Parliamentary questions

Córas Iompair Éireann

Éamon Ó Cuív

194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to provide funding through his Department to ensure that the CIE 1951 Pension Scheme has sufficient funds to pay pension increases to CIE pensioners, taking into account that these public servants have not received a pension increase for 15 years; or alternatively whether this pension scheme will be incorporated into the general public service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6099/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the final draft of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review to be prepared for approval by the Ministers north and south following the recent public consultation; the process that will be followed to get final sign off on the strategy in this jurisdiction in order that the elements pertaining to this jurisdiction can be actioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6113/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the increase in passenger numbers using Iarnród Éireann services in 2023 compared to 2022, broken down by route and between inner commuter, outer commuter and intercity rail; the further investment steps he intends taking to ensure even further growth in rail usage in the coming five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/24]

Planning Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date that the eligibility for an exemption from planning development charges will come to an end; whether it is intended to extend this date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6103/24]

Legislative Measures

Éamon Ó Cuív

466. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when it is intended to make regulations under the Parole Act 2019 in relation to eligibility for parole of persons who are serving a determinate sentence of eight years or greater; the reason for the delay with this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6319/24]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

467. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners with determinate sentences of eight years or more who sentences are being managed on an administrative basis by the Irish Prison Service; the number of these that have applied for temporary release or parole in each year since 1 January 2021; the number given parole or temporary release in each year; if such parole or temporary release has to be approved by the Minister; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6320/24]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

468. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the steps she intends taking in the very short term to deal with overcrowding in our prison system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6321/24]

EU Regulations

Éamon Ó Cuív

483. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications of the EU Nature Restoration Law that proposes to categorise all drained agricultural peat soils as degraded systems in terms of access for products grown on such land to the EU market and eligibility in the long-term for EU Common Agricultural Payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6104/24]

Direct Provision System

Éamon Ó Cuív

535. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to house applicants for international protection at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

277. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the ECO scheme will issue to a farmer in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5959/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under ACRES will be issued to a farmer in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5995/24]

International Protection

Éamon Ó Cuív

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether any property in Ballybane, Galway city is being considered as a centre for international protection applicants; if so, the details of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6007/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when an application for a passport renewal will be completed (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5549/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason why paper passport applications are taking eight weeks and longer to process; the percentage of applications received that are paper based; the reason why such applications cannot be prioritised in urgent cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5659/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

64. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 187 of 5 December 2023, when a detailed reply will issue; the protocol agreed with CIÉ in relation to replies to Parliamentary Questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5072/24]

Road Projects

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when funding allocations will be made by his Department for the County Road Programme for 2024; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5469/24]

Teagasc na Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

184. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén uair a chuirfear eolas chugam a gealladh i bhfreagra Cheist Pharlaiminte an 5/12/2023 (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5137/24]

Clár Tógála Scoileanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

196. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir le hiarratas ó bhunscoil (sonraí tugtha) ar Chóiríocht Scoile Bhreise (foirm ASA) a cuireadh chuig an Roinn tamall ó shin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [5270/24]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a review of means for an increase on a State pension (contributory) for a qualified adult will be decided (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4997/24]

General Practitioner Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

493. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 8 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

494. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 1265 of 7 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5081/24]

Health Services Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

495. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason a reply has not issued to Parliamentary Question No. 1267 of 7 November 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5082/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

56. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the capital funding he intends to provide this year for the upgrade of the rail line from Athenry in County Galway to Collooney in County Sligo so that work can continue on the reopening of this vital rail link; the purposes for which the funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4539/24]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

68. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to follow up on work carried out by Iarnród Éireann on line clearance on sections of the rail line from Collooney to Athenry by providing funding in 2024 for the design work on the upgrade of the line from Athenry to Claremorris to a suitable standard to reopen it for freight and passenger travel; if he supports the statement by Iarnród Éireann (details supplied); the discussions he has in relation to TII reinstating the railway bridge in Ballyglunin, County Galway as it has committed to doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4538/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Éamon Ó Cuív

307. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the sections of the Acts that provide that a person is not regarded as unemployed for jobseeker's benefit purposes, for any day that they are actively engaged in farming; whether it is intended to change this provision on the basis that many people engaged in farming in a small way also engage in full-time employment at the same time (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4777/24]

Passport Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in respect of an application for a passport (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/24]

Island Communities

Éamon Ó Cuív

106. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date with the development of the pier in Inis Meáin, which is urgently needed, following the study carried out by the Marine College in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3955/24]

Island Communities

Éamon Ó Cuív

115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the piers on islands and serving islands that are being progressed by her Department in tandem with local county councils towards design and construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3956/24]

State Pensions

Éamon Ó Cuív

369. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for a State pension contribution for a person (details supplied) will be processed and a decision made; the reason for the delay in processing this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3823/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Éamon Ó Cuív

374. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for invalidity pension lodged on 8 May 2023 will be decided (details supplied); the reason for delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3959/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Éamon Ó Cuív

375. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of invalidity pension appeals awaiting a decision for eight months or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3960/24]

Primary Care Centres

Éamon Ó Cuív

568. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in providing a primary healthcare facility in Oranmore, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4268/24]

Departmental Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

599. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an announcement will be made in relation to the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4269/24]

Social Welfare Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

279. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection whether people who were employed for many years and were farming in a very small way at the same time and then went on illness benefit for a year and a half, are entitled to job seeker's benefit on recovery from the illness affecting them, subject to the normal conditions; and if not the reason they are not entitled to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3546/24]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

98. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. [2540/24]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

99. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. [2541/24]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

100. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. [2542/24]

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Éamon Ó Cuív

101. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den an Taoisigh cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. [2543/24]

Driver Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

180. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair an meán, atá ar thástáil tiomána i láthair na huaire; cad iad na céimeanna atá á nglacadh aige chun an mhoill sin a laghdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2722/24]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when school transport route number F2050 will be re-instated to transport children to a school (details supplied) in County Galway; the need for this service, which has been withdrawn since 18 October 2023 to be re-instated immediately due to the challenges being faced by the students affected and their parents as a result of the withdrawal of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2603/24]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

287. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when school transport route number 5060 will be re-instated to transport children from Moycullen to a school (details supplied), given the need for this service to be re-instated immediately due to the challenges being faced by the students affected and their parents as a result of the withdrawal of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2604/24]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection what arrangements, if any, she has made with private bus operators such as CityLink to ensure that there are no charges, such as booking on-line charges to be paid by passengers with free travel passes form her Department and to ensure that a free travel pass means “free travel”; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2630/24]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

455. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the total number of occasions on which prisoners slept on mattresses, by prison, during Q4 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2998/24]

Disability Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

506. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to ensure the full range of therapies and community care treatments are available to children in the Galway area of CHO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/24]

Hospital Facilities

Éamon Ó Cuív

35. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date with the provision of improved facilities at Galway University Hospital with particular reference to the emergency department/mothers and children unit, the elective surgery block, the new laboratories, the new cancer care unit and the provision of extra beds at the hospital; if any of these projects are awaiting approval by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1268/24]

Flood Risk Management

Éamon Ó Cuív

171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made with the design of urgent measures to reduce the impact of further flooding in a village (details supplied), with particular reference to measures that would not require detailed environmental studies in view of the damage done by flooding in 2023; the discussions in this regard between the OPW and the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2224/24]

Business Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of expenditure expended through the Red Cross to assist businesses affected by flooding in 2023 to date; if he intends amending the scheme to cover businesses with partial flood insurance cover who were severely impacted by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2223/24]

Voluntary Housing Sector

Éamon Ó Cuív

211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a decision will be made on a submission by a voluntary housing body (details supplied) for funding to employ two people over a two year period; and if he will make a decision on the matter. [2221/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount of financial aid paid out by the Department to date under the scheme to assist those affected by flooding in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2222/24]

Foreshore Issues

Éamon Ó Cuív

281. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the transfer of a foreshore lease to a new assignee will be approved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2219/24]