Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Banking Sector

Richard Bruton

241. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the obligations on the banking sector to demonstrate its compliance with climate targets and other elements of the EU Green Deal; if it is expected to have a direct impact on lending decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14801/23]

Defence Forces

Richard Bruton

349. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is aware of the sense of injustice felt by families of persons who served in the armed forces for extended periods, but died shortly after retiring from active service, and whose pension died with them leaving a widow to struggle with young children, as in a case (details supplied); if the State would consider establishing a scholarship fund or some similar charitable memorial, which would acknowledge the harshness of the arrangements after such loyal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/23]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Bruton

385. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); and the expected date of completion. [14761/23]

School Enrolments

Richard Bruton

431. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will list the schools in the Donaghmede/Howth/Dublin 13 area at primary and at secondary level; in each case, if she will indicate the denomination of the school; if they admit boys or girls; the pupil capacity of the school; the present level of enrolment; and if she has plans to provide more school places in the catchment. [15425/23]

Ukraine War

Richard Bruton

31. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the implications of the ongoing war in Ukraine for Ireland's security and defence. [14231/23]

School Patronage

Richard Bruton

59. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied with the model being piloted for the transfer of patronage in schools; and if modifications in that approach are planned. [14233/23]

Education Policy

Richard Bruton

86. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate how her Department assesses standards of literacy and numeracy at school entry and through primary education. [14232/23]

Social Welfare Code

Richard Bruton

288. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the way in which savings and assets are treated in means-test assessments, since the very stringent valuation rules risk becoming a deterrent to saving for a fruitful retirement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14461/23]

Legislative Measures

Richard Bruton

82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport when the new powers in relation to the use of scramblers will be activated; and if guidelines will be issued to gardaí at local level on the use of these powers. [14122/23]

Airport Security

Richard Bruton

235. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the strategy to cease the disruption caused by drones at airports here; if he will identify the steps which need to be taken; and where the responsibility for action lies in each case. [12327/23]

Housing Schemes

Richard Bruton

419. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider relaxing the rules in relation to the bedrooms required in order that purchasing a property with a tenant in situ could be more widely used. [12817/23]

Health Services Staff

Richard Bruton

1452. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his Department has considered the career development and deployment of nurses in hospitals, in order that this highly qualified group could deploy their skills in an optimal manner; whether staff surveys have been conducted to identify sources of difficulty for the profession; and if a longer term manpower policy for deployment of staff in the acute hospital setting is being evolved to match best practice internationally. [13548/23]

Nursing Homes

Richard Bruton

1453. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will consider having a system through which families could get impartial advice on the fair deal scheme in view of its complexity, through for example, an advocacy service or some other approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13551/23]

Electricity Grid

Richard Bruton

171. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has engaged with the CRU regarding the regulation of companies providing heating to multiple unit dwellings, so that the accuracy of metering systems for recording usage and consumer protection in contracts can be properly regulated; and if it is intended to seek sanction for new regulations. [12049/23]

State Pensions

Richard Bruton

274. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can make provision to ensure that those persons who had been in receipt of illness benefit for a substantial number of years, commencing before there was a requirement to apply for invalidity pension, will not be denied a contributory old age pension on grounds of insufficient paid stamps, bearing in mind that had they switched to invalidity pension they would have automatically qualified for COAP at age 66, without regard to contributions, and their long period of certified illness shows they met the conditions for invalidity pension. [12145/23]

Business Supports

Richard Bruton

123. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has evaluated the financial status of small businesses in the post-Covid period; the extent to which data from the Revenue Commissioners indicate a difficulty in meeting payments; if he can shed light on the reasons for the low take-up of the business energy cost supports offered by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11390/23]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

254. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has received complaints that the BIK regime now in place is resulting in people undertaking greater mileage to reduce their tax exposure; if he has evaluated the features which cause this behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/23]

Electoral Process

Richard Bruton

307. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish students enrolled in an Irish course, but temporarily on a placement overseas, can be considered for inclusion in the postal vote or otherwise accommodated to participate in elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11333/23]

School Enrolments

Richard Bruton

368. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she will indicate the projected intake into each of the primary schools in the Clongriffin, Baldoyle and Howth planning area in September 2023; the way this compares to the projected demographic demand for such places in the area; and if she plans to promote the creation of additional places for the area. [10991/23]

Public Transport

Richard Bruton

13. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will indicate the latest data on modal shares on key routes into Dublin city and how they compare with the pre-Covid time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9532/23]