Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Public Sector Pensions

Francis Noel Duffy

198. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport when it is expected the CIÉ 1951 pension deficit will be resolved, in order that CIÉ pensioners will receive pension increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/24]

Departmental Data

Francis Noel Duffy

68. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of all current taskforces under his Department’s remit, in tabular form; to report on the objectives and progress of each taskforce; if he plans to set up any additional taskforces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/24]

Food Waste

Francis Noel Duffy

123. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current annual budget allocation to the stop food waste section of the EPA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14853/24]

Tax Code

Francis Noel Duffy

280. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the assertion that the new BIK thresholds and rules encourages drivers who are in possession of company cars to do additional unwanted mileage to ensure they receive maximum benefit under the new scheme; if this will be reviewed in light of the environmental impact of the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13749/24]

Defective Building Materials

Francis Noel Duffy

612. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are targeted measures to support tenants who have to leave their rental accommodation undergoing pyrite remediation under the pyrite remediation scheme; if costs for alternative accommodation for those tenants waiting to return to the property will be recouped; the process of applying if supports exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/24]

Rental Sector

Francis Noel Duffy

669. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the prospect of implementing a rent transparency register in the private rental sector which he supported during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018 in 2019; if his Department has further investigated the GDPR implications of a rent transparency register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/24]

Housing Policy

Francis Noel Duffy

906. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice the status of the review of the Multi Unit Development Act 2011; and whether he has considered introducing an interim regulator on a non-statutory basis for owner management companies to ensure appropriate governance across this sector for companies to manage apartment defects, remediation works and ongoing maintenance requirements of the shared facilities in multi-unit developments. [14804/24]

Energy Conservation

Francis Noel Duffy

82. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the new low-cost EIB group-supported home energy upgrade loan scheme will be delivered; if he will provide more information on the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11561/24]

Departmental Strategies

Francis Noel Duffy

824. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice when she plans to publish the regulations under section 18(7) and 19(9) of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, which were proposed for publication in Q4 of 2022 in Housing for All (actions 25.10 and 25.11). [12064/24]

School Accommodation

Francis Noel Duffy

319. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education her views on the situation at a school (details supplied); and when this unacceptable situation will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10633/24]

Youth Work Supports

Francis Noel Duffy

86. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the new youth employability funding scheme will be announced; how much has been set aside; the application criteria; when he expects to announce recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9194/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Francis Noel Duffy

134. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to include additional institutions in the schedule of the Birth Information and Tracing Act, 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9195/24]

Driver Test

Francis Noel Duffy

111. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the disparity and inconsistency in national standards with regards to the pass rates in a driving test centre (details supplied); if this can be reviewed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8939/24]

Driver Test

Francis Noel Duffy

112. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware there is still a significant backlog in the scheduling of driving test appointments in a driving test centre (details supplied); the steps his Department is taking to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8940/24]

Special Educational Needs

Francis Noel Duffy

231. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the impact the decision to eliminate the category of complex educational needs from consideration when allocating special education teacher hours on children with Down syndrome in mainstream schools; if this decision will be reviewed to ensure children with Down syndrome can receive the required supports in mainstream schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9221/24]

Housing Schemes

Francis Noel Duffy

275. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the updated acquisition cost guidelines (ACG) for the cost rental tenant in situ scheme. [8851/24]

Forestry Sector

Francis Noel Duffy

395. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why there is a delay in the Forest Service granting afforestation licences, which are required to meet our national afforestation targets in 2024 and beyond; what actions are being taken to ensure that the Forest Service has the resources to meets its targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9135/24]

Public Transport

Francis Noel Duffy

182. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that fully electric cars are unable to attain an SPSV licence; if he will resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7919/24]

School Enrolments

Francis Noel Duffy

307. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education the plans to provide support to schools (details supplied) to increase capacity considering parents are unable to secure school places for their children in their local catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7922/24]

Schools Building Projects

Francis Noel Duffy

308. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education for an update on the emergency works application for a school (details provided) regarding school safety systems, and why it remains unresolved and awaiting assessment since March 2023. [7923/24]

Childcare Services

Francis Noel Duffy

503. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that, to date, three crèches have withdrawn from core funding due to the funding not covering operational costs in an area (details supplied), resulting in fees increasing by up to 28%; if he will increase the core funding or provide top-ups for crèche operators experiencing difficulties; the other measures he is taking to support crèche operators experiencing financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7920/24]

Childcare Services

Francis Noel Duffy

504. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many crèches have withdrawn from the core funding scheme nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7921/24]

Rental Sector

Francis Noel Duffy

70. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes acquired to date under the new cost-rental tenant in situ scheme; the number that have been served a notice to quit under the extended tenant in situ scheme for tenants in receipt of housing supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6724/24]

Public Transport

Francis Noel Duffy

59. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to reducing public transport fares for pensioners who have not yet reached the State pension age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5019/24]

Public Transport

Francis Noel Duffy

60. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport the reason for increased public transport bus fares from Dublin to Cavan by 21%; if he will review this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5020/24]

Housing Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

253. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 332 of 14 December 2023, for an update on the Department's examination of the creation of a system of holding rental deposits, which was meant to be concluded in Q3 of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5078/24]

Planning Issues

Francis Noel Duffy

278. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of possible instances where the Sustainable Residential and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities policy may be in conflict for local authority development plans; if there are such conflicts, how can they be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5491/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Francis Noel Duffy

365. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 978 of 17 January 2024, the definition of qualified children; the definition of dependant children eligible for the fuel allowance; if there is an age limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3731/24]

Housing Policy

Francis Noel Duffy

330. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how a developer (details supplied) was able to bulk buy homes, despite Section 28 of Guidelines for Planning Authorities “Regulation of Commercial Institutional Investment in Housing” which prevents bulk buying homes; the steps he will take to prevent the same from happening again in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Francis Noel Duffy

10. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Taoiseach the members of the public inquiry committee investigating the State's response to the Covid pandemic; and if it will include scientists. [1298/24]

Road Safety

Francis Noel Duffy

220. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if there will be any requirements for lighting on personally powered transporters in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57160/23]

Commemorative Events

Francis Noel Duffy

702. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the two locations for the National Famine Commemoration Day have been set that is, the Leinster location and twinning location in May 2024; if so, the exact date of these occasions; if, in future, it is possible to give a year’s notice to allow the Irish people home and abroad, the community and schools and ambassadors from many countries, time to plan for such an important day in the national calendar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56981/23]

Housing Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

830. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department's plans for the vacant HSE-owned former St Finan's Psychiatric Hospital in Killarney, Kerry; if it will be used for the development of affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1671/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Francis Noel Duffy

978. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Social Protection for clarity around eligibility of fuel allowance for over 70s if they still have children over 18 years living with them due to the housing crisis; and if discretion will be exercised to allow receipt of allowance in these cases. [1696/24]

Energy Policy

Francis Noel Duffy

16. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any plans for the Government to formally endorse the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55668/23]

Road Safety

Francis Noel Duffy

42. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport what laws are currently in place to govern the use of e-scooters and electric bikes, including any requirements for high-visibility clothing, reflectors or lights and protective head gear; whether it is permissible for them to use footpaths and-or cycle paths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55664/23]

Teaching Qualifications

Francis Noel Duffy

85. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 26 September 2023, the updates on the claim lodged by an organisation (details supplied) in regard to recognising incremental credit for private post primary teaching service outside the EU; the advice given by her Department to the organisation on this matter; if other relevant updates in relation to this matter will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54210/23]

Diplomatic Representation

Francis Noel Duffy

119. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the intention of the Government to reopen our representative office in Taipei, which closed in 2012 because of austerity measures, in order to encourage greater trade and cultural links to the region. [53388/23]

School Staff

Francis Noel Duffy

253. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education if there is any intention of improving access to guidance counselling in second level schools and colleges of further education as the current allocation of 573 students to one full-time guidance counsellor is insufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53719/23]

Fire Safety

Francis Noel Duffy

301. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the emergency funding scheme for fire safety works and other remediation works will be implemented; when the legislation underpinning the scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53259/23]

Middle East

Francis Noel Duffy

158. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how many Irish citizens remain in Gaza, and to comment on the delay in evacuating Irish citizens across the Rafah border; what action is being taken to secure their safe passage; what actions are being taken to ensure humanitarian aid is reaching those affected in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50161/23]

Departmental Reviews

Francis Noel Duffy

316. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the review regarding a system of holding rental deposits; when the outcome of this review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52043/23]

Primary Care Centres

Francis Noel Duffy

579. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned build of a primary care centre in the Rathmines/Terenure/Limekiln area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51105/23]

Defective Building Materials

Francis Noel Duffy

269. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason funding for owners of defective apartments is being withheld pending legislation; if emergency funding can be made available for those living in properties with serious defects which pose a health and safety risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49804/23]

Housing Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

136. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected number of units to be delivered by the end of the Government’s term, broken down by affordable purchase, cost-rental, social housing, and private homes. [48650/23]

Housing Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

159. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of housing units, including affordable purchase, cost rental, social housing, and private homes, delivered by housing authorities, i.e. AHBs, local authorities or the LDA; if the housing delivery to date meets Housing for All targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48649/23]

Bus Services

Francis Noel Duffy

226. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has plans to introduce bus services to the Bohernabreena area of Dublin south-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47687/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Francis Noel Duffy

286. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that approximately 2,260 of CIÉ's salaried pensioners have not received an increase in their pension in line with CIÉ salary increases from 2016 to date; what action is being taken by his Department to remedy the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48766/23]

Constitutional Amendments

Francis Noel Duffy

677. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the work of the Commission on Housing regarding the referendum on the right to housing; the draft wording of the referendum; when the referendum is expected to be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48651/23]

Probate Applications

Francis Noel Duffy

862. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Justice the current average waiting time for probate requests through the Probate Office; if additional resources are being allocated to assist in clearing the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48683/23]