Parliamentary questions

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

230. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, which have resulted in some classes being held in a corridor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23928/24]

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

231. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her plans to address overcrowded conditions in the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the short term to improve the learning environment for students while plans for a more adequately sized facility are developed. [23929/24]

School Enrolments

Pat Buckley

232. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education her long-term plans for the development of national schools in the Fermoy and east Cork area generally to avoid overcrowding and promote the best learning environment for students now and into the future. [23930/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pat Buckley

233. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education what provisions are in place, or planned, to ensure the best supports possible are provided for schools which have a high number of students with additional learning needs, for example the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in which 62% of students have an identified additional learning need but are experiencing overcrowded classrooms at present. [23931/24]

School Facilities

Pat Buckley

234. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the process for identifying and selecting facilities for national schools, the basic requirements and additional criteria which are desired and what consideration is made for future growth and development of these facilities to meet demand and ensure the best educational and work environments for students and teachers. [23932/24]

School Accommodation

Pat Buckley

235. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education to outline the rationale for housing the Educate Together National School in Fermoy, County Cork, in the basement of a shared building which is wholly inadequate for the school's size and needs and provides no space for growth or development of this school service into the future; if this meets the standards for a positive school environment; and if there are plans to address concerns that the location is detrimental to the educational success of the school. [23933/24]

Home Help Service

Pat Buckley

247. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) cannot return to their home, despite being promised 32 hours a week home care and is at present residing in a community hospital for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/24]

Dental Services

Pat Buckley

275. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) will have to wait for more than two years to get broken dentures replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/24]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

527. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of preschool places in Youghal, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21676/24]

Home Help Service

Pat Buckley

600. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if his Department is aware of a new shift work teams project in the Cork and Kerry home support services which is to begin in June this year and that this new initiative involves rotating five people within the teams over a four-week period (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21540/24]

Substance Misuse

Pat Buckley

664. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 270 of 22 February 2024, if hexahydrocannabinol is defined as a psychoactive drug under existing legislation and relating schedules; if not, the steps he has taken to regulate the sale of the drug for human consumption, especially in circumstances where it may be purchased by minors or without any information regarding potential risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17930/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

363. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on what interim measures have been implemented in east Cork after the most recent flooding disaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15031/24]

Flood Risk Management

Pat Buckley

364. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if interim flood relief measures can be put in place as soon as possible to prevent further flooding in parts of Midleton, Castlemartyr, Whitegate Village and Mogeely; what immediate supports are available to those housing estates to expedite the safety of those homes and prevent future flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15033/24]

Schools Building Projects

Pat Buckley

423. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a progress report on a school (details supplied); if tenders have been awarded to begin the school builds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13977/24]

Development Contributions

Pat Buckley

625. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider extending the temporary development contribution waiver scheme, given it is due to expire in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/24]

Rail Network

Pat Buckley

159. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport when works will commence in relation to each of the new rail stations of Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Carrigtwohill West, Water-Rock, Ballynoe under the Cork area commuter rail programme; when each station will be open and operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11927/24]

Local Authorities

Pat Buckley

582. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department can extend the deadline for the voluntary redundancy scheme for local authorities' water staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11534/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Pat Buckley

248. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for applying for humanitarian assistance after the recent flooding in east Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10052/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

265. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Waterways Ireland is in the process of issuing a licence to the Portaneena Marina based in the Killinure Lough off Lough Ree outside Athlone (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8726/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

266. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8727/24]

Vacant Properties

Pat Buckley

180. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the vacant property refurbishment grant, particularly in relation to Cork County Council; the stage of applications at present, particularly in relation to a person (details supplied); the number of applicants who have drawn down and received the grant to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8555/24]

Defence Forces

Pat Buckley

185. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 28 November 2023, if the medical records of a member of the Defence Forces were found to be incorrect and inaccurate, the procedure that is in place to put this miscarriage of justice right; the person or body to contact with new evidence and supporting documents (details supplied) to rectify this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

636. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to outline the plans to close the paediatric unit in Mercy University Hospital which would leave Cork University Hospital as the only hospital in the area which covers care for under 16 years-olds; and to provide a rationale for this change. [2902/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

637. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns regarding the additional strain on services at Cork University Hospital due to the planned closure of the MUH paediatrics unit; and to outline plans to address these concerns, including increased resources, beds and staff. [2903/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

638. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that sufficient parking will be in place for Cork University Hospital if plans are true to make it the only hospital serving under 16-year-olds which will have an inevitable increase in patient load. [2904/24]

Emergency Departments

Pat Buckley

639. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to confirm if accident and emergency care will still be provided to under-16 year-olds at Mercy University Hospital after the conclusion of the plan to move paediatric care exclusively to Cork University Hospital. [2905/24]

Emergency Departments

Pat Buckley

640. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns that accident and emergency services at Cork University Hospital will be overwhelmed following the closure of the paediatric services at Mercy University Hospital; and what resources will be put in place to expand capacity and avoid the prospect of children on trolleys in waiting areas. [2906/24]

Hospital Staff

Pat Buckley

641. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that highly qualified and experienced paediatric staff in Mercy University Hospital, Cork, some of whom have 20-plus years service in paediatrics, are being ask to move to Cork University Hospital or apply for different roles due to the closure of the paediatric unit in MUH. [2907/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

642. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to outline plans for paediatric care in Cork city and the surrounding area following the closure of Mercy University Hospital paediatric unit. [2908/24]

Hospital Services

Pat Buckley

643. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if capacity for on-site administration of infusions at Cork University Hospital paediatric unit will be provided following the closure of the MUH paediatric unit, where such a service was available; and what consideration, if any, has been made for the consequences for families and young patients if such a service is not available on site following the change in services. [2909/24]

Hospital Facilities

Pat Buckley

644. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to act to stop the closure of paediatric services at Mercy University Hospital until such time as a full and adequate paediatric wing is in place at Cork University Hospital in order to avoid overwhelming services and reducing quality of care and outcomes for children in the Cork city area. [2910/24]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

458. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware of a confidentiality clause being signed within Waterways Ireland (details supplied); if this process is legal, given public money funds Waterways Ireland; if this development will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55352/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Pat Buckley

826. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that an elderly person has been waiting for over a year for a special bed for their home and still has not received one; the rationale for this (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55243/23]

Health Services Staff

Pat Buckley

195. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was already employed by the HSE who was on a career break will not be reinstated in their job once they return; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54145/23]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

457. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is aware that a creche will not be able to reopen until May 2024 due to the recent flooding in East Cork; if there is anything his Department can do to support the 100 plus children and their families find immediate creche places for family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53302/23]

Childcare Services

Pat Buckley

458. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any additional supports available to the families and the services users of a creche (details supplied) which is closed due to recent flooding and will not reopen again until May 2024 with the loss of over a hundred places and is forcing family members to take time off work as a result of no alternative creche places in the Midleton area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53303/23]

Defence Forces

Pat Buckley

134. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department is aware of a former Irish Army soldier (details supplied) with fourteen years' service who has no Army medical records and has informed this Deputy that their medical records were destroyed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52007/23]

Weather Events

Pat Buckley

285. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Social Protection when a family (details supplied) will receive payment for the recent flooding in east Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49334/23]

Middle East

Pat Buckley

94. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and what efforts he and the Government will make to see that they are safely returned to Ireland. [47298/23]

Visa Applications

Pat Buckley

805. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) who is currently in Gaza in the midst of the Israeli bombings; if she will provide a rationale for why his visa application to visit his family in Ireland was rejected; if she will review this application to provide the person with the support to leave Gaza to visit his wife Nada and their children in Ireland. [47621/23]

Middle East

Pat Buckley

71. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement of solidarity with people of Gaza and Palestine during this terrible time for them and to condemn the illegal actions of Israel in its continuing regime of occupation, land theft, apartheid and collective punishment which has led to nearly one million Gazan children being without food, water and power. [45755/23]

Budget 2024

Pat Buckley

236. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to move forward the implementation of increases to payments made by his Department in Budget 2024 to January 2024 instead of November, given the hardship facing many families due to the continuing cost of living crisis; the rational for the decision if not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45749/23]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

346. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if Waterways Ireland has entered into any contracts of confidentiality with land owners, jetty owners or marina owners in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41497/23]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

347. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to supply the number of contracts of confidentiality that were signed between Waterways Ireland and landowners, jetty owners, and marina owners, in tabular form for the years 2013, 2014, 2015,2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41498/23]

Waterways Ireland

Pat Buckley

348. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many serving members are presently on the Board of Waterways Ireland, and if he will provide contact details for each member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41499/23]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Buckley

825. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the proposed reduction in hours of SouthDoc services based in Fermoy, County Cork; the rationale for this reduction; and details of the planned timeline. [35415/23]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Buckley

826. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health what efforts he and his Department are making in conjunction with the HSE to ensure the best levels of out-of-hours GP care for regional towns and rural areas, especially in the east Cork area. [35416/23]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Buckley

827. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health if he will make a commitment to work with his Department and the HSE to stop the planned reduction of out-of-hours GP services under SouthDoc in east Cork. [35417/23]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Buckley

828. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the funding provided for SouthDoc out-of-hours services in the east Cork area for the year 2023. [35418/23]

General Practitioner Services

Pat Buckley

829. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the funding provided for SouthDoc out-of-hours services in the east Cork area for the year 2022. [35419/23]