290. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the assessment of the financial implications of purchasing battery electric buses while the necessary charging infrastructure was in train included depreciation in the value of buses during periods in which they remained in storage and unavailable for operational service; if so, the depreciation amount included; and if not, the reason this cost was excluded. [65205/26]
289. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to provide the analysis and assessment underpinning the assertion that purchasing battery electric buses while the necessary charging infrastructure was in train represented better value for the State than deferring or adjusting the timing of their purchase to more closely align delivery of the buses with completion of that infrastructure, including the methodology, assumptions and projected inflation or indexation costs used in that assessment. [65204/26]
288. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department and the National Transport Authority to ensure future electric bus procurements are aligned with the delivery of charging infrastructure. [65203/26]
287. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional passenger services that could have been operated had the 98 battery electric buses currently in storage been available for service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65202/26]
277. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the estimated additional fare revenue to be generated in 2027 as a result of the NTA Fares Determination 2026, broken down by operator and service type and the assumptions underpinning these estimates, including projected passenger numbers and any anticipated impact of the fare increases on passenger demand, in tabular form. [65108/26]
275. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total passenger fare revenue received in 2024 and 2025, the projected passenger fare revenue for 2026 and the projected passenger fare revenue for 2027 following implementation of the NTA Fares Determination 2026, broken down by operator, in tabular form. [65110/26]
274. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the additional fare revenue expected to be generated in 2027 will be used; the amount expected to fund existing services; the amount expected to fund additional or enhanced services; and the specific service improvements or additional capacity, if any, that are expected to be funded from this additional revenue. [65111/26]
271. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the additional peak and off peak services proposed for the Northern Commuter line in the 2027 timetable; the additional passenger capacity that will be provided; and the expected commencement date of any such improvements. [65114/26]
269. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the passenger numbers at Balbriggan and Skerries railway stations in each of the years 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026, the projected passenger demand for 2027; and the assessment undertaken of whether existing peak time capacity is sufficient to meet current and projected demand, in tabular form. [65116/26]
263. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority carried out an assessment of the cumulative impact on passengers at Balbriggan and Skerries of the April 2025 Dublin Commuter Zone fare changes and the further fare increases due in 2027; and whether affordability and the scale of the cumulative increase were considered in determining the 2027 fares. [65118/26]
197. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of permanent employees employed by the National Transport Authority and the number of outsourced placements engaged, broken down between business as usual and project based roles, at year end in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and currently in 2026, in tabular form. [64267/26]
196. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure by the National Transport Authority on permanent employees and outsourced placements respectively in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the expenditure on outsourced placements to be further broken down between business as usual and project based roles; and the current average annual cost of a permanent employee and an outsourced placement respectively, in tabular form. [64268/26]
195. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional permanent posts sought by the National Transport Authority in each of the years 2019 to 2026; the number sanctioned in each year; the number subsequently filled; the number remaining vacant; and the average time taken to fill sanctioned posts, in tabular form. [64272/26]
194. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific skills shortages and capacity constraints identified as posing a risk to delivery of the State's transport infrastructure programme; the estimated additional requirement for project managers, engineers, planners, surveyors, skilled tradespeople and other specialist personnel over the period 2026 to 2030; and whether these requirements have been quantified, by occupation and major project. [64273/26]
193. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority achieved its objective of an 80:20 ratio of directly employed staff to outsourced placements in business as usual roles by the end of 2024; the current ratio; and, if the objective was not achieved, the reasons for this and the revised timeline for achieving it. [64269/26]
192. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken by his Department and the National Transport Authority to address skills and capacity constraints affecting delivery of the transport capital programme; whether an implementation or workforce plan has been agreed; and the actions, targets, responsible bodies and timelines contained therein. [64274/26]
191. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific skills and capability gaps currently identified within the National Transport Authority, including in project management, engineering, procurement, information technology, digital systems, contract management and major infrastructure delivery; the number of additional personnel required in each identified area; and the measures and timelines in place to address these gaps. [64270/26]
190. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or the National Transport Authority has assessed the impact of shortages of experienced engineers, planners, surveyors, project managers and other specialist personnel on the cost and delivery timelines of major transport projects; the projects considered most exposed to such shortages; and the measures being taken to mitigate these risks. [64275/26]
189. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has a workforce and skills plan to address identified capability gaps; the recruitment targets and timelines contained in the plan; and the extent to which it is intended to build and retain these skills directly within the Authority rather than through consultants, agency or outsourced personnel. [64271/26]
188. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether he and his Department are planning a new grant or incentive scheme following the closure of the ICE to EV Grant in July 2026 which supported motorists in replacing older diesel engine cars with electric vehicles. [64202/26]
183. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Luas Lucan project; whether the emerging preferred route has now been identified as anticipated in 2026; when the non-statutory public consultation is expected to commence; and whether the target delivery timeframe of 2031-2036 remains achievable. [64217/26]
1857. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the actions being taken to deliver on the commitment in Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 to increase housing choice for older owner-occupiers who wish to voluntarily rightsize while remaining in their existing communities; the measures to be introduced; the timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62282/26]
1856. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the current and projected demand among older owner-occupiers for smaller age-appropriate homes within their existing communities; if this demand is measured at local authority level; if not, if such an assessment will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62283/26]
1855. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to increase the supply of appropriately located one and two-bedroom homes for older owner-occupiers who wish to rightsize within their existing communities; if local authorities are required to assess and plan for such demand; whether specific delivery targets will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62284/26]
1854. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of existing local authority financial contribution schemes to support voluntary rightsizing; the actions taken following the April 2026 change to the Central Bank mortgage lending rules to facilitate bridging finance for persons trading down; if data is available on the availability and take-up of such finance since that change; the further measures planned to address financial barriers to rightsizing and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62285/26]
1853. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any proposal to introduce or expand a national rightsizing scheme for older private homeowners has been deferred, discontinued or is no longer under consideration; if so, the reasons for this decision; the alternative measures being progressed to support older homeowners who wish to rightsize within their own communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62286/26]
1852. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has assessed the potential for a national voluntary rightsizing programme for older owner-occupiers to increase the availability of existing three-bedroom and four-bedroom family homes; whether a national or pilot scheme will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62287/26]
2918. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children who have been continuously accommodated under voluntary care arrangements for more than 12 months in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61078/26]
3527. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if funding for the National Huntington's Disease Care Pathway will be approved simultaneously with the pathway itself to ensure immediate implementation following approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60875/26]
3526. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the additional staffing resources identified as necessary to implement the National Huntington's Disease Care Pathway, including specialist nursing, neurology, psychology, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and dietetic supports and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60876/26]
3413. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether dedicated national funding has been allocated for the implementation of the National Huntington's Disease Care Pathway; if so, the amount allocated and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60868/26]
3412. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether funding for the National Huntington's Disease Care Pathway will be approved simultaneously with the pathway itself to ensure immediate implementation following approval and will she make a statement on the matter. [60871/26]
3279. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to establishing a nationally co-ordinated specialist Huntington's disease service; if she will outline any plans currently under development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60881/26]
3274. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve Ireland's participation in international Huntington's disease clinical trials and research programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60889/26]
3273. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current status of the proposed national Huntington's disease care pathway; the stage it has reached within the HSE approval process; the date by which final approval is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60867/26]
3272. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated multidisciplinary Huntington's disease teams currently operating in the State; the number proposed under the national Huntington's disease care pathway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60885/26]
2972. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration has been given to providing an independent review mechanism for children accommodated under voluntary care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61080/26]
2917. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has undertaken research or assessment of the impact on children of moving from long-term foster placements following the withdrawal of parental consent to voluntary care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61084/26]
2908. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children currently in voluntary care arrangements under the Child Care Act 1991; the length of time these children have been in voluntary care, in less than six months, six to twelve months, one to three years, three to five years and over five years; and will she make a statement on the matter. [61077/26]
2907. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has considered the recommendation of the Ombudsman for Children to introduce a statutory 12-month time limit on voluntary care arrangements as part of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61079/26]
2906. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the procedures that apply where a parent withdraws consent to a voluntary care arrangement; whether her Department has examined the impact of such withdrawals on a child's welfare and placement stability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61081/26]
2905. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has considered introducing a requirement for judicial oversight in circumstances where a child has been accommodated in voluntary care for an extended period before a voluntary care arrangement can come to an end; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61082/26]
2871. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of early learning and childcare educators who hold an approved Level 7 or higher qualification; the number who are currently recognised through the Graduate Lead Educator Premium under Core Funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60490/26]
2870. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has assessed the number of graduate qualified early learning and childcare educators who are working in rooms where the Graduate Lead Educator Premium is already assigned to another educator; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60493/26]
2869. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has assessed whether the current operation of the Graduate Lead Educator Premium provides sufficient incentives for early learning and childcare educators to upskill to Level 7 or higher qualifications and will she make a statement on the matter [60499/26]
2868. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration is being given to expanding the Graduate Lead Educator Premium, or introducing an alternative funding mechanism, to better recognise and support graduate qualified educators where more than one graduate is working within the same early learning and childcare room; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60504/26]
2867. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is taking to improve career progression and remuneration for graduate qualified early learning and childcare educators in order to support recruitment, retention and the delivery of high quality early learning and childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60506/26]
2866. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she intends to review the operation of the Graduate Lead Educator Premium as part of the next review of Core Funding to ensure that graduate qualified educators are appropriately recognised and rewarded for their qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60509/26]
2865. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has estimated the annual cost of expanding financial supports under Core Funding to enable all graduate qualified early learning and childcare educators to be recognised through the Graduate Lead Educator Premium, or a comparable funding mechanism; if so, the estimated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60514/26]
1501. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of concessionary school transport tickets were issued for the 25/26 school year and the number of concessionary school transport tickets were issued for the 26/27 school year by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63555/26]