Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to advance the delivery of the new school facilities at a school (details supplied) that have been long delayed.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the plans that will be advanced for a new school on a site offered free of charge to the State, within the town boundaries of Milford (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will urgently intervene in the case of an international Irish passport application for a family (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider a review option and compensation scheme for homeowners who proceeded with an option 1 demolition and rebuild of their home under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme, in line with the recommendation of their engineer but not in line with the option provided for by the Housing Agency, following the introduction of IS 465:2026 based on the up-to-date scientific evidence.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will work with the representatives of inshore fishermen to introduce an inshore fisheries stabilisation and climate adaptation scheme.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he will use the opportunity of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union to get fairness for Irish fishing communities from the CFP; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a report will be published (details supplied)

Asked the Minister for Health the current projected timeline for the completion and opening of the surgical hub and ambulatory oncology unit at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health to clarify when the Model 3 Report (details supplied) at Letterkenny University Hospital will be published along with a plan to address the issues raised by the report.

Asked the Minister for Health the plans to make mounjaro more financially accessible to patients who cannot afford to access it privately; whether consideration has been given to including mounjaro under the drugs payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is considering a VAT reduction for the sale of products made by Irish craft workers.

Asked the Minister for Health her views on matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 217 of 23 June 2026, if he will work with the National Transport Authority to ensure that the TFI Leap card can become valid for journeys that take place in whole or in part in Northern Ireland in order that all students, residing in this State have the same access to more affordable public transport.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of significant delays in the processing of spouse visa applications through the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi compared to other Irish missions, including New Delhi; the reasons for these delays; and the measures being taken to reduce waiting times and ensure timely family reunification for applicants.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of activity of EU registered pelagic freezer trawlers inside the Irish EEZ over the period April-June, 2026; the monitoring and inspections of these vessels that has taken place over the same period April-June; and if he will provide information on the reported landings made by these vessels including any bycatch of boarfish.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a scheme will commence to relocate nine families, living in defective concrete block homes away from a location (details supplied); when his Department officials will consult with the homeowners on the design of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the revision of I.S. 465, he will direct that all appeals currently before the Defective Concrete Blocks Appeals Boards continue to be determined and issued without delay, given that appellants have already endured lengthy delays in the scheme and continue remain living in deteriorating homes.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the defective concrete block scheme for social housing will commence.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the tendering process for the hot school meals programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health whether implementation of the Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A strategy for Better Care has been identified as a Ministerial priority within the HSE National Service Plan and Estimates process for 2027; if new funding will be provided in the upcoming budget to support the implementation of the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will be providing funding for regional diabetes clinical leads to ensure consistent and accountable delivery of the Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care across all six Regional Health Areas in line with national standards and models of care; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if she will make a commitment to providing sustained, ring-fenced, multiannual funding to ensure full implementation of the Diabetes Policy and Services Review: A Strategy for Better Care report; if she will be establishing a national diabetes office to oversee implementation of the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he acknowledges that the revision of I.S. 465 strengthens the position of homeowners whose applications were downgraded by the Housing Agency and who have consistently argued that such downgrade decisions were legally and scientifically flawed; and if he will confirm that all downgrade appeals will continue to be heard by the appeals board.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the defective concrete blocks appeals boards will continue to hear and determine outstanding downgrade appeals without interruption or delay, given that all downgrade appeals determined to date have resulted in the Housing Agency's decisions being annulled; that those appeals were lodged and adjudicated on the basis of the existing I.S. 465 standard at the time; and that the revision of I.S. 465 on 2 June 2026 can only strengthen the position of appellants whose cases were prepared and submitted under the existing standard.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of the fact that all downgrade appeals heard to date have resulted in the Housing Agency's decisions being annulled, he will direct that cases returned to the Housing Agency for re-assessment be dealt with immediately and as a priority; given that some homeowners have been engaged with the defective concrete blocks scheme since 2021 and their homes have continued to deteriorate in the interim.

Asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) as the applicant's travel date is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport the reason students from Donegal travelling to university in Northern Ireland are not allowed to avail of a discount under the TFI Leap card; and if he will work to resolve this matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Young Fisher Scheme will commence again; and when financial assistance will start to be released under the scheme.

Asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a person (details supplied) will receive a substantive response to the emails forwarded by this Deputy to her office

Asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the local authorities in Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone can be assisted by his Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland to advance plans to connect Letterkenny to Derry and Tyrone by rail and to progress the potential of the All-Island Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current and capital annual budget allocated for the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for each of the years 2025 and 2026; the estimated cost of increasing this budget by 5% and 10% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total current and capital annual budget allocated by his Department to the Marine Institute for each of the years 2025 and 2026; if he will provide a breakdown of any additional co-funding or external program funding channelled through his Department to the institute in those years; the projected cost of increasing this overall budget allocation by 5% and 10% respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total annual budget allocated to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority for 2026; if he will provide a breakdown of this allocation between current operational expenditure and capital expenditure; the total funding drawn down by the authority in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current and capital annual budget allocated to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board for 2025 and 2026; the baseline financial allocation required to increase this budget by 10% and 15% respectively, to assist with operational capacity, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has examined the introduction of a time limited inshore weather and safety compensation scheme for active inshore fishing vessels affected by prolonged unsafe sea conditions, reduced safe fishing days and climate driven weather disruption; whether Met Éireann, the Marine Institute or any other relevant body has been asked to provide scientific evidence linking specific weather events, swell conditions, storm patterns or other climate related disruption to quantified income losses or additional costs for the inshore fleet; if his Department has assessed if such events could be formally recognised by national authorities as a natural disaster, adverse climatic event or exceptional occurrence for the purposes of EU State Aid rules; if his Department has sought guidance or pre notification engagement with EU Directorate-General for Competition or Directorate-General MARE on such a scheme under the EMFAF, the Fishery Block Exemption Regulation, the Fisheries State Aid Guidelines, or any other applicable route; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the current status of the reimbursement process for givinostat for children living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; the steps being taken to ensure urgent access, clear timelines and no further delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether Ukrainian students under temporary protection will be treated as EU or non-EU students for college places, fees and grants in the 2026/27 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether Ukrainian students who have completed Leaving Certificate or QQI/PLC courses in Ireland will be eligible for SUSI or other supports for third-level study in 2026/27; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if Ukrainian refugees here can continue to participate in State employment schemes under the temporary protection transition scheme.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the financial criteria for a Stamp 4 status for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland under the temporary protection transition scheme is €29, 432 per person or per family.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review and advise on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the eligibility criteria for aquaculture producers and vessel owners under the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme, including the requirement for vessels to be on the Irish fleet register; if alternative criteria will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if Ukrainian refugees who are currently participating in community employment schemes, TÚS employment schemes or rural social schemes will be eligible to remain in Ireland under the new temporary protection transition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that other countries allow their citizens to claim seafarer’s tax back or avail of seafarer’s allowance without a requirement that they are at least 161 days at sea or with reference to the port of commencement or destination; and if he plans to review this allowance.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will agree to the request for the public release of the research commissioned into the threats to the native Irish honeybee (apis mellifera mellifera) due to the introduction of imported honeybees into Ireland; if he will facilitate the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 and ensure that all members of the Oireachtas receive copies of the research findings in advance of any further debate on the Bill.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if provision will be made for private bus operators working under contract for Bus Éireann to apply for the fuel allowance/support scheme, as the current online application system only appears to provide an option for hauliers; and if she will clarify how eligible private bus companies can apply for this support.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 26 May 2026, if she can confirm a date by which her officials will have responded to the school’s Stage 2B submission (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 656 of 26 May 2026, if he will confirm the percentage of the overall capital cost of building a swimming pool/ leisure centre does a local authority have to contribute when they are in receipt of a grant under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the eligibility criteria for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), specifically the requirement that entitlement ceases when a child reaches 16 years of age; whether consideration is being given to extending eligibility to age 18, particularly for lifelong conditions such as Type 1 diabetes where significant care needs continue beyond age 16; the number of children in receipt of DCA whose entitlement ceased on reaching 16 years of age in each of the past five years; the number who subsequently applied for disability allowance; the number of those applications approved and refused; the average processing time for such applications; the estimated cost of extending the DCA eligibility from age 16 to age 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the 18.5 hour weekly work limit attached to Carer’s Allowance eligibility in circumstances where carers wish to remain in employment, particularly in professions such as teaching where standard working hours exceed the permitted threshold; if consideration has been given to introducing greater flexibility for qualified professionals who cannot access part-time posts; and if he will outline any plans to examine the impact of current rules on carers seeking to maintain employment while continuing in their caring role; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will undertake a review of the means test for disability allowance, with particular regard to the assessment of a partner’s income; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the way in which plans can be advanced for a new school (details supplied) on the new site offered free of charge to the State, within the town boundaries of Milford.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to advance the delivery of new school facilities (details supplied) that have been long delayed.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the renewed efforts toward a UK–Ireland cross-Border work framework, particularly addressing remote work taxation.

Asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he is aware that persons and families that are resident in the Republic of Ireland and working in Northern Ireland are being turned down for a mortgage by lenders in this State because they are not working in this State; and if he will progress the development of standardised underwriting approaches for cross-Border incomes.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the proposed extension to a school (details supplied) for which they have full planning permission, including accommodation for four new special classes for autistic pupils and 16 mainstream classrooms.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has the power or discretion to fund a capital project allocation to a local authority backed project without match funding from that local authority.

Asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the scientific and policy basis for the introduction of the three-pollack daily bag limit for recreational anglers; the extent to which Irish specific IMREC data and inshore sampling work, including evidence of high catch and release rates and low retained catches by charter and recreational anglers, was considered before the Pollack Fishing Conservation Bye-Law No. 1028 of 2026 was signed; the consultation that took place with the recreational sea angling and charter sector; whether comparable restrictions are being applied to commercial pollack removals and pollack taken for bait; whether the measure will be subject to a formal review in light of updated Irish data and its impact on coastal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Defence if she will confirm that the Naval Service fisheries monitoring centre is adequately resourced to perform its responsibilities throughout the Irish EEZ.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when his Department will provide the funding to Donegal County Council to proceed with affordable housing projects in the county.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on when a scheme will commence to relocate nine families, living in defective concrete block homes away from a location (details supplied); and when his Department officials will consult with the homeowners on the design of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth when her Department will provide the funding to replace two derelict prefabs at a school (details supplied) that urgently need replacing ahead of the next school term in the autumn, in a school campus that is already extremely limited for space.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has assessed the impact that reductions in ESOL and related community based English language supports will have on primary and post-primary schools in County Donegal, particularly schools with Ukrainian pupils and families who require English language support; whether schools will receive additional English as an additional language, special education, home school liaison, translation or integration supports where adult ESOL provision is reduced; whether any teaching, support or ancillary posts in schools are expected to be affected by changes in supports for Ukrainians after March 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will bring forward the necessary regulations that will allow for side-by-side construction of homes under the defective concrete blocks grant scheme to allow some families to remain in their defective home while a new home is built on an adjacent site.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he, his Department, or officials have engaged with the European Commission, including Commissioner Costas Kadis, DG MARE and/or DG Competition, regarding the possibility of securing approval, exemption, derogation or other flexibility under EU State aid and fisheries funding rules to allow Ireland to introduce a targeted financial support scheme for the inshore fisheries sector, including supports for weather related lost fishing days, climate adaptation, income stabilisation and public good environmental measures; if he will publish or summarise the outcome of any such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the decision to end or substantially reduce ESOL provision for Ukrainians and other learners in County Donegal from March 2027, including classes delivered in community and resource centre settings; if he will provide the ESOL allocation to Donegal ETB in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the projected allocation for 2027; the number of ESOL learners, class hours, tutors and venues supported in Donegal in each of those years; the number of tutors expected to lose hours or employment as a result of the reduction in funding; whether transitional or replacement funding will be provided to allow learners to continue ESOL for at least a further two years where they have not yet reached a level of English sufficient for employment or independent living, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that will apply for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine who are already enrolled in higher education, further education, PLC, Springboard, adult learning or upskilling courses in the 2026/2027 academic year; whether existing students will be supported to complete their courses; what supports will be available to mature Ukrainian students who have begun upskilling or reskilling in order to enter employment; and if he will provide a clear public guidance note for affected students and education providers in County Donegal and nationally.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will work with his ministerial colleagues and the relevant Departments to introduce a financial stabilisation scheme for inshore fishermen similar to the basic income scheme available to artists.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, to ensure that the Fisheries Monitoring Centre is adequately resourced to perform its responsibilities throughout the Irish EEZ; and to provide statistics on inspections of vessels in the zone for the past five years, by year, to illustrate this point.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide information on the fuel support scheme that will be made available to fishermen.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she aware that the ongoing crisis relating to defective concrete blocks continues to have a profound impact on students and staff across Donegal ETB schools;if she will request her Department to accede to the request from Donegal ETB for an additional guidance counsellor allocation for a defined period; expansion of the home school community liaison (HSCL) provision; enhanced financial supports for school uniforms and student participation; increased access to after-school study and meals provision; additional supports for extracurricular and out-of-school activities; expanded access to National Educational Psychological Service; strengthened School Completion Programme supports; enhanced staff well-being and counselling supports; and additional supports for school leadership teams managing these challenges.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the major extension project at a school (details supplied); and her Department’s response to the proposal from Donegal ETB to construct a new school building on an adjacent site.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the plans for the future development of a school (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the way in which her Department can assist Donegal ETB with the serious staffing challenges that they face and have conveyed to her Department.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications are awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is an update on prioritisation to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence determinations issued by his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications that are awaiting determination with his Department ; the efforts that are being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications processed with appropriate assessments completed by the Marine Institute and his Department since November 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when will the sustainable aquaculture scheme be open for applications in 2026; will the eligibility criteria be revised given the unreasonable delays in the aquaculture licensing system which is impacting aquaculture producers awaiting licensing renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the European Commission has now triggered Article 26 of the EMFAF Regulation allowing for compensation for fisheries and aquaculture for income forgone and additional costs during exceptional events, will the Minister establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers facing increased costs impacting their business such as, increase in feed costs, energy costs, transport & logistics costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant or derelict hotel and guesthouse properties in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the reason a person considered to be a nurse specialist in Northern Ireland with ten years’ experience in Scotland and Northern Ireland is not considered to be a nurse specialist in alcohol and drugs addiction services in the Republic of Ireland, unless they are qualified to a level 9 / postgraduate / master’s level (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Health to confirm that there are no plans to cancel the RSV immunisation programme for infants in Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to make a firm commitment that the necessary funding will be provided from his Department to rebuild a centre (details supplied) once the latest design plans have been finalised, and it is ready to go to tender in the months ahead.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the policy on private companies offering free cooking demonstrations in primary schools, which could be seen as an opportunity to promote their products for sale; whether this is a decision solely for the board of management of a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will finally commence the defective concrete block scheme for social housing.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason families who are currently rebuilding/ remediating their homes under the defective concrete block grant scheme cannot avail of the increased cap of €462,000 all at once rather than having to work to the previous cap of €420,000 and then separately apply for the difference of €42,000; and if he will amend the regulations to avoid this unnecessary additional bureaucracy and financial burden for traumatised families.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his response to the call from an association (details supplied) for an increased share of the national pelagic quota for inshore fishermen; and to provide an update on work ongoing in his Department to reopen closed fisheries .

Asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3408 of 14 April 2026, when a response will issue.

Asked the Minister for Health the status of an application submitted in January 2026 (details supplied) under the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the timeline for the long-awaited restoration of the Derry to Dublin airlink.

Asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn at firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the exact date of her visit to a school (details supplied) to view the unacceptable conditions for the children, teachers, and staff at the school and to make a statement on her plans to advance the delivery of the new school facilities that have been long delayed.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will visit a school (details supplied) to view the unacceptable conditions for the children, teachers and staff at the school and to advise them on the way in which plans can be advanced for a new school on the new site offered free of charge to the State, within the town boundaries of Milford.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth to review and consider the appeal by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health if a permanent location and additional days will be supported for the HSE's day services in Carndonagh, County Donegal.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department officials will engage with some homeowners at Lower Main Street, Buncrana to facilitate access for fuel deliveries to their homes through the lane to the right and the rear of the old Buncrana Garda Station, as was the case in the past.; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his Department’s plans to work in cooperation with Donegal County Council and other local stakeholders to secure investment to enhance the tourism amenity that is An Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the status of an application submitted in January 2026 (details supplied) under the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a school (details supplied).

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on his Department’s plans to relocate families living in defective concrete block homes (details supplied) away from this dangerous flood plain; with clear timelines; and how those affected homeowners are to be included in the drafting of the plans.

Asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the State can assist homeowners living in thatched cottages to continue to live in and sustain these heritage properties, considering the escalating cost of insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Social Protection to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he liaises with his counterparts in other EU Member States to ensure that they have an effective process for monitoring the KW days of their fleet, fishing in Ireland's EEZ; if he would further state the procedure which Ireland has for maintaining a record for kilowatt effort by these Member States in the Irish EEZ and when KW days are exceeded; the procedure that is followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Asked the Minister for Health the reason a person considered to be a nurse specialist in Northern Ireland with ten years’ experience in Scotland and Northern Ireland is not considered to be a nurse specialist in alcohol and drugs addiction services in the Republic of Ireland, unless they are qualified to a level 9 postgraduate, master’s level.

Asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will consider introducing a pilot scheme for community development volunteers similar to the basic income for the arts pilot scheme.