Parliamentary questions

Tax Exemptions

Willie O'Dea

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

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

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

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

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

Widow's Pension

Willie O'Dea

70. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the current stage of legislation that will allow for the enactment of the recent Supreme Court decision to allow a cohabitant to claim a widow's pension in certain circumstances; when she expects it to be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22131/24]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

552. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the newly completed unit at St. Camillus' Hospital will open to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21217/24]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Willie O'Dea

629. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when the clinical review of the medicinal cannabis programme will be completed to ascertain whether evidence exists to expand the range of conditions covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21714/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what further action is being taken with regard to the use of frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/24]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

98. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on any action being taken to ensure the accountability of the Russian Federation for its actions in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/24]

Departmental Bodies

Willie O'Dea

148. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed inter-departmental committee has been established to source funding options for implementing noise action plans on major roads, such as the M20 at Ballycummin, Limerick; when it is hoped the committee will issue recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21059/24]

State Pensions

Willie O'Dea

222. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if an individual (details supplied) has an entitlement to apply for the State pension (contributory), in view of the fact that they have 244 reckonable contributions paid since 2014 and they also have mixed contributions for a number of other years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21057/24]

Child and Family Agency

Willie O'Dea

269. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered that the childcare crisis could worsen if the proposed Tusla regulations come into effect, as childminders in their own home would have responsibilities akin to a manager in a crèche as well as all their regular other duties; if he has also considered that the resulting increased amount of administration would have a detrimental effect on their work/life balance and the privacy of childminders and their families would be badly affected by the proposed regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21155/24]

Residential Institutions

Willie O'Dea

188. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if, in light of the fact that the courts have granted interest to victims of institutional abuse who are receiving compensation, she will also consider paying interest to these victims, including to those who attended a school (details supplied) in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20302/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

560. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he intends to establish a tribunal to deal with cases of people who have been injured as a result of taking the Covid vaccines; if so, when the tribunal will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/24]

National Development Plan

Willie O'Dea

87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 5 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19812/24]

National Development Plan

Willie O'Dea

88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an overview of the progress made to date under National Strategic Outcome 6 of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19813/24]

Schools Building Projects

Willie O'Dea

146. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education when she intends to sanction a new school building for a school (details supplied), as the current building and prefabs are no longer fit for purpose for the 870 children currently attending and who all started school with the promise of a new school building; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19612/24]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

169. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will give consideration to increasing the property price ceiling of €400,000 for purchasing houses in Limerick under the first home scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19566/24]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Willie O'Dea

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on plans to establish Childcare Ireland; what form the agency will take; the progress to date on changes to the operating model for childcare in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19138/24]

Library Services

Willie O'Dea

122. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the little book bag initiative; the number of books distributed since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19137/24]

Antisocial Behaviour

Willie O'Dea

490. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the growing problem of crime and anti-social behaviour in Limerick city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18962/24]

Legal Services Regulation

Willie O'Dea

518. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she has given consideration to increasing the fines and sanctions that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal can impose on a solicitor for misconduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19224/24]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

727. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the redundancy claim by a 'person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19390/24]

Community Care

Willie O'Dea

294. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will provide further State funding for an organisation (details supplied) to allow for the continued delivery of its national service which looks after the practical, social and emotional needs of thousands of heart and stroke patients in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18428/24]

Youth Services

Willie O'Dea

159. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide increased funding to ensure youth workers are covered by the WRC recommendations on section 39, section 10 and section 56 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18419/24]

Vacant Properties

Willie O'Dea

369. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider amending the Croí Cónaithe vacant property refurbishment grant scheme to allow it to be paid in stage payments when certain works are completed, as this would require much less funds to be put in place up front as access to finance is a significant impediment to many people who wish to take on the renovation of a vacant or derelict property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17763/24]

Public Sector Pay

Willie O'Dea

605. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will sanction the pay award recommended to senior health managers when Report 42 was issued and approved by the Government in 2007 and which has also been before the WRC/Labour Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17504/24]

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]