Michael Lowry

153. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will support the allocation of additional resources to the Department of Education to fund a proposed scheme where caretakers are paid directly by a Department body; if he will ensure that small rural DEIS schools, such as a school (details supplied), receive adequate funding to cover essential maintenance and upkeep; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22575/25]

205. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional funding can be allocated to small rural DEIS schools (details supplied) to cover essential maintenance and caretaker roles, given the significant financial strain these schools face in maintaining their facilities; and if she will consider implementing a scheme where caretakers are paid directly by a Department body to ensure consistent maintenance support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22573/25]

221. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a request from a person (details supplied) regarding the ongoing school transport situation between Templederry, Nenagh, County Tipperary to attend secondary schools in Thurles, County Tipperary [18147/25]

219. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the response issued to the parents of a pupil (details supplied); if she will consider removing the nearest school criteria so that pupils are not locked out of school transport for attending other schools that better meet their needs but are not their closest school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16400/25]

17. 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; 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. [14427/25]

242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers who have applied to have their flat-rate expenses (FRE) reinstated for the 2025 tax year; if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the numbers in each staff category, including but not limited to, nurses, teachers, construction workers, hospitality industry workers, shop workers, and bus drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/25]

470. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be issued on the grant application submitted by an organisation (details supplied) under the community centres investment fund programme call; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/25]

244. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will address the urgent health and safety concerns at a school (details supplied); if she will provide funding for the installation of safety equipment, as outlined, to ensure the safety of all pupils and staff; and if she will consider granting Urban DEIS 1 status to the school to address the various challenges faced by the school, including poor infrastructure, insufficient playground space, inadequate ICT resources, and high levels of deprivation among the pupil population, to enhance educational outcomes and provide better support for the school community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8868/25]

358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss their priorities for the youth work sector and young people; if she will consider how she can collaborate with the National Youth Council of Ireland over the next five years to ensure that the needs, interests, and perspectives of young people are at the heart of policy-making; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8869/25]

373. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of a report (details supplied) highlighting the challenges faced by businesses in Tipperary due to severe storms, snow and ice disruption earlier this year; the progress made in addressing these challenges; his plans for any financial assistance, tax relief measures, and improved snow and ice management to prevent future disruptions; if there is a pathway for financial support for the affected businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/25]

207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that Newport does not have a bus service between 2:30 PM and 5:10 PM from Limerick (details supplied); if he will seek to review the Cashel to Limerick bus service via Newport operated by Bus Éireann route 332 for an additional bus service to Newport around 4:30 PM to address this gap in the schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1000/25]

470. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to address the urgent need for the building project at a school (details supplied); the reasons for the delay in progressing past stage 2A, apply for planning permission, and move to the tender and construction stages; the reason the interim modular accommodation granted in September 2022 was subsequently reduced, resulting in inadequate facilities for the current and projected student population; the timeline for the approval of progressing past stage 2A, the envisaged timeframe for the tender stage; the timeframe for construction to ensure the school can meet the needs of its students and families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46265/24]

1072. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances are available to a person (details supplied); if allowances are given in such circumstances for minor discrepancies; if this case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46279/24]

1073. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances are available to a person (details supplied); if allowances are given in such circumstances for minor discrepancies; if this case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46280/24]