Parliamentary questions

Hospital Beds Data

Billy Kelleher

143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of critical care beds, by public hospital, at the end of 2014 and in 2015 to date, in tabular form. [38459/15]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Billy Kelleher

145. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who sought drug treatment and rehabilitation services, by county or local health area, for 2013, 2014, and 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38470/15]

Ambulance Service Data

Billy Kelleher

146. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department in October 2015, or at the latest date available, in tabular form; the number of such ambulances that waited to hand over patients; to get their trolleys back; to return to responding to calls; for 20 minutes plus; for 40 minutes plus; for 60 minutes plus; for 90 minutes plus; for 120 minutes plus; and for 180 minutes plus. [38471/15]

HSE Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

156. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the exact components of the €600 million Supplementary Estimate to be introduced for the health service for 2015 in tabular form. [38495/15]

HSE Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the latest projections submitted by the Health Service Executive to his Department on the expected overrun in the health budget for 2015. [38496/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Billy Kelleher

177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of applications under the nursing homes support scheme that are, in progress; determined; and awaiting funding approval. [38565/15]

Departmental Agencies Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

274. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full costs expended, including consultancy fees, in the merger of the Railway Procurement Authority and the National Roads Authority, as well as the savings generated annually to date from the merger and projected savings for the years ahead. [38498/15]

Social Welfare Code

Billy Kelleher

264. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider revisiting the rule whereby persons who are in receipt of the widow's pension, and who work and pay PRSI, could also be in receipt of illness benefit, even at a half-rate, similar to persons who can claim a half-rate carer's allowance while in receipt of another social protection payment. [38286/15]

Tax Code

Billy Kelleher

310. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance given recent budgetary changes on excise taxes on tobacco products, the minimum price that retailers can charge for a packet of 20 cigarettes and a packet of fine tobacco for the rolling of cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37845/15]

Greyhound Industry

Billy Kelleher

389. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if public consultations have taken place with interested parties on the proposed muzzling of greyhounds at open coursing events; the reason for these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37173/15]

Garda Transport Data

Billy Kelleher

555. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new patrol cars that were made available to members of An Garda Síochána undertaking policing in the Cork north and west divisions of An Garda Síochána in each of the years from 2011 to 2014; and in 2015 to date; the current number of patrol cars attached to each of the relevant Garda Síochána stations; and the number attached to each on 1 January 2011. [37576/15]

Legislative Measures

Billy Kelleher

565. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, which provides for the structural segregation of alcohol from other grocery products by means of a wall or similar barrier, will be commenced. [37735/15]

Garda Stations

Billy Kelleher

574. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of previous parliamentary questions that this Deputy tabled regarding information on the relocation of Glanmire Garda station in County Cork which was not provided due to legal action that was being taken, if she is in a position to provide information regarding this station; if a site has been located; if so, where; the amount that has been allocated for the new station; when the build will go to tender; the timeframe for works; when the station will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37835/15]

HSE Staff

Billy Kelleher

644. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff at national director level; at assistant national director level, general manager level and grade VIII level, in the Health Service Executive, as well as in section 38 organisations funded by the HSE, on 1 October 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. [37164/15]

General Practitioner Services

Billy Kelleher

673. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 516 of 20 October 2015, his Department's estimate of the cost of extending free general practitioner care to all those under 18 years of age, and to the population at large, on the basis of the scope and content of the general practitioner service, and the relevant fee structure and the eligibility rates presently applying to the under-6s scheme; alternatively, if he will provide an estimate based on the budget 2016 allocation to provide free general practitioner care for those 12 years of age and under. [37484/15]

Health Services

Billy Kelleher

742. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on auditory verbal therapy (details supplied); the level of his Department's engagement with this particular form of therapy; his plans to include it for cochlear implant patients; if his Department will fund the attendance of children at an overseas clinic providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/15]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

744. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with a compression suit; if he will progress the matter with urgency, in view of the circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37824/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

829. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Alzheimer's ward, unit 1, in St. Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire, County Cork, has been included in the quality improvement plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38185/15]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Billy Kelleher

832. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will add ichthyosis to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

966. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase the number of autism spectrum disorder classes in Cork, given that there are currently only five schools with such classes to cater for autistic pupils and the demand for places far exceeds availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37815/15]

Schools Building Projects Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

994. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to Firmount national school in County Cork for the provision of essential upgrading of its sewerage and treatment system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38210/15]

Security of the Elderly

Billy Kelleher

1131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if financial assistance or grants are available to elderly persons who wish to install a landline for the purpose of having an alarm in their house [37641/15]

Departmental Budgets

Billy Kelleher

1. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the contingency plans his Department is putting in place in the event of a health budget overrun in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36796/15]

National Dementia Strategy Implementation

Billy Kelleher

11. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health for an update on the implementation of the national dementia strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36661/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

12. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reasons his targets for waiting lists have not been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36662/15]

Programme for Government Implementation

Billy Kelleher

69. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the commitments on health in the programme for Government that he deems to be fully delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Billy Kelleher

92. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on measures to improve the situation in emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/15]

Medical Card Data

Billy Kelleher

249. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards and general practitioner cards as of 1 October 2015; and the number for each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on that date. [36822/15]

Dental Services

Billy Kelleher

302. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the number of children hospitalised for dental treatment, by county and by local health office, in each of the past four years and in 2015 to date. [37135/15]

Public Sector Pensions

Billy Kelleher

59. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform given the announcements to recruit new members of An Garda Síochána, if he will address the issue where former members of the Defence Forces who are successful in their application will lose their pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36740/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

110. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the estimated 2015 forecast outturn for the Health Vote as detailed on page 6 of the 2016 Expenditure Report includes a Supplementary Estimate for Health; if so, the extent of same; and if the outturn for Health in 2015 turns out to be greater than forecast in the Expenditure Report, if this increase will be reflected in a greater Estimate for 2016 than the €13,175 million currently being allocated. [36816/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

111. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the additional costs in 2015 of extra measures, such as the emergency Department task force, and revised measures, such as the details of free general practitioner care for the under sixes, which he announced during the course of 2015 but which were not covered in the 2015 Revised Estimate for Health; and if he will provide same in tabular form. [36679/15]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

128. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for orthodontic treatment, by local health office area, for those up to 16 years of age and for those over 16 years of age at the end of September 2015 in tabular form. [36787/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

212. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost in 2016 of increasing the jobseeker's allowance for those aged from 18 to 24 years, by €10; €20; and €30 per week. [35988/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

213. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost in 2016 of increasing the jobseeker's allowance for those under 26 years of age by €10; €20; and €30 per week. [35989/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

214. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the disability allowance; the blind pension; the invalidity pension; and the carer's allowance, by €20; €25; and €30 per week. [36010/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

215. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of increasing the income disregard of €350 for those in receipt of disability allowance by €10; €16; and €20 per week. [36011/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

216. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2016 of increasing the income disregard of €350 for those in receipt of the Blind Pension by €10; €16; and €20, per week. [36012/15]

Social Welfare Benefits

Billy Kelleher

217. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of abolishing the means test for the carer’s allowance. [36014/15]

Tax Credits

Billy Kelleher

273. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of the blind persons' tax credit in 2015; and the full-year cost to the Exchequer of same. [36016/15]

Estimates Process

Billy Kelleher

293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the 2015 forecast outturn for health as detailed on page 6 of his Department's 2016 expenditure report includes any supplementary budget for 2015; and if so, the amount of same. [36372/15]

Garda Transport Data

Billy Kelleher

384. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new patrol cars made available to members of An Garda Síochána undertaking policing within Cork city in each year since 2011; the current number of patrol cars attached to each of the relevant Garda Síochána stations; and the number attached to each on 1 January 2011. [36511/15]

HIQA Inspections

Billy Kelleher

444. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Alzheimer's Ward, Unit 1, in Saint Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire in County Cork is to be included for inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36166/15]

Hospital Equipment

Billy Kelleher

454. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in procuring a microscope at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin 24 (details supplied), the lack of which has resulted in the cancellation of procedures for the past number of months; when it will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36194/15]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

459. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that will be providing the additional 440 beds to ease the pressure on emergency departments, in tabular form; the number of beds each hospital will provide; if these beds will all or in part remain permanently in place; if not, when any or all of them will be removed; the number of additional staff needed for this; the number to be provided in each relevant hospital; if he plans to recruit such staff, or if he plans to source them through agencies; and the additional full-year costs of providing the 440 beds and the staff complement required. [36205/15]

Health Services Staff

Billy Kelleher

467. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will resume duty as an administration officer, following a career break. [36283/15]

Pension Provisions

Billy Kelleher

471. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason contributions made by a person (details supplied) in County Cork are not being recognised in calculating a pension. [36310/15]

Health Services Staff

Billy Kelleher

477. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is only one bone marrow nurse in the country with responsibility for recruiting potential donors; if so, his views on whether this is adequate given the size of the country and the time sensitivity involved in this type of potential donation; if he has plans to increase the number of nurses travelling the country; if so, the timeline within which they will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36357/15]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Billy Kelleher

499. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive will provide funding for a child (details supplied) in County Cork to attend the John Tracey Clinic in Los Angeles in the United States of America [36498/15]

Programme for Government Implementation

Billy Kelleher

507. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health The Programme for Government commitments on health that he deems to be fully delivered, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36517/15]