1295. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES scheme participants that have received their up-to-date scoring and have been paid any balance owing to date or have been notified of an over payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/24]
1294. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES scheme participants that received a preliminary payment under the ACRES scheme of €4,000 for the general scheme and €5,000 for the co-operation scheme; the number of these that were found subsequently to have been overpaid and who now owe money to the Department, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/24]
1293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants that have joined each of the ACRES 1 and ACRES 2 schemes respectively; the number that have since withdrawn from both schemes; broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35613/24]
1285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a vehicle owner from Inis Meáin, Árainn, County Galway (details supplied) was refused a parking permit for Rossaveal Harbour, County Galway, despite the fact that the vehicle owner is a permanent resident of the Aran Islands and is a farmer with a herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35410/24]
1278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received from each of the three Aran Island, Árann, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr, under Tranche 2 of ACTES; the number of these who have withdrawn their applications to date ; the number of remaining participants in the scheme on each island; whether he is concerned at the high attrition rate of applications due to the unsuitability of the scheme in this extremely high nature value area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35209/24]
1274. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is intended to seek bids to rent out a building (details supplied); the reason for the delay given the building has lain idle for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35165/24]
1067. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the grounds under which an applicant for subsidiary protection can apply for family re-unification; the relationship of persons covered under family re-unification; whether she intends proposing changes to the current process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34039/24]
1013. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is proposed to re-tender for the contract to deliver the over-the-counter services to social welfare recipients presently held by An Post; whether the terms of reference of this tender have yet been drafted; whether it is intended to refer them to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Islands for comment and suggestion before finalising them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35616/24]
914. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of optometrists registered with the social welfare optical benefit scheme in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33959/24]
913. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the fees paid per patient to optometrists for each eye examination under the Department's optical benefit scheme now; the amount paid in 2008 and 2015; whether she intends increasing this, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33957/24]
842. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant or void local authority houses in each local authority at the beginning of 2024; the number of these that have been refurbished since; the allocation to each local authority this year for remediation of such properties; whether any of the local authorities could spend further funds on this work this year as it can be a quick and cost effective way of increasing the number of local authority houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35037/24]
650. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) that has planning permission and is in urgent need of replacement, will be allowed to go to tender for a new school on the same site; the reason for the delay with this urgent project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35413/24]
640. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken by her Department to vindicate the right of a pupil (details supplied) not to be in attendance passively or actively at a religious class, in line with their constitutional rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35243/24]
501. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the amount of the remote area boarding grant for students from offshore islands that have to board on the mainland for their secondary education because there is no post primary school on their islands for each year since 2008; whether in view of the increase in the cost of full board accommodation since she intends increasing this grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33861/24]
442. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Office of Public Works intends on cleaning a river (details supplied) for which it has responsibility, as this river and its banks have not been cleaned for six years and is totally overgrown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35617/24]
400. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the steps to be taken to balance regional spending on the northern and western regions of Ireland for the rest of the period of the NDP, in view of the report from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly “Regional Infrastructural Tracker July 2024” which shows that only 9.9% of the investment committed under public service tenders over €1m between 2016 and 2024 was for this region, although the region has 17.6% of the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33936/24]
295. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the names of the consultants asked to review the All-Island Rail Strategy and recommend priorities; the terms of reference of the review; if it is intended to publish the results of the review before decisions are made on its implementation by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35481/24]
273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date with the development of Ceannt Station in Galway as a major rail terminus with five platforms; the reason work was stopped on this project; when it will recommence; the expected finishing date for the project; the extra cost associated with the delay in the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35239/24]
272. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the annual change in passenger numbers using the Limerick to Galway services in each of the past ten years; the steps being taken in view of the growth of usage on the line to ensure the infrastructure facilitates further passenger number growth on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35238/24]
271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if any application has been received by his Department from Iarnród Éireann for the upgrading of the line and stations on the rail line from Limerick to Athenry to ensure that it has the capacity to handle six carriage trains stopping at all stations at a frequency of ten trains per day each over all its length and with the ability to have a train frequency in each direction at rush hours; the progress made with such an application, if on hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35237/24]
256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date regarding the development of a permanent Irish Coastguard base in west Connemara, County Galway, particularly the progress made on site selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35036/24]
209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when implementation of the All-Island Rail Review, which was launched recently, will commence; the process by which projects will be selected for early implementation; the priority that will be given in this to balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34175/24]
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the allocation of funding to each regional airport this year; the basis on which this allocation is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34174/24]
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if there is a cap on the number of passengers that an airport can handle to be eligible for funding as a regional airport; if so, if he intends reviewing this cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34173/24]
2694. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application has been received from a company (details supplied) to enable it to continue to provide maintenance to an iconic trail and cover its administrative costs; the response of her Department to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32780/24]
2688. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the allocation of the funding of €64,000 allocated to the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme on the offshore islands of County Galway this year, broken down between staffing costs, travel, administration, outreach office rental, animation and direct project budgets, taking into account the extra cost of administering programmes on offshore islands; whether she considers this sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32418/24]
2687. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funding to Galway Rural Development for each of the current five years for the administration and running of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme on the four inhabited off-shore islands of Galway; whether she considers this funding is adequate, or intends to review it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32417/24]
2612. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions he has had or is planning to have with his Northern Ireland counterpart in relation to the development of a full stand-alone university in Derry, the largest city in the north west of Ireland; whether the possible usage of funds from the Shared Island Fund towards the development of such a university was discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32387/24]
2130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the status of the planned ambulance base in Recess in Connemara, which has already received planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31703/24]
1611. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to ensure sufficient judges are appointed to the District Courts who have a diploma or other qualification in ‘assisted capacity’, to ensure a smooth implementation of the new assisted capacity legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33725/24]
1610. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of District Court judges at present, broken down by gender; the steps being taken to ensure gender balance in the District Court system through the appointment of judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33724/24]
1609. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Dlí agus Cirt cé na céimeanna atá á nglacadh le déanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ann a bhfuil ar a gcumas cásanna a éisteacht i nGaeilge le cinntiú, go mór mór i gceantracha Cúirte Dúiche a bhfuil Gaeltachtaí iontu, go mbeidh rogha ag daoine atá os comhair cúirte a gcásanna a phlé trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33723/24]
1470. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the review currently being undertaken by her Department regarding family reunification in respect of persons who are permitted to work in the State will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31257/24]
1278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on domiciliary care allowance appeal submitted by a person (detail supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31740/24]
1250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review of means testing was commenced by her Department; when the report will be finalised and published; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31296/24]
1225. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection where a farmer has a second house that is leased or rented as a permanent residence to a family member, whether they are assessed on the capital value or the value or the rental received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33262/24]
934. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán faoi cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir le hiarratas ar dheontas ó eagraíocht (sonraí tugtha) chun trealamh a cheannach do naíonra Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [32388/24]
907. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the closing date for applications was for the present round of applications for the sports capital grant scheme; the reason for the delay in approving grants, other than for equipment, under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31306/24]
906. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when an official letter of sanction will issue to a body which was awarded a grant under the sports capital equipment grants (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31300/24]
905. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when an official letter of sanction will issue to successful applicants under the sports capital equipment grants scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31299/24]
324. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the number of tax payers who are in employment that claim the flat rate expenses tax credit; the number estimated to be entitled to it; whether in Budget 2025 it is intended to simplify the number of rates of this tax credit and announce a publicity campaign to ensure the maximum number of eligible people claim it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31706/24]
244. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) is accepting cash payments in light of recent legislation introduced by the Minister for Finance in respect of such payments; whether he intends instructing the NDLS to accept cash payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32602/24]
238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation this year to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the maintenance and upgrade of national roads; whether it is intended to increase this allocation during the year in view of the need for upgrades and maintenance on these roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32491/24]
108. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a dedicated email address for use by a Member of the Oireachtas to make specific enquiries regarding the roll out of the National Broadband Plan where National Broadband Ireland is not giving a reason for skipping pockets of houses in the roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/24]
107. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a premises (details supplied) was not provided with fibre broadband, although it is in the intervention area, when the majority of houses and premises in the area were passed by the National Broadband fibre roll-out; if it is the practice as part of the roll-out to skip premises in an area not to return to them for over two years when the broadband is being rolled out in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33218/24]
43. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person in County Mayo (details supplied); and the reason for the delay in issuing said passport. [32074/24]
40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person in Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/24]
23. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to a passport application (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing this passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31483/24]
17. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a decision will be made in relation to an application for foreign birth registration (details supplied); the reason for the delay in considering said application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31265/24]
209. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Oideachais cé na coinníollacha speisialta a bhaineann le duine a bheith áirithe mar scoláire Gaeltachta nó mar dhuine a bhfuil ardchumas Gaeilge aige nó aici, le go ligfí isteach sna cúrsaí oiliúna bunmhúinteoireachta é nó í; an bhfuil i gceist na rialacha sin a leasú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [30742/24]