Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

313. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if changes to the tenant incremental purchase scheme, which come into force on 29 January 2024, mean that tenants of Part V houses can purchase their homes under the tenant incremental purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3615/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

314. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many houses have been purchased, broken down by each local authority, under the tenant-in-situ scheme; how much money has been allocated to each local authority for purchasing houses under this scheme for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3617/24]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

326. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an individual can apply for the vacant home refurbishment grant if they have already started renovation works prior to applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3820/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Noel Grealish

364. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if her officials have been in discussions with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a policy to have local authorities authorise works/ purchases under the exceptional needs/additional needs payments applications for individuals who have recently been allocated local authority properties, if this is a requirement to qualify for an exceptional needs/additional needs payment in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3616/24]

Bus Services

Noel Grealish

183. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric buses purchased by the NTA in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the overall investment made; if all of these buses are currently in operation; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56575/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Noel Grealish

327. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the reason the VRT refund scheme was originally set up; if it was to comply with an EU directive; how much it cost to set up the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56862/23]

Hospital Facilities

Noel Grealish

1734. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the State on the 31 December in each of the years 2013 to 2023; the number of hospital ICU beds in State-funded and private hospitals in each year; his views on the implementation of the Government's stated intention to increase the provision of ICU hospital beds in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1618/24]

Business Supports

Noel Grealish

14. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any grants from his Department for businesses that are operating eco-friendly laundry services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55618/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

40. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Claregalway inner relief road; when this bypass is likely to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55617/23]

National Lottery

Noel Grealish

300. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if any records exist for the National Lottery Sports Programme application or approval for funding, which was allocated for a centre (details supplied) from 1989-1999; if so, whether these records can be accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54493/23]

State Claims Agency

Noel Grealish

807. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown of claims made to the State Claims Agency related to the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, by categorisation of severity, from 1 January 2019 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54914/23]

Tax Code

Noel Grealish

62. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the local property tax applies to buildings only and not to each unit in a multi-unit, pre-1963 property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54049/23]

Fines Administration

Noel Grealish

123. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that failed to pay fines imposed by the courts in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the number that had an attachment order, a recovery order or community service order made against them as a result; the number of persons imprisoned for failure to pay such fines, by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54046/23]

Fines Administration

Noel Grealish

124. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the value and number of unpaid fines in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the value and number of fines imposed by the courts in each of the years; the steps being taken to recover unpaid fines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54047/23]

Fines Administration

Noel Grealish

125. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the offence categories in respect of which fines were imposed by the courts in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the offence categories in respect of which fines were imposed but were not paid in the same period, by the number and value in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54048/23]

Motor Industry

Noel Grealish

45. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the number of cars exported from Ireland under the VRT refund scheme in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52746/23]

School Staff

Noel Grealish

257. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education what progress her Department has made regarding redeployment facilities for post primary teachers to allow for a system whereby more teachers can work in their local communities and fill vacant roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52024/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

159. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when TII will schedule urgent maintenance works on a bridge (details supplied) to alleviate any potential flooding of the nearby house; the timeframe for the completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51074/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

160. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when TII will schedule upgrade works on the N59 to the L-5350-0 to improve sight lines for safety reasons; the timeframe for the completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51075/23]

School Funding

Noel Grealish

257. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of grants that are outstanding to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50997/23]

Ukraine War

Noel Grealish

419. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a standard contract period for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian nationals; what the criteria are for the extension of contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49444/23]

Harbours and Piers

Noel Grealish

625. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current status of a request by Galway County Council for funding to appoint consultants to develop an updated Feasibility Report for the provision of upgraded facilities at An Caladh Mór; when this funding will be granted; when consultants will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49454/23]

Building Regulations

Noel Grealish

242. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which companies must secure Agrément certification; must subcontractors secure this certification to supply to other companies; the process involved in securing certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49213/23]

Tax Credits

Noel Grealish

308. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the rent tax credit can be claimed by a single person who is renting a property for themselves and, at the same time, in respect of their child, for whom the parent is paying for rental accommodation while the child is a full-time student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47703/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

791. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of people who have been prosecuted for illegally selling coal in Ireland in each of the years 2019 to 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47309/23]

Legal Aid

Noel Grealish

812. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of people granted free legal aid in criminal cases in each of the past five years, by category of main offence which the defendant was charged; the number of people granted free legal in each of the last five years, broken down by the number convicted and the number found not guilty. [47760/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

119. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the review of Inland Fisheries bylaws, which are in force for ten years or more, and their continued application, will be commenced, considering his statement on 28 September 2023; what the terms of reference for the review are; what parties will be part of the review; if current Inland Fisheries bylaws will be stress-tested vis-à-vis the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47076/23]

Departmental Data

Noel Grealish

81. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has figures on the cost of hiring people on the national minimum wage or national living wage, which will include ten days' sick pay and the cost of auto-enrolment after its introduction in 2024; if he has any estimate on the cost of hiring people in the years up to 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46853/23]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

117. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the deserted wives payment, which is currently paid to a person in their 70s, is an eligible payment under the tenant (incremental) purchase scheme, when it is the tenant’s only income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46993/23]

Pension Provisions

Noel Grealish

123. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the timelines for auto-enrolment, including when it will be ready to launch; if she plans to seek submissions from asset managers on how they will manage pension savings, given that asset managers may be reluctant to sign up to a four-year contract that is likely to be loss-making for some time, without any certainty of it being renewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46854/23]

Flexible Work Practices

Noel Grealish

207. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in view of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce survey on remote and hybrid working patterns for non-State employees, if the State is currently reviewing or considering similar adjustments to its remote working practices for civil and/or public servants (details supplied). [46360/23]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

328. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a couple can be considered for the fresh start principle if they have sold properties a number of years prior to a meeting and they are now married and have a family unit with three children but reside with parents as they cannot afford to purchase on the open market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46266/23]

Legal Aid

Noel Grealish

391. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if an individual availing of criminal legal aid must make a contribution or any repayment of the costs of the provision of same; if so, the total amount that has been repaid to the criminal legal aid service over the past five years, broken down by year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46227/23]

Sports Funding

Noel Grealish

2. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government will consider reintroducing a large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45984/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

100. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 7 March 2023, the current status of a pedestrian footbridge over the Owenriff River in Oughterard; if a designer will be appointed in October 2023; if he will provide a timeframe for the design phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45719/23]

Civil Registration Service

Noel Grealish

351. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection when section 6 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 will can be commenced; the estimated timeframe for when technical amendments by way of primary legislation for civil registration will be brought before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44720/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

81. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 20 September 2023, if the Government will commit to make funding available for the N6 Galway city ring road should the project be given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála rather than referring the question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44496/23]

Teaching Qualifications

Noel Grealish

217. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if an individual who completes an IPGCE with QTS in a UK university which requires students to complete their training in an Irish school setting, while completing the academic aspects online, will meet the induction requirements for the Irish Teaching Council when applying for registration; if a person who is registered with the UK Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) in Northern Ireland can teach in the south of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43979/23]

Childcare Services

Noel Grealish

450. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No.249 of 28 September 2023, if further funding will be available under Pillar 1 Building Blocks - Improvement Grants in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44002/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Noel Grealish

209. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for people to be seen and treated at the pain clinic in Galway; the number of people waiting for an appointment, by length of time or number of years on the waiting list, in tabular form; the number of people on the waiting list for pain relief in Galway who have an appointment date; the number still waiting for an appointment date; the reasons for a delay of four to five years in people receiving pain relief treatment in Galway; and what steps are being taken to reduce the waiting times. [43013/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Noel Grealish

210. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the pain relief waiting list in Galway University Hospital who have had their treatment outsourced to private hospitals or clinics in the Republic and to hospitals or clinics in the North of Ireland or elsewhere outside the jurisdiction in each of the past five years and to date in 2023; how many are expected to be referred within the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43014/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Noel Grealish

211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for people on the waiting lists for gastroenterology to be seen and treated at Galway University Hospital; the number of people waiting for an appointment, by length of time on the waiting list, in tabular form; the number of people on the waiting lists to be seen who have an appointment date; the number still waiting for an appointment date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43015/23]

Climate Change Policy

Noel Grealish

211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the alternatively fuelled heavy duty purchasing scheme has been paused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42636/23]

Climate Change Policy

Noel Grealish

212. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is planning to reintroduce the alternatively fuelled heavy duty purchasing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42637/23]

School Staff

Noel Grealish

296. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the reason that days worked by an SNA are not cumulative for payscale purposes; the reason that they are based on contracts, given that a person on a short-hour contract can go to higher point on a payscale than a person who could have many more days of experience in a classroom; if she will consider changing this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42196/23]

Dental Services

Noel Grealish

606. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if a medical card holder, who cannot secure an appointment with a dentist providing medical card services in their area, can avail of any other scheme to help with the cost of emergency dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42315/23]

Dental Services

Noel Grealish

607. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if there is a list of dentists providing treatment until the medical card scheme; if so, if such a list can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42316/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Noel Grealish

140. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department are aware that invasive carp have been found in Lough Corrib SAC, considering that on 26 July 2023, Inland Fisheries Ireland acknowledged through its social media platforms that a carp (Cyprinus carpio) was found in the lake (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42026/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Noel Grealish

141. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department will provide additional financial support to Inland Fisheries Ireland in its stock management efforts to deal with a potential population explosion of recently introduced highly fecund carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42027/23]

Housing Schemes

Noel Grealish

198. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the year-long guarantee to landlords of the State element of HAP payments when the tenant has defaulted on their contribution, can be backdated to cover the period when the eviction moratorium due to Covid-19 was in place, as landlords were faced with no income and were precluded from issuing a Notice to Quit during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/23]