Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Energy Policy

Richard Bruton

101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the Energy Security Review. [41746/23]

Climate Action Plan

Richard Bruton

112. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider extending the approach used for oversight of the Climate Action Plan to the complementary strategies for the circular economy and biodiversity. [41747/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

136. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the name of organisations who have been approved for one stop shop services for retrofitting homes; the expected number of upgrades which is expected to be able to complete per year when fully operational, and if the level of national coverage has yet been achieved. [41985/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

137. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the latest position in relation to the proposed loan for retrofitting being developed with the EIB; whether it is intended that this will only be available for works above a certain threshold, or achieving a certain standard of BER; the likely maximum term of the loan and the prospective interest rate range which will apply and if it is expected it will be open to the public before the end of the year. [41986/23]

Energy Production

Richard Bruton

138. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of solar panel installations which are now selling surplus power back to the grid, distinguishing household suppliers, farm or business suppliers; if he has conducted a survey of the price being earned per kilowatt hour, and if he will indicate how he expects this practice to evolve in the coming years. [41987/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

139. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to alter any of the conditions or the grant payments available from SEAI for different elements of retrofitting for the coming year, based on evolving take-up of the various schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41988/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

166. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the full value of help to buy support combined with equity support, through either first homes or a local authority's affordable purchase, continues to be constrained by ceilings on permitted ratios to valuation; if he has considered easing this constraint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41976/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

167. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered extending the help to buy tax relief for affordable purchase beyond new homes; if he has plans to extend the availability of this scheme beyond 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41984/23]

School Admissions

Richard Bruton

179. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of a shortage of places in primary schools that teach through the medium of Irish in the Clontarf, Killester and Raheny catchment area; if she has any plans to increase the availability of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41972/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

188. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if affordable homes for purchase or cost rental, developed by the LDA or by AHBs, will be allocated to prospective clients through the local authorities; if the mix between cost rental and affordable purchase will be a matter for the local authorities or the respective developer, and if the retained equity share will be held by the Council or by the LDA or AHB. [41975/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

189. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the increase in the Central Bank recommendation on raising the ratio of mortgage to income from 3.5 to 4.0 has been fully carried over into the terms of first homes and of a local authority's affordable purchase schemes, and if he will outline how the approved equity injection is now calculated. [41977/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

190. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered extending the equity supports for affordable purchase beyond new homes [41978/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Bruton

191. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will indicate whether the interest rates charged on loans under the local authority home loan have been increased to reflect rising ECB rates; if he will indicate what is the current rate charged, with and without mortgage protection insurance; the total payment which has to be paid per month per €1000 of loan, and whether this rate has incorporated all the prospective changes based on the most recently set ECB rate. [41979/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Bruton

192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the interest rates charged on the equity in later years under the first homes scheme have been altered in the face of rising ECB rates; if he will indicate what is the current rate chargeable, and if this rate has incorporated all the prospective changes based on the most recently set ECB rate. [41980/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

193. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the ceiling for income which he has set for the following respective housing supports: a local authority home loan, a social tenancy and a cost rental tenancy; if he has plans to review these thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41981/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

194. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current ceiling for the purchase of a home using a local authority home loan and if he has plans to review this ceiling. [41982/23]

Housing Policy

Richard Bruton

195. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the ceilings on rents supported by HAP for different household composition, different areas, and for those at risk of homelessness, and if he has plans to alter these ceilings. [41983/23]

Medical Cards

Richard Bruton

273. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the means thresholds and savings thresholds for medical card, and for GP only cards, both for those under 70 years and those aged 70 and over, when the recently announced extension of GP cards is complete; his plans to index either or both to the trend in any income indicator for future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41989/23]

Hospital Charges

Richard Bruton

274. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which a charge will be made to a patient visiting the casualty department, visiting an outpatient department or obtaining a blood test, and the level of charge in each case, and the circumstance in which a patient may apply to have such charges waived. [41990/23]

Nursing Homes

Richard Bruton

275. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the concessions offered under the fair deal scheme within the means-testing arrangements where homes of patients have been sold, and where homes of patients have been rented, and if he will indicate the number of instances where this option has been taken up in each case since the concession was put in place. [41991/23]

Medicinal Products

Richard Bruton

276. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the prescription charges now paid by medical card holders and if the level of these thresholds is under review. [41992/23]

Medicinal Products

Richard Bruton

277. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the threshold for drug refund which is now in place and if the level of this threshold is under review. [41993/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

278. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if the National Treatment Purchase Fund is on track to deliver the targeted level of procedures, scopes, diagnostic tests and outpatient appointment during 2023, and whether target waiting times for arranging different interventions have been set. [41994/23]

Health Services

Richard Bruton

279. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of patients who have been treated abroad under different options in the year to date; if he has any breakdown of this number by procedure or specialty, and if the conditions for obtaining treatment in the UK and Northern Ireland, or in other member states of the EU is likely to change in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41995/23]

General Practitioner Services

Richard Bruton

280. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has set prospective dates by which he expects to extend the age groups who qualify for free GP services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41996/23]

Third Level Costs

Richard Bruton

298. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the concessions made on the student registration fee and the bonus payment on maintenance have been continued into the new academic year; if so, if he will indicate on what terms the concessions are available in the academic year 2023/2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41974/23]

Cybersecurity Policy

Richard Bruton

105. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the NIS2 Directive on cybersecurity will be implemented in Ireland; and whether consultation and an information campaign are planned to better inform the public and affected bodies. [40990/23]

Energy Conservation

Richard Bruton

114. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the details of those companies who are obligated entities in terms of energy savings; the extent of the obligation in each case; the opportunities for charitable bodies to seek support from such bodies to improve their energy consumption; and whether each entity has published contact details for those who wish to participate. [41395/23]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Bruton

131. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport whether public service bodies who have outreach services delivered by employees using their personal cars are obliged to count the carbon impact of these journeys in their carbon impact; whether there are initiatives in place to facilitate the switch of this necessary mileage to electric vehicles; if there is a role for a centralised scheme to promote such shifts across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41053/23]

Pension Provisions

Richard Bruton

187. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has reviewed the value of the thresholds set out for tax relief on pensions; and if he will consider adjusting them, in view of the substantial inflation since they were set almost ten years ago. [41437/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Bruton

369. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection whether it is possible to set up a trust for a person with a severe disability, without undermining their eligibility for disability allowance, which normally assesses a nominal weekly means to all capital exceeding €50,000. [41173/23]

Hospital Deaths

Richard Bruton

523. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the reports of elevated death rates; and whether any research is being undertaken to evaluate underlying factors. [41033/23]

Medical Records

Richard Bruton

548. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has examined the reports of elevated death rates; and whether any research is being undertaken to evaluate underlying factors. [41165/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Bruton

564. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has started to recruit to the position of physician associates; whether the extent of the responsibility of such posts have been defined: and whether there is a need for registration and regulation of such posts by an appropriate body to ensure that they only work within their area of established qualifications. [41276/23]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

628. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has calculated a multiplier for the knock-on value within the community of the different schemes under which she allocates funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41309/23]

Departmental Policies

Richard Bruton

629. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has analysed trends in remote working as the economy has fully reopened again; and if there are areas of initiative to help embed this as a pattern to bring new activity to rural Ireland. [41310/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Richard Bruton

13. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an estimate of the average number of inpatient and outpatient procedures that have been delivered by public hospitals and by the NTPF to date in 2023; and if he is considering any innovations to deliver more procedures. [40277/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Richard Bruton

60. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health what the key drivers of the reported overruns in health expenditure are; whether there are improvements that can be made in spending management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40276/23]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Bruton

77. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how the destination of graduates after qualification has evolved over the past five years; and whether any lessons can be drawn from the impact of the Covid experience. [40279/23]

State Examinations

Richard Bruton

108. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he has considered initiating, along with the Minister for Education, a national dialogue on the reform of the Leaving Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40278/23]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

205. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered the treatment of awards made by the Courts in her Department's means tests, particularly for disability allowance, wherein awards for negligence are treated as assets resulting in refusal, even where the award was for medical negligence which has completely denied the person any ability to work or have a normal life of any sort, and bearing in mind that means tests have been waived for some means-tested supports like medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40825/23]

Tax Credits

Richard Bruton

168. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of each tax credit which can be claimed; and his latest estimate of the numbers claiming them. [40359/23]

Tax Credits

Richard Bruton

169. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the value of each tax exemption which can be claimed; and his latest estimate of the numbers claiming them (for example, the rent-a-room scheme, and so on). [40360/23]

Tax Credits

Richard Bruton

185. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have claimed the new tax credit on unsupported private rents to date in 2023; the numbers that Revenue estimates are eligible; if he has considered whether obstacles exist to its full take-up, or whether information has not reached all eligible persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40736/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

186. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers who make claims for unreimbursed medical expenses each year; whether the Revenue Commissioners have made any estimates of the amount of under-claiming in respect of medical expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40737/23]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Bruton

265. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate her plans to open a school (details supplied) which has not yet opened as anticipated. [39658/23]

Teacher Training

Richard Bruton

270. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether modules in special education have become a mandatory element in teacher training; and if not, if she would consider such a change since it is of such growing importance in inclusive teaching skills. [39682/23]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Bruton

272. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the delay in the planned opening of a school (details supplied); if she will indicate how this came about; and whether the issues can be quickly resolved. [39684/23]

School Staff

Richard Bruton

275. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if there is a higher-than-usual number of full-time posts in schools which remain vacant this September; if she considers it appropriate that some of the rules surrounding who can act as a substitute in such roles should now be relaxed; if not, if other changes could be made to offer other possibilities to local school leaders to find ways to deliver services while these posts remain vacant after repeated advertising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39698/23]

State Examinations

Richard Bruton

344. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether she has considered initiating, along with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, a national dialogue on the reform of the Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40280/23]