Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 59
Tue, 30 Apr 2024
written
School Textbooks
Colm Burke
355. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to include private schools under the free books scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19389/24]
Thu, 25 Apr 2024
written
Community Development Projects
Colm Burke
357. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) to Pobal for funding for an additional full-time worker; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18463/24]
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Colm Burke
61. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to confirm why a school (details supplied) has recently been refused approval under the Emergency Works Programme for an urgent project which impacts children’s safety in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18199/24]
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Colm Burke
150. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the return of essential therapists including a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, play/behaviour therapists, and social worker to a special school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18262/24]
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Colm Burke
151. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the reason a special school (details supplied) is still without essential therapists including a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, play/behaviour therapists, and a social worker; the date they will start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/24]
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Colm Burke
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to increasing the allocation of therapists to an area (details supplied) to meet the needs of the caseload, in view that the current level of allocation does not deliver essential intervention and support necessary to every pupil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18264/24]
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Colm Burke
201. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the grants awarded to groups under the 2023 towns and villages renewal scheme will be announced. [18209/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Colm Burke
187. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is included in the funding of €800 million for 90 school building projects announced by her Department recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17166/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Colm Burke
192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is included in the funding of €800 million for 90 school building projects announced by her Department recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17191/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Colm Burke
232. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the status of a person’s (details supplied) appeal and when a decision is likely to be received, as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17131/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Code
Colm Burke
234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the living alone increase to elderly people who have their disabled child living with them but the children attend disability day services and they cannot work due to their severe needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17150/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Colm Burke
235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be received as this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17192/24]
Thu, 18 Apr 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Colm Burke
318. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for the town and village renewal scheme 2023 by an organisation (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; when they might be awarded funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17081/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Fuel Oil Specifications
Colm Burke
9. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what action his Department is taking to research and develop the hydrotreated vegetable oil market in Ireland, in view that HVO fuel could be substituted for retrofitting to home boilers, which could lead to an immediate reduction in carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Fuel Oil Specifications
Colm Burke
10. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to research and develop the hydrotreated vegetable oil market in Ireland, in view that HVO fuel could be substituted for diesel in diesel cars, which could lead to an immediate reduction in carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17017/24]
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
written
Fuel Oil Specifications
Colm Burke
23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if consideration would be given to reclassifying hydrotreated vegetable oil as a home heating fuel, in view that it is currently rated as a transport fuel and is therefore more expensive to purchase than diesel and kerosene; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17018/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
oral
Housing Provision
Colm Burke
49. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes completed in Cork in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Grant Payments
Colm Burke
72. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total amount of money spent in Cork on housing adaption grants in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Colm Burke
120. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to confirm that the family of a child (details supplied) on a HSE waiting list for an occupational therapist since 2022, who requires assisted technology for their exams and requires rest breaks, will be permitted to request this assisted technology from SENCO for their Junior Certificate if referred by their teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15799/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Colm Burke
123. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a review being undertaken by her Department in respect of a Stage 2B submission will be finalised and the school (details supplied) contacted about the outcome of this review, as it has been confirmed that it has been near completion for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15806/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
School Accommodation
Colm Burke
124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when it will be possible for a school (details supplied) to make a decision to go ahead with a tender for a school extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15807/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Colm Burke
190. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current number of teams for each of the national clinical programmes in mental health, namely ADHD, dual diagnosis, early intervention in psychosis (EIP), eating disorders, perinatal mental health, self-harm/suicide, the current staffing levels of each of these teams and the shortfall in staff within each team as per the required number in the respective Models of Care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Colm Burke
191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people who accessed each of the national clinical programmes in mental health, namely ADHD, dual diagnosis, early intervention in psychosis (EIP), eating disorders, perinatal mental health, self-harm/suicide, in the year 2023 and to-date in 2024 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Colm Burke
192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of people in mental health community residences in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15780/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Mental Health Services
Colm Burke
197. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to report, in tabular form, on the costs of accommodating people in mental health community residences in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15800/24]
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
written
Medical Aids and Appliances
Colm Burke
261. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress of the review of the two proposed national procedures for allowances towards post-mastectomy products (prostheses and specialist bras), along with hair loss products initially published in February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15941/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Tax Reliefs
Colm Burke
308. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he will expand the dental tax relief med 2 scheme so increase the tax band from 20% to 40% as per 2009 levels and to specifically include dentures in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14872/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
School Facilities
Colm Burke
464. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if funding will be made available for a school (details supplied) to demolish an existing structure and build a new facility to accommodate ASD classes. [14347/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Development Contributions
Colm Burke
659. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a scheme (details supplied) will be extended beyond 24 April 2024 to all permitted residential development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14616/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Colm Burke
741. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13980/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Appeals
Colm Burke
743. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a carer’s allowance appeal (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13988/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Maternity Leave
Colm Burke
756. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the duration of paid maternity leave to facilitate more women to continue breastfeeding for longer than they otherwise would have had they returned to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14235/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Colm Burke
793. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection is she will give due consideration to raising the full rate of the State pension (contributory) in order to restore it to its 2020 spending power, as a further step towards benchmarking the rate at 34% of average earnings, which should be achieved by 2026 as a 'living pension' alongside the introduction of the new national living wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14862/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Colm Burke
794. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to raising the income thresholds for the State pension (non-contributory) to take account of inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14863/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Colm Burke
795. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the maximum rate of the State pension (non-contributory) to bring it to the same level as the State pension (contributory) and benchmark both the contributory and non-contributory State pension against 34% of average earnings, to reduce gender pension inequality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14864/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
State Pensions
Colm Burke
796. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will take the necessary steps to implement benchmarking and indexing of the State pension and reinforce this by commissioning a comprehensive analysis of the costs associated with ageing, and the cost-of-living for all older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14866/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Social Welfare Payments
Colm Burke
797. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to the provision of a €5 per week digital allowance to those older persons who cannot afford digital devices or internet subscriptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14867/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Citizenship Applications
Colm Burke
892. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Irish citizenship by naturalisation applications received by her Department for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number of applications which have reached a decision for each of these years; the number of applications that are still processing for each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14615/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Vaccination Programme
Colm Burke
1212. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s recently published report (26/02/24) on the uptake of the HPV vaccine for the academic years 2022/2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13634/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Vaccination Programme
Colm Burke
1213. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what steps he will take to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine in the school immunisation programme in consideration of the findings of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s recently published report (26/02/24) on the uptake of the HPV vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13635/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Vaccination Programme
Colm Burke
1214. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the reason the recently published Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s report (26/02/24) on the uptake of the HPV vaccine does not include information regarding the percentage of uptake achieved through the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13636/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Health Services
Colm Burke
1334. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what steps he will take to address delays in diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases in light of the fact that more than a third of people with such conditions go for more than five years without a diagnosis and in recognition of the 300,00 people living with such diseases in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Colm Burke
1335. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the up-to-date position regarding the location for the new genetics and genomics laboratory in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14227/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Colm Burke
1336. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm if the new genetics and genomics laboratory will be located at the new National Children’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14228/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Hospital Services
Colm Burke
1337. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm what interim measures are in place, if any, to ensure genetics testing continues to be carried out during relocation from its current home in CHI Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14229/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Hospital Services
Colm Burke
1338. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the addition of screening for SMA and SCID to the newborn bloodspot screening programme will commence given the fact that screening for SMA and SCID is not scheduled to take place at the current lab in Temple Street, but rather at the new National Children’s Hospital. As the new NCH is not due to open until at least Q2 2025, and an interim location has not been announced, this has led to confusion around when implementation will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14230/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Hospital Services
Colm Burke
1339. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm when newborn babies will be screened for SMA and SCID as part of the newborn bloodspot screening programme; and where the testing for these conditions will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14231/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Health Promotion
Colm Burke
1340. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give due consideration to the establishment of an infant feeding communication forum across departments that is, with responsibility for children, health, and marketing of commercial formula milks and the Health Service Executive to align government policy, funding and Health Service Executive practices for the purposes of increasing breastfeeding initiation rates and the duration of breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14232/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Health Promotion
Colm Burke
1341. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to standardise breastfeeding education for healthcare professionals in maternity units and support in-service, role-specific breastfeeding education and training to enable implementation of the Baby Friendly Initiative in all 19 maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14233/24]
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
written
Health Promotion
Colm Burke
1342. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to fully implement the World Health Organization Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and its subsequent World Health Assembly Resolutions in legislation and ensure that this legislation is monitored and enforced in a transparent manner independent of industry, with particular attention paid to advertising and marketing online via baby clubs and social media influencers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/24]