Parliamentary questions

EU Regulations

Duncan Smith

355. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the way in which Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 on infant formula and follow-on formula is policed and enforced in the State; whether offences are committed in the event of its breach or other sanctions apply; his views on whether retailers breach the regulation by including formula among items covered by a loyalty or voucher or discount scheme that applies to most other goods sold in a store; if so, the basis of that understanding; to outline any correspondence with the EU Commission on the interpretation of Article 10 (2) of the regulation as it applies to general supermarket discount or voucher schemes that are not aimed at promoting the sale of formula in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

165. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how long someone referred to the National Gender Service today would be expected to wait for their first assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4422/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

166. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health why the National Gender Service chose not to close its waiting list in 2023, as was discussed in late 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4423/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

167. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how many trans patient support and advocacy organisations such as (details supplied) the National Gender Service met with in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4424/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

168. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how the National Gender Service defines the term gender affirming care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4425/24]

Special Educational Needs

Duncan Smith

279. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the reason SNAs with ten years of experience (details supplied) in private pre-schools are unable to apply for incremental credits, particularly when those who have worked in community pre-schools are eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4050/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Duncan Smith

463. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any regulations in regard to ECCE supports that would prevent providers from refusing to offer half-day sessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3832/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Duncan Smith

464. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any regulations in regard to ECCE supports that would ensure that parents who received an ECCE place for half-day sessions cannot, at a later date, be told that the provider will no longer offer half-day sessions in favour of full-time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3833/24]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

499. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of open beds in each HSE and voluntary hospital on 15 January in each of the years 2023 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3655/24]

Health Promotion

Duncan Smith

513. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are any proposals to provide one day of annual leave to workers for health screenings such as mammograms, cholesterol screening and colonoscopies; if his Department would consider such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3848/24]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

522. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that disabled parking at St. Vincent's Hospital has a four hour time limit for the length of time a person can occupy a disabled parking space; if he will liaise with St. Vincent’s to remove this time limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3889/24]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

81. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delays in providing contact digital payments for Dublin Bus, the Luas, the Dart and Irish Rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3149/24]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

82. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the cost of a new contactless payment system for public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/24]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

83. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delays in rolling out a contactless payment system for public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3148/24]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

85. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide assurances that the BusConnects project will not result in the removal of the 33 bus route, which serves as a direct bus from Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk to the city centre, in favour of a bus that will go from Balbriggan/Skerries to the Airport where a connection will be available from the airport into the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3202/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

204. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of rapid reviews and health technology applications received in 2023; the number completed in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3198/24]

Departmental Data

Duncan Smith

205. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings of the HSE drugs group that took place in 2023; the number of medicines considered for recommendation at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3199/24]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

499. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to set up a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO9; if he could provide a timeline for the establishment of a neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/24]

Cancer Services

Duncan Smith

2. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact on a number of cancer care programmes arising from the decision not to award any new development funding to the national cancer strategy in budget 2024, specifically the planned centralisation of surgical cancer services, the new model of patient follow-up and survivorship and plans for acute oncology nursing services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/24]

Departmental Meetings

Duncan Smith

5. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to meeting transgender advocacy groups to discuss the provision of transgender healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1975/24]

Medicinal Products

Duncan Smith

26. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of the €20 million committed for new medicine funding in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1974/24]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

39. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are plans for the chicken pox vaccine to be included in the national immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1976/24]

Primary Care Centres

Duncan Smith

40. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the provision of a primary care centre for Swords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1973/24]

Commemorative Medals

Duncan Smith

166. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there is a provision available to re-issue medals for persons who fought and were awarded medals in both conflicts and whose medals have been lost or mislaid due to the passage of time; if there is a list available of all who were awarded medals for service during the conflicts regardless of what side they fought on or gender; and if it is not possible to have medals re-issued is there some other way that service can be acknowledged by way of an official letter or parchment and can these be provided on request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1875/24]

Official Travel

Duncan Smith

193. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the airmiles spent by the Government since 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56784/23]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

194. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport how many additional Luas carriages will be purchased in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56785/23]

Public Transport

Duncan Smith

195. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of people using public transport, that is bus, Dart, Luas, train since 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56786/23]

Taxi Licences

Duncan Smith

196. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of new taxi drivers, by month, since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56787/23]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

197. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of new bus drivers in each county since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56788/23]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

198. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of new train drivers since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56789/23]

Road Safety Authority

Duncan Smith

242. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the RSA has informed seven driving testers that their temporary contracts will not be renewed next month despite driving test waiting times remaining unacceptably high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1211/24]

Road Safety Authority

Duncan Smith

243. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will sanction a new permanent contract competition for driver testers for the Road Safety Authority in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1212/24]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

244. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the outcome of the 2019 order for 41 rail carriages which was to deliver a 10% increase in capacity in the morning and evenings for commuters on the Northern Line; how this has been achieved to date; the status of the delivery of 95 Dart + carriages; how the delivery of the carriages will increase capacity on the Northern Line; the projected time scale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1235/24]

Bus Services

Duncan Smith

273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason the Transport For Ireland Live app does not process the Nightlink bus information; if there is a plan to process this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1350/24]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

279. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport for an updated timetable on the completion of works at Portmarnock train station; when these works will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1509/24]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Duncan Smith

280. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the final number of car parking spaces that will be available at Portmarnock train station upon the completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1510/24]

School Facilities

Duncan Smith

469. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to outline future plans for the provision of additional primary school facilities within schools (details supplied) to alleviate the waiting lists for children looking to be accepted into third and fourth classes, such as prefabs and additional teaching staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56338/23]

Health and Safety

Duncan Smith

534. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she aware of the health and safety issues in relation to the standard of a school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57175/23]

Health and Safety

Duncan Smith

535. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education what actions she has taken since receiving evidence of the health and safety issues at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57176/23]

Schools Building Projects

Duncan Smith

536. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will expedite the provision of a much-needed new school building for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57177/23]

School Transport

Duncan Smith

600. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with a delegation of parents from Swords, in regard to the provision of a bus to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1158/24]

School Funding

Duncan Smith

681. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the steps that may be forthcoming to alter the process for allocations for the STEM learning grant for schools that was recently allotted, given that almost 2,200 school were unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1881/24]

Housing Provision

Duncan Smith

823. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social, affordable and private units built over the past five years, by local authority area under headings (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1476/24]

Housing Provision

Duncan Smith

827. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of any undue delays of occupation in newly built social housing units at a location (details supplied); if any delays are an isolated case, and whether any action will be taken to expedite the process in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1563/24]

Housing Provision

Duncan Smith

843. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the bulk purchase of homes that were supposed to be available to individual buyers (details supplied) will not happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1884/24]

Housing Provision

Duncan Smith

844. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce legislation to prevent investment funds from bulk purchasing homes in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1885/24]

Employment Schemes

Duncan Smith

886. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection how jobs funded through the WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme would be advertised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56791/23]

Live Exports

Duncan Smith

1237. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the acceptable weather conditions for a livestock vessel to be permitted to leave Ireland; to ensure that no vessel leaves Ireland when facing unacceptable weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57261/23]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

1301. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE consultant child psychiatrist for intellectual disability services in County Mayo in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1828/24]

Departmental Funding

Duncan Smith

1372. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delays in releasing approved funding to a gym (details supplied) created to provide a safe space for people with disabilities, which has now been forced to cease operations due to financial strains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56960/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

1415. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a list of all vacancies for intellectual disability nursing positions within CHO2; and the locations of these vacancies. [1207/24]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

1552. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expand the regulation to permit pharmacists to administer RSV vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56793/23]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

1658. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the inpatient services and inpatient surgical services currently at Bantry General Hospital. [1192/24]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

1659. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting a psychologist report for MHID services in each of the CHO 6 areas; the current expected waiting time for an assessment; and his plans to extend services within this area in 2024. [1193/24]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

1660. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the treatments available at the minor injuries unit at Roscommon hospital. [1194/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Duncan Smith

1661. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of adults in County Wexford awaiting an appointment for vascular surgery, by wait times, in tabular form. [1195/24]

Emergency Departments

Duncan Smith

1662. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who attended the accident and emergency department at CHI Temple Street on 24, 25 and 26 December 2023, in tabular form. [1196/24]

Hospital Equipment

Duncan Smith

1663. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of ultrasound machines at Tullamore Regional Hospital as of 1 January 2024; and if he will provide same figures as of 1 January 2020, in tabular form. [1197/24]

Nursing Homes

Duncan Smith

1664. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme as of 4 January 2024 in CHO 7. [1198/24]

Emergency Departments

Duncan Smith

1665. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation suites in the accident and emergency department of University Hospital Limerick. [1199/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1666. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in reproductive medicine at the Coombe Maternity Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1200/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1667. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE scrub nurses working in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1201/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Duncan Smith

1668. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the average emergency department waiting times at Sligo University Hospital. [1202/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1669. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant oncologists at Beaumont Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1203/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Duncan Smith

1670. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE addiction counsellors employed by the HSE in CHO8 in 2023. [1204/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1671. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior pharmaceutical technicians working in Naas General Hospital in 2023. [1205/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1672. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE reconstructive plastic surgeons working in Mayo University Hospital as of 2 January 2024. [1206/24]

Primary Care Services

Duncan Smith

1673. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the services currently being provided at Wicklow town and Bray primary care centres. [1208/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1775. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant paediatric histopathologists at Cork University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1822/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1776. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan General Hospital. [1823/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1777. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapist and dietitians working in Letterkenny University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form [1824/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1778. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant WTE accident and emergency department nurses in Portlaoise Regional Hospital as of 10 January 2024, in tabular form. [1825/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1779. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologist by grade employed by the HSE working in County Longford in 2023, in tabular form. [1826/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in public car parking charges at St. Vincent's University Hospital in 2023, in tabular form. [1827/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1781. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of MRI scanners and CT scanners in use at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. [1829/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior medical scientists in molecular microbiology at University Hospital, Waterford in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1830/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1783. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment bays in the accident and emergency department at Wexford General Hospital. [1831/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1784. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeons based at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1832/24]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the shortage of primary and secondary school places in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55883/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

272. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the steps parents who have children on multiple waiting lists for schools in the Fingal area should take in light of the significant lack of school places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55884/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to rapidly move to build and staff more schools in the Fingal area, in light of the increasing population of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55885/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

274. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how her Department determines the need for more schools in an area; if this need is calculated by the current population of an area; if not, if it is calculated by the prospective population of an area, considering the increasing number of new builds underway in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55886/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Duncan Smith

356. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55943/23]

Middle East

Duncan Smith

8. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) trapped in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55590/23]

Departmental Policies

Duncan Smith

186. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department can take to address the recent EuroStar evaluation changes affecting suckler farmers which has led to many withdrawing from the SCEP scheme and a significant drop in animal values for breeders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55594/23]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

232. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to explain the delays in releasing approved funding to a gym (details supplied) created to provide a safe space for people with disabilities, which has now been forced to cease operations due to financial strains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55619/23]

Nursing Education

Duncan Smith

233. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans for a review of the English language qualification criteria set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for overseas nurses, particularly those with nursing qualifications from countries like India and the Philippines, to more closely align the qualification criteria to those of the United Kingdom’s Nursing Authority for foreign nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55653/23]

Departmental Properties

Duncan Smith

235. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health why an organisation (details supplied) has not been able to advance plans to lease the old children’s buildings No.’s 50 and 51 on the grounds of St. Ita’s hospital despite willingness from the HSE to supply these buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55659/23]

Climate Change Negotiations

Duncan Smith

105. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the loss and damage fund following COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55066/23]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

324. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to outline what schools have school places available in the Lusk area to facilitate a school place for child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55068/23]

Referendum Campaigns

Duncan Smith

438. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Government commitment to stage a referendum on water ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55067/23]

Passport Services

Duncan Smith

586. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the process for a child born in Ireland in July 2005 (details supplied) to Ukrainian parents to obtain an Irish passport given that the child is unable to travel to Ukraine to apply for a passport and whose parents wish to apply for Irish citizenship for them but are unable to do so as the child does not have a passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55402/23]

Medicinal Products

Duncan Smith

769. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to having nitrous oxide categorised as an illegal drug and unlawful to possess, given the recent warning from a leading neurologist regarding the dangers associated with the use of nitrous oxide among young people, with up to ten patients a month presenting to one Dublin hospital with some patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation due to the injuries sustained from inhaling this drug with many streets and public open spaces littered with these canisters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54578/23]

Cancer Services

Duncan Smith

774. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if, similar to the UK, the breast cancer treatment anastrozole will be licensed as an option for preventing the disease in high-risk women in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54619/23]

Special Educational Needs

Duncan Smith

202. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if autism units/classes will be provided for 2024 in school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54320/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

203. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if there is a plan to establish a new Irish-speaking secondary school in the Swords area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54332/23]

Health Strategies

Duncan Smith

321. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the timeline on the recruitment of a coordinator for the Cabra Finglas Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54330/23]

Health Strategies

Duncan Smith

322. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the recruitment of a new coordinator for the Cabra Finglas Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54331/23]

Grant Payments

Duncan Smith

99. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the threshold for the housing aid for older persons grant, given the current maximum grant under this scheme is €8000, with the cost of labour, materials and living increases making it inaccessible and unaffordable for many older people to bridge the gap between the awarded grant and the actual cost of the project (details supplied), and with many older people needing to refit their bathrooms on health and safety grounds to the HSE-required standard to include accessible showers, toilets and grab rails as part of their long term needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54096/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Duncan Smith

205. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the issue surrounding the retirement of prison officers and Garda officers who are on a post-April 1995 pension, who are required to sign up for job seekers benefit for nine months following retirement from their respective services to receive their supplementary pension; if he plans to amends this so these workers receive their supplementary pension immediately when they retire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53407/23]