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 5 of 108
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
written
Health Services Staff
Holly Cairns
335. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the ratification on the pay restoration proposals for section 39 workers agreed in the WRC last November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7220/24]
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
written
Vaccination Programme
Holly Cairns
336. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health whether there are plans within his Department for an expansion of the Laura Brennan HPV catch-up vaccination programme; and if so, to provide details of when this service will be available. [7223/24]
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Holly Cairns
146. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the rationale for the removal of complex needs as a factor for the allocation of special education teaching hours; if she is aware that many children with complex needs do not sit standardised tests, and so are not represented in the results of standardised literacy and numeracy test scores in a school; if she will consider reinstating complex needs as a factor for allocating SET hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6826/24]
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Holly Cairns
147. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the reason there are no grounds for appeal for schools with students with additional needs under the new model for allocating special education teaching hours; what avenues schools with pupils who are not receiving the educational supports they are entitled to can take in order to address these issues; and if she will consider reinstating a comprehensive appeals process for SET hours. [6827/24]
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Holly Cairns
148. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the number of schools which have been allocated SET hours; and the number of schools which appealed their allocation; by county, from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [6828/24]
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
written
Rental Sector
Holly Cairns
206. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the practice of county councils increasing differential rent rates of those who are in receipt of disability allowance due to the €13 increase in the flat rate; and whether, given the increase in cost of living and the documented cost of disability, assessment of disability allowance under means testing for differential rent rates can be reviewed. [6994/24]
Wed, 14 Feb 2024
written
Health Services
Holly Cairns
321. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if the protocol for treatment of patients following a miscarriage can be reviewed in order to facilitate privacy or separate areas for scans or check-ups, as being treated in a room alongside pregnant people can be incredibly distressing to those who have experienced miscarriage. [6993/24]
Tue, 13 Feb 2024
written
Commissions of Investigation
Holly Cairns
134. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach to provide details on the investigation into the leak of the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, including the time period in which it was conducted, the amount and grade of staff members assigned to the investigation and the budget allocated for the investigation. [6573/24]
Tue, 13 Feb 2024
written
Mother and Baby Homes
Holly Cairns
546. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the estimated date for the opening of applications for the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes, and the amount and grade of staff allocated to administering the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6574/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Middle East
Holly Cairns
133. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if his Department will engage with the family of the person in Ireland in order to ensure safe passage out of Gaza. [5938/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Visa Applications
Holly Cairns
250. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice when a visa application by a person (details supplied) will be finalised; if all efforts will be made to process this visa as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5931/24]
Thu, 8 Feb 2024
written
Family Reunification
Holly Cairns
251. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens that have not yet been decided upon; the number of weeks each application has been awaiting a decision; the business target for these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5937/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Middle East
Holly Cairns
22. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has met with or received any correspondence from representatives of South Africa in regards to their case against Israel in the International Court of Justice; and if so, if he would provide details of the correspondence. [5589/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Driver Test
Holly Cairns
93. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the current wait times for driving theory tests and driving tests in each test centre; and the number of people currently booked in for each in each test centre, in tabular form. [5590/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Bus Éireann
Holly Cairns
94. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he would consider eliminating or reducing the €10 charge for taking bicycles on Bus Éireann buses or if the charge could be dropped on off-peak hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5600/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
School Accommodation
Holly Cairns
211. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on a school (details supplied). [5591/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Schools Building Projects
Holly Cairns
212. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the development of schools (details supplied). [5596/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
International Protection
Holly Cairns
377. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the rationale used by her Department for categorising a country as a “safe country” in relation to international protection applications. [5592/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
International Protection
Holly Cairns
378. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the reasoning for categorising Algeria as a “safe country” in relation to international protection applications; what has changed in Algeria to result in this change in status; and what human rights reports her Department used to reach this decision. [5593/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
International Protection
Holly Cairns
379. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice how many other EU countries categorise Algeria as a “safe country” in relation to international protection applications. [5594/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Hospital Facilities
Holly Cairns
562. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide detail on the planned closure of 16 beds across two units in Clonakilty Community Hospital in order to facilitate the opening of a new unit; whether concerns have been raised with the HSE by unions in regards to safe staffing levels in the hospital as a result of the new unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5595/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
Hospital Facilities
Holly Cairns
563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health whether an increase in the number of community beds in Bandon Hospital could be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5597/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
General Practitioner Services
Holly Cairns
564. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the scarcity of (details supplied); the measures being taken to ensure GPs are able to prescribe alternative medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5598/24]
Wed, 7 Feb 2024
written
General Practitioner Services
Holly Cairns
565. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to provide up to date information to GPs of medication shortages and suitable alternatives, in order to prevent patients receiving prescriptions they are unable to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5599/24]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Middle East
Holly Cairns
21. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what efforts his Department is making to ensure the safe release of a person (details supplied) from Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56555/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Special Educational Needs
Holly Cairns
480. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for an ASD class (details supplied); and if it will be put in place for the opening of the 2024 school year. [56486/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Live Exports
Holly Cairns
1177. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of live cattle exported monthly; the mode of transportation used; and their ultimate destination from 2021 to date, in tabular form. [56487/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Live Exports
Holly Cairns
1178. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out on vehicles or boats transporting live cattle for export, from 2021 to date. [56488/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Live Exports
Holly Cairns
1179. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by his Department to improve animal welfare standards on live cattle export journeys. [56489/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Agriculture Schemes
Holly Cairns
1180. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers affected by delays to the ACRES payment; the number of farmers affected by delays to the ACRES co-operation payment; the estimated dates of payment for each cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56490/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Agriculture Schemes
Holly Cairns
1181. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports will be made available to farmers who struggle financially due to the delay in ACRES payments. [56491/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Departmental Appointments
Holly Cairns
1182. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current makeup of the Teagasc board; the process for appointment; and if his Department has considered expanding the board in order to allow representation from currently unrepresented farming groups. [56492/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Beef Sector
Holly Cairns
1183. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what consultations took place with suckler farmers when formulating the changes to the beef index; and what information has been provided to suckler farmers following the changes to the beef index. [56493/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Beef Sector
Holly Cairns
1184. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted a risk assessment on the impact of the changes to the beef index on suckler farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56494/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Beef Sector
Holly Cairns
1185. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with suckler farmers on concerns they have in relation to the survival of pedigree breeding following changes to the beef index. [56495/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Animal Welfare
Holly Cairns
1186. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work his Department is conducting in relation to the welfare of unwanted bull calves which will be born next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56496/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Vaccination Programme
Holly Cairns
1495. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider the roll-out of a RSV immunisation programme as has been done in Galicia, Spain; the projected costs for a roll-out of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56485/23]
Thu, 14 Dec 2023
oral
Agriculture Schemes
Holly Cairns
4. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department will make efforts to deliver ACRES payments to participating farmers without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56100/23]
Thu, 14 Dec 2023
written
Fisheries Protection
Holly Cairns
415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his Department's efforts to ban inshore trawling within the six-mile limit. [56101/23]
Thu, 14 Dec 2023
written
Departmental Policies
Holly Cairns
446. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his Department's plan to support the development of the tillage sector. [56108/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Central Statistics Office
Holly Cairns
81. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach if he will consider requesting that the CSO conduct a regular victims of crime survey in order to capture data on crime which is not reflected in Garda statistics due to a lack of reporting. [54699/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Middle East
Holly Cairns
108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has reached out to his counterpart in the United States, or other representatives of the United States government on the situation in Gaza; and if so, to provide details on these engagements. [55228/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Legislative Programme
Holly Cairns
124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide an update on the progress in introducing the Aarhus Convention Bill. [54696/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
State Examinations
Holly Cairns
309. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education when the reviews of the reasonable accommodations for certified examinations were last updated; how often the committee responsible has met over the past 15 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54697/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
State Examinations
Holly Cairns
310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if she will consider providing students with dyslexia extra time on Junior and Leaving Certificate exams, as is the norm in other European countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54698/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Holly Cairns
570. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number and amounts of capital grants for the provision of domestic violence and abuse refuges from 1 January 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55184/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Holly Cairns
571. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way that the State is meeting its commitments under the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention including the provision of refuge spaces and support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55185/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Holly Cairns
572. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the number of domestic violence and abuse refuge spaces available in the State, by county, in tabular form. [55186/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Fishing Industry
Holly Cairns
607. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to open a public consultation on the matter of trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. [54695/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Direct Provision System
Holly Cairns
705. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of individuals who have been granted refugee status and remain resident in direct provision centres; and the number of these individuals who have been relocated to another direct provision centre since receiving refugee status. [55182/23]