Parliamentary questions

Grant Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

241. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason the hair and beauty sector that are primarily small businesses in the retail sector, have been excluded from the second payment of the increased cost of business grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24907/24]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

399. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that Uisce Éireann’s delivery programme has been truncated because of inflation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25010/24]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

400. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is going to increase Uisce Éireann’s budget to account for inflation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25012/24]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

401. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in light of water quality reports and need for sewage treatment plants upgrade and new builds due to extra housing, he will increase the budget that is required for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25014/24]

Water Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

402. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if future infrastructural projects that are required to accommodate the housing that is required are properly funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25015/24]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

679. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the procedures used for the allocation of beds in the cancer care centre at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24638/24]

Hospital Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

680. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to urgently remediate the systemic problem at the cancer care centre at University Hospital Galway, where patients are regularly experiencing delays in cancer treatment, to fulfil its mandate to operate as a centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24639/24]

Nursing Homes

Michael Fitzmaurice

732. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when he intends to conduct a review in respect of the extra funding that is required for private nursing homes to keep their doors open with many closing as they struggle with business costs,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24908/24]

Home Care Packages

Michael Fitzmaurice

848. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding drawn down for the complex needs homecare package in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25353/24]

Home Care Packages

Michael Fitzmaurice

849. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the percentage of funding drawn down in 2023 for the complex needs homecare package, out of the overall budget for the complex needs homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/24]

Home Care Packages

Michael Fitzmaurice

850. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding used in County Galway in 2023 for the complex needs homecare package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/24]

Public Sector Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

151. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of vacant TAO and SAO positions; the breakdown of same across the divisions per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/24]

Public Sector Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

152. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAO and SAO that have currently applied to retire in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24370/24]

Public Sector Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

153. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of current TAO and SAO employed in each division per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/24]

Road Projects

Michael Fitzmaurice

158. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has instructed Transport Infrastructure Ireland to withhold funding for overlay of national roads or national secondary roads in counties Mayo, Galway and Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/24]

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Michael Fitzmaurice

159. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport the budget for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24042/24]

Road Projects

Michael Fitzmaurice

160. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport if funding has been withdrawn from Transport Infrastructure Ireland by his Department for the three road projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/24]

Road Projects

Michael Fitzmaurice

161. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport if the budget has been cut to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for overlay works on national roads and national secondary roads countrywide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

130. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D will be removed; if so, when this is proposed to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23363/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

131. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the exemption to the waste recovery levy for C and D is coming to an end, how much per tonne will be charged on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23364/24]

Waste Management

Michael Fitzmaurice

132. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what is proposed for 2025/2026 for waste recovery levy for C and D; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23365/24]

International Protection

Michael Fitzmaurice

518. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm that a number of buildings in Castlerea, County Roscommon are to be used to house international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22626/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

629. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of Guillain-Barré syndrome cases in Ireland from 2018 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22872/24]

Healthcare Policy

Michael Fitzmaurice

630. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is planning to introduce a vaccine injury fund similar to other countries in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22873/24]

Disability Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

232. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in developing a procurement framework for disability home support; if he is still on target to develop and agree this by quarter of 2024, as per the HSE National Service Plan 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22154/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Fitzmaurice

245. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the waiting list for home support for each month in 2024, in each CHO and LHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22151/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Fitzmaurice

246. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time in CHO 2 for those approved for home support and waiting for services to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22152/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Fitzmaurice

247. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of people in CHO 2 currently waiting for home support for longer than three months; the number of people waiting for longer than six, longer than 12 and longer than 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22153/24]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if a locum GP will be put in place at a health centre (details supplied) to cover a departure; what plans are in place for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22175/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Fitzmaurice

397. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify if a person (details supplied) over 65 and on over-65 jobseeker’s benefit, not having to actively seek employment and at home on a full-time basis, would be entitled to carer’s support grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21225/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

411. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was aware of recent price increases in horse passport registration fees by Horse Sport Ireland; if he has any role in setting prices for foal passports; if he can reverse the decision of the HSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024; if he will publish the respective bid tenders received in the public interest from bidders in the marketing of the Irish sport horse industry contract awarded in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168 of 6 March 2024, and 1052 of 20 March 2024, if he will confirm the nature and terms of an exit agreement entered into by Horse Sport Ireland in January 2022 with a named individual (details supplied); confirm if his Department paid the costs of such an exit agreement; to provide the full costs of such exit agreement, referred to as “goodbye money”; provide the breakdown of any associated other costs to conclude the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to name the management and delivery team members named in each tender submission received by his Department in April 2022 from bidders seeking the marketing contracts from his Department for the marketing of the horse sport industry (details supplied); to provide the names and qualifications of each member of the teams involved in each bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

415. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any entity funded by his Department has developed a marketing plan for the promotion of the Irish horse sport industry; if such a plan exists, the duration of the plan; those consulted in the formulation of the plan by his Department or third parties; and if he will publish such a plan on the Department website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

416. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Irish Horse Board since 1 January 2023 in either employment or contract for service roles; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

417. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Horse Sport Ireland on 1 January 2022 in either employment or contract for service roles in the marketing of the Irish horse sport industry; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

418. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, to confirm the names of panel members involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, equine breeding services and studbook tenders offer by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, the recorded or registered conflicts of interests declared by each panel member and official involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, breeding services and studbook tenders received by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

420. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, with respect to evaluation of three tenders for marketing services for the horse sport industry, national equine breeding services and studbook operations for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Studbooks, the steps he took to ensure that he was “satisfied that all panel members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of procurement procedure”; if he reassured himself that no panel member applied personally or professionally to the incumbent the Horse Sport Ireland for funding in any of the five years prior to tender evaluation; if he reassured himself that no panel member or their extended family members registered or owned horses registered with the incumbent; if he reassured himself that no panel member or officials involved in any of the review stages held personal relationships with any prospective bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

258. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if all front-line workers are covered by the same criteria to qualify for the long-Covid payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19282/24]

School Textbooks

Michael Fitzmaurice

361. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education the reason schools under the education and training boards, ETB, will be required to purchase junior cycle text books directly from the central national framework leaving small/medium sized book shops in the local areas unable to quote and win business having previously supplied families in the past; if she will consider allowing these small/medium businesses to quote for these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19435/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Fitzmaurice

439. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Social Protection with reference to the Departmental contract with An Post, if her Department has put in a penalty clause on any welfare overpayment, given it was always paid back by postmasters who are now being informed of a €500 penalty per overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18824/24]

Departmental Staff

Michael Fitzmaurice

57. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of employees employed by his Department at the end of 2022 and at the end of 2023; the current numbers for 2024; if there is an embargo on recruitment in his Department at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

220. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if, in light of the announcement of the proposed changes to mandatory retirement age in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the Irish Prison Service, he can confirm when these changes will come into effect; if the new legislation will include changes to post-1995 pensions in the public sector which may allow retired staff to work in another job without losing their entitlement to a supplementary pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18006/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

496. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Department can provide a table of afforestation applications received in January 2024 and every month since; if they could send it monthly excluding NTA and felling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Fitzmaurice

497. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, due to the collapse in the number of new afforestation enquiries that the industry is receiving from landowners and farmers, if he will now meet with stakeholders to make the necessary changes to the forestry programme to better suit Ireland and promote industry expansion. [17990/24]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

591. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that approximately 15 retired GPs over the age of 72 unhesitatingly responded to the pleas of the HSE to remain in their posts, given the critical shortage of family doctors in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17445/24]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Fitzmaurice

592. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the appreciation of the State for the doctors who deferred retirement, giving up a good portion of a well-earned retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17446/24]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

593. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the extraordinary situation where it seems to be the case that the primary care reimbursement service, despite contractual obligations, failed to contribute towards these doctors' pensions the agreed 15% of the doctors' monthly capitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/24]