Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Appeals

Robert Troy

465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied). [16311/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Michael Creed

466. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the current situation regarding a carer’s allowance appeal for a person (details supplied). [16335/24]

Departmental Funding

Neasa Hourigan

467. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16389/24]

Home Care Packages

Niamh Smyth

468. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection to review a case (details supplied); what home care supports are available to this family once their quadruplets arrive to assist them in their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16436/24]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

469. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if an employer’s PRSI credit were to be introduced with various credit rates (details supplied). [16438/24]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

470. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if an employer’s PRSI credit were to be introduced at various rates (details supplied). [16439/24]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

471. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost if an employer’s PRSI credit were to be introduced at various rates (details supplied). [16440/24]

Departmental Schemes

Denis Naughten

472. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the administration cost of each assistance and benefit scheme operated by her Department, where available in the most recent year for which data is available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16447/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Cormac Devlin

473. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection what exceptions exist for people who have not paid their full stamps in order to qualify for a payment due to health problems over the years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16487/24]

Public Services Card

Cormac Devlin

474. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the application for a public services card by a person (details supplied) back in 2019 but has not had any response to the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16488/24]

Pension Provisions

Michael Creed

475. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the social welfare credits available for persons about to apply for the State contributory pension in circumstances where they have had to retire from their own work to care for their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16508/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

476. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of increased qualified adult payments that have been made to those living outside Ireland in 2023, in tabular form; the list of countries and the total amount paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16522/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

477. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made for increased qualified adult payment; the percentage that was refused to applicants living in Ireland; and the percentage refused to applicants living outside of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16523/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

478. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of increased qualified adult payment being means tested, how the Department can adequately ascertain people are eligible when they live abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16524/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

479. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments made in respect of the living alone allowance to those living outside of Ireland; the list of countries and how much was paid in total; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16525/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

480. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of payments made in respect of the cost-of-living allowance paid to those living outside of Ireland; the number of recipients; the list of countries and how much was paid in total; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16526/24]

Ukraine War

Michael Fitzmaurice

481. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Ukrainians living in Ireland who are in receipt of the carer's allowance, disability allowance and jobseeker's allowance, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16527/24]

Social Welfare Schemes

Bernard Durkan

482. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not paid the double week in January when they were in receipt of a payment, who was switched automatically to jobseeker's benefit until 13 February; if the case will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16528/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

483. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16536/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Bríd Smith

484. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is self-employed and has made sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory) when reaching 66 years of age, could retire from their occupation at 65 years and claim jobseeker's benefit for the year before reaching 66 years in the same way as other workers can under present legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16539/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

485. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the free travel pass is only assigned to those in receipt of the carer’s allowance and cannot be assigned to both the recipient of the carer’s allowance and the other parent or guardian, where the second parent or guardian can prove they contribute to the care of the child whose care needs gives rise to the eligibility for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16609/24]

Construction Industry

Ivana Bacik

486. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress in organising an annual national recruitment fair to promote jobs, apprenticeships and training options for the construction sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16659/24]

Ambulance Service

Thomas Pringle

487. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the situation with the lack of an ambulance service on Tory Island and on other Donegal islands, with only one island having any service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16731/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Ivana Bacik

488. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the timeline for establishing a group to identify administrative or other measures which could be implemented in the short term to reduce delays and costs for home purchasers in the conveyancing and probate processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16669/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

489. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if it is now possible for a person (details supplied) to apply for citizenship on behalf of their daughter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16011/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

490. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16031/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

491. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for a visa in the case of the son of a person (details supplied); when a decision can expect to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16041/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if a Department official will meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss the recent refusal of their application for citizenship to assist them to better understand the reason this decision was reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16044/24]

Citizenship Applications

Carol Nolan

493. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to clarify when an application (details supplied) will be processed; the reason for the delay to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16069/24]

Prison Service

Thomas Pringle

494. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice if an elderly Irish person (details supplied) who has been given a custodial sentence in France could have their sentence transmuted to be served in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16072/24]

An Garda Síochána

Mark Ward

495. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the response times of gardaí in the DMR area for antisocial behaviour; the percentage of calls that relate to antisocial behaviour received by gardaí, by year, from 2019 to present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16081/24]

EU Agreements

Mattie McGrath

496. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to publish the Attorney General’s advice on the ramifications of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact on Ireland’s national sovereignty, as enshrined in Bunreacht na hÉireann, prior to seeking approval from both Houses of the Oireachtas to opt-in under the terms of Protocol 21 annexed to the Treaty of Lisbon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16137/24]

EU Agreements

Mattie McGrath

497. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice her views on Article 7C of the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on asylum and migration management 2020/0279 (COD) in terms of Ireland’s national sovereignty, as enshrined in Bunreacht na hÉireann, the provisions of which cede power to the EU Commission to determine the total annual number of required relocated asylum seekers from countries under migratory pressure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16138/24]

EU Agreements

Mattie McGrath

498. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice to comment on her statement that there is “nothing” in the EU Migration and Asylum Pact “that does not benefit Ireland” in view of the fact that Ireland will be liable for more relocated asylum seeker applicants than many other EU countries in accordance with the formula for the distribution pursuant to Article 44 of the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on asylum and migration management 2020/0279 (COD), of which is binding in its entirety and directly applicable if Ireland opts-in under the terms of Protocol 21 annexed to the Treaty of Lisbon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16139/24]

Ministerial Staff

Brendan Griffin

499. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the process for the selection of Garda drivers for Government Ministers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16144/24]

Departmental Data

Robert Troy

500. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the amounts paid to private practitioners in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the amount paid to each of the top-ten recipients of fees under the international protection private practitioners scheme, by the practitioner's name and fees in those years. [16154/24]

Peace Commissioners

Niamh Smyth

501. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16173/24]

Peace Commissioners

Niamh Smyth

502. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the status of on application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16175/24]

Asylum Applications

Carol Nolan

503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if the religious affiliation of an applicant, whether they be Christian or otherwise, is a factor which is taken into consideration when considering an asylum application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16207/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Carol Nolan

504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the disciplinary bodies which exist to regulate the solicitors profession. [16209/24]

Pension Provisions

Carol Nolan

505. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the entitlements of the surviving spouses of deceased retired members of An Garda Síochána; the extent to which the entitlements of retired members are extended to their surviving spouse after their death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16211/24]

Courts Service

Carol Nolan

506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the reason neither the Department nor the Courts Service compile information on the nationality of persons convicted of offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16214/24]

Legal Aid

Carol Nolan

507. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if any absolute upper income limit applies to the granting of criminal legal aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16215/24]

Legislative Measures

Pa Daly

508. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice when she intends to bring forward proposals to replace the Offences Against the State Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16260/24]

An Garda Síochána

Darren O'Rourke

509. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí who successfully completed the van/personal carrier course in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and the duration of this course. [16285/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

510. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of trainee and newly attested Garda officers that were deployed and or stationed at Bray Garda station in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. [16325/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

511. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of whole-time-equivalent gardaí and civilians, by rank and grade, which are attached to Bray Garda station as of 9 April 2024. [16326/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the Garda vehicle fleet allocated on a full-time basis at Bray Garda station. [16327/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

513. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of dedicated community Garda officers stationed at Bray Garda station. [16328/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

514. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16332/24]

Immigration Policy

Carol Nolan

515. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if Members of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann will be presented with an opportunity to vote on the approval of the EU New Pact on Migration and Asylum; if the Pact requires transposing legislation to be brought forward; if the Pact contains any provisions that may require a constitutional referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16384/24]

An Garda Síochána

Alan Kelly

516. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 28 February 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this Parliamentary Question answered. [16397/24]

An Garda Síochána

Alan Kelly

517. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if each of the recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate Report in 2019 on public order training have been fully implemented; and if not, the recommendations that have yet to be implemented. [16398/24]

An Garda Síochána

Alan Kelly

518. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if funding has been secured in 2024 to purchase additional vehicles for the Garda armed support units. [16399/24]

An Garda Síochána

Alan Kelly

519. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 23 January 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities to have this Parliamentary Question answered. [16400/24]

Probation and Welfare Service

Alan Kelly

520. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time probation officers by grade employed by her Department in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [16401/24]

An Garda Síochána

Alan Kelly

521. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if any gardaí have gone to the UK for specialist training which is not available within the State in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if so, the type of training sought and the duration of this training, in tabular form. [16402/24]

Domestic Violence

Violet-Anne Wynne

522. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice how funding will be spent (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16467/24]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Cormac Devlin

523. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Justice the number of organisations, by name and year, which have applied for the community CCTV scheme since its inception; how many of those have drawn the funding down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16476/24]

Legislative Process

Neasa Hourigan

524. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has assessed the impact of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 on organisations within the charity sector who run national online raffles; if consideration has been given to providing exemptions around the daytime advertisement requirements outlined in the Bill for organisations within the charity sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16498/24]

Legislative Measures

Jim O'Callaghan

525. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will adopt and promote the Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021; and if not, the measures to increase penalties for knife crime she will introduce. [16559/24]

Departmental Reports

Ivana Bacik

526. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the progress on considering the recommendations contained in the LSRA report on the profession of conveyancer and identifying proposals for reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16668/24]

Visa Applications

Niamh Smyth

527. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the status of a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16682/24]

Legislative Measures

Seán Crowe

528. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the current status of legislation for the recognition of foreign divorce in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16683/24]

Immigration Policy

Carol Nolan

529. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if, with respect to the five EU Regulations that comprise the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (details supplied) which was approved by the European Parliament on 10 April 2024, the Regulations will be directly effective under Irish law in circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16762/24]

Immigration Policy

Carol Nolan

530. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to clarify certain matters with respect to the five EU Regulations that comprise the EU Migration and Asylum Pact which was approved by the European Parliament on 10 April 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16763/24]

Forestry Sector

Pa Daly

531. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the issue of fireblight and its threat to native hawthorn trees and hedgerows. [16078/24]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Murphy

532. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a grant scheme that volunteer lead animal rescue organisations can utilise. [16561/24]

National Archives

Cathal Crowe

533. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the Irish Land Commission Archive records (details supplied) are made publicly available vis-à-vis the National Archive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16563/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Griffin

534. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is his Department that is responsible for granting planning permission for forestry roads exiting onto main roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15983/24]

Departmental Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

535. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of abolishing the parental levy on the school milk scheme; the costs of the levy for each of the past five years inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15994/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Jackie Cahill

536. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualifying criteria for the crude protein allowance under banding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16022/24]

Nitrates Usage

Jackie Cahill

537. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give consideration to the nitrates figure for the preceding year being the determining figure for a farmer's slurry importation the following year, as it will incentivise less-intensive farmers to import slurry and it would be extremely beneficial in balancing soil fertility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16023/24]

Fodder Crisis

Kathleen Funchion

538. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the emergency supports he has provided farmers to increase access to fodder, given the bad weather conditions for farmers across the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16036/24]

Mental Health Services

Claire Kerrane

539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports are in place to support mental health in the farming community; if he has had engagement on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16042/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

540. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on when ACRES balancing payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/24]

Departmental Staff

Claire Kerrane

541. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of permanent full-time equivalent staff in the forestry division within his Department, by grade, role and function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16052/24]

Departmental Staff

Claire Kerrane

542. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of temporary and contracted full-time equivalent staff in the forestry division within his Department, by grade, role and function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16053/24]

Departmental Staff

Claire Kerrane

543. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists recruited to the forestry division of his Department in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16054/24]

Harbours and Piers

Mattie McGrath

544. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out dredging/clearing at Helvick Pier, County Waterford as lifeboats cannot gain access; if his Department will carry out dredging at Dungarvan Harbour also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16063/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Denis Naughten

545. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to extending the closing date for the spreading of lime under the liming scheme beyond June 2024, given challenging weather and ground conditions due to the incessant rainfall and the need to close up lands for winter forage as soon as weather conditions improve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16125/24]

Forestry Sector

Claire Kerrane

546. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, with regard to the environmental considerations map layers available via the iNET mapping system which demonstrate the different layers of consideration for afforestation under criteria for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, he will provide those maps as one combined map with all relevant layers to show a holistic overview of area available for afforestation under the new programme, as previously confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

547. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of outstanding agriculture payments, by payment scheme, in tabular form [16136/24]

Greyhound Industry

Bríd Smith

548. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the 4,822 non-coursing greyhounds who were registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann's RCETS at microchipping stage, but who have never been raced on an RCE-licensed track (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16181/24]

Agriculture Industry

Michael Healy-Rae

549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16251/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Paul Kehoe

550. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the last payment run was made for those in receipt of a payment (details supplied); when he expects to make the next payment run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16258/24]

Animal Welfare

Denise Mitchell

551. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any discussions have been had regarding the establishment of an animal welfare unit within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16309/24]

Harbours and Piers

Alan Kelly

552. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates in 2024 where he has visited each of the fisheries harbours under the remit of his Department; and the purpose of each visit, in tabular form. [16411/24]

Departmental Staff

Alan Kelly

553. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, currently at his Department's Laboratory at Backweston; and the estimated timeframe for when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [16412/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

554. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful sheep improvement scheme applicants awaiting payment; the number of payments provided, by county, in tabular form; the number awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16420/24]

Agriculture Industry

Michael Creed

555. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when proposals to address a longstanding issue for a group of farmers (details supplied) which he has committed to address will be brought forward; the funding required to address this issue; the details regarding eligibility under a proposed scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16502/24]

Marine Protected Areas

Neasa Hourigan

556. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's representation and involvement in the 9th Our Ocean Conference 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16520/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Healy-Rae

557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given allowing farmers to graze their SAC ground in view of the current bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

558. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Lowry

559. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum average tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16579/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Marian Harkin

560. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed outline of the reasons for the non-payment of the sheep improvement scheme for 2023 to a person (details supplied); if the person is included in the scheme for the future years of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16593/24]

Forestry Sector

Ivana Bacik

561. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress in promoting the use of cross-laminated timber in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/24]

Greyhound Industry

Patrick Costello

562. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he agrees that there is a significant difference in the assertion contained in a report commissioned by Greyhound Racing Ireland and published in 2021 (details supplied) and the assertion contained in a reply to a Parliamentary Question provided to the Minister by Greyhound Racing Ireland in relation to the importance of the greyhound industry as a provider of employment in this country; if he agrees that the claim contained in the industry-commissioned report in this respect is one of several examples of inaccurate and misleading information contained in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16678/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Claire Kerrane

563. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to adjusting the deadline for the national sheep welfare scheme actions to be completed, given concerns from sheep farmers and representatives organisations about the current October deadline and proposal to change to deadline to mid-November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16713/24]

Agriculture Industry

Michael Healy-Rae

564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/24]