Questions asked 18 total

• Environment 8 questions

  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he expects a conclusion to the energy security review; if he will be bringing forward legislation on a strategic emergency gas reserve to ensure that it is State owned, that it does not increase demand, and that it is used only in situations where technically necessary to bring safe supply to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by gas installers regarding the introduction of the non-domestic gas regulation into the current registered gas installer scheme, and that the pathway chosen by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is contradictory to gas safety, operation and control; if there are plans to update these policies with guidelines on testing, installation, certification and limit of scope, which stakeholders feel are currently missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37394/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by gas installers regarding the impending merge of non-domestic with domestic registered gas installers without additional training, specific certification or competency; if he plans to introduce additional training, certification and or competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37396/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to report on the consultation carried out with industry in advance of the impending introduction of the non-domestic gas regulation into the current registered gas installer scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37395/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications regarding the Commission for Regulation of Utilities or registered gas installer legal position should any accident or incident occur; if work has been carried out to clarify any insurance implications of insufficient training and / or competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37397/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the provisions of the renewable energy III Directive, that were required to be transposed by 1 July 2024, will be written into Irish law; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the national heat policy statement, which was due to be published at the end of 2023; when he expects it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37886/24]
  • 2024-09-25 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the warmer homes scheme; the reasons solar PV has not comprised a significant component of this programme given the increased popularity and affordability of the technology; if he has plans to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38030/24]
• Children 4 questions

  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on childcare services in County Meath; the number of childcare places available in the county; the length of the average waiting list; to report on any planned measures to increase these places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37508/24]
  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; if he will provide an update on plans to increase respite for children and adults with disabilities in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37509/24]
  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding the redress scheme for mother and baby home survivors, if those deemed eligible for redress are automatically entitled to an enhanced medical card; if the enhanced medical card is means tested; how this card differs from a standard medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38228/24]
  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person in County Meath (details supplied) will see an occupational therapist and psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38289/24]
• Housing 2 questions

  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2022; when he anticipates this Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/24]
  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to develop planning guidelines for utility scale solar development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38298/24]
• Finance 2 questions

  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that many couples, particularly those over 65 years, have combined incomes slightly higher than the €36,000 tax exemption threshold, and that this threshold has not changed since 2011; if he intends to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38268/24]
  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to change the tax treatment of pension lump sums in the case where the lump sum is used to pay off debt on a family home (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38296/24]
• Health 1 question

  • 2024-09-24 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists employed by CAMHS in the Meath area; the number of psychologists working in CAMHS in the Meath area; the size of the waiting list for access to CAMHS services in the Meath area; the average time waiting to secure an appointment with a psychologist in the Meath area; the average waiting time to access CAMHS services in the Meath area in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37507/24]
• Transport 1 question

  • 2024-09-26 Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the increasing prevalence and cost of taxi plates to rent, and that, in some cases, multi-plate owners are renting plates for €7,000 a year; if he has conducted an assessment of this practice in the industry; if he has plans to reform or regulate the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38352/24]