Parliamentary questions

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

149. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many prosecutions have taken place of gaming establishments operating without a licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) since 2019, per year and per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

150. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware there are casinos operating in Waterford without gaming licences in 2024 (as per Revenue's register of gaming licences); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the details of sanctions taken against casinos or gaming premises operating without an annual or three-month gaming licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) since 2019, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22247/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

152. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming and casino businesses are currently operating without a licence in Ireland (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22248/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

153. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how long gaming and casino businesses are allowed to operate without a licence in Ireland (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) before prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22249/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

154. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the exemptions that are in place for businesses that wish to operate a gaming premises without a gaming licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences); how any such exemptions are assessed and monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22251/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

155. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming machines are currently licensed for Waterford in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22255/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

156. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming machines were licensed in Waterford since 2019, per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22256/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

157. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue generated through gaming machines licence fees in Waterford gaming premises and casinos since 2019, per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22257/24]

Universal Social Charge

Pearse Doherty

158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first- and full-year costs of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5% to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2% to 0% and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €30,000. [22275/24]

Universal Social Charge

Pearse Doherty

159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first- and full-year costs of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5% to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2% to 1% percent and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €27,880; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22276/24]

Tax Exemptions

Willie O'Dea

160. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will give consideration to increasing the annual exemption limits for tax purposes for people over the age of 65 years from €18,000 for a single person and €36,000 for a married couple, in view of the fact these exemptions have now been in place for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22295/24]

Insurance Industry

Pearse Doherty

161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to outline any consent to settle provisions within insurance law, whereby insurers are required to seek an insured’s approval before settling a third-party claim, in the context of reports that insurers are settling claims for amounts and reasons that are disputed by the insured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/24]

Heritage Sites

John McGuinness

162. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will investigate the extent of the maintenance required to make safe the structure known locally as Ballyshaun Castle (details supplied); if information boards will be provided at each location giving a brief history of the structures; if there are grants available to local community groups or property owners for such work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22183/24]

Flood Risk Management

Denis Naughten

163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress to date in resolving the imminent threat of flooding of homes at Ballagh, County Roscommon, within the next 12 months based on GSI modelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22229/24]

Voluntary Sector

Claire Kerrane

164. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the 2,500 care workers excluded from the pay deal agreed with Government to avert strike action by employees of voluntary organisations; the rationale for excluding these critical workers in the care sector, who care for the most vulnerable citizens; if he will correct this exclusion and ensure all workers doing the same work receive the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22235/24]

Heritage Centres

Matt Shanahan

165. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of complementary admissions being issued each year at the Custom House visitor centre (details supplied); when the visitor centre will be properly operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22283/24]

Heritage Centres

Matt Shanahan

166. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made on sourcing a cash safe for the Custom House visitor centre (details supplied); the number of complementary visitors admitted over the past five years; his views on whether this issue should be relatively easy to rectify; when the visitor centre will receive the long awaited cash safe that will enable it to process cash payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22292/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses, broken down by each local authority area in the State, that registered for the increased cost-of-business grant by close of scheme, in tabular form. [22232/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

168. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of funding issued to businesses under the increased cost-of-business grant by close of scheme, by local authority area, in tabular form. [22233/24]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will reopen the increased cost-of-business grant. [22234/24]

School Transport

Brendan Griffin

170. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if Bus Éireann will review its ageist school transport policy on over-70s bus drivers, given that other publicly funded public bus services do not have this restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22138/24]

Pesticide Use

Neasa Hourigan

171. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the use of chemical pesticide weed killers on school grounds; if she will promote the use of alternative methods of weed removal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/24]

Schools Building Projects

Charles Flanagan

172. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on when progress made on a school building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22173/24]

Special Educational Needs

Duncan Smith

173. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if an ASD placement will be secured for a person (details supplied) who is waiting two years for a placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22191/24]

School Textbooks

Steven Matthews

174. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Education the reason for reducing the level of funding per student under the primary schoolbook grant from €96 to €80 per child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22217/24]

School Transport

Maurice Quinlivan

175. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education if a student (details supplied) will be awarded a place on the school bus for the school of their chosen ethos. [22218/24]

School Transport

Maurice Quinlivan

176. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Education if schools (details supplied) are recognised by the State as having a distinct ethos in terms of parental choice with regard to the provision of school bus places. [22219/24]

Schools Building Projects

Michael Creed

177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education the current situation regarding a proposed extension at a school in County Cork (details supplied); when her Department will sign off on the proposed design; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22237/24]

Special Educational Needs

Denis Naughten

178. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of students offered a new ASD primary school place in south Roscommon for September 2024; the number of new places available for September 2024; the schools with availability; the number of places available; the specific steps she is taking to address the annual difficulty in sourcing primary school ASD places in south Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22242/24]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

179. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the reason that after receiving official sanction on 30 April 2019 for a school building project, a school (details supplied) is still waiting for construction to commence; and if she will confirm a date to commence the project as a matter of urgency. [22243/24]

Educational Disadvantage

Mark Ward

180. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if funding is available for a secondary school student from a disadvantaged area to access the DBS International Soccer Academy Transition Year Programme 2024-25; if so, the way to apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22263/24]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

181. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update with respect to a student (details supplied) in County Cork who is receiving school transport under the scheme for children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22268/24]

School Funding

John McGuinness

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will review immediately the arrangements for payment of the ancillary services grants and the SSSF secretary grants, as communicated to schools on 26 April 2024, given that what is being proposed will cause serious financial problems for some schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22278/24]

School Transport

Thomas Gould

183. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if she is aware that a person (details supplied) has not received the grant for special school transport this year and if she will instruct officials to make the payment.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22280/24]

Education Schemes

Paul Donnelly

184. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education the way the continuance of the current P-Tech programme in Dublin’s NEIC programme will be supported by the Government now that the pilot programme has ended and the programme has demonstrated its success for the 5 P-Tech schools through internal and external evaluation; and the longer-term plan for the expansion of the P-Tech programme. [22281/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

185. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to deal with the lack of cover for primary school teachers who are assaulted on the job by students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22290/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

186. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there are plans in place to deal with the lack of cover for primary school teachers who are assaulted on the job by students as, at present, there is very limited leave available for teachers who are assaulted on the job and no financial aid to cover the cost of medical expenses incurred by these teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22290/24]

Sports Funding

Claire Kerrane

187. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when an announcement will be made on successful applications under the sports capital grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22168/24]

Housing Policy

Marian Harkin

188. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the usual timeframe for an eviction notice to be issued and executed. [22266/24]

Housing Schemes

Thomas Gould

189. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of HAP inspections carried out, the number that failed on first, second, third and so on, visit in 2023, by local authority, in tabular form; the action being taken against landlords who are refusing to carry out works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22136/24]

Waterways Issues

Pa Daly

190. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to examine restoration works at the Abha Bheag-Owveg river and the Feale river near the metal bridge at Kilmaniheen West, Knocknagoshel. [22140/24]

Housing Policy

Patrick Costello

191. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide further clarification on the scope, timeline and who is responsible for the development of a national policy on rightsizing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/24]

Local Authorities

Neasa Hourigan

192. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will provide resourcing for local authorities to undertake participatory budgeting programmes in the next local authority mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/24]

Housing Provision

John McGuinness

193. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a complaint submitted to him (details supplied) relative to the purchase of 17 houses at Ogenty, Gowran, County Kilkenny, is being processed; and if he will confirm a timeframe for a response. [22241/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Michael Lowry

194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the timeline for the establishment of the nature advisory council, as recommended in the 2021 strategic review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/24]

Wildlife Conservation

Michael Lowry

195. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way he plans to ensure rural interests such as those of farmers and game clubs are fully included in discussions and consultations regarding future policy on hunting and conservation, including discussions and consultations at ministerial-level meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22298/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

196. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if allowances such as domiciliary care allowance can be backdated prior to the date of application, such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22176/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Richard Boyd Barrett

197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection whether she has reviewed the Scottish Government’s benefit uptake campaigns as a model for matching individuals to their benefit entitlements; whether she intends to implement any similar campaigns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22177/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Brendan Howlin

198. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will personally intervene to assist in an appeal to her Department for a domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) to avoid severe hardship and allow the child to be discharged from hospital and return home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22184/24]

School Meals Programme

Michael Ring

199. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the funding to a preschool (details supplied) to enable it to provide lunch to children for the full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22189/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

200. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity pension application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22205/24]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Pearse Doherty

201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 469 to 471, inclusive, of 16 April 2024, and the correspondence with Department officials supplied (details supplied), when a response to the questions submitted will be received. [22224/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

202. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be carried out of the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied). [22238/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

203. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance submitted in November 2022, which was refused in 2023 and then reconsidered and refused again under review in the name of a person (details supplied), will be approved based on the further information submitted being considered in far greater detail in the appeal process. [22244/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

204. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for invalidity pension in the name of a person (details supplied) has been fully processed. [22245/24]

Public Services Card

Carol Nolan

205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of public services cards distributed to international protection applicants in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the expiry date on PSC cards that were distributed in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22265/24]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

206. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the fees paid to optometrists providing eyecare under her Department’s adult eyecare schemes are inadequate and do not reflect the cost of providing a modern eye examination; the steps being taken to address this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22294/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for the one-parent family allowance can be processed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22306/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct rate of disability allowance or other allowance payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22308/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment might be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22310/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which a disability allowance was reduced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22312/24]

Ministerial Appointments

Noel Grealish

211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if appointments to the policing and community safety authority will be made by the end of June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22179/24]

An Garda Síochána

Brendan Howlin

212. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice the expected timeframe of the next intake to begin their training at the Garda College, Templemore; the number of Garda recruits in the next intake; whether there will be further intakes in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22187/24]

Departmental Data

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

213. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions of HGV drivers for the contravention of the ban on five-axle vehicles in Waterford, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork from 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22188/24]

Gambling Sector

John Paul Phelan

214. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to increase the legal age for gambling to 21 years in line with proposals to increase the legal age for smoking. [22198/24]

Road Traffic Offences

Patrick Costello

215. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed-charge speeding notices issued and paid in each county or local authority area, by month, over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22200/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a naturalisation certificate will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22214/24]

Prison Service

Peadar Tóibín

217. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to revise the age of retirement for the Prison Service (details supplied). [22216/24]

An Garda Síochána

Jim O'Callaghan

218. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in each Garda district in each Garda division at the end of April 2024, or the latest date available, in tabular form. [22296/24]

Naturalisation Applications

Bernard Durkan

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current status of an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22303/24]

Citizenship Applications

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22305/24]

Deportation Orders

Bernard Durkan

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in assessing an application to have a deportation revoked in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22307/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the assistance that can be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22313/24]

Appointments to State Boards

Noel Grealish

223. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if appointments of lay members to the Judicial Appointments Commission will be made by the end of June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22353/24]

Departmental Strategies

James O'Connor

224. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's plans to publish the final papers for the biomethane strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22221/24]

Agriculture Supports

James O'Connor

225. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the list of grants available for biomethane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22222/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Denis Naughten

226. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring forward the payment date for the ANC scheme in light of the huge cash flow challenges faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22228/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Brendan Griffin

227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Ring

228. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a document will issue in respect of an animal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/24]

Greyhound Industry

Joe Flaherty

229. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the draft strategic plan submitted to his office in November 2023 by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (details supplied); when he expects this plan to be published; his views on whether it is reasonable to publicly fund a body that has failed to produce a strategic plan since its last one expired a year and a half ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

230. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in accordance with the implementation plan for the neurorehabilitation strategy, and the commitment given by the HSE CEO that a community neurorehabilitation team would be provided for CHO 5, if funding will be provided for this team in the immediate future; if it is his intention that this service will be in place in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22162/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

231. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason no social worker is employed in the Clondalkin community disability network team; when this position will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/24]

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]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

233. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of community disability network teams in the Dublin mid-west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/24]

Disability Services

Mark Ward

234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the staffing levels in the Clondalkin community disability network team; the vacant positions; if they have been advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/24]

Disabilities Assessments

James Lawless

235. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department is undertaking to assist families waiting on assessment of need appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22170/24]

Childcare Services

Mairéad Farrell

236. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the options currently available to the family of a young child seeking crèche support in Galway city when they are currently on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22185/24]

Disability Services

Réada Cronin

237. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the policy and procedures extant to guarantee continuity of service and care in the time when a child leaves primary care services and moves to within the remit of the children's disability network team, in order that this is as seamless as possible without closure of discharge involving services; if there is no such policy, if he will introduce one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Martin Browne

238. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that would enable parents of children in need of autism assessments to secure funding to avail of a private practitioner; the funding streams available to parents of children in need of a range of therapies that cannot be assessed through CDNT teams due to staffing shortages or lengthy waiting lists, to alternatively avail of the services of a private practitioner; if additional access to the private sector in these situations is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/24]

Maternity Leave

Holly Cairns

239. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to bring forward legislative proposals to support a campaign by an organisation (details supplied) in order to allow new mothers who fall ill while pregnant to take sick leave and defer their maternity leave; if so, to provide an update on work conducted to date on this legislation; the timeline for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

240. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding is available for a community nurse to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22225/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

241. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if community nurses are available to cover care that may fall outside of regular business hours to enable a disabled person to live independently. [22226/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Denis Naughten

242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to review the rates paid to providers under the ECCE scheme in light of the significant increase in operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22227/24]

International Protection

Catherine Murphy

243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide this Deputy with a soft copy of an opinion paper (details supplied) in respect of a property in Leixlip, County Kildare. [22272/24]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

244. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the fees paid to optometrists providing eyecare under the HSE adult eyecare schemes are inadequate, do no not reflect the cost of providing a modern eye examination and have not been increased in more than 20 years; if he is further aware that the Department of Health has made submissions for funding to his Department and is awaiting approval; the steps being taken to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22293/24]

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]

Hospital Services

Brendan Howlin

248. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure Wexford General Hospital has access to consultant neurology services; the reason Wexford General Hospital is the only model 3 hospital in the south east without outreach neurology clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22161/24]