Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate if a pregnant hare who gave birth was among the hares in a coursing compound in Glin, given the number of hares at the end of coursing was one more than the number captured from the wild, if this breached the licence conditions and if so, what action he is taking against the club in question. [10040/24]

Social Welfare Code

Paul Murphy

438. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection why 'S' class contributions do not quality for carer’s payment; if there are any exceptions to this rule; if there is consideration around changing this; and if not, why not. [10056/24]

Visa Agreements

Paul Murphy

497. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide any updates in relation to the requirement for a visa for Colombians to travel to Ireland (details supplied). [10670/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

510. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out by Horse Racing Ireland in 2023 to hunts in point-to-point racing grants and any other funding, and if he will stop this, given that the money is propping up hunt clubs which are involved in bloodsports which the vast majority want banned. [10041/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

511. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if releasing a pack of dogs to chase a fox, failing to intervene to stop the dogs from attacking and-or killing the fox, and using terriers to corner and attack foxes when they try to escape underground are contrary to the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, which states that it is an offence to "do, or fail to do, anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of, an animal". [10042/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

512. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate why Greyhound Racing Ireland has categorised an Irish greyhound as "rehomed" after it was informed that the dog had been found straying in the UK in an underweight condition with a mouth "in an appalling state with rotten teeth" and that efforts were being made to find him a home; and if an investigation will be carried out to establish how this Irish-owned greyhound came to be abandoned in the UK. [10043/24]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Murphy

548. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the rationale for the State agreeing to pay for the role of safeguarding officer in St. Johns Ambulance; and to explain if this will be a mechanism available to other organisations in financial distress. [10045/24]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Murphy

549. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline whether any conditions will be imposed on St. Johns Ambulance in return for the State paying for the role of safeguarding officer. [10046/24]

Medical Cards

Paul Murphy

708. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the proposed change in the medical card hair loss grant, if he will reconsider this proposal, ensuring that a grant is provided for anyone in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10311/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul Murphy

710. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the special pay with leave long-Covid scheme for healthcare workers which is not to be extended beyond 31 March 2024 (details supplied) why have the Minister and the HSE reached this decision; if he is aware that these healthcare workers are still in the same situation and therefore still in need of the same support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10318/24]

Vaccination Programme

Paul Murphy

711. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 5 December 2023, the reasons for the delay between October and December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10320/24]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

713. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 565 of 20 February 2024, if he can provide a timeline for when the operation is going to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10323/24]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities will be ratified within the term of this Government; if so, when it will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/24]

Childcare Services

Paul Murphy

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9519/24]

Legislative Measures

Paul Murphy

269. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who are currently the subject of a High Court order placing them in special care in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991, who are not in special care due to the absence of an available bed; whether private agency staff can be utilised to staff the beds that are not currently open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9823/24]

Legislative Measures

Paul Murphy

270. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of agency staff currently employed to work in special care under the Child Care Act 1991; the hourly rates of pay offered to agency staff to work in special care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9824/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

313. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the due diligence on therapists offered positions in the HSE is being outsourced to a private company; how long the average wait is from the time of application to completion of due diligence; how much the private company is being paid; whether there was a tender process for this company; and the reason the HSE is not itself verifying the qualifications and experience of applicants. [9825/24]

Legislative Programme

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [7878/24]

Trade Relations

Paul Murphy

37. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware that Ireland imported €5.08 billion of goods from Israel in 2022 and €2.15 billion worth in 2021 (details supplied), yet in 2020, imports were only €138 million, which was par for the course on previous years; what precipitated the jump in trade after 2020; and as a significant trading partner with Israel, what part is Ireland playing in terms of trade in the cessation of the horrific events in Palestine. [9486/24]

Middle East

Paul Murphy

58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of an offer by a group (details supplied) which has a team of over 20 highly qualified specialist doctors, licensed and experienced in various medical fields in Dublin, ready to volunteer their services in Gaza; if he has considered this offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8926/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Paul Murphy

124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 354 of 25 March 2021 and 86 of 7 February 2024, the reason there is no definite plan for implementing the legislation in 2024, given the importance of same in 2014 for the Garda Ombudsman and for an organisation (details supplied) in 2017 and the enacted legislation on it in 2023. [9164/24]

Special Educational Needs

Paul Murphy

213. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 13 February 2024, if she is aware that for children with dyslexia, the support provided through mainstream schools, 20 minutes for three times a week, does not compare to what children get in a special school, where they learn reading and writing using the Wilson method, which many mainstream teachers have zero education on how to teach; given this information, why the Department has no plans to open more of these classes; if she has considered that the demand is so high for these special schools because what is being offered through mainstream school is not working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8913/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Paul Murphy

218. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education regarding the current funding crisis threatening a preschool for autistic children (details supplied), if she will ensure that her Department responsible for processing the payments processes them promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8953/24]

Sports Events

Paul Murphy

252. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is a set financial exposure limit on the Irish taxpayers commitment associated with Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027; if the commitment given by him on behalf of the Irish taxpayer is open ended; if such an exposure limit is set, the limit amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9184/24]

Sports Events

Paul Murphy

253. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, if a risk assessment on behalf of the Irish taxpayer regarding the specific costs to the taxpayer of hosting of this event has been put in place and in the interests of transparency can that risk assessment be made available to the public. [9185/24]

Sports Events

Paul Murphy

254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to Ireland hosting the Ryder Cup in 2027, given that residents of the area are voicing certain reservations about the estimated 250,000 people expected to attend the event in the village of Adare over a three day period in 2027, if an infrastructural report which outlines environmental damage and which confirms the suitability of the venue to host such an event is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9186/24]

Housing Schemes

Paul Murphy

278. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide clarification on the significant delays experienced by certain tenants in the processing of their tenant-in-situ applications in Fingal (details supplied); the reasons for these delays; and if he can provide an update on when a person can expect a decision on their case. [8982/24]

Housing Schemes

Paul Murphy

279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a case previously highlighted (details supplied), where a tenant is facing homelessness due to significant delays in the processing of their tenant-in-situ application; if he can outline a proposed intervention due to the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8983/24]

Housing Schemes

Paul Murphy

280. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the communication he has had with Fingal County Council with regard to the long processing delays with the tenant-in-situ scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8984/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

391. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fate of all thoroughbred horses that have been sold to China; and if he is concerned about the announcement that racing is to cease in Macau in April (details supplied). [9001/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the criticisms raised about animal welfare in China, what procedures his Department has taken to ensure the safety of thoroughbred horses, particularly in the context of the announcement that racing is to cease in Macau in April (details supplied). [9002/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a detailed breakdown of all Irish horses exported to China, Hong Kong and Korea, by year (details supplied). [9003/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

394. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1284 of 17 January 2024, received from HRI if he will instruct HRI to provide a breakdown of the ages of the horses sent to slaughter. [9004/24]

Hare Coursing

Paul Murphy

65. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will legislate to ban hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/24]

Common Agricultural Policy

Paul Murphy

84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the distribution of CAP direct payments, whereby the top eight recipients received more than €200,000 each, compared with an average payment of less than €9,657; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8355/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will act to reverse the reduction in the area under tillage in 2022 in light of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8356/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be necessary for Ireland to reduce dairy and beef production to reach our legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/24]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Paul Murphy

99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the sectoral emissions reductions targets for agriculture for the first carbon budget period can now be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8354/24]

European Council

Paul Murphy

9. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the special meeting of the European Council on Ukraine and the EU budget. [7879/24]

Transport Policy

Paul Murphy

13. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [6664/24]

Foreign Policy

Paul Murphy

30. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 8 November 2022, if he will follow up with the UN Human Rights Committee, requesting any updates in relation to this case, including any actions taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8193/24]

International Protection

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice when the decision on an international protection application will be made for a person (details supplied); the reason international protection is not being expedited for Palestinians; and what psychological and social supports are available to this person and other Gazans. [8170/24]

Hen Harriers

Paul Murphy

123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied) in light of stark hen harrier decline; if he will give a Government commitment to the protection of this bird of prey before it is too late; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/24]

Live Exports

Paul Murphy

124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of two complaints (details supplied) submitted to his office; if he will ensure that his Department processes these complaints as a matter of urgency, taking the necessary actions for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8187/24]

Third Level Fees

Paul Murphy

179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college fee waiver will be given to a person (details supplied) in order that they can continue their studies; if not, how their college fees can be covered for the remainder of their course, given they are an international protection applicant; if they will be eligible for the international protection student scheme for FE and HE students for future semesters; and if there is a way for them to access student accommodation now. [8171/24]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

12. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [6663/24]

Northern Ireland

Paul Murphy

23. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach to report on his meeting with the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. [7877/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Paul Murphy

61. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the free travel scheme to children for whom child benefit is paid, and in the case of young children and their travel companions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7898/24]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Murphy

67. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend the free travel scheme to all social welfare recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7897/24]

Poverty Impact Assessment

Paul Murphy

68. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a poverty impact assessment was carried out into extending child benefit to 18 year-olds in full-time education or training compared to extending it to 16, 17 and 18 year-olds not in full-time education or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7895/24]