Parliamentary questions

Tax Exemptions

Willie O'Dea

160. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will give consideration to increasing the annual exemption limits for tax purposes for people over the age of 65 years from €18,000 for a single person and €36,000 for a married couple, in view of the fact these exemptions have now been in place for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22295/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

185. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to deal with the lack of cover for primary school teachers who are assaulted on the job by students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22290/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

186. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to deal with the lack of cover for primary school teachers who are assaulted on the job by students as, at present, there is very limited leave available for teachers who are assaulted on the job and no financial aid to cover the cost of medical expenses incurred by these teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22290/24]

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]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

552. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the newly completed unit at St. Camillus' Hospital will open to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21217/24]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Willie O'Dea

629. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the clinical review of the medicinal cannabis programme will be completed to ascertain whether evidence exists to expand the range of conditions covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21714/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what further action is being taken with regard to the use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

98. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on any action being taken to ensure the accountability of the Russian Federation for its actions in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/24]

Departmental Bodies

Willie O'Dea

148. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed inter-departmental committee has been established to source funding options for implementing noise action plans on major roads, such as the M20 at Ballycummin, Limerick; when it is hoped the committee will issue recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21059/24]

State Pensions

Willie O'Dea

222. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if an individual (details supplied) has an entitlement to apply for the State pension (contributory), in view of the fact that they have 244 reckonable contributions paid since 2014 and they also have mixed contributions for a number of other years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21057/24]

Child and Family Agency

Willie O'Dea

269. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered that the childcare crisis could worsen if the proposed Tusla regulations come into effect, as childminders in their own home would have responsibilities akin to a manager in a crèche as well as all their regular other duties; if he has also considered that the resulting increased amount of administration would have a detrimental effect on their work/life balance and the privacy of childminders and their families would be badly affected by the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21155/24]

Residential Institutions

Willie O'Dea

188. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if, in light of the fact that the courts have granted interest to victims of institutional abuse who are receiving compensation, she will also consider paying interest to these victims, including to those who attended a school (details supplied) in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20302/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

560. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he intends to establish a tribunal to deal with cases of people who have been injured as a result of taking the Covid vaccines; if so, when the tribunal will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/24]

National Development Plan

Willie O'Dea

87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19812/24]

National Development Plan

Willie O'Dea

88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19813/24]

Schools Building Projects

Willie O'Dea

146. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education when she intends to sanction a new school building for a school (details supplied), as the current building and prefabs are no longer fit for purpose for the 870 children currently attending and who all started school with the promise of a new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19612/24]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

169. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give consideration to increasing the property price ceiling of €400,000 for purchasing houses in Limerick under the first home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19566/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Willie O'Dea

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on plans to establish Childcare Ireland; what form the agency will take; the progress to date on changes to the operating model for childcare in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19138/24]

Library Services

Willie O'Dea

122. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the little book bag initiative; the number of books distributed since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19137/24]

Antisocial Behaviour

Willie O'Dea

490. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the growing problem of crime and anti-social behaviour in Limerick city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18962/24]