Parliamentary questions

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 25 January 2024, his plans to formally recognise the state of Palestine, as per the commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his engagement at EU level following the recent letter signed by the Taoiseach and the Spanish Prime Minister for a review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU/Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11187/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

72. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of his engagement to date both at bilateral level with his Israeli counterpart, and at EU level, with regard to the designation in October 2021 of six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11188/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Catherine Connolly

86. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 25 January 2024, the date on which the export tariff phase of the small-scale renewable energy support scheme will be launched; the status of the work by economic consultants for his Department regarding the revision of the levelised cost of energy estimates required for small scale and community based generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/24]

Climate Action Plan

Catherine Connolly

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of local authority climate action plans that have been completed to-date; the details of any engagement his Department has had with Galway City and County Councils in 2024 with regard to the development of their respective local authority climate action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11058/24]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

310. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in view of the fact that there are now over 1,000 asylum seekers without accommodation in Ireland, his plans for the provision of basic sanitation, including toilet facilities, in cities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11249/24]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

311. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of any interdepartmental engagement there has been to-date in 2024 with regard to the repurposing of state-owned buildings for emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, in view of the increasing number of asylum seekers with no accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11256/24]

Asylum Seekers

Catherine Connolly

312. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of any engagement between his Department and the owners of religious institutions in the State with a view to providing emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, in view of the increasing number of asylum seekers with no accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11257/24]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

354. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason for the decision to discontinue HSE funding for a programme (details supplied); when the decision was made; the details of the analysis on which the decision was based; the details of any analysis carried out into the expected impact of the withdrawal of funding; the details of any engagement he or his Department has had with adult ADHD advocacy and representative groups in relation to the withdrawal of funding to this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11286/24]

Climate Change Policy

Catherine Connolly

34. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No.123 of 25 January 2024, the status of plans for the Government to endorse the call for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11119/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 30 January 2024, the status of the monitoring committee for the implementation of the new policy for the islands; the dates of all meetings to date; the date of the next meeting; her plans to publish the minutes of the meetings of the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10398/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 26 September 2023, for a status update on the transfer to her Department of land on Inishbofin on which the airstrip is situated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10401/24]

Harbours and Piers

Catherine Connolly

52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024 for a status update on the development of Inis Oírr pier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10400/24]

Community Development Projects

Catherine Connolly

57. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 87 of 26 September 2023, the details of the successful projects under the €20 million fund for the construction of new community centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10402/24]

Island Communities

Catherine Connolly

59. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024, the status of the development of Caladh Mór on Inis Meáin; the status of the preparation of the preliminary business case; the timeline for the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10399/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

337. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education , further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 19 October 2023, the timeline for when the promised second modular classroom to accommodate the ASD unit at a school (details supplied) will be delivered and operational; the reason for the delay in the delivery of the unit; the details of any engagement with the company building the unit, particularly on the delays in delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10821/24]

Harbours and Piers

Catherine Connolly

818. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024, for an update on the work of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10374/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1805 of 17 January 2024, if his Department has concluded its review of the SAR/PBC for the new emergency department, women and children's block at University Hospital Galway; the expected timeline for it to proceed to pre-tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/24]

Dental Services

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 31 January 2024, for an update on his engagement with persons with intellectual disability and their representative groups, with regard to the availability of dental services for persons with disabilities who are medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 23 January 2024, when the mother and baby institutions redress scheme will be open for applications; the timeline for when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9501/24]

Direct Provision System

Catherine Connolly

121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1070 of 7 November 2023, the status of the review of the project timelines for the implementation of the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service; if the review has been completed to-date; the timeline for the publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9502/24]

Hospital Facilities

Catherine Connolly

162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No, 142 of 18 January 2024, for an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; if stage 1 has concluded to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9576/24]

Hospital Facilities

Catherine Connolly

163. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised surgical hub in Galway; to provide details on the project; the timeline for when the surgical hub will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9577/24]

Primary Care Centres

Catherine Connolly

164. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No, 1922 of 11 September 2023, the status of the proposed primary care centre for Galway City West; the expected timeline for the delivery of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9578/24]

Primary Care Centres

Catherine Connolly

165. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No, 1279 of 11 July 2023, the status of the development of a primary care centre on Inisbofin; the status of the land transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9579/24]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 18 January 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; if the preliminary business case has been completed and submitted to Solas to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8904/24]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 18 January 2024, for an update on the plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; the timeline for the delivery of the additional units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8905/24]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

292. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of pre-2011 RAS tenants who are on the Galway County Council special transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9240/24]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

293. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of pre-2011 RAS tenants who are on the Galway City Council special transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9241/24]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

294. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are separate special transfer lists for pre-2011 and post-2011 RAS tenants in Galway City Council, or if these tenants are all on the same special transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9242/24]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

295. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are separate special transfer lists for pre-2011 and post-2011 RAS tenants in Galway County Council, or if these tenants are all on the same special transfer list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9243/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Catherine Connolly

356. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a naturalisation certificate in respect of a person (details supplied); if the certificate has issued to-date; if not, the expected timeline for it to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9234/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Catherine Connolly

427. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what analysis his Department has carried out in regard to the impact on existing law and policy of the proposed amendments to the Constitution regarding family and care; his plans to publish this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8813/24]

Departmental Reports

Catherine Connolly

428. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the interdepartmental committee that was established to examine the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality compiled a report of the submissions received in the public consultation that closed on 19 May 2023; if so, if the report has been published; if not, his plans for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/24]

Departmental Reviews

Catherine Connolly

429. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the review of equality legislation; the timeline for the completion of the review; the expected timeline for when legislative proposals arising from the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/24]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

512. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the expert review of the paediatric orthopaedic surgery service at CHI; the timeline for the completion of the review; if he has received any interim reports to date; if so, his plans for the publication of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8844/24]

Legislative Reviews

Catherine Connolly

23. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 12 December 2023, the status of the independent review of part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017; the status of the recruitment process to replace the individual who had previously been engaged to carry out the study; if the new person has been appointed; the timeline for the completion of the review; the timeline for the publication of the final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8202/24]

Middle East

Catherine Connolly

35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8203/24]

Inshore Fisheries

Catherine Connolly

68. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of work to develop the new inshore fisheries sector strategy, in light of the fact that the previous one expired in 2023; the timeline for the publication of the new strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8250/24]

Departmental Bodies

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 14 December 2023, for an update on the work of the wool council; if the €30,000 in departmental funding has been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8243/24]

Foreign Policy

Catherine Connolly

29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 350 of 25 October 2022, for an update on the engagement he has had with his Algerian, European and UN counterparts in relation to the kidnapping on 6 January 2009 in Algiers of the sibling of an Irish citizen (details supplied) for which the UNHCR established Algeria’s responsibility; the circumstances of their abduction; the reason for their detention without trial; the steps that he has taken to secure their safe return; the engagement he has had with their family in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8160/24]

National Development Plan

Catherine Connolly

67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made in delivering National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects for County Galway for each year of the lifetime of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8251/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in Galway city and county for the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8283/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

80. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in Galway city and county for the current academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8284/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in secondary schools in Galway city and county for the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8285/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in secondary schools in Galway city and county for the current academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8286/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

83. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason for the removal of complex needs from the criteria for the allocation of special education teaching hours; the details of any consultation undertaken by her Department with teacher and parent representative groups with regard to the decision to remove complex needs from the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8287/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of her engagement with a group (details supplied) with regard to its proposal for a new mechanism to allow schools to inform the Department and NCSE of the level of special educational needs in their schools on a yearly basis to allow for more accurate SET and SNA allocations by the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8288/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of schools, nationwide and in Galway city and county, that will lose special education teaching resources under the new education model for special needs resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8289/24]

Departmental Functions

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his Department’s role in the national agricultural inspection programme; the details of any engagement between his Department, local authorities and the County and City Management Association in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; the details of any engagement between his Department and the EPA in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8134/24]