Parliamentary questions

Health Service Executive

Fergus O'Dowd

429. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health regarding the HSE nursing home in which an employee was convicted of raping a resident, to clarify the number of referrals made by the HSE to An Garda Síochána following the public statement by the CEO of the HSE on a radio programme (details supplied) in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31838/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

438. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31882/23]

Residential Institutions

Fergus O'Dowd

124. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of reports of alleged sexual abuse of residents in designated residential disability centres that HIQA has received since 2021 directly through unsolicited concerns and through its inspection work; the breakdown on the source of the allegations; the number of said reports that HIQA subsequently reported to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31405/23]

Residential Institutions

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of reports of alleged sexual abuse of residents in residential nursing homes that HIQA has received since 2021 directly through unsolicited concerns and through its inspection work; the breakdown on the source of the allegations; the number of said reports that HIQA subsequently reported to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31405/23]

Data Protection

Fergus O'Dowd

65. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will review current GDPR policies to ensure data sharing is possible and more streamlined between State agencies, where there are serious safeguarding issues highlighted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25161/23]

Public Transport

Fergus O'Dowd

154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond or seek responses to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30500/23]

Road Tolls

Fergus O'Dowd

180. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he has held any further consultation with stakeholders in respect of the increase in toll charges from 1 July 2023; if he will revisit the issue with a view to a further postponement until 2024 to allow for cost of living in other sectors to drop in the intervening timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31236/23]

Family Reunification

Fergus O'Dowd

472. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will respond to concerns and proposals from a person (details supplied) in respect of family reunification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30851/23]

Budget Process

Fergus O'Dowd

678. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he has received the pre-budget 2024 submission of an organisation (details supplied); if so, his views on the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30852/23]

Domestic Violence

Fergus O'Dowd

275. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the reason there was a net reduction in the number of refuge spaces available in County Louth from 15 in quarter 3 2022 to 13 in quarter 2 2023, the only net reduction of spaces in the country; how this will be addressed through the provision of additional spaces in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30240/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

175. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes closed by court order under section 59 of the Health Act 2007 since January 2020; if he will list the name, address and operator of such homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29906/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

176. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes that received more than two inspections from HIQA in 2022 due to HIQA concerns about the care and welfare of residents; if he will provide details of these homes; if HIQA is now satisfied there are no current HIQA concerns about the care and welfare of residents in these homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29910/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has undertaken any prosecutions against any residential care facilities, proprietors, persons in charge and entities for any breach of regulations since April 2021; if so, the regulations breached by each such facility, person or entity; the details, including names of persons, facilities and entities prosecuted; the outcome of such prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29914/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

179. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has undertaken any prosecutions since June 2021 against any residential care facilities, proprietors, persons in charge and entities for any breaches of regulations; if so, the regulations breached by each such facility, person or entity; the name of the persons, facilities and entities prosecuted; the outcome of such prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29919/23]

Sustainable Development Goals

Fergus O'Dowd

159. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has read the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) which calls for urgent political leadership from Government by moving the sustainable development goals unit from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to the Department of the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29275/23]

Departmental Investigations

Fergus O'Dowd

718. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1312 of 13 June 2023 and as per original question, if he will answer the question on whether "this clear neglect of a vulnerable adult was referred to the gardaí by any the services involved."; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29698/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

725. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of facilities that have closed and ceased operations, by name and location, since the payments were awarded, of the recent TAPS payments of nearly €150 million distributed to nursing homes throughout the country to help manage the response to Covid-19, in tabular form; if any nursing homes voluntarily returned monies to his Department for any reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29782/23]

Further and Higher Education

Fergus O'Dowd

743. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop and support further and higher education in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29672/23]

Northern Ireland

Fergus O'Dowd

22. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, if he will detail how he and his Department are working to bring the relevant North and South bodies together to progress engagement and work to safeguard the GFA into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27990/23]

Northern Ireland

Fergus O'Dowd

27. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts of him and his Department to assist in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/23]

Climate Change Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

88. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the recently published report by the EPA that Ireland is set to miss out on its 2030 climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28040/23]

Energy Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

131. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update as to whether a process has been agreed by which full-time residents in mobile homes can access a much-needed electricity credit; if he will confirm how such a payment will be drawn down to further support persons in, or at risk of, energy poverty to ensure these vital credits are received by the thousands of full-time mobile home residents who to date have been unable to access the Government credit despite their being in one of the most vulnerable sections of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28041/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

162. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department have considered including solar panel systems in the warmer home scheme provided through the SEAI, to ensure that those with the lowest income and most vulnerable persons have the ability to install solar panels which will help this cohort manage the extortionate energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/23]

Renewable Energy Generation

Fergus O'Dowd

163. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department are considering the introduction of low-interest loans or State-provided finance for the provision and installation of solar panels for households in order to help meet Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28903/23]

Air Quality

Fergus O'Dowd

164. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure enforcement of the new air-quality regulations nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28905/23]

Marine Accidents

Fergus O'Dowd

182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a load line survey application for the Hebble Sand dredge ship in Drogheda and if a certificate or exemption has been issued; and if so, the expected date of removal of the ship from the River Boyne. [28906/23]

Disadvantaged Status

Fergus O'Dowd

200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education when she expects the updated HP Deprivation Index to be generated by Pobal, which will feed into the DEIS programme and allow new schools to gain the much-needed status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28904/23]

School Enrolments

Fergus O'Dowd

201. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if her Department is currently considering the provision of further primary and post primary schools for the south Drogheda and east Meath area, with consideration to the recently published census figures which show in the St. Mary's rural electoral division alone, the population has risen from 11,864 to 16,438; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28954/23]

Culture Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the provision of a night-time economy manager in Drogheda to help develop a night-time economy strategy; when the role is expected to be filled; the grade of the role; the time period of the contract; if other relevant information will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28895/23]

Primary Care Centres

Fergus O'Dowd

263. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek an update on the refurb, refit and extension of the Castlebellingham health centre to a new primary care centre; the total expected cost of the project; if he will provide a list of services that will be provided in the new premises; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28893/23]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

264. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; how he plans to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28894/23]

General Practitioner Services

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update of the North East Doctor-on-Call service to address the major pressures on the current service which is leaving many persons unable to access out-of-hours GPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28898/23]

Mental Health Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the Mental Health Commission's annual report 2022, if he will consider front-loading investment in mental health services, rather than the current funding model; if he would like to see changes in the funding model going forward; how he intends to address the major issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28909/23]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

272. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek the details on the total number of registered nursing homes in Ireland in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the details of the total number of residents registered over the same years. [28944/23]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

277. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any progress has been made with respect to recruitment of occupational therapists in County Louth which has reached critical levels; if neighbouring areas with suitable levels of occupational therapists could transfer or redirect services; if persons will be offered appointments in neighbouring areas, in order to deal with the absolutely unacceptable void in services in the Louth area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28951/23]

Hospital Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

278. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update with respect to the projected opening date for the new 50-bed St. Joseph’s Hospital development in Ardee, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28952/23]

Pharmacy Services

Fergus O'Dowd

173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond and detail the measures that will be taken to ensure community pharmacists are supported into the future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/23]

Hospital Services

Fergus O'Dowd

174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek a costing proposal from the HSE/NSAC for the introduction of a population screening programme for haemochromatosis in order to appropriately diagnose the general population for this very serious condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

117. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach when the promised inquiry into the handling by the State of Covid-19 pandemic will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26928/23]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Fergus O'Dowd

138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will be announcing successful applications under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund 2023 in the near future; if he will note my full support for the application submitted for funding for a cross-Border project collaboration, "Shared Roots and Roots", between Lifestyle Development in Drogheda and Rural Health Partnership. [27644/23]

Sustainable Development Goals

Fergus O'Dowd

200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of a report published by an organisation (details supplied); if he will respond to the recommendations set out in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27636/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

299. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the current status on the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney Road scheme which is due to be progressed this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28034/23]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

300. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the status of the proposed Ardee bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28036/23]

Greenways Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

301. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the Boyne Greenway project, in particular the 'Drogheda to Mornington scheme'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28037/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the current wait times to secure appointments through an organisation (details supplied) to import and register cars from the United Kingdom over the years 2018 to date in 2023, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27849/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

374. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the significant delays for motor traders in securing registration appointments to import cars from the UK, which is causing major business disruptions and cash flow problems which is putting many businesses at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27846/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the total number of staff employed by an organisation (details supplied) to provide import and export car registration services in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27847/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

376. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to detail the financial arrangements in the contract for an organisation (details supplied) to provide vehicle import and export services within the State, including the yearly cost since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/23]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Fergus O'Dowd

377. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that in some cases motor dealers are waiting for up to four weeks and beyond for appointments to import and register cars in County Louth through an organisation (details supplied) for the second-hand marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27850/23]

Education Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

537. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the potential risks associated with technology and social media use for children of school going age including social comparison, cyberbullying, harmful content, pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia content, deliberate self- harm content, suicide challenges and the myriad of risks relating to image-based abuse and sextortion; the steps her Department is taking to help students safely navigate online spaces.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27619/23]