Parliamentary questions

Tax Exemptions

Willie O'Dea

18. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland, which would create equity of treatment and parity of esteem for mental health professionals providing psychotherapy and counselling services with those who deliver physical healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16870/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

81. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance claim by a person (details supplied) will be put into payment after being allowed on appeal in December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16876/24]

Medical Internships

Willie O'Dea

142. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the internship placement allocation to allow Irish graduate medical students who trained in Derry or Belfast equal status to other Irish graduate medical students, as this will offer those graduates the opportunity to return to the State as doctors, to continue speciality training here and serve our local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16838/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

483. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16536/24]

Housing Provision

Willie O'Dea

20. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many new affordable homes were delivered in 2023 and how this compares to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15670/24]

Housing Provision

Willie O'Dea

65. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many new social homes were delivered in 2023 and how this compares to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15669/24]

Tax Reliefs

Willie O'Dea

34. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the mortgage interest tax relief scheme and its operation to date in 2024. [14268/24]

Banking Sector

Willie O'Dea

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance how he proposes to protect the role of cash in our society and economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14269/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Willie O'Dea

51. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be provided for the proposed flood relief scheme at Ballycar on the Limerick to Ennis railway line, where flooding has occurred on a number of occasions in recent years, including recently, resulting in the closure once again of the rail line. [15520/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

788. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14752/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Willie O'Dea

1156. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) has been excluded from the mother and baby institutions redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15012/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

1312. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider extending special leave with pay for those who worked on the front line during the pandemic and contracted long-Covid and whose health and lives have been badly damaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14034/24]

Home Help Service

Willie O'Dea

1455. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if extra home help hours will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14648/24]

Office of Public Works

Willie O'Dea

301. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 5 March 2024, if he will accept that the response is misleading, given An Garda Síochána has informed this Deputy that there is no request with it for a business case in relation to the force's long-term requirements in the area; the up-to-date position in relation to acquiring a site for a Garda station in the Castletroy-Annacotty area of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12892/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

426. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she has received an appeal from a school (details supplied); if favourable consideration will be given to this appeal; and when a decision is expected. [12016/24]

School Funding

Willie O'Dea

432. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the up-to-date position regarding an application for funding for a school (details supplied) to meet an overrun on the cost of recent necessary renovations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12051/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

733. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision be made in relation to a disability allowance review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12046/24]

Eating Disorders

Willie O'Dea

1355. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are almost 200,000 people suffering from illness relating to eating disorders and that there are huge barriers to access proper treatment, as there are no dedicated public specialist units outside the three beds in St. Vincent's Hospital and these are catchment based; when the Eating Disorder Model of Care plan 2018 will be fully implemented; and what arrangements will be put in place for Limerick and the midwest. [12218/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

54. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking to promote accountability for violations of international law, including international crimes, arising out of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10851/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

74. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how Ireland is providing support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/24]

Rail Network

Willie O'Dea

200. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport when the Moyross rail station will be opened and operational in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10596/24]

Rail Network

Willie O'Dea

201. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport to provide the list of new rail stations to be opened under the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; when works will commence on each; when each will be opened and operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10597/24]

Office of Public Works

Willie O'Dea

235. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has yet to identify a site for a Garda station in the Castletroy-Annacotty area of Limerick; the reason for the delay; and how much longer the process is likely to take. [10020/24]

Residency Permits

Willie O'Dea

464. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that there is a 15-16 week waiting time for IRP appointments in Limerick city; if there is a plan in place to deal with this significant backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9951/24]

Emergency Departments

Willie O'Dea

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of reductions of attendances in emergency departments in each public and voluntary hospital in 2023 relative to 2022 following on from his positive statement of a 20% reduction in ED attendances overall in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Willie O'Dea

62. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a health facility (details supplied) will be fully operational and construction works complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9666/24]

Planning Issues

Willie O'Dea

167. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that when the residential zoned land tax comes into force in January 2025, it will have profound implications for many farmers and small landowners who are not developers, but have owned their land for generations; if the Government will provide exemptions from the residential zoned land tax for individuals who are not developers, as the vast majority of requests by landowners for a rezoning of their land have been refused by the local authority and by An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9797/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Willie O'Dea

318. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the fuel allowance means assessment includes income from the sale of a person’s own home even if they have downsized in retirement; if the Minister will change this rule to bring it in line with other social protection payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9207/24]

Mental Health Commission

Willie O'Dea

501. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the regulation of CAMHS, which would ensure that recommendations on governance and clinical reform made by the Mental Health Commission can be implemented by the HSE and the State; if he will allow the Mental Health Commission to monitor the implementation of any such recommendations and allow it to publish an annual report on progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8759/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Willie O'Dea

567. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the recently announced cut to funding for post-mastectomy products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

273. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 10 October 2023, if she will respond to the issues raised by a person who made protected disclosures to her Department but has since not received the improved pension as promised to her by the then Minister for Education in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7572/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Willie O'Dea

506. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an underage exemption can be approved for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7929/24]

Sport and Recreational Development

Willie O'Dea

34. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an outline of measures taken by her Department and its relevant agencies to encourage volunteering in sport. [7030/24]

Sports Facilities

Willie O'Dea

48. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps her Department is taking to ensure similar access to sporting facilities for men and women. [7031/24]

Vacant Properties

Willie O'Dea

84. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant social homes returned to active use in each of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary from 2020 to 2023; his expectations for same in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6671/24]

Housing Provision

Willie O'Dea

112. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new houses completed in each of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary in 2023; the number commenced; his expectations for 2024 with regard to construction activity in the residential sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6670/24]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

319. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the capacity of the department of clinical genetics of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, as at present people living with a rare disease wait over two years for a diagnosis after a referral for genetic testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7108/24]

Further and Higher Education

Willie O'Dea

406. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide improved contracts, redress, employment conditions and pensions for adult education teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7119/24]

Energy Conservation

Willie O'Dea

71. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what his plans are to reduce the average two-year waiting time for the free energy upgrades (warmer homes) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6795/24]

Defective Building Materials

Willie O'Dea

227. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of houses in Ireland that are damaged by pyrite or mica and also had the cavities of the walls pumped with insulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7090/24]

Industrial Relations

Willie O'Dea

305. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that a proposed agreement on pay parity for medical scientists with their clinical biochemist colleagues excludes retired medical scientists from the agreement; and if so, if he agrees that this would be very unfair on retired medical scientists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6772/24]

Physical Education

Willie O'Dea

88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the minimum requirement of class periods that should be made available for the teaching of senior cycle physical education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6169/24]

State Examinations

Willie O'Dea

101. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the number of students that sat the Leaving Certificate physical education exam in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6168/24]

Tax Reliefs

Willie O'Dea

234. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to redefining 'normal place of work' in relation to business mileage for employees such as sales representatives who travel from their homes to business appointments, but their head office is based in another part of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6287/24]

An Garda Síochána

Willie O'Dea

248. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda applicants in each of the years 2020 to 2023; the number that enrolled in the Garda college,; the number of those that graduated in each of those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5893/24]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

326. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposal to develop a surgical hub in Limerick; when it is expected to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5892/24]

Banking Sector

Willie O'Dea

111. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the action he proposes to take to ensure there is a safety net for consumers in the event of electronic banking or the payments infrastructure being impacted by outages or cyberattacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/24]

Tax Credits

Willie O'Dea

155. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of eligible claims currently being made for the rent tax credit made in counties Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork and Kerry, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

301. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the carer's allowance was payable to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4682/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Willie O'Dea

215. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance when the income tax office in Limerick city will be open to the public again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3816/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

550. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health why frontline workers, who were employed as drivers and receptionists with the midwest region's out of hours GP service Shannon Doc at the height of the pandemic, are not eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4123/24]

Addiction Treatment Services

Willie O'Dea

572. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a community (details supplied) which provides residential addiction service to vulnerable women and children in collaboration with HSE Mid-West at Westbourne House, Limerick city, requires an alternative property; what efforts have been made to identify and provide a suitable residential premises to ensure that the service continues uninterrupted after December 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4286/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

35. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his response to Russia's intensification of its war against Ukraine over the new year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3006/24]

EU Enlargement

Willie O'Dea

74. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for a report on the discussion of the opening of EU accession talks at the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3005/24]

Public Sector Pay

Willie O'Dea

240. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she will consider reintroducing the allowance for teachers in Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, particularly in light of the significant difficulties faced in filling vacant positions in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3484/24]

Medical Inquiries

Willie O'Dea

354. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a Chair will be appointed to the promised inquiry into sodium valproate in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3512/24]

Driver Test

Willie O'Dea

194. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the reason the RSA stated that an individual (details supplied) had not completed stage 1 CPC theory test, which they had actually passed for C vehicles in 2009 and D vehicles in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3060/24]

School Funding

Willie O'Dea

308. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there any plans to provide similar funding to all schools who applied to develop projects to engage pupils in science, technology, engineering and maths in preparation for the changes to the curriculum in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2984/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

391. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2586/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

223. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2147/24]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

225. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2170/24]

Ambulance Service

Willie O'Dea

306. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is a quadriplegic living at home and needs to attend hospital regularly via ambulance, cannot source an ambulance, and as a result they have already missed crucial medical appointments because they cannot get the necessary ambulance transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2146/24]

School Funding

Willie O'Dea

589. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if there will be a further round of funding allocations for the unsuccessful STEM learning grant applicants, particularly for DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1025/24]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

625. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 10 October 2023, if she will respond to the issues raised as regards an improved pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1377/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

853. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim was cancelled after ten years, when the child (details supplied) in question still has the same diagnoses as they did ten years ago; if she will reinstate this claim immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56284/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

956. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is only receiving €188 per week when they have three children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1376/24]

Ambulance Service

Willie O'Dea

1557. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who is a quadriplegic, living at home and needs to attend hospital regularly via ambulance, cannot source an ambulance. [56837/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

1682. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason frontline employees of an organisation (details supplied) who were drivers and regularly collected essential care workers and service users from their homes at the height of the pandemic are not eligible for the pandemic special recognition payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1348/24]

Disability Services

Willie O'Dea

74. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the six new assessment hubs to streamline the assessment of needs process will be established to relieve pressure on service delivery, as set out in the Roadmap to improve Children’s Disability Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55522/23]

Disability Services

Willie O'Dea

98. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline in detail the significant staff development, retention and recruitment actions that his Department will take to improve children’s disability services, as set out in the recent Roadmap to improve Children’s Disability Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55523/23]

Consular Services

Willie O'Dea

144. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the circumstances in correspondence (details supplied), anything can be done to assist a person to be relocated to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55921/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Willie O'Dea

157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an invalidity appeal (details supplied) by a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55823/23]

Driver Test

Willie O'Dea

200. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) who applied for a CPC was informed by the RSA that they had not completed the stage 1 CPC theory test which they passed for C vehicles in 2009 and D vehicles in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54487/23]

Visa Applications

Willie O'Dea

529. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on a visa application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54691/23]

Visa Applications

Willie O'Dea

530. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on an appeal in relation to a visa application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54693/23]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

42. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his target for assistance to restore properties through the vacant property refurbishment grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53879/23]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

62. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to extend access to local authority home loans to tackle long-term vacancy and dereliction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53880/23]

Departmental Schemes

Willie O'Dea

123. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection about the free travel scheme and the introduction of booking fees of between €2-€10 by private transport companies for some passengers who avail of the scheme; if she plans to tackle this to ensure that public transport remains free for those who are eligible for the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53906/23]

Bereavement Leave

Willie O'Dea

151. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has looked into providing a statutory bereavement leave and the costs associated with this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53905/23]

Health Strategies

Willie O'Dea

333. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if the Government intends to become a signatory to the WHO Pandemic Treaty (details supplied); if he will commit to putting this matter to the people in a referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54385/23]

Prison Visiting Committees

Willie O'Dea

120. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when members of prison visiting committees will receive their travel expenses after each prison visit; the reason for the delay in making the payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53951/23]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

234. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in the payments for teachers and SNAs who provided the July Provision Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53334/23]

School Curriculum

Willie O'Dea

82. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education for an update on the additional allocation for curricular reforms, including funding for the accelerated roll out of the senior cycle redevelopment programme and the delivery of additional physical activity initiatives in schools that she announced as part of budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52747/23]

Education Welfare Service

Willie O'Dea

124. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education for an update on the additional allocation for social inclusion measures, including enhancing the capacity of the Tusla education support services and additional educational welfare officer posts that she announced as part of Budget 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52748/23]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

161. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is confident that the European Union's support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49943/23]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

182. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a report on his recent discussions with the Chinese foreign minister in relation to Russia’s war on Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49944/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

349. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the application on a funeral grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51869/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

351. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on the application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51885/23]

Childcare Services

Willie O'Dea

502. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider removing the requirement for crèche operators to have professionally produced accounts; if he will consider increasing funding to the sector, particularly to small independent operators, in order to keep pace with the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52144/23]

Disability Services

Willie O'Dea

635. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing accessibility to adult ADHD support services by allowing for a more inclusive diagnostic process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/23]

Universal Social Charge

Willie O'Dea

96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of earners in counties Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford who will benefit from the USC reductions announced in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51218/23]

Tax Data

Willie O'Dea

137. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers in counties Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford claiming the rent tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51217/23]

Departmental Policies

Willie O'Dea

164. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to ban sulky races, particularly in light of the recent sulky races which took place on a public road in Limerick, which caused significant danger to other road users and resulted in cruelty to the horses involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51658/23]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

322. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider lifting the recently announced HSE recruitment freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51659/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Willie O'Dea

323. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposal to develop a 'surgical hub' in Limerick; the location of the preferred site; when he expects it to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51660/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

102. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51228/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

343. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in respect of a invalidity pension application (details suppled); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50991/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Willie O'Dea

453. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an operation in Croom Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50521/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Willie O'Dea

67. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what plans or strategies he has to support the SMEs of Ireland to prevent hours from being cut, job layoffs, or businesses shutting down as a result of the rising costs of doing business, including as a result of extra costs from measures introduced by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50228/23]

Print Media

Willie O'Dea

230. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has any plans to assist the free newspaper publishers of Ireland, who perform a very important function in society; if she would be prepared to meet the sector’s main representative body (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49781/23]