Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

186. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport in line with the freight strategy published some time ago by Iarnród Éireann, and the ever increasing interest being shown by businesses in the west in rail freight, what discussions have taken place in relation to the provision by the Department of funding to purchase a hundred new freight wagons; whether a formal application has been made by Iarnród Éireann/CIÉ for such funding; if it was, when was it made; the expected date of a decision on such an application; the projected time it will take for the delivery following the placing of an order for same in view of the gauge of the Irish railway system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/23]

Transport Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date with the review of the Galway Transport Strategy 2016 which he said in the Dáil was expected to be published by the end of the year; whether that deadline will still be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42545/23]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he intends publishing all the back-up documentation referred to by a company that worked on contract for his Department here and the Department of Transport in NI (details supplied) as part of the preparation of the All-Island Strategic Rail review, so that interested parties will have full access to the range of documentation on which the recommendations of the strategy were based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42789/23]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be appointed; the reason for the delay in appointing this board given the fact that the Board has not been functioning since the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42491/23]

Schools Building Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the application for a new build for a school (details supplied) will be approved; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; when a modular building, which was to be in place for this autumn’s reopening of the school, will be in place for a new special class at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42129/23]

Legislative Measures

Éamon Ó Cuív

378. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is intended to commence the substitute consent provisions of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42790/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

491. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he is considering extending the closing date for the National Liming Programme 2023 beyond the 31st of October 2023 due to the adverse weather conditions during the Summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42492/23]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

544. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a revised travel scheme for people with a disability to replace the motorised transport grant will be rolled out; the reason for the delay in rolling out said scheme, taking account of the essential need for such a scheme to be available for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extra renewable energy generation capacity that has come on stream connected to the national grid in the last year broken down between wind, solar and other technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41813/23]

Clár Forbartha Áitiúil

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cad é líon na n-iarratas a fuarthas faoin nglaoch do thograí nua faoin gClár CSP; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh cé acu tograí a thiocfaidh ar aghaidh; cad é an líon tograí atá i gceist a cheadú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [41289/23]

Community Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when new projects will be approved this year under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 (New Build) scheme; when the next call will be made under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41290/23]

Broadband Infrastructure

Éamon Ó Cuív

116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) where the present supplier say they cannot provide 30Mbps was not included in the National Broadband roll-out; the steps now intended to be taken to rectify this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41544/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Éamon Ó Cuív

399. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the next citizenship ceremony will take place; the venue where this ceremony will be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41009/23]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

462. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that islanders whose only mainland vehicle is taxed as a “motor caravan” are not allowed free parking in the island reserved Department car park in Ros a Mhíl, Co. na Gaillimhe, on the grounds of health and safety, when they are allowed park in the adjacent Department public car park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41540/23]

Vaccination Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

588. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if an injection (details supplied) which lessens the chances of contracting shingles is covered under the GMS; if not the reason it is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41542/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Éamon Ó Cuív

26. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40157/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Éamon Ó Cuív

27. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the processing of said application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/23]

Tax Clearance Certificates

Éamon Ó Cuív

172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the last time the threshold under which a person in receipt of a grant or grants from the State in a calendar year, was not required to produce a tax clearance certificate was raised; the present level of the threshold; whether he intends increasing this threshold in line with inflation since to cut down unnecessary paperwork for recipients of modest grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

394. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad teaghlach atá fós ag fanacht ar íocaíochtaí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge do chúrsa a ritheadh i rith an tsamhraidh: an méid airgid atá i gceist san iomlán, an spriocdháta faoina n-íocfar le gach duine íoctha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40432/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

395. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsa Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40433/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

396. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsaí Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40434/23]

Housing Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

435. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to date with the review of the mortgage to rent scheme; whether the conclusions of the review will be published; the date it is expected to be completed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

41. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has beenmade since the signing of the Windsor Framework between the EU and the UK to facilitate the use by Irish exporters and importers, who chose it, of the land bridge across the UK for goods coming to and from Ireland to other parts of the EU; the details of the arrangements made to ease such trade thus saving significant amounts of money for the Irish economy and helping to reduce prices and costs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

42. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the changes brought about by the Windsor Framework to facilitate trade destined for Northern Ireland from the Island of Britain though this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38186/23]

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Éamon Ó Cuív

69. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide an n-aontaíonn sé gur chóir go mbeadh saoránach in ann iarratas trí Ghaeilge a dhéanamh ar na deontais atá ar fáil ó Údarás Fuinnimh Inmharthana na hÉireann chun astaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa a laghdú; agus an bhféachfaidh sé chuige go mbeidh an rogha sin ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta agus d'aon saoránach eile ar mian leo cur isteach ar na deontais atá ar fáil ó Údarás Fuinnimh Inmharthana na hÉireann [37195/23]

National Car Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

318. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he was consulted, by the RSA or the company that has the franchise for the delivery of the State’s NCT car testing system, in relation to the proposed decision, announced recently, that it is intended by the service to eliminate the acceptance of payment by the public in the legal tender notes of the EU Central Bank; if so, his response to the consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38191/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

570. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether there has been any increase in trade entering Irish ports from Britain and destined for Northern Ireland, and visa versa, since the signing of the Windsor Framework; if so, the amount it has increased by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38187/23]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

600. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of school bus drivers that will have to retire this year on age grounds due to the rule that they do not allow Bus Éireann employ people with eligible full licences to work once they reach 70 years of age; whether she intends changing the age criteria for school bus drivers to bring it in line with national eligibility to drive a bus or alternatively whether she intends commissioning a report on the extra risk posed by allowing eligible drivers to drive over 70 years of age as compared to drivers under 70 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37386/23]

Feidhmeanna Roinne

Éamon Ó Cuív

616. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach bhfuil múinteoir meán scoile (sonraí tugtha) ar an scála pá do mhuitnteoirí a thosaigh ag obair roimh 2011 ó tharla gur oibrigh sé mar mhúinteoir i scoil i 2010; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37674/23]

Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta

Éamon Ó Cuív

809. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil i geist méadú substaintiúil a dhéanamh ar an íocaíocht a fhaigheann teaghlaigh atá ag coinneáil scoláirí atá ag freastal ar na Meán Scoileanna ar na hoileáin len é a dhéanamh níos tarraingtí do tuilleadh teaghlaigh na scoláirí a choinneáil de bharr an tabhacht a bhaineann leis an scéim seo do inmharthanacht na nOileán; an bhfuil i bhfuil i gceist freisin an córas iocaíochta a leasú le go mbeidh réamh íocaíocht a dhéanamh le na teaghlaigh gach mí le costais a chlúdach; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39293/23]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

817. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is intended to amend the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016 to allow where a child grows to adulthood as a dependent of a social welfare tenant and is added as a co-tenant when an adult that all the years as a resident in the house will be taken into account towards the ten years of being in receipt of social housing support for the purposes of the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37310/23]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

818. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends amending the tenant purchase incremental scheme 2016 to include people with a lifelong disability under the eligibility and income rules that now apply to pensioners, where a pension income can be accepted as the primary income in a household and the income threshold is lower; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/23]

Offshore Islands

Éamon Ó Cuív

966. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when human remains removed from an island off the coast (details supplied) will be returned for burial on the island; the reason for the delay with this despite assurances given in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39291/23]

Departmental Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

1062. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date with the review taking place in her Department on means testing of social welfare schemes; when it is hoped this review will be completed; whether it is intended to include reforms to means testing in the forthcoming budget and social welfare Bill this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39294/23]

Student Visas

Éamon Ó Cuív

1089. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the reason foreign language students in Ireland on six-month courses are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week as well as attending their course under the terms of their visas; whether she would consider changing this for all such students as long as there is adequate proof that they are attending the language course fully; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37431/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

1296. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes brought about by the Windsor Framework to the handling of SPS goods entering Irish ports from Britain and destined directly for Northern Ireland; the effect of these changes in facilitating more trade from Britain through this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38188/23]

Forestry Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

1336. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department is satisfied with a proposal from an applicant for a felling licence (details supplied) to replant 90% of the trees with sitka spruce and 10% with hardwoods as they indicated in their felling licence application in 2018; if not, on what grounds this proposal is being refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39289/23]

Land Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

1337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a letter will issue from the Land Commission to a solicitor (details supplied) confirming whether or not land specified was subject to Land Commission Proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39290/23]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1384. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason no alternative speech and language therapy cover has been provided for the speech and language therapy post in (details supplied) while the incumbent is on maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37722/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

1545. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the Covid bonus of €1,000 will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

1546. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of workers who have received the Covid bonus of €1,000; the cost of the scheme to date; the number of applications still on hand to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37383/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2007. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for an MRI scan in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form, less than three months, three months to six months, six months to nine months, nine months to twelve months and more than twelve months. [39402/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2008. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for a CT scan in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39403/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2009. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for a bone scan in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39404/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2010. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for an angiogram in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39405/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2011. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for an electroencephalogram in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39406/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2012. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39407/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2013. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for an ultrasound scan in the Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39408/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Éamon Ó Cuív

2014. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of people waiting, as of 1 September 2023 or the nearest available date, for an electrocardiogram (ECG) in Saolta University Hospital Group for the following waiting periods, in tabular form: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to twelve months; and more than twelve months. [39409/23]

Community Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

2087. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of valid applications received for assistance under the new facilities grant for new, large community facilities; when decisions will be made on these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37712/23]