Parliamentary questions

Planning Issues

Ivana Bacik

269. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage time taken for approval by an Bord Pleanála for large- and small-scale residential developments, respectively, in each local authority area; if staffing shortages are exacerbating delays; and if shortfalls in staffing numbers will be remedied in 2024. [8755/24]

Water Services

Ivana Bacik

274. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential units which are awaiting water connections in each local authority area; the average wait time for water connection in each local authority area; and the longest existing delay for a water connection in each local authority area. [8825/24]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

297. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to introduce new measures, legislative or otherwise, to tackle the practise of some landlords knowingly allowing their rental properties to fall into disrepair; and his views on the adequacy of existing mechanisms for supporting the rights of tenants. [9309/24]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

298. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to restrict no fault evictions; and the proposals which have been explored by his Department in respect of no fault evictions. [9310/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

299. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on nutrition and access to play areas and recreational facilities for children in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the measures taken by his Department to monitor children's wellbeing while in emergency accommodation. [9313/24]

Domestic Violence

Ivana Bacik

300. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expenditure on women's refuges in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and the projected expenditure for 2024. [9314/24]

Local Authorities

Ivana Bacik

301. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to collect data on the role and function of staff at local authorities, as part of his Department's workforce planning for the local government sector. [9315/24]

An Garda Síochána

Ivana Bacik

332. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the average wait time for garda attendances at a scene, following a call to both emergency services and local Garda stations, in each county. [8753/24]

Departmental Consultations

Ivana Bacik

464. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on his engagement with external stakeholders in respect of the provision of paid leave for persons who have experienced a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks' gestation, or to facilitate access to reproductive healthcare treatments; if he will list the stakeholders which have made representations to him on the matters; and the position of his Department in respect of the measure since the completion of a UCC study on the issue. [9312/24]

Ambulance Service

Ivana Bacik

499. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce waiting times for ambulance arrival; and if he will supply a breakdown of average wait times in each county. [8752/24]

Prescription Charges

Ivana Bacik

500. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove prescription fees for medical cardholders. [8757/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ivana Bacik

565. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if the position of his Department has changed since 2017 with respect to funding supports for post-mastectomy patients; the rationale for cutting the allowance for post-mastectomy products; and if he will review the decision to cut the allowance. [9066/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ivana Bacik

645. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the employer-led national apprenticeship programme in respect of the local government sector. [9316/24]

Heritage Sites

Ivana Bacik

120. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position of the Office of Public Works in relation to South Dublin County Council's proposal to redevelop the Rathfarnham Castle courtyards and stables by building a 14,000 sq. m commercial retail and food unit; and specifically, the position regarding the proposal to create a new food retailer beside the café operated by the Office of Public Works in Rathfarnham Castle. [8416/24]

Legislative Measures

Ivana Bacik

117. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will clarify the position regarding the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill; if the proposed legislation, and in particular provisions restricting recourse to the courts, is compatible with the Good Friday Agreement's guarantees on rights safeguards and equality of opportunity; and if he will report on his engagement with the British Government in respect of the proposed legislation. [7429/24]

Energy Conservation

Ivana Bacik

134. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the new low cost home energy upgrade loan scheme, announced on 26 October 2023, will commence this month; and, if not, when the new scheme will commence. [7544/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Ivana Bacik

517. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date for the opening of the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes; if the programme is on schedule to be launched; the projected processing time for payments; and if he will make a statement on concerns that processing will be too slow and that the enhanced medical card may not be sufficient for survivors in view of pressures on services. [8113/24]

United Nations

Ivana Bacik

157. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if is considering intervening in the Gambia vs. Myanmar case before the International Court of Justice, in support of international efforts to ensure justice and accountability for the Rohingya population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7334/24]

Homeless Persons Supports

Ivana Bacik

396. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of Housing First National Implementation Plan; the number of current Housing First tenancies in the State, broken down by county; the target number of Housing First tenancies, broken down by county; his plans to increase the Housing First targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6270/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

422. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing commencements by each local authority in the years 2018-2023; and the number of completions by each local authority in the same period. [6665/24]

Health Services

Ivana Bacik

328. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health when the report of the oversight group on vaginal mesh surgery will be published; the recommendations of the group; and when his Department will have reviewed the recommendations in respect of vaginal mesh surgery. [5906/24]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

8. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the provisional ruling of the International Court of Justice on 26 January 2024. [4958/24]

Bus Éireann

Ivana Bacik

54. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if Bus Éireann’s €10 charge for transporting bicycles by bus is in line with Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the need to promote cross-modal commuting and interchangeable public and active transport methods. [4957/24]

Data Protection

Ivana Bacik

58. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on data sharing restrictions in respect of statutory authorities under his Department; and, in particular, if he will make a statement on the National Transport Authority’s ability to share anonymised information about speeding and other traffic offences with residents associations. [5002/24]

Road Traffic Accidents

Ivana Bacik

95. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress to ensure that the RSA is not prohibited from releasing information on road traffic accidents by GDPR; if he has sought the rationale for ceasing to release such information due to the regulation; and, if so, if he is satisfied that the rationale is reasonable. [5686/24]

Insurance Industry

Ivana Bacik

127. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position of the memorandum of understanding between an organisation (details supplied) and the Office of Public Works in relation to flood insurance; and if his attention has been drawn to instances where consumers have been unable to avail of flood insurance due to a non-acceptance of the memorandum of understanding by insurance companies. [5422/24]

Tourism Industry

Ivana Bacik

219. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding plans to regulate platform short-term lets; and if delays imposed on the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill by the European Union have been lifted. [4956/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

282. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address issues raised in a case (details supplied); and if the situation referred to is consistent with Government policy on the tenant purchase scheme. [5567/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

284. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase and cost-rental homes, respectively, that will be delivered through LDA investment in 2024; and the estimated amount of expenditure it has allocated to deliver same. [5681/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Ivana Bacik

285. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an itemised breakdown of his Department’s voted capital and current expenditure for 2023 and 2024; and if he will itemise the actual expenditure for each of these programmes for 2023. [5682/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

286. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable cost rental homes delivered by AHBs and the LDA in 2023; the breakdown, by local authority area; the number of units in each scheme; and the average rent being charged. [5683/24]

Departmental Investigations

Ivana Bacik

317. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will make a statement on the SCOPE investigation into RTÉ; and if her Department is in a position to project when all cases will conclude. [5684/24]

Construction Industry

Ivana Bacik

577. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make a statement on a report by an organisation (details supplied) on construction labour shortages. [5687/24]

School Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

282. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if original deadlines will be met for the moving into permanent accommodation by a school (details supplied); the proposed plan for ensuring that 72 additional first year students are accommodated in September 2025; and if she will make a statement on plans for handover in September 2025. [4120/24]

School Facilities

Ivana Bacik

283. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her Departments policy in relation to the provision of all-weather or astroturf pitches for schools; and if she will make a statement on the adequacy of provision of space for Gaelic football, hurling, soccer and rugby in educational facilities in Dublin 6W. [4121/24]

Tourism Industry

Ivana Bacik

302. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of progress on the short-term tourist letting register; when the register will be launched; if she will detail the research which was undertaken in making her Department's estimate that the measure would bring 12,000 properties back onto the long-term rental market and the justification for that figure; if she will report on her engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4122/24]

Water Services

Ivana Bacik

316. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department monitors operational standards in Uisce Éireann. [3717/24]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

327. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department maintain figures of the amount of short-term rental properties and private rooms that have come onto the long-term rental market since the introduction of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 and supplementary regulation Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 235 of 2019); if so, the amount of properties and private rooms; the amount of properties that were sold following the introduction of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3835/24]

Visa Agreements

Ivana Bacik

395. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to issues experienced by foreign nationals while travelling (details supplied); and her plans to alleviate the problem, including by issuing visas to minors. [3732/24]

Legislative Measures

Ivana Bacik

420. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce a dedicated spiking offence; her plans to make spiking an indictable offence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4101/24]

Air Quality

Ivana Bacik

89. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is satisfied with the systems for monitoring air pollution from aviation in the vicinity of Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3569/24]

Climate Change Policy

Ivana Bacik

40. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the number of briefings he received from the Climate Change Advisory Council in 2023. [3187/24]

Passport Services

Ivana Bacik

44. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of adult and child passports issued in 2023, in tabular form. [3190/24]

Just Transition

Ivana Bacik

67. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the work of the Just Transition Commission; and the number meetings of the Commission in 2023. [3191/24]

Cycling Policy

Ivana Bacik

84. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to encourage safer cycling at night-time in both rural communities and in cities. [3188/24]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

121. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if her Department possesses data on the number of reported incidents of LGBTQ+ bullying in 2023. [3189/24]

Defibrillators Provision

Ivana Bacik

199. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of public defibrillators in each county. [3192/24]

Vaccination Programme

Ivana Bacik

200. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he has undertaken an assessment of the cost of providing the flu vaccine free of charge to all people over 18 years of age. [3193/24]

Animal Welfare

Ivana Bacik

228. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of animals held in pounds at year end for each of the past seven years and per local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3181/24]

Animal Welfare

Ivana Bacik

229. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of animals euthanised by pounds in each of the past seven years and per local authority area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3182/24]

Energy Conservation

Ivana Bacik

130. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to increase the SEAI better homes grant in order to allow for more substantial energy upgrades of homes, the costs of which are beyond what is currently covered by the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2669/24]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

337. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rented accommodation inspections that were carried out by all local authorities in 2023; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken in all local authorities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2434/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

344. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what provision is made for divorced or separated couples in the Fresh Start initiative. [2516/24]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

353. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide grants to refurbish houses which are not vacant, for the purposes of the vacant homes grant, but which require substantial repair in order to be habitable and energy efficient, given that in many cases the current SEAI better homes grant are not sufficient to cover the costs of this refurbishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2668/24]

Court Orders

Ivana Bacik

439. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to difficulties with the application of court orders in divorce cases by banks where issues arise with mortgages post-divorce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2517/24]

Departmental Reports

Ivana Bacik

552. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the report and survey by a group (details supplied) on pregnancy loss at the workplace will be published; and the reason for the delay in its publication. [3064/24]

General Practitioner Services

Ivana Bacik

615. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the expected uptake for the GP visit cards after the increase in income limits and the actual uptake as of January 2024; his plans to promote the uptake of GP visit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2671/24]

Departmental Policies

Ivana Bacik

674. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to review his Department’s policies in relation to animal-free research and testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/24]

Active Travel

Ivana Bacik

154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the publication schedule for the 2024 Walking and Cycling Index reports for Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2239/24]

School Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

185. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be moved into is permanent accommodation. [2240/24]

State Properties

Ivana Bacik

186. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education her plans for the former Rathmines College premises. [2241/24]

Departmental Bodies

Ivana Bacik

216. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report from the AHB Unencumbered Units Working Group will be published. [2238/24]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

253. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of deaths in custody in 2023. [2242/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ivana Bacik

3. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach his views on the need for an inquiry into the national Covid response. [56608/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

4. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if his Department collates data on the average commute by car; and, if so, if he will make a statement on average commute distances by car in each county. [56707/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

5. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the average commute distance for journeys to work in each year since 2003. [56722/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

6. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the average commute distance for journeys to education in each year since 2003. [56723/23]

Middle East

Ivana Bacik

25. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his engagement with other European countries in respect of recognition of Palestinian statehood. [56725/23]

EU Directives

Ivana Bacik

75. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the legal actions and actions of instances being taken against his Department for failure to implement EU directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56685/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

76. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on fuel poverty in the private rented sector; his plans to ensure that rented properties are included in thermal retrofit programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56724/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

96. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are retrofitting grants that are specific to apartment complexes; if not, his plans to put such specific schemes in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57137/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

97. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if it is possible for apartment owner management companies to access individual energy upgrade grants for an entire apartment complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57138/23]

Departmental Schemes

Ivana Bacik

98. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to reports that many, possibly most, one-stop-shop operators will not quote or engage with apartment owner management companies; if he will consider putting in place specific one stop-shop services for apartment complexes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57139/23]

Departmental Properties

Ivana Bacik

157. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 12 December 2023, the timeline for completion of the assessment of vacant housing stock referred to. [57147/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ivana Bacik

187. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising switching from diesel and petrol cars to electric cars. [56719/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ivana Bacik

188. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising modal shift from cars to public transport. [56720/23]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ivana Bacik

189. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost per tonne of abating greenhouse gas emissions by facilitating and incentivising modal shift from cars to bicycles. [56721/23]

Bus Services

Ivana Bacik

295. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport in light of the approval by An Bord Pleanála of the Liffey Valley to Dublin City Centre BusConnects scheme, when construction of this scheme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1771/24]

Tax Yield

Ivana Bacik

319. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if the proceeds of the vacant homes tax and residential zoned land tax respectively will be retained centrally by the Exchequer or returned to the relevant local authority where it was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56679/23]

Tax Credits

Ivana Bacik

320. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have claimed the renters credit in each month since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the evidence used to measure its efficacy in easing financial burdens on those renting. [56694/23]

Tax Data

Ivana Bacik

346. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in each county which availed of mechanisms to warehouse tax debt; the types of businesses which availed of the measure by county, in tabular form; the size of businesses which availed of the measure by county; and if he will provide a list of businesses which availed of the measure, in tabular form. [1106/24]

Tax Data

Ivana Bacik

347. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail his engagement with the restaurant sector in respect of the warehousing of tax debt in each year since 2021; and his plans to engage with the sector in 2024. [1107/24]

Tax Data

Ivana Bacik

348. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the terms of reference of the repayment of warehoused tax debt by businesses due to Covid-19 with respect to the provision of a timeline for repayment, the payment of a lump sum, and engagement with the Revenue Commissioners on the matter, respectively. [1108/24]

Tax Data

Ivana Bacik

349. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if his Department possesses forecasting on the anticipated effect on businesses of the May 2024 deadline for repayment of warehoused tax debt with respect to job losses, future loss of tax payments, business closures and other matters; and, if so, if he will supply that forecasting. [1109/24]

Tax Data

Ivana Bacik

350. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the anticipated effect on businesses of the May 2024 deadline for repayment of warehoused tax debt with respect to job losses, closure of businesses and any other relevant matter. [1110/24]

Wage-setting Mechanisms

Ivana Bacik

413. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of breaches of the minimum wage legislation in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; if he is satisfied at the enforcement of the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56709/23]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

653. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education for an update on the capital project to construct a 32-room new school building for a school (details supplied) for which funding was secured in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1561/24]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

736. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 13 December 2022, if he will report on his further engagement with Dublin City Council in respect to converting Baggot Street Hospital into accommodation for international protection applicants; if the council supplied him with a quote for refurbishing the building, following its initial site inspection; if his Department intends to commit funding to such works, generally; and if he will report on his engagement with other Departments in respect of bringing it back into use. [56462/23]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

742. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend the croí cónaithe scheme to include properties where a portion of the property has been in use for commercial purposes, such as an office or a shop, but where an entire area or floor has been vacant for a period of two years and could be habitable; and his views on the need to convert habitable spaces above commercial sites into residential accommodation. [56530/23]

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

743. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the need to transition financial reliefs for housing programmes to a voucher system, rather than a grant system, to ensure inclusion of applicants who have insufficient means to front the cost of works. [56535/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

750. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total national budget for rightsizing schemes for private homeowners, how many homes were purchased under this initiative in each year since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56680/23]

Homeless Persons Supports

Ivana Bacik

751. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on the need for an ombudsman for homeless persons. [56686/23]

Departmental Communications

Ivana Bacik

753. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he has had with Irish Water, the Environmental Protection Agency and activist groups, respectively in respect of the level of sewage that was pumped into Dublin Bay in 2023; and the steps that can be taken to address this and to ensure adequate water quality for swimmers. [56717/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Ivana Bacik

754. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on his Department’s work to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment in respect of the capital investment plan for wastewater infrastructure; and if he is satisfied with the adequacy of funding. [56718/23]

Homeless Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

796. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons who have exited homelessness accommodation and were funded by his Department in each month from January 2019 to December 2023; the number who were minors; the number who were single persons; and the number of exits by families with children. [1054/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Ivana Bacik

880. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the target times that apply to the processing of jobseeker payments; and if she will report on the achievement of these targets in each month of 2023. [56728/23]

Departmental Data

Ivana Bacik

1022. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023 in which bombs, grenades or improvised explosive devices have been used; and the number of occasions in that period when An Garda Síochána sought the assistance of the Army ordnance unit to manage such devices. [56708/23]

Equality Issues

Ivana Bacik

1307. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current timeline to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy; his response to the UN Human Rights Committee concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Ireland that calls on the Government to ban conversion practises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56336/23]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

1321. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has assessed the feasibility of converting a former hotel (details supplied) in Ballsbridge, Dublin into large-scale accommodation for international protection applicants or refugees. [56464/23]

Legislative Measures

Ivana Bacik

1408. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make a statement on the scope of healthcare professionals, which is intended to be regulated by planned legislation to restrict the practice of conversion therapy; and if explicit reference will be made to therapists and counsellors, whether State registered or unregistered. [1105/24]