101. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will commit to a review of the proposed support schemes to ensure they are fit for purpose and economically viable for independent radio stations in view of the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied); the interim measures that will be implemented to support independent radio stations while practical solutions for the proposed schemes are being developed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39497/24]
100. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps being taken to provide fair and accessible support for the core news and current affairs services of independent radio stations, which currently receive no State support; the financial measures she will introduce to support the core news and current affairs services provided by independent radio stations, given their significant contribution to public service broadcasting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39496/24]
96. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a video released by an organisation (details supplied) featuring an interview with a former social, personal and health education, SPHE, teacher and co-ordinator; if she will review correspondence received from concerned parents in County Tipperary regarding the teaching and proposed SPHE syllabus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39590/24]
2. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the feasibility of the proposal to extend the opening hours of the medical assessment unit at Nenagh Hospital. [39333/24]
119. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reasons a grant application from a club (details supplied) was refused; when this club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39301/24]
118. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reasons a grant application from a club (details supplied) was refused; when this GAA club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification that is required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39299/24]
67. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the ongoing issues faced by PhD researchers funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) regarding the implementation of the recommended stipend increase from €18,500 to €25,000 (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that the necessary additional funding is allocated to support this increase; if the SEAI has received any additional funding to support the stipend increase; the measures that are being taken to ensure that all eligible PhD researchers receive the increased stipend as recommended; if he will commit to addressing this funding shortfall to support young researchers and promote research and innovation in Ireland; if he will take immediate action to resolve the financial difficulties faced by researchers due to rising living costs and inflation, given the importance of supporting research and innovation for Ireland’s future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/24]
499. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will accept and fully implement the recommendations of the National Radiation Therapist Review report to ensure adequate staffing levels for radiation therapy services, safeguarding vital cancer treatment services; if he is aware that these recommendations have been endorsed by a committee (details supplied); if he agrees that outsourcing is a significant drain on the national health budget while state-of-the-art public machines in HSE facilities remain unstaffed; if he will commit to implementing the recommendations to address the crisis in radiation therapy staff retention and recruitment, and improve access to public radiation therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38875/24]
497. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason that linaclotide (constella® 290mg) is not covered by the drugs payment scheme or for persons who are in receipt of a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38872/24]
446. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health to clarify the current policy regarding the acceptance of referrals from private hospitals to the new community care and rehabilitation centre in Nenagh, County Tipperary; whether patients referred from private hospitals, such as Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick, are eligible for admission to the community care and rehabilitation centre in Nenagh; if not, the rationale behind this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/24]
252. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a detailed response on the reasons why a grant application for a sports club (details supplied) was refused; when this GAA club will be able to submit an appeal; the specific clarification that is required for this appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39148/24]
208. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education how her Department plans to address Ireland’s lag in school library provision compared to European neighbours and other developed countries; whether there will be a commitment to providing necessary funding in Budget 2025 to support school libraries and qualified librarians beyond the €20 million school library book grant of 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38917/24]
207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the plans in place for the immediate expansion of the Junior Certificate school programme demonstration library project, by school; how the benefits of dedicated library spaces and professional librarians, particularly in DEIS schools, will be maximised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38916/24]
206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to establish a national advisory group on school library provision and to develop a national strategy ensuring every school has a library, a librarian, and access to the Junior Certificate school programme demonstration library programme digital library service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38915/24]
328. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans to provide additional resources to the Charities Regulator for the development and publication of real time data from annual reports and financial statements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38259/24]
327. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans to expedite the multi-annual funding proposals for the charity sector as outlined in her Department’s five-year strategy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38258/24]
314. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to introduce a dedicated grant scheme of €1 million for trustee training and development to support good governance in the charity sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38265/24]
313. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to ringfence 10% of the national training fund for the charity sector to support digital upskilling (details supplied). [38264/24]
303. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will coordinate with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure a cross-Government approach to supporting foster care, particularly in providing health services to children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38412/24]
277. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will enhance funding for Tusla’s regional therapeutic teams, to ensure timely therapeutic interventions for children in care who have experienced trauma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/24]
276. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that children in foster care are auto-enrolled in the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38410/24]
275. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide additional funding to cover essential expenses for foster carers, including placement start-up costs and fair travel reimbursement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38409/24]
194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider implementing pension reforms to ensure that foster carers are not financially penalised in later life for their service to the State, therefore being able to receive a full contributory State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38408/24]
168. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the way she plans to highlight and enhance the role of SNAs in the education of children with special needs, ensuring that their contributions are adequately recognized and supported; the mechanisms that are in place for ongoing communication and engagement with SNAs to address their concerns and incorporate their feedback into policy decisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38438/24]
167. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the steps she is taking to address the concerns regarding the low salaries and pensions of SNAs, and to ensure that their compensation reflects their qualifications and the critical role they play in the education system; the upcoming initiatives or resources that will be provided to support SNAs in their roles, particularly in light of the ongoing review of the SNA contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38437/24]
166. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the measures that are being taken to ensure that special needs assistants (SNAs) receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve from schools and her Department; if she recognises that the current educational requirements for SNAs, set at three passes in the Junior Certificate, do not reflect the actual qualifications held by many SNAs; if she plans to officially recognise higher qualifications to ensure fair compensation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38436/24]
162. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will coordinate with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure a cross-Government approach to supporting foster care, particularly in providing educational support to children in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38413/24]
127. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the plans to introduce a scheme with an initial fund of €5 million to defray governance costs for charities with audited accounts (details supplies); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38250/24]
61. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum will ensure the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, including environmental, conservation, rural pursuits, and farming interests, to ensure a fully inclusive approach to future policymaking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/24]
60. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide a concrete timeline for the establishment of the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum, including the dates for the first meeting and the frequency of subsequent meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38197/24]
59. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps taken to ensure that the National Parks and Wildlife Service stakeholder forum will be established on a permanent footing with regular meetings starting in quarter four of 2024 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38196/24]
58. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason for the delay in establishing the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) stakeholder forum, which was included in the strategic action plan for the NPWS and was due to be established in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38195/24]
42. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application for a child (details supplied); the reasons this applicant’s request for a pick-up point at the end of their road, which is safe for this child to be collected by the school bus, was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38217/24]
41. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application for a child (details supplied); the reasons this applicant’s request for a pick-up point at the end of their road, which is safe for this child to be collected by the school bus, was refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38216/24]
565. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will allocate additional funding for period products and the fund for students with disabilities; if he will establish a Government-funded T-fund for trans and non-binary students to address social inequalities and support disadvantaged students which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in it's pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37930/24]
564. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will introduce a minimum stipend of €25,000 for all postgraduate researchers; to cap postgraduate fees at €3,000 to address the financial strain on postgraduate students which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in it's pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37929/24]
563. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the holiday earnings eligible for deduction from reckonable income to €13,104; if he will amend the dependent brackets for SUSI to better support students which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in it's pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37928/24]
562. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will continue annual funding for the student assistance fund at post-pandemic levels; to ensure eligibility for all students to address the hidden costs associated with education which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in it's pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37927/24]
561. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will double the funding for access to e-books through transformative agreements and increase funding for open education resources to alleviate the financial strain from e-book licensing on students and libraries as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37922/24]
560. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will remove apprenticeship registration fees, with an estimated cost of €11.39 million, and increase income and allowances for apprentices to make apprenticeship education more accessible, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37921/24]
559. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will expand the device lending scheme and invest in digital infrastructure to support hybrid learning and teaching in higher education institutions, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37920/24]
558. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will permanently reduce student fees by €1,500 and outline a plan to abolish fees over the next few years, in light of Ireland having the highest undergraduate fees in the EU, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37919/24]
550. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will allocate €6 million in multi-annual core funding for mental health services in higher education institutions and invest to improve the counsellor-to-student ratios to international standards as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37923/24]
549. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will allocate €2 billion in Budget 2025 to fund the building of 30,000 student accommodation units to address the severe shortage of affordable and accessible housing for students; if he will provide details on any planned emergency accommodation funds for students (details supplied) as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37917/24]
546. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will establish drug and alcohol liaison nurses in every higher education institution, to address substance use among students through comprehensive harm reduction programs as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37924/24]
399. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support an organisation's campaign by advocating for a €15 million increase in youth work funding in Budget 2025, in recognition of the vital role youth work plays in the development and wellbeing of young people across Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37952/24]
394. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address the critical shortage of registered childminders in County Tipperary, particularly in light of the complex regulations that deter childminders from registering with Tusla; the immediate actions that can be taken to ensure that children with additional care needs, such as those with phenylketonuria, have access to suitable and reliable childcare, given the current lack of available spaces in registered facilities; if he will provide an update on efforts to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37889/24]
392. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide funding or provide details on funding options for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/24]
329. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice if she will grant stamp 2 residency permits for the entire length of international students' courses and expand the student assistance fund to include international students, to address the significant financial burdens they face, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37926/24]
289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will implement €500 maintenance grants for students on mandatory placements and ensure the payment of a living wage to all students engaged in placements, to alleviate the financial strain on students working full-time jobs alongside their studies, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37925/24]