Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Niamh Smyth

42. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed, given that Bus Éireann has been made aware of the issue regarding the special class in this case and has requested that the case be referred to her Department for review. [22001/24]

School Enrolments

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

43. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Education if the forward-planning unit in her Department has identified the shortfall in school places at primary level in the east Waterford area; the plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22007/24]

Special Educational Needs

Niamh Smyth

44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the steps her Department is taking to target a shortage of special needs units and early prevention units in national schools throughout Ireland, and particularly in the areas of Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22014/24]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

45. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if there are any proposals in place to increase the number of classes in schools in all of the Fingal area, due to the growing population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22029/24]

School Transport

Verona Murphy

46. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the provision of school bus transport for the 2024-25 academic year for secondary school students travelling from Kilmore, County Wexford into Wexford town; if a resolution similar to the one recently found for students travelling from Gowran, County Kilkenny into Kilkenny city has been determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22060/24]

Departmental Schemes

Catherine Connolly

47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education when a person (details supplied) can expect to have works completed further to a successful application and assurances from the Department that his case would be dealt with as a matter of priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22087/24]

School Staff

Carol Nolan

48. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will investigate concerns around the inability of a school staff member to access incremental credit (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22132/24]

Sports Funding

Paul Kehoe

49. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the progress of an application for funding under the sports capital scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22093/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Paul Murphy

50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount being paid to a company (details supplied) to remove the tents of asylum seekers; with a breakdown of the amount received per removal and the details of any other company being paid by his Department for this purpose; in tabular form. [21979/24]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

51. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to initiate a national oiled wildlife response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22064/24]

Wildlife Protection

Jennifer Whitmore

52. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the support he is providing to volunteer groups to help with the effects of the recently found oiled seabirds along the east coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22065/24]

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

53. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of a NPWS investigation into the legality or otherwise of squirrel traps that were used at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin earlier this year. [21976/24]

Wildlife Conservation

Paul Murphy

54. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will urgently add the old Irish goat to the list of animals protected under the Wildlife Act 1976, given it is now critically endangered and is being ruthlessly targeted by trophy hunters. [21977/24]

Hare Coursing

Paul Murphy

55. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the cause of injury to a hare that was euthanised by a vet on day two of the Johnstown and Urlingford coursing meeting in December 2023; and if, in light of the stress, injury and death caused to hares in coursing, he will introduce a ban on the activity. [21978/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Septic Tanks

Niamh Smyth

57. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the grant are not eligible for same as they are not located in the so-called buffer zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22008/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Niamh Smyth

58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review a matter (details supplied); if there are any allowances or financial support that can be given in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/24]

Housing Policy

Patricia Ryan

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider putting a cap on the timeframe local authorities are given to carry out approved works for those who need housing adaptations; and, if so, the timeframe he considers appropriate. [22015/24]

Septic Tanks

Christopher O'Sullivan

60. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend septic tank grants to include homes that may have old and leaking septic tanks and are located close to waterways but are not located within the high-status objective catchment areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/24]

Housing Policy

Brendan Smith

61. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has any view or if any formal public policy exists in relation to the role public representatives might play in the governance or management of voluntary housing bodies in the context of the positive ongoing development of the voluntary housing sector; if it is the policy to discourage public representatives from serving on the boards of approved housing bodies or if the experience of public representatives might be considered a benefit to such boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Griffin

62. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the NPWS will liaise with a local first responders group regarding access to a location in County Kerry (details supplied) in emergency situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22133/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Neasa Hourigan

63. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the threshold for the domiciliary care allowance up to 18 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21923/24]

Widow's Pension

Brendan Griffin

64. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on a widower's pension application (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21938/24]

School Meals Programme

Ged Nash

65. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if meal providers to schools are required to provide for the various dietary requirements of students, for example, coeliac; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21943/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

66. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will remove the means test for the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21960/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is further leave to appeal after a section 317 appeal within her Department or elsewhere; if appellants are entitled to an oral hearing to challenge a section 317 appeal refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21993/24]

School Meals Programme

Catherine Murphy

68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provisions she has put in place to reduce food waste in the context of the school hot meals initiative; if she engaged with specialists in the area of nutritional value ahead of rolling out the initiative; and her views on whether the initiative is targeted appropriately. [22002/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Colm Burke

69. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the up-to-date status of a carers allowance application review (details supplied), given that further documentation was provided some time ago; when a decision will be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22026/24]

Widow's Pension

Willie O'Dea

70. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the current stage of legislation that will allow for the enactment of the recent Supreme Court decision to allow a cohabitant to claim a widow's pension in certain circumstances; when she expects it to be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22131/24]

An Garda Síochána

Ivana Bacik

71. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice the statutory functions of An Garda Síochána in compiling statistics on the prevalence of certain types of theft and robbery offences; and where those functions are conferred. [21913/24]

Deportation Orders

Peadar Tóibín

72. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders revoked by her Department in each of the past ten years.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21961/24]

Prison Service

Mark Ward

73. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of people on waiting lists for mental health treatment in Irish prisons in 2024; the average waiting period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21966/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

74. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by her Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Immigration Policy

Noel Grealish

75. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice the number of overseas students on a stamp 2 visa currently in Ireland; if she has considered making these visas more flexible to enable them to work more than 20 hours per week outside the Christmas and June to September periods as many of these people are struggling to pay rent and many of their employers are struggling to secure sufficient staff; if employers, who have no official way of knowing if stamp 2 students have already worked 20 hours in any week, could be held liable for a breach of visa rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21982/24]

Immigration Status

Cathal Crowe

76. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused temporary protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21989/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

77. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice when a person (details supplied) will receive their certificate of naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21999/24]

Prison Service

Mark Ward

78. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on anti-psychotic medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22073/24]

Prison Service

Mark Ward

79. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of prescriptions for anti-psychotic medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22074/24]

Prison Service

Mark Ward

80. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the amount spent on anti-depression and anxiety medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22075/24]

Prison Service

Mark Ward

81. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of prescriptions for anti-depression and anxiety medication for inmates in the Irish Prison Service in 2023, 2022 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22076/24]

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of people refused permission to enter Ireland via inbound flight in the past 12 months who subsequently applied for international protection, by nationality of applicants and month; the number refused permission to enter Ireland who were actually turned back with the airline that brought them in, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22116/24]

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applications received in the past 12 months, by nationality of applicants and month, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22117/24]

Asylum Applications

Bríd Smith

84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice how many people were granted refugee status, subsidiary protection and permission to remain the country in the past twelve months, by month, type of status granted and nationality, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22118/24]

Assisted Animal Reproduction

Paul Murphy

85. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a ban on the surgical artificial insemination of all dog breeds, including greyhounds, in light of the Veterinary Council of Ireland's updated code of professional conduct (details supplied). [21973/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 510 of 5 March 2024, if he will provide a breakdown, by name of hunt and amount, in relation to the 2023 Horse Racing Ireland grants to hunts. [21974/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Creed

87. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has yet to receive their full basic payment. [22129/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Griffin

88. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his advice regarding an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

89. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children accessing early childhood education and school age childcare on the NCS sponsorship subsidy; if he will provide a breakdown of same by county, in tabular form; and if he will provide a breakdown of same by way of percentage of those in community and private services. [21917/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

90. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of referrals for NCS sponsorship by each of the Minister for Education, the Minister for Justice, Tusla, the HSE and local authorities in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21918/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

91. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the lowest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the highest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21919/24]

Childcare Services

Ivana Bacik

92. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated percentage of Government funding, as against private fees, funding the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21920/24]

International Protection

Paul Murphy

93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure the provision of local accommodation for a person (details supplied). [21922/24]

Disability Services

Seán Sherlock

94. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine an issue for an individual (details supplied). [21940/24]

Disability Services

Jackie Cahill

95. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the progress of a new travel support scheme, following the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21941/24]

Childcare Services

Bríd Smith

96. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 91 and 92 of 30 April 2024, if he is aware that the proposed draft childminding regulations represent a further bureaucratisation of a system that is already onerous for parents and service providers; if he is aware that childminders are reporting that these regulations are too extreme and will drive many of them out of childminding, creating a further dearth of places for parents already facing difficulties in securing care for their children; if he will scrap the current draft proposals with a view to consulting with and listening to childminders and parents’ concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

97. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Pádraig O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/24]

Childcare Services

Niamh Smyth

99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new regulations for childminders; if he is aware of the concerns being expressed regarding these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/24]

Maternity Leave

Róisín Shortall

100. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will honour his commitment to legislate to ensure women going through a cancer diagnosis or other serious illness during maternity leave can defer that leave while they recover; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22063/24]

Parental Leave

Holly Cairns

101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider extending the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 from the age of 12 to 18 years. [22067/24]

Disability Services

Michael Ring

102. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional funding can be made available for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22085/24]

Disability Services

Michael Ring

103. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of business cases (details supplied) currently awaiting funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22086/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

104. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the development of the model of care for ADHD in children and young people by the HSE; the timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21914/24]

Hospital Charges

Neasa Hourigan

105. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE review of national guidelines for daily car parking rates in acute hospitals; whether a working group has been established; the timelines associated with this review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Neasa Hourigan

106. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans for additional legislative reform in regard to nicotine inhaling products and tobacco products; his engagement with colleagues in Northern Ireland further to draft legislation in Stormont relating to a smoke-free generation and youth vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21925/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

107. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of people who attended a pigmented lesion rapid access clinic nationally; and the number who were offered an appointment within the recommended timeframe, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, respectively. [21926/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

108. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the total number of people who received a cancer diagnosis via the pigmented lesion rapid access clinic, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, respectively. [21927/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Neasa Hourigan

109. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of people who were waiting on a diagnostic scan - MRI, CT, VUS, US - in Ireland, in each quarter from 2016 to 2024, respectively. [21928/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

110. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons who started chemotherapy, by month, in each of the years 2020 to 2024, respectively. [21929/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

111. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the number of persons attending chemotherapy within the recommended timeframe, by month, in each of the years 2020 to 2024, respectively. [21930/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

112. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the proportion of persons attending chemotherapy within the recommended timeframe, by month, in each of the years 2020 to 2024, respectively. [21931/24]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

113. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the maximum time a person will wait to access a chemotherapy appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21932/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Seán Crowe

114. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting on a first outpatient appointment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital; the average waiting time for a first outpatient appointment; and the number waiting more than two years for a first appointment. [21937/24]

Cancer Services

Eoin Ó Broin

115. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to extending the upper age limit for BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21944/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

116. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many nurses were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21945/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

117. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many doctors were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21946/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

118. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many dentists were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21947/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

119. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many midwives were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21948/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

120. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many management staff were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21949/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

121. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many psychiatrists were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21950/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

122. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many occupational therapists were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21951/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

123. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many physiotherapists were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21952/24]

Health Services Staff

Peadar Tóibín

124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health how many speech and language therapists were employed in the health service in each of the past 15 years. [21953/24]

Health Services

Brian Stanley

125. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if eye specialist services currently centralised to Athlone will be reinstated in Portlaoise, and if funding is available to locate a service in County Laois. [21954/24]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the positive reports in relation to the pathfinder service (details supplied); if there are plans to make this service available nationwide; and, if so, when. [21955/24]

Medicinal Products

Paul Murphy

127. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that PCSK9 inhibiting medication is being denied to those who need it; if he will update the criteria to ensure those who have an intolerance to oral statins can avail of this medication, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21965/24]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

128. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he can examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21980/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

129. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment. [21987/24]

Substance Misuse

Neasa Hourigan

130. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the north inner city drug and alcohol task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21988/24]

General Practitioner Services

Peadar Tóibín

131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 30 April 2024, the number accessing Midoc in Tullamore on a weekly basis in 2024; to provide a breakdown of the number travelling from the Birr, Banagher, Cloghan, Kinnitty and Ferbane areas, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/24]

Health Services

Niamh Smyth

132. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking to provide additional resources for survivors of stroke and other cardiovascular conditions in the community who are supported by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22013/24]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

133. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if being put on a waiting list for a GP practice would qualify as a refusal (details supplied); and, if not, the reason for same, as the applicant is still without a GP until the practice accepts them from the waiting list, which could take considerable time. [22018/24]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

134. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason funding has been cut to the Kildare mental health day hospital in Kildare primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22020/24]

Medicinal Products

Pádraig O'Sullivan

135. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason saw pallmeto is not reimbursed under the medical card scheme; if he will consider including same in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22023/24]

Medical Cards

Niamh Smyth

136. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the current process for cancer patients to obtain a medical card; if the emergency medical card application via a GP in the only avenue; if his Department plans to review this scheme regarding cancer patients who need supports like a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22024/24]

Dental Services

Peadar Tóibín

137. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of special care dentists, by county, and the numbers of dental patients with additional needs and-or anxiety attending special care dentists who required a general anaesthetic, for each of the past five years, by county. [22049/24]

Mental Health Services

Pearse Doherty

138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.1542 of 9 April 2024, when a full HSE reply will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22050/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Griffin

139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22051/24]

Healthcare Policy

James Lawless

140. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if Huntington's disease will be added to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22077/24]

Medicinal Products

James Lawless

141. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if his Department will increase the medications available on prescription to sufferers of Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22078/24]