Parliamentary questions

Nursing Education

Emer Higgins

496. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the payment of travel allowances which are owed to student nurses from placements which took place almost one year ago; and if these allowances will be paid without further delay. [42923/20]

Victim Support Services

Emer Higgins

43. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the progress being made in the implementation of Supporting a Victim's Journey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41482/20]

Domestic Violence

Emer Higgins

69. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to tackle sexual and domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41481/20]

Health Promotion

Emer Higgins

96. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent advice given to older persons to take vitamin D daily; if such advice applies to other age groups; if, the supplement will be subsidised for at-risk groups in the context of public health and health promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41875/20]

Health Services

Emer Higgins

125. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the progress of the women’s health taskforce which is aiming to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare in terms of health promotion and public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/20]

Home Help Service

Emer Higgins

416. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the procedures and quality checks in place to monitor the care carried out by home help organisations contracted to carry out home caring work in the homes of persons; if there is a feedback mechanism for receivers of this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/20]

Agri-Strategy 2025

Emer Higgins

37. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop a successor to the sustainable healthy agri-food research plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41483/20]

Agrifood Sector

Emer Higgins

62. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department has been working to increase awareness and take-up of opportunities in the bioeconomy sector including within the EU Bioeconomy Strategy (details supplied). [41484/20]

School Staff

Emer Higgins

355. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of extra personal vacation days which are allowed for a teacher to take at the present time with the provision of a substitute teacher to cover the leave if the five days normally allowed have been reduced; and if there are plans to restore this number of days. [41869/20]

Youth Services

Emer Higgins

448. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Blue Skies initiative will be rolled out to the high growth area of Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41304/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

607. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if guidance will be provided to the HSE to safely facilitate both expectant parents to attend scans and ultrasounds in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41334/20]

Youth Unemployment

Emer Higgins

12. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to combat youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39723/20]

School Meals Programme

Emer Higgins

18. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39722/20]

Hospital Services

Emer Higgins

366. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to roll out the Sligo scheme in terms of cataract treatment to other areas of the country; the financial benefits which would apply if this scheme was rolled out; if waiting lists would be reduced; the timescale for such a roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40971/20]

City and County Child Care Committees

Emer Higgins

95. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will make the necessary funding available for the implementation of the Workplace Relations Commission's agreement of August 2019 between a union (details supplied) and city and county childcare committees. [40590/20]

Driver Test

Emer Higgins

176. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the reason no driver theory test appointments are available to be booked in the next ten months (details supplied). [39871/20]

School Facilities

Emer Higgins

387. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if her Department will increase the number of language units, given that there has been no resource increase since 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39757/20]

Pension Provisions

Emer Higgins

479. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the provision of pensions for community employment supervisors will be facilitated as per the recommendations of the 2008 Labour Court ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26410/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

526. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the ECCE programme 2020 will not run to coincide with the local school calendar (details supplied). [39622/20]

Proposed Legislation

Emer Higgins

158. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the adoption information and tracing Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38949/20]

Housing Policy

Emer Higgins

53. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the age friendly strategy; the actions being taken to build on housing options for our ageing population; the funding that has been allocated to address policy aims of housing for the older population as part of budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38430/20]

Electric Vehicles

Emer Higgins

173. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce carbon emissions to help management companies of apartment complexes install electric charge points in underground car parks for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

475. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the completion of the permanent building for a school (details supplied) in view of the fact the temporary accommodation is not a substitute for a permanent school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37821/20]

State Examinations

Emer Higgins

525. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if concessions are being considered for the leaving certificate class of 2021; if there will be allowances for the loss of teaching hours in 2020 that affected student class time; if there will be allowances made for students many of whom are self-isolating on multiple occasions and missing class time as Covid-19 cases are detected in their schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38793/20]

Carer's Benefit

Emer Higgins

540. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if the anomaly will be corrected by which a 0.5 full-time equivalent teacher is currently categorised as working 11 hours a week based on a full-time teacher working 22 hours a week and on that basis is not eligible for the carer’s benefit as they do not meet the criterion of working 16 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37825/20]

Third Level Education

Emer Higgins

679. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third-level course places will be made available to the leaving certificate class of 2021, as was afforded the leaving certificate class of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38794/20]

Deportation Orders

Emer Higgins

711. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if deportation orders have been served on healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic; if so, if her Department will review these orders given the current healthcare staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38022/20]

Ophthalmology Services

Emer Higgins

834. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if children under 12 years of age are entitled to an eye examination and voucher to cover the cost of glasses; and if so, how often. [38224/20]

Teacher Training

Emer Higgins

213. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education when the minimum entry maths grade was changed for entry to the primary school teaching qualifications; the grade now required; and if there is a route to gain this grade other than a repeat of the maths subject in the leaving certificate. [37462/20]

Public Sector Pay

Emer Higgins

218. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if a payroll issue will be resolved for a teacher (details supplied) who worked as a SNA from September to October 2020 and is now a substitute teacher. [37465/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

232. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if it is possible to expand the remote learning option to children with at-risk members of their household; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37633/20]

Qualifications Recognition

Emer Higgins

269. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person who already has an MA in education following a BA in arts can be offered some credits for this period of study when they undertake a pivot in their career and now want to study a MA in primary education. [37464/20]

Greenways Provision

Emer Higgins

211. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the status of completion for the outstanding section of the Grand Canal greenway from Aylmer Bridge to the 12th lock in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36391/20]

School Curriculum

Emer Higgins

467. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will consider incorporating the yellow flag programme into the national education policy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36228/20]

Online Safety

Emer Higgins

549. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of the Action Plan for Online Safety that outlines the objectives that were achieved and the way outstanding objectives will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37006/20]

Hospice Services

Emer Higgins

845. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated to hospice foundations in counties Longford and Westmeath to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/20]

School Accommodation

Emer Higgins

244. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education when the temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) will be finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35835/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

247. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 20 October 2020, if she will provide a timeframe in respect of the matter. [35922/20]

Equine Industry

Emer Higgins

364. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to work collaboratively with an organisation (details supplied) and other NGOs to enforce equine ID and a clampdown on horses being kept on public land without the landowner's permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35840/20]

Equine Industry

Emer Higgins

365. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his action plan for dealing with the urban equine crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35841/20]

Animal Welfare

Emer Higgins

367. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the delivery of the animal welfare strategy for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35844/20]

Legislative Programme

Emer Higgins

186. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the timescale for the implementation of the family courts Bill announced on 30 September 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35516/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

198. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an association (details supplied) will be considered as an essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35913/20]

Agriculture Schemes

Emer Higgins

806. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the case of a person (details supplied). [34710/20]

Dairy Sector

Emer Higgins

830. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to extend the calf welfare scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35390/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

85. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if drama students are permitted to attend in person their educational facility that will allow them pre-record their speciality piece as they seek a place in third-level education for that given speciality in view of the fact that this process would normally be face to face in the UK but due to Covid-19 a video recording in lieu of in person is permitted. [34129/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

86. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the basis on which performing arts exam students, vocational students, pre-professional students or recreational students are excluded from training in level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34130/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

192. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if guidelines will be provided to clothing retailers for which their primary source of sales is fashion clothing (details supplied); and his views on the matter of loopholes being used by a minority of retailers to operate against the spirit of the level 5 restrictions. [33059/20]

Driver Test

Emer Higgins

322. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if a driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied) who is an essential worker. [32867/20]

Primary Medical Certificates

Emer Higgins

397. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance when the disabled drivers tax concession scheme will be reactivated to allow disabled drivers access the scheme which is so important to rural drivers with no access to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32370/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

739. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if school children can continue to attend music lessons if they are preparing for an exam; if this falls into the continued education bracket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32731/20]

Maternity Leave

Emer Higgins

957. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of and position regarding the extension of three weeks of maternity leave introduced to alleviate the Covid-19 restrictions which applies to parents of children born after 1 November 2019; the timeframe for the leave to be initiated; if the leave will be paid; if there were changes in Budget 2021 referring to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32316/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

1271. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will integrate additional software to the Covid-19 tracker app that shows daily incidence figures of those who have recovered from Covid-19, which would create some positivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/20]

Electric Vehicles

Emer Higgins

29. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a plan as part of the Government's plans to reduce carbon emissions to help management companies of apartment complexes install electric charge points in underground car parks for residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32206/20]

Tax Code

Emer Higgins

52. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the tax burden for persons over 66 years of age who are still making tax contributions (details supplied). [32249/20]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Emer Higgins

130. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if ECCE payments made to a person (details supplied) are correct. [32139/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

189. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the current HSE Covid-19 advertising on social media platforms (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32185/20]

Childcare Services

Emer Higgins

33. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the details of the funding provided to crèches that was conditional on them not increasing their prices; the way in which the matter is being monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25943/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

236. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, applies to companies that support the entertainment sector but that do not have a physical product, companies that provide a service to the entertainment industry that may rent venues, products and so on, for example, event promoters, arts and lighting specialists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31574/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

329. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status of plans for a new building for a school (details supplied); and the timeline for the delivery of same. [31051/20]

Public Procurement Contracts

Emer Higgins

330. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the reason her Department has not responded to or acknowledged a request for an investigation and review of an e-tendering process outcome (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31103/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

416. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if those with reduced hours on the EWSS can access short-time work support from March to September; if some applicants have already received it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31528/20]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Emer Higgins

706. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to reduce the maximum amount paid monthly on the drug payment scheme from €124 to €114 on 1 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31506/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

722. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for Covid-19 care at Citywest, County Dublin. [31563/20]

General Practitioner Services

Emer Higgins

291. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to introduce free GP care for children under 12 years of age; and the timeline for the phased roll out of same. [30853/20]

School Transport

Emer Higgins

42. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the support measures she will put in place to help private bus operators transport children to and from school in view of the fact they cannot operate at full capacity resulting in some operators not providing services going forward (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25036/20]

Better Energy Homes Scheme

Emer Higgins

100. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will clarify the situation for persons over 70 years of age who have been approved for SEAI grants to ensure warmer homes and so on and who are now being told they cannot get the work done, as over-70s are deemed at risk according to HSE guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/20]

Sports Funding

Emer Higgins

130. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports being put in place for sport and sporting organisations, that is, national governing bodies, particularly in respect of women's sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30427/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

215. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if pandemic unemployment payments will be made to persons over the age of 66; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30393/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

273. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if scouts groups can meet in outside pods in the way that GAA players can for training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30475/20]

Light Rail Projects

Emer Higgins

71. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the status and timeline of plans for the delivery of the Luas to Lucan, County Dublin. [30185/20]

Motor Insurance

Emer Higgins

99. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the increasingly high cost of motor insurance, in particular for young drivers and drivers of vehicles such as caddies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29899/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

134. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason dance has been excluded from new guidelines issued by the arts unit in her Department on the activities allowed children’s arts and culture under level three restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30168/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

355. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a sector (details supplied) is included in the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 for Schools, Early Learning and Childcare services, and Higher and Adult Education. [29897/20]

Property Management Companies

Emer Higgins

417. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 6 October 2020, if all owners of a management company that pay service charges to the annual AGM of the company attend the AGM. [30296/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Emer Higgins

484. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if rapid antigen testing 15 minutes will be considered as part of the long-term strategy to live with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29900/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

20. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being taken to help businesses that have no income to alleviate the pressures of commercial rents that have remained the same. [28966/20]

Gender Balance

Emer Higgins

110. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of female head teachers; the number of female teachers who applied for the position of head teacher in 2019; the number of male head teachers in all girls secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28956/20]

Driver Test

Emer Higgins

238. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on tests for driver licences in view of circumstances in which persons have been given an appointment for February 2021 but require a licence to be able to take up employment now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28782/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Emer Higgins

275. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the support that will be made available to persons on the pandemic unemployment payment or employment wage subsidy scheme that receive notification from their bank that they have now withdrawn their mortgage holiday; his plans to discuss the issue with the major banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28634/20]

Registration of Deaths

Emer Higgins

491. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the legislation that outlines the time frame in which deaths must be reported; the current time frame; her plans to shorten same in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28309/20]

Property Management Companies

Emer Higgins

590. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice if a management company is obliged to invite all owners that pay service charges to the AGM of the management company under the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011. [28703/20]

Covid-19 Tests

Emer Higgins

663. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the Covid-19 testing system here by using a new test (details supplied) that only takes 15 minutes to provide results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28307/20]

Health Products Regulatory Authority

Emer Higgins

664. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his views on a study conducted on levels of vitamin D (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28308/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Emer Higgins

197. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if taxable income as verified by the Revenue Commissioners' tax returns is used as the basis for calculations for pandemic unemployment payments; and if allowances such as car depreciation allowances are not being used to decrease income verified by the Revenue Commissioners. [27784/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Emer Higgins

237. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the support available to students of families who would qualify for SUSI grants if it were not for the residency condition. [27777/20]

Road Safety

Emer Higgins

49. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the evidence that demonstrates the impact of road safety advertisements; if the evidence shows that hard-hitting messages are more effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27442/20]

Schools Building Projects

Emer Higgins

143. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education the status and timeline for the construction of the new permanent build for a college (details supplied). [27591/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

216. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 22 September 2020, if other countries such as Denmark are using an app to record the number of close contacts a user has daily; if consideration will be given to changing the app used here in order that the keys that are shared between phones are randomised once a day in the middle of the night to preserve the protection of privacy while allowing the app to record the number of close contacts a user has daily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27419/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

218. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason Covid-19 advertisements do not feature hard-hitting messages on the impact of the virus similar to road safety and anti-smoking advertisements; his plans to target hard-hitting ads towards young persons highlighting the potential long-term health consequences to them if they contract Covid-19 and the impact if they infect older members of their family; his plans to copy the successful strategy of road safety advertisements by featuring survivors of Covid-19 and relatives of those that have passed away from the virus in advertisements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27440/20]

Health Promotion

Emer Higgins

219. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the evidence that demonstrates the impact of anti-smoker advertisements; if the evidence shows that hard-hitting messages are more effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27441/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Emer Higgins

523. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate the provision of pensions for community employment supervisors as per the recommendations of the 2008 Labour Court ruling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26539/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Emer Higgins

799. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if the Covid-19 tracker application will be updated such that when a person is identified as a close contact and takes the necessary action, his or her close contact notification expires in order that he or she is able to receive future notifications. [26433/20]

Maternity Services

Emer Higgins

800. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the status of guidelines for maternity and prenatal care in Dublin hospitals within Level 3 restrictions; his views on the need to support women and their partners through their care [26434/20]

Maternity Services

Emer Higgins

831. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to allow mothers to be accompanied by their partners in maternity wards and during prenatal care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26573/20]

Paediatric Services

Emer Higgins

834. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when a diabetic nurse in the paediatric ward of the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath will be appointed (details supplied). [26596/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Emer Higgins

835. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the extended waiting list for patients awaiting appointments for ear, nose and throat procedures. [26597/20]

Disability Services Provision

Emer Higgins

932. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health when early intervention services for children with Downs syndrome will resume (details supplied). [27023/20]

Food Labelling

Emer Higgins

1014. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review and reform the systems in place for regulation of labelling on geographic indication, GI, spirit products. [26598/20]

Legislative Measures

Emer Higgins

114. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education when the adult and child charter in the Education Act 1998 will be enacted; and the number of persons with a qualified primary degree in child welfare are employed within her Department. [25706/20]