Parliamentary questions

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

375. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 357 of 14 May 2019, the progress being made to arrange an early assessment and operation at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied); if an immediate assessment will be arranged; the options available to patients triaged as urgent other than waiting for 12 months; if the NTPF can be used in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27512/19]

Tax Exemptions

John McGuinness

47. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the details of the scheme and tax breaks under the back to work enterprise allowance relative to the qualifications or requirements for an exemption from income tax for two years to a maximum of €40,000; the number of applicants that applied for the tax exemption; the number approved for the maximum exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27320/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

173. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a knee operation will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if a response will be expedited. [27316/19]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

John McGuinness

206. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application by a person (details supplied) for the fair deal scheme will be expedited and approved for the maximum financial support. [27383/19]

Aquaculture Licence Applications

John McGuinness

211. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a land-based aquaculture licence by a company (details supplied) will be expedited and approved; the reason a licence has not been issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27317/19]

School Meals Programme

John McGuinness

240. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for the hot meals project by a school (details supplied); and when a decision will be made. [27318/19]

Invalidity Pension Eligibility

John McGuinness

254. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [27382/19]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

John McGuinness

160. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason pay increments were not provided to a person (details supplied) by the HSE when other employees doing the same hours on the same contract were approved and described as full-time employees; if he will request an independent person to examine the paperwork relative to the person and others and rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25976/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

203. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if a decision will be expedited. [25973/19]

School Staff

John McGuinness

265. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the arrangement he plans to put in place to address the urgent need of schools (details supplied) to have a non-teaching principal position in view of the unique circumstances involved; if he will meet a delegation from each school to hear the range of problems being experienced and the need for positive action by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

John McGuinness

266. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to fund two building projects at a school (details supplied); the original costs; the funding allocated; the details of the current proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23810/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

542. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when a cataract operation will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [23804/19]

Disability Support Services

John McGuinness

543. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the nature of the contract put in place by St. Patrick's Centre, Kilkenny, with an agency (details supplied); if the centre is being fined by the agency each time it uses agency staff other than through the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/19]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the staff of St. Patrick's Centre, Kells Road, Kilkenny, cannot obtain full details of their pension contributions and entitlements from the SPC or HSE; and if he will direct that the information be made available. [23813/19]

Disability Services Provision

John McGuinness

545. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 874 of 26 March 2019 and the response from the HSE, the outcome of the meeting with the mother of a person (details supplied); if an agreed plan is now in place; if the person will be assessed for long-term care provided by an organisation at its facilities; and if respite through an organisation will be considered. [23814/19]

Taxi Licences

John McGuinness

811. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licences issued for Kilkenny city and county for the purpose of providing a taxi or hackney service; the number approved for transport of disabled passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23806/19]

Voluntary Sector Funding

John McGuinness

851. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to provide funding to an organisation (details supplied) to establish a full volunteer centre for County Kilkenny in line with its proposals outlined in the successful application; the funding process and timeframe for delivery by the organisation of the volunteer centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

907. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied). [23803/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

908. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [23812/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

909. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if disability allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied). [23816/19]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

172. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a comprehensive reply will issue to all of the matters raised by a person (details supplied); his views on the detailed allegations made of criminal and inappropriate activities within the Irish Prison Service; the action taken to investigate the allegations; if a person or persons have been held responsible for such activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22760/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

228. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early assessment for a hip operation will be arranged for a person (details supplied); the reason the person has been waiting three years to date for the assessment; the number on the list waiting at University Hospital Waterford; and the waiting time for the operation. [22412/19]

Employment Rights

John McGuinness

290. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 143 of 19 January 2011 and the response of the HSE, the actions taken by his Department and the HSE to resolve the issues raised; if he is satisfied that the investigation undertaken that the employment rights of a person (details supplied) were honoured and protected by the HSE; if his Department reviewed the findings; if he will take further action to resolve all matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22759/19]

School Transport Provision

John McGuinness

243. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 8 May 2019, if a transport solution will be provided for pupils based on the fact that there is no room in the local schools and the nearest schools are in Kilkenny city; if he will provide a report on the findings of his Department relative to the matter and the dilemma being faced by parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21454/19]

School Enrolments

John McGuinness

245. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 340 of 8 May 2019, if two places will be provided at a school (details supplied) for two children whose parents have already received written confirmation of offers of places; if both offers will be honoured in view of the fact the letters were issued by the school following consultation with the special education section of his Department; if the consultation between the school and the special education section took place; if two of the four places available out of 12 will be reserved for the two children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21474/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John McGuinness

267. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options open to a person (details supplied) in order to undertake third-level studies; if DARE and CAO approval can be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21877/19]

HSE Properties

John McGuinness

357. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the HSE property management division for Kilkenny city will examine its portfolio of properties to determine if it can assist an organisation (details supplied) in establishing a base for its activity. [21455/19]

HSE Expenditure

John McGuinness

363. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the amount paid for nursing care services provided to the HSE from companies (details supplied) in each of the past five years; the amount paid by a centre over the same period to each of the companies; the procurement process used in each case; the date each company was reviewed in terms of cost; the hourly rate paid to agency staff in this sector; the figure compared to the hourly rate paid to the companies involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21475/19]

HSE Staff

John McGuinness

364. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the staff located at a centre (details supplied) have agreed to a redeployment within the HSE; if each staff member has been given details of their original contract; if his Department will sanction a redundancy package for an employee who cannot be redeployed or who does not want the option of being redeployed; if the centre has consulted with the HSE on the issue of redundancy; if his Department is involved in these discussions or consultations; if the person or persons in the centre and the HSE will arrange to meet this Deputy and the employees to clarify all of these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21485/19]

Herd Number Applications

John McGuinness

469. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the herd number of a person (details supplied) was ceased; and when the process to deem the herd number dormant commenced. [21365/19]

Disability Allowance Appeals

John McGuinness

623. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied) which is now under appeal will be expedited and approved; and if an oral hearing will be granted to assist an early outcome. [21440/19]

Disability Services Funding

John McGuinness

31. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the funding being provided in 2019 for decongregation in disability services in Kilkenny city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20909/19]

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future of Kilcreene hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20908/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation to remove cataracts will be arranged at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied); the timeline for the treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/19]

Patient Transfers

John McGuinness

181. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the approval process to have a child referred from St. Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, for specialist care at a hospital (details supplied); if the case will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21041/19]

VAT Exemptions

John McGuinness

114. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt the drug Pembro from VAT in cases in which persons are raising public donations to purchase the drug until such time as the HSE gives approval to patients that require the drug. [20411/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [20412/19]

Medicinal Products Availability

John McGuinness

285. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the date the HSE drugs group will meet to discuss the revised offer submitted by a company (details supplied); the date the HSE leadership team will meet to discuss a final decision on the matter; the reason Ireland signed up to the BeNeLuxA initiative in June 2018 along with the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria; the benefits to Ireland of being in this group of countries; the reason Ireland did not approve the drug Spinraza when all of the other countries in the group did; his views on whether the BeNeLuxA initiative is now permanently damaged in view of the reluctance of Ireland to approve Spinraza; the reason he deems it inappropriate to meet a person (details supplied); if he will reconsider this invitation and meet the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20414/19]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

John McGuinness

288. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a person (details supplied); the progress made on the case of the person following his meeting with the person in County Kilkenny; if the approval of pembro for the person will be expedited without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20419/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

357. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress being made to arrange an early assessment and operation at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied); if an immediate assessment will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20771/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

John McGuinness

471. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an invalidity pension will be approved for a person (details supplied). [20410/19]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

John McGuinness

106. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to pay for medication prescribed by their general practitioner; if immediate assistance will be granted in view of the extenuating circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/19]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

107. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a replacement knee operation will be arranged as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in providing the operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20249/19]

Child Benefit Payments

John McGuinness

166. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a payment due to a person (details supplied) will be made. [20247/19]

School Transport

John McGuinness

247. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the maintenance charges on the Bus Éireann school transport fleet are charged on a per mile basis in accordance with the 1975 agreement or on a per bus basis; if not, the date on which his Department agreed to a change in this per mileage charge; and the date the change was implemented. [18745/19]

School Transport Provision

John McGuinness

333. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he is taking to provide school transport for 24 pupils who are attending schools (details supplied); if the pupils will be included in the school transport system in view of the fact that all buses from Callan to Kilkenny city are operating at maximum capacity; and if a solution for all concerned will be expedited. [19248/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John McGuinness

340. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a place is available at the ASD unit of a school (details supplied) for a person; and if the matter will be expedited. [19407/19]

Garda Data

John McGuinness

514. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in receipt of injury at work payments; the number injured at work who have received compensation awards; the policy relative to the reclassification of injury at work payments to standard sick pay for members who are frequently out sick due to injury; the impact on the income of the members concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19403/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

621. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied); the timeframe for such treatment and the likelihood of the patient being scheduled for an early appointment; if there is a waiting list for this treatment; and if so, the action that can be taken to obtain the treatment elsewhere in view of the fact that the patient has a medical card but no means [18463/19]

Health Services

John McGuinness

642. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 907 of 26 March 2019, the progress being made by his Department and the HSE in their investigation into the alleged use of cannabis and-or marijuana at the DOP facility, St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny; if the HSE has provided the report requested by his Department into the alleged incident or incidents; if the report will be published and made available to the complainant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18533/19]