Parliamentary questions

Waste Management

Peter Burke

156. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a latté levy on single-use drinks and food containers will be introduced as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022 with the aim of reducing litter and the waste of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31413/22]

Waste Management

Peter Burke

157. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a requirement to commit 20% of a retailer’s floor space to reuse and refill options is being considered as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31414/22]

Waste Management

Peter Burke

158. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a ban on plastic packaging on hardy fruit and vegetables is being considered as part of the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31415/22]

Waste Management

Peter Burke

159. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is considering a ban on single-use items such as wipes, free sample-size items and mono-dose sachets in conjunction with the Circular Economy, Waste Management (Amendment) and Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31416/22]

Public Transport

Peter Burke

172. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans regarding public transport in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31451/22]

Health Promotion

Peter Burke

196. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the imposition of a 0% VAT rate for reusable menstrual products similar to the case with disposable menstrual products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31419/22]

Departmental Funding

Peter Burke

231. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any live applications in her Department or documentation received for funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31403/22]

Departmental Funding

Peter Burke

232. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a decision was made on a sports capital grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31404/22]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Peter Burke

375. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a person (details supplied) who is completing the person's studies in the UK can register as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland to allow the person to progress the person's career at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31408/22]

Civil Service

Peter Burke

22. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when civil service mileage rates will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Peter Burke

237. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if those who are in receipt of the invalidity pension will be considered for full grant-aid under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland grant aid scheme considering that those in receipt of the disability allowance are included in the scheme; the other social welfare payments which are included in the scheme as qualifying payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30236/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peter Burke

1137. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider those on the disability allowance and long-term illness schemes as qualifying payments for the household benefit scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30525/22]

Health Services

Peter Burke

1777. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated to the midland region for the treatment of eating disorders in the past five years; the training that is being given to specialist staff in these units; if there are assessment facilities for autism in these units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30299/22]

Hospital Facilities

Peter Burke

200. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28229/22]

Departmental Projects

Peter Burke

201. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a major capital investment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28230/22]

Departmental Meetings

Peter Burke

400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a request for a consultation meeting has been received from a school (details supplied); if so, when this meeting will be scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27736/22]

Capitation Grants

Peter Burke

426. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will review the capitation funding for schools (details supplied). [28029/22]

Pension Provisions

Peter Burke

445. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if Ireland has a social security agreement policy with South Korea, whereby if mandatory pension contributions which are being made by Irish citizens working there at present can be included in their pension contributions at retirement age in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27255/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Peter Burke

276. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will raise the income threshold for carers (details supplied). [27044/22]

School Accommodation

Peter Burke

101. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider an application for additional accommodation for a school (details supplied) with Deis status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26640/22]

Rights of the Child

Peter Burke

164. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the legislative requirements that are required in relation to the Second Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; if she has an estimated timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26822/22]

Departmental Schemes

Peter Burke

88. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to provide grants for conversion to hydrotreated vegetable oil from kerosene to enable the de-carbonisation of old housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25698/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

362. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be re-considered as the base school for the cluster special education teaching hours applicable as was the situation in the past in order to maintain its permanent teacher positions in the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25788/22]

Special Educational Needs

Peter Burke

363. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when a special needs unit be available for second-level students in Athlone, County Westmeath; the number of pupils who are on the waiting list who are currently receiving home tuition in lieu of school placement in Athlone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25789/22]

Medicinal Products

Peter Burke

660. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will review the extension of kaftrio drug therapy to all children with cystic fibrosis aged 6 to11 years as in the case of a child (details supplied). [26327/22]

Work Permits

Peter Burke

167. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an urgent review of the work permit system will be instigated by his Department with a view to including hospitality staff, including chefs in the critical skills criteria who would then be eligible to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24779/22]

Work Permits

Peter Burke

168. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the critical staff shortages in the hospitality sector in both skilled and unskilled levels; the steps that have been taken to address these skills shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24780/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

472. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when the new pay agreement for school secretaries will come into effect, particularly for those secretaries that normally sign on to social welfare over the summer months; the progress that has been made with the scheme; if is likely to be in place before the summer 2022 recess of Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24796/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

473. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when the allocation for special needs assistants for the school period 2022-2023 will be made for a school (details supplied) in view of their enrolment of a special needs pupil for September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24858/22]

Ukraine War

Peter Burke

542. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hours that Ukrainian refugees are permitted to work and also maintain their accommodation that is provided by the international protection accommodation services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24210/22]

Prison Service

Peter Burke

622. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice when recruitment will commence for the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24856/22]

Health Services Staff

Peter Burke

626. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date regarding the negotiations for medical scientists and their pay review; when these pay structures were last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/22]

Hospital Equipment

Peter Burke

723. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the cost of the machine to read an internal cardioverter-defibrillator; and if same will be considered for the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [24709/22]

Industrial Relations

Peter Burke

744. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date regarding the negotiations for medical scientists and their pay review; when these pay structures were last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24849/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Peter Burke

760. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline details of the plans for the silage support scheme; and when it will be open for applications. [24233/22]

Special Educational Needs

Peter Burke

242. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the HP Index data that is used in relation to the social context criteria for the special education teaching hours allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23967/22]

Special Educational Needs

Peter Burke

243. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason that a school (details supplied) was refused special education teaching hours given that it has DEIS school status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23968/22]

Hospital Facilities

Peter Burke

337. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health when the reopening of the elective ward at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly will occur in order to alleviate the backlog of patients waiting on procedures. [23965/22]

Ukraine War

Peter Burke

214. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice if there is any particular process in the case of Ukrainian refugees seeking to work in Ireland for the Garda vetting in the current circumstances, or if the Ukrainian refugees are to apply in the normal way provided they have proof of identity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22527/22]

Departmental Schemes

Peter Burke

91. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the situation in relation to the €200 energy grant for a person (details supplied) in rented accommodation who prepays their electricity in an apartment complex; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22065/22]

Visa Applications

Peter Burke

395. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for family re-unification visas for those who are holders of critical work permits working here; her views on whether this is a disincentive for those seeking to work here in critical employment categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22075/22]

Environmental Schemes

Peter Burke

233. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the microgeneration scheme will be operational to allow for the payment of domestic supply to the national grid following the installation of smart meters in domestic settings with solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19309/22]

Electric Vehicles

Peter Burke

400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport when grant information will be available for the heavy goods vehicle transport market to encourage the transition from traditional fossil fuelled vehicles to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/22]

Electoral Process

Peter Burke

748. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the competition in relation to election monitoring for new election monitors will be held; the number of places that will be available; the person or body that will run the competition; if there will be interviews; the selection process that is used to determine successful candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20095/22]

Schools Building Projects

Peter Burke

823. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school building programme for a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19313/22]

Social Welfare Offices

Peter Burke

1026. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are plans to reopen the social welfare office in Castlepollard, County Westmeath, to serve the population of north County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20031/22]

State Pensions

Peter Burke

1064. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify in relation to the contributory pension application that before home caring credits can be added to an application that an applicant needs to have a minimum 520 paid contributions and if this is discriminating against those home caring for periods in the past who now do not qualify for the full contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20592/22]

State Pensions

Peter Burke

1065. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanism that is in place to ensure that periods spent in the home caring for children can be recognised by her Department when the contributory pension is being assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20593/22]

General Practitioner Services

Peter Burke

1400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that general practitioners providing services under HSE schemes such as the maternity and infant scheme, maintain appropriate insurance that allows them to provide home birth services to all women who opt for this form of delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19431/22]

Turbary Rights

Peter Burke

1910. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the rights of the registered owners of fee simple bogs (details supplied). [20591/22]

Tax Code

Peter Burke

38. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a reduction in VAT on heat pumps and solar panels to encourage the investment by homeowners into same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18644/22]

Teaching Qualifications

Peter Burke

109. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if students on a course (details supplied) could be given an option to carry out a two-week Gaeltacht immersion session required for their course online or in the Gaeltacht considering the high number of Covid 19 cases at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18593/22]

Parental Leave

Peter Burke

152. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parental leave (details supplied) given the increase in leave in July 2022 needs to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18621/22]

Driver Licences

Peter Burke

216. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport when an application for a driver licence transfer will be processed for a person (details supplied). [18078/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peter Burke

505. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if additional supports and resources will be made available to assist school principals in the current wave of Covid-19 cases, in which a large number of teachers are absent and self-isolating, which is having a serious impact on school management in keeping the schools open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18318/22]

Traffic Fines

Peter Burke

630. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the total number of fines issued for cars parking illegally on footpaths in Mullingar and Athlone, County Westmeath in each of the past three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18341/22]

Health Services

Peter Burke

883. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the regulation requirements of private care contractors contracted by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18342/22]

Common Agricultural Policy

Peter Burke

939. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that raths, fairy forts or ringforts are not being included in CAP 2023. [18113/22]

Financial Services

Peter Burke

224. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if the acquirer of a regulated entity authorised under section 10 of the Investment Intermediaries Act 1995 must notify the Central Bank. [17226/22]

Driver Licences

Peter Burke

23. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport if a medical report is valid for five years, the reason this cannot be accepted by the National Driver Licence Service when applying for a licence, when it advises it must be within three months (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16926/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

68. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education when the transfer of school secretaries to public service clerical officer grades will be implemented; the date from which holiday entitlements will be applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16744/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peter Burke

77. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the additional supports that are in place to assist school principals to deal with the current wave of Covid-19 in circumstances in which there are absent staff, both teaching and SNA supports staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17005/22]

Antisocial Behaviour

Peter Burke

107. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the measures that are in place to tackle underage drinking in towns and cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16749/22]

Disability Services

Peter Burke

127. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the proposals to improve access to services and reduce waiting times for appointments for members of a centre (details supplied) for persons with Down's syndrome in counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/22]

Departmental Schemes

Peter Burke

476. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if epilepsy will be considered as a qualifying condition in order to qualify for the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16081/22]

Fuel Prices

Peter Burke

4. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are currently available for bus and coach operators given the increase in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15397/22]

Fuel Prices

Peter Burke

5. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are currently available to the haulage sector given the increase in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15398/22]

Tax Rebates

Peter Burke

44. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance if VAT reclaim on fuel costs will be considered for bus and coach operators given the current prohibitive costs of fuel which is having a severe impact on businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/22]

Energy Conservation

Peter Burke

136. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider a scheme of retrofitting for the elderly who rely on the State pension and do not have access to funds to have works completed or to secure a loan. [14294/22]

Legislative Measures

Peter Burke

202. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport his views on the use of section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994; the regularity with which this mechanism is used; if his attention has been drawn to an increased use in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/22]

Public Sector Staff

Peter Burke

281. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a review of public service milage expenses will take place; the current mileage expenses allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/22]

Schools Refurbishment

Peter Burke

517. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if an application has been received from a school (details supplied) for roof repairs; and if it can be processed as a matter of urgency. [14546/22]

Educational Disadvantage

Peter Burke

518. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if the qualifying criteria for DEIS status can be outlined giving the different categories of qualification and the selection process involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14547/22]

School Enrolments

Peter Burke

533. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the projected figures for the primary school population in Moate, County Westmeath, for the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14692/22]

School Accommodation

Peter Burke

546. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will consider an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied); when a decision will be made on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14811/22]

State Pensions

Peter Burke

605. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the State pension by a minimum of €15 to assist the elderly with the rise in the cost of living, fuel costs and carbon taxes. [14262/22]

Social Welfare Code

Peter Burke

606. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the threshold for means tested fuel allowance. [14297/22]

Hospital Appointments Status

Peter Burke

813. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and when they will receive an appointment. [13877/22]

Hospital Staff

Peter Burke

1023. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of neurology nurse specialists that are assigned to the Mater Hospital, Dublin; the number recommended given the catchment area; his plans to increase this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14720/22]

Legislative Measures

Peter Burke

29. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new law to give workers the right to paid sick leave will be introduced. [13524/22]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Peter Burke

225. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the conditions that are applied to a person travelling to Ireland with a prescribed cannabis-based medicinal product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13439/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

311. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if the sick leave taken in the current academic year can be restored to a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12348/22]

National Maternity Hospital

Peter Burke

499. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the latest information regarding the governance and the location of the national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12425/22]

Health Services

Peter Burke

647. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the length of the waiting lists for BreastCheck; and if he will consider providing additional funding in order to address the length of these lists (details supplied). [12859/22]

School Admissions

Peter Burke

131. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education the future planning requirement for primary school places in Mullingar with specific reference to current demand versus the number of places that are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11890/22]

Student Visas

Peter Burke

148. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the average processing time for student visas, both short stay C visas and long stay D visas; the actions she will take to ensure that visas are processed in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11822/22]

Student Visas

Peter Burke

149. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the measures that are in place to ensure the timely delivery of student visas for student applicants travelling from Nigeria to pursue periods of study in third-level colleges. [11823/22]

Student Visas

Peter Burke

150. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the way that the processing time of visa applications can be expedited to ensure competitive markets are tapped into by third-level colleges in view of investment into student recruitment drives to countries such as Nigeria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11824/22]

Arts Policy

Peter Burke

335. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the live performance support scheme No. 4 will be open to new entrants; when the closing date will be; and the timeframe that will be covered by this scheme. [11692/22]

Election Monitoring Missions

Peter Burke

391. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in relation to overseas election monitors and observers, there are currently vacancies on the current roster; the number of positions that are available; the process for applying for these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11320/22]

State Examinations

Peter Burke

453. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to review the new junior certificate Irish language examination in schools to assess the impact of the cancellation of oral exams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10882/22]

School Staff

Peter Burke

461. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will review the case of school secretary pay and conditions in view of current negotiations with unions and officials of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11024/22]

Prison Service

Peter Burke

592. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the policy for early release of prisoners from prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11636/22]

Legal Aid

Peter Burke

593. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice if she has addressed the matter of free legal aid being granted to repeat offenders in view of her Justice Plan 2021; if this matter is under review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11637/22]

Prison Service

Peter Burke

594. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice the terms under which prisoners are released early from their prison terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11638/22]

Mental Health Services

Peter Burke

655. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the case of mental health in communities in a post-pandemic era and the funding requirements which will be required for future services to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11025/22]

Forestry Sector

Peter Burke

867. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes that are available for farmers to plant forestry on one hectare; the terms and conditions of these schemes; when they will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11687/22]

Teaching Qualifications

Peter Burke

304. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if there are funding streams available for professional development courses for teaching staff to support them and enable them to upskill. [10610/22]

Widow's Pension

Peter Burke

315. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the situation in which a co-habitating couple who are not married or in a civil partnership are not entitled to claim the widow's pension on the death of one of the couple; her views on whether there is an anomaly to qualify for the (non-contributory) widow's pension given that the assets of the cohabitating couple are considered as means; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10555/22]

State Pensions

Peter Burke

316. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if an applicant for State pension (contributory) who has been unsuccessful in their application due to the failure to reach the minimum requirement of 520 full paid contributions can now reclaim the portion of employee contributions paid in; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10556/22]