Parliamentary questions

Housing Schemes

Ivana Bacik

273. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports that applicants for the help-to-buy scheme who are still repaying Covid supports are being automatically rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13080/24]

School Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

360. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education the reason that funding sanctioned in June 2020, for four new classrooms for an ASD unit at a school (details supplied) has not yet delivered; when resources will be allocated for provision of autism classrooms at the schools; and if she will make a statement on the need for more provision for autistic and neurodiverse children in Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8 and Dublin 6W. [11664/24]

Schools Building Projects

Ivana Bacik

361. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if she will expedite the tender process for construction of permanent accommodation for a school (details supplied); if construction will be completed within the previously announced timeline; and if the permanent accommodation will be completed in advance of the start of the school year commencing 2024. [11666/24]

Departmental Policies

Ivana Bacik

611. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if allowing for publication of election candidates' home addresses is mandated in statute; and, if not, if he has given consideration to issuing a memorandum or statutory instrument, ending the practice of publication of home addresses of election candidates. [11747/24]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

613. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the tripartite agreement on the delivery of social and affordable housing in the Poolbeg SDZ will be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11766/24]

Electoral Process

Ivana Bacik

658. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on a circular issued to staff at polling centres which would, in certain circumstances, prevent some disabled people from accessing assistance in casting their ballot in the final two hours of voting; if he will end the practice of such advice issuing; his plans to ensure that voting in referendums or elections is accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12457/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

699. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has carried out a review of his Department's voids programme to take account of construction inflation; if not, his plans to do so; the average cost of a void turnaround in each local authority area; and the average time taken to convert a void in each local authority area, in tabular form. [13082/24]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

1088. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beds for international protection applicants which were empty in each week of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11669/24]

International Protection

Ivana Bacik

1089. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason emergency measures to temporarily house international protection applicants who are sleeping rough were lifted; and the method used to determine when such measures should be ended. [11670/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

1195. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on conditions for international protection applicants sleeping in tents in congregated areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/24]

Vaccination Programme

Ivana Bacik

1250. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to include pharmacists in the MMR catch-up programme, given the current GP shortage, which may delay the provision of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11705/24]

Bereavement Certificate

Ivana Bacik

1298. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his views on recent legislation passed in Westminster to create an optional bereavement certificate for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks' gestation; and his plans to introduce a similar initiative here. [11946/24]

State Properties

Ivana Bacik

147. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to ensure that housing in barracks around the country is used. [10214/24]

Bus Services

Ivana Bacik

204. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the implementation of the next phase of the Dublin Network Redesign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10637/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

404. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on the need for additional social and affordable housing in Rathmines and surrounds, including by way of Part V housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10215/24]

Tourist Accommodation

Ivana Bacik

413. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has made representations to the EU Commission in respect of the need for regulation of online short-term tourist letting companies; and if he will report on the preparations his Department is making for when legislation to regulate such companies is passed and implemented. [10426/24]

Housing Policy

Ivana Bacik

414. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on the need to support older persons to downsize. [10427/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

415. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private houses that local authorities are renting and subletting as social housing by local authority; the annual cost of renting these houses in each of the years 2018 to 2023 and to date in 2024, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10429/24]

Rental Sector

Ivana Bacik

416. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make a statement on the adequacy of enforcement powers within the Residential Tenancies Board; and his plans to establish an enforcement bureau within the organisation to ensure that those who subvert legal protections for tenants are addressed. [10430/24]

Housing Provision

Ivana Bacik

417. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide additional funding to deal with issues surrounding maintenance of social housing, particularly flat complexes. [10431/24]

Local Authorities

Ivana Bacik

418. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing levels in each local authority, compared with 2018. [10433/24]

State Bodies

Ivana Bacik

419. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current staffing levels in An Bord Pleanála, compared with 2020 and 2018; and the staffing levels in the same period in each division of the organisation, in tabular form. [10434/24]

Local Authorities

Ivana Bacik

423. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports available to councillors with disabilities when they are elected; if local authorities are required to provide supports; what provisions are in place; if statutory requirements are in place; the additional measures he intends to introduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10630/24]

Legislative Measures

Ivana Bacik

449. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on recent legislation which passed in Westminster to create an optional bereavement certificate for pregnancy loss before 24 weeks’ gestation; and her plans to introduce such a similar initiative here. [10428/24]

Social Welfare Code

Ivana Bacik

456. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection how income (details supplied) is assessed when an individual is elected to a local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10631/24]

Health Services Staff

Ivana Bacik

719. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the timeline for lifting the HSE recruitment freeze; his plans to reinstate recruitment for nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/24]

Departmental Properties

Ivana Bacik

721. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on progress to convert into use vacant properties under the ownership of his Department and the HSE; and if he will list the units in respect of which such work has commenced, in tabular form. [10432/24]

Prescriptions Charges

Ivana Bacik

759. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove prescription fees for medical card holders; and his views on the affordability of prescription medications for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10683/24]

Climate Change Policy

Ivana Bacik

102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his views on the report by the Climate Change Advisory Council; if he will report on his engagement with the Minister for Finance in respect of the recommendation on taxation policy and transport emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8762/24]

Job Losses

Ivana Bacik

173. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with management at a company (details supplied) since it was announced that the firm would be making a portion of its workforce redundant; and if he will make a statement on job losses in the technology sector more generally. [8756/24]

Employment Rights

Ivana Bacik

180. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment 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. [9311/24]

Fire Service

Ivana Bacik

268. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for fire brigade attendance at a scene, following a call to emergency services, in each county. [8754/24]

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]