Parliamentary questions

Budget Targets

Bernard Durkan

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which expenditure trends are overstepping their targets; whether particular areas have come to notice in this regard; if inflation or other issues are contributory factors; if he plans specific measures to ensure that budget remains in target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/24]

National Development Plan

Bernard Durkan

85. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the extent to which progress on the national development plan remains within expectations; whether any measures are needed to ensure the meeting of targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19768/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

1. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on the former Taoiseach's recent visit to Boston. [12985/24]

Cabinet Committees

Bernard Durkan

21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will meet next. [19206/24]

School Transport

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken by her Department to better manage data on busy school transport routes to ensure that all places allocated are being utilised and being reassigned in the event that they are not to ensure that all school transport offered is being utilised to its highest capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19563/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

1. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent visit to Paris. [10816/24]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Bernard Durkan

7. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent conversation with President Zelenskyy. [16766/24]

Child and Family Agency

Bernard Durkan

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla can intervene in all situations where concerns have been raised regarding the health and welfare of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19211/24]

Child and Family Agency

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which children’s welfare and wellbeing is protected by Tusla in all situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19210/24]

School Admissions

Bernard Durkan

332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if every effort can be made to facilitate a school place in the desired school of a child (details supplied); if all efforts can be made to ensure a school place in the required school, with there being a very high demand for places for siblings in this school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19285/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

527. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19378/24]

Disability Services

Bernard Durkan

597. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for full reimplementation of services provided by the Kildare network disability team, with particular reference to the urgent provision of occupational therapy, speech therapy, clinical psychology and social worker services; the positions in this team currently vacant and yet to be filled; the timeline for filling such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

598. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology support and social worker services for children in CH07; the plans in hand to address the current wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19473/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average age of early intervention for children in the CH07 area for vital supports and assessments including assessments for autism and ADHD; the extent to which this wait time has fluctuated in the past seven years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19474/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Bernard Durkan

600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of positions waiting to be filled, including appropriate cover for maternity leave, in the fields of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology in the CH07 area; when it is anticipated that all available positions will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19475/24]

Child and Family Agency

Bernard Durkan

601. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla can intervene in all situations where concerns have been raised regarding the health and welfare of a child; the extent to which he is satisfied that Tusla has the powers to intervene where the welfare of a child has been brought to Tusla's attention in all circumstances without exception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19476/24]

Ukraine War

Bernard Durkan

602. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer assistance to children and families fleeing from the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19477/24]

Children in Care

Bernard Durkan

603. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of children currently in foster care; the extent to which this number has fluctuated in the past seven years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19478/24]

Undefined

Bernard Durkan

604. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the needs of children who are refugees, are in the Traveller community or have special issues, and who, if they are not attended to, may not be in a position to take their rightful place in society in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19479/24]

Departmental Policies

Bernard Durkan

605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to promote integration in all circumstances throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19481/24]

Equality Issues

Bernard Durkan

606. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he proposes to take to address any or all inequalities affecting children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/24]

Childcare Services

Bernard Durkan

607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to prioritise funding for the child care sector with a view to continued improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/24]

Mental Health Services

Bernard Durkan

612. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the concerns of parents of children with mental health problems are regularly monitored, with a view to ensuring the availability of adequate residential places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19480/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

635. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18793/24]

Budget 2024

Bernard Durkan

636. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health for an itemised list of exactly how the additional €10 million allocated to mental health in Budget 2024 will be spent, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18794/24]

Mental Health Services

Bernard Durkan

637. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health what percentage of mental health difficulties are addressed at primary care level, secondary care level and tertiary care level, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18795/24]

Psychological Assessments

Bernard Durkan

638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current wait time for an appointment with primary care psychology; the number of persons on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18796/24]

Mental Health Services

Bernard Durkan

639. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels of the child and adolescent mental health services, the adult mental health services and the old age psychiatry services, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18797/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered any options to improve the speed with which applications for disability allowance or similar means-tested payments are processed thus eliminating hardship for people who may be vulnerable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18337/24]

Pension Provisions

Bernard Durkan

41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who have been refused insurance-based private pensions on the basis of insufficiency of contributions over their working lives or part thereof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18338/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts are being made to manage grasslands and tillage lands, given the sharp increase in rainfall; if consideration will be given to adequate drainage as opposed to allowing widespread flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18340/24]

Food Industry

Bernard Durkan

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent, if any, to which he has noticed an increased level of dairy produce into this country notwithstanding the fact that we still continue to export more than is produced here; if any reason is given as to why there should be a diminution of dairy produce displayed in supermarkets here; if consideration is being given to where this might end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18339/24]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance to indicate the correct tax-free allowances in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18705/24]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which any banking regulation currently applies or should apply to mortgage and finance companies offering mortgages and who then sell the mortgages on to third parties without the consultation of the mortgagee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18706/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18701/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18683/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18686/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a case will be urgently reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18687/24]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when a PPS number might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18699/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

229. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a one-parent family payment or other allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18700/24]

Labour Market

Bernard Durkan

230. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for a first-time job applicant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18702/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the carer's allowance has been improved in recent times to meet requirements of more persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18707/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

232. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the return of the funeral bereavement grant may be envisaged other than by way of an exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18708/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which satisfactory provision continues to be made for those retiring at 65 years of age; the extent of any recent progress in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18709/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Bernard Durkan

234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of appeals currently in hand in respect of means-tested social welfare payments and non-means-tested payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18710/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which she continues to examine the situation whereby women who left full-time employment to care for a relative or family member and returned to the workforce with insufficient time to enable them to make the necessary contributions can meet the necessary contributions to qualify for a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18711/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for a decision in respect of applications for various social welfare payments has been shortened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18712/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the waiting time for determination of appeals has been shortened; the average length of time for processing appeals at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18713/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of pension applications for contributory-related State pension received in each of the past five years to date; the number granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18714/24]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which her Department has in place an appropriate method for determination of eligibility for domiciliary care allowance, given the number of children who are now deemed eligible on the basis of special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18715/24]