Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Staff

Steven Matthews

105. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the lack of available substitute primary school teachers in County Wicklow; the initiatives that she is supporting to reduce the impact on schools and to increase the number of teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53691/22]

Environmental Policy

Steven Matthews

331. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the total number of tree preservation orders that are currently in place nationally; the number that were issued in the past five years, broken down by local authority area as designated under section 205 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53483/22]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

335. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the total number of special amenity areas currently in place nationally; the number designated in the past five years by local authority area, as designated under section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53488/22]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

336. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of protected structures that are currently designated nationally; the number assigned this status in the past five years by local authority area as designated under section 202 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53490/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

81. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the reason employees from an organisation (details supplied) and other section 39 organisation workers were excluded from the Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52466/22]

Medical Cards

Steven Matthews

172. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the dental treatment services scheme; if the additional funding allocated by his Department to this scheme in the past six months has led to an increase in the number of dentists accepting medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52427/22]

Flood Risk Management

Steven Matthews

209. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 115 of 4 October 2022, if the attention of his Department has been drawn to any flood risks associated with a site (details supplied); if any previous flooding incidents took place that caused damage; if so, if this was considered when replacing oil tanks at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52536/22]

Dental Services

Steven Matthews

325. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Departmental review of the dental medical card scheme; if a timeline can be provided for its completion; his plans to alleviate access issues to dentists for medical card holders in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43851/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

88. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the initiatives that he plans to encourage the recruitment of apprentices in the renewable energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51441/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the initiatives that he has facilitated to encourage the recruitment of apprentices to the construction sector in order to achieve construction targets as set out in Housing for All; if he is considering any additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51440/22]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

411. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 4 October 2022, if her attention has been drawn to an application by a school (details supplied) for temporary accommodation; if she will advance the approval of this urgent application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51129/22]

Environmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

466. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if schools (details supplied) will be considered for future iterations of the Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme; if this programme will be expanded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51846/22]

Food Poverty

Steven Matthews

59. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that her Department is taking to tackle the issue of food poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50429/22]

Ukraine War

Steven Matthews

102. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Ukraine who are being housed in private properties in which the owner is in receipt of the recognition payment; if he will provide an update on the number of pledged properties which have been deemed suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine; the number of such people who have been placed in pledged accommodation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/22]

Departmental Strategies

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to bring forward the completed anti-racism strategy soon; the way in which he envisages that the strategy will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50214/22]

Road Projects

Steven Matthews

193. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he will take to ensure that local authorities are adequately funding to address new noise mitigation requirements associated with road noise; if an action plan that identifies key locations that need to be addressed is already available at council level; if funding will be forthcoming to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50807/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

231. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding changes to the cost rental equity loan scheme; if the total level of funding available from his Department that has been increased to account for these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50818/22]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

270. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if she will consider supporting funding for travel passes to be used on all public transport services for staff of special schools, only to be used while travelling with their students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50962/22]

Water Pollution

Steven Matthews

65. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that Irish Water and the Environmental Protection Agency investigate the cause of the confirmed presence of methylisoborneol in the water supply for County Wicklow and south County Dublin; if methylisoborneol has been found in other water supplies nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50487/22]

Departmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

68. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the allocation of Croí Cónaithe funding by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50557/22]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

69. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of the instructions and information that was provided to local authorities regarding the way to account for and administrate the purchase of a residential property in the context of a tenant being in receipt of HAP and the owner seeks to sell this property to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50560/22]

Energy Conservation

Steven Matthews

76. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the delivery of a retrofitting programme for schools built before 2008 as committed to in the National Development Plan; the way that schools can seek support to fund these measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49780/22]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

85. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the review of school transport places following the additional funding provided in Budget 2023; the timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49758/22]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

379. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding any recent meetings held between her Department and the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board in relation to a new school building for a school (details supplied); the status of this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49547/22]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

408. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the need to upgrade and retrofit the old part of a school building (details supplied); if the building can be assessed to establish the level of work required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35391/22]

Financial Services

Steven Matthews

104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report published by an organisation (details supplied); if he has considered the recommendations made in the report in relation to the provision of mortgages and other financial products to cancer survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48708/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

143. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the current income threshold eligibility for social housing in the greater Dublin area including counties Wicklow, Meath and Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48760/22]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

232. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider creating free travel passes to be used on all public transport services for staff of special schools, only to be used when travelling with their students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48857/22]

Flood Risk Management

Steven Matthews

110. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the development of improved flood defences for Arklow town; if his Department is committed to having open public engagement on the proposed works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48284/22]

Office of Public Works

Steven Matthews

115. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding works proposed for Glendalough visitor centre; if existing oil tanks are being replaced; if other non-fossil fuel-based heating methods were considered; if consideration has been given to potential flood risks for new infrastructure at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48289/22]

Commercial Rates

Steven Matthews

309. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that local authorities collect full commercial rates on all commercial premises, including vacant units; if he will require a unit to be registered under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 with a view to maximising their usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48544/22]

Derelict Sites

Steven Matthews

311. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request local authorities to register a property on the derelict sites register in cases in which it is declared as uninhabitable by the owner in their local property tax return, with a view to maximising the number of residential units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48552/22]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

389. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to issues raised by management in a school (details supplied) in relation to the need to urgently install temporary accommodation to match the significant increase in pupil-intake in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48218/22]

Sports Funding

Steven Matthews

17. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to promote the uptake of the newly launched solar grant for public organisations, including sports clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47503/22]

Equality Issues

Steven Matthews

34. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way gender inequality on the boards of Ireland's major sporting bodies in receipt of Government funding will be addressed, both now and into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47585/22]

Road Projects

Steven Matthews

92. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding funding for local authorities to provide for noise mitigation measures related to national roads; the discussions, if any, that have taken place with Wicklow County Council on its noise action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47697/22]

Building Regulations

Steven Matthews

20. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the departmental working group investigating potential amendments to building regulations to require changing places (details supplied); the progress the group has made since the closure of the public consultation; the timeline for the group's report to his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46881/22]

Information and Communications Technology

Steven Matthews

69. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the roll-out of the national online planning portal across all local authorities; the timeline for the portal to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47082/22]

Healthcare Policy

Steven Matthews

236. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report published by an organisation (details supplied); if he has considered the recommendations made in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47372/22]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

69. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider creating free public transport passes for staff of special schools, only to be used when travelling with students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46703/22]

Housing Policy

Steven Matthews

188. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the report on social housing eligibility that reviewed income threshold eligibility amongst other considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47203/22]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Connecting Ireland programme; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45684/22]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

92. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding DART plus; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/22]

Veterinary Services

Steven Matthews

41. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the eligibility for tax relief for registration fees to newly-qualified veterinary nurses upon registering with the Veterinary Council of Ireland given that this is already in place for a number of similar professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46093/22]

Energy Policy

Steven Matthews

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans regarding supports for SMEs that are seeking to significantly reduce energy consumption; if any capital grant funding proposals for permanent alterations to premises are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/22]

Energy Policy

Steven Matthews

86. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the support scheme for energy audits; the number of SMEs that have successfully applied for this scheme to date; the initiatives that are in place to increase the uptake of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44621/22]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

192. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the parameters of the TaxSaver tickets for public transport in the context of employees working increasingly in hybrid set-ups as the current system benefits those who commute on a daily basis but not other work patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45616/22]

Electric Vehicles

Steven Matthews

193. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport has been drawn to concerns related to the Low Emissions Vehicle Toll Incentive as some EV users have experienced difficulty in accessing this reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45625/22]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

313. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the proposed new school building for a community college (details supplied); the basis for any delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45519/22]

Foreign Birth Registration

Steven Matthews

218. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a foreign birth registration (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45285/22]

Transport Policy

Steven Matthews

125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) which outlines a number of locations in County Wicklow in which noise mitigation measures are required due to high traffic volumes; if the funding for these measures will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44363/22]

National Car Test

Steven Matthews

146. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a possible anomaly in the national car test in which a car being registered as being previously written off is not assessed or divulged to the owner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44805/22]

Waste Management

Steven Matthews

50. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any initiatives are being considered to encourage waste management companies to provide brown bins that collect organic and food waste in areas that do not currently have this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42071/22]

Departmental Strategies

Steven Matthews

84. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he will take to investigate support mechanisms for homeowners who record actionable levels of radon in their properties that require remediation. [42946/22]

National Broadband Plan

Steven Matthews

90. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding homes that are not covered under the National Broadband Ireland roll-out but cannot avail of sufficient broadband cover on the private market due to their location; if provisions are in place to assist homeowners in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43084/22]

Driver Test

Steven Matthews

171. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the National Driver Licence Service cancellation policy for driving tests (details supplied); if this policy will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42091/22]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

228. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport his views on allowing dogs on board all rail services once all necessary safety considerations are adhered to; if the current rules only permitting dogs on a limited number of rail services is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42950/22]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

264. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the details regarding the percentage of funding issued to local authorities designated to footpath repairs, maintenance and accessibility improvements; if any guidance is issued to local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43537/22]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

321. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the VAT rate associated with the purchase and repair of bicycles, cargo bikes and e-bikes; if he will consider reducing the rate to the lowest possible level under European Union guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42064/22]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

322. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the VAT rate associated with the purchase and installation of solar panels, heat pumps and other equipment used to create renewable energy in homes; if he will consider reducing the rate to the lowest possible level under European Union guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42069/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

697. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

759. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43407/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

760. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43408/22]

Environmental Schemes

Steven Matthews

872. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be considered for inclusion in the energy retrofit pathfinder programme; if this programme will be expanded to allow access for more schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42948/22]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

934. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the need for a new Irish language teacher in a school (details supplied); if her Department will engage with the school to ensure that this is urgently resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43493/22]

School Textbooks

Steven Matthews

936. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding any initiative that seeks to reduce the number of school books required by school students; if she will reduce the number of new editions published each year to allow for second-hand sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43531/22]

School Curriculum

Steven Matthews

958. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to serious concerns raised by Irish language teachers in relation to the new Junior Certificate course; if a review of the curriculum is proposed that would include feedback from relevant stakeholders including teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43666/22]

School Curriculum

Steven Matthews

959. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the details of the way that the new Junior Certificate Irish curriculum was designed; if any Irish language teachers were included as a stakeholder group; the other persons who were part of the course design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43668/22]

School Curriculum

Steven Matthews

961. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the number of formal complaints received by her Department from teachers or school principals in relation to the new Irish Junior Certificate course particularly in relation to the lack of emphasis placed on the oral aspect of the examination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43671/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Steven Matthews

1124. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the European Union decision to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease in health and social care settings; the measures that are being considered in the Irish context and in particular for those impacted by long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43027/22]

Social Welfare Code

Steven Matthews

1152. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the eligibility criteria for the back-to-school allowance that currently does not allow for foster carers; the basis for currently excluding this group from this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43605/22]

Qualifications Recognition

Steven Matthews

1318. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding engagement he has had with management of a school (details supplied) in relation to the ongoing issue of accreditation for its social care courses; if plans are in place to support students in these courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43014/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Steven Matthews

1782. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the eligibility criteria for the pandemic bonus payment for healthcare workers; if staff from an organisation (details supplied) who worked on the front line throughout the pandemic are eligible for this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43017/22]

Medicinal Products

Steven Matthews

1891. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to calls for patients suffering various forms of cancer to have access to a drug (details supplied); if this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/22]

Medical Cards

Steven Matthews

1956. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant reduction of dentists in County Wicklow that accept medical card patients; the options that are available to medical card holders who cannot access dental care in their home county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43852/22]

Rural Recreation Policy

Steven Matthews

2193. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide details regarding the outdoor recreation investment scheme funding eligibility; if municipal districts (details supplied) that are predominantly urban in nature but still have rural areas are eligible for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43016/22]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

231. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to calls to introduce a local bus link that would connect Brittas Bay with Wicklow town; if this initiative will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/22]

Banking Sector

Steven Matthews

386. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the decision by a bank (details supplied) to remove cash services from 70 banks nationally; the engagement that he has had with the bank in relation to this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40952/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

731. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to a letter sent to his office by Clare County Council in relation to income thresholds for housing supports; if a reply is forthcoming to the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41167/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Steven Matthews

1055. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to requests by school management in (details supplied) to have solar panels installed; if his officials can make contact with the school to explain this application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35392/22]

School Curriculum

Steven Matthews

1072. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps that she will take to provide English classes in the coming months for Ukrainian children to further support their integration into their new Irish schools for the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40307/22]

Hedge Cutting

Steven Matthews

2076. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the existing CAP regulation that permits the removal of hedgerows by a farmer if they replant double the length within ten kilometres; if his attention has been drawn to calls to end this practice by environmental and animal rights groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40167/22]

Animal Welfare

Steven Matthews

2087. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the practice of giving out goldfish in plastic bags at fairgrounds; if legislation or by-laws exist that could outlaw this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40400/22]

Organic Farming

Steven Matthews

11. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s plans to develop markets for Irish organic produce to match the increase in the number of farmers entering the organic farming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38248/22]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

133. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the school meals programme whereby newly added schools for the DEIS programme for September 2022 do not qualify for the scheme due to funding shortages; the steps that she will take to bridge this gap in funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34292/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

423. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39423/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

261. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38328/22]

Dental Services

Steven Matthews

109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the Departmental review of the dental medical card scheme; his plans to alleviate access issues to dentists for medical card holders in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37698/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

392. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has given any consideration to further extending the buy and repair scheme to allow local authorities to provide cost rental homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37199/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

393. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that local authorities set targets to provide social housing through the repair and lease scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37200/22]

Commercial Rates

Steven Matthews

394. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that he is taking to ensure standardisation across all local authorities regarding commercial rate rebates for vacant commercial units; if he is concerned that such rebates act as a disincentive to returning these units to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37201/22]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

517. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case (details supplied) of a Zimbabwean national with Irish citizenship who had his or her personal documentation sent to the South African embassy in Dublin as part of an application for an Irish passport; if there is a basis for this process; and if he will clarify the pathway for a passport application for someone in this position. [37841/22]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

537. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the case of school bus drivers whereby once they reach 70 years of age, they are no longer allowed to be employed under the Bus Éireann school bus contract despite having passed a yearly medical assessment permitting them to drive other coaches; if she will review this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37118/22]

Third Level Admissions

Steven Matthews

44. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing the dental sector regarding the retention of dentists in Ireland following the completion of their degrees; the steps he is taking at a University level to reduce this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36731/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Steven Matthews

57. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the engagement he has had with the offshore renewable sector; if he is conscious of the need to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified graduates for this sector; the initiatives planned to promote this course of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36716/22]

Departmental Funding

Steven Matthews

96. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department provides funding for the development or refurbishment of playgrounds; if so, if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/22]

Ukraine War

Steven Matthews

134. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the way his Department has scaled up to enable it to manage the humanitarian response to the Ukrainian war; the redeployments and restructuring that has taken place; the way the crisis is managed day to day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36707/22]

Tax Reliefs

Steven Matthews

38. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the living cities initiative; the number of successful applications; the number of residential units that it has added to the housing stock; the cost to the Exchequer of each broken down by county to date in tabular form; if any consideration is being given to expanding the criteria for eligibility for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36456/22]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

68. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the repair and lease scheme; the number of successful applications; the number of residential units added to the housing stock; the cost to the Exchequer of each unit broken down by county to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36455/22]

Building Regulations

Steven Matthews

69. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of construction regulations in relation to refurbishment and change of use for regeneration and living over the shop type developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36457/22]