Parliamentary questions

Road Safety

Neasa Hourigan

24. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on progress since November 2022 on the implementation of red light cameras across the road traffic network and the stated commitment to further develop camera-based enforcement by An Garda Síochána, including at junctions and for management of bus and cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20239/23]

Flood Risk Management

Neasa Hourigan

154. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department still supports the statement in the environmental impact assessment report to the River Bride (Blackpool) certified drainage scheme that flooding in Blackpool is primarily fluvial; if restricting the river channel in Blackpool by constructing hard flood defences will also restrict pluvial flow; if the scheme has been designed to meet the risks presented by pluvial flooding events, such as that of October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21395/23]

Departmental Bodies

Neasa Hourigan

177. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if delays in An Bord Pleanála may affect projects under the Cork area commuter rail programme in meeting deadlines for European and other funding opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20862/23]

Local Authorities

Neasa Hourigan

201. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the funding framework to reimburse local authorities for the proposed reduction in development fees; the percentage amount of reimbursement; the timeline for implementation, as it aligns with the implementation of the reduction of development fees; the budget line under which this will be included in the local government Vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20229/23]

Housing Schemes

Neasa Hourigan

208. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20271/23]

Data Protection

Neasa Hourigan

282. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if his Department has consulted the Data Protection Commissioner or carried out a data protection impact assessment in relation to the property marking scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

449. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reason minutes of a meeting from February 2023 of the HSE Board's Safety and Quality Committee, at which the closure of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton was discussed, had not yet been published as of 25 April 2023; when the minutes of the meeting will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20584/23]

Library Services

Neasa Hourigan

487. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the guidance provided by her Department to local authorities in relation to public library membership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20448/23]

Consular Services

Neasa Hourigan

131. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has intervened in the case of a person (details supplied) with the Greek government or through any other diplomatic channel, given that criminal charges brought against them and 23 other volunteers and aid workers by the Greek government, have been condemned by several human rights organisations as politically motivated, and carry severe prison sentences if upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19466/23]

Bus Services

Neasa Hourigan

182. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport when the pilot bus service identified in the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report, and scheduled to commence in quarter 1 of 2022 will commence; if the issue around access though the Cabra gate for any such bus has been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/23]

Tax Credits

Neasa Hourigan

213. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the single-person child carer credit in Budget 2024, in line with the €150 increase to the married person or civil partner credit in Budget 2023; if consideration is being given to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19106/23]

Tax Credits

Neasa Hourigan

214. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of increasing the single-person child carer credit by €75, €100 or €150 respectively. [19107/23]

Tax Credits

Neasa Hourigan

215. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider equivalising the tax rate for recipients of the single-person child carer credit with the two-adult single-earner household rate; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of equivalising these two rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19108/23]

Tax Credits

Neasa Hourigan

216. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the number of people in receipt of the single-person child carer credit. [19109/23]

Direct Provision System

Neasa Hourigan

280. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the number of individuals currently residing in direct provision centres that are enrolled in primary and post-primary education respectively. [19556/23]

Direct Provision System

Neasa Hourigan

489. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of minors currently residing in direct provision centres across the State. [19555/23]

Direct Provision System

Neasa Hourigan

490. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the procedures in place to ensure minors residing in direct provision centres are enrolled in education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19557/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

536. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his views on the In Sickness and in Debt Report relating to the administration of the treatment abroad scheme, the EU cross-Border directive scheme and the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme; his plans to implement its recommendations; his plans to promote and advertise the use of these schemes to help alleviate waiting lists for medical procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19073/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

596. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health in what context and by whom was the Board of the Mental Health Commission informed that some residents of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton were "happy to move from the Owenacurra Centre and are satisfied with where they have been moved to", as stated in a letter from the Chairperson to a current resident dated 24 March 2023 and as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) on 17 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19458/23]

Mental Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

597. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 170 of 9 February 2022, how the HSE's Capital Plan for Cork residential mental health services can be in accordance with either the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities or the HSE's own Model of Care for People with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness and Complex Needs when it involves replacement of facilities for 'continuing care' residents on the grounds of St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire and St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork, as opposed to the further development of community-integrated services for this cohort of service-users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

598. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the projected time-frame for the re-opening of Millfield House, Cork to residents with severe and enduring mental health difficulties; the estimated costs associated with renovations planned for Millfield House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Neasa Hourigan

599. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on renovations planned for the Carraig Mór intensive care mental health facility in Cork in particular, a projected timeframe for the completion of works and projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19461/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

600. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of any enforcement actions the Mental Health Commission may have taken against the HSE as part of its oversight of the Owenacurra Centre closure, including dates of the actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19462/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

601. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission has concerns about the provision of three community mental health residence placements in east Cork and the apparent lack of progress on appointing a development team to appraise options for a new ten-bed service in Midleton, eleven months after this team was announced as being formed by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the reasons the Mental Health Commission has declined a request from the Oireachtas Health Committee to comment on the provision of community residential mental health placement serving the combined HSE catchments of the Cobh/Glenville and Midleton/Youghal adult mental health teams with respect to allocations set out in A Vision for Change when the Mental Health Commission reviewed such services nationally in 2019 and benchmarked those provisions against A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19464/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the precise obligations of the HSE in respect of residents of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton in respect of the closure of that service, and the obligations of the Mental Health Commission as an oversight body; whether each entity has fulfilled their obligations to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19465/23]

Departmental Data

Neasa Hourigan

604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people with severe and enduring mental health difficulties under the care of the Cobh/Glenville and Midleton/Youghal adult mental health teams who have been transferred to continuing care or high support hostels outside those HSE catchments since June 2021; the number of people in this cohort of service-users within those HSE catchments who have been transferred in the same time-frame to nursing-homes, either within those HSE catchments or outside them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19467/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

606. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans to update its GMS contract policies around doctors providing locum services, particularly around hourly locum rates and doctors' eligibility to locum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19477/23]

Healthcare Policy

Neasa Hourigan

607. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the advice currently provided by his Department to maternity units on best practice inpatient partner supports nationwide; the oversight of those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

608. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeline on the reopening of the Midwest home birth scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19483/23]

Healthcare Policy

Neasa Hourigan

609. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progression and the timeline for the establishment of a Commission on Care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/23]

Healthcare Policy

Neasa Hourigan

610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide information on the commencement and funding of the Model of Care for Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19485/23]

Departmental Data

Neasa Hourigan

611. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline data gathering undertaken from 2020-2023 inclusive on levels of mental health difficulties amongst older cohorts by either the HSE or his Department; the data gathering that is planned for 2023-2024; and if he will make data on this issue publicly available. [19486/23]

Health Promotion

Neasa Hourigan

612. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his work on the development of an Action Plan on Loneliness, committed to in the Programme for Government, the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and the Healthy Ireland Strategic Plan; if he will outline timelines for the publication of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19487/23]

Departmental Strategies

Neasa Hourigan

613. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to the National Positive Ageing Strategy from 2016 to 2023, inclusive; if he will outline the targets that have completed, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19488/23]

Departmental Consultations

Neasa Hourigan

278. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the first home scheme and the right to first refusal for a tenant whose landlord wants to sell their rental home, if he is aware of the exact number of property owners who are prevented from selling their properties to a health board, local authority, housing authority or government agency due to a clause in their lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18789/23]

Energy Conservation

Neasa Hourigan

169. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the financial support available for community organisations, such as charities and community centres, to get an energy audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/23]

Defence Forces

Neasa Hourigan

230. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he can provide a copy of the contract for the five-year military medicine training programme, which also covers the three-year service commitment expected of individuals who complete this training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17692/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

234. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the level of budget expenditure Ireland incurred as a result of Ireland's membership of PESCO, in each of the years 2017 to 2022, respectively; and the proposed funding for 2023. [17993/23]

Electric Vehicles

Neasa Hourigan

255. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 23 March 2023, if vehicles ordered prior to July 2023 but not received by customers until after this date due to supply chain delays will remain eligible for €5,000 relief; if specific provisions will be made to account for these supply issues in advance of the electric vehicle grant amount reducing to €3,500 in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16640/23]

Flood Risk Management

Neasa Hourigan

438. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Blackpool flood relief scheme in Cork; if revised plans are being prepared; if a date has been agreed for further public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/23]

Departmental Strategies

Neasa Hourigan

721. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022–2027 Implementation Plan will be published; the reason for the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16662/23]

Departmental Funding

Neasa Hourigan

772. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected funding for Marine Protected Areas in 2023 and 2024; if any funding has been allocated or spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17009/23]

Environmental Policy

Neasa Hourigan

773. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline his plans to effectively manage, monitor and enforce marine protected areas, MPAs, as they increase from the current 8.3% spatial coverage to 30% coverage of Irish waters by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17021/23]

Departmental Funding

Neasa Hourigan

774. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether the current spend on marine protected areas is sufficient to meet monitoring and enforcement needs; his plans to increase funding to ensure effective management matches Ireland’s commitment to protect 30% of its waters by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17022/23]

Housing Policy

Neasa Hourigan

802. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to abolish the build-to-rent apartment standards. [17350/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1093. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a dead greyhound being eaten by wildlife was found at a registered greyhound premises in Kilkenny in mid-March 2023; the reason four of the remaining dogs who were seized at this premises were accepted for racing and trialling at the SIS race meeting at Kilkenny greyhound track within the previous eight days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16974/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1127. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Rásaíocht Con Éireann's total expenditure on Youghal Greyhound Stadium for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down into operational expenditure and capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17419/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1128. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the terms and duration of the temporary contract agreed between Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the operators of Youghal Greyhound Stadium effective from 1 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1129. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the nature of any financial commitments made by Rásaíocht Con Éireann to the continued operation of Youghal Greyhound Stadium, including any capital expenditure after 1 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17421/23]