Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Live Exports

Claire Kerrane

1266. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on a matter with regard to live exports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1552/24]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

1268. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance on issues arising in relation to VAT refunds for farmers; if he has engaged with representatives from the agriculture sector and sought a solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

1288. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many farmers are awaiting ACRES co-operation payments; the date farmers awaiting payment under ACRES co-operation scheme will be paid on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1859/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

1334. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration could be given for funding from the recently announced 'Building Blocks - Capacity Grant' for a project where Government funding previously announced has been revoked (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56697/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

1. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on his engagement with the forestry sector regarding concerns around the limitations the new forestry programme rules will have on afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55423/23]

Beef Sector

Claire Kerrane

3. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on concerns raised around the suckler efficiency carbon programme and the recent changes to the beef index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55424/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

19. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action he intends to take to address delays to ACRES payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55410/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

23. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the publication of a strategy to address ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55407/23]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

45. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on plans to change existing rules around herd owners and herd keepers, given the impact the current process has on women in agriculture and young farmers in farm partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55408/23]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

48. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the proposal to bring forward a solution for the group known as ‘forgotten farmers’, given details of the scheme were supposed to be published in quarter 1 of 2023 and a further follow-up was promised in May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55409/23]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on ensuring that women in agriculture and young farmers can take part in knowledge transfer groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55406/23]

Waste Management

Claire Kerrane

17. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how the new law on waste collection will be rolled out in rural areas, considering many households in rural areas currently do not have a food waste bin or in some cases do not have a waste collection service at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55682/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

182. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in the sheep improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55570/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

183. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 5 December 2023, if he will provide a county-by-county breakdown of the advance payments issued under the sheep improvement scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55571/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Claire Kerrane

184. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55572/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

185. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme Sucklers and Beef Data and Genomics Programme schemes in their final year respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55573/23]

Family Reunification

Claire Kerrane

513. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice if she will advise on the situation of overseas nurses who, when recruited were told that after one year in Ireland they would be able to bring their families to join them, who have now learned that in order to do so they must have in excess of €30,000 in their bank account; the potential recourse available to these nurses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55404/23]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

628. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a cohort of farmers will now not receive their ACRES payment until January 2024; the steps he will take to address the issue and ensure farmers receive their payment on time as expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55127/23]

Home Care Packages

Claire Kerrane

823. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Roscommon and Galway, respectively, who submitted an application for home care to date in 2023; the number of applications that were approved; the number of persons in the counties waiting for care; and the average waiting time that they have been waiting for home care. [55225/23]

Housing Schemes

Claire Kerrane

28. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise what affordable housing schemes are planned for counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53470/23]

Rental Sector

Claire Kerrane

53. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline his plans to reduce rising rents in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53471/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Claire Kerrane

102. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection why approved carer's allowance applicants are waiting weeks to receive their first payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53472/23]

Legislative Measures

Claire Kerrane

129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when legislation to remove child maintenance as household means for lone parent payments will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53473/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

288. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 119 of 29 November 2023, if, with regard to the difference in premiums between the new Forestry Programme and the previous programme, consideration has been given to raising premiums established under the previous programme to accommodate for factors such as inflation, and to support farmers forestry owners with any additional costs they might incur as a result of the new programme rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54358/23]

Fire Stations

Claire Kerrane

97. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will seek a review of the closure of a service (details supplied) provided under local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54038/23]

Departmental Schemes

Claire Kerrane

135. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the native tree area scheme; if current approval and inspection processes mean that a farmer or forestry landowner could have a situation where they have planted on their land under the scheme which maybe later inspected by his Department and be rejected; if there is a process by which land can be inspected by his Department for approval before planting commences to avoid loss of income should it be rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54004/23]

Primary Care Centres

Claire Kerrane

178. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health for an update on a development (details supplied); the details of the proposed site; the timeline for the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54037/23]

Health Services Staff

Claire Kerrane

180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a specialised critical paramedic post (details supplied) remains unfilled in an area; what plans are in place to fill this post; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54084/23]

Health Services Staff

Claire Kerrane

181. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason a role (details supplied) has been filled by a person without the necessary critical skills required as per the HSE Risk Management Policy and Procedures 2023; who made the decision to staff in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54085/23]

Library Projects

Claire Kerrane

211. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on works (details supplied), and the proposed opening of a temporary service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54039/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

432. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have received the first payment under the sheep improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53315/23]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

444. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on sectoral representation on the board of the ICBF; if he will ensure there is representation of suckler beef farmers and marts on the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53681/23]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

445. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to providing farmers with assistance on the purchase of wood chippers, given new rules which prevent farmers from burning wood on their land and the slow decomposition of larger pieces of wood; if such a measure could be included under TAMS 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53682/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

446. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the TAMS 3 women farmer capital investment scheme; the number of successful applicants to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53683/23]

Agriculture Supports

Claire Kerrane

447. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what timeframe is being considered for eligibility in relation to the draft proposal his Department is preparing regarding a solution for the group known as the forgotten farmers; if inclusion of the TAMs top-up for young farmers has been considered as part of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53701/23]

Beef Sector

Claire Kerrane

451. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with pedigree cattle breeders following the announced changes to the beef index; if he is aware of the potential loss of income for breeders as a result of the ratings changes and the short timeframe for introduction; if consideration has been given to delaying the introduction or allowing a grace period for breeders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53853/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Claire Kerrane

98. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a proposal put to her Department (details supplied); if she will advise on engagement with organisations as part of discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52743/23]

Community Employment Schemes

Claire Kerrane

99. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on a case (details supplied); if she will advise on engagement with relevant organisations as part of discussions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52744/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on forestry premiums for the previous forestry programme; if he will advise on the difference in premiums under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 given it appears that existing premiums are not indexed and farmers and forestry owners are receiving a lower premium where they have planted under the previous programme considering planted were previously aligned in the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

120. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if with regard to maps provided by his Department demonstrating the different ‘layers’ of consideration for afforestation under criteria for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, if he will provide those maps as one combined map with all relevant layers to show a holistic overview of area available for afforestation under the new programme; if he will advise of the area covered as represented in those layered maps as a total in comparison with the land area in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52757/23]

School Staff

Claire Kerrane

276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if school secretaries have had their new pay backdated; if not, when this will happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52271/23]

School Staff

Claire Kerrane

277. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education what progress has been made to improve pay and terms and conditions for school caretakers, similar to school secretaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52272/23]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

334. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application for funding has been received (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52270/23]

Approved Housing Bodies

Claire Kerrane

336. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will advise on the situation where local authority tenants who are housed with approved housing bodies and wish to transfer are informed by the AHB that this is the responsibility of the local authority, which in turn states that it is the responsibility of the AHB; if he will clarify which body is reasonable for transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52460/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

436. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 930 of 7 November 2023, if he will advise on funding distribution (details supplied) for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51918/23]

Agriculture Industry

Claire Kerrane

450. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the requirement for plants to be of Irish origin or Irish provenance and purchased from DAFM-registered professional operators; if he will advise on concerns that nurseries may face challenges in meeting the demand for these plant types; how his Department will support small nurseries and businesses with providing this range of products; if there is a process for nurseries and businesses to become a registered operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52241/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

453. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if she will provide an update on the forestry licensing plan for the remainder of 2023 and 2024, given indications in October that the plan is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52262/23]

Departmental Programmes

Claire Kerrane

454. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what the additional funding secured for the TB programme will be utilised for; if he will provide an update on additional staff being recruited or allocated to effectively implement the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52266/23]

Departmental Programmes

Claire Kerrane

455. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on reports of additional controls being put in place and with regard to certain aspects of the TB programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52267/23]

Departmental Programmes

Claire Kerrane

456. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports are in place for farmers who have TB lockdown herds in their local area; the steps his Department is taking to ensure they are not negatively affected by such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52268/23]

Magdalen Laundries

Claire Kerrane

539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the Government-approved National Site of Conscience on the site of the former Magdalene Laundry, Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin; what stage the project is at; the estimated date for commencement of works and completion date; the funding that has been allocated to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52459/23]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

548. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the proposed closure of mental health services, Ard Mhuire, Ballinasloe, County Galway and relocation to admissions unit attached to St. Brigid’s Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52458/23]

Business Supports

Claire Kerrane

19. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications made under the scheme to assist businesses with the price of kerosene in counties Roscommon and Galway, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51206/23]

Business Supports

Claire Kerrane

200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason businesses using diesel gas are excluded from the business users support scheme for kerosene, given many businesses utilise diesel gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51725/23]

Medicinal Products

Claire Kerrane

338. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the availability of tyvense medication, in particular in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51719/23]

Animal Diseases

Claire Kerrane

128. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms restricted due to TB in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51201/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

131. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the availability of grants for the promotion of forestry; what consideration has been given to supporting smaller groups and co-ops with promoting forestry in their local areas, particularly where these organisations are providing training and advisory services to farmers and forestry owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51307/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

136. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 363 of 14 November 2023, if the five-year requirement under the definition of a young farmer, as set by the Government, can be amended within the lifetime of the current scheme and current CAP; if there are plans to amend the definition for future equivalent schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51361/23]

Gaeltacht Scholarships

Claire Kerrane

270. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if summer gaeltacht scholarships are available for 2024 for second level students who do not attend a DEIS school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50653/23]

Nitrates Usage

Claire Kerrane

391. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on reports that changes to the Nitrates Derogation will be delayed by a further six months, given the current timeline is January 2024; what engagement he has with organisations representing the farming community on this focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50558/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

392. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers awaiting their basic income for sustainability scheme (BISS) and areas of natural constraint (ANC) payments; the steps he will take to ensure that all farmers awaiting these payments receive them without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50562/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Claire Kerrane

448. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the €7 million announced in Budget 2024 to support the increasing number of children with a disability requiring AIM supports to access and participate in the ECCE programme; how this money will be allocated to ECCE providers; when the money will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51117/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Claire Kerrane

449. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine the practice of an organisation (details supplied) recouping monies under a circumstance from ECCE providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51118/23]

Tidy Towns

Claire Kerrane

610. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider establishing a fund for which Tidy Towns could seek rebates for tax paid on fuel, given increased costs borne by them as Tidy Towns committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50988/23]

School Transport

Claire Kerrane

82. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will advise on the refusal of school transport for a child with special educational needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50095/23]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

144. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on CAMHS services in the State; if he will outline his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) following its submission which includes case studies outlining issues around availability of services for children with intellectual disabilities, extensive waiting times, and lack of early supports for children with ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50097/23]

National Broadband Plan

Claire Kerrane

82. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide in tabular form, the number of premises connected to broadband under the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) roll-out in counties Roscommon and Galway; the number of customers who signed up to NBI in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49970/23]

Debt Restructuring

Claire Kerrane

121. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance what measures are in place to provide farmers with fair facilities to resolve debt issues and ensure they can remain on their land; what he will do to protect farmers from repossessions undertaken by vulture and investment funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49357/23]

Flood Risk Management

Claire Kerrane

158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how many times the Shannon Flood Management Group met in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49969/23]

School Staff

Claire Kerrane

180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update regarding the establishment of a transfer/relocation scheme for teachers; what progress has been made on this issue; what is her intended plan to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49268/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Claire Kerrane

289. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a special pardon for family carers who engaged in work (details supplied) during Covid-19, given the circumstances at the time and the small number of recipients who would be in this category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49386/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

362. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide his response to reports of biodiversity levels in the Burren dropping sharply in the past ten months; if he is aware of this shift in results occurring since the transition of the Burren Programme to ACRES; if he will outline what engagement he has carried out with farmers and stakeholders in the Burren area in response to this update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49325/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

363. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the young farmer scheme, if there is any flexibility for farmers who are aged under 40 years and have a green certificate, but who have been on the herd number for more than five years, given that many young farmers may face time and financial restraints in completing their green certificate within this time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49326/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

364. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the young farmers scheme with regard to the terms and conditions set out for the scheme which states that the scheme is implemented pursuant to relevant EU Regulation and will be operated by his Department if eligibility criteria requiring young farmers to have been a herd owner for less than five years is a requirement under the relevant regulations or can be adjusted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49327/23]

Coillte Teoranta

Claire Kerrane

369. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what measures are in place to encourage bodies (details supplied) to sell unplantable land to young farmers and new entrants to agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49363/23]

Crime Prevention

Claire Kerrane

388. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what all-island mechanisms are in place to tackle and identify theft of farm animals; if he will advise on the engagement he has had with the Minister for Justice and with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49776/23]

Animal Diseases

Claire Kerrane

389. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to establishing an all-island system of identifying cases of TB and BVD; if he will advise what efforts have been made in this area in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49777/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

392. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what engagement is being carried out with stakeholders in the commercial timber sector in response to concerns about planting restrictions under the new Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49893/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

393. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an impact assessment was carried out by his Department with regard to the 30 cm peat depth requirement under the new forestry programme; if he is aware that this requirement has effectively disqualified significant amounts of land for afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49894/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

394. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide figures on the number of forestry applications with ecology from September 2022 to date; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49895/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

395. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the average ecology processing times for forestry applications from September 2022 to date; if this information can be provided in tabular form, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49896/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

396. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 30 cm peat depth rule for afforestation under the new forestry programme is a requirement under EU state aid rules; if there is flexibility in how his Department can interpret this rule for the Irish context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49897/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

397. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a review (details supplied) on his Department’s processes on forestry will be published, considering he advised in June 2023 that the final report was due to be delivered imminently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49898/23]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

398. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of how his Department intends to promote the commercial forestry industry as part of the new Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49899/23]

Flood Risk Management

Claire Kerrane

399. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who lost grazing will be supported by the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49966/23]

Flood Risk Management

Claire Kerrane

400. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers along the River Suck and in the Little Brosna River will be included under the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49967/23]

Flood Risk Management

Claire Kerrane

401. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the maximum limit of 15 hectares in the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme; if he will consider increasing this limit to 25 hectares to support a greater number of farmers affected by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49968/23]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

199. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine removing the two-year validity of the EU parking permit for disabled drivers to avoid people with disabilities having to re-apply every two years; if he will outline, given that a disability is permanent, what the rationale is for only providing the card for two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49171/23]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to ensure the roll-out of wheelchair accessible public transport on buses and rail to ensure equality of access for all persons and to make it easier for wheelchair users to get on and off public transport. [49172/23]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

201. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with Irish Rail on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49173/23]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

202. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to invest and further roll-out local link services in counties Galway and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49174/23]

Public Transport

Claire Kerrane

203. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to increase capacity on Irish Rail train services (specifically additional carriages) for train passengers in counties Galway and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49175/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

314. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he has made any progress in ending the blood test charge for medical card holders by GPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49164/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

315. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will reform the reimbursement process for medical card holders who are charged for blood tests, to make the process easier for our most vulnerable citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49165/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

316. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will make medical card holders aware of the option to seek reimbursement of costs for blood tests via the medical card unit or via GP surgeries, in order that medical card holders are aware of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49166/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

317. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason specialised lens, which are expensive to those with eye sight issues, are not covered under the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49167/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

318. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health how many dentists have signed back up to provide dental care for medical card holders in County Roscommon, County Galway, and in total across the State. [49168/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

319. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists which left the dental treatment scheme, where they were providing dental care to medical card patients in counties Roscommon and Galway, in tabular form. [49169/23]

Medical Cards

Claire Kerrane

320. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health what plans he has to ensure that medical card holders can access dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49170/23]

Tax Code

Claire Kerrane

322. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to adjusting the flat-rate VAT scheme for farmers (details supplied); if he has engaged with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47999/23]