Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Ukraine War

Brendan Howlin

50. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a breakdown of the assistance Ireland provided to Ukraine in 2022 and to date in 2023; the expected outturn for 2023; whether this assistance was provided through the EU or directly; to describe what the programme was; the purpose of the aid or financial assistance; if the full outturn for 2022 has been confirmed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Brendan Howlin

51. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of the membership fees, subscriptions or other contributions paid to international bodies by his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on behalf of his Department, other Departments or agencies, or the State itself, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36436/23]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Howlin

52. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of his plans for new embassies or consulates over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36437/23]

Diaspora Issues

Brendan Howlin

53. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide the details of the various programmes for supporting the diaspora; the funding committed to each in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36438/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

54. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure the urgent processing of a passport card for a person (details supplied) by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36439/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

157. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the capital allocations in 2023 for the Defence Forces; the breakdown, by project, of expenditure that has been or will be incurred in 2023; the projected capital budget in 2024; when the Equipment Development Plan was last updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36260/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

158. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline what progress has been made on the procurement of ground-based air defence radar; when he expects a tender to be made; the projected cost of the project; if this project will be separated to the requirement for primary radar capability; to outline specifically what progress has been made in 2023 in exploring how to develop same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36261/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

159. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline what progress has been made on the procurement of multi-beam sonar-echo sounder for the P60 class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36262/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

160. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the lance corporal rank will be introduced in the Army and Air Corps; the projected cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36263/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

161. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been made on the introduction of new long service increments to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel; the projected cost of introducing a new long service increment to each rank in the Defence Forces including enlisted ranks and private 3 star or able seamen; the current number of LSIs available, by rank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36264/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

162. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount allocated in budget 2023 for the provision of private medical care for Defence Forces personnel; what progress has been made in delivering on the commitment made in May 2023; when personnel will be able to avail of the scheme; what additional allocation will be required in 2024; the full-year projected cost of the scheme; if additional medical personnel are required in the Defence Forces to deliver on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36265/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

163. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline the progress made on implementing the working time directive in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36266/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

164. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been to address mandatory retirement ages for post-1994 personnel in the interdepartmental working group; the projected cost of increasing the retirement age to 55 years for privates, corporals and sergeants and 60 years for NCO ranks above that, if they meet all other required criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36267/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

165. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the additional projected cost of providing a Naval Service patrol duty allowance of €100 per day that merges the current allowances and tax credit into one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36268/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

166. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when Defence Forces regulation C.S.4 was last updated; when he next expects to update it; what progress has been made to ensure this is more flexible and subject to regular revision to reflect changes and reforms within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

167. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what progress has been made on implementing the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces' recommendation for the introduction of a mechanism to provide for ongoing review of the application of existing specialist pay rates and allowances to groups and categories of military personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36270/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

168. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure members of the Defence Forces can more easily obtain specialist techpay in recognition of their qualifications and roles; his plans to ensure this is addressed to improve retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36272/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

169. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if backdated payments have now commenced to the members of the Army Ranger Wing; how much in total remains to be paid arising out of pay reviews in 2010 back dated to 2006 and 2014, and to how many personnel serving or retired; the current rate of special allowance; when this was awarded; if the backdated payment to October 2021 has now commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36273/23]

Military Exports

Brendan Howlin

209. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport the measures he has taken to ensure that Ireland does not facilitate the transit of cluster munitions through Irish airports, ports or airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35999/23]

School Transport

Brendan Howlin

467. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that siblings (details supplied) will be provided with school transport, which is now their only means of getting to school; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36335/23]

School Transport

Brendan Howlin

472. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that siblings (details supplied) will be provided with school transport, who availed of the service in the last school term; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36512/23]

Tourism Promotion

Brendan Howlin

547. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the threat to the future of the Celtic Routes Project, a unique tourism initiative linking counties in south east Ireland with counterparts in Wales; if she will ensure that sufficient funding is provided to continue this important project; if she has had any contact with her Welsh government colleague to discuss this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36354/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Brendan Howlin

698. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will personally intervene in a case of an overpayment of carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) whose overpayment arose because they were required to work additional hours as a nurse in the early stages of the Covid pandemic; if, in these circumstances, she will ensure that this person's appeal is allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36140/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

835. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if resident non-nationals who serve in the Defence Forces for a number of years must pay citizenships fees if they then apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36271/23]

Dental Services

Brendan Howlin

1225. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties currently affecting patients at Cork University Dental School and Hospital, that the dental hospital theatre list was suspended on 7 April 2023 and has not been resumed to date, that this suspension has had an adverse impact on patients' lists, both adult and children, on dental nurse training, on oral surgery training and on staff morale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36168/23]

Cancer Services

Brendan Howlin

1336. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he has received representation from an organisation (details supplied) for adequate sustainable base funding for its vital community services throughout the country; if he will ensure that a minimum of €10 million is provided annually to ensure the survival of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/23]

Grant Payments

Brendan Howlin

1423. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine an application for a SUSI grant in respect of a person (details supplied), whose parents are long time separated without a legal separation, who reside separately but whose documentation has not been accepted by SUSI as proving this; if he will accept the documentation provided as sufficient proof of separate living; if he will ensure that this application is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35632/23]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Howlin

42. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set out the number of officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation who have been notified to his Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, and any changes in the number notified in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/23]

Diplomatic Representation

Brendan Howlin

43. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish diplomatic and support staff assigned to the Irish Embassy in Moscow; if there have been any changes in this number in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34628/23]

Overseas Development Aid

Brendan Howlin

44. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for overseas development assistance in 2022, and the expected amount in 2023; the proportion of GNI that has been committed; if he will provide a breakdown of the various programmes under which ODA is spent; the amount assigned to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34642/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

59. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current annual training capacity for the Defence Forces; how many new entrants were trained in each year since 2016, broken down by service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34635/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

60. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current establishment strength of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34636/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

61. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many personnel left the Defence Forces in each year since 2016, in tabular form, broken down by officers and other ranks; how many have left in 2023 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

62. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of housing units available within the Defence Forces; the capacity of the existing housing quarters; how many are unoccupied; how many are deemed unsuitable; how many will be renovated in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34638/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

63. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the current allowances for security and other defence duties; the value of each; when those were last increased; the value of the increase; the number of recipients of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34639/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

64. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what plans for procurement of new equipment and capabilities are in place for 2023; if he will outline the plan for the purchase of new ships over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34640/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

65. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if work has commenced on the procurement of primary and coastal radar; if he will outline his plans for same; the projected budget for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34641/23]

EU Regulations

Brendan Howlin

105. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in respect of the expansion of the Covid-19 temporary framework with regard to state aid rules; the current view of the European Commission on state aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34629/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Howlin

164. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 13 December 2022, concerning payment of carer's allowance to a person (details supplied); if she will explain why this person has not been in receipt of carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34721/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

122. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34335/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

142. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a person (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32659/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

152. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31720/23]

Medicinal Products

Brendan Howlin

405. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will personally intervene to ensure that a person (details supplied) continues to receive a vital medicine to deal with a condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31700/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Brendan Howlin

26. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will set out the grants and other assistance available to owners of new houses who wish to make their homes more energy efficient by installing solar panels; if new homeowners are entitled to grant assistance to install solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31526/23]

Family Reunification

Brendan Howlin

117. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the difficulties being experienced by non-EEA health care assistants in acquiring permission from her Department for family reunification for spouses and children (details supplied); her plans to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31517/23]

Family Reunification

Brendan Howlin

161. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties being experienced by non-EEA health care assistants in getting permission to have close family members join them in Ireland, and the impact this is having on the recruitment and retention of health care assistants; if he has raised this matter with Government colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31514/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

67. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has finalised the terms of reference for the statutory inquiry into abuse in the Defence Forces; if he has accepted the views put forward by the Women of Honour group; when he expects to present his proposals to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29729/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

128. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29204/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

137. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the renewal of a passport for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29267/23]

Commemorative Medals

Brendan Howlin

179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider the awarding of a commemorative medal to Defence Forces personnel involved in the Decade of Centenaries commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29773/23]