2698. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the proposed dredging of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre; whether the Environmental Protection Agency has completed its assessment of the waste licence application; what outstanding steps remain before works can begin; when he expects the project will go to tender; when dredging works are expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60590/26]
2560. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has carried out an assessment of the short and long-term impact of limited capacity and overcrowding across the prison system; the measures being taken to address these pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63375/26]
2559. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans in place to address significant overcrowding and capacity pressures across the prison system; whether consideration is being given to the construction of a new prison or other significant expansion of prison capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63376/26]
2558. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of outgoing transfer requests made under Regulation (EU) No. 604/2013 in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number accepted, refused and completed; if he will provide a breakdown by Member State and year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63380/26]
2557. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of outgoing transfer requests made to Italy and Greece under Regulation (EU) No. 604/2013 in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the number accepted, refused and completed; the reasons accepted transfers were not completed; the action being taken where transfers cannot be carried out; whether Article 3(2) or relevant provisions of the EU Asylum and Migration Management Regulation have been considered in such cases, by country and year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63381/26]
2551. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the additional services for victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that have become operational since the establishment of Cuan, distinguishing these from services that have been announced, planned or funded but are not yet operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63409/26]
2550. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of additional domestic violence refuge and emergency accommodation spaces that have become operational since the establishment of Cuan; the number available when Cuan commenced and currently; the number under development; the expected opening date of each planned facility, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63410/26]
2549. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the counties that currently have no dedicated domestic violence refuge accommodation; the plans for the provision of appropriate accommodation in each such county; the expected delivery date in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63411/26]
2548. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the targets and deliverables set for Cuan since its establishment; the targets achieved in full, partially achieved and outstanding; the original and current delivery date for each outstanding target, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63412/26]
2547. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total funding allocated to Cuan in each year since its establishment; the amount expended in each year; the amount provided directly to frontline services for victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63413/26]
2546. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of victims and survivors who accessed domestic violence services funded by Cuan in each year since its establishment; the number who could not be accommodated or provided with the service sought due to capacity constraints, broken down by service type and year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63415/26]
2545. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the specialist domestic violence services funded or overseen by Cuan that are available on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63417/26]
2544. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the performance indicators used to assess whether the establishment of Cuan has improved access to accommodation, advocacy, protection and specialist supports for victims and survivors; the performance against each indicator to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63418/26]
2180. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department carried out an assessment of the overall impact of the changes introduced under the International Protection Act 2026 on people already in the international protection process (details supplied); whether the effect of these changes on the length of time families may remain separated was examined; whether any transitional arrangements for people already in the system were considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60472/26]
2179. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the evidence or analysis that informed the decision to introduce the revised citizenship residency requirement and family reunification provisions in the International Protection Act 2026; the assessment that was made of how these measures would support the integration of people granted international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60459/26]
2050. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are any cases whereby a person with outstanding class S or other income tax liabilities who was therefore was not entitled to their claim their State Pension (Contributory) when they turned 66, but subsequently reached a settlement with Revenue for the repayment of these debts; if there are cases whereby any individual in this situation had their pension backdated to the date they became eligible (66); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62033/26]
2049. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of benefit payment for over 65s is eligible to qualify for a carers support grant, given that a person in receipt of the benefit payment does not need to look for work, sign on or be available for work to receive the payment and that same person can then be providing full-time care and attention to another person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62034/26]
1723. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will request the Land Development Agency to publish a detailed delivery plan for the infrastructure and community amenities that will accompany its proposed housing developments in Clongriffin, including projected delivery timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60257/26]
1722. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures in place to ensure that Government Departments, local authorities and State agencies coordinate the delivery of housing with the timely provision of schools, healthcare, childcare, transport and community facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60255/26]
1721. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department will examine the current level of community infrastructure and public amenities in Clongriffin and the surrounding area to determine whether it is sufficient to support further large-scale housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60249/26]
1720. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what engagement his Department has had with the Land Development Agency regarding the provision of schools, primary care services, childcare facilities, community centres, sports facilities and other essential amenities as part of its proposed housing developments in Clongriffin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60246/26]
1719. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he agrees that the delivery of essential community infrastructure and amenities should be prioritised alongside large-scale housing developments to ensure the creation of sustainable communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60244/26]
1349. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the provisions available to Leaving Certificate students who are prevented from sitting both the main examinations and the deferred examination sitting due to serious illness, emergency surgery or other exceptional medically certified circumstances; whether any alternative assessment arrangements exist in such cases; whether consideration is being given to reviewing the current system where a student is unable to complete either examination sitting through no fault of their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62725/26]
1111. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether her Department is considering introducing a grant or support scheme, similar to the free schoolbooks scheme, to help parents meet the cost of laptops, chromebooks and other essential digital devices required by schools; whether this proposal is being considered as part of Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59891/26]
1042. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will publish a national SME scale-up strategy with the specific objective of increasing the number of indigenous medium-sized and large Irish-owned businesses through measures to improve productivity, innovation, exports and access to finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60618/26]
1040. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the additional measures being considered to improve access to affordable long-term finance for indigenous SMEs seeking to scale, increase exports or invest in productivity improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60631/26]
1029. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken to strengthen links between multinational companies and indigenous SMEs, including increasing procurement opportunities, supply-chain participation and technology transfer, to maximise the long-term benefits of foreign direct investment for Irish-owned businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60636/26]
1023. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether his Department has examined the protection available to consumers who have paid deposits to building contractors that subsequently enter liquidation; whether consideration has been given to measures such as deposit protection schemes, mandatory client accounts, insurance-backed guarantees, or changes to the treatment of consumer claims in insolvency proceedings to reduce the financial losses suffered by householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60360/26]
1013. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he will commission an independent review of Ireland’s industrial policy to identify measures that would increase productivity, strengthen indigenous enterprise and improve Ireland’s long-term economic resilience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60639/26]
1012. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if consideration is being given to establishing a dedicated programme to identify and support high-growth indigenous SMEs with the potential to become internationally competitive businesses through tailored investment, innovation and export supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60642/26]
869. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether his Department is monitoring the impact of the €3 customs duty on low-value consignments introduced on 1 July 2026 on Irish consumers purchasing goods from Great Britain; whether particular consideration has been given to consumers who rely on the British market for goods not readily available in Ireland, including persons with disabilities and consumers in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63874/26]
809. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations 1994 (Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994) and section 92 of the Finance Act 1989, operating as part of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme exclude blind passengers; when the regulations will be amended to include severe visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63216/26]
768. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is aware of difficulties faced by qualified cohabitants in accessing the capital acquisitions tax exemption (details supplied), including cases where this has delayed mortgage drawdowns; the options available to former cohabitants seeking to transfer assets following an amicable separation without having to take court proceedings; if he will consider reviewing the current provisions to ensure that former cohabitants and unmarried parents are not disadvantaged compared with married couples in similar circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62060/26]
742. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reforms to the taxation system being considered to better support indigenous SMEs to scale, invest and expand, including whether changes are being examined to ensure the tax system encourages business growth rather than creating barriers to expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60621/26]
741. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing enhanced tax incentives for SMEs investing in automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing equipment and other productivity-enhancing technologies to improve competitiveness and support long-term economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60627/26]
624. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the economic assessment of MetroLink will take account of the potential for additional housing and development around stations as a result of the increased public transport capacity provided by the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64018/26]
622. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if an updated cost-benefit analysis of MetroLink is being carried out to take account of the revised cost of the project and the increase in population and employment since the original business case was prepared; when this analysis will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64016/26]
607. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the design of the FourNorth project is intended to facilitate future rail infrastructure or expansion; if any additional land is being safeguarded or considered for acquisition for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63819/26]
604. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the additional land currently expected to be required for the FourNorth project; the locations along the corridor where land acquisition may be necessary; if residential properties or private gardens may be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63810/26]
603. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if alternatives to the acquisition of residential properties or private gardens are being examined in the development of the FourNorth project, including the use of non-residential land where feasible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63811/26]
602. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport when residents adjoining the Connolly to Malahide rail corridor who may be directly affected by the FourNorth project will be notified; the arrangements for direct engagement with those residents before the emerging preferred option is finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63812/26]
601. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the statutory process that will apply where private land is required by compulsory acquisition for the FourNorth project; the rights available to affected property owners to make submissions or objections; the body responsible for determining such objections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63813/26]
600. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the compensation arrangements that will apply to property owners whose land is acquired for the FourNorth project; if compensation may include impacts on the value or amenity of the retained property; if reasonable costs associated with obtaining independent professional valuation advice will be recoverable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63815/26]
599. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the compensation arrangements that will apply to property owners whose land is acquired for the FourNorth project; if compensation may include impacts on the value or amenity of the retained property; if reasonable costs associated with obtaining independent professional valuation advice will be recoverable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63817/26]
207. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether consideration will be given to allowing the SEAI solar PV grant to support backup systems that enable households to safely use their solar-generated electricity during power outages, particularly during storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63373/26]
187. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether, in making appointments to the Climate Change Advisory Council, he assesses if there is a sufficient balance of specialist expertise and viewpoints to ensure robust scrutiny of climate accounting methodologies, including GWP* and temperature neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62724/26]
137. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment when the Renewable Heat Obligation Bill 2025 will be published; if it will be accompanied by a full impact assessment and full cost benefit analysis with respect to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter [60775/26]
109. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he has engaged with EirGrid, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and representatives of the demand-side response sector regarding the operation of the electricity market and the participation of flexible demand resources; the outcome of any such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60271/26]
108. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures his Department is taking to support the development of demand-side flexibility within Ireland’s electricity system; the role he expects demand-side response to play in achieving national electricity system and renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60266/26]
4248. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if, further to the statement in the Programme for Government (details supplied) he will assist in progressing the development of a National Social Innovation Fund to assist consortia of organisations in collaborating to meet the challenges of an ageing society. [57638/26]