Parliamentary questions

Dental Services Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

429. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental operations in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the waiting list for same for the past three years; the number of operations carried out; the number of operations cancelled; the detail of the numbers on the waiting lists for children and adults including average waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31722/16]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Fergus O'Dowd

430. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the staff vacancies in the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda and St. Olivers in Dundalk that are affecting the number of beds available for use in both facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31723/16]

HSE Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

435. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will make available ring-fenced funding to be allocated to the HSE in County Louth to provide appropriate, regular and planned respite care for families with adult children with a disability in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31740/16]

Disability Services Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

436. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the plans the HSE has to provide new long-term appropriate residential placement for persons with disabilities outside of congregated settings which are closing; the number of persons who are awaiting such in County Louth; the budget for same in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31741/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for a colonoscopy in the Lourdes hospital in Drogheda; the number of persons on the waiting list over one year and two years respectively; if the hospital has an adequate number of gastroenterologists to perform such procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31078/16]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

293. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will require local authorities to produce an empty homes strategy with objectives; aims and actions needed to tackle the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30587/16]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

294. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will introduce financial penalties for owners of properties which have been vacant for over two years or more in areas of high social housing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30588/16]

Flood Relief Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

369. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW's flood relief works and plans in relation to the east Meath area specifically highlighting the Northlands Estate; the cost of such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30919/16]

Hospital Staff Data

Fergus O'Dowd

458. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to the shortage of anaesthetists in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and Louth County Hospital since 1 January 2016; the impact in terms of possible increased risk of serious medical mistakes during surgery and the possibility of delaying vital treatment for patients; the number of operations cancelled as a result since January 2016; and the number of posts vacant in the whole country at that time. [30525/16]

Occupational Therapy

Fergus O'Dowd

462. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health are within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30535/16]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

463. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the physiotherapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health area within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30536/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Fergus O'Dowd

464. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 18 years of age with intellectual disabilities on the speech and language therapy waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for each of the past three years; the way in which the data is collected; if it is available by local health area within each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30537/16]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Fergus O'Dowd

474. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time permanent nursing posts vacant in acute hospitals by location and by nursing speciality required; the cost of agency nursing staff by each such acute hospital since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30593/16]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

60. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the caseload per speech and language therapist for counties Louth and Meath, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29936/16]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the adult waiting list for speech and language therapies for persons with intellectual disabilities in County Louth and County Meath respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29939/16]

Library Services Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

227. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position regarding the obligation on applicants for positions as librarians in county libraries to be fluent in the Irish language; if the obligation has been removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29546/16]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

238. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will examine the criteria set down under the tenant incremental purchase scheme and the €15,000 minimum income requirement to avail of the scheme, in respect of the applicants having a large down payment available to make up for the shortfall in yearly required income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29806/16]

Public Sector Staff Data

Fergus O'Dowd

304. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the provision and availability of payslips for persons who are retired from the public service and who need proof of income from lending institutions in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29286/16]

Pension Provisions

Fergus O'Dowd

305. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a query regarding pension entitlements by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29296/16]

Disability Services Data

Fergus O'Dowd

391. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of individual placement services the HSE funds for persons with disabilities by county and cost per location; the number of persons per location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29430/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Fergus O'Dowd

403. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the psychiatric services available in County Louth for children with disabilities; his plans or provisions to address this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Fergus O'Dowd

415. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with a group (details supplied) as a matter of urgency to discuss issues relating to the provision of respite services for adults with disabilities in County Louth; his position on proposals and estimates on the provision of respite services for adults with disabilities in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29483/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Fergus O'Dowd

416. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his position regarding the lack of funds in the current service plan to provide the necessary respite services agreed and identified through the disability database in correspondence (details supplied); if he will be recommending that these funds are to be provided in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29484/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Fergus O'Dowd

418. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the psychological and psychiatric services available in County Louth for children with intellectual disabilities; his future plans or provisions to address these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29520/16]

Autism Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

479. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will examine issues relating to an appointment for autism diagnosis assessment in County Louth as per correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29799/16]

Driver Licence Applications

Fergus O'Dowd

572. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29271/16]

Road Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

575. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed western bypass of Ardee, County Louth, in view of the most recent safety and traffic congestion concerns; if he has recently discussed this matter with the national roads authority; if so, if he will provide information related to those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29342/16]

Living City Initiative

Fergus O'Dowd

100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if the towns of Drogheda and Dundalk will be included in the living city initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28811/16]

First-Aid Training

Fergus O'Dowd

189. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his position in relation to first responders and the potential for a significant drop in national numbers if the issue of the loading on insurance for the volunteers is not addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28882/16]

Disability Services Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability services in County Louth, including the funding available to a programme (details supplied). [28443/16]

Local Authority Boundaries Review

Fergus O'Dowd

142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his Department's position in relation to the Drogheda boundary review carried in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27872/16]

Office of Public Works Properties

Fergus O'Dowd

172. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform , further to Parliamentary Question No. 918 of 16 September 2016, his plans for a building (details supplied); if he will invest funding to restore the building due to its historic value and position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27873/16]

Cross-Border Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Departments position in relation to the following INTERREG and PEACE cross-Border projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27964/16]

Arts Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

184. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will assess the budget submission from Nexus Arts (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27846/16]

Social and Affordable Housing

Fergus O'Dowd

151. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the circumstances under which affordable housing can be sold in exceptional circumstance before the expiration of the 20-year clawback rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27761/16]

Hospital Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding for a modern, state-of-the-art air conditioning system for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27641/16]

Crime Prevention

Fergus O'Dowd

134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of offenders who will participate in the joint strategy for the management of offenders initiative recently extended to Dundalk, Limerick city and Waterford city; her plans to include offenders in County Louth not domiciled in Dundalk; if offenders from the District Courts and Circuit Courts will be included; the budget for the programme; the number of persons who will be employed on this scheme by location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27476/16]

Wards of Court

Fergus O'Dowd

571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of wardship applications made by the HSE in 2015 and for each month in 2016 to date; the extent of legal costs incurred by the HSE in so doing; the oversight mechanisms that exist within the HSE to monitor such applications to ensure that each application is absolutely necessary and that the rights of persons concerned are fully respected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26535/16]

Budget Submissions

Fergus O'Dowd

305. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a submission (details supplied) on the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25769/16]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

311. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the criteria as cited by the Ombudsman for Children (details supplied) in regard to the medical criteria for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25911/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Fergus O'Dowd

327. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the position of his Department regarding any EU funded cross-Border projects once Article 50 is enacted by the Government of the United Kingdom. [26109/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

441. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on the new primary school in Julianstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/16]

Local Authority Functions

Fergus O'Dowd

562. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on city status for the greater Drogheda area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24699/16]

Local Authority Housing Data

Fergus O'Dowd

589. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number and category of housing applicants for each local authority as notified to his Department by location within that local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25091/16]

Housing Assistance Payments Data

Fergus O'Dowd

590. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of family units who are recipients of the housing assistance payment, HAP, within each local authority area and county by location within that authority or county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25092/16]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

624. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the moneys allocated to all local authorities for the purpose of housing adaptation grants and mobility aid grants for persons with a disability and housing aid for older people over the past three years; the value of moneys returned to the Government from local authorities under the same schemes that were unspent over the same time period.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25792/16]

Household Means Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

632. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will assess the position of a person (details supplied) and respond to their query on the Household Means Support Policy Regulations 17 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations, 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25895/16]

Cross-Border Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

646. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position of his Department in relation to any EU funded cross Border protects once Article 50 is enacted by Government of the United Kingdom. [26148/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Fergus O'Dowd

675. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of family units who are recipients of the rent allowance within each local authority area and county by location within that authority or county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25092/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Expenditure

Fergus O'Dowd

716. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount he has spent on rent supplement to date in 2016; the number of households assisted and the average monthly rent supplement paid per household by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25157/16]