Parliamentary questions

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

557. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of special care places nationwide; the number of children currently on the special care waiting list; how many special care orders are active for children who are not currently able to access special care; what is the plan to tackle the growing waiting list for special care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10189/24]

National Cultural Institutions

Patrick Costello

127. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the proposed national centre for research and remembrance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9191/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Patrick Costello

128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that older applicants for the mother and baby institutions payment scheme are prioritised when the scheme opens as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/24]

Office of Public Works

Patrick Costello

170. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the work being carried out by the OPW in relation to research of burials in Kilmainham Gaol with a view to enabling the future exhumation of these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/24]

Mental Health Policy

Patrick Costello

127. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the reason the understanding and managing adult ADHD programme was not chosen for funding by the HSE for 2024, and what supports he intends to provide to it in its place. [9427/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 30 January 2024, the specific medications and dosages that are commonly prescribed by the National Gender Service for trans women seeking progesterone. [9429/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 14 February 2024, which in particular of the over fifty references in the mentioned interim report are the relevant clinical studies. [9430/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

130. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 317 of 14 February 2024, which specific autism supports are needed by the National Gender Service, and what issues the lack of same leads to. [9431/24]

Foreign Policy

Patrick Costello

57. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what actions Irish diplomatic representatives in Morocco have taken to support the United Nations process and support efforts to bring about a definitive and mutually acceptable political settlement with regard to Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/24]

Foreign Policy

Patrick Costello

59. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will upgrade the diplomatic status of Western Sahara and, if he will establish an Irish diplomatic presence in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/24]

Diplomatic Representation

Patrick Costello

60. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will establish an embassy in Algeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8928/24]

Bus Services

Patrick Costello

105. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport when the new 82 bus route is scheduled to be in place. [8824/24]

Export Controls

Patrick Costello

176. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of companies in Ireland that currently have dual-use export licences, in tabular form; the export value of each company for 2022 and 2023; the details of the products they are producing; and if he can guarantee that none of these components and weapons are being used for the purpose of the taking of human life, either directly or enabling that process. [8923/24]

School Curriculum

Patrick Costello

227. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if she will provide a list of all second level education institutions aided by her Department in which instruction in higher mathematics was provided from another school by video link rather than being provided on-site; the roll number of each school receiving instruction by video link and the school sending instruction by video link, for each school year since 2010, in tabular form. [9172/24]

Public Procurement Contracts

Patrick Costello

329. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will establish an owners' management company (OMC) regulator on an interim non-statutory basis to address conflicts of interest issues where OMCs are still controlled by the original builder-developers and inappropriate procurement practices being used in terms of awarding of contracts and payments being made to directors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8684/24]

Animal Welfare

Patrick Costello

378. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 14 February 2024, if he will acknowledge that the fox hunting codes of practice he referred to do nothing to eliminate the cruelty inherent in the blood sport. [8749/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Patrick Costello

24. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice how her Department plans to address the growing risk of legal deserts in counties with no or single digit trainee solicitors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8309/24]

Departmental Schemes

Patrick Costello

391. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department is aware of suspension of the deaf community from the social inclusion fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8033/24]

Disability Services

Patrick Costello

470. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the imminent risk of closure of WALK’s residential services due to a shortfall in funding from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7415/24]

Broadcasting Sector

Patrick Costello

29. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the Exchequer funding model for public sector broadcasting could operate in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6685/24]

Departmental Reports

Patrick Costello

88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update in relation to the progress of the Mulcahy report; if a memo was brought to Cabinet on this in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/24]

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

126. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education the number of children in residential care who are without a school place, in tabular form; and the reason these children are without a school place. [7071/24]

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

127. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education for a breakdown of children excluded from school, and the reason, for both residential and other types of care. [7072/24]

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education how many section 29 appeals have been taken on behalf of children refused admission in 2023; the results of these appeals; and what educational provision has been made for the children where the appeals have not been upheld. [7074/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

129. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if an EWO been assigned to children currently in State care but excluded from school. [7075/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

130. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education where an EWO has been assigned specifically to residential care, if they work on a case by case basis or if there is a larger strategic plan being implemented for this role; and what are the goals in this special assignment. [7076/24]

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

131. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education in relation to the recently released numbers by TESS relating to prolonged school attendance issues, how many of these children are under Tusla care. [7078/24]

Children in Care

Patrick Costello

172. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if her Department has agreed to a duty of cooperation with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla in the provision of education for children in care, as drafted by the new additions to the Child Care Act 1991. [7077/24]

Animal Welfare

Patrick Costello

260. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce legislation to ban fox, hare and mink hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6777/24]

Disability Services

Patrick Costello

291. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who have been refused admission in 2023 for residential and other types of care, in tabular form; and the reasons they were refused admission . [7073/24]

Children in Care

Patrick Costello

292. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many children currently in special emergency care provision, such as unregulated hotels, are having their education maintained/are in school. [7079/24]

Mental Health Services

Patrick Costello

293. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will include CAMHS under the regulation provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001. [6677/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

310. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 30 January 2024, the risks and benefits of GnRHa alone for adults, and what sort of patients would choose this treatment from the National Gender Services. [6843/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

311. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 525 of 30 January 2024, how many referrals the National Gender Service's referral process triaged as "New Gender Clinic" in 2023. [6844/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

312. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 30 January 2024, if the National Gender Service believes the that use of GnRHa makes cisgender children transgender. [6845/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

313. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 30 January 2024, which clinical studies show that gender non-conforming children largely turn out to be cisgender in adolescence, and if the National Gender Service believe this represents the current best evidence for the outcomes for pre-pubertal transgender children. [6846/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

314. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 30 January 2024, the reason the National Gender Service's endocrine guidelines emphasise that high hormone concentrations elevate the risks of thromboembolic and liver disease. [6847/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

315. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 30 January 2024, why the National Gender Service requires regular hormone concentration blood tests for its own patients given that it listed no harms or benefits for them, and if these could be cut as a cost saving measure. [6848/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

316. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 528 of 30 January 2024, if the National Gender Service is aware that under EU Directive 2011/24, there is no requirement for EU telehealth services to be regulated in Ireland as they are considered to be provided, and thus regulated in the doctor's country. [6849/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

317. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent report (details supplied) that the National Gender Service's waiting list now exceeds a decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6850/24]

Departmental Data

Patrick Costello

218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 68 and 69 of 7 February 2024, in what quarter of 2024 there will be an agreement on the sharing of collision data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6584/24]

Road Safety

Patrick Costello

219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport for a detailed update in relation to the implementation of the actions across the seven safe system priority intervention areas outlined in Phase 1 Action Plan: 2021-2024 of the Road Safety Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6585/24]

Work Permits

Patrick Costello

257. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 7 February 2024, how many applications for a general employment permit for a mechanic role have been submitted in 2023 and 2024; how many have been awarded in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/24]

Broadcasting Sector

Patrick Costello

362. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the Exchequer funding model for public sector broadcasting could operate in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6068/24]

Regeneration Projects

Patrick Costello

388. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will meet with residents of Oliver Bond House and the Robert Emmet Community Development Project in relation to the recent report on respiratory conditions for residents in the complex; and the proposed redevelopment and timeline for the same. [6142/24]

Passport Services

Patrick Costello

132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts made to ensure that Irish passport cards are compatible with e-gates in other European and EEA states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

146. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has been contacted by local authorities interested in acquiring the decommissioned naval vessel, LÉ Éithne, to be turned into a naval or maritime museum; if so, to provide an update on these requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5884/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

147. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department has carried out a feasibility study in relation to proposals to turn the decommissioned naval vessel, LÉ Éithne, into a naval or maritime museum; if so, to provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

148. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update of LÉ Éithne; the stumbling blocks that were identified preventing it being turned into a naval or maritime museum as suggested by many local authorities and port companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5881/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

149. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the future of the decommissioned LÉ Ciara and LÉ Orla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5882/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

150. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline in detail the process that is carried out when considering how to dispose of former naval vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5883/24]

Rental Sector

Patrick Costello

218. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average wait time for a Residential Tenancies Board mediation session after application and the subsequent wait time for a dispute session when mediation ends in no resolution. [5851/24]

Naval Service

Patrick Costello

219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure in the future that historically significant vessels, such as LÉ Éithne and the Naomh Éanna, will be evaluated and feasibility studies carried out by his Department to consider potential heritage options are fully considered before any decisions about their future are made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5886/24]

Planning Issues

Patrick Costello

223. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown in tabular form of the number of staff, and their grade currently, employed within An Bord Pleanála, highlighting if they are employed on a part-time or full-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5935/24]

Planning Issues

Patrick Costello

224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a breakdown in tabular form of the number of vacant staffing positions and their grade within An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5936/24]

International Protection

Patrick Costello

284. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 25 January 2024, if he intends to expand use of section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991 to overcome lack of informed consent which impedes care for a separated child seeking international protection; if his Department is exploring amending provisions related to statutory care orders to give clear policy direction that allows for a separated child seeking international protection to be brought into care in the absence of informed consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5815/24]

Climate Change Policy

Patrick Costello

29. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the timeline for publication of a public consultation on the National Adaptation Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5001/24]

Road Traffic Accidents

Patrick Costello

68. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct the Road Safety Authority to release road safety collision data for the Crumlin Road area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/24]

Road Traffic Accidents

Patrick Costello

69. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to clarify whether the Road Safety Authority is able to release local area-specific collision data, as it has previously been stated that the RSA cannot provide this data due to GDPR concerns, but an alternative view has also been expressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5135/24]

Work Permits

Patrick Costello

146. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will include mechanics on the critical skills given the urgent need to help expedite the roll-out of BusConnects. [5425/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Patrick Costello

261. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a timeline on the referendum on the right to housing. [5228/24]

Housing Provision

Patrick Costello

262. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a timeline on a deposit protection scheme. [5229/24]

Social Welfare Code

Patrick Costello

294. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the minimum income threshold for working people in receipt of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5031/24]

Social Welfare Code

Patrick Costello

295. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the minimum income threshold for people in receipt of disability allowance if their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5032/24]

Social Welfare Code

Patrick Costello

296. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether it is appropriate that persons in receipt of disability allowance can lose their allowance as a result of marriage or cohabitation, thus increasing their reliance on their partner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5033/24]

Social Welfare Code

Patrick Costello

297. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons in receipt of disability allowance to not take into account the cost of their monthly rent when doing disability allowance means test assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5034/24]

International Protection

Patrick Costello

325. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice how her Department evaluates and determines whether a country of origin is deemed to be safe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4988/24]

Bus Services

Patrick Costello

41. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to address the gaps in bus service emerging in the Chapelizod area of Dublin. [4429/24]

Local Authorities

Patrick Costello

167. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of fines issued for dog-fouling in each local authority area in the past ten years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4686/24]

Local Authorities

Patrick Costello

168. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to tackle the scourge of dog fouling across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/24]

School Enrolments

Patrick Costello

255. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education if her Department has completed an assessment of the projected requirement of school places for September 2024 in the Greystones and Kilcoole area of County Wicklow; if those numbers are available; if a plan has been put in place to ensure that every child has a local secondary school place for September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4776/24]

School Transport

Patrick Costello

260. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No.246 of 25 January 2024, if her Department will engage with Dublin Bus in talks to pursue a similar scheme to Bus Éireann to provide free travel for children, given the costs incurred by parents living in the city and the increased benefits in terms of school attendance and reducing private transport use in the city. [4848/24]

Prison Service

Patrick Costello

314. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice how many inspections of the Dóchas Centre have been carried out since 2019 by the Office of Inspector of Prisons; how many reports have been published; how many have not; the nature of any reports not published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4654/24]

Child and Family Agency

Patrick Costello

348. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a list of private residential service providers used by Tusla in 2023. [4746/24]

Control of Dogs

Patrick Costello

392. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of full-time and part-time dog wardens in each local authority area in the past ten years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4688/24]

Dublin Bus

Patrick Costello

20. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the NTA to ensure the Dublin Bus route 74 will serve Crumlin village or, in lieu of this, to expedite the proposed 82 route. [4420/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

71. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has received and examined the report 'Respiratory Health in Oliver Bond House', launched last week; its analysis of the findings of the report and what specific measures his Department is taking (in both the short and long term) to alleviate the negative health consequences of living in Oliver Bond House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

72. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will ensure there is a community centre within the geographic bounds of the regenerated Oliver Bond House complex. [4671/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

73. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will ensure the publication of a report by independent engineers commissioned by DCC in 2021 in relation to conditions in the Oliver Bond House complex. [4672/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

74. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advise whether it would have been possible for Dublin City Council to apply for Stage 2 Approvals recently rather than full Stage 1 approvals in relation to the Oliver Bond House regeneration; and to provide a timeline for the full project. [4673/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

75. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide funding for a housing officer function to be delivered by a local community organisation in relation to the regeneration of the Oliver Bond House complex. [4674/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

131. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of education welfare officers across the State, broken down by local area office, for 2022 and 2023. [4478/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies for education welfare officers across the State, broken down by local area office. [4479/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

133. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children supported by Tusla’s education welfare service in 2022 and 2023, broken down by local area office. [4480/24]

Education Welfare Service

Patrick Costello

134. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of referrals to the education welfare service relating to children in care of the state for 2022 and 2023 broken down by local area office. [4481/24]

Human Rights

Patrick Costello

124. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's position in relation to military operations conducted by the Pakistani state in Balochistan and the alleged human rights abuses being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3642/24]

European Union

Patrick Costello

131. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the specific areas in which Ireland could enact sanctions unilaterally on other countries or individuals, without breaching European Union agreements or legal frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4068/24]

Foreign Policy

Patrick Costello

132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update in relation to Ireland pushing for the EU to impose a travel ban and asset freeze on violent settlers; the reason for the difference between settlers, violent or non-violent, given that Dáil Éireann recognises Israeli settlements as the "de facto annexation" of Palestinian land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4069/24]

Driver Test

Patrick Costello

183. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct the RSA to implement a cancellation list in all of its driving testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/24]

Electric Vehicles

Patrick Costello

195. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 17 January 2024 (details supplied), if the plan referenced includes keeping regular non-rapid charging points which many batteries on older model EVs are not equipped for. [4048/24]

Legislative Measures

Patrick Costello

412. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will conduct a health impact assessment of the proposed sale of alcohol bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3940/24]

Disability Services

Patrick Costello

476. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many vacancies in each of the CDNT teams across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3914/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

523. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the clinical purpose of the National Gender Service having nine adults on GnRHa alone as referenced in a 2022 report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3892/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

524. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the National Gender Service's views on progesterone therapy and the medical literature which underpins this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3893/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

525. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the gender services whose assessment is considered sufficient to avoid having to repeat an initial assessment by the National Gender Service; the number of referrals to the National Gender Service which did not have to repeat an initial assessment in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3894/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

526. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the evidence to support a claim by the National Gender Service on a recent television programme (details supplied) that prior to the use of blockers, most gender non-conforming children through puberty became comfortable with their bodies and assigned gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3895/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

527. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the National Gender Service's views on the exploratory or questioning model of care, as referenced on a recent television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/24]

Health Services

Patrick Costello

528. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the National Gender Service's views on the harms and benefits of monitoring the hormone concentrations of people accessing transgender services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/24]

Middle East

Patrick Costello

31. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs given the latest repeated rejection by the Israeli government of Palestinian statehood and the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu that all territory west of the Jordan River would be under Israeli control, and if the minister will recognise now that state of Palestine. [3226/24]

Energy Policy

Patrick Costello

117. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will amend the energy credit scheme to address the gap where those who are not on social welfare and who have moved into a previously vacant house have not been able to get the energy credit due to the property being designated low usage. [3345/24]