Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

60. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on a 0% VAT rate applied to bikes and e-bikes, including supply, rental and repair, in view of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20492/22]

Tax Reliefs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on the expansion of the bike to work scheme in order to include businesses set up as sole trader or partnership arrangements, as the scheme currently applies only to limited company status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20493/22]

Local Authorities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

81. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities have adequate flexibility in the recruitment of the multidisciplinary competencies necessary for both active travel teams and town teams, as outlined in Government policy and funding initiatives. [20494/22]

Flood Risk Management

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

95. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding interim findings from the slow water project, funded by the OPW and the Environmental Protection Agency, which is due to be completed in 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20495/22]

Social Dialogue

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

21. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the social dialogue co-ordination of his Department. [19340/22]

Haulage Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

136. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the steps that his Department is taking in relation to consolidation of road freight deliveries across the freight sector in order to address the issue of Ireland freight transport having an above European Union average of partial and empty truck cargo loads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20497/22]

Ports Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

139. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to improve the sustainable transport access and infrastructure at all ferry ports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20496/22]

Energy Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

304. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department is working with local government to identify barriers to progress of community energy projects and whether his Department is working to audit the process by which community energy projects come to fruition, including in relation to planning matters for connection to the grid from solar farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20596/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

424. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop infrastructure at Rosslare Europort and the Port of Waterford in order to capitalise on the development of offshore wind off the south and east coasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/22]

Public Sector Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

564. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the ongoing public sector discussions and timeline with regard to the reversal of the previous financial decision to reduce the daily rate of payment for former members of the public service appointed for their expertise and experience to public sector interview boards. [20197/22]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

916. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the publication of the second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development to 2030, to replace the previous strategy which ran to 2020 and following the close of the public consultation on the new strategy in June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20509/22]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

1020. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take in order to address the unusual situation whereby, if a person in Northern Ireland applies for a PPS number in the South, they are required to have proof of need, such as an offer of employment, although a number of employers require a PPS number when hiring and therefore cannot apply for certain jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19959/22]

Regional Development

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

62. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the appointment of a regional director of the IDA in the south east given that the position has been vacant since December 2021 and the importance of regional business development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18797/22]

Regional Development

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

79. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide specific funding to support the recently published South East Regional Enterprise Plan given the historic funding deficit in the region and the national policy to support balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18796/22]

Renewable Energy Generation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding the development of grid interconnection in the south-east region in order to support the development of offshore renewables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18770/22]

Community Development Projects

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

91. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps that have been taken by her Department to ensure there is cross-departmental collaboration, so that new community-led projects can work efficiently to achieve the ambition of communities, particularly in coastal and island communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18046/22]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

125. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding the measures taken by her Department to support the community integration of persons fleeing from Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18045/22]

Health Services Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health when he expects the CORU Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board to open for applications; the length of time the transitional period to allow existing practitioners to register will last; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/22]

Road Traffic Accidents

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the reporting of anonymised data on minor and serious injuries from road traffic collisions by the health system, particularly those not captured by Garda reports, and the provision of those statistics to the Road Safety Authority in order to obtain a fuller picture of the impact of road traffic collisions on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16785/22]

EU Regulations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

142. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the detail of his forward planning to allocate resources and capacity within his Department to ensure timely and effective delivery and implementation of the forthcoming EU nature restoration regulation; if provisions made through CAP will assist in accomplishing the goals set out in that regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/22]

Land Issues

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

185. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of programme for Government commitments to complete a land use review ahead of the drafting of a land use strategy and a national soil strategy; if these will be consistent with achieving the objectives of the anticipated EU nature restoration law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16854/22]

Departmental Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the evaluation process of the three local community safety partnerships pilots which are currently run in the north inner city of Dublin and in counties Longford and Waterford; if there are interim findings from the evaluation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16225/22]

Road Traffic Offences

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

145. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice her views on the development of a citizen reporting portal for road traffic offences to enable persons to upload photographic and video evidence including of drivers illegal parking on paths, in cycle lanes and close passing of persons cycling in order that An Garda Síochána can investigate in line with the Vision Zero, the road safety strategy for 2021-2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16224/22]

Child Poverty

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

11. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way he intends to implement the European Union child guarantee; the timeline for the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/22]

Parental Leave

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

38. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parental leave will be expanded in 2022; if the leave will be granted retrospectively; the full entitlement to the leave ultimately and the timeline for the implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/22]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with regard to the resultant and expected global food shortages and the impact on Ireland’s overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15474/22]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

159. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding a strategy to increase climate finance for developing countries under growing pressure from both climate crisis and conflict; the position regarding the development of a unit within his Department dedicated to working on Ireland’s response to the global climate crisis as committed to within the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15473/22]

Fuel Poverty

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

8. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle fuel poverty given the severe financial difficulties caused by recent price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15493/22]

Water Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

63. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Irish Water’s plan to eliminate trihalomethanes in public drinking water supplies by the end of 2021 has been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/22]

School Accommodation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

102. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that staff toilets and a secretarial office are excluded from recent works approved by her Department for a school (details supplied); if these necessary works will be included when the project reaches construction stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15292/22]

School Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

103. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the Butlerstown to Tramore school bus route is included in the changed school bus guidelines announced recently as part of the recent cost of living package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15294/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

140. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to offset the rising cost of living for persons on fixed incomes particularly pensions and welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15494/22]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

149. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the views of the forward planning section in her Department on the projected education needs for Tramore, County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13453/22]

Legislative Measures

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the position with regard to progressing the Traveller Culture and History in Education Bill 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/22]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

269. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education her views on the need to accredit the first national training programme for special needs assistants in University College Dublin to ensure the professional development of special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6254/22]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

70. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process and timeline for the appointment of the remaining members of the governing authority of the South East Technological University; the process and timeline for the appointment of the president of the university; the capital plans pertaining to the establishment of the new technological university; if the project remains on course to reach the 1 May 2022 designation date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12705/22]

Further and Higher Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

86. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's plans to increase higher and further education capacity to train students in facets of ecosystem restoration as a key underpinning element of climate resilient development in view of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12704/22]

Public Transport

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

54. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the inconsistencies in public transport fares for 16- to 18- year-olds; the steps he will take to ensure that an appropriate fare is available to all young persons across all types of public transport in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/22]

Transport Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

102. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Sustainability Mobility Policy to help enable persons to choose healthy and sustainable modes of transport over private car journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12129/22]

Heritage Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

162. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to improve biodiversity protection in Ireland in view of the launch of Heritage Ireland 2030 and in the context of 3 March 2022 being World Wildlife Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11579/22]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

188. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the strategic review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service report; the progress that has been made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11578/22]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

35. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach the amount and value of fossil fuel subsidies paid by the State in 2020 and 2021; the proportion of that expenditure that applies to the exemption of jet kerosene used for commercial flights from excise duty; and the proportion resulting from other subsidies. [9450/22]

Healthcare Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

63. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that have been taken by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer to promote and enable the development of e-health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11472/22]

Fisheries Protection

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

174. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fisheries assessment of the River Liffey, County Kildare prepared by a company for an organisation (details supplied) and the heritage section of Kildare County Council and its findings in respect of the decrease of fish stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11423/22]

Environmental Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

331. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she will take to ensure that Failte Ireland and tourism projects which seek State funding are prioritising reductions in their own carbon emissions including across transport, food miles and energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11417/22]

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

61. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status and process of assessment for sports capital and equipment programme grants that were invalid or incomplete; when sports clubs can appeal their grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10309/22]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

78. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán conas a thacófar le Coláistí Gaeilge Gaeltachta a athoscailt do mhic léinn i 2022; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10308/22]

Energy Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

92. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to ensure the retrofit industry will be incentivised to grow to deliver the capacity for 500,000 homes by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9872/22]

Air Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

95. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to support local authorities in enforcing air quality regulations in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9871/22]

Fuel Sales

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

47. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach the amount and value of fossil fuel subsidies paid by the State in 2020 and 2021; the proportion of that expenditure that applies to the exemption of jet kerosene used for commercial flights from excise duty; and the proportion resulting from other subsidies. [9450/22]

Tax Reliefs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the latest figures available with respect to entrepreneur relief; the total tax expenditure forgone in that year; the average costs per claimant; the number of claims in excess of €1 million of relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9449/22]

Building Energy Rating

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

347. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the preparatory work that is being undertaken in his Department in order to meet the commitment in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9247/22]

Building Energy Rating

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

348. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can elaborate on the use of the word feasible in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; the parameters that will be set to determine feasibility as they apply to rental units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9248/22]

Building Energy Rating

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

349. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the anticipated timeline from the 2025 commencement for landlords to comply with minimum BER standards in rental stock in relation to action 2.14 in Housing for All which states that the Government will implement minimum BER standards where feasible for private rental properties commencing in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9249/22]

Health Services Staff

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

679. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of podiatrists recruited under each HSE acute and community service; the number of podiatrists recruited by county in the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9148/22]

Disease Management

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

680. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the improvement of podiatrist services for people with diabetes both nationally and within each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9149/22]

Disease Management

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

89. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of development of disease-specific registries as part of Ireland’s health information strategy; if work has commenced on registries for any diseases; when the first registry will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7694/22]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

92. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the site selection for the adult acute mental health unit at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7695/22]

Technological Universities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

94. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding progress on the establishment of the Technological University for the South East Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6255/22]

Community Employment Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

12. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on reports in the media that an Irish subsidiary of a multinational company is scoping out bidding on State contracts to run community employment support schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5347/22]

Employment Schemes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

66. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the position on the changes announced to community employment schemes; if they are improving the situation on the ground; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5348/22]

Domestic Violence

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

170. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of a timeline for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/22]

European Union

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

183. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects to fully transpose the Work Life Balance Directive (EU) 2019/1158; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4996/22]

School Accommodation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

301. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if an alternative site selection process for necessary space for an autism class in addition to space required for the second-year of mainstream students in a school (details supplied) is being considered in advance of the start of the next school year given the refusal of planning permission for the original site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5810/22]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

108. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the status of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment advisory report on senior cycle reform; when she will publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4621/22]

Special Educational Needs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

179. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education her views on the qualification required to become a special needs assistant which has not changed in the past 42 years under the QQI national framework of qualifications despite the level of complexity the job brings with it and the need for structured continuous professional development available to SNAs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4620/22]

School Equipment

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

485. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education when the installation of a lift to facilitate a disabled student will be completed at a school (details supplied) following approved funding under the emergency works scheme in September 2021 and a contractor already being appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4834/22]

Food Poverty

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

560. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress of the food poverty working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5082/22]

Overseas Development Aid

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

76. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made on establishing a process to ensure that all Irish aid is spent in a way that is in full compliance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3837/22]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the setting up of a unit within his Department dedicated to working on Ireland’s response to the global climate crisis and tasked with devising a strategy to scale up Ireland’s climate finance contributions as committed to within the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3836/22]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

131. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the Strategic Review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service report, the second and third review phases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3246/22]

Waterways Issues

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

134. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the planned timeframe for the various stages of the next River Basin Management Plan for Ireland once the current public consultation stage is over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3245/22]

Water Quality

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

292. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the work his Department is carrying out to address water quality issues arising from farming activities across Ireland, particularly in the south-east of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60679/21]

Construction Industry

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

37. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made on the Programme for Government commitment to enhance productivity in the construction sector, including using modern methods of construction, work which was to be guided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/22]

Tourism Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

112. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the commitments made in the Programme for Government to examine the development of national tourism trails linking ferry ports and the rail network and to work with port and ferry companies to increase the number of foot and cycle passengers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2677/22]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

150. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán céard iad na céimeanna a ghlacfar chun a chinntiú go ndéanfar Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2019 a chur i bhfeidhm; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2678/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

738. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the minor works grant for both primary and secondary schools will or can be used for the purchase of HEPA air filtration systems for classrooms and common areas and so on; if not, if there are other grants available to primary and secondary schools to purchase HEPA air filtration systems for classrooms and common areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63452/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

739. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if a school that is part of an education and training board can make an independent financial decision on the purchase of HEPA air filtration systems for classrooms and common areas in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63453/21]

Ports Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

21. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the commitments in the programme for Government to examine the development of national tourism trails linking ferry ports and the rail network and to work with the ports and ferry companies to increase the number of foot and cycle passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62256/21]

Rail Network

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to documents released by Irish Rail to a group (details supplied) under freedom of information estimating that the cost of returning the Rosslare to Waterford line to a serviceable condition consistent with its state pre-closure in 2010 would be of the order of €12 to €15 million; if that would be consistent with costs estimated by his own Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62257/21]

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

149. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if his Department intends to apply reduced VAT rates on the supply, rental and repair of bicycles including e-bikes in view of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62252/21]

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

155. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union (details supplied), his Department intends to apply reduced VAT rates to solar panels in line with section 4a; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62253/21]

Wind Energy Generation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

48. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to maximise the benefit from the supply chain opportunity for offshore wind in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61484/21]

Renewable Energy Generation

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

54. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the safeguards that he will put in place to ensure that communities can access supports for community renewable energy projects and to avoid supporting developers attempting to develop projects through a back door; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61483/21]

Climate Change Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

139. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to develop clear pathways for the latest research to provide an evidence base for the National Dialogue on Climate Action and the Interdepartmental Working Group in order to drive sectoral demand shifts, behavioural change and policy input as outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58649/21]

Research and Development

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

140. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to help support the offshore and ocean energy research and innovation as outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58650/21]

Medicinal Products

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

601. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an outline of the requirements for a patient to receive approval to receive the drug ajovy fremanezumab (details supplied) which was approved by the HSE under the high-tech scheme in October 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61477/21]

Hospital Appointments Status

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

602. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the eighty two children with spina bifida and or hydrocephalus that are awaiting orthopaedic surgical management and orthopaedic review appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61478/21]

Dental Services

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

603. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the waiting list for orthodontic services in Waterford (details supplied); the length of time the children have been on the waiting list; the expected timeframe for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61479/21]

EU Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has in European Union LIFE Projects; if there are plans for future projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60680/21]

Departmental Programmes

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

344. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's progress on the expansion of support for social farming programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60218/21]

Island Communities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

75. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new ten-year cross-departmental policy for island development and associated action plans to ensure delivery of the policy, as outlined in Our Rural Future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60217/21]

Departmental Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

54. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department provides financial support to LGBTI organisations; the moneys that have been made available in 2021 and 2022 for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59444/21]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

55. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received the final report of the expert group examining the funding model for early years; if so, the main recommendations contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59445/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

336. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education the supports that will be in place to support leaving certificate students in 2022 who have lost in-person teaching time due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58765/21]

State Examinations

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

337. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if leaving certificate students in 2022 are receiving more options for the format of questions on their exams; if additional time will be provided in exams for students to allow for additional reading time of the exam paper; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58766/21]

Pensions Reform

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

382. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to change or review the way the State pension (contributory) is calculated since the changes that were made regarding the total contributions approach in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58359/21]

Pensions Reform

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

383. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to review or remove the habitual residency criteria for the State pension (non-contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58360/21]

Third Level Admissions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

440. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans that will be put in place to address difficulties that sixth-year students may face when trying to gain access to college in September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58765/21]

State Pensions

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

96. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the work her Department has undertaken towards a proposed benchmarking system for pension rates to be benchmarked to salaries and inflation, as outlined as an income smoothing proposal in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 in order to provide income security for older persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57600/21]