Parliamentary questions

Official Engagements

Neasa Hourigan

40. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had with his UK counterparts in relation to the proposed development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea; if he engaged with them on the affect such fossil fuel expansion would have on their legally binding commitment to net zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/23]

Rail Network

Neasa Hourigan

304. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the opening of Kishoge train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38009/23]

Transport Policy

Neasa Hourigan

385. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce an offence to idle a car engine unnecessarily when stationary and/or to introduce a public awareness campaign to reduce idling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38700/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

448. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the bike-to-work scheme to those who are self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37920/23]

Public Parks

Neasa Hourigan

525. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Office of Public Works plans to refurbish the vacant public toilets on Infirmary Road, Dublin 7 overlooking the children’s playground at the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37911/23]

Departmental Meetings

Neasa Hourigan

526. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on engagements he has had with the Department of Justice in relation to the restoration of barrister fees under the criminal justice (legal aid) scheme following FEMPI cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/23]

Public Parks

Neasa Hourigan

529. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has given consideration to providing free, sports-equipment-sharing lockers in the Phoenix Park (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38130/23]

Departmental Policies

Neasa Hourigan

650. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the initiatives under her Department to assist schools in supporting sustainable practices, including but not limited to the re-homing of materials such as furniture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38181/23]

Proposed Legislation

Neasa Hourigan

807. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill 2022; the timeline for the establishment of a short-term tourist letting register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39085/23]

Proposed Legislation

Neasa Hourigan

808. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the short-term tourist letting Bill to complete its First Stage in Dáil Éireann. [39094/23]

Seanad Elections

Neasa Hourigan

894. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reform the Seanad Éireann electoral system to allow all university graduates to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38075/23]

Housing Policy

Neasa Hourigan

897. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review upwards the €126,000 limit imposed by clause 80(1)(k) of S.I. No. 600/2001 - Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 on Local Authority Works projects requiring a Part 8 process; if he plans to index this amount to inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38137/23]

Fire Safety

Neasa Hourigan

898. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when he will establish the remediation scheme to provide emergency funding for the interim measures outlined in the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/23]

Road Traffic Accidents

Neasa Hourigan

1088. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice when the review of procedures in relation to the sharing of collision data as referenced in Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 25 July 2023, commenced; when that review is expected to complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37424/23]

Legal Aid

Neasa Hourigan

1132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on her plans to restore fees, arising from the FEMPI cuts, for barristers under the criminal justice (legal aid) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37960/23]

Antisocial Behaviour

Neasa Hourigan

1148. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the engagements she has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the escalating antisocial and violent behaviour in Dublin; if additional funding has been sought to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38190/23]

Forestry Sector

Neasa Hourigan

1288. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to move away from large-scale monoculture of fast-growing species such as sitka spruce towards mixed, diverse forestry, with a wider range of forest types such as short rotation, longer rotations, agroforestry and semi-wild; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38050/23]

Animal Welfare

Neasa Hourigan

1305. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the investigation launched into the alleged breaches in animal welfare regulations at cattle marts and during the live export of calves made by a recent television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1328. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received a new Strategic Plan from Greyhound Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39049/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers required to ensure BreastCheck screenings take place every two years for those who are eligible; how many radiographers currently work for BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether it is possible for the BreastCheck programme to provide screening to the eligible population every two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were eligible for participation in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form, even if they did not respond to an invitation for screening. [37665/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1605. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were invited for screening; the number of people who attended screening; and the number of people who were referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37666/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1606. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37667/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1607. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in BreastCheck for an individual person referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37668/23]

Hospital Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1608. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of filled genetic counsellor posts in the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital; how this compares with international standards; whether any recruitment challenges exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37669/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1609. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current grants being paid to medical card holders for wigs and hairpieces, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37670/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current prosthesis and bra entitlements for those who have had breast cancer surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37671/23]

Care Services

Neasa Hourigan

1677. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of beds provided in public residential centres and also contracted by the HSE in private nursing homes designated for respite care in each of the years 2017 to 2022. [37988/23]

Care Services

Neasa Hourigan

1678. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of respite care centres in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2022. [37989/23]

Dental Services

Neasa Hourigan

1680. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the Dentists Act 1985 to allow dental hygienists to work independently rather than under the prescription of a dentist by eliminating the mandatory referral from a dentist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38002/23]

Alcohol Advertising

Neasa Hourigan

1757. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the provisions of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 to prohibit marketing of zero-alcohol products that share the same branding, logos and colours as their parent alcoholic counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38396/23]

Medicinal Products

Neasa Hourigan

1792. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure batches of botulinum toxin products destined for either non-medical use (i.e. aesthetic purposes) or medical use are identified as such by applicants for animal testing project authorisations and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, in order to ensure accurate harm-benefit analyses and evaluations of proposed projects to test such products on animals under Directive 2010/63/EU and SI No.543 of 2012 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38617/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Neasa Hourigan

1801. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); the engagements he has had with a named organisation in relation to the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38680/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1802. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of the hereditary cancer model of care for individuals with BRCA gene alterations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38683/23]

Mental Health Commission

Neasa Hourigan

1819. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline future staff and funding priorities and plans for the Mental Health Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38764/23]

Departmental Schemes

Neasa Hourigan

81. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a further round of the circular economy innovation grant scheme is expected; and if so, when a call for applications will open. [36136/23]

Road Traffic Accidents

Neasa Hourigan

229. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the raw data on personal injury road collisions for use by the research community as is provided in other jurisdictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

1155. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 707 of 27 June 2023, if he will provide the public procurement rules that allow a tree-removal company which has been offered a substantial commercial contract by a State entity to remove 70 trees from Merlin Woods, Galway can have its identity concealed under the pretext of protecting its privacy rights; the name of the contractor; if an independent arborist assessment was carried out; if so, the name of that company or individual; the names of the other contractors who offered quotes for the works and the sums involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35902/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1156. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 664 of 20 June 2023, his plans to address the fact that 33% of HSE employees responding to the most recent 'Your Opinion Counts' staff survey report that they have experienced bullying or harassment by a senior colleague when basic data is not maintained by the organisation regarding number of grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees or wait-times for hearings; how HSE employees facing the daunting prospect of such grievance and dignity at work cases can be protected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35903/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown, by CHO for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, the legal costs incurred by the HSE for legal advice and/or representation on grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35904/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1158. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either, in cases where HSE staff members of equal rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35905/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1159. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either party, in cases where HSE staff members of different rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35906/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1160. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health how the HSE decides whether it will cover legal costs for an employee involved in a grievance or dignity at work case, either as a plaintiff or a defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35907/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1161. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the legal costs incurred by the HSE in 2021, 2022 and 2023 involving grievance or dignity at work cases taken by employees against other HSE employees; the percentage of cases where the HSE covered the costs of the plaintiff in each year; the percentage of cases where it covered the costs of the defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35908/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neasa Hourigan

1162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 8 December 2022, how he can reconcile a commitment to providing support to healthcare workers unable to return to work due to severe long-Covid symptoms with a continued impasse in negotiations involving his Department with trade unions on the pay arrangement for such workers, who risked their health at critical stages of the pandemic to carry out essential work, and who are facing financial insecurity as well as a chronic and debilitating health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35909/23]

Schools Building Projects

Neasa Hourigan

361. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if the hall at a school (details supplied) can be returned to school use by September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34785/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

398. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current funding commitments of the Creative Climate Action II: Agents of Change Programme, a joint initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34815/23]

Youth Services

Neasa Hourigan

610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to publish the process to determine the number of applicants to be assigned to each county as outlined in a whitepaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/23]

Emergency Accommodation

Neasa Hourigan

611. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to publish a breakdown of the number of bed spaces in IPAS accommodation provided by the private sector through the tender process, accommodation provided by the private sector through emergency accommodation, and State-owned accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34783/23]