Parliamentary questions

Departmental Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

47. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media why the recently advertised position of Secretary General for her Department does not require that applicants have a capacity to do their work in Irish as well as well as English, as this Department has responsibility for the Gaeltacht and Irish language, and there are Department offices where the main working language is Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48973/23]

General Practitioner Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to apply increases in line with the public pay agreements to general practitioners in receipt of DMO salaries going forward with also an element of retrospection, as these salaries have not been increased since the benchmarking pay increases of in 2008; whether such increases would also apply to retired GPs who have DMO salaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49005/23]

General Practitioner Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when adequate facilities for modern medicine will be provided at a health centre (details supplied) as this health centre lack the necessary space suitable for the wider range of services that are and will in the future need to be provided from rural health general practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49033/23]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

97. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when passports will issue to children (details supplied) who are siblings; the reason for the delay in issuing said passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47385/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

259. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport what proposals he has to ensure that pensioners who were in the CIÉ and Bus Éireann pension schemes, and have not received an increase in their pension since 2008, receive such an increase in pension in line with the cost-of-living since 2008; whether the question of an Exchequer subvention to these schemes has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48269/23]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure there is an adequate bus service on the 419 bus route from Galway to Clifden and Letterfrack; the improvements that are planned for the service on the route particularly at peak traffic hours and late night services leaving Galway up to 11.00 pm to Clifden and Letterfrack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48271/23]

Seirbhísí Iompair

Éamon Ó Cuív

261. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair cén uair a chuirfear tuilleadh seirbhísí bus, mar a gealladh i ráiteas a rinneadh faoi Connecting Ireland idir Gaillimh agus an Cheathrú, Leitir Mealláin agus Carna, agus á chur i gcuntas go mbíonn na busanna lán, mar a bhíonn siad go minic, agus go mbíonn orthu paisinéirí a fhágáil ina ndiaidh, an fáth go bhfuil moill leis sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48277/23]

Tax Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance whether there are new proposals for treating the income of doctors who are in partnerships together; the details of these proposals and the reason for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47575/23]

Tax Credits

Éamon Ó Cuív

317. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance whether, in circumstances where a parent is in rented accommodation and has a son/daughter in third level education also renting in a different property, he intends increasing the maximum tax credit for renting to double the proposed limit of €750; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47842/23]

EU Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the annual contribution to the EU by the Exchequer in each of the past ten years, including an estimate of the contribution forecast for the whole of 2023; the income from the EU to the Exchequer in each of these years, including an estimate for this year; whether it is expected that Ireland's net contribution to the EU will increase in the coming ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/23]

Flood Risk Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

371. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether the OPW is aware of the need to alleviate flooding near a location (details supplied) by carrying out maintenance work on streams and culverts there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48285/23]

Special Educational Needs

Éamon Ó Cuív

488. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her proposals to provide for full summer special provision in 2024 for children with severe and profound intellectual and or physical disabilities in view of their need for routine and their care needs; the discussions she has had with the minister for State with responsibility for disability in relation to this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47839/23]

Schools Building Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

489. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason for the high turnover threshold of €1.5 million in order to qualify to tender for the tender entitled "Term Maintenance, Refurbishment and Upgrade construction Works to Educational Facilities in various regional and urban location (divided into lots and sub lots) within a National Framework", thus disqualifying a large number of small, highly competent small building firms from tendering and reducing the competition on the market, and thus raising prices; whether she intends revising these limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47843/23]

Scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

490. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach n-íoctar deontas le hábhair múinteoirí iar-bhunscoile, atá ag déanamh cláir oideachais tosaigh do mhúinteoirí, chun freastal ar chúrsaí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, cé go bhfuil sé ar cheann de na roghanna atá ag ábhair mhúinteoirí chun a eispéireas tumoideachasúil sa Ghaeilge a chomhlíonadh don Chomhairle Mhúinteoireachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47845/23]

School Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

514. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress made in providing a modular classroom for a special class in a school (details supplied); when it is likely to be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48273/23]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta

Éamon Ó Cuív

515. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas um múineadh trí Ghaeilge, a bhíodh á íoc le múinteoirí, le tabhairt ar ais de bharr na heaspa múinteoirí atá cáilithe chun múineadh trí Ghaeilge, agus d’fhonn spreagadh a thabhairt do thuilleadh múinteoirí a bheith cáilithe don obair seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48278/23]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta

Éamon Ó Cuív

516. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas Gaeltachta a bhíodh á íoc le múinteoirí a thabhairt a ais chun a aithint go bhfuil sé riachtanach go meallfar scoth na múinteoirí le múineadh i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48279/23]

Scéimeanna Tacaíochta

Éamon Ó Cuív

517. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an liúntas teagaisc ar oileán a thabhairt ar ais de bharr an chostais maireachtála ard ar an hoileáin agus de bharr an ghá atá ann tuilleadh múinteoirí a mhealladh le cur isteach ar phoist ar oileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48280/23]

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

518. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici cabhair speisialta bhreise a chur ar fáil do scoláirí ón Úcráin atá ag freastal ar scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge taobh amuigh, agus taobh istigh, den Ghaeltacht lena chinntiú go sealbhóidh siad an Ghaeilge chomh maith leis an mBéarla agus nach mbeidh tionchar diúltach acu ar theanga na scoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48281/23]

Scoileanna Oileáin

Éamon Ó Cuív

519. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an líon múinteoirí breise atá ar fáil i meánscoileanna ar oileáin a mhéadú ó 1.5 múinteoir lánaimseartha (WTE) go 2 mhúinteoir lánaimseartha (WTE) mar atá geallta sa Pholasaí Oileánda, 2023-2033 a foilsíodh i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48282/23]

Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta

Éamon Ó Cuív

520. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil i gceist aici an deontas Gaeilge agus dátheangachais a íoctar le meánscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge a leathnú amach do scoileanna ETB atá ag múineadh trí Ghaeilge; an fáth nach raibh an deontas sin ar fáil go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48283/23]

Clár Tógála Scoileanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

521. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais an bhfuil iarratas curtha isteach ag scoil (sonraí tugtha) ar dheontas airgid le seomra aclaíochta/ilúsáide a thógáil; cad é stádas an iarratais; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh air; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48284/23]

Ceisteanna Craolacháin

Éamon Ó Cuív

584. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil i gceist aici liúntas breise maoine caipitil a chur ar fáil go TG4 as seo go deireadh na bliana le ligean dóibh cur leis an obair iontach atá ar bun acu, ag tógáil san áireamh an €16.5 m breise reatha atá le cur ar fáil do RTÉ sa bhliain reatha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48250/23]

Natura 2000

Éamon Ó Cuív

661. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when substitute consent is or is not required to rectify small non-compliances with planning in or near a Natura 2,000 site, particularly where the non-compliance does not materially affect the integrity of the Natura 2000 Site; whether it is intended to issue new guidelines to local authorities in relation to this matter due to the cost of applying for leave to apply for substitute consent and for substitute consent itself and also due to the perceived discrepancy between the Bord Pleanála's approach and local authorities approach to this issue and the delay of up to three years involved in getting decisions from the board on applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48272/23]

Housing Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

662. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether it is intended to widen the eligibility criteria for the mortgage to rent scheme; when new guidelines are likely to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48274/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

759. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends increasing the upper threshold of €310 per week for entitlement to a qualified adult payment for social insurance-based schemes in the forthcoming social welfare Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48305/23]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

760. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number, by each €10-per-week income band, of State pension (contributory) qualified adults in receipt of the total IQA allowance and of a tapered rate of qualified adult allowance where the qualified adult is 66 or over; whether she intends changing the way the increase for a qualified adult is calculated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48306/23]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

761. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number, by each €10-per-week income band, of State pension (contributory) qualified adults in receipt of a tapered rate of qualified adult allowance where the qualified adult is aged under 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48307/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

762. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of pensioners in receipt of a non-contributory State pension; the number of these that are receiving a reduced rate; the estimated cost to her Department of exempting the first €200 of self-employed income from the means test similar to regime that applies to employed income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48308/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

769. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that individuals on farm assist and fish assist continue to receive letters from her Department inviting them to attend recruitment fairs, as they believe they are in receipt of jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48485/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

1265. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made in providing a new primary care centre for An Spidéal, Contae na Gaillimhe; the next steps proposed in progressing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/23]

Mental Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

1266. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of prisoners, by gender with acute mental health issue on the waiting list for transfer from prisons to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment; the length the longest person on the waiting list is waiting for such a transfer; the reason for the delay in providing this urgent medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48275/23]

Mental Health Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

1267. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a prisoner (details supplied) will be transferred from a prison to the Central Mental Hospital; the length of time they have been the waiting list for treatment in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48276/23]

Third Level Fees

Éamon Ó Cuív

1443. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether students who are liable for full third-level tuition fees are eligible for the reduction in fees for the academic year 2023/2024, as announced by him as part of the cost-of-living measures recently as part of Budget 2024; if not, if he will consider extending the supports to include students, such as repeat students, who are liable for full fees and who are also affected by the cost-of-living increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48763/23]

Departmental Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

66. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made on the review of means testing rules of social welfare schemes; whether it is still intended to complete the review and publish it in quarter four this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46369/23]

Departmental Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

67. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes proposed to the means testing rules of social welfare and employment schemes in Budget 2024; whether it is intended to add to these changes in the Social Welfare Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46368/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Éamon Ó Cuív

371. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for carer’s allowance will be processed and a decision made (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46532/23]

Pesticide Use

Éamon Ó Cuív

429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department intends to introduce a ban on a substance (details supplied) being used due to concerns that it may be carcinogenic and do other environmental damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46357/23]

Caiteachas Ranna

Éamon Ó Cuív

34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén méadú atá i meastacháin a Roinne do 2024 ar an gcaiteachas reatha agus caipitil don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht; cé mhéad de sin a bhaineann le soláthar caiteachais breise do phá agus tuarastail in Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45690/23]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

49. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the increase provided for in the estimates for 2025 in funding for TG4 and RTÉ respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45689/23]

Irish Language

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the interaction his Department has had to date with the statutory committee set up under the Official Languages Act 2021 to plan for the requirement under the Act that 20% of public servants being recruited from 2030 will have competency to do business with the public in Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45688/23]

Grant Payments

Éamon Ó Cuív

104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether post-graduate students studying medicine on dedicated courses in third level institutions to become medical practitioners are or will be able to avail of SUSI grant-aid while attending university on these courses, in view of the need to urgently increase the supply of doctors in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45687/23]

Bord na Móna

Éamon Ó Cuív

167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the policy of his Department in relation to redundancies in Bord na Móna; the number of redundancies proposed; whether these will be all voluntary redundancies and whether it will be open to all existing staff members to apply as Bord na Móna moves away from its original core business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45960/23]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

182. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when arrears of pension owing since 2021 will be paid to retired general operatives and supervisors that worked for the Office of Public Works; the reason for the delay in making these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45965/23]

School Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

198. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether there will be a grant available to primary schools this year, similar to what happened previously for the upgrading of technology and ICT; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45961/23]

Burial Grounds

Éamon Ó Cuív

227. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of skeletons removed from an island (details supplied); whether it is intended to return all of them for reburial or only some; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45964/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a working family payment will be processed and a decision made (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45921/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Éamon Ó Cuív

235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of a carer’s allowance payment will be carried out (details supplied) as requested by the carer due to a change in means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45922/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in the ACRES scheme; the number for which the Department have received the scorecard from the relevant ACRES advisors; the number of these that have been checked and validated to date; whether when this is done if participants will be informed of the detailed outcome and given a chance to appeal the scoring before payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45883/23]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

363. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to officially recognise centres for ambulatory surgery which are carrying out work on contract for the HSE on, for example, patients who need hand surgery, so that the anaesthetic consultants in them do not face large increases in insurance premiums that would make such work prohibitively expensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45962/23]

General Practitioner Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

364. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure that all medical card holders have access to a GP within their area, taking into account that more people are finding it harder and harder to get on a GP's list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45963/23]

Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

391. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén uair a cheadófar deontas, mar atá iarrtha ag Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe le staidéar a dhéanamh ar na féidireachtaí cur le na saoráidí calaíochta ag Céibh an Chalaidh Mhóir in Inis Meáin; an fáth go bhfuil moil ag ceadú an staidéir seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45958/23]

National Broadband Plan

Éamon Ó Cuív

392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether her Department is willing to fund or co-fund the provision of an undersea fibre cable to each offshore island that is included in the National Broadband Plan, out of the dedicated islands fund available to her Department, as mainland to island fibre was not provided for in the National Broadband plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45959/23]

Housing Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made on an application submitted to his Department by Galway City Council for a housing grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in making a decision, given that the works involved are essential to deem the property suitable for the tenant who has very poor mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45672/23]

School Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

52. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the breakdown by county of the number of primary schools with only a principal in them, a principal and one mainstream class teacher and a principal and two mainstream teachers respectively provided in tabular form; whether she intends changing the pupil teacher ratio for small rural schools considering the challenge in teaching multiple classes in the same classroom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45009/23]

School Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

68. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of primary schools that had a staffing schedule of mainstream class teachers consisting of a principal plus one mainstream classroom teacher for the school year 2022/2023; the number of these that had more than 40 pupils enrolled in this school year; whether she intends lowering the threshold significantly for the retention and appointment of a second classroom teacher in primary schools in view of the challenge of teaching multiple classes with more than 20 pupils in each classroom in a "two teacher school"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45008/23]

School Textbooks

Éamon Ó Cuív

240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education her estimate of the number of secondary students in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, respectively that will benefit from the introduction of free school books next year; the number of primary students that are currently benefiting from free school books in each of the counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44972/23]

Capitation Grants

Éamon Ó Cuív

241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education how much the increased capitation announced in Budget 2024 will be worth to schools in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44973/23]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Éamon Ó Cuív

296. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán céard iad na riachtanais bhreise ó thaobh saoráidí tithíochta a gcaithfear cloí leo sa bhreis ar na rialacha tógála le bheith cáilithe chun scoláirí a choinneáil faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45261/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

365. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has an entitlement to dental benefit based on his or her PRSI contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45004/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether each participant farmer has been given a detailed outline of the scoring scheme under the ACRES scheme by his Department; when farmers will be given their score for this year under the scheme; when the first payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44564/23]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

114. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht le bean tí (sonraí tugtha) as ábhar oidí a chothaigh sí ar chúrsa i lár Mí Lúnasa; údar na moille lena híocaíocht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44380/23]

Cúrsaí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

115. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén céatadán de na teaghlaigh a chothaigh scoláirí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge an samhradh seo a fuair íocaíocht iomlán as gach cúrsa; cén uair atáthar ag súil go n-íocfar an chuid eile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [44381/23]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

16. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44112/23]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44113/23]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

18. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason applications for passports where additional documentation is requested and fully supplied cannot be finalised within a week of the supply of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/23]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he will make further resources available to the NTA to ensure that it can provide capacity along rural routes to ensure that passengers are not regularly left stranded at bus pick-up points because buses are full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42785/23]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

29. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he is aware that there are bus routes on the rural link services where bus stops are up to 14km apart, thus rendering them unsuitable for use by people living in dispersed rural communities; if he is aware of the issue, the steps he has taken to ensure in dialogue with the NTA that all rural dwellers have access to these services along the routes they travel on, similar to the basis that Bus Éireann provides pick-up for passengers along rural routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42784/23]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance whether he intends changing the rules that to qualify for agricultural relief for capital acquisitions tax that the farm must represent 80% of the recipient of lands assets, in view of the fact that this rule mitigates against farmers on smaller holdings or holdings on poorer land particularly in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43330/23]

Office of Public Works

Éamon Ó Cuív

228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason the OPW took the decision to prevent a concert taking place at a venue at the last minute (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that as far as possible, this will not occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43326/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies in the accommodation housing Ukrainian refugees; the reason there are Ukrainian refugees being housed in tents, when not all the centres for accommodating Ukrainian refugees are full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43328/23]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

316. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant beds in a centre accommodating Ukrainian refugees; the reason for these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43329/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

80. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair chun a fhiafraí den Aire Iompair cén uair a cheadófar airgead do Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe chun dul ar aghaidh le staidéar tionchair timpeallachta a dhéanamh ar Bhóthar Chuan na Loinge le gur féidir an bóthar a ardú leis an taoille a stopadh ag teacht trasna an bhóthair ann faoi scéim na mbóithre straitéiseacha condae, cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an airgead seo a cheadú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42992/23]

Defence Forces

Éamon Ó Cuív

93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the plans he has to strengthen the Irish Naval Service and Air Corps so that they can properly patrol Irish waters in relation to intercepting drug consignments being transported through our waters, enforcing fishery laws as well as assisting in search and rescue missions off our coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42549/23]

Ukraine War

Éamon Ó Cuív

119. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total military aid given by the EU to Ukraine since the beginning of the Ukrainian war; the amount promised but not yet given; the contribution given by Ireland to date; the contribution promised in the future; whether Ireland supported the giving of such aid in the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/23]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

186. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport in line with the freight strategy published some time ago by Iarnród Éireann, and the ever increasing interest being shown by businesses in the west in rail freight, what discussions have taken place in relation to the provision by the Department of funding to purchase a hundred new freight wagons; whether a formal application has been made by Iarnród Éireann/CIÉ for such funding; if it was, when was it made; the expected date of a decision on such an application; the projected time it will take for the delivery following the placing of an order for same in view of the gauge of the Irish railway system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/23]

Transport Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date with the review of the Galway Transport Strategy 2016 which he said in the Dáil was expected to be published by the end of the year; whether that deadline will still be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42545/23]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he intends publishing all the back-up documentation referred to by a company that worked on contract for his Department here and the Department of Transport in NI (details supplied) as part of the preparation of the All-Island Strategic Rail review, so that interested parties will have full access to the range of documentation on which the recommendations of the strategy were based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42789/23]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be appointed; the reason for the delay in appointing this board given the fact that the Board has not been functioning since the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42491/23]

Schools Building Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

290. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when the application for a new build for a school (details supplied) will be approved; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this application; when a modular building, which was to be in place for this autumn’s reopening of the school, will be in place for a new special class at the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42129/23]

Legislative Measures

Éamon Ó Cuív

378. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is intended to commence the substitute consent provisions of the Planning and Development, Maritime and Valuation (Amendment) Act 2022; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42790/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

491. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he is considering extending the closing date for the National Liming Programme 2023 beyond the 31st of October 2023 due to the adverse weather conditions during the Summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42492/23]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

544. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a revised travel scheme for people with a disability to replace the motorised transport grant will be rolled out; the reason for the delay in rolling out said scheme, taking account of the essential need for such a scheme to be available for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extra renewable energy generation capacity that has come on stream connected to the national grid in the last year broken down between wind, solar and other technologies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41813/23]

Clár Forbartha Áitiúil

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cad é líon na n-iarratas a fuarthas faoin nglaoch do thograí nua faoin gClár CSP; cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh cé acu tograí a thiocfaidh ar aghaidh; cad é an líon tograí atá i gceist a cheadú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [41289/23]

Community Development Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when new projects will be approved this year under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023 (New Build) scheme; when the next call will be made under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41290/23]

Broadband Infrastructure

Éamon Ó Cuív

116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a property (details supplied) where the present supplier say they cannot provide 30Mbps was not included in the National Broadband roll-out; the steps now intended to be taken to rectify this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41544/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Éamon Ó Cuív

399. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the next citizenship ceremony will take place; the venue where this ceremony will be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41009/23]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

462. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that islanders whose only mainland vehicle is taxed as a “motor caravan” are not allowed free parking in the island reserved Department car park in Ros a Mhíl, Co. na Gaillimhe, on the grounds of health and safety, when they are allowed park in the adjacent Department public car park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41540/23]

Vaccination Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

588. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if an injection (details supplied) which lessens the chances of contracting shingles is covered under the GMS; if not the reason it is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41542/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Éamon Ó Cuív

26. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the processing the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40157/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Éamon Ó Cuív

27. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made on an application for a foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in the processing of said application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/23]

Tax Clearance Certificates

Éamon Ó Cuív

172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the last time the threshold under which a person in receipt of a grant or grants from the State in a calendar year, was not required to produce a tax clearance certificate was raised; the present level of the threshold; whether he intends increasing this threshold in line with inflation since to cut down unnecessary paperwork for recipients of modest grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40435/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

394. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad teaghlach atá fós ag fanacht ar íocaíochtaí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge do chúrsa a ritheadh i rith an tsamhraidh: an méid airgid atá i gceist san iomlán, an spriocdháta faoina n-íocfar le gach duine íoctha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40432/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

395. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsa Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40433/23]

Scéimeanna Rannacha

Éamon Ó Cuív

396. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsaí Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40434/23]

Housing Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

435. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to date with the review of the mortgage to rent scheme; whether the conclusions of the review will be published; the date it is expected to be completed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39837/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

41. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress that has beenmade since the signing of the Windsor Framework between the EU and the UK to facilitate the use by Irish exporters and importers, who chose it, of the land bridge across the UK for goods coming to and from Ireland to other parts of the EU; the details of the arrangements made to ease such trade thus saving significant amounts of money for the Irish economy and helping to reduce prices and costs here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/23]

Brexit Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

42. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the changes brought about by the Windsor Framework to facilitate trade destined for Northern Ireland from the Island of Britain though this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38186/23]

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Éamon Ó Cuív

69. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide an n-aontaíonn sé gur chóir go mbeadh saoránach in ann iarratas trí Ghaeilge a dhéanamh ar na deontais atá ar fáil ó Údarás Fuinnimh Inmharthana na hÉireann chun astaíochtaí gás ceaptha teasa a laghdú; agus an bhféachfaidh sé chuige go mbeidh an rogha sin ar fáil do phobal na Gaeltachta agus d'aon saoránach eile ar mian leo cur isteach ar na deontais atá ar fáil ó Údarás Fuinnimh Inmharthana na hÉireann [37195/23]