Written answers

Thursday, 10 October 2019

  • Department of Health
    • Hospital Services
      5. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1301 of 6 September 2019, the status of the options appraisal for the model 4 hospital at Merlin Park, Galway; if the...
    • Disabilities Assessments
      13. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to speed up access to assessment of needs for children to bring it in line with the statutory requirements to ensure the waiting list...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      15. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the large increase in the number waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore since May...
    • Home Care Packages Administration
      17. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce the waiting list for homecare in County Clare in which the number waiting has seen a significant rise during 2019; and...
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      18. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to alleviate overcrowding in Sligo University Hospital in which the figures recorded in September 2019 were the worst recorded for...
    • Disability Support Services Provision
      19. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of personal assistance hours being provided to persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41186/19]
    • Proposed Legislation
      20. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the legislative changes to the fair deal scheme for farmers and small business owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41369/19]
    • Health Strategies
      21. To ask the Minister for Health the strategies in place for developing health services on third level campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41215/19]
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      22. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the works at Kanturk Community Hospital; the timeframe for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41231/19]
    • National Children's Hospital Expenditure
      23. To ask the Minister for Health the expected completion date and projected cost of the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39624/19]
    • Home Care Packages Administration
      24. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce the waiting list for homecare in counties Sligo and Leitrim in which the numbers waiting have seen a significant rise...
    • Cancer Screening Programmes
      26. To ask the Minister for Health when the audit on cervical cancer screening will recommence; and the date from which the audit will commence. [41163/19]
    • Emergency Departments Waiting Times
      27. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce overcrowding in the emergency department in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Respite Care Services
      28. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the significant fall in the number of overnights with or without day respite accessed by persons with a disability in counties Carlow and...
    • Hospital Consultant Data
      29. To ask the Minister for Health the ratio of consultant doctors per capita across the member states of the EU; his plans to improve the ratio of consultants to population here; and if he will...
    • Health Action Plan
      30. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the scheduled care access plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41267/19]
    • Rehabilitative Training Allowance Payments
      31. To ask the Minister for Health if he will restore the disability training allowance for new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41178/19]
    • Home Care Packages Data
      32. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the regional variations in the eligibility and allocation of services relating to publicly funded homecare; and if he will...
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      33. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to address issues with staffing levels in mental health services in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41190/19]
    • Hospitals Funding
      34. To ask the Minister for Health when a budget will be allocated for the redevelopment of Macroom Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41367/19]
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      35. To ask the Minister for Health the immediate steps he will take to alleviate the record overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41162/19]
    • Home Care Packages Administration
      36. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce the waiting list for homecare in County Meath in which the number waiting has seen a significant rise during 2019; and...
    • National Dementia Strategy
      37. To ask the Minister for Health the new measures being put in place to support persons with dementia and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41221/19]
    • Newborn Screening Cards
      38. To ask the Minister for Health when the chair of the National Screening Committee will be appointed; and if he and the new chair will ensure that newborn screening services are expanded to...
    • Departmental Reviews
      39. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the national cardiac review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41222/19]
    • Hospital Equipment
      40. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be provided for a new MRI machine for University Hospital Limerick in order to address overcrowding in the hospital; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      41. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to overcrowding at Naas General Hospital; and the supports being provided to help alleviate same. [41370/19]
    • Health Services Reform
      42. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to implement the reform of trauma services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/19]
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      43. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date on the new buildings and renovation of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Mount Mellick; and the timeline for the project. [41169/19]
    • Cannabis for Medicinal Use
      44. To ask the Minister for Health the date for the commencement of the medical cannabis access programme; if there are outstanding issues in relation to its commencement; and if he will make a...
    • Abortion Legislation
      45. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the drafting and introduction of legislation on safe access zones. [41176/19]
    • National Maternity Strategy Expenditure
      46. To ask the Minister for Health if new funding will be released for the national maternity strategy for 2020; and if targeted funding will be allocated to help hire more consultant...
    • Health Services Staff Recruitment
      47. To ask the Minister for Health when essential positions in therapy services in County Mayo will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41193/19]
    • Debt Collection
      48. To ask the Minister for Health if he will liaise with hospitals to ensure they do not use debt collection agencies to recover emergency department and hospital charges. [40976/19]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans
      49. To ask the Minister for Health the 2019 targets in place for the outpatient waiting list in the Children’s Health Ireland Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      50. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the works at St. Joseph's Community Hospital, Millstreet; the timeframe for its completion; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Cross-Border Health Initiatives
      51. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to respond to the long delays for public patients applying for the cross-Border directive and the long delays for public patients on the...
    • Budget 2020
      52. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects the health budget for 2020 in respect of both capital and current expenditure will be adequate to meet requirements in full...
    • Newborn Screening Cards
      53. To ask the Minister for Health the necessary steps that will be taken to increase new born screening from eight conditions to 40 as per best international practice; his views on whether the...
    • Nursing Staff Data
      54. To ask the Minister for Health the number of unfilled nursing posts by hospital, including the hospitals currently precluded for any reasons from hiring nurses; and if he will make a...
    • Abortion Legislation
      55. To ask the Minister for Health the authority responsible for investigating and adjudicating on criminal and non-criminal breeches of the abortion legislation. [40898/19]
    • Home Care Packages Data
      56. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting times for homecare package applications in west County Dublin; the number of open homecare package applications being considered in the...
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      57. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 2 July 2019, if the property transfer has been completed; the status of the design brief; if approval has been...
    • National Children's Hospital
      58. To ask the Minister for Health if aspects of the new national children's hospital have been redesigned; if so, the reason and areas redesigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Hospitals Inspections
      59. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the recurrent nature of non-compliance with regulations impacting on the quality and safety of care for residents, including...
    • Parking Charges
      60. To ask the Minister for Health if he will carry out a review of car parking costs in health care facilities and primary care facilities nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Medicinal Products Availability
      61. To ask the Minister for Health the status of outstanding issues relating to the availability of tagrisso osimertinib for use in lung cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Consultant Remuneration
      62. To ask the Minister for Health when he anticipates a full reversal of new entrant pay disparity for consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41265/19]
    • Health Services
      63. To ask the Minister for Health the status of work to address the issues in relation to dual diagnosis. [41347/19]
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      64. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to alleviate overcrowding in Cork University Hospital in which the figures recorded in September 2019 were the worst recorded for...
    • Hospital Discharges
      66. To ask the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to reduce the number of delayed discharges in University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41224/19]
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      67. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date on the planned refurbishment and extension of Abbeyleix Hospital; and the timescale for the project. [41168/19]
    • Brexit Issues
      68. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains assured of the continued uninterrupted supply of all medicines in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Appointments Delays
      69. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place to reduce waiting times for an outpatient appointment in Tallaght hospital in which the numbers waiting over a year have seen a more than...
    • Hospital Services
      70. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the opening of a HIV clinic in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41355/19]
    • Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
      71. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a design team has still not been appointed in relation to the multi-million euro development proposed for the Sacred Heart Hospital, County...
    • General Practitioner Contracts
      73. To ask the Minister for Health if he will introduce an extra weighting when allocating resources to general practitioners to take into account the additional demand on services in deprived...
    • Departmental Records
      74. To ask the Minister for Health the reason his Department exchanged speaking notes in relation to the CervicalCheck delayed smear test results scandal with the Office of the Taoiseach on 27...
    • Health Services Access
      75. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the availability of hormone treatment for transgender persons through the health service; his engagement with the transgender community on...
    • Hospital Appointments Delays
      76. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the large increase in the numbers waiting more than 18 months for an outpatient appointment in Sligo University Hospital since May 2016; and if...
    • Disability Services Funding
      77. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider implementing multi-annual budgets to support planned service for section 39 agencies such as an organisation (details supplied) in advance...
    • Home Care Packages Data
      78. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional homecare and transitional care beds that have been provided for in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40900/19]
    • Patient Data
      79. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients in hospital nationwide that are waiting for an assessment for a homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40899/19]
    • Paediatric Services
      80. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to address the multi-year waiting times being experienced by children with special needs in County Wicklow that have been referred for...
    • Health Strategies
      81. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the lower health outcomes in deprived areas; if extra resources will be given to these areas; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Health Services Staff Recruitment
      82. To ask the Minister for Health the number, grade and title of all posts in Galway city and county in which interviews have been held, posts offered and accepted and awaiting sanction by the...
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      83. To ask the Minister for Health the emergency measures he is putting in place to address the severe overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick, which saw 1,405 persons on trolleys in the...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans
      84. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the time persons are spending on ophthalmology waiting lists in counties Cork and Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Hospital Services
      85. To ask the Minister for Health if an independent clinical review will be launched into recent reports of apparent failings in the care provided to a number of women at the gynaecology...
    • Home Help Service Provision
      86. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the long waiting lists for homehelp hours for countiesLongford and Westmeath. [41372/19]
    • Hospital Staff Recruitment
      87. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the necessary staff have not been recruited to ensure that the paediatric outpatient department and urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital can be...
    • Health Services Staff Recruitment
      89. To ask the Minister for Health if the outstanding number of posts awaiting decision by the national director for Donegal CHO amounting to over 100 posts remaining vacant will be addressed;...
    • Hospice Services Provision
      90. To ask the Minister for Health the status of discussions between the HSE and South Westmeath Hospice regarding the retention of the facility. [41371/19]
    • HSE Staff Recruitment
      91. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a recruitment embargo or freeze within the HSE and specifically for the north west CHO1 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/19]
    • Health Services Access
      92. To ask the Minister for Health his priorities in the capital plan to address the delays in accessing elective surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41172/19]
    • Hospital Services
      93. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 13 March 2019 the precise location of the helipad of Galway University Hospital; if the helipad has been relocated...
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility
      94. To ask the Minister for Health when the changes to the nursing home support scheme for farmers will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41228/19]
    • Departmental Budgets
      95. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which he is incorporating demographic changes into budgetary planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/19]
    • Hospital Facilities
      96. To ask the Minister for Health if the establishment of a day hospital in Swords, County Dublin will be considered. [40979/19]
    • Hospital Overcrowding
      97. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to alleviate overcrowding in the South Tipperary General Hospital in which the figures recorded in September 2019 were the worst...
  • Department of Defence
    • Defence Forces Reserve
      98. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 1 October 2019, the reason the terms of paragraph 31(1) of Defence Forces Regulation R5 have not...
    • Legislative Measures
      99. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he...
  • Department of Finance
    • Tax Code
      103. To ask the Minister for Finance the categories of flat rate tax expense for workers which the Revenue Commissioners propose to abolish from the beginning of 2020; the anticipated increase in...
    • Help-To-Buy Scheme Data
      104. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of help-to-buy grant approvals on a monthly basis since the scheme was launched; the number of drawdowns in this regard since the scheme was...
    • Help-To-Buy Scheme
      105. To ask the Minister for Finance the plans to continue the help-to-buy scheme following its planned finish date at the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41435/19]
    • Insurance Costs
      106. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he had taken to address the spiralling costs of insurance for the leisure industry; the timeline for the measures that will take effect and address...
    • Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Capital
      108. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the operation of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; the way in which refocus of same in February 2019 on regional development has worked to...
    • Property Tax
      109. To ask the Minister for Finance if residential property tax can be refunded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41543/19]
    • Legislative Measures
      110. To ask the Minister for Finance the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Office of Public Works Properties
      112. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position with regard to the Office of Public Works ownership and plans for a site at Shandon, Dungarvan, County Waterford, which had...
    • Brexit Issues
      113. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding stream that OPW used in order to get aspects of Dublin post-Brexit ready; the amount of funding available for the works; if...
    • Drainage Schemes Status
      114. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the necessary works will be carried out on a river (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41500/19]
    • Legislative Measures
      115. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Schools Property
      117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ETBI has installed car parking barriers at the entrance to its car parking facility at a...
    • School Funding
      118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the rental cost remittance for the board of management of a school (details supplied) was not paid in July, August and September 2019;...
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase ASD units for primary schools in south County Kildare for the school year 2020-2021; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • School Admissions
      121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine a matter regarding a child (details supplied) in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41429/19]
    • Transition Year Selection Process
      122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of schools in County Kildare that have a compulsory transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41432/19]
    • School Staff
      123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding paid leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/19]
    • School Enrolments Data
      124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the numbers of pupils enrolled in each new school in September 2019. [41440/19]
    • Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
      125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the anomaly will be addressed within the SUSI assessment for the special rate of top up grant (details supplied); if the rule will be removed...
    • Supervision and Substitution Scheme
      127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the restrictions placed on schools during the economic downturn regarding the employment of substitute teachers in situations in which teachers...
    • Teacher Data
      128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers on his Department's payroll at primary and post-primary level whose only qualification allowance payment is the primary...
    • Technological Universities
      129. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has advised Waterford and Carlow Institutes of Technology of the way in which the projected combined deficit, debt and payroll...
    • Schools Building Projects
      130. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the agreed programme of works following all stakeholder talks regarding the completion of a school (details supplied) will be published; and...
    • Schools Building Projects Status
      131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school building project (details supplied); the reason for the lengthy delay in progress being made from the present stage; when...
    • Schools Building Projects
      134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that schools (details supplied) commence monthly progress reports on their school building project; and if he will make a...
    • Schools Site Acquisitions
      135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an appropriate site has been identified for the proposed new building for a college (details supplied); when construction of the new building...
    • Legislative Measures
      136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Shared Services
      138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána has ceased sharing information with Tusla due to differences of opinion on the protocols. [41395/19]
    • Pension Provisions
      139. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the pension of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [41426/19]
    • Citizenship Ceremonies
      140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) will be allocated a place at the next citizenship ceremony due to the circumstances. [41442/19]
    • Citizenship Applications
      141. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship lodged with the INIS in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the...
    • Departmental Surveys
      142. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 3 October 2019, the consultation process; and the location of the open town hall...
    • Garda Operations
      143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Garda national protective service and its roll out and operations in Wicklow Garda Division; and if he will...
    • Drugs Seizures
      144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated extent of inbound illegal drug trafficking which has been intercepted by the authorities off the Irish coast over...
    • Immigration Status
      145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination for residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) who are...
    • Leave to Remain
      146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which a person (details supplied) can proceed to update their stamp 4 in view of the fact that they were previously...
    • Deportation Orders Re-examination
      148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in order to facilitate temporary, long-term, residency and naturalisation in the case of a person...
    • Immigration Status
      149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a review will be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/19]
    • Immigration Policy
      150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41536/19]
    • Leave to Remain
      151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) can obtain temporary or long-term permission to remain; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Citizenship Applications
      152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
    • Deportation Orders Re-examination
      153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a review is possible in respect of the deportation order issued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will...
    • Immigration Policy
      154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41540/19]
    • Immigration Status
      155. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the necessary required documentation has been received in the relevant section of his Department in respect of a person...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      156. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
    • Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
      157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a list of the organisations and-or bodies that were in receipt of funding from the 2018 and 2019 Asylum Migration and...
    • Legislative Measures
      158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • IDA Ireland Staff
      160. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the deployment of IDA Ireland staff within County Waterford and the south east region; and the way in which this compares to its...
    • IDA Ireland Site Visits
      161. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits in quarter 1, 2 and 3 of 2019, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Flexible Work Practices
      162. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the plans being developed regarding the rules in relation to the right to disconnect from work and to encompass a more flexible...
    • Legislative Measures
      163. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by her Department since March 2011, in tabular form;...
    • Labour Employer Economic Forum
      165. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proposals being considered to strengthen social dialogue. [41589/19]
  • Department of Health
    • Hospital Services
      166. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a cardio cath lab at Sligo University Hospital; the progress of the report into the issue sanctioned by him in 2018; and if he...
    • Ambulance Service
      167. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place for the provision of the development of a new ambulance base in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41387/19]
    • Cancer Screening Programmes
      168. To ask the Minister for Health if the result of the review of the slides of 221 women affected by the CervicalCheck issue will change his plans to continue with a policy of contracting out...
    • Voluntary Hospital Sector
      169. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 of 1 October 2019, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new public sector pay agreement has escalated...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      171. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on out of country placements (details supplied) for deaf persons in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and...
    • General Practitioner Services
      172. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement to address the issues affecting the retention and recruitment of general practitioners particularly in rural areas; and if...
    • Psychological Assessments
      173. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time persons are waiting for an assessment with the NDT in County Kildare; the reason for delay in assessments; and if he will make a statement...
    • Respite Care Services Funding
      174. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to County Kildare for respite for children that require same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41431/19]
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      176. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the extreme difficulties persons are experiencing accessing urgent mental healthcare services in the Ballyfermot, Dublin 10...
    • Audiology Services Data
      177. To ask the Minister for Health the length of the waiting list for audiology services for children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly by county. [41449/19]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      178. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 17 September 2019, when he will give management approval to hire a speech and language therapist for a school...
    • Health Services Staff Data
      179. To ask the Minister for Health the number of occupational speech and language, physio therapists and child psychologists employed by the HSE in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019 by CHO in...
    • HSE Staff
      180. To ask the Minister for Health if a HSE employment transfer will be carried out as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied). [41458/19]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      181. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41459/19]
    • Rehabilitative Training Allowance Payments
      183. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) never received the rehabilitative training bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41464/19]
    • Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
      184. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the FreeStyle Libre device; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41466/19]
    • Hospital Staff Data
      185. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hospital intern posts and the prioritisation of CAO undergraduates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41476/19]
    • HSE Staff Recruitment
      186. To ask the Minister for Health the number of positions in the CHO2 health service in the western region in which applicants have received offers of a post but were subsequently informed by...
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      187. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the eligibility limit for those over 70 years of age applying for a medical card from a reduction that was implemented in 2014 and has...
    • Medicinal Products Availability
      190. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be advised in relation to the provision of medication. [41487/19]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      191. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the request by a local authority for the provision of health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Budgets
      192. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied that the proposed health budget for 2020 is fully capable of meeting his requirements throughout the year; and if he...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      193. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which he expects hospital waiting lists to improve in the course of the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41518/19]
    • Medical Card Data
      194. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the number of medical card numbers has fluctuated over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41519/19]
    • Paediatric Services
      195. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which scoliosis patients can expect to receive treatment in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41520/19]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      196. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which waiting lists for orthopaedic treatment has improved in the past five years and likely to continue to improve in the future; and if he will...
    • Dental Services Provision
      197. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which full medical examinations and dental follow-up treatment is effective to the extent necessary for early intervention and treatment of...
    • Primary Care Centres
      198. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which primary care centres are relieving the pressure on accident and emergency services nationally; if some are preforming to a greater or...
    • Primary Care Centres Provision
      200. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which modern health centres and primary care centres are available throughout County Kildare; the proposed improvement and extension of such...
    • Speech and Language Therapy Staff
      201. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which it is planned to provide maternity cover for speech and language therapists; if his attention has been drawn to fact that the lack of...
    • Vaccination Programme
      202. To ask the Minister for Health if, in the course of the next HPV campaign, the most modern and effective vaccines will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41527/19]
    • Schools Health and Safety
      203. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which school medical examinations continue to take place throughout County Kildare; the extent to which treatment requirements are identified and...
    • Health Services Provision
      204. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in the case of a person (details supplied); if a precise prognoses and treatment has been determined; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Hospital Procedures
      205. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be refunded in respect of a cathartic procedure which they underwent at a private hospital or in any way be supplemented by...
    • HSE Staff Data
      206. To ask the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists employed by the HSE by county; if such positions are full-time; the number of vacant positions for child psychologists in...
    • Legislative Measures
      207. To ask the Minister for Health the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Equipment
      209. To ask the Minister for Health when University Hospital Limerick will be provided with a second MRI scanner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41600/19]
    • Hospital Facilities
      210. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider providing two modular surgical theatres for University Hospital, Ennis to allow it to expand its day care surgery capacity particularly ENT...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Animal Welfare
      211. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the investigation by his Department into environmental concerns at a farm (details supplied) has been concluded; and if so, the...
    • Forestry Sector
      212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planting trees on bogland dries it out leading to greater carbon emissions from the...
    • Live Exports
      213. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to secure and source existing and new markets for live cattle exports. [41424/19]
    • Organic Farming
      214. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of increase in organic production since 2011 and the incentives that are available to encourage same. [41425/19]
    • Agriculture Scheme Appeals
      215. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41438/19]
    • Legislative Measures
      216. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form;...
    • Knowledge Transfer Programme
      218. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved applicants to the knowledge transfer group scheme in the beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry...
    • Agriculture Scheme Data
      220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep farmers that applied to the sheep EID tag subsidy scheme by 30 September deadline by county in tabular form; the...
    • Bord Bia Data
      221. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount in levies paid by farmers to An Bord Bia in each year over the 2016 to 2018 period and to date in 2019 for livestock...
    • Seafood Sector
      222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of the seafood scaling and new market development scheme; the amount of funding that will be allocated...
    • Beef Industry
      223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first meeting of the beef market task force will take place; and the status of the development of a beef market price index...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • Statutory Instruments
      224. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of SI No. 4 of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41386/19]
    • Inland Fisheries Stocks
      225. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the response to an unidentified white skin fungus present in salmonid stocks in counties Louth and...
    • Electricity Generation
      226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the inclusion of the Shannon LNG project on the projects of common interest list compiled in Brussels on 4...
    • Forestry Sector
      227. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planting trees on bogland dries it out leading to greater carbon...
    • National Broadband Plan Implementation
      228. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll out of the national broadband plan at a location (details supplied); if the broadband will be...
    • Postal Codes
      229. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when an Eircode application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Postal Services
      230. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding payment of certain taxes (details supplied) in An Post offices; and if he will make a statement...
    • North-South Interconnector
      231. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the north-south interconnector. [41505/19]
    • National Broadband Plan Implementation
      232. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband availability and quality will increase in rural County Meath. [41506/19]
    • Legislative Measures
      233. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Driver Licences
      235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements being made between the UK and Irish Governments to facilitate persons that live here and work in the UK in regard to...
    • Schools Health and Safety
      236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that dedicated cycle paths and bus drop off zones are mandatory in the vicinity of all schools. [41445/19]
    • Tourism Promotion
      237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek a reversal of the decision by Tourism Ireland and Bord Fáilte to exclude greyhound racing in their campaigns. [41467/19]
    • Ferry Services
      238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the situation pertaining to boat trips to the Fastnet Rock lighthouse via Cape Clear in circumstances in which the fast...
    • Dublin Bus
      239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 587 and 588 of 17 September 2019, if the exact reason will be itemised for the penalty applied...
    • Road Tolls
      240. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the ownership of the M50 toll bridge and contractual relationships with third parties; if his attention has been...
    • Ports Development
      241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with or the submissions received from the Port of Waterford Company over the past 12 to 18 months with a view...
    • Urban Regeneration and Development Fund
      242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to proposals received from a club (details supplied) for funding under the Urban Regeneration and...
    • Irish Coast Guard Issues
      243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of emergency medical missions not related to incidents at sea that have been carried out by each Irish Coast Guard helicopter...
    • Airport Charges
      244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Commission for Aviation Regulation will make a decision on the issue of passenger fees at Dublin Airport; his input into the...
    • Legislative Measures
      245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and...
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Fuel Allowance Payments
      251. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 519 of 24 September 2019 and 616 of 1 October 2019, if the winter fuel payment will...
    • Invalidity Pension Applications
      252. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if...
    • Domiciliary Care Allowance Review
      253. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the review for domiciliary care for a person (details supplied) will be decided; the timeframe for deciding such...
    • Departmental Staff Data
      254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of medical officers dedicated to assessing medical evidence in 2017, 2018 and 2019 by scheme in tabular form; the...
    • Domiciliary Care Allowance Data
      255. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rate of refusal for first-time domiciliary care applicants in 2018 and to date in 2019; the level of refusals following...
    • Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
      256. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the criteria for the back to education allowance; her views on whether it is beneficial for all parties to extend the...
    • Child Benefit Payments
      257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if payment of child benefit which ceased in 2015 will be reinstated and backdated for a person (details supplied). [41497/19]
    • Working Family Payment Applications
      258. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a working family payment application by persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications
      259. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a payment for a person (details supplied). [41502/19]
    • Tús Programme
      260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the Tús programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41507/19]
    • Community Employment Schemes Data
      261. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of community employment participants that have been referred to Tús in County Kildare in each of the years...
    • Social Welfare Benefits Data
      262. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for carer's benefit and allowance awaiting medical assessment; if there is an adequate number of...
    • Carer's Allowance Waiting Times
      263. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the length of time it takes for a medical assessor to access a carer's allowance application; and if she will make a...
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
      264. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Fuel Allowance Eligibility
      265. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) was not successful; if other options are available to...
    • Legislative Measures
      266. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by her Department since March 2011, in...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Housing Adaptation Grant Eligibility
      268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there is a grant available for a family to reconfigure and adapt their home to accommodate an elderly parent that is not a...
    • Home Loan Scheme
      269. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if Kildare County Council has been given a new financial allocation for Rebuilding Ireland home loans; if so, the amount that...
    • Local Authority Housing
      270. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which councils recoup the cost of borrowing for housing developments in cases in which the council has purchased...
    • Traveller Accommodation
      271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding allocated and drawn down by Wicklow County Council for Traveller accommodation in each of the years 2016 to 2018...
    • Water Conservation
      272. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of measures he has taken to introduce a BER style water conservation rating for buildings in line with the...
    • Environmental Protection Agency Funding
      273. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures he has taken to review the research budget of the EPA on water management and conservation in line with the...
    • Housing Agency Data
      275. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of the €70 million rolling Housing Agency fund by county; the number of units delivered per annum since its...
    • Local Authority Housing
      276. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the new guidelines being issued in regard to local housing assessment needs in each local authority as outlined under the new...
    • Planning Issues
      277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the headquarters, number of staff, estimated full staff complement of the office of the planning regulator; when it will be...
    • Legislative Measures
      278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular...
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Greenways Provision
      280. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of progress of the Grand Canal greenway project between Sallins and Hazelhatch (details supplied); the timeline for...
    • Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Payments
      281. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) is paid the appropriate compensation for cessation of turf...
    • Legislative Measures
      282. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by her Department since March 2011, in tabular...
    • Archaeological Sites
      284. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are plans to designate An Sruthán Pier, Carraroe, County Galway as a cultural heritage asset; and if she will make a...