Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Men's Sheds

Steven Matthews

272. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if action will be taken regarding the submission by various men’s sheds groups seeking an exemption to paying the TV licence fee; if this can be considered in the context of the relatively low funds available to these groups and the role they play in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50716/23]

Childcare Services

Steven Matthews

417. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some small preschool owners regarding the new requirement to submit detailed end of year accounts; if he will ensure that this process is straightforward; if funding will be made available to cover accountancy costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50537/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Steven Matthews

425. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by a charity (details supplied) regarding a shortfall in its funding and knock-on impact to the services it provides; if he proposes to engage with this charity on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/23]

Oireachtas Committees

Steven Matthews

220. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the implementation of the 109 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism’s final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/23]

An Garda Síochána

Steven Matthews

112. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to concerns of members of An Garda Síochána regarding the inability to enforce noise pollution laws; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50135/23]

Energy Conservation

Steven Matthews

77. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the warmer homes scheme operated through the SEAI that does not allow for the energy upgrade of one-off stone wall properties as they cannot meet the qualifying criteria for any primary measures, and by, extension, secondary measures; if this can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49501/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

120. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding proposed changes for January 2024 in the way the Revenue Commissioners treat general medical services income within general practitioner partnerships; if he is concerned that this will impact the number of GPs operating; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of GPs in how this change is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49351/23]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

184. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the temporary pause of a school bus service (details supplied) due to staff shortages; if an urgent temporary measure can be put in place using local resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49316/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

213. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a permanent school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49651/23]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

244. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to 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. [49481/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Steven Matthews

250. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding housing estates in urban areas that are not connected to the sewerage network; if any grant funding is being considered in this case; if existing rural programmes could be expanded to include any housing estate with a long-standing communal septic tank set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49528/23]

Animal Diseases

Steven Matthews

377. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the potential presence of RHDv2 infections in wild hares and domestic rabbits; if any research is ongoing at a Department level in this regard; if any other actions are being taken or proposed to address these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49494/23]

Adult Education Provision

Steven Matthews

613. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by adult education tutors in relation to contract proposals published by his Department in May 2023; if he is committed to engaging with this sector on these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49377/23]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

215. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any Department-led initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of bus drivers to help achieve climate objectives related to the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47432/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

296. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding proposed changes for January 2024 in the way the Revenue Commissioners treat general medical services income within general practitioner partnerships; if he is concerned that this will impact the number of GPs operating; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of GPs in how this change is to be administered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. []

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

456. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to concerns related to the management of the construction site for a new temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied); if the site manager for this project can meet with school management to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47453/23]

Departmental Priorities

Steven Matthews

1209. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the implementation of the 109 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism's final Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47977/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the new school building for a school (details supplied); if a timeline for completion can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46939/23]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

178. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the expansion of young adult leap cards to include 24- and 25-year-olds; a timeline for the introduction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46604/23]

Grant Payments

Steven Matthews

270. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the IT grant for primary schools; the timeline for when schools can draw down this funding for this school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46248/23]

School Funding

Steven Matthews

271. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding funding to support primary schools with the cost of cleaning following the cessation of the Covid supports to assist with this expense; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46251/23]

Budget 2024

Steven Matthews

272. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the €60 million funding for cost-of-living supports for schools announced in Budget 2024; how this will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46252/23]

School Meals Programme

Steven Matthews

357. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the expansion of the hot school meals programme to non-DEIS primary schools; how schools can register their interest for this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46247/23]

Sports Funding

Steven Matthews

20. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on how the sports capital programme will support sports clubs to invest in projects that will reduce their emissions and lead on climate action within their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45594/23]

Ukraine War

Steven Matthews

40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding any Department-led initiatives that seek to improve the integration of people fleeing the war in Ukraine into sports clubs and sporting activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45595/23]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

163. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and 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. [45972/23]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

195. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the issues in providing a school bus service (details supplied); if efforts are ongoing to resolve this issue; if a timeline for a resolution can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45926/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Steven Matthews

208. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection to reconsider the timeline for the expansion of the children's allowance to include 18-year-olds in full-time education; if the basis for decision to delay this change to September 2024 could be outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45761/23]

Industrial Disputes

Steven Matthews

262. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to proposed industrial action by some Section 39 workers related to pay disparity disputes; if his Department is engaging with representatives of these organisations to seek to avoid this escalation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45496/23]

Middle East

Steven Matthews

95. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding Ireland’s efforts to promote the safety of civilians on both sides in the ongoing Israeli/Palestinian conflict at an EU level; how these diplomatic efforts are being carried out in practical terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45106/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

164. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 475 of 11 September and 160 of 20 September 2023, if he will consider an amendment to the Finance Act 2024 that would eliminate the anomaly in the approved retirement fund legislation whereby, upon the death of an ARF holder, foster children are treated under the ‘others’ category rather than the ‘child’ category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45107/23]

Planning Issues

Steven Matthews

339. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to conflicting information related to a planning matter as stated (details supplied); the analysis which he or his Department has carried out on the planning permission in question; how the conclusion was reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45248/23]

Children in Care

Steven Matthews

438. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by (details supplied) regarding the staggered increase in foster care allowance; if the final increase proposed for Q4 2024 can be brought forward to January 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45038/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Steven Matthews

464. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the proposed change of the legal status of childminders that would allow parents that use these services to avail of the cuts in childcare fees announced in the two most recent budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44978/23]

Mental Health Commission

Steven Matthews

544. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the 49 recommendations set out in the Mental Health Commission's report regarding Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44900/23]

Social Welfare Code

Steven Matthews

142. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review existing supports available to those in receipt of the State pension to include financial supports for those that are coeliac to assist with the cost of their dietary requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44502/23]

Tax Collection

Steven Matthews

127. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his Department maintains an updated list of the number of vacant units deemed ineligible for the vacant homes tax as they are uninhabitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/23]

Tax Collection

Steven Matthews

129. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his Department maintains an updated list of the number of structures deemed ineligible for local property tax as they are uninhabitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43995/23]

School Transport

Steven Matthews

206. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding school bus routes (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if there is a timeline for the provision of these services; if an explanation for the delays in these routes commencing can be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43825/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Steven Matthews

480. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to appeals regarding payment of the pandemic payment by frontline workers (details supplied); if the matter is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43558/23]

General Practitioner Services

Steven Matthews

531. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to proposed changes for January 2024 in the way the Revenue Commissioners treat general medical services income within general practitioner partnerships; if he is concerned that this will impact the number of GPs operating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43811/23]

Local Authorities

Steven Matthews

139. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding can be provided to local authorities to support the installation of free public drinking fountains; if any related pathfinder projects are under review in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42988/23]

Housing Provision

Steven Matthews

375. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding compulsory purchase order powers of local authorities for the provision of housing; how this is being facilitated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42755/23]

Tax Code

Steven Matthews

62. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 20 September 2023, if he can provide a timeline for the completion of the Departmental review of inheritance tax implications for foster children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41717/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

302. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding a permanent school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41659/23]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

303. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) that had been due to be in place in advance of the return to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41660/23]

Eating Disorders

Steven Matthews

512. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the average waiting list timeframe for adults for referral to specialist eating disorder services both at a national level and specifically for County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41015/23]

Eating Disorders

Steven Matthews

513. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for specialist support for adults with eating disorders; if funding was cut for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders (NCPED) this year compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41017/23]

Eating Disorders

Steven Matthews

514. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if he can confirm if his Department or the HSE maintain a national statistical breakdown of the types of eating disorders that adults are presenting with (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41020/23]

Eating Disorders

Steven Matthews

516. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out the proposed National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders; the projected year on year cost of maintaining this service thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41022/23]