Parliamentary questions

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

292. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the status of the establishment of a high level taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of persons interacting with the criminal justice system; the way a person can become a part of this taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38337/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

327. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a person who lives outside of the CHO areas chosen for pilot sites in relation to the model of care adults accessing talk therapies will have access to the programme; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30953/21]

Health Services

Mark Ward

350. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the person or body that is responsible for the establishment of the national psychology placement office; and the reason the office is still not in operation. [31014/21]

Health Service Executive

Mark Ward

351. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE is still not funding counselling and educational psychology doctoral courses in line with clinical psychology doctoral courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/21]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

353. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the person who is the clinical lead in the HSE for dual diagnosis; the length of time they have been in situ; if an overview will be provided of their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/21]

Health Service Executive

Mark Ward

356. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of respite for a person (details supplied). [31102/21]

Mental Health Commission

Mark Ward

67. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the report by the Mental Health Commission (details supplied) that states the highest number of applications to involuntarily detain persons that came from An Garda Síochána; the training that is in place; the interaction his Department has had with the Department of Justice on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36579/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

70. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comprehensive report into the progress in obtaining surge capacity in private mental health facilities as agreed by the passing in Dáil Éireann of the Mental Health Surge Capacity motion. [28332/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mark Ward

263. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if the wage subsidy scheme will be tapered to allow for businesses that record varying profits which may take them just under the expected 30% reduction in turnover; and the outcome for businesses that record a 29% reduction at the end of the period with regards to the scheme. [37219/21]

Financial Services

Mark Ward

273. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if lifetime loans offered to senior citizens can be regulated in order that they can be capped or the recipient can have the option to pay off the loan within their lifetime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37576/21]

Direct Provision System

Mark Ward

481. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports available for a person residing in direct provision who is suffering with mental health difficulties that make living in close proximity with other residents difficult for the person and to the other residents; and if more suitable accommodation can be secured in such cases. [37193/21]

Domestic Violence

Mark Ward

502. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be provided for a freephone line for men who are experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37787/21]

Further and Higher Education

Mark Ward

18. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed SOLAS FET funding model of the future for the Youthreach programme will be funded based on the number of students completing the programme with QQI certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36508/21]

Third Level Education

Mark Ward

75. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the €3 million secured in 2020 to underpin well-being and mental health and student services in higher education institutions was spent; the way it was administered; and the services provided by this funding. [36509/21]

An Garda Síochána

Mark Ward

97. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice her views on the report by the Mental Health Commission (details supplied) that states the highest number of applications to involuntarily detain persons that came from An Garda Síochána; the training that is in place; the interaction her Department has had with the Department of Health on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36578/21]

Departmental Projects

Mark Ward

102. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to restructure the community safety forums, the local policing forums and the joint policing committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36511/21]

Hospital Procedures

Mark Ward

170. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of psychosurgery procedures that were carried out by the HSE in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30508/21]

Health Service Executive

Mark Ward

496. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the moneys returned unspent to the Exchequer from the HSE ophthalmic health budget per year between 2017-2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29690/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

497. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an estimated costing for the expansion of psychology teams by ten full-time psychologists specialising in adult services, ten full-time psychologists specialising in children and adolescent services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29691/21]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

498. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of pay restoration for section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29692/21]

Health Service Executive

Mark Ward

499. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the moneys returned unspent to the Exchequer from the HSE CAMHS budget per year between 2017-2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29693/21]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Mark Ward

368. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if information will be provided on egg freezing for women who have had a cancer diagnosis specifically those who will need to have a hysterectomy due to recurrent cancer; and if there are any provisions to assist with the financial cost of same. [28433/21]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Mark Ward

369. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on an article in the (details supplied) stating that the HSE was planning to provide a new fertility preservation service for both male and female cancer patients and the HSE was seeking information from potential service providers before launching formal procurement; the status of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28434/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mark Ward

461. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when persons living in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29139/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mark Ward

462. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when staff working in direct provision centres are due to be vaccinated given that they are living in places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [29140/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

175. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when indoor community education services can reopen; and the number of persons that will be able to attend. [28203/21]

Blood Donations

Mark Ward

196. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if persons who are vaccinated who donate blood have the brand of vaccine recorded on the donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27061/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

277. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 12 May 2021, the reason the medical card threshold for over 70’s is not given to those at retirement age. [28091/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

289. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when gaming arcades will be permitted to open under the current restrictions. [28208/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mark Ward

303. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when the prison population is due to be vaccinated given prisoners are living in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [28246/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mark Ward

304. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health when prison staff are due be vaccinated given prisons are living places in which persons are in close proximity with each other and mostly in an indoor setting. [28247/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

451. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a person who has not received a Covid-19 vaccine can request blood from a non-vaccinated person; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27063/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

465. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if persons who are vaccinated against Covid-19 are required to wait a period of time, for example, days, weeks or months before donating blood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

466. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a person receiving a blood donation that has been vaccinated will receive blood from a person who has had the same vaccine product; if not, if the blood transfusion service or HSE has checked for adverse reactions in a client who has received blood resulting from a mixture of different vaccine products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27062/21]

Ambulance Service

Mark Ward

494. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of public ambulances available in the Dublin area in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26802/21]

Housing Provision

Mark Ward

25. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a social housing passport will be introduced that will allow persons on social housing waiting lists to change local authority without losing time on the list. [33612/21]

Housing Provision

Mark Ward

90. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person who goes over the income threshold to be eligible for social housing whilst living in homeless accommodation such as a family hub provided by the local authority, will be removed from the social housing waiting list as a result. [33611/21]

Housing Provision

Mark Ward

217. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authority new housing builds that have included a social clause that will encourage local employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29841/21]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

404. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the status of the recruitment process in relation to the new development fund for the recruitment of 2,000 frontline primary care staff; if recruitment has commenced; the number of persons employed from this fund to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/21]

Defibrillators Provision

Mark Ward

68. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it will be made a requirement for defibrillators to be placed in all sports organisations to ensure the greatest chance of survival from sudden cardiac death; and if resources will be provided to such organisations to meet this requirement. [33329/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mark Ward

78. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that are in place to sustain the live music sector at present. [29842/21]

Rail Network

Mark Ward

60. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed extension of the LUAS line to Lucan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31711/21]

Rail Network

Mark Ward

92. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed extension of the DART to Lucan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31712/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

732. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the details of the requirements for teachers to wear masks in a primary school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30944/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

733. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the exemptions for teachers not to have to wear masks in a primary school setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30945/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

734. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the appeal process for teachers who have medical evidence prohibiting them from wearing masks in cases in which this has been overruled by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30946/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mark Ward

62. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that are in place to sustain the events sector at present. [29842/21]

Departmental Policies

Mark Ward

136. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice her plans to invest the profits on crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau back into the communities most affected by crime. [29839/21]

An Garda Síochána

Mark Ward

150. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the plans in place or being considered to provide a multi-agency mental health crisis de-escalation team that will include gardaí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29840/21]

Environmental Policy

Mark Ward

131. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason he has not proceeded with a ban on the importation of fracked gas and has instead issued a policy statement citing the fact that the advice of the Attorney General is that a ban would be against EU law (details supplied). [29385/21]

Departmental Budgets

Mark Ward

419. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from her Department’s budget in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29597/21]

Departmental Budgets

Mark Ward

420. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from her Department and the NCSE assistive technology grant budget in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29605/21]

Education Schemes

Mark Ward

421. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of full-time visiting teachers for the visually impaired by region, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29606/21]

Education Schemes

Mark Ward

422. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if an accurate costing will be provided for the expansion of the visiting teacher service by five full-time posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29607/21]

Departmental Budgets

Mark Ward

461. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection the funds returned unspent to the Exchequer from her Department’s budget in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29595/21]

Departmental Reports

Mark Ward

462. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the current status of the Cost of Disability report; the timeline for the publication of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29596/21]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

30. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a report on the access to disability services for children in CHO7. [28060/21]

Child and Family Agency

Mark Ward

36. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Tusla counselling grant awarded to secondary schools will be increased to facilitate the number of students seeking counselling within secondary schools (details supplied). [28061/21]

Departmental Programmes

Mark Ward

306. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the community service programme is open to new applicants; and if so, the process for a community group to apply for funding. [29028/21]

Departmental Funding

Mark Ward

10. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports his Department provides to a club (details supplied); and if multi-annual funding for this community service will be provided. [26949/21]

Trade Agreements

Mark Ward

57. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement his Department has had with regard to the economic and sustainability impact assessment of the Mercosur trade agreement. [26981/21]

Education and Training Provision

Mark Ward

105. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the safe-pass course has been delivered during Covid-19 restrictions; the roadmap for delivery as restrictions ease; if the cost to the participant has increased; and if so, if costs will be returned to pre-pandemic rates. [27046/21]

Education and Training Provision

Mark Ward

117. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been an increase in the cost for participants in the safe pass course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27045/21]

School Enrolments

Mark Ward

138. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans to increase the capacity and the number of pupils enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26761/21]

School Enrolments

Mark Ward

139. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is expected to increase the number of new pupils enrolling; if so, when this is expected to happen; the infrastructure her Department will provide; when it will be in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26762/21]

School Enrolments

Mark Ward

140. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education when a school (details supplied) will be provided with two special educational needs classrooms and three general purpose classrooms that was previously agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26771/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Mark Ward

162. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied). [27050/21]

Child and Family Agency

Mark Ward

165. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Tusla counselling grant awarded to a school (details supplied) can be substantially increased to facilitate the number of students seeking counselling within the school. [26806/21]

Health Services

Mark Ward

628. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the status of the establishment of a high level taskforce in relation to mental health and addiction challenges for persons interacting with the criminal justice system; the details of same; when it will be rolled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26282/21]

Driver Test

Mark Ward

193. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be able to sit their driver theory test. [25228/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

231. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the rationale for differentiating between pensioners under 70 and those over 70 years of age for medical card eligibility. [24811/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

232. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the reason a person who has retired after being on disability allowance loses their eligibility for a medical card. [24812/21]

Medical Cards

Mark Ward

233. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a review will be carried in relation to the case of a person (details supplied) who was on disability allowance until being transferred to a pension subsequently losing their eligibility for the medical card. [24813/21]

Sport Ireland

Mark Ward

291. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of delivering One Good Coach, conducted by Sport Ireland to all sporting organisations affiliated to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24047/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

752. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to not counting fully vaccinated wedding guests in the 25 guest limit which is due to be introduced in June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23990/21]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Mark Ward

762. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of employing a dual diagnosis team to consist of a substance misuse counsellor and psychiatric nurse in each drug and alcohol service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24040/21]

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Mark Ward

763. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing cross sectoral training for dual diagnosis for all existing staff in each drug and alcohol service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24041/21]

Ambulance Service

Mark Ward

764. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of purchasing nine ambulances including staff consisting of a driver and psychiatric nurse to provide a crisis de-escalating team in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/21]

Eating Disorders

Mark Ward

765. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to honour the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide specialist eating disorder teams in each CHO area including inpatient services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/21]

Sport Ireland

Mark Ward

766. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering mental health first aid training to all sporting organisations affiliated to Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/21]

Sport Ireland

Mark Ward

767. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing Safe Talk to all national governing body sporting organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/21]

Sport Ireland

Mark Ward

768. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to providing ASIST suicide prevention training to all sporting organisations affiliated to Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24046/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

769. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the increased capacity required to clear current waiting list for mental health counselling at primary care for adult services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

770. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the increased capacity required to clear current waiting list for mental health counselling at primary care for child and adolescent services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24049/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

771. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to deliver Safe Talk training to all existing teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24050/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

772. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering ASIST training to all existing teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24051/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

773. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to deliver mental health first aid training to all existing teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24052/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

774. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of reappointing a national director for mental health for a one year basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24053/21]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

775. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of filling all current vacancies for psychologists in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24054/21]

Health Services Staff

Mark Ward

776. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of filling all vacancies for psychiatrists in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

777. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering Safe Talk training to all gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24056/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

778. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering ASIST training to all gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/21]

Mental Health Guidelines

Mark Ward

779. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of delivering mental health first aid training to all gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24058/21]

Maternity Services

Mark Ward

780. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an inpatient perinatal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24059/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

784. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the CHO areas which have been selected as a pilot site for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24073/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

785. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if CHO7 is one of the pilot sites for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; if so, the location of the three general adult community mental health teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24074/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

786. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the criteria used in choosing the pilot sites for the implementation of the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24075/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

787. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the expected date for the first person to access talk therapy using the scheme in relation to the model of care, adults accessing talking therapies while attending specialist mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24076/21]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

788. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of creating an IT dual diagnosis care plan system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mark Ward

849. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if his Department gave advice to a person (details supplied) setting dates for the celebration of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24344/21]