rental Sector

Darren O'Rourke

275. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance how many landlords have availed of the tax credit to retrofit their rental properties in 2022, q1 2023 and in q2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35402/23]

Labour Market

Darren O'Rourke

356. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a survey (details supplied) which cites labour shortages one of the main barriers to achieve national retrofitting targets; how he plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/23]

State Examinations

Darren O'Rourke

384. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if predictive grades are an option for students who are unable to sit an exam due to a medical emergency not covered under the SEC Circular S24/23; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35371/23]

State Examinations

Darren O'Rourke

389. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education to consider a case (details supplied) involving a student who had a contagious illness with supporting medical documentation on the day of their leaving certificate German exam but was denied the opportunity to retake the exam by the State Examinations Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35452/23]

State Examinations

Darren O'Rourke

390. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education if a predictive grade is a possibility for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35478/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

430. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how much each local authority spent on retrofitting in 2022, in quarter 1 2023 and in quarter 2 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35403/23]

Planning Issues

Darren O'Rourke

444. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress to date to engage specialists in the marine and climate unit in An Bord Pleanála; if the nature of the two in-house roles have been defined including the breadth of disciplines they will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34867/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

445. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date on the strategic workforce plan and skills need assessment in MARA; how this has impacted on the workforce plan and recruitment; how this will be resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34882/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

446. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date on the strategic workforce plan and skills need assessment in MARA with reference to environmental and marine expertise specifically; how this has impacted on the workforce plan and recruitment; how this will be resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34883/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

448. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the workforce plan in An Bord Pleanála; the full cost per year per post; if there are plans to increase the workforce; how many new posts will be recruited; the full cost per year per new staff, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34893/23]

Departmental Consultations

Darren O'Rourke

450. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the public consultation on the National Planning Framework will take place; how the issue of climate change will be addressed as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34934/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

453. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the staffing levels in the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority; the appointments to date and their salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34939/23]

Planning Issues

Darren O'Rourke

455. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the progress of recruiting new staff following the approval by his Department to add 59 new posts; how many of these new posts had expertise in biodiversity and-or climate change; when he expects this process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34951/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

456. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities for hedgerow work; how much was awarded to each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023 to date, in tabular form. [34953/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

457. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities for hedgerow work; the detail of the work carried out by each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34954/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

458. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding that was awarded to local authorities via the local biodiversity action fund; how much was awarded to each successful application in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and in 2023 to date, in tabular form. [34955/23]

Departmental Projects

Darren O'Rourke

460. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the staffing levels in An Bord Pleanála; the appointments to date and their salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/23]

Local Authorities

Darren O'Rourke

465. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the post-retrofit BER status of local authority homes retrofitted in 2022, in Q1 2023, and in Q3 2023, by area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35110/23]

Energy Conservation

Darren O'Rourke

466. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the guidance on improving energy efficiency on traditional buildings to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35111/23]

EU Funding

Darren O'Rourke

569. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next open call for funding for European Innovation Partnership will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34979/23]

Sustainable Energy Communities

Darren O'Rourke

50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that gained access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34592/23]

Sustainable Energy Communities

Darren O'Rourke

51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that were on a waiting list to gain access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34593/23]