Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Interest Rates

Ged Nash

64. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he formally enunciated his concerns at the ECB's policy of continuing to increase interest rates and the impact of this policy on households and businesses at the recent meeting of finance ministers and ECB officials in Stockholm in late April 2023; if this is the official position of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/23]

Tax Collection

Ged Nash

75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned that just €73 million of the more than €2.2 billion in warehoused tax debt under the relevant Covid scheme, which is owed by companies, has been paid as of March 2023; the steps he plans to take to address this issue, which now involves approximately 64,000 firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21439/23]

Consumer Prices

Ged Nash

85. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he has read the recently published ECB paper entitled 'How tit-for-tat inflation can make everyone poorer'; if he is concerned at the evidence that profit-taking is contributing to price gouging and elevated levels of inflation; the action the Government plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21440/23]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

361. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in Appendix 1 of the Laying the Foundations: Housing Action Report produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government were met in respect of Louth County Council; if he will confirm whether the proposed 778 units were delivered from 2015 to 2017; if not, how many were delivered; the final spend on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21663/23]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

362. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 35 local authority housing units approved for construction in Coxes Demesne, County Louth in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; and if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21664/23]

Housing Provision

Ged Nash

363. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 20 local authority housing units approved for construction in Father Finn Park, Louth Village, County Louth in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; and if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21665/23]

Health Service Executive

Ged Nash

605. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is engaging formally with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to assisting with its funding needs; if the HSE will provide an update on the status of that engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21331/23]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Ged Nash

211. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm that when making provision for the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882), he will ensure that every ATM and point-of-sale credit card terminal is accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired, and that this will include provision for audio guides and tactile keyboards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20935/23]

Immigration Status

Ged Nash

319. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice in light of the financial pressure experienced by a person (details supplied) if his Department will agree to renew his stamp 4 on a two or three-yearly basis rather than annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

68. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the amount of warehoused income tax liabilities and VAT liabilities at the end of March 2023; the amount of interest that is projected to accrue over the remainder of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19796/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

69. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the amount of dividend withholding tax paid by REITs in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively; the amount of personal income tax paid on the dividends from REITs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19797/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

70. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the amount that was paid out as dividends by REITS in 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. [19798/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

71. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the expected additional yield in 2023 if the rate of dividend withholding tax levied on REITs was increased to 33%, or 50%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19799/23]

Tax Data

Ged Nash

72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the methodology for determining what portion of corporation tax returns can be described as windfall; if he intends to commission an independent study of this to determine the prospects for future returns and what level may be one-off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19800/23]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

79. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if craft apprentices in their first and second year must be paid at least the minimum wage of €11.30 per hour, or if, under the terms of the recent SEO, that a year 1 apprentice will be paid 33.33% of the craft rate which is €21.49 an hour from 18 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19801/23]

Industrial Relations

Ged Nash

80. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment since the enactment of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015, the number of applications made to the Labour Court under Section 2 (1) of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2001, as amended; if he will provide a list of each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19802/23]

Health Service Executive

Ged Nash

515. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a reply will be provided in relation to a representation sent to the HSE regarding a person (details supplied) in Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18997/23]

European Court of Human Rights

Ged Nash

196. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he and the Revenue Commissioners are concerned about the implications of the recent European Court of Human Rights judgment on Ireland's legislative framework which provides for the publication, under certain conditions, of the names of tax defaulters and certain details of their cases; what actions are open to him and the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that the regime which has been in place in Ireland since 1983 can be maintained in light of this judgment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18759/23]

An Garda Síochána

Ged Nash

306. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if engagement has occurred between his Department and the Garda Commissioner in relation to the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022, in particular the need for increased Garda resources resulting from the extension to the hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18652/23]

Passport Services

Ged Nash

1. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider waiving passport fees for children who are in foster care under the aegis of Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18442/23]

Waterways Issues

Ged Nash

38. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update from the Marine Survey Office on the progress it has made in relation to a survey of the Hebble Sand vessel on the town quays in Drogheda; if he will provide details of the engagement the Marine Survey Office has had this year with the registered owner of the vessel; when the vessel will be removed from the River Boyne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18498/23]

Legislative Measures

Ged Nash

40. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to ensure that the rights of those who have mortgages taken over by credit servicing firms under the terms of the Credit Services Directive once it is transposed into Irish law are enhanced, not diminished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18401/23]

Hospital Staff

Ged Nash

54. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her plans in relation to ensuring equitable treatment in the funding of the education of trainee psychologists (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18424/23]

Passport Services

Ged Nash

106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to make the case for the waiving of passport application fees for children in foster care under the aegis of Tusla, given the fact that such fees are not routinely automatically reimbursed to foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18443/23]

Waste Management

Ged Nash

178. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide clarity and a timeframe with respect to when the issue of stabilised residual waste fines, which are going to landfill levy-free, will be dealt with; when the working group which has been tasked with examining the impact of the landfill levy exemption for stabilised waste will report on their findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16590/23]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

385. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance what regulations and policies covers the operation of ATMs in the State; what are the requirements for these to be made accessible to disabled people; who is responsible for regulating this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/23]

Financial Services

Ged Nash

386. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance what regulations and policies cover credit card terminals in the State; what are the requirements for these to be made accessible to disabled people; who is responsible for regulating this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17141/23]

Tax Reliefs

Ged Nash

396. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to allow members of the public claim tax relief for physiotherapy appointments without the need for a doctor's referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17360/23]

Tax Yield

Ged Nash

397. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he has carried out an analysis of the estimated additional revenue that will be generated for the Exchequer in 2024 with the introduction of his corporation tax reforms based on pillar 2 of the OECD agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17361/23]

Regulatory Bodies

Ged Nash

398. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the exposure of the Irish financial system to the non-bank or "shadow bank" sector; if he is satisfied that the Central Bank of Ireland has sufficient regulatory powers and supervisory functions over the "shadow bank" sector actors located in Ireland; if he will provide details of the nature and level of engagement he and his officials have had with the Central Bank of Ireland on this issue in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17362/23]

Departmental Policies

Ged Nash

446. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 387 of 28 March 2023 to the Minister for Education, if he plans to introduce any reforms to civil and public service staff leave arrangements for parents who have had a child through surrogacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16958/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ged Nash

464. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the transfer of the OneLearning service from his Department/National Shared Services Office, along with a number of civil servants, to the Institute of Public Administration was carried out in accordance with public sector procurement rules, rules around State aid, and the terms of national agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17143/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ged Nash

465. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the closure of the international and research services of the IPA will lead to a discontinuation of the public sector trends reports; if this was agreed with his Department in advance; if the Institute of Public Administration’s grant in aid was discussed in light of recent changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17144/23]

Departmental Bodies

Ged Nash

466. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if other agencies, public bodies, local authorities, State agencies or bodies funded by public funding will be required to deliver their training needs to the IPA; what commitments have been made as part of the new developments regarding OneLearning; what properties have been secured; what recruitment has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17145/23]

School Transport

Ged Nash

609. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education why second-level students (details supplied) are not provided with access to school transport services to access schools in Drogheda where the majority have enrolled in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18192/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ged Nash

648. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she will outline a timeframe for her Department to address and repair the serious deficiencies in a school building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16606/23]

Community Welfare Services

Ged Nash

932. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons the community welfare officer service was removed from her Department's office in Ardee, County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17646/23]

Pension Provisions

Ged Nash

947. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection her Department's views on correspondence (details supplied) which relates to the application of change of status PRSI credits which relate to former public servants who transition to private sector self-employment during their career; if she is concerned at any disadvantage that arises from a pension perspective for workers in this category; if she plans to review the position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18191/23]

Departmental Data

Ged Nash

1337. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the number of people attending the diabetes clinic in Dundalk who are living with type 1 diabetes; the number of people with type 1 diabetes on a waiting list for an appointment for the clinic; the average length of waiting times for those appointments for existing patients and newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16320/23]

Departmental Data

Ged Nash

1338. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, carbohydrate counting courses are proceeding at the Dundalk diabetes clinic, either remotely or in person; if so, how many people have completed DAFNE courses at the clinic; how many are on the waiting list for DAFNE courses; the average waiting time for patients to get a place on the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16321/23]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

1339. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will outline how many diabetes specialist nurses, DSNs, and dietitians are currently working in the diabetes clinic in Dundalk, both full-time and part-time; if these posts are solely dedicated to serving people with type 1 diabetes at the Dundalk clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16322/23]

Health Services Staff

Ged Nash

1340. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if a new endocrinologist has been appointed to the diabetes clinic in Dundalk; when this appointment will commence; if a new endocrinologist has not yet been appointed, when this post will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16323/23]

Health Services

Ged Nash

1341. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a new pump clinic will be provided at Dundalk’s diabetes clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16324/23]

Hospice Services

Ged Nash

1589. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to provide a hospice facility at a location (details supplied); if a capital allocation has been made to the project; if he will confirm a timeline for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17378/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ged Nash

191. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she will outline a specific timetable for the construction and delivery of a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15852/23]

Foreign Policy

Ged Nash

342. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will formally express Ireland’s opposition along with EU partners, to new laws passed by the Ugandan Parliament that will criminalise members of the LGBT+ community in that country and will outlaw the activities of NGOs working with and advocating for the LGBT+ citizens (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15124/23]

Departmental Policies

Ged Nash

387. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education her Department’s policy on the provision of paid maternity and paternity leave for teachers who become parents through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14765/23]

Legislative Measures

Ged Nash

579. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for the completion of all stages of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022; when he expects the Bill to be enacted; when the key reforms contained in the legislation are expected to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15083/23]

Industrial Development

Gerald Nash

48. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide details on the grants given by IDA Ireland to each of the largest 20 technology companies, by value, that are client companies of the agency in each of the years 2013 to 2023, respectively, under various headings such as employment, training, research and development and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14143/23]

Industrial Development

Gerald Nash

49. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide information on the amount of moneys repaid to the State by the largest of the 20 technology companies, by value, that are client companies of the IDA in each of the years 2013 to 2023, respectively, with a particular focus on the area of employment grants where employment targets and conditions of grants were not met in terms of maintenance of employment numbers for a specified period and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14144/23]

Industrial Development

Gerald Nash

50. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on what is now a large divergence between direct and indirect or contracted jobs maintained by multinational technology corporations located in the State and supported by IDA; if he is concerned at this trend; if IDA will revert to stating direct employment numbers in job announcements by all FDI companies and not the total of direct and contract jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14145/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

55. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14630/23]

Departmental Staff

Gerald Nash

56. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average number of days' training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14852/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

101. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14631/23]

Departmental Staff

Gerald Nash

104. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he plans to reintroduce in a modernised format a portal or publication similar to the State Directory which was previously available from the Government Publication Office (details supplied); if he plans to expand the who does what sections of departmental websites to provide additional information in order to enhance transparency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14133/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

105. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if it is his policy to continue to enhance and develop high-level and continuous training and education at all levels of the civil and public service in order to maintain the high standards of the service; if he is satisfied as to the quality and adequacy of training and education opportunities provided; how levels of training and continuous learning of Irish civil and public servants compares to other countries; if he has any plans to improve the levels of education and training and access to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14135/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

107. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there is a dedicated civil service management training unit in the service; if he will list other training agencies of the State including the Institute for Public affairs, and any other bodies, including the learning and development section in his own Department involved in the delivery of training and education across the service with and on behalf of departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14136/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

108. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide information on the training and continuing education budget for civil servants in his Department for 2023 compared to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14137/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

109. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the proportion of all civil service training in his Department which is outsourced; the names of the private companies to which the outsourcing is procured from; the fees paid to each company in excess of €10,000 over each of the past three years; if he will list any courses and training procured abroad by senior civil servants in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the name of the universities, institutes, and private and public bodies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14138/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

110. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the average number of days training per grade in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14139/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

114. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in her Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14635/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

115. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the average number of days training per grade, in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14865/23]

Local Authorities

Gerald Nash

120. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his view on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will formally communicate to local authorities the requirement for all councils to fully implement the terms of the framework agreement reached with trades unions in relation to the protection of pay, terms and condition of all workers referred to under the terms of the agreement referred to in the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14140/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

155. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14629/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

156. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

183. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the average number of days training per grade, in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14851/23]

Departmental Staff

Gerald Nash

191. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the average numbers of days training per grade in her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how the figures compare internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14864/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

204. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14628/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

210. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14860/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14633/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

233. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice the average number of days training per grade, in his/her Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14862/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

277. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14861/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

285. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14627/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

286. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14849/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

290. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in her Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14634/23]

Fiscal Policy

Gerald Nash

330. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide information on the status of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund investments in a company (details supplied); if he is concerned at the exposure of these investments given the parent company has been taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of California; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13412/23]

Schools Building Projects

Gerald Nash

706. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 8 March 2023, if she will provide additional information (details supplied) pertaining to the cost of the project to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13185/23]

Further and Higher Education

Gerald Nash

995. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when retired lecturers who worked in institutes of technology will receive the increases due to them, in terms of their pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/23]

Abuse in Hospitals

Gerald Nash

1184. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 23 February 2023, if the independent reviewer who has been engaged in the case referred to will be asked by his officials to engage with a group (details supplied); if he agrees that section 17.3 and other provisions of the agreement to which the question refers provides scope for the reviewer to engage with all parties affected by the issues at hand, and that this includes survivors and their representative and advocacy body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12416/23]

Pension Provisions

Gerald Nash

1441. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an increase to their HSE pension payments which fell due in February and October 2022, and in March 2023; when the back money due will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13519/23]

Health Services Staff

Gerald Nash

1447. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when backpay, which fell due in February and October 2022, and in March 2023 will be paid to a former HSE employee (details supplied) at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13528/23]

Health Services Staff

Gerald Nash

1448. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when backpay, which fell due in February and October 2022, and in March 2023 will be paid to a former HSE employee (details supplied) at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13531/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Ged Nash

173. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has received correspondence (details supplied) in relation to an issue relating to the Eircom Superannuation Scheme; if he will set out his function and intentions in relation to a proposal on a 3% increase dated from July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/23]

National Minimum Wage

Ged Nash

193. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first and full-year additional revenue that would be raised in taxes by removing sub-minima rates of the national minimum wage for those aged under 20 years that is, applying the full adult hourly rate of the national minimum wage to all employees under 20 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12082/23]

Online Safety

Ged Nash

199. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Online Safety Commissioner will have any responsibility for ensuring social media companies do not allow the targeting of advertisements for conversion therapy at people. [12063/23]

Water Pollution

Ged Nash

204. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide details of actions Ireland is taking on foot of the State being referred to the European Court of Justice on the 26 January 2023 to the European Commission over its failure to address the problem of polluted natural waters; if he will indicate the steps he and agencies under his aegis are taking to address issues in relation to the pollution of water courses in this jurisdiction, potentially caused by defective slurry tanks north of the border; if he has engaged with the Northern Ireland authorities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12073/23]

Legislative Measures

Ged Nash

288. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; the timeline he has in place to deliver this; has drafting commenced; the measures he is planning to protect people from being targeted by ads on social media for such practises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ged Nash

38. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach if, in the context of the Government’s commitment to holding an inquiry/review into the State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, he will request that the review/inquiry includes a module on the range of financial supports which were deployed to assist businesses and workers such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme and the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11262/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ged Nash

142. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when a planning application for a permanent building for a school (details supplied) will be submitted; if her Department has revised the timescale for completion of this project as a result of increased construction costs; the total current estimated costs for the provision of permanent school buildings for the school; if the new school building will be delivered in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11907/23]

School Accommodation

Ged Nash

143. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education the total cost to date for the provision of temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) since the establishment of the school on its current site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11908/23]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Ged Nash

66. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the impact recent and predicted ECB interest rate rises will have on the ability of first-time buyers to afford to purchase a home and service a mortgage; if he or his officials have had discussions in relation to any policy interventions under consideration in regard to the impact of continuing rate rises on borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11263/23]

Energy Policy

Ged Nash

185. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a specific timeline for the introduction of a windfall tax on the extraordinary profits of energy companies; what he expects the tax to raise in its first 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11261/23]

Rail Network

Ged Nash

210. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on when a decision will be made by the National Transport Authority on a possible extension of the short-hop rail zone to Drogheda and Laytown train stations; if he will apprise this Deputy of his functions in relation to the adoption of potential changes to fare structures for commuters using these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11254/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Ged Nash

439. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason she has delayed an extra payment of child benefit to June while other cost-of-living measures announced by her Department recently are being paid in April; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11255/23]

Public Sector Pay

Ged Nash

203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when his Department will sanction proposals, following a March 2020 Labour Court recommendation, to enable a new offer on pay, terms and conditions to be tabled to adult education tutors for their consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10739/23]

Hospital Services

Ged Nash

191. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to introduce a dedicated paediatric speech and language service at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10501/23]

Pension Provisions

Ged Nash

179. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) raised by elected Trustees of the CIÉ ‘1951’ pensions committee as it relates to his Ministerial responsibilities and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9608/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Ged Nash

383. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to regularise the working conditions of special needs school bus escorts, who are currently forced to sign on the dole for approximately 11 weeks a year, when schools are closed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9920/23]