Parliamentary questions

Departmental Appointments

Malcolm Noonan

1084. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a new chief pharmaceutical officer to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54823/22]

Departmental Appointments

Malcolm Noonan

1085. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health his views on the importance of having a chief pharmaceutical officer to oversee the development of policy and strategy development, national oversight of medicine supply and pharmacy regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54824/22]

Health Services Staff

Malcolm Noonan

637. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of optometrists working in primary care nationwide; the action that he will take to increase the resources for these roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53073/22]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

638. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to address the waiting list of referrals for children for appointments with community ophthalmologists; the action that he will take to decrease waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53074/22]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Malcolm Noonan

639. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of healthmail and the uptake throughout Ireland's health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53075/22]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

640. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to move the HSE adult optical scheme authorisation process online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53076/22]

Broadband Infrastructure

Malcolm Noonan

87. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to an issue concerning the accessibility to fibre broadband for a remote working hub (details supplied); if the matter will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44394/22]

Health Services Staff

Malcolm Noonan

470. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the steps that he will take regarding pay disparity between Section 38 and Section 39 workers, as in the case of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44406/22]

Mental Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

570. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1775 of 26 July 2022, the details of the mentioned enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2023. [44790/22]

Banking Sector

Malcolm Noonan

392. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the plans by a bank (details supplied) to make 70 of its branches cashless and the negative impact that this will have on those in rural areas in particular. [41009/22]

Ambulance Service

Malcolm Noonan

1788. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy response times by the National Ambulance Service in Carlow; the actions that will be taken to increase the resources of the National Ambulance Service in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40424/22]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

879. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue of an organisation (details supplied) being unable to locate an appropriate premises to accommodate its much-needed outreach service; the consequent overspill to its day service centre and the negative effect of this on its capacity for intake of new individuals; the actions that he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/22]

Industrial Disputes

Malcolm Noonan

727. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the industrial action of medical scientists (details supplied); his views on same; the steps he will take to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27774/22]

Medicinal Products

Malcolm Noonan

784. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 17 May 2022, when a review of the current eligibility framework of the long-term illness scheme, which includes the basis for existing hospital and medication charges will be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28116/22]

Medicinal Products

Malcolm Noonan

785. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 653 of 17 May 2022, if his attention has been drawn to the high costs associated with the ever-fluctuating severity and the long-term nature of Addison’s disease as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28117/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

354. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of young people who have been and continue to be adversely affected by long-Covid here; his views on same; the steps that he will take to care for these young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/22]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

653. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the criteria which are applied to the long-term illness scheme; if Addison’s disease will be included in the scheme; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24190/22]

Gender Recognition

Malcolm Noonan

1012. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inordinate waiting times for assessments at the National Gender Service and the alternative, costly routes transgender persons are having to take as a result (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14693/22]

Gender Recognition

Malcolm Noonan

1013. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to a transgender person (details supplied) regarding the temporal cost of waiting for hormone therapy here and the consequent financial cost of their seeking of alternative routes for same from the UK; the actions he will take on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14694/22]

Departmental Data

Malcolm Noonan

541. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of senior citizens who are living alone and not in receipt of the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4373/22]

Public Sector Staff

Malcolm Noonan

371. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to Office of Public Works guides' limiting pension entitlements and prospects of career progression within the wider public service due to their employment classification of non-established industrial; if this issue will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63190/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Malcolm Noonan

384. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the living alone allowance increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58366/21]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

341. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the number and names of residential service providers that have established family forums; the steps taken by his Department and the HSE to support residential support providers establish family forums; his views on the effect of the family forums on the quality of life of day service users, residents and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53731/21]

Cycling Policy

Malcolm Noonan

140. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the increasingly hazardous conditions for cyclists on roads rural due to speeding from vehicles; the steps he will take to rectify the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42599/21]

Road Safety

Malcolm Noonan

144. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the wearing of protective clothing and head gear when using bicycles, e-scooters and skateboards will be made mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42630/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Malcolm Noonan

1098. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 8 July 2021, the reason such a cost-analysis has not taken place to date in view of the fact that this measure was a key recommendation of the 2018 Oireachtas Committee on Transport report (details supplied); if her Department will now carry out this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39196/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Malcolm Noonan

251. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has carried out a cost analysis of establishing the free travel scheme as a standalone directly applicable benefit; the estimated cost of such a measure; the projected staff resources required to establish the free travel scheme in such a way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36880/21]

EU Directives

Malcolm Noonan

328. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for farmers growing maize and their suppliers in view of the banning of oxo-degradable plastic under the Single Use Plastics Directive from 1 July 2021 with consideration of stocks of this plastic having already been purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/21]

Nursing Homes

Malcolm Noonan

173. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health her views on whether the temporary assistance payment scheme for nursing homes will continue beyond June 2021 in view of the fact that the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel: Final Report requires the nursing home sector to implement considerablere source-intensive recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30511/21]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Malcolm Noonan

542. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a product which meets his Department’s clinical guidelines on the use of medical cannabis in epilepsy can be added to the medical cannabis access programme before it launches in order to make it accessible to persons with epilepsy and their clinicians (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29923/21]

Disability Services

Malcolm Noonan

265. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports on facilities (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA recommendations at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28075/21]

Online Safety

Malcolm Noonan

104. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether she has considered ensuring that the online safety regulation Bill will specifically protect persons with photosensitive epilepsy from the malicious dissemination of flashing images and videos that are intended to provoke a seizure (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29921/21]

State Examinations

Malcolm Noonan

133. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Education her views on whether a student who experiences an epileptic seizure immediately before or during their exam and is unable to complete their exam should be given the opportunity to resit that exam within the same exam cycle or before such a time that CAO offers issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29920/21]

Social Welfare Schemes

Malcolm Noonan

142. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether persons with epilepsy who lose their driver licence due to a diagnosis of epilepsy or breakthrough seizures should be automatically given access to a free travel pass (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29919/21]

Health Services

Malcolm Noonan

433. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA recommendations at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27797/21]

Health Services Provision

Malcolm Noonan

1606. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of orthognathic surgery provision in the south-east; and if a person (details supplied) will be given a date for a procedure. [18420/21]

Departmental Records

Malcolm Noonan

355. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if a risk assessment of families on the grounds of the families' likelihood to pursue legal action against the State was a determinant in the management of such files in view of the fact that his Department manages dossiers on autistic children and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/21]

Departmental Records

Malcolm Noonan

356. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his Department manages dossiers on autistic adults or their representatives who are seeking appropriate autism specific services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17946/21]

Parking Provision

Malcolm Noonan

266. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport his views on the provision of additional flat surface car parking in urban centres given the commitment in the programme for Government to a modal shift to cycling, walking and public transport. [16498/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

1165. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if he will seek public health guidance from NPHET regarding the possibility of holding outdoor religious ceremonies for faith communities to allow for social distancing and a safe return to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17401/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

866. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to correspondence to his office from a person (details supplied) with a suggestion regarding the return to school procedure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14646/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Malcolm Noonan

1131. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to delays facing electrical instrumentation apprentices in obtaining a qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

1506. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the progress which the HSE is making in its process for considering the scope and application of long-term residential care visiting restrictions in the context of the framework of restrictive measures, the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine and the level of disease in the community as tasked by NPHET; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

1560. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence to his office from a person (details supplied) with a suggestion regarding the return to school procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14645/21]

Paediatric Services

Malcolm Noonan

1795. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays facing children awaiting pain management assessment and treatment as raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/21]

Rail Network

Malcolm Noonan

102. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans in place to upgrade the Waterford to Dublin line by providing a second track on the section where currently only one track exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/21]

Interest Rates

Malcolm Noonan

179. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that moneys held in solicitor client accounts will shortly be liable for the imposition of negative interest rates by the two largest banks and, given that these funds are often already borrowed from the banks, will be subject to double interest charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10963/21]

Mortgage Lending

Malcolm Noonan

208. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for those buying homes in respect of mortgage approvals lasting for only six months in view of current restrictions on the building industry causing delays in home completions (details supplied); if such mortgage holders will have to reapply for their mortgages through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11732/21]

Vaccination Programme

Malcolm Noonan

376. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces currently deployed on peacekeeping duties to areas of conflict all over the world will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10992/21]

Foster Care

Malcolm Noonan

593. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some foster carers are excluded from applying for Tusla home improvement grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11545/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

788. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the reason dentists were not included in the list of those personnel who can administer Covid-19 vaccinations. [11279/21]

Child and Family Agency

Malcolm Noonan

209. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the funding challenges facing an organisation (details supplied) which have put its counselling service in extreme jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/21]

Vaccination Programme

Malcolm Noonan

906. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation regarding kidney patients and the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Malcolm Noonan

20. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the position of those in the wedding industry, many of whom fall outside current Covid-19-related financial support schemes, and all of whose income has been significantly impacted by the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6799/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Malcolm Noonan

211. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the situation of 80 self-employed travel agents who have continued to provide services to clients but that generally fall outside current Covid-19-related financial support schemes and whose income has been significantly impacted by the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6792/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Malcolm Noonan

212. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the situation of those in the wedding industry, many of whom fall outside current Covid-19-related financial support schemes, and all of whose income has been significantly impacted by the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6798/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Malcolm Noonan

215. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the situation of those supplying the events and trade show industry that fall outside Covid-19-related business support schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6915/21]

Vaccination Programme

Malcolm Noonan

778. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the expert advice from NIAC (details supplied) on which clinical decisions are based regarding the timeframe in which family carers will be vaccinated; if the advice will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6661/21]

Bus Services

Malcolm Noonan

117. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether all future provision of urban-style bus services should use electric buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5558/21]

Bus Services

Malcolm Noonan

118. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be made available to secure provision of an urban-style bus service in Carlow town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/21]

Driver Test

Malcolm Noonan

119. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport if an interim and safe measure will be devised to allow the primarily young cohort of persons to practice driving within the confines of public health and road safety guidelines given the recent extension to the level 5 restrictions and the significant backlog that exists for driver theory testing (details supplied). [5560/21]

Vaccination Programme

Malcolm Noonan

628. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if carers who are family members are considered key workers as part of the Covid-19 vaccine programme given the invaluable and irreplaceable role they play in protecting vulnerable members of society (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5070/21]

Hospital Services

Malcolm Noonan

864. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is need for the return of the modular cath laboratory at University Hospital Waterford as an interim measure given that the completion of the second cath laboratory is likely to be 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/21]

Vaccination Programme

Malcolm Noonan

431. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the position of carers of children with type 1 diabetes on the list of those to be vaccinated (details supplied); if he will protect this vulnerable group by ensuring that their carers are prioritised on the vaccination list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3314/21]

Paediatric Services

Malcolm Noonan

413. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of paediatric rheumatologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42626/20]

Disability Services Provision

Malcolm Noonan

414. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an information leaflet compiled by parents of children with Down’s arthropathy; and his plans distribute it to general practitioner surgeries and other health professionals to facilitate prompt referrals. [42627/20]

Paediatric Services

Malcolm Noonan

415. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy waiting lists for children with Down’s arthropathy to see paediatric rheumatologists, either privately or publicly; the outcome of a meeting held on 18 December 2019 between the rheumatology department of Crumlin Children’s Hospital and an organisation (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42628/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Malcolm Noonan

87. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the policy of Enterprise Ireland that companies producing hemp-based products cannot be supported by grants; if he will request Enterprise Ireland to review this policy given the Programme for Government commitment to fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/20]

Enterprise Ireland

Malcolm Noonan

88. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a company (details supplied) did not receive a grant from Enterprise Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41333/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Malcolm Noonan

222. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if reimbursement of Covid-19-related costs will be forthcoming to disability service providers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35657/20]

Disability Services Provision

Malcolm Noonan

184. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if a residential place will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in view of the recommendation received from Tusla [32160/20]

Human Rights

Malcolm Noonan

156. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the worsening of the humanitarian and civil rights situation in Zimbabwe; his plans to raise this at EU level; and his views on same (details supplied). [29306/20]

Student Support Schemes

Malcolm Noonan

554. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the exclusion of students of Carlow College, the second oldest higher education institution in Ireland, from his Department’s recently announced laptop scheme and additional mental health services; and his views on same. [23726/20]

Heritage Sites

Malcolm Noonan

102. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a site (details supplied); the nature of the works being carried out at the castle; when the works will conclude; and when the castle will reopen to the public. [17487/20]

Childcare Services

Malcolm Noonan

867. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a decision not to reopen an application for funding for a childcare community facility (details supplied) will be reviewed. [15097/20]

Medical Cards

Malcolm Noonan

1088. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if persons who are eligible for a general medical card under the new criteria once enacted will receive a refund for prescription costs incurred from July 2020 (details supplied). [15019/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

1091. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding hospital-acquired infection of Covid-19 by hospital and patient outcome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/20]

Maternity Services

Malcolm Noonan

464. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will allow for uniformity of inclusion of partners at c-section births in theatres nationwide (details supplied). [12141/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Malcolm Noonan

388. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if the NPHET will allow the resumption of video fluoroscopy procedures at CHI at Temple Street as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10104/20]

State Examinations

Malcolm Noonan

302. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if students from more disadvantaged areas and schools with poorer academic records will not be unduly punished on the basis of the performance of those that came before them (details supplied). [6456/20]

Greyhound Industry

Malcolm Noonan

896. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funds will be reallocated from the Irish Greyhound Board to animal welfare charities; if not, if such charities will be supported through other means (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6467/20]

Tourism Promotion

Malcolm Noonan

1022. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being undertaken to ensure the re-establishment of tourism markets for the cottage industry bed and breakfast sector (details supplied). [6461/20]