Noel McCarthy

863. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to outline the current practice with respect to the creation of an import declaration and the payment of VAT and import duties by a courier company; if it is a legal requirement that such companies or their appointed debt collection agencies must provide documentary proof of the amounts paid when pursuing collection of such fees from the affected third party consumer; if not, if his Department is considering the introduction of such a requirement or the prohibiting of debt collection activity while a charge remains unverified or disputed; the further measures being considered by his Department to ensure that such charges can be independently verified by the consumer before payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1961/26]

889. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 6 March 2025, to provide an update on works to upgrade a Garda station (details supplied); the full amount expended to date on this upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1838/26]

1748. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current income eligibility limits for access to free legal aid services; whether any exemptions or discretionary provisions apply in cases of financial hardship; his plans to review or increase these income limits in light of rising wages and cost of living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1879/26]

76. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the measures being taken by her Department to increase the provision of childcare places in east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73195/25]

95. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current average waiting times for early intervention autism assessments across the Cork region; the actions being taken by her Department to reduce delays for families seeking urgent supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73259/25]

144. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to provide an update on his Department’s involvement in the Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce and the development of an associated policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73217/25]

241. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected publication date of the implementation group’s updated progress report on Out of School Education Provision; if her Department is considering the publication of a draft or interim version of the progress report; the current work of the implementation group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72852/25]

139. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence to provide an update on Ireland’s air defence capability; if it remains the policy of her Department to pursue the establishment of an Irish Air Force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72037/25]

141. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Defence the measures being taken by her Department to ensure the protection of critical subsea infrastructure such as the Celtic Interconnector; if she is satisfied that the current operational strength of the Naval Service is sufficient to deter or respond to such threats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72038/25]

327. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport the driver information campaigns that currently exist or are planned for the purposes of informing drivers of the necessity of ensuring that both headlight bulbs are functional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72279/25]

604. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are instances whereby the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will be approved for an applicant who has sold their house, moved into a vacant property, and then applied for the grant for that property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72300/25]

613. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the instances in which an application would be considered for the development contribution waiver scheme after the application deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72329/25]

956. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to include Alzheimer’s disease as a qualifying medical condition under the long-term illness scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71717/25]

1098. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health her plans to bring forward amendments to the Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Act 2023 to explicitly include nicotine pouches within its scope; whether all relevant provisions of the Act will apply to such products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72325/25]

1099. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the specific regulatory measures she is preparing in relation to nicotine pouches as part of the forthcoming Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2025; including any proposed restrictions, controls, or enforcement mechanisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72326/25]

7. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the progress made to date with respect to the Midleton flood relief scheme, and the introduction of flood protection measures in Rathcormac, Castlemartyr, Mogeely and Killeagh in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70396/25]

68. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to provide an update on the progression of the proposed repair of Fermoy Weir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70425/25]

138. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide an update on the provision of increased accommodation for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70410/25]

151. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 17 July 2025, the progress made to date by her Department to ensure that a green area is made available for the use as a playing pitch by local schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70409/25]

21. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when the next funding round of the Local Enhancement Programme will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68387/25]

82. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of naturalisation applications received, rejected, and approved from 2021 to 2024 inclusive, and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68265/25]

116. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department’s plans for the designation of further countries as safe countries of origin, for the purposes of international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68266/25]

46. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department is considering the provision of emergency passport appointments for first-time applications for children, or for adult renewal applications where the applicant’s passport is over 15 years from the date of issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66736/25]

62. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department’s plans to expand Ireland’s diplomatic presence across Canada and the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66710/25]

133. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken by his Department to contain the spread of avian influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66729/25]