Parliamentary questions

School Transport

Seán Sherlock

203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school transport appeal for an individual (details supplied). [18592/24]

School Accommodation

Niall Collins

204. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education for an update on an application from a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18607/24]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

205. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether a remote area grant is payable to the parent(s) of a student where the school bus pick up point is more than 4.8km from their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18638/24]

School Staff

Éamon Ó Cuív

206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of schools with a principal and two mainstream teachers, which based on enrolment figures of September 2023 are due to lose a teacher for the 2024/2025 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with one a principal and one mainstream teacher that are due to gain a teacher based on enrolment figures of September 2023, based on the present teacher pupil schedule in their school; whether it is intended to change this schedule this year for smaller schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18640/24]

Disadvantaged Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to review the decision not to grant DEIS status to a school (details supplied), given that this is a recently amalgamated school where one component of the new amalgamated school had DEIS status previously; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18642/24]

Schools Building Projects

Réada Cronin

208. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when construction of a permanent building will begin for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18670/24]

School Transport

Michael Lowry

209. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if a school bus route which provides transport to a school (details suppled) will be adjusted and the route changed, in order that children living in a particular area can be collected outside of their home; the reasons previous correspondence to Bus Éireann on this matter have not received a reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18679/24]

Arts Council

Michael Healy-Rae

210. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18608/24]

Film Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an overview of her Department’s understanding of production activity in the film and audiovisual sector at present; the efforts, if any, she is undertaking to increase the volume of production activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18682/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Darren O'Rourke

212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when new wind energy guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18510/24]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

213. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta an bhfuil sé ar an eolas maidir le comharthaíocht a cuireadh in airde chun bothanna vótála a fhógairt le linn an reifrinn ar 8 Márta i mbliana, comharthaíocht a bhí i mBéarla amháin nó a raibh an Béarla i bhfad níos mó agus níos feiceálaí ná an Ghaeilge uirthi; an bhfuil sé chun a chinntiú go mbeidh aon chomharthaíocht oifigiúil maidir le toghcháin nó reifrinn amach anseo chomh mór agus chomh feiceálach i nGaeilge ar a laghad agus atá i mBéarla de réir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18601/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Brendan Griffin

214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/24]

Regeneration Projects

Peadar Tóibín

215. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the regeneration projects for flat complexes within Dublin City Council's jurisdiction, in tabular form; the current stage of progress for these projects, including the movement of tenants out of their accommodation; to indicate any delays encountered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18528/24]

Derelict Sites

Michael Ring

216. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of derelict sites that a local authority (details supplied) has taken into its possession in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18567/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the NPWS branch of his Department applies for and receives any annual grants or Common Agricultural Payments on State owned land from the Department of Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/24]

Derelict Sites

Martin Browne

218. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can provide an update on the extension of the local authority home loan to include derelict properties. [18656/24]

Business Supports

Pearse Doherty

219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider targeted supports to businesses experiencing increased costs through changes, including rebates, under employers PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15233/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

220. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied) who is giving full-time care to their father; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18538/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

David Stanton

221. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people currently availing of carer’s benefit; the estimated cost of the benefit in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18589/24]

School Meals Programme

Matt Shanahan

222. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update as to when a school (details supplied) will be included in the new programme of national school meals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18644/24]

Departmental Contracts

Éamon Ó Cuív

223. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount of money being paid by her Department to private bus companies under contracts for the free travel scheme; the reason these companies are not precluded from charging a booking fee on scheduled services and particularly on services where the buses are often forced to refuse passengers due to being at capacity, thus forcing people who need to ensure they get on the bus to pay the booking fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18646/24]

Departmental Data

Pearse Doherty

224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 463 of 12 December 2023, the estimated revenue that will be raised in each of the years 2024 to 2030 by the proposed increases in all classes of PRSI, disaggregated by PRSI class, employer, employee and self-employed, in a scenario (details supplied), in tabular form. [18667/24]

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]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which she and her office continue to ensure the making of a basic payment to applicants of social welfare payments while the primary application is being processed in order to alleviate hardship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18716/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that were successful at stages 1 and 2 of the Garda trainee application process in the past 20 years; the totality of applicants in the past 20 years to the Garda trainee recruitment programmes; the number of persons that took part in stage 1 of the process over that time period; and the number that took part in stage 2 of that same time period, in tabular form. [18659/24]

Visa Applications

Bríd Smith

242. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to employ more staff or take additional steps to deal with the significant backlog of applications for visas, renewals and extensions that are taking a long time to process (details supplied); the steps her Department will take to reduce the unacceptable waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18477/24]

International Protection

Peter Fitzpatrick

243. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Justice the qualifying conditions to apply for Irish citizenship for those here on a stamp 4 visa seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18504/24]

Visa Applications

Peadar Tóibín

244. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine a visa case (details supplied). [18563/24]

Visa Applications

Peadar Tóibín

245. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine a visa case (details supplied). [18564/24]

Visa Applications

Peadar Tóibín

246. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine a visa case (details supplied). [18565/24]

Visa Applications

Peadar Tóibín

247. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will examine a visa case (details supplied). [18566/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the most up-to-date number of community gardaí deployed each year since 2018, by local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18611/24]

Common Travel Area

Denis Naughten

249. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice the impact, if any, of Ireland's opt into the EU Migration Pact on the common travel area with the UK; if she will outline the dates and detail of her conversations with Home Office Secretary of State (details supplied); if she will outline the dates and detail of her officials meetings with their counterparts in the UK Home Office on the topic; if she will lay the minutes of all such meetings in the Oireachtas Library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18624/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the number of ethnicities, by type and by rank, represented in An Garda Síochána [18627/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of ethnicities represented, by type, that applied to the 2024 garda trainee recruitment drive; the date on which it is expected the first batch from the 2024 recruitment pool will proceed to phase one; and the number of successful applicants from 2022/2023 recruitment drives that have yet to be processed forward to phase 1 of Garda training. [18628/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

252. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that were successful at stages 1 and 2 of the Garda trainee application process that were deemed to be generally unsuitable to be offered a place in phase 1 of Garda training in the past 20 years. [18629/24]

An Garda Síochána

Catherine Murphy

253. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that have failed on their first attempt at the Garda trainee fitness test in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number that subsequently passed the fitness test over that same period on their second attempt. [18660/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in relation to the application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18685/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the process to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18689/24]

Family Law Cases

Bernard Durkan

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce the necessary changes to Irish family law to prevent the use of parental alienation pursuant to the appropriate provisions of family and child law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18692/24]

Family Law Cases

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her proposed timescale for the introduction of legislation to discontinue the use of parental alienation in Irish family law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18693/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which it might be possible to update a stamp 3 status to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18694/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which it might be possible to upgrade a stamp 3 residency status to stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18695/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate in the case of a person (details supplied) whether she can update and upgrade their residency status to stamp 4 given that they are both legally employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18696/24]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when residency status can be updated and rectified in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18697/24]

Residency Permits

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if and when appropriate residency status might be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18698/24]

Agriculture Industry

Peter Fitzpatrick

263. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of his ‘Backing Rural Ireland’ nationwide tour and meeting with farmers throughout the country, if he has taken on board farmers’ issues in relation to the over-regulation of the sector, specifically in relation to the three-crop rule, ash dieback, retaining the derogation, the duplications on farm inspections, late ACRES payments and the nature restoration law; the proposals he has put forward to the European Commission in relation to the need to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/24]

Animal Welfare

Réada Cronin

264. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the State will instigate/increase funding for animal refuges and rescues that are facing spiralling admissions due to a serious increase in the surrender of pets because of the housing crisis and emigration, the abandonment of companion animals due to the cost of living, the extreme and ongoing neglect of horses and the huge costs to those same refuges in facilities, vet services, pet food and hay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18613/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Ring

265. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a reply has not issued to a query submitted to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18669/24]

Beef Sector

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of the beef herd at present; the extent to which numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/24]

Tillage Sector

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which cereal growing continues to be attractive in Ireland; if its viability is coming under pressure from other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18718/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor production costs in the poultry sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure a stable cost base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18719/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to monitor and safeguard the interest of the agrifood sector given the sharp increase in price of inputs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18720/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which efforts continue to maximise the reduction of carbon emissions in the agrifood sector without reducing production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts ongoing by his Department to address issues relating to farmer mental health and well-being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/24]

Agriculture Supports

Bernard Durkan

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the beneficial effect to the small- and medium-sized farming community of recent supportive measures; the impact on individual farmers under 50 acres and between 50 and 100 acres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/24]

Departmental Data

Bernard Durkan

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment has fluctuated in the agri-food and fishing sectors in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/24]

Fishing Industry

Bernard Durkan

274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the viability of the fishing industry for the benefit of families dependent on the industry; the extent to which further action is required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/24]

Animal Diseases

Bernard Durkan

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which animal diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, continue to be eliminated in a meaningful way; the extent to which any breakdowns have occurred by region; the efforts being made to identify the causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/24]

Forestry Sector

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which it is expected to reach published targets on forestry; when the plan commenced; when it is expected to achieve the proposed targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/24]

Farm Costs

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the costs of farm inputs, including fuel and fertilisers, with a view to identifying the best way to meet the challenges of issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18728/24]

Dairy Sector

Bernard Durkan

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which imported dairy products appear to be replacing Irish dairy items in shops and supermarkets; whether this is indicative of a phasing out of the dairy sector in this country, which would have a disastrous effect on the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/24]

Beef Sector

Bernard Durkan

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the beef industry here is being phased out or scaled down to accommodate importation of similar products from overseas who do not have to comply or are willing to comply with climate change reduction measures; the anticipated extent of the effects this is likely to have on the agricultural economy in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18730/24]

Agriculture Industry

Bernard Durkan

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department are aware of the likely damage to the tillage sector in allowing or encouraging flooding or rewetting of the countryside which is likely to lead to a national food shortage in the not too distant future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18731/24]

School Staff

Thomas Gould

281. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he is aware that a school (details supplied) is still not in receipt of therapist hours. [18489/24]

Disability Diagnoses

Mark Ward

282. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the list of recognised disabilities under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18494/24]

Disability Diagnoses

Mark Ward

283. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if ADHD is a recognised disability under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18495/24]

Disability Diagnoses

Mark Ward

284. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if dyspraxia is a recognised disability under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18496/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

285. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the legal costs to date incurred by his Department's response to High Court proceedings brought by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission against the Government over its failure to provide accommodation to all international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18512/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Steven Matthews

286. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to planned closure of a childcare facility (details supplied); if his Department is engaging with management on possible supports that could assist the facility to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18536/24]

Departmental Correspondence

John McGuinness

287. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the receipt of a submission from a community organisation (details supplied); his response to the concerns expressed by the residents; and if he and his Department officials will engage immediately with the community and this Deputy. [18602/24]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Ring

288. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason no response has issued from his Department in relation to an issue that was raised twice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/24]

Disability Services

Thomas Gould

289. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of positions, by role, assigned to CDNT west central Cork city; the number of vacancies that exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18615/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Fergus O'Dowd

290. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline if offers on modular units for BOTPs are still being considered; to outline the process on same; the number of units currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18616/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Peadar Tóibín

291. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 274 of 18 April 2024, the numbers in State-provided accommodation, to include private accommodation who been living in full-board circumstances, half-board and self-catering, of those in the IPAS system and beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, respectively, from 2022 to date, in tabular form. [18617/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

292. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional support will be provided as a matter of urgency to an association to enable the resumption of essential services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/24]

Community Care

Willie O'Dea

294. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further State funding for an organisation (details supplied) to allow for the continued delivery of its national service which looks after the practical, social and emotional needs of thousands of heart and stroke patients in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18428/24]

Home Help Service

Robert Troy

295. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if additional home help hours have been allocated to a person (details supplied). [18430/24]

Medical Cards

Duncan Smith

296. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason test strips for diabetes are not covered by the medical card as in the case of a person (details supplied) who spends €33.00 per month on this item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18456/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Anne Rabbitte

297. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for a first audiologist appointment in CH02; the length of time they have been waiting to see an audiologist in CHO2, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Anne Rabbitte

298. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to be seen by an audiologist in CHO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18458/24]

Care Services

Thomas Gould

299. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health when the Westfield integrated care centre in Ballincollig, Cork will be fully operational. [18483/24]

Dental Services

Brendan Howlin

300. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists that will be trained in Ireland in 2024; the capacity of the existing schools of dentistry; his views on whether the number of dentists currently being trained is sufficient to meet the future needs of a growing Irish population; if he supports the building of a new school of dentistry and dental hospital in University College Cork; the discussions he has had with the Minister for Higher and Further Education in relation to the future provision and training of dentists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18484/24]

Psychological Assessments

Darren O'Rourke

301. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and separately an assessment for ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18507/24]

Health Services

Cian O'Callaghan

302. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to improve newborn screening; if the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee plans to introduce a comprehensive and up-to-date newborn screening programme; the reason for delays in the drafting and the implementation of such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18511/24]

Hospital Facilities

Noel Grealish

303. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing a minor injuries unit in Galway on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18515/24]