Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Tax Exemptions

Steven Matthews

17. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by a group (details supplied) that seeks to draw attention to requests to review the VAT exemption to include counsellors and psychotherapists; if this is under consideration within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16840/24]

School Staff

Steven Matthews

296. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a decision (details supplied); the actions she will take to ensure that this issue is rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16131/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Steven Matthews

725. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the urgency in providing funding for a building in Newtownmountkennedy (details supplied); if he is concerned that the existing accommodation is unsuitable; the actions he will take to ensure this project proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16501/24]

Hospital Services

Steven Matthews

136. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1,462 of 20 March 2024, if his attention has been drawn to a recent response from the HSE that indicates there are no current plans to expand the provision of local neurology services, including access to a consultant neurologist in Wexford General Hospital (details supplied); if he is concerned about the gap in service provision this entails for this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15526/24]

Litter Pollution

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions he will take to support local authorities to address the issue of cigarette butt litter following the enaction of legislation (details supplied); if a ring-fenced grant can be made available to support the purchase of small road sweepers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14081/24]

Transport Policy

Steven Matthews

202. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposed Connecting Ireland route (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure this is prioritised for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14161/24]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

204. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposal to extend the DART to Wicklow town; the work that has been done to date by his Department to support this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14178/24]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

215. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to delays in the issuing of new bus route licences by the National Transport Authority (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that there are no further delays in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14358/24]

Tax Credits

Steven Matthews

286. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the recommendations of the Budgetary Oversight Committee's Report on the Section 481 Film Tax Credit; what efforts are being made to ensure Irish performers have the same contract terms as international performers in similar roles; if he is conscious of the need for productions operating in Ireland to comply with the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 and European Copyright Directive in order to avail of the tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13972/24]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

1308. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an urgent medical case (details supplied); the action he will take to ensure adequate care is put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14024/24]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

284. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to 30 children awaiting interventions through the disability teams (details supplied); if his Department can provide funding to provide parent training programmes for the families impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13362/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Steven Matthews

312. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to significant waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in the national maxillofacial unit in St. James's Hospital; if staffing levels are at the required level in all positions in this unit; what processes are in place to attempt to reduce wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/24]

EU Directives

Steven Matthews

99. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans regarding the transposition of the requirements of the Revised Renewable Energy Directive, with particular focus on the delivery of the specified planning and permitting timescales, in view of recommendation 7 in the recent European Commission assessment of the draft updated National Energy and Climate Plan of Ireland for 2021-2030 (NECP); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12062/24]

Legislative Measures

Steven Matthews

109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the wording of the plastic bag levy legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12447/24]

Financial Services

Steven Matthews

246. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding its clients’ difficulty in qualifying for mortgages, life assurance and other financial products; if his Department is carrying out any research into this issue or engaging with any financial institutions on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12435/24]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

359. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing school bus application for (details supplied); if her Department can seek a resolution with Bus Éireann to ensure this student is accommodated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11650/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

369. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11749/24]

School Funding

Steven Matthews

374. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to delays in allocating emergency funding for a school (details supplied); if a timeline for drawdown can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11776/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

428. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied); the reason for the significant delays on this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12019/24]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

453. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a new sports hall for a school (details supplied); if she is concerned about the impact of having no indoor sports facilities is having on students in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12296/24]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

530. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the temporary accommodation committed to a school (details supplied); the timeline for its handover to school management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12954/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

531. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the permanent school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the start date for construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12955/24]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

648. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the review of the qualifying criteria for well-water grants administered through local authorities; if an instruction can be issued to allow for the inclusion of applications for premises that are soon to be lived in following renovation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/24]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

737. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the challenges facing some schools (details supplied) in sourcing venders to provide a hot school meals programme; if any measures are in place to address such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12077/24]

Coroners Service

Steven Matthews

965. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to significant delays to coroners' reports brought about by systematic failings; if she is concerned of the impact this has on grieving families; the steps her Department is taking to ensure that this improves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13111/24]

Hospital Services

Steven Matthews

1291. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a review of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if he will request this process to be expedited, given ongoing concerns related to reimbursement from medical professionals in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/24]

Health Services

Steven Matthews

1366. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the continued closure of the former health centre (details supplied); if his Department proposes to bring this building back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12304/24]

Hospital Services

Steven Matthews

1462. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to calls for the provision of local neurology services including access to a consultant neurologist in Wexford General Hospital; if this is under review within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12784/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

220. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for (details supplied); if a timeline for its completion can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11288/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

317. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the emergency works grant application for a school (details supplied); if this application will be expedited to reflect genuine safety concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10605/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Steven Matthews

463. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to recently naturalised Irish citizens being prevented from registering to vote due to delays in receiving their certificates of naturalisation; if she is concerned about this barrier to participation in the democratic process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11224/24]

Mental Health Services

Steven Matthews

776. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of HSE funding for the Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme (UMAAP) currently delivered by an organisation (details supplied); if he is concerned of the impact this will have for those that rely on this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/24]

Flexible Work Practices

Steven Matthews

112. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a plan to expand entitlements to flexible working and remote working contained in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 to all employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9175/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Steven Matthews

125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the details of the Equal Participation Model for Early Years which was announced to be funded as part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9176/24]

Election Management System

Steven Matthews

75. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to recently naturalised Irish citizens being prevented from registering to vote due to delays in receiving their certificates of naturalisation; if he is concerned about this barrier to participation in the democratic process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9640/24]

Environmental Policy

Steven Matthews

241. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the environmental initiatives being carried out (details supplied); if her officials could engage with the board of this club to see if their work is replicable in other clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8880/24]

Environmental Policy

Steven Matthews

242. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the merits of introducing a Department-led competition or initiative that would promote increased focus on environmental initiatives (details supplied) by golf clubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8883/24]

Animal Welfare

Steven Matthews

379. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the total spent on the vaccination of badgers for tuberculosis by his Department in the past ten years in County Wicklow; how many vaccinations have been administered to the badger population in the same time period in the county; and what research has been caried out on the impact of vaccination as a means of dealing with the prevalence of tuberculosis in the badger population, in tabular form. [8821/24]

Health Services Staff

Steven Matthews

470. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the HSE recruitment embargo; if concerns of existing staff in HSE settings are being considered as part of negotiations on lifting it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8623/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Steven Matthews

503. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding special leave with pay for front-line healthcare workers who are suffering with long Covid; if a further extension or an alternative support scheme is being considered for those in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8766/24]

Tourism Policy

Steven Matthews

155. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding updated regulations that will require owners who rent out their property under short-term holiday lets (details supplied) to register under Fáilte Ireland, among other requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8432/24]

Defective Building Materials

Steven Matthews

169. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding fiscal oversight and management of the interim remediation scheme for fire safety defects in apartments and duplexes; what mechanisms and structures will be in place to ensure full oversight of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8434/24]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

246. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of special education needs classes and supports in a school (details supplied); if the school can be assessed for the viability of establishing these services within its existing school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7408/24]

Television Licence Fee

Steven Matthews

6. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the total Exchequer funding currently allocated to the cost of TV licences for pensioners who are in receipt of free licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6981/24]

Sports Facilities

Steven Matthews

51. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the criteria promoting equality in project applications to the large scale sport infrastructure fund and in particular the requirement for all successful applicants to publish their similar access policies, in respect of men and women having access to the facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6973/24]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

307. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the community neurorehabilitation team that was committed to by the HSE in 2019 for CHO6; a timeline for this to come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7128/24]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

321. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the community neurorehabilitation team that was committed to by the HSE in 2019 for CHO7; a timeline for this to come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7127/24]

National Car Test

Steven Matthews

83. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the demand and requirement for an NCT centre and a dedicated driving test centre for north Wicklow; if any assessment of these services for residents in this area has been carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6687/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the planning permission applications for two schools (details supplied); if they are being prioritised by her Department to reflect the shortage of secondary school places in the wider area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6257/24]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

84. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the contract tendering for a new school building in Greystones (details supplied); if this is being prioritised by her Department to reflect the shortage of secondary school places in the wider area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6256/24]