Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

532. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 31 May 2023, if her attention has been drawn to reports from school principals, teachers and SNAs alike that outline that in practice, the role of a teacher and SNA is broadly the same under home-based summer provision, contrary to her Department’s reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27586/23]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

571. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure the temporary accommodation committed to for a school (details supplied) will be in place in advance of the new school year; if the basis for any delays and changes in the proposals for this project can be outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27939/23]

Derelict Sites

Steven Matthews

662. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount collected under the Derelict Sites Act 1990 as amended by each local authority in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27238/23]

Housing Provision

Steven Matthews

700. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to anomalies in the criteria for qualifying for cost-rental schemes administered through the LDA (details supplied); the potential knock-on implications for those paid an hourly rate or who work in the gig economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27469/23]

Departmental Properties

Steven Matthews

935. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the ownership of the small building at the rear of a courthouse (details supplied); if this is under the control of her Department; and if so, if it will be considered for community use through a leasing arrangement. [28497/23]

Pharmacy Services

Steven Matthews

1212. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a Departmental review of community pharmacy services; if he is currently engaging with an organisation (details supplied) on the concerns of community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27919/23]

Further and Higher Education

Steven Matthews

391. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding funding for a project (details supplied); if he will outline a timeline for a support framework to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/23]

Departmental Data

Steven Matthews

22. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of home energy upgrades/retrofits supported by the Government in conjunction with SEAI in County Wicklow in the first quarter of 2023; if a breakdown, in tabular form of the work carried out will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26494/23]

Special Educational Needs

Steven Matthews

65. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding special needs assistant pay for home-based summer provision; if the basis for the discrepancy in pay between SNAs and teachers for doing broadly similar work could be outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26498/23]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

117. 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. [25730/23]

Mining Industry

Steven Matthews

150. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding any prospecting licences issued with respect to lithium extraction in an area (details supplied); if any mining licence applications have been submitted for this site to date; his views on the potential environmental impact of mining in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26117/23]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

377. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the Croí Cónaithe grant funding creating additional legal charges for the loan applicant (details supplied); if engagement is ongoing with the main lenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25783/23]

Public Transport

Steven Matthews

203. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to delays in the transfer of Leap card top-up stations to An Post; if the knock-on impact for those who choose only to use cash or do not have access to a smartphone have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24362/23]

Employment Rights

Steven Matthews

57. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the planned amendment to the rostering system for a company (details supplied) which has been criticised by trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23267/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Steven Matthews

78. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the roll-out of free solar panels to all schools; how the application process will be communicated to schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22663/23]

School Facilities

Steven Matthews

118. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure that the roll-out of free solar panels to all schools is expedited; if the necessary funding and Departmental infrastructure is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22664/23]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

152. 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. [22798/23]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

153. 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. [22799/23]

State Examinations

Steven Matthews

350. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to calls from an organisation (details supplied) to allow students with dyslexia additional time in State exams including the Leaving and Junior Certificate exams; if this is under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23134/23]

Health Service Executive

Steven Matthews

649. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to repurpose disused and vacant HSE-owned buildings for community facilities or other uses; if his attention has been drawn to the high number of these properties in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22655/23]

Health Service Executive

Steven Matthews

650. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal from some local authorities to take up long-term leases on vacant and disused HSE-owned buildings, with a view to repurposing these buildings for community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22660/23]

Home Care Packages

Steven Matthews

681. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the new home care tender 2023; the reason for any delays to date; how they are being expedited; if he is committed to engaging with those operating in the home care sector on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/23]

Summer Economic Statement

Steven Matthews

13. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a report on the well-being framework will be included with the summer economic statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21433/23]

State Bodies

Steven Matthews

49. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if additional funding can be considered to allow for further planning roles within An Bord Pleanála, all local authorities, the Office of the Planning Regulator amongst other State entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11516/23]

Rental Sector

Steven Matthews

331. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the report by the Economic and Social Research Institute regarding the split-incentive problem, namely, that incentives to invest in energy efficiency upgrades are misaligned between landlords and tenants in the residential rental market; the expected timeline for completion of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21257/23]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

152. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the steps she will take to ensure the temporary accommodation committed to for a school (details supplied) will be in place for September 2023; if her attention has been drawn to a request from the five Wicklow Deputies for a meeting with senior officials responsible for this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20350/23]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

157. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a letter sent by this Deputy seeking an urgent meeting with senior Department officials responsible for the delivery of both temporary and permanent accommodation for multiple schools in Wicklow (details supplied); if she can confirm whether this meeting will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20366/23]

Schools Building Projects

Steven Matthews

179. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding any school in County Wicklow currently part of the pathfinder scheme, at any stage of completion and that seeks to fully retrofit older school buildings; the details of the work being carried out in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20633/23]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

180. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the accommodation needs for a school (details supplied); if this is under review by her Department; if the drawings and plans drawn up in 2010 for a new building within the school are still valid and actionable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20726/23]

School Funding

Steven Matthews

181. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the options that are available for a school (details supplied) with regard to funding to provide an all-weather pitch within the school grounds; if any active applications from the school are under review in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20727/23]

Climate Change Policy

Steven Matthews

139. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the work his Department is doing to reduce emissions from the energy sector in the context of our climate action targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19150/23]

Job Losses

Steven Matthews

233. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions he will take regarding the layoff of Irish-based staff by a multinational company (details supplied) to ensure fairness in the redundancy process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/23]

Legislative Measures

Steven Matthews

256. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to The Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill passed in the Northern Ireland Assembly in March 2022; if similar legislation is under consideration by her Department for this jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20010/23]

Legislative Measures

Steven Matthews

287. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is intended to replicate in the Draft Planning and Development Bill 2022 the provision of the current Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2021 which in s.10(2) requires that the plan include objectives for the preservation of public rights of way which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility, given that s.51(2) of the draft Bill published by his Department includes these in a list of objectives which are optional but not mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/23]

Disability Services

Steven Matthews

147. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding a local community neurorehabilitation team for CHO6 to be based in Bray, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/23]

Housing Provision

Steven Matthews

308. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding provisions put in place by his Department to action Part 2 Section 6(2) or the Affordable Housing Act 2021 in relation to arrangement for community-led housing organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18976/23]

Housing Schemes

Steven Matthews

309. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the qualifying criteria for the ready-to-build scheme so as to include community-led housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18977/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Steven Matthews

473. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding any Departmental initiatives that seek to increase environmentally friendly practices in the early years sector, with a particular emphasis on promoting biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19159/23]

Third Level Costs

Steven Matthews

503. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding allocations for those pursuing doctorates in educational and child psychology at Mary Immaculate College and UCD; if his attention has been drawn to the inequity in funding when compared to similar doctorate courses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18921/23]

Healthcare Policy

Steven Matthews

595. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1530 of 18 April 2023, if a timeline can be provided for the confirmed evaluation of the community ophthalmic services medical treatment scheme; if any basis for the delay to date in commencing this can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19456/23]

General Practitioner Services

Steven Matthews

388. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of GP cards to include people on or below the median income as committed to under Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18799/23]

Passport Services

Steven Matthews

126. 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. [17185/23]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

294. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to requests from community groups in Arklow, County Wicklow regarding the demand for a looped bus service for the town; the position regarding this type of service under Connecting Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17188/23]

Bus Services

Steven Matthews

295. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to requests from community groups in Wicklow town regarding the demand for a looped bus service for the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/23]

Education Welfare Service

Steven Matthews

534. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the details regarding resources for educational welfare officers allocated to County Wicklow; if all posts are currently filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17205/23]

School Accommodation

Steven Matthews

540. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the position regarding four temporary prefab classroom units for a school (details supplied); if they will be in place in advance of the coming school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17312/23]

School Management

Steven Matthews

634. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a report written by a person (details supplied) in relation to religious ethos in schools coming into conflict with a teacher’s belief; if the recommendations of the report are being considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16392/23]

Vacant Properties

Steven Matthews

703. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the report published by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to bringing vacant and derelict properties back into residential use; if he intends to review and ultimately action any of the recommendations contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16362/23]

Judicial Reviews

Steven Matthews

719. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding proposed amendments to Part 9 judicial reviews under the current draft of the Planning and Development Bill; how they differ from the existing rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16541/23]

Departmental Communications

Steven Matthews

750. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding an explanatory memo to be provided to the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the Planning and Development Bill 2022, broken down by section; the timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16363/23]