Written answers
Thursday, 20 April 2023
- Department of Health
- Pharmacy Services
9. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has plans to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18205/23]
- General Practitioner Services
11. To ask the Minister for Health the number of GPs that are directly employed by the HSE; and what steps that are being taken to increase this. [17838/23]
- Health Services
12. To ask the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to improve the waiting times for assessment for gender dysphoria, for gender confirmation surgeries and access to referral for...
- Mental Health Services
16. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on extending of CAMHS services to young people up to the age of 25 years, as set out in Sharing the Vision; if there is a timeline for this...
- Health Services
17. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department have identified blockages in the delivery of health services in order to ensure a seamless access to health services,...
- Legislative Reviews
18. To ask the Minister for Health if he can report on the review of the legislation on the Termination of Pregnancy Act; if he will bring proposals to Cabinet on foot of the review; and if he...
- Dental Services
20. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on any progress he has made in returning dentists to the DTSS; the total number of dentists in the system in 2020 and 2023; and if he will...
- Mental Health Services
21. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the increase in CAMHS waiting lists since June 2020; the measure that are being taken to reduce CAMHS waiting lists; and if he will make a...
- National Treatment Purchase Fund
22. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received a work plan from the National Treatment Purchase Fund on its waiting list initiative plans for 2023; and if he will indicate the key targets....
- Departmental Schemes
23. To ask the Minister for Health when changes will be made to the fair deal scheme to incentivise long-term nursing home patients to rent out their homes; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
24. To ask the Minister for Health if the site on which St. Patrick’s Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary is located is suitable for the development of a new 60-bed residential care centre...
- Covid-19 Tests
25. To ask the Minister for Health why PCR testing centres have been closed despite a recent uptick in infections and hospital admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17658/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic
26. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the establishment post-acute and long-Covid clinics within each hospital group; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on...
- Medicinal Products
27. To ask the Minister for Health his views on reports his Department is seeking to change access to codeine-based medicines from over the counter to prescription supply; and if he will make a...
- Dental Services
28. To ask the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to address the current critical shortage of dentists across the private sector and public service in Ireland, in view that...
- Health Services Staff
29. To ask the Minister for Health following the Government's support for the Labour Party motion on community and voluntary sector workers, if he will provide an update on his plans to ensure...
- Hospital Facilities
30. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to fit out the empty surgical day ward at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16901/23]
- Nursing Homes
32. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in providing a new community nursing home in Clifden, County Galway; the reason for the delay with this; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services Staff
33. To ask the Minister for Health if he can detail the position in relation to public health teams; if the number of public health doctors have been increased; the plans to ensure same are...
- Hospital Facilities
34. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline his plans to advance the fast-tracking of the development of two additional 96-bed ward blocks at University Hospital Limerick under the...
- Disability Services
36. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his plans for the future use of a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17483/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
37. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals to support healthcare workers who have long-Covid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18206/23]
- Dental Services
38. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant backlogs in dental screening services for schoolchildren up to ten years of age, as some school children are...
- General Practitioner Services
39. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on efforts to increase the number of GPs in training. [17837/23]
- Hospital Services
40. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 832 of 14 February 2023, for an update on the development of the new elective hospital in Merlin Park; the status to date...
- Health Strategies
41. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in developing a successor plan to the existing National Rare Disease Plan 2014 – 2018 as per his recent announcement; and if he will...
- Health Services
42. To ask the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the establishment of a national register of persons with neurodevelopmental disorders; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Hospital Equipment
43. To ask the Minister for Health to engage with HSE regarding provision of staffing for the new MRI scanner which is due to be delivered within next six weeks at the Mullingar Regional...
- Abortion Services
44. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has sought to ascertain the reason there has been a 26% increase in abortions undertaken in Ireland in 2022; and if he will make a statement...
- Home Help Service
45. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to provide home support hours to individuals assessed to need them in CHO4. [18354/23]
- Primary Care Centres
46. To ask the Minister for Health to provide and update on the new primary healthcare centre for Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17947/23]
- Health Services
47. To ask the Minister for Health about the preventative measures in healthcare for addiction; the level of spending planned on these services for this coming year; and if he will make a...
- Home Help Service
48. To ask the Minister for Health if the new home care tender will be in place by 1 May 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18119/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
49. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the payments to healthcare workers of the pandemic recognition payment to include an update on the estimated number of workers...
- Health Promotion
50. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to raise awareness of sepsis with an emphasis on the patient experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17946/23]
- Medical Aids and Appliances
51. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to expand the provision of funding for the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age; and if he...
- General Practitioner Services
52. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being taken to increase the numbers of GPs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/23]
- Primary Care Centres
53. To ask the Minister for Health what decision will be taken regarding the future of the Lettermacaward health centre; if comprehensive remedial actions will be undertaken as a matter of...
- Mortality Rates
54. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the work of his Department in addressing the issue of premature deaths of single people experiencing homelessness. [11819/23]
- National Treatment Purchase Fund
55. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of the National Treatment Purchase Fund to alleviate the waiting list for assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Services
56. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the operation of the treatment abroad scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/23]
- Hospital Charges
58. To ask the Minister for Health about the delays in abolishing hospital in-patient charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/23]
- Hospital Services
59. To ask the Minister for Health when the opening hours of the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital will be extended to include weekends and public holidays. [18553/23]
- Health Services Staff
60. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department and the Health Service Executive will urgently look at appointing a dedicated psychiatrist for children with disabilities in CHO3; and if he...
- Hospital Facilities
61. To ask the Minister for Health if he can provide a timeline for the construction of the new ED/Surgical Block at Sligo University Hospital. [18617/23]
- Health Services
62. To ask the Minister for Health if the provision of new addiction services are planned for development this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18540/23]
- Hospital Facilities
63. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of a minor injuries’ unit for the St. Joseph’s care campus in Longford town; and if he will make a statement...
- Mental Health Services
64. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in establishing the trial 24/7 mental health de-escalation unit for Limerick, that is due to be operated jointly with members of...
- Medicinal Products
65. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to reclassify the drug pregabalin, marketed as lyrica, as a class C or controlled drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/23]
- Primary Care Centres
66. To ask the Minister for Health when Borris, County Carlow will get a primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
67. To ask the Minister for Health for an estimate of the number of front-line workers who worked on the front line of the healthcare and community response to the COVID 19 pandemic, that are...
- Mental Health Services
68. To ask the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to reduce the CAMHS waiting list. [17711/23]
- Hospital Overcrowding
69. To ask the Minister for Health to discuss the steps being taken to address the capacity challenge at University Hospital Limerick, where, in March 2023, 2,080 patients were treated on...
- Hospital Facilities
70. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the emergency department expansion and additional bed capacity works at Mayo University Hospital; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Services
71. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the allocation of resources for the national genetic services at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin in order to ensure a more efficient...
- Hospital Facilities
72. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reverse cuts and increase the number of beds in community and district hospitals in County Mayo to address the issues of patient flow and delayed...
- Health Services
73. To ask the Minister for Health the role of genomic medicine in Ireland; his plans for a national genomics strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/23]
- Mental Health Services
74. To ask the Minister for Health the current status of the various reviews and audits with regards to all CAMHS services. [17948/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
75. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the continued Covid-19 support funding to private nursing homes owned by international investments funds; the amount that has been spent in 2023;...
- Health Services
76. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the lack of public health cover for people with serious and life-long allergies, and the significant financial costs they face, such as for...
- Hospital Equipment
77. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the replacement and upgrade of the equipment at the x-ray unit at St. Joseph’ care campus in Longford town; and if he will make a...
- Mental Health Services
78. To ask the Minister for Health if he will establish a public inquiry into the CAMHS service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17660/23]
- Departmental Schemes
79. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reform the fair deal nursing home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/23]
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Harbours and Piers
84. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider re-examining the decision to increase business rents on Dinish Island, Castletownbere; and if he will make a...
- Control of Dogs
85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the stakeholders who have been consulted as part of the Control of Dogs Act working group; when he will be...
- Farm Costs
94. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action is being taken by his Department in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners in assisting those importing second-hand...
- Inshore Fisheries
95. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the Questions on Promised Legislation debate of 28 March 2023 (details supplied), how his Department plans to respond to...
- Farm Costs
96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what measures will be taken at national and EU levels to provide support around rising farm input costs and...
- Water Quality
97. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to use the learning from the 'priority areas for action' on nitrates to extend those measures that have helped to improve water...
- Organic Farming
98. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid could be made available to support farmers to meet organic farming requirements; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Forestry Sector
99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of new afforestation that has been planted to date in 2023; and the estimated afforestation rates for the full...
- Programme for Government
100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of programme for Government commitments to complete a land use review ahead of the drafting of a land use strategy and a...
- Agriculture Schemes
101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications that have been received to date for the scheme of investment aid for the seed potato sector and the...
- Hedge Cutting
102. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with respect to recommendation 123 of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, which states that ‘Existing legislation and...
- Forestry Sector
103. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a land use strategy is being developed within which aspirations for forestry, for the protection of biodiversity, for climate, for...
- Trade Promotion
105. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken by his Department to support the overseas marketing of Irish agricultural and food products; and if he will...
- Agriculture Industry
106. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the anticipated steps needed in order to implement carbon farming as a reliable source of income for farmers; and...
- Food Industry
107. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains aware of the necessity to safeguard Irish food production given the distinct possibility of worldwide...
- Departmental Staff
108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff he has on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Brussels to assist with Ireland's work at EU Council...
- Agriculture Industry
109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what his Department is doing to assist the sheep sector. [18555/23]
- Mental Health Policy
111. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to studies showing that Government policies to tackle climate change are causing a mental health...
- State Bodies
112. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 8 March 2023, the status of the establishment of the Wool Council; the number of...
- Forestry Sector
113. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the new Forestry Programme, including when it is expected that new applications will be accepted into the scheme. [18549/23]
- Citizens' Assembly
114. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department plans to respond to the six recommendations, 120 to 125, in the Report of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity...
- State Bodies
115. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the wool council. [18490/23]
- Agriculture Supports
116. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans, if any, to facilitate farmers trading carbon credits; if he intends to establish a verifiable framework to record and...
- Citizens' Assembly
117. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department plans to respond to the 17 recommendations, 74 to 90, in the Report of the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss...
- Agriculture Supports
118. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he intends to introduce to help the sheep sector. [18488/23]
- Agriculture Schemes
120. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the traditional farm buildings grant scheme to include all farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Inshore Fisheries
121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to support inshore fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17484/23]
- Forestry Sector
122. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide compensation, reconstitution grant aid and annual forest premiums for forest owners impacted with the fatal Ash...
- EU Directives
123. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on negotiations with the EU on the possibility of an extension of the nitrates derogation in order to allow time for...
- Inshore Fisheries
124. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support the inshore fishing sector. [18346/23]
- Environmental Policy
125. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans on ending the use of creosote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/23]
- Agriculture Industry
126. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to reassess the additional measures being put in place which have only commenced this year regarding nitrates and to work with the...
- Harbours and Piers
127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide his response to a resolution from Cork County Council that he meets with a delegation of Dáil Deputies and...
- Fishing Industry
128. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total mackerel quota available to this country this year; the amount of this quota last year allocated to the five biggest...
- Harbours and Piers
130. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date on the development of a deep-water pier in Ros a’Mhíl; if his Department has sought an...
- Forestry Sector
131. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to increase rates of afforestation. [18347/23]
- Agriculture Schemes
132. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether a reduction in the genomic rating of individual bovines in a herd during the course of the new Suckler...
- EU Directives
133. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in relation to Nitrates Derogation and discussions around proposed changes to current levels in place;...
- Agriculture Schemes
134. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered to include multiple robotic milking units within the TAMS grants as the current scheme only allows for one...
- Fishing Industry
135. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to the call in the European Parliament resolution of 7 June 2022 on the implementation of Article...
- Forestry Sector
136. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to provide immediate financial assistance to the private forestry sector given the failure of his Department to...
- EU Directives
137. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will revisit the Nitrates Derogation Condition in accordance with the agreement reached with the European Commission to hold...
- Agriculture Schemes
138. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify scoring under the scheme for farmers with commonage land where there is active turf cutting; and if he will make a...
- Harbours and Piers
139. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to Cork County Councils request for funding to carry out the necessary work to reconstruct Keelbeg...
- Agriculture Supports
140. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider putting specific supports in place for the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18559/23]
- Agriculture Industry
141. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of the Women-Only Knowledge Transfer Group. [18489/23]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Citizenship Applications
142. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will expedite an application for citizenship through the foreign births register of a person (details supplied). [18632/23]
- Departmental Consultations
143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022;...
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Departmental Contracts
144. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the arrangements being made for the tendering for a new contract to develop, implement, maintain and promote the...
- Ukraine War
145. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide assistance with obtaining Eircode for properties (details supplied) so the properties can be used by...
- Energy Conservation
146. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the current wait times from application to completion of works under the free energy upgrade scheme under the SEAI by...
- Departmental Consultations
149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of...
- National Broadband Plan
150. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the National Broadband Plan rollout for County Meath up to the end of Q1 2023, including overall...
- Public Sector Pensions
151. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the amendments to the An Post Superannuation Scheme which his predecessor approved in March 2014 apply to ex-civil...
- Department of Defence
- Departmental Consultations
152. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the...
- Citizens' Assembly
153. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the rationale for electing to hold a national forum on neutrality over a citizens' assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Traffic Management
160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which traffic management proposals for Celbridge, County Kildare are being activated in a manner which meets with the...
- Driver Licences
162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a driving licence will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18630/23]
- Driver Test
163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for a driving test; and the number of persons waiting for a theory test in County Cork, by test centre, in...
- Road Safety
166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a list of all the locations on the N24 under the management of Tipperary County Council where Transport Infrastructure Ireland...
- Driver Test
167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) estimated week of invitation to apply for their driving test not until 10 September 2023; the...
- Transport Policy
168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if vintage cars will have to be modified in order to run on E10 fuel; and if not, if they will be exempt and continue to be allowed to...
- Driver Test
169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current average wait time for driving tests category B, in each test centre in the State. [18711/23]
- Departmental Consultations
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in...
- Road Safety
175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to address a safety concern in respect of an N4 junction (details supplied); and if he will engage with the...
- Departmental Funding
176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons the 2023 grant allocated to Tipperary County Council for the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction road project, at €1...
- Road Projects
177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position regarding the N86 road improvement project; the timeline for the completion of the entire scheme from Camp to...
- Departmental Data
180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of private aircraft landings per airport in all Irish airports both public and private in 2022; if he can provide a breakdown...
- Greenways Provision
181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position regarding the construction of the south Kerry greenway, the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the...
- Road Projects
182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position regarding the Tralee northern relief road, the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he...
- Greenways Provision
184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position regarding plans to link the Tralee to Fenit greenway with the Listowel to Limerick greenway via Ardfert,...
- Departmental Expenditure
185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of capital underspend in his Department for 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter [18833/23]
- Departmental Schemes
186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or officials in his Department have received a request from the Department of Rural and Community Development to contribute...
- Road Projects
187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position regarding the N70 Milltown relief road project; the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; the...
- Road Safety
188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if safety concerns have been expressed regarding the design of the N22 Macroom bypass entry junction from the Millstreet road; if the...
- Airport Policy
189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if drone activity has been identified in proximity to Irish airports outside of Dublin airport; if so, which airports has this activity...
- Cycling Facilities
190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received an application from Kerry County Council to develop a safe walking and cycling facility alongside the R561...
- Traffic Management
191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Kinsale town; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Projects
193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the funding application by Cork County Council for the road upgrade project at Pewter Hole Cross; and if...
- Department of Finance
- Lobbying Reform
194. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the lobbying register so that the lobbying of senior officials in bodies such as the Central Bank, ComReg, the NTA and the HSE which have...
- Departmental Consultations
195. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and...
- European Court of Human Rights
196. To ask the Minister for Finance if he and the Revenue Commissioners are concerned about the implications of the recent European Court of Human Rights judgment on Ireland's legislative...
- Tax Residency
197. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason non-resident landlords must arrange for a collection agent to undertake to make annual tax returns and account to the Revenue Commissioners on...
- Construction Industry
198. To ask the Minister for Finance the specific means through which his Department intends to achieve its objective of “establishing a deeper and more robust domestic capital markets...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
201. To ask the Minister for Finance the scope to expand the funding capabilities of Home Building Finance Ireland, which has supported the development of over 5,700 homes to date; and if he will...
- Tax Collection
203. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the vacant home tax; the number of properties qualifying for the tax; the anticipated revenue from the tax in 2023; and if he...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Construction Industry
205. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of construction technical professionals, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and so on, employed by...
- Departmental Consultations
206. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in...
- Public Procurement Contracts
207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the benefits of establishing the Office of Government Procurement on a statutory basis; if he will provide a...
- Capital Expenditure Programme
209. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the review of the Capital Works Management Framework which commenced in March 2019 will be published; and if he will make a...
- Office of Public Works
210. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the long-standing application with the OPW on the delivery of the new Coastguard Station in Kilmore Quay (details...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Departmental Consultations
211. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in...
- Labour Market
212. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) will receive a determination on their application for a critical skills employment permit; and if it...
- Industrial Development
213. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of site visits to Kerry (real and virtual) facilitated by the IDA in the first quarter of 2023 and separately, all of...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Fees
216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter in relation to financial support to first year trainees (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
- School Accommodation
217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the additional accommodation application lodged by school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- Schools Building Projects
219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has considered an external engineering report raising issues with a school building (details supplied); and if she will make a...
- School Transport
220. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when transport arrangements can be put in place for a pupil (details supplied) who is attending a special class; and if she will make a statement...
- Schools Building Projects
221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current status of the new school construction project for a school (details supplied); if this project will proceed to tender stage; the...
- Teacher Training
222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if discussions are expected to change the circular for incremental credits so that teaching experience abroad in non-EU private schools is...
- School Accommodation
223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the additional school accommodation scheme application lodged by school (details supplied); if her Department is...
- State Examinations
224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the fees for the State examinations, both Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate, will continue to be waived in 2024; when she will...
- Departmental Consultations
225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of each time her Department, or public bodies under the aegis of her Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the...
- Schools Building Projects
226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when her Department will give the go ahead of the tender documents for a school (details supplied). [18753/23]
- School Staff
227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the supervision and substitution scheme; if the scheme currently exists and is open to new applicants; the way she will...
- Departmental Data
231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the initiatives, if any, she intends to roll-out to ensure that the number of special needs teachers matches the number of students who need...
- Schools Building Projects
232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the contractor for a school building project (details supplied) can expect to receive outstanding payments; and if she will make a statement...
- School Transport
234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she continues to liaise with the parents and management of various schools throughout north Kildare, with a view to ensuring...
- Schools Building Projects
235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which ongoing discussions are taking place in relation to the location and development of a school (details supplied); the progress...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Sports Funding
236. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 21 March 2023, when she expects the National Swimming Strategy to be published; if...
- Departmental Consultations
237. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of each time her Department, or public bodies under the aegis of her Department, enlisted the services of consultants...
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Housing Provision
238. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of affordable housing units delivered via the cost rental equity loan, the affordable housing fund and project...
- Animal Welfare
239. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of game birds currently under threat of possible extinction or already extinct such as the red grouse, partridge or...
- Housing Provision
240. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of cost rental and affordable purchase units, by unit type, delivered in Waterford in each of the years 2017 to...
- Departmental Data
266. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total number of construction technical professionals, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and so on,...
- Local Authorities
267. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the total number of construction technical professionals, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and so on,...
- Departmental Consultations
268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of...
- Housing Provision
269. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of affordable housing units delivered via the cost rental equity loan, the affordable housing fund and project...
- Departmental Consultations
278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government in relation to the first home scheme and the right to first refusal for a tenant whose landlord wants to sell their rental...
- Housing Provision
279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of affordable housing units delivered via the cost rental equity loan, the affordable housing fund and project...
- Waterways Issues
282. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government regarding the development of two marinas at Nutgrove Marina, Williamstown, and Whitegate, County Clare, as these marinas...
- Housing Provision
283. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of affordable housing units delivered via the cost rental equity loan, the affordable housing fund and project...
- Disability Services
285. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the breakdown of local authorities with an access officer in place as per the Disability Act 2005; the date they were...
- Housing Provision
286. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of completed housing schemes, public and private, in the various towns and villages throughout County Kildare...
- Local Authorities
287. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the extent to which it is expected to expedite the LIHAF and/or other traffic management proposals for Maynooth, County...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Social Welfare Payments
288. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a payment for disability allowance will be put in place for a person (details supplied) after an appeal was allowed; and...
- Data Protection
293. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection with respect to an e-tender (details supplied) if she will outline the rationale for the inclusion of facial image matching...
- Social Welfare Payments
294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a disability allowance payment has been reduced for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- State Pensions
295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has only been approved for a reduced rate of the State pension (non-contributory) in...
- Departmental Contracts
296. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the details of each time her Department, or public bodies under the aegis of her Department, enlisted the services of...
- Social Welfare Benefits
297. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people currently in receipt of professional artists on jobseeker’s allowance; and to provide a yearly...
- Community Employment Schemes
298. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will advise how many community employment supervisors have been paid to date under the agreed gratuity payment scheme;...
- State Pensions
299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlement to an increase in pension and the basis of the entitlement of a person (details supplied) from another EU...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- International Protection
300. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for international protection currently being processed; the countries of origin of the applicants...
- International Agreements
301. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when Ireland intends to sign up to and ratify the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child...
- Private Security Authority
302. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Private Security Authority protocol in place for events where there are a mixture of registered security personnel and...
- Courts Service
303. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware that the Courts Service is unable to confirm if there have been any convictions under the Harassment, Harmful...
- Electoral Process
304. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints of alleged electoral offences which have been made to An Garda Síochána for each year from...
- Prison Service
305. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current legal provisions which govern the establishment of women's prisons separate from men's prisons; the policy basis...
- An Garda Síochána
306. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if engagement has occurred between his Department and the Garda Commissioner in relation to the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022, in...
- Departmental Consultations
307. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of...
- Missing Children
308. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that 116000, the EU missing children hotline number, will be on public display at airports and ports. [18754/23]
- Departmental Programmes
310. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the work of youth diversion programmes in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the...
- An Garda Síochána
311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sexual assaults reported in Irish hospitals in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18810/23]
- Female Genital Mutilation
312. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware that the HSE has not put in place special support services required by victims and survivors of FGM as set out...
- Citizenship Applications
314. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for citizenship currently being processed; the countries of origin of the applicants; and the number...
- Naturalisation Applications
315. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a favourable decision in respect of residency and naturalisation is likely in the case of a person (details supplied); and...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Agriculture Schemes
317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the issues farmers applying under the Liming Programme are experiencing (details supplied); the assistance that is...
- Greyhound Industry
318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he believes his Department's inspections of greyhound owners are overzealous (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
- Agriculture Schemes
319. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether heifers will be included in quota numbers in the new suckler scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Departmental Contracts
320. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in...
- Agriculture Schemes
321. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES applicants who have applied for the tree planting measure in the scheme; the estimated number of plants required;...
- Agriculture Industry
326. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to encourage compliance to meet emission reduction targets, while at the same time ensuring that the...
- Animal Diseases
328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal diseases such as bovine tuberculosis continue to be eliminated in a meaningful way; the extent to which...
- Fishing Industry
329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to encourage the fishing industry, with particular reference to ensuring that the...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to ensure that the interests of Irish agriculture and the food industry in general do not become any...
- Agriculture Industry
331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts continue to protect the sheep farming industry, with particular reference to the need to ensure and...
- Food Industry
333. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the likelihood of a reduction in food supply to major urban centres, including Dublin, that may experience a...
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
334. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which large-scale beef seed feedlots are likely to be affected by emission issues in the same way as beef producers...
- Food Promotion
335. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to promote and support the Irish dairy sector at home and at EU level with a view to ensuring...
- Agriculture Industry
337. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to ensure the application of the highest standards in beef and dairy production, with a view to...
- Food Industry
338. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value and volume of food and food product imports into this country in the past three years; the degree of fluctuation, if any;...
- Animal Diseases
340. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which bovine TB continues to be a problem for the beef and dairy sectors; the new efforts being made to examine the...
- Horticulture Sector
341. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he proposes to address the issues raised in the horticultural sector, with particular reference to the need to...
- Land Issues
342. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the natural drainage of agricultural land continues given the extent to which heavy machinery has a tendency to...
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Disability Services
343. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role of the HSE safeguarding team in regard to a person with a disability (details supplied) who is awaiting...
- Parental Leave
344. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine and increase in parental leave in the near future (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- International Protection
345. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residents in IPAS-renated accommodation in County Wexford for the years 2018-2023, cross tabbed...
- Departmental Consultations
347. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the...
- Emergency Accommodation
348. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on a contract (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18757/23]
- Disability Services
349. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to alleviate the high rates of vacancy across children's disability services, which is...
- Disabilities Assessments
350. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting an assessment of need per county in the CHO8; and if he will make a statement on...
- Care Services
351. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to provide an enhanced package of resources to foster carers; if he and or his officials have...
- Emergency Accommodation
352. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an accommodation provider (details supplied) for Ukrainian refugees who is experiencing financial...
- Department of Health
- Education Costs
353. To ask the Minister for Health what steps his Department has taken to ensure current first- and second-year educational psychology students will receive financial support, given the...
- Health Services
355. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the services for speech and language therapy; the current waiting list figures for this service; if he will provide an update...
- Eating Disorders
358. To ask the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase capacity for adult inpatient eating disorder beds; how many beds are proposed; where they will be available; and if he will make...
- Health Services
359. To ask the Minister for Health the plans to improve therapeutic and other services, and access to services, for under-18s with a diagnosis of ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
360. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify as to the new procedures that have been put in place to expedite the process for the development and the building for the new elective...
- Mental Health Services
361. To ask the Minister for Health what steps have been taken to end the practice of children being admitted to adult psychiatric inpatient wards; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Home Help Service
362. To ask the Minister for Health to increase the hours allocated to a person (details supplied) as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18629/23]
- Mental Health Services
363. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons employed in July 2020, 2021, and 2022 in community psychiatry, community psychology and community CAMHS areas in County Cork by area; and...
- Disability Services
366. To ask the Minister for Health if there are financial supports available to those with limited mobility and wish to purchase a motorised scooter; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Mental Health Services
367. To ask the Minister for Health the reason he does not attend the PNA conference (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18661/23]
- Home Care Packages
368. To ask the Minister for Health how many home care beds have been delivered by the HSE in each CHO area in 2022, in tabular form. [18667/23]
- Home Help Service
370. To ask the Minister for Health how many support hours were provided in the past year on the national service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18669/23]
- Home Care Packages
371. To ask the Minister for Health how many hours were provided in 2022 on intensive home care packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18670/23]
- Home Help Service
372. To ask the Minister for Health how many hours were provided with the pilot statutory home support scheme in 2022-2023. [18671/23]
- Health Services Staff
373. To ask the Minister for Health how many extra clinical nurses have been recruited into neurology in the past 12 months. [18672/23]
- Care of the Elderly
374. To ask the Minister for Health the additional finance that has been put into day and community services for older people, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Dental Services
375. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children seen by school dentists in the years 2019 to 2022 by county, in tabular form. [18706/23]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
376. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for ophthalmology appointments in each hospital, in tabular form. [18707/23]
- General Practitioner Services
377. To ask the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners in each county, in tabular form. [18709/23]
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
378. To ask the Minister for Health if the pandemic recognition payment has been paid to nursing staff working for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
- Departmental Consultations
379. To ask the Minister for Health the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and...
- Mental Health Services
380. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for CAMHS appointments in the north Tipperary and east Limerick LHO; and if he will provide a breakdown of the figures for those...
- Nursing Homes
382. To ask the Minister for Health the number of high-dependency rooms that will be included in the new community nursing unit being built in Tuam; the application process for patients to access...
- Parental Leave
383. To ask the Minister for Health the reason parents working for Section 38 agencies in the health service have been re-granted any parental leave taken during Covid but parents in Section 39...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
384. To ask the Minister for Health the action he has taken to ensure that a pandemic special recognition payment which has been issued to a private company (details supplied) has been passed on...
- Health Services Staff
385. To ask the Minister for Health the number of FTE public health nursing posts in County Louth; the vacancy rate 2018 to date by year; if additional posts were provided for through budget...
- Hospital Services
386. To ask the Minister for Health if he and the HSE will reinstate full antenatal services at Naas General Hospital; if he will outline the rationale for scaling back the services; and if he...
- Health Services Staff
387. To ask the Minister for Health when student nurses will receive a payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18796/23]
- General Practitioner Services
388. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of GP cards to include people on or below the median income as committed to under Budget 2023; and if he will make a...
- Health Strategies
389. To ask the Minister for Health why SSWHG has not met Kerry Oireachtas members for so long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18850/23]
- Hospital Staff
390. To ask the Minister for Health why a cardiologist is not in place at UHK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18851/23]
- Health Services
391. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains focused on enabling rehabilitation and methadone treatments for those who have been adversely affected by drugs; and if he will...
- Medicinal Products
392. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of rare and orphan drugs currently being evaluated for use in Ireland; the length of time that normally required for this process; the drugs...
- Health Services Staff
393. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to ensure the availability of an adequate number of health professionals within the health services, including, but not limited to,...
- Health Services
394. To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the health services can be co-ordinated in such a way as to ensure a modern response to patients' needs in all areas throughout the...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
395. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for delay in dealing with the waiting lists of children seeking procedures for scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18857/23]
- Hospital Facilities
396. To ask the Minister for Health when the promised phase of the Naas hospital development plan will be activated in accordance with the original projections; when the facility will be...
- Health Services
397. To ask the Minister for Health the proposed best protection for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, within the public health sphere to ensure their protection to the best possible...
- General Practitioner Services
398. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which efforts are being made to replace GPs where the incumbents have retired leaving vacancies throughout the country; the number of such...
- Healthcare Policy
399. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the various changes and requirements needed to fully introduce Sláintecare are being pursued at present; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
400. To ask the Minister for Health the degree by which it is intended to reduce the numbers on hospital waiting lists by whatever means over the next twelve months; and if he will make a...
- Dental Services
401. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which dental patients can have their requirements met and progressed as quickly as possible with particular reference to medical card holders;...
- Medical Cards
402. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which eligibility for medical cards for those diagnosed with serious or life-threatening illness can be upgraded to take account of the...
- Primary Care Centres
403. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the provision of primary care centres throughout County Kildare is ongoing, with particular reference to the needs of Maynooth, a...
- Medicinal Products
404. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which access to various medicines remains equally available to those in this jurisdiction, as compared with the rest of the single market in...
- Health Services
405. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which any shortcomings in the health services such as overcrowding at accident and emergency departments, lack of adequate accommodation,...
- Health Services Staff
408. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to continue the ongoing need to upgrade the health services to meet the needs of an increasing population including the shortage of GPs, the need to...
- Medical Cards
409. To ask the Minister for Health when a full medical card might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18871/23]
- Department of Education and Skills
- Third Level Education
411. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if access to university via the HEAR programme can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
- Technological Universities
412. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify if a veterinary college will be included under Munster Technological University (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Further and Higher Education
413. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports and advance guidance she provides to higher level institutions and 3rd level institutions regarding gambling addiction; and if he...
- Departmental Consultations
414. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the...
- Third Level Staff
415. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacant lecture positions per National University and subject in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18809/23]
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Departmental Consultations
416. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of each time her Department, or public bodies under the aegis of her Department, enlisted the services of consultants in...
