Parliamentary questions

Middle East

Bernard Durkan

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to encourage a peaceful resolution in the conflict in the Middle East along with his other EU and UN partners; the extent to which he remains satisfied that measures can be put in place whereby agreed parties can submit their issues to an authoritative body capable of making a serious contribution to a permanent and peaceful settlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20836/24]

Official Engagements

Bernard Durkan

82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to interact with his EU and UN colleagues, with a view to highlighting security threats to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20837/24]

Official Engagements

Bernard Durkan

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to have engagements with UK authorities in relation to immigration issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/24]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he remains satisfied that the UK authorities remain committed to the Brexit Agreement; whether other modifications are envisaged at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/24]

Middle East

Bernard Durkan

130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he continues to have discussions at European and UN level in regard to the Palestinian-Israeli situation with particular reference to the need to ensure strict adherence to a peace deal and recognition of the need to avert a repetition of the violence since 7 October 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21123/24]

EU Enlargement

Bernard Durkan

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent if any to which European enlargement is progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21124/24]

EU Bodies

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which European cohesion remains steadfast throughout European institutions with a view to ensuring universal acceptance of the principles of law and order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21125/24]

EU Bodies

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which progress continues throughout the European institutions with a view to ensuring continued security and peace in the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21127/24]

Undocumented Irish in the USA

Bernard Durkan

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions he continues to have with the US authorities with a view to regularising the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21129/24]

Trade Promotion

Bernard Durkan

135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to use the Irish embassies and other installations abroad to further the trade interests of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/24]

Public Transport

Bernard Durkan

149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the measures currently in place, or intended to be introduced in future, to reduce the incidence of anti-social and threatening behaviour on public transport and in public transport stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21095/24]

Public Transport

Bernard Durkan

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to outline the safety protocols in place should a member of the public notice anti-social behaviour on public transport and how they should react
; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21096/24]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when the tender for the permanent building will be approved and published in the case of a school (details supplied) given the urgent need for its construction and the serious capacity issue to accommodate additional classes after September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21098/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate when a PPS number will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21094/24]

Immigration Policy

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which she is satisfied that the most recent European proposals in respect of immigration are sufficiently grounded to ensure universal acceptance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21126/24]

Immigration Policy

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the steps, if any, available to the European Union to ensure the availability and acceptance of universal immigration policy throughout Europe to which all EU countries can contribute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21128/24]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Bernard Durkan

242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) whose application was granted in December 2023 will be invited to a citizenship ceremony; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21093/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a final decision in respect of an application for citizenship will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21097/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Bernard Durkan

308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for steroid injections will be arranged as soon as possible in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21099/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total expenditure she expects to be in a position to make in respect of rural and community efforts with particular reference to demographics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline her expectations in relation to proposed expenditure under the heading of local and community proposals with particular reference to the various needs emerging as determined by the most applicable criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21132/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Bernard Durkan

329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications in hand to date from urban and rural community groups for assistance under schemes available through her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21133/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she expects to extend the criteria whereby urban and rural community groups might be expected to more readily qualify for grant assistance from her Department depending on the need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21134/24]

Digital Hubs

Bernard Durkan

331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage the creation of digital hubs outside of the main areas of investment with a view to lowering the pressure on transport and communications in those areas most densely populated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21135/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the full extent of awards made by her Department under the town and village renewal scheme throughout Ireland; her expectations in respect of this or similar schemes in the course of the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21136/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she might consider broadening the eligibility for the various rural community schemes operated by her Department in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21137/24]

Public Participation Networks

Bernard Durkan

334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of her Department's support through the public participation network for various groups and communities around the country over the past two years; her future proposals in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21138/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure to date under the rural regeneration and development fund; the extent to which the fund has attracted local indigenous support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21139/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which her Department continues to address the issue of urban and rural isolation with particular reference to those who live alone and depend on community support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21140/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bernard Durkan

15. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children, education and disability will meet next. [19205/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent conversation with the British Prime Minister. [16765/24]

European Council

Bernard Durkan

39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [17774/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent meeting with the president of the European Commission. [16767/24]

National Lottery

Bernard Durkan

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware it is alleged that our country has a relatively low win rate of the lotto in comparison to lotteries in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/24]

School Facilities

Bernard Durkan

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she might authorise the use of a safer pedestrian entrance at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20692/24]

Defective Building Materials

Bernard Durkan

289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports made available for persons affected by defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) against the decision to reduce his wife's payment, with particular reference to their high outgoings on medical costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a carer’s support grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20695/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the steps now being taken to finalise the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when it is expected that application will be finalised, given that their application has now been pending over three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20807/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be renewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

519. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when it is expected to offer the son of a person (details supplied) an appointment for initial assessment for ADHD; the current average wait time for such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/24]

Nursing Homes

Bernard Durkan

521. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when all matters will be concluded with in respect of the fair deal application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20288/24]

Dental Services

Bernard Durkan

599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is in agreement with the Irish Dental Association’s policy paper “Towards a Sustainable Oral Healthcare Service”; the extent to which he expects a reliable fund stream to be available for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20691/24]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if efforts continue to be made to improve patient safety and best practice to ensure an improved working environment at University Hospital Limerick and to avert the repeat of recent incidents there, with particular reference to addressing the most important and fundamental issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/24]

Departmental Policies

Bernard Durkan

656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if changes can be made to ensure that eligibility for a higher education grant is not based on parental income, with particular reference to students who were working but decided to return to education as mature students given that many students in these circumstances cannot afford to live independently but appear to be refused access to higher education funding due to their living with their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20696/24]

Community Development Projects

Bernard Durkan

664. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to indicate the potential funding available for a group (details supplied); the appropriate scheme, if any, in respect of which this group should apply for to secure funding for this valuable community service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20190/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he and his Department continue to concentrate on waiting lists in respect of health procedures in general throughout the country; the extent to which adequate success is being achieved in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/24]

Emergency Departments

Bernard Durkan

55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the operation of national accident and emergency departments in all hospitals throughout the country with a view to eliminating, insofar as is possible, avertable accidents; if action can be taken to ensure that patients on trollies can have reduced waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/24]

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which expenditure trends are overstepping their targets; whether particular areas have come to notice in this regard; if inflation or other issues are contributory factors; if he plans specific measures to ensure that budget remains in target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/24]

National Development Plan

Bernard Durkan

85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which progress on the national development plan remains within expectations; whether any measures are needed to ensure the meeting of targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19768/24]