Parliamentary questions

Disability Allowance

Willie O'Dea

561. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a disability allowance claim will be made for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44826/20]

Disability Allowance

Willie O'Dea

591. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1691/21]

Insurance Coverage

Willie O'Dea

85. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the remedy he proposes for a person who has been refused flood risk insurance even though they had such insurance cover for many years for the same property; the steps being taken to alleviate the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43661/20]

Free Travel Scheme

Willie O'Dea

353. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to allowing the free travel pass to be used for wheelchair accessible taxis particularly for persons with severe disabilities and those who live in isolated locations and cannot access public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42975/20]

Medicinal Products

Willie O'Dea

514. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the drug dupilumab (details supplied) which has been under assessment since November 2018; his plans to provide access to the drug for persons with eczema here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42977/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Willie O'Dea

374. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41116/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

672. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are women who have been informed that they have to wait six months for an appointment at the breast clinic at University Hospital Limerick; his views on whether this delay is inappropriate for a potentially life threatening illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41786/20]

Animal Welfare

Willie O'Dea

842. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to deal with the scourge of animal cruelty, particularly in relation to horses, which is prevalent in many urban areas across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/20]

Public Sector Pay

Willie O'Dea

196. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to follow through on the commitment given by the previous Government to resolve the pay inequality issue for teachers and other public servants in the next public sector pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40847/20]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

336. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many Down's syndrome children on a three year waiting list to be treated for arthritis; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that there was a commitment made that children with Down's syndrome would be seen after referral within 12 weeks; his plans to address this very serious delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40855/20]

Farm Assist Scheme

Willie O'Dea

87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive payment for farm assist after being allowed their appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40635/20]

Ministerial Correspondence

Willie O'Dea

137. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he personally received the registered post sent to him directly by persons (details supplied); if he plans to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40230/20]

Special Educational Needs

Willie O'Dea

429. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education her plans to address the lack of ASD units in Limerick schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40231/20]

Third Level Fees

Willie O'Dea

563. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who have been receiving their lectures online from the University of Limerick are being charged the full fee; his plans to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

119. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses in County Limerick that have qualified for support under the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39207/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

293. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing a measure by which older persons are provided with a weekly allowance towards the cost of broadband similar to the allowance they are granted towards the cost of a telephone in view of the cost of broadband; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39354/20]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

590. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost in 2021 if the telephone support allowance was increased to €4 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38827/20]

Garda Stations

Willie O'Dea

695. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if the provision for a new Garda station for Castletroy, Annacotty, Limerick city, will be considered (details supplied); her views on whether such a station is needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37809/20]

Hospital Facilities

Willie O'Dea

950. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the capital works carried out at Limerick maternity hospital in 2019 and to date in 2020; the duration of such works; the estimated costs of such projects; the capital works that are scheduled to commence at the hospital in 2021; the estimated cost of each project; when each project will commence; the duration of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38820/20]

Mental Health Services

Willie O'Dea

951. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of new development posts within mental health that were approved in 2018 and 2019 that have yet to be filled; the timeframe for those posts to be filled on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38826/20]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Willie O'Dea

165. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new tenant purchase scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37522/20]

European Court of Justice Rulings

Willie O'Dea

465. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36222/20]

Proposed Legislation

Willie O'Dea

610. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the main provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; when the main provisions of the Act will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36317/20]

Nursing Staff

Willie O'Dea

326. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if student nurses are still being offered a contract as healthcare assistants and therefore still being paid for their work during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35890/20]

Carer's Allowance

Willie O'Dea

498. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a claim by a person (details supplied) will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34738/20]

School Transport

Willie O'Dea

153. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason two pupils (details supplied) did not receive a seat on the bus in 2020-2021 in view of the fact that they had a seat every other year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34366/20]

Social Welfare Code

Willie O'Dea

170. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to reckon Covid-19 payments to the self-employed as credits for social welfare purposes; if so, when this will happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34358/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Willie O'Dea

172. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when pandemic unemployment payment arrears will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34410/20]

School Transport

Willie O'Dea

73. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the number of concessionary pupils that were previously availing of school transport that are now unable to avail of school transport due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34011/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

235. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to roll out a nationwide campaign to promote purchases from Irish websites and stores offering click and collect over the next six weeks in view of the closure of retailers as a result of the latest Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33716/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

504. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons involved in power lifting have won dozens of world and European champions titles in addition to competing at professionals level; if power lifting is considered an elite sport which can continue under level 5 restrictions in particular for athletes that have represented Ireland at international level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32944/20]

School Transport

Willie O'Dea

824. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason two children (details supplied) did not receive a place on a school bus; if she will take measures to facilitate these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33905/20]

Redundancy Payments

Willie O'Dea

853. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a statutory redundancy payment will be released for a person (details supplied) who ceased employment on 29 February 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32560/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

1270. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing gyms to open under level 5 restrictions in view of their importance for mental and physical health of persons particularly during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32862/20]

Defence Forces Veterans

Willie O'Dea

126. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence his plans to award medals of honour to the seven surviving members of the siege of Jadotville; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) who was the officer in charge at the time recommended the awarding of medals of honour to these men; his views on whether it is now time to get this miscarriage of justice overturned while these men are still alive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31869/20]

Audiology Services

Willie O'Dea

716. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of audiologists working in University Hospital Limerick in 2019 and to date in 2020; if this number will be further increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31536/20]

Departmental Staff

Willie O'Dea

802. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of portal inspectors and plant health inspectors recruited by his Department in each of the past three years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31537/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Willie O'Dea

496. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive the correct rate of pandemic unemployment payment; when arrears will be issued in view of the fact they are at the lower rate and have provided all documentation advising they should be on the higher rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28117/20]

Nursing Education

Willie O'Dea

576. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level college places in nursing will be provided; if so, the locations in which places will be provided; the closing date for application to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28306/20]

Driver Test

Willie O'Dea

87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a significant waiting list for driver theory tests for the C licence which is preventing persons from taking up truck driving jobs; if the need for a mandatory theory test will be temporarily removed in order to apply for a learner permit due to Covid-19; if he will consider exempting those who have previously passed their theory test but have allowed their licence to expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27844/20]

Aviation Industry

Willie O'Dea

215. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the consumer rights for persons who have booked flights to green list countries but now find out these countries are on the red list although flights are still operating; if such persons will be allowed to change their flight without being penalised with fees or else receive a voucher for the equivalent amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26365/20]

Child Abuse

Willie O'Dea

462. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the scheme to provide redress to survivors of abuse in primary schools such as a school (details supplied); when an updated action plan on the progress in implementing a landmark ruling by the Council of Europe on redress for survivors of sexual abuse in primary schools prior to 1992 will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26548/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Willie O'Dea

582. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive arrears of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27150/20]

Dental Services

Willie O'Dea

783. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to deliver on the promise that dentists in independent practice would be provided with personal protective equipment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the fact dentists have to finance the additional PPE costs, over 200 dentists have decided to resign from the medical card scheme since the start of 2020 with serious consequences for their former patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26363/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Willie O'Dea

169. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment such as former workers of a company (details supplied) who have no prospect of returning to their previous employment, are entitled to access further education and training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26031/20]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Willie O'Dea

198. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the threshold for the drugs payment scheme will be changed from €124 to €114 per month as promised in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/20]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Willie O'Dea

499. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when invalidity and similar payments will return to weekly payments as opposed to fortnightly payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25367/20]

Medicinal Products

Willie O'Dea

730. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when dupilumab will be made available for reimbursement in for persons with eczema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/20]

Community Employment Schemes

Willie O'Dea

131. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation that community employment supervisors should be entitled to a pension or gratuity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24499/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

23. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if Limerick City Council will be granted an additional three month extension in regard to the July stimulus funding provided to it by the NTA for €10 million which has to be allocated by November 2020. [24278/20]