Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

1165. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 7 March 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied) will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/23]

Postal Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

135. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will approve the increase for pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33883/23]

Visa Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

461. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice when decisions will be made in the applications for atypical visas by a nursing home (details supplied), which has applied for 35 atypical visas since 15 March 2023, and has yet to receive a decision on any of these applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29708/23]

Medicinal Products

Michael Fitzmaurice

701. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the drug, sativex, will be made available for people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29595/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Fitzmaurice

168. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in the application for foreign birth registration by a person (details supplied), who applied in February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28454/23]

Workplace Relations Commission

Michael Fitzmaurice

441. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the WRC is no longer fit for purpose in the Government's eyes; the implication for all employees across all sectors, public and private, especially if they see Government bodies belatedly disrespecting the WRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27466/23]

School Curriculum

Michael Fitzmaurice

530. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education the plans her Department has in place to accommodate students with learning difficulties to have the option of having two or three different levels in the Leaving Certificate examinations, having already had the option and ability to complete the Junior Certificate examinations at three different levels, in order that all students, regardless of abilities, are no longer discriminated against and can attain a Leaving Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27570/23]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

697. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is honouring the brokered Management Transformation Framework Document delivered in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27464/23]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

698. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the implementation of the outcome of industrial relations mechanisms through the WRC for the purposes of ensuring the smooth transition of water services to Uisce Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27465/23]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

699. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will intervene and instruct the local authorities to commit in writing that all earnings will be paid to workers who remain in their local authority after 2026, as no loss of earnings was agreed at the time by CCMA and the LGMA (local authority representatives); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27467/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

1191. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied ) who is a retiree of the HSE will receive their arrears of payment under the recent pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27746/23]

Departmental Funding

Michael Fitzmaurice

1354. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the technological university development fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the technological university transformation fund (TUTF) on 31 August 2023; what level funding is going to be made available under the new TUT fund; if the Technological University (TUS) who merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUS which merged earlier; if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this very important juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

212. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify whether the recently announced croí cónaithe grant is only payable on houses that are accessible by a public road, and that it is not payable for houses not accessible onto a public road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26783/23]

Medicinal Products

Michael Fitzmaurice

192. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the drug, fenfluramine, will be funded and be made available in Ireland to a child (details supplied) for the treatment of a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26615/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

187. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 757 of 18 April 2023, which to date remains unanswered, the reason for this; if he will confirm whether a person who owns a derelict house and who wishes to avail of the vacant property refurbishment grant, and as a result of the structure being damaged beyond repair, demolishes the house, is eligible to apply for the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25537/23]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in light of recent developments pertaining to the withdrawal of several racecourses from an organisation's (details supplied) proposed media rights deal with two companies, he will review the applicability of section 10 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, due to the infringement on the exclusive property rights of racecourse owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25200/23]

Legislative Measures

Michael Fitzmaurice

174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to introduce an appeals mechanism, in order to provide for independent recourse for complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25201/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

522. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1061 of 21 March 2023 and 163 of 9 March 2022, when a decision will be made in the application for naturalisation for an Indian national (details supplied), married to an Irish citizen since 14 February 2010, who submitted a naturalisation application in 2020 and has, to date, not received a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/23]

Flood Risk Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

289. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are plans to reduce the water levels at Termonbarry Harbour, County Roscommon, to previous levels and have the gates re-opened for the release of water to prevent further flooding of adjacent farmlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22724/23]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Fitzmaurice

321. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when the two proposed additional classrooms and two special needs units are scheduled to commence construction at a school (details supplied) in light of the increasing number of students and, in particular, students with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22588/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

495. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications awaiting decision on naturalisation whereby the application is with his Department for 3, 4, 5 and over 5 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

496. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the timescale for issuing decisions on naturalisation applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Michael Fitzmaurice

497. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the reason the naturalisation ceremony in Ireland is held only twice a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22734/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

519. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree felling licences that have been issued within five to six months of receipt by the Forest Service of his Department on a quarterly basis, for both private and Coillte licences separately, in the past two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22425/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

520. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the forestry programme proposal that was recently submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22426/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

521. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the forestry programme 2023-2027 to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22427/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

144. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a Glas payment for 2022 will issue to a person (details supplied) given the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21898/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Fitzmaurice

610. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 663 of 7 March 2023, when staff from an agency (details supplied) who worked as clerical staff at Mullingar Regional Hospital will receive their Covid-19 special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

201. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry planting licences granted from the 1 January 2023 to date; when Ireland formally submitted its completed application for state-aid approval to the EU Commission for its national forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20860/23]

Foreign Birth Registration

Michael Fitzmaurice

41. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a foreign birth certificate will issue to a person (details supplied) who applied in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20592/23]

Universal Social Charge

Michael Fitzmaurice

107. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, in place to abolish the universal social charge, which was brought in as a temporary measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/23]

Universal Social Charge

Michael Fitzmaurice

108. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered abolishing the universal social charge for occupational pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20397/23]

Visa Applications

Michael Fitzmaurice

300. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider making changes to the processing times for short-term stay visa applications whereby the application is for a business trip, and by a person who proposes to purchase goods or livestock from Ireland, given that a recent order and contract of livestock was cancelled due to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/23]

International Protection

Michael Fitzmaurice

366. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a substantial payment yet again for housing Ukrainian families will receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

136. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the final payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) for the REAP scheme, which was approved for payment in December 2022 but has not yet issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19672/23]

Live Exports

Michael Fitzmaurice

143. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Ireland has lost an expected deal for the sale of 5,000 cattle to be exported due to delays in visa processing as reported in the media (details supplied); if his Department has become involved to resolve this issue to ensure that export deals like this are not lost again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/23]

Horticulture Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

452. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects approval from the European Commission in respect of the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19500/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

453. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/23]

Ukraine War

Michael Fitzmaurice

493. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a substantial payment for housing Ukrainian families will receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19596/23]

Grant Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

99. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) for the REAP scheme which has been approved for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/23]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Fitzmaurice

535. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if an application under the school building programme, submitted by a school, (details supplied), can be fast-tracked to take account of the increase in the number of students enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17242/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Fitzmaurice

536. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will assess and address the needs of a school, (details supplied), for an indoor sports/multipurpose facility, changing rooms and general-purpose area to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17243/23]

School Accommodation

Michael Fitzmaurice

537. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the allocation of temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) to ensure the safe, orderly and efficient provision of physical education and extracurricular activities to accommodate the increase in numbers enrolled for the 2023/2024 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17244/23]

Housing Schemes

Michael Fitzmaurice

757. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who owns a derelict house and wishes to avail of the vacant property refurbishment grant, and as a result of the structure being damaged beyond repair, demolishes the house, is eligible for the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16608/23]

Animal Welfare

Michael Fitzmaurice

1148. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken in seeking a resolution to allow the importing of a vaccine (details supplied) which cannot be bought in Ireland but is readily available in the UK and due to Brexit it is no longer available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17849/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

1806. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what progress has been made on the access to public service pensions in some higher education institutions for researchers since March 2022, to give them equal status with their colleagues who can avail of this access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

1807. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the potential difficulties in the recruitment and maintaining of staff in the research area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16611/23]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

359. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the growing of trees and the managing of woodlands and forestry is a farming activity and whether any farmer engaged in it is an active farmer for CAP purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15989/23]

Grant Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

219. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a farmer (details supplied) for the fodder scheme which was lodged on 28 July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15612/23]

Official Engagements

Michael Fitzmaurice

755. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the protocols or criteria required for him to meet with stakeholder groups within the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14682/23]