Parliamentary questions

Defence Forces

Aindrias Moynihan

17. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position on risk assessments carried out on the safety impact to Irish peacekeeping troops serving in Lebanon on their monitoring of the blue line between Lebanon and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22106/24]

Emergency Planning

Aindrias Moynihan

18. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures being taken to ensure the protection of submarine communication cables in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22107/24]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

19. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his views on a survey (details supplied) and the recently announced figure of a decrease in new car registrations of 16% compared with March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22102/24]

Road Safety

Aindrias Moynihan

20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to deal with wild deer on public roads and the increased prevalence of traffic incidents due to their increased numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22103/24]

Road Safety

Aindrias Moynihan

21. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position on road safety improvements for the N22 at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22104/24]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

22. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport to outline his engagement to date with Cork County Council in progressing and delivering EV charging infrastructure for existing homes and apartments without their own driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22105/24]

National Broadband Plan

Aindrias Moynihan

61. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the action he is taking to progress areas still pending survey in mid-Cork under the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21551/24]

Electric Vehicles

Aindrias Moynihan

186. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to roll out EV charging points in mid Cork for people travelling and getting to and from work to ensure demand is met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21552/24]

Transport Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

231. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport measures being taken to roll-out refuelling stations for hydrogen vehicles nationally outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21550/24]

Legislative Measures

Aindrias Moynihan

402. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection when legislation will be updated to reflect changes to qualifying measures for widow's, widower's and surviving partner's contributory pension on the Supreme Court ruling in relation to the entitlement of an unmarried cohabitant to widow's, widower's and surviving partner's contributory pension; how many applications have been received that are currently on hold due to the necessary legislation changes that need to be made; the timeline for application for a person (details supplied) to progress for decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21332/24]

Rural Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

9. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has received any request for drawdown of funds in respect of local improvement scheme works not completed in 2023 from any local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20731/24]

Youth Services

Aindrias Moynihan

48. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for the up-to-date position on the recommendation of the National Rural Youth Assembly, Summary Report 2023 to provide a community liaison person who would facilitate contact between younger people in the community and Government bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20732/24]

Middle East

Aindrias Moynihan

107. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in announcing formal recognition of the State of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20729/24]

Northern Ireland

Aindrias Moynihan

116. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position on challenging the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 in the context of the European Convention on Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Aindrias Moynihan

25. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health how many children from April 2024 with type 1 diabetes to date are awaiting access to technology such a glucose monitors and insulin pumps in the South/South West Hospital region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19915/24]

Dental Services

Aindrias Moynihan

31. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the difficulties experienced by the HSE community dental service in recruiting staff; the measures that are being taken to reduce the long wait times for children awaiting orthodontic treatment in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19914/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

92. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date on the reinstatement of the weir at a location in Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19916/24]

Heritage Sites

Aindrias Moynihan

95. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the up-to-date engagement he has had with an organisation (details supplied) to progress the re-internment of the Invincibles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19917/24]

Road Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

105. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be allocated to Cork County Council to address the shortfall in funding required to address the works required for road repairs in mid Cork due to major deterioration of roads by recent high levels of rainfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19927/24]

Hospital Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

325. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address the severe staff shortages in all hospitals in the South/South West hospital group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19925/24]

General Practitioner Services

Aindrias Moynihan

326. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of reduction of out-of-hours and rural GP services in mid Cork, with patients having to travel long distances with local facilities closing (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19926/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Aindrias Moynihan

102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the common practice of childcare facilities charging non-refundable deposits; the engagement he has had with childcare providers to cease this practice, given the financial hardship on families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/24]

Bus Services

Aindrias Moynihan

128. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Minister for Transport to ensure that all services run by Local Link Cork are wheelchair-accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19060/24]

School Meals Programme

Aindrias Moynihan

468. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of school children now in receipt of hot meals, by county, in tabular form. [19340/24]

State Pensions

Aindrias Moynihan

27. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to allow for caring periods under 20 years to be included for long-term caring contributions for the purposes of the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18355/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Aindrias Moynihan

52. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection to give consideration to extending the carer’s benefit to include the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18354/24]

Forestry Sector

Aindrias Moynihan

81. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of land where forestry was planted last year; the amount expected to be planted this year; if there are specific measures in place to increase the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18353/24]

Land Issues

Aindrias Moynihan

83. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will develop a national land use strategy to address, amongst other things, the concerning lack of land availability for afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18352/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Aindrias Moynihan

42. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the capital funding allocated to build the new Macroom Garda Station; the up-to-date position on the construction of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17786/24]

Family Law Cases

Aindrias Moynihan

10. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider providing dedicated family courts within the existing court structures to ensure families are placed at the centre of the family justice system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17787/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the up-to-date position on flood relief plans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17784/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

84. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when a flood defence scheme (details supplied) will advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17785/24]

School Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

323. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position on a classroom extension to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18033/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aindrias Moynihan

624. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to outline what engagement has taken place with other Departments to discuss supports that can be made available to healthcare workers with long- Covid who are unable to return to employment; if discussion has taken place with the Department of Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to extend the special scheme while new supports can be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/24]

Hospital Staff

Aindrias Moynihan

687. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he can provide details of the current levels of staffing for Cork University Hospital's paediatric epilepsy services; the number of positions which are currently vacant; the number of recruitment processes which are underway (if any) to fill these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18031/24]

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Aindrias Moynihan

16. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén caiteachas atá déanta ar scoil áirithe (sonraí tugtha) i gContae Chorcaí le cúig bliana anuas; cad iad foinsí an mhaoinithe sin; cad iad na chéad chéimeanna eile chun an togra a chur i gcrích; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [17029/24]

Enterprise Support Services

Aindrias Moynihan

67. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what action is being taken to strengthen the resilience, productivity and innovation of SMEs to ensure that they remain key drivers of employment nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17027/24]

Employment Rights

Aindrias Moynihan

88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the Assessment of the Cumulative Impact of Proposed Measures to Improve Working Condition in Ireland; his plans for implementing the recommendations of this assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17028/24]

Irish Language

Aindrias Moynihan

184. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education her consideration of and response to an individual (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17120/24]

School Transport

Aindrias Moynihan

75. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education what areas in mid Cork are being considered under the pilot scheme under the new school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16376/24]

Pleananna Oideachais

Aindrias Moynihan

128. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Oideachais cén dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh le straitéis don Ghaelainn a chur i bhfeidhm tríd an gcóras oideachais ar fad; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16377/24]

Schools Building Projects

Aindrias Moynihan

314. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the measures she is taking to providing better national planning and support services to make progress on school infrastructure projects advancing in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16378/24]

Special Educational Needs

Aindrias Moynihan

315. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the number of ASD units identified to progress for schools in mid Cork; the number of ASD units advancing for mid Cork for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16379/24]

School Meals Programme

Aindrias Moynihan

316. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the progress being made in establishing and rolling out a healthy eating education programme for primary schools; her plans to expand the provision of the School Meals Programme to all primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16380/24]

School Facilities

Aindrias Moynihan

317. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the current progress by her Department to deliver a programme to build and modernise PE and school sporting facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16381/24]

Education Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

318. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education her plans for expanding on her targeted scholarship scheme to focus on encouraging graduates into subject areas where there is a shortage of post-primary teachers in the profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16382/24]

Housing Schemes

Aindrias Moynihan

53. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that the tenant purchase scheme would be made available for Part V homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15651/24]

National Parks

Aindrias Moynihan

86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the up to date position of advancing The Gearagh, County Cork as a national park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15652/24]

An Garda Síochána

Aindrias Moynihan

169. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice how the Garda age extension announced in March 2024 will affect current serving members due to retire in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15798/24]

Departmental Policies

Aindrias Moynihan

339. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the measures that are taken to ensure that successful companies are meeting their environmental obligations under their contracts (details supplied); if these checks are carried out during or at the end of contracts; what penalties/consequences exist for failure to comply with these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13970/24]