Parliamentary questions

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

174. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the measures, if any, in place to deal with the fact that a school (details supplied) is already at maximum pupil capacity now and cannot accept any pupil from even its main feeder primary school, even considering the other two schools in the area. [17084/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify, with regard to the new school premises built in Kildare town to house a school (details supplied) whose building is being reclaimed for Army use, whether the school will be accepting pupils from the Kildare town area at its new location, not just pupils from the Suncroft and Curragh areas. [17085/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

176. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify, with regard to claims being made that a new building for a school (details supplied) in Kildare is a new school for Kildare town, whether it is a new school or just the old school being accommodated in new premises. [17086/24]

School Staff

Patricia Ryan

177. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education to outline any measures she or her Department are considering to offer incentives to teachers to fill the many vacant teaching posts in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17087/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Patricia Ryan

209. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures, if any, in place to address the fact there is no available emergency accommodation in the whole of County Kildare, while families are being forced to present at local Garda stations and sleep on the floor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17088/24]

International Protection

Patricia Ryan

277. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to state clearly if it his intention to use any other single residential properties, similar to the premises at a location (details supplied), to house people seeking temporary international protection; and, if so, where are the locations; and the number of people to be placed in each location. [17089/24]

Low Pay Commission

Patricia Ryan

112. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide, in tabular form, the capital costs and initial set-up costs for the Low Pay Commission from set-up in 2020. [15913/24]

Low Pay Commission

Patricia Ryan

113. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide, in tabular form for the years 2020 to 2024, the costs of staffing the offices of the Low Pay Commission, to include initial start-up costs, office costs, CEO appointments and all other relevant costs. [15914/24]

Medical Cards

Patricia Ryan

168. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans to restore the chiropody visits for older medical card holders to four visits per year, as older people, especially diabetic patients, are experiencing mobility issues caused by the extended time between appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15680/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Patricia Ryan

169. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify whether there are any plans to provide community occupational therapy services to private nursing homes, as these visits cost a minimum of €500 per assessment and are often beyond the means of residents who would badly need them. [15681/24]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

170. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to clarify the reason an organisation (details supplied) does not provide mental health services to private nursing homes in Kildare, but does provide that service in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/24]

Nursing Homes

Patricia Ryan

171. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the steps that can be taken to address the issue where private nursing home residents do not have access to transport to attend out-patient appointments and/or small day-ward procedures, meaning they have to use taxis and/or ambulances (if necessary) at great personal expense (approximately €800 per case), such expenses are not covered by the Fair Deal Scheme funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15683/24]

Fire Safety

Patricia Ryan

172. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify, with regard to HIQA and fire safety requirements in nursing homes/care facilities, which authority is authorised to give fire safety clearance certificates: the local fire services inspection officer or a HIQA-appointed fire safety officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15684/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

458. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the date for the official opening of the new primary school in Monasterevin, County Kildare. [14305/24]

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

459. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils the new primary school soon to be opened in Monasterevin, County Kildare will accommodate. [14306/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

639. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of staff working at processing HAP applications in the HAP offices in Limerick, in tabular form. [14301/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

640. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate the reason for HAP applications taking from 12 to 18 weeks to be completed, leaving applicants in very difficult situations, causing huge financial distress and even in some cases causing applicants to lose the home due to the delay in completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14302/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

641. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when current HAP limits for County Kildare are due to be reviewed, in light of continually rising rent levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14303/24]

International Protection

Patricia Ryan

1110. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to the 90-day limit on people seeking temporary international protection staying in specified accommodation centres such as that at Floods Cross, Newhall, the measures that have been put in place to deal with the resulting pressure this limit will put on already scarce housing and accommodation resources in County Kildare and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14300/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

542. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education her plans for the provision of a new special school in Monasterevin, County Kildare; the type of special school it is or will be; which locations are being considered for the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13162/24]

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

543. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if, with regard to the placement of people seeking temporary international protection in locations in south Kildare, she will outline the provisions she is considering putting in place to cater for primary and secondary school places for those children, in circumstances where south Kildare schools at both primary and secondary level are already oversubscribed and are already operating waiting lists for the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13163/24]

Departmental Data

Patricia Ryan

788. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the length of time it is taking her Department to process and complete applications for each payment (details supplied), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13160/24]

International Protection

Patricia Ryan

1196. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, with regard to the accommodation for people seeking temporary international protection in south Kildare, he can set out clearly what plans are in place for the provision of GP services to these people in circumstances where there is already a huge shortage of GPs in Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/24]

Departmental Policies

Patricia Ryan

1563. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, with regard to the advanced healthcare assistant, QQI level 6 (details supplied), if any plans are being considered to have the same course rolled out across the TU campuses and covered by the SUSI system, considering the benefits to be gained from it by both healthcare providers and their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13159/24]

An Garda Síochána

Patricia Ryan

140. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice for a breakdown of the number of Garda officers, by rank, attached to all south Kildare Garda stations for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form ; the number of Garda officers who retired from Kildare south Garda stations in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11100/24]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

224. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if a Kdoc service could be located in the primary care centre in Athy, County Kildare, to serve the people of Athy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11096/24]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

225. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason people in Athy, County Kildare cannot avail of the services of the Caredoc services in County Carlow, with an average round trip of approximately 36km, but can only avail of the Kdoc services in Naas, which involves an average round trip of over 80km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11097/24]

Nursing Education

Patricia Ryan

226. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason the subsistence payment of €1000 per academic agreed to be paid to nursing and midwifery students, and to be backdated to 2022, has not yet been paid to many students in the Southeastern Technological University, Carlow, where payment was due to be paid in instalments in November 2023 February 2024, but no payments have been received; when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11098/24]

Dental Services

Patricia Ryan

227. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of dentist vacancies in south Kildare, and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11099/24]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures he and his Department have in place to address the severe shortage of GPs in the south Kildare area, to address the fact that there is an almost two week wait to obtain a GP appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9740/24]

International Protection

Patricia Ryan

98. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for his failure to respond to multiple emails from this Deputy requesting details on all sites to accommodate people seeking temporary international protection in south Kildare, to include those currently in process, or being considered for such sites, and the number planned to be accommodated at same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9739/24]

Emergency Accommodation

Patricia Ryan

123. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for his failure to respond properly and fully to multiple emails and phone calls regarding the installation of facilities to house people seeking temporary international protection at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/24]

School Transport

Patricia Ryan

194. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the measures she has taken to resolve the serious situation with school bus places which resulted in children being left at the side of the road, for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9741/24]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

37. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the dates and duration of all road closures in the vicinity and surrounds of the Curragh Camp and firing range for January to December 2023, and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8395/24]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

38. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount of compensation paid out to local residents of the Curragh due to road closures for military purposes in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8396/24]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

39. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify why planning permission was not applied for regarding the erection of two sentry posts on land designated as green lands at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8399/24]

Defence Forces

Patricia Ryan

40. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify whether he will reconstitute the Curragh forum, to include local residents, to discuss their concerns in relation to the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8400/24]

Road Projects

Patricia Ryan

55. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify when or if the budget will be provided to Kildare County Council to address the rapidly deteriorating condition of the road between Bolton Hill and Sheriff Hill, County Kildare (details supplied). [8403/24]

Insurance Coverage

Patricia Ryan

66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will comment on the discrimination present in travel insurance policies vis-à-vis those under 65 years of age and those over 65 years of age where the cover period - 60 days and 31 days, respectively - is dramatically different, and whether such differences are permissible under legislation and constitutionally. [8401/24]

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

91. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will look into enrolment challenges currently being experienced by a school (details supplied) where, even though it has the physical space for the children applying to enrol, departmental regulations mean it cannot employ the necessary extra teacher required until 2025, which means it is having to turn away children who have already completed the 2 ECCE preschool years, with some children going to almost six years of age starting primary school. [8394/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

92. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify if there are any plans for the possible construction of a secondary school in the area around Prosperous-Clane-Derrinturn and south Kildare; and, if so, if her Department has identified any possible site and what stage the process is now at. [8397/24]

Departmental Data

Patricia Ryan

120. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of arrests effected in the vicinity of the Curragh Camp and firing range, specifically arising from road closures associated with the Curragh Camp and firing range, for January to December 2024 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8398/24]

Public Expenditure Policy

Patricia Ryan

111. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in view that Ireland has the fastest increasing aging demographic, predicted to hit 26% of the population being over 65 by 2051, if he considers the current 3% increase in budget to maintain existing levels of service in the health service, and in particular age related health services, to be sufficient when the aging demographic predicts increased demand on those services due to increases in the older population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7023/24]

Rental Sector

Patricia Ryan

207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with specific regard to older renters in the private rental sector, the protections/measures, if any, that are in place to protect older people who now find themselves at the mercy of ever increasing rents, no security of tenure and facing into huge income reductions, and if any consideration could be given to local authorities possibly expediting allocation of age appropriate housing, similar to Dublin City Council’s policy. [7024/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

208. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if HAP is now only being paid to people who enter emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7027/24]

Hospital Services

Patricia Ryan

324. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent record number of people left on trolleys in our hospitals recently, due to lack of bed capacity, and demonstrating that funding for even existing levels of service is far from sufficient, what level of increased investment would the minister envisage necessary to increase that bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7020/24]

Public Transport

Patricia Ryan

96. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the recently announced expansion of the Dublin commuter zone reduced fares scheme, if he will consider granting Monasterevin commuter town status, allowing people to benefit from the reduced fares. [5703/24]

Rail Network

Patricia Ryan

97. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport what engagement he or his Departmental officials had with the NTA regarding any upgrading of Monasterevin and Athy Train stations, with a view to improving their infrastructure and increasing carriage capacity to facilitate more people using public rail transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5704/24]

Departmental Schemes

Patricia Ryan

287. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the application process for the housing adaptation grant, if he will consider simplifying the application process to make it more user friendly for older people. [5705/24]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

288. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the approximate timeframe from beginning to completion of the process where local authorities purchase properties under the tenant in-situ scheme; and how many such purchases were completed in County Kildare in 2023. [5709/24]

Housing Policy

Patricia Ryan

289. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage if the responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of common green/grass areas in council/local authority estates comes under the remit of the local authority/county council; if not, if it is the responsibility of the various residents’ associations. [5711/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Patricia Ryan

320. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if assistance will be provided given the circumstances. [5710/24]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

462. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine a matter in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if there are any other resources or assistance which can be offered to this person and their parent. [5708/24]

Dental Services

Patricia Ryan

575. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if urgent orthodontic treatment will be expedited for a child (details supplied) [5706/24]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

576. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a matter in respect of the case of a person (details supplied); and if there are any other resources or assistance which can be offered to this person and their parent. [5707/24]

Public Transport

Patricia Ryan

19. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to include Monasterevin County Kildare in the reduced public transport fares area; if so, the timeline to implement same; and if not, if he will consider the addition of Monasterevin to the scheme. [4391/24]

Special Educational Needs

Patricia Ryan

44. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the reason no special needs school place is available for a child (details supplied). [4393/24]

Local Authorities

Patricia Ryan

79. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of local authorities or county councils that completed an up-to-date housing needs demands assessment for older people for the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [4386/24]

Departmental Schemes

Patricia Ryan

80. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the serious delays in the processing and approval of housing adaptation grants; and the details of what measures if any can be taken to speed up the process. [4387/24]

Departmental Reports

Patricia Ryan

81. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the right to housing report will be published; and the timeline in place for the Government to act on the recommendations of that report. [4388/24]

Rental Sector

Patricia Ryan

82. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many HAP inspections for the purpose of establishing suitability of accommodation or living conditions were carried out in each of the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, in tabular form. [4389/24]

Further and Higher Education

Patricia Ryan

157. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to put in place core funding for the provision of Level 6 (QQI) courses for healthcare assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4390/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Patricia Ryan

158. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the most recent update on the timeline for commencement of the new build at St. Vincent's Hospital Athy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4392/24]

Energy Conservation

Patricia Ryan

136. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of air to water heating systems installed by Kildare County Council, in council owned properties in for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [3184/24]

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

691. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education to detail what measures are or will be put in place to provide for secondary school places for schools (details supplied). [2076/24]

Departmental Funding

Patricia Ryan

850. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what provisions/funding have been allocated for the St. Brigid 1500 celebrations in County Kildare, for February 2024; and if he can give details of same. [2067/24]

Housing Provision

Patricia Ryan

851. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address and clarify a situation of multiple and repeated failures with regard to the air and water home heating/hot water systems (details supplied). [2077/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Patricia Ryan

990. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is possible to expedite an application for invalidity benefit for a person (details supplied). [2065/24]

Hospital Services

Patricia Ryan

1811. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on adequate services and resources for genetic testing services in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. [2074/24]

Hospital Services

Patricia Ryan

1812. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the procedures being taken for efficient effective action to tackle the waiting lists for genetic testing services at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. [2075/24]

Rural Schemes

Patricia Ryan

1864. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of an alleged €3.5 million euro deficit in the Barrow Blue Ways Fund, as per Kildare County Council Oireachtas AGM 8 December /2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2069/24]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

36. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that all lighting on the junctions and exits on the M1 motorway (for example Junction 14) has been removed; if he is conscious of the dangers of this; and if there are plans to put any alternative sources of light for example, solar lights above exit signs. [55568/23]

Traveller Accommodation

Patricia Ryan

121. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing accommodation units in Kildare for Traveller families; and if there are any plans to increase that number. [55564/23]

Housing Policy

Patricia Ryan

122. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a ‘no-fault’ eviction ban in County Kildare over the winter months, given that the homeless and emergency accommodation services in the county are overwhelmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55567/23]

Childhood Obesity

Patricia Ryan

224. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on obesity clinic appointments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55565/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Patricia Ryan

225. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if wheelchairs, rollators and other such mobility equipment supplied by the HSE is recycled; and if so, how many such units are put back into use. [55566/23]

An Garda Síochána

Patricia Ryan

77. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí redeployed from Kildare to Dublin to support gardaí during the tragic events of Thursday, 23 November 2023; if, on days subsequent to that, the redeployments were voluntary in nature; and what the payment structure was for same redeployment. [54883/23]

Public Inquiries

Patricia Ryan

32. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Taoiseach with regard to the promised public inquiry into Covid-19, if he will clarify when he anticipates the terms of reference for that promised inquiry will be cleared with Government; and if he will commit to engaging fully with all concerned relevant stakeholders, advocacy groups, care workers, families and relatives of those affected. [54011/23]

Transport Policy

Patricia Ryan

49. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify if there are any plans for Monasterevin, County Kildare to be designated a commuter town; if so, when would he envision this happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54010/23]

Taxi Licences

Patricia Ryan

50. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of taxi licences issued to non-national drivers in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [54013/23]

Taxi Regulations

Patricia Ryan

51. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail the criteria required to qualify for a taxi licence; if any different criteria apply to national and non-national applicants; and if so, what those differences are and the reasons behind them. [54014/23]

Driver Test

Patricia Ryan

52. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport how many additional driving test examiners have been put in place in County Kildare. [54017/23]

Public Transport

Patricia Ryan

53. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to increase the number of train services to Monasterevin Train Station, County Kildare to make it a more commuter-friendly town. [54020/23]

Grant Payments

Patricia Ryan

93. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to Kildare County Council’s housing aid grants for older people, if he can investigate a grant application for persons (details supplied). [54016/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

172. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 230 of 22 November 2023, if he will provide further details of the process by which the decision will be made to discharge/transfer elderly patients who no longer need of hospital treatment to clinically appropriate nursing homes, and what if any, input the patient concerned and their loved ones/families may have into the location of that clinically appropriate nursing home placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54012/23]

Departmental Funding

Patricia Ryan

173. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details and application criteria of the €10 million fund, as announced by him recently in Dáil Éireann, to enable small not-for-profits to be HIQA compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54015/23]

Hospital Equipment

Patricia Ryan

174. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstance where an urgent MRI scan in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin is now taking a minimum of six to eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54018/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Patricia Ryan

175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the fact that a person (details supplied) who was referred in August 2023 for an urgent appointment for a thyroid/ENT consultation to the Mater Hospital Dublin, has received an appointment for 21 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54019/23]

Energy Prices

Patricia Ryan

12. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any continuous supports for elderly people who are dependent on electric-powered medical devices with regard to constant increased and unaffordable energy bills (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52625/23]

Energy Prices

Patricia Ryan

13. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the doubling of the cost recently of alternative heating materials, for example, wood pellet stoves (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52626/23]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

30. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the parameters for the use of tractors and agricultural vehicles on motorways; which vehicles are permitted to use motorways; the speed limits, if any, that apply to same; and if any specific prohibitions apply to their use of motorways. [52630/23]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

31. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the increasing and concerning number of road traffic accidents and fatalities on Irish roads, his views on the percentage of those accidents which involved left-hand-drive vehicles; if left-hand-drive vehicles and drivers more accustomed to driving on the right side of the road is, or could be, a factor in such accidents; if he will consider improved or increased road signage to increase awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52631/23]

Tax Code

Patricia Ryan

41. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers in County Kildare who stand to benefit from the USC reduction as provided for in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52632/23]

An Garda Síochána

Patricia Ryan

102. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently stationed in Monasterevin Garda station, Monasterevin, County Kildare; and the opening hours of the station. [52629/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

142. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of adult mental health beds in CHO7; the location of each; and the number that are currently available for patients. [52624/23]

Hospital Staff

Patricia Ryan

143. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52627/23]

Hospital Staff

Patricia Ryan

144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, County Kildare, as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52628/23]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

100. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered extending the mortgage-to-rent scheme to require vulture funds which seek repossession of family homes to offer long-term tenancies as an option for those borrowers in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51558/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Patricia Ryan

110. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, with regard to applications for carer’s allowance benefit, she will clarify the reason people already in receipt of another social welfare payment are cut off from receiving that payment immediately from the date of their application for the carer’s allowance, as carer’s allowance applications are currently taking a minimum of 12 weeks to process, with applicants being advised to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim, which is itself taking a minimum of six weeks to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51553/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

229. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to set out the precise terms and conditions applying to the new HSE policy on discharging elderly patients from hospitals to nursing homes; and if the elderly person’s (and their family’s) wishes will be taken into account where the transfer place may be clinically appropriate, but may not be preferable or convenient to the elderly person or their family, or if the needs of the person on a trolley will supersede all the above. [51551/23]