Parliamentary questions

Education Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is considering further funding to abolish higher education tuition fees and move to a fully free public education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19521/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on social affairs and public services will meet next. [21751/24]

Climate Change Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the final Climate Action Plan 2023 progress report, published by his Department in March 2024. [22691/24]

Foreign Conflicts

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on any recent discussions he has had with other world leaders in connection with the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [22692/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine will meet next. [21326/24]

Departmental Policies

Richard Boyd Barrett

12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21749/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

17. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee that deals with transport will next meet. [21750/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering further taxation measures to address the issues of long-term vacancy, dereliction, land hoarding and property speculation in light of the severe housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23005/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if, given the urgency of boosting housing supply, he is considering further changes to the residential zoned land tax to accelerate activation of residential zoned land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22766/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

76. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is planning further taxation measures to address property speculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22767/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

92. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering additional taxation measures in budget 2025 to address dereliction and long-term vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22765/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

104. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his plans to reinstate higher excise on fuel in August; if he will outline, given the increased costs of living on ordinary people, what the cost impact will be on households and business from increasing taxes on fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22763/24]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

109. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering in budget 2025 introducing a wealth tax on the top 5% of wealthiest households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22764/24]

State Properties

Richard Boyd Barrett

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are plans to sell the former Dalkey Garda station site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/24]

Housing Policy

Richard Boyd Barrett

353. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline, given that applicants for social housing require a demonstrated connection to the area in which they are applying, how somebody (details supplied) who has recently received a stamp 4 visa, despite having lived without documentation in Dublin city for the past 12 years in various hostels, demonstrated eligibility; and what documentation will be required for them to establish eligibility for social housing in order that they can find housing. [22613/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

360. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in relation to the Housing Agency’s Housing First policy, acknowledging that hostel accommodation is unsuitable for some individuals recovering from substance addictions, how an individual who is receiving residential treatment for addiction, but who is not approaching housing through the housing list, can find accommodation suitable to their addiction journey after their time in residential treatment comes to an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22833/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if allowances such as domiciliary care allowance can be backdated prior to the date of application, such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22176/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she has reviewed the Scottish Government’s benefit uptake campaigns as a model for matching individuals to their benefit entitlements; whether she intends to implement any similar campaigns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22177/24]

Passport Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure passport applicants are informed immediately if there is a problem with their application (details supplied) to allow applicants to rectify the problem earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21983/24]

European Council

Richard Boyd Barrett

2. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent special meeting of the European Council. [20459/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meetings with the Spanish Prime Minister. [21325/24]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to extend the end of life for taxi saloon cars to 13 years, as has been done with 2014 cabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/24]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

676. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be taken to improve the protection of students' and postgraduate researchers' right and freedom to protest in a peaceful manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21590/24]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

677. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be taken to condemn Trinity College Dublin's threats of disciplinary hearings, fines and expulsion to individual members of the democratically elected TCD Students' Union and Postgraduate Workers' Organisation, and a €214,000 fine issued to the TCD Students' Union, in response to peaceful student protests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/24]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

678. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the future measures that will be taken to protect individuals within a students' or researchers' union from being singled out or targeted by senior staff with disciplinary threats in response to action taken by the union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his most recent communications with his European counterparts in relation to imposing sanctions on Israel in light of the International Court of Justice’s recent ruling that there is a plausible case that Israel may be committing genocide in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20911/24]

Middle East

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been in contact with the German government about the suppression of the Irish language and other forms of censorship in relation to protests in Germany against genocide and Israel’s actions in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the new committee in his Department to deal with special education. [17962/24]

Departmental Programmes

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to provide an update on the work of the child poverty and well-being programme office. [20457/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent conversation with the British Prime Minister. [20458/24]

Medical Cards

Richard Boyd Barrett

511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether injections for osteoporosis with the medication festeo are still reimbursable for medical card holders; to provide a rationale for their removal if these injections are no longer available for medical card holders; what recourse medical card holders who have previously required such injections have if they have been removed from the list of reimbursable medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20232/24]

Civil Service

Richard Boyd Barrett

103. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is considering implementing pay caps for civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/24]

Local Authorities

Richard Boyd Barrett

105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is considering further funding for local authorities to support maintenance and repairs of council provided services, such as housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19520/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on the former Taoiseach's visit to Washington on St. Patrick’s Day. [17961/24]

Cabinet Committees

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will next meet. [10626/24]

Grant Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

94. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what statistics are recorded regarding the recipients of the solar electricity grant, individual home energy upgrade grants (better energy homes), grants for a home energy upgrade, free energy upgrades (warmer homes scheme), with respect to the value of the grant; the number of grants availed of by the recipient (details supplied); the income of the recipient household; the value of the property; and the location of the property or any other details relating to the recipient household or property. [19675/24]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

117. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance what statistics are recorded regarding the recipients of the home renovation incentive, and the help-to-buy scheme with respect to the value of the relief; the number of reliefs availed of by the recipient (details supplied); the income of the recipient household; the value of the property; and the location of the property or any other details relating to the recipient household or property. [19675/24]

Special Educational Needs

Richard Boyd Barrett

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the frequent assaults on special education teachers; if she will ensure that assault leave is increased to cover the duration of assault injuries; if she will ensure her Department meets the costs of medical bills and counselling for employees arising from assaults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19660/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent visit to Paris. [15146/24]

Constitutional Amendments

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plan for constitutional amendments. [17960/24]

Bus Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

202. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that each bus operator is updating the Transport for Ireland real-time applications where a service has been cancelled to ensure that customers are aware of service cancellations; the steps being taken to prevent cancellations from happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18995/24]

Departmental Contracts

Richard Boyd Barrett

205. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the length of time a contract with a company (details supplied) lasts; when it was last renewed; the reason it was renewed, given that the service has been poor; how many times the company has been fined; the amount; when the contract will be put out to tender again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19006/24]

Local Elections

Richard Boyd Barrett

255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to clearly outline which grades of employment are allowed to run in local government elections and which grades are prohibited from running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18960/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

492. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if any Israeli West Bank settler organisations are considered proscribed and subject to restrictive measures or sanctions by the State on the basis that the construction of settlements seriously destabilises the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of Palestine (details supplied); if any Israeli West Bank settler organisations are considered proscribed and subject to restrictive measures or sanctions by the State on the basis of their connection with reported violence against Palestinian civilians that seriously destabilises the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structure of Palestine; if the State is considering imposing any sanctions on such organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19020/24]

Departmental Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

493. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the measures the Government is taking to monitor financial support for Israeli West Bank settler organisations, considering that it is an offence under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 (details supplied) to collect or receive funds intending or knowing that they be used for the benefit of a terrorist group or in order to carry out terrorist activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19021/24]

Local Elections

Richard Boyd Barrett

610. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a general dental surgeon on grade H of employment is eligible to run in local government elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Richard Boyd Barrett

692. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the extensive waiting lists to receive gender-affirming healthcare at the gender clinic in St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown (details supplied); if there are plans to employ more gender-affirming healthcare professionals in this facility or others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19073/24]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

180. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm the timeline for the completion of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18527/24]

Schools Building Projects

Richard Boyd Barrett

181. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the number of years a school (details supplied) will remain at another location; if the specialist rooms, for example, the science lab, will be in place and ready for use when the new school year begins in August 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18526/24]

School Enrolments

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the latest updates on provision of new school places in the Dún Laoghaire area at primary and post-primary level; the latest population projections for the area; whether planned school place expansion is consistent with those projections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18210/24]