Parliamentary questions

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

391. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an animal trap for rats and mice (details supplied) is unlawful under the Wildlife Act, 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003 and if so, what action his Department is taking against those selling or using them in Ireland. [10038/24]

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

392. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can explain why a veterinary report form documenting the presence of two pregnant hares at Freshford Coursing Club has been modified on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website to now show that "nil" hares were identified as pregnant at the meeting; who authorised this modification; if he condones it; and if an investigation will be launched to establish if pregnant hares were present and if so, if this breached licence conditions. [10039/24]

Wildlife Protection

Paul Murphy

393. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will investigate if a pregnant hare who gave birth was among the hares in a coursing compound in Glin, given the number of hares at the end of coursing was one more than the number captured from the wild, if this breached the licence conditions and if so, what action he is taking against the club in question. [10040/24]

Social Welfare Code

Paul Murphy

438. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection why 'S' class contributions do not quality for carer’s payment; if there are any exceptions to this rule; if there is consideration around changing this; and if not, why not. [10056/24]

Visa Agreements

Paul Murphy

497. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice to provide any updates in relation to the requirement for a visa for Colombians to travel to Ireland (details supplied). [10670/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Paul Murphy

510. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out by Horse Racing Ireland in 2023 to hunts in point-to-point racing grants and any other funding, and if he will stop this, given that the money is propping up hunt clubs which are involved in bloodsports which the vast majority want banned. [10041/24]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

511. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if releasing a pack of dogs to chase a fox, failing to intervene to stop the dogs from attacking and-or killing the fox, and using terriers to corner and attack foxes when they try to escape underground are contrary to the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, which states that it is an offence to "do, or fail to do, anything or cause or permit anything to be done to an animal that causes unnecessary suffering to, or endanger the health or welfare of, an animal". [10042/24]

Greyhound Industry

Paul Murphy

512. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate why Greyhound Racing Ireland has categorised an Irish greyhound as "rehomed" after it was informed that the dog had been found straying in the UK in an underweight condition with a mouth "in an appalling state with rotten teeth" and that efforts were being made to find him a home; and if an investigation will be carried out to establish how this Irish-owned greyhound came to be abandoned in the UK. [10043/24]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Murphy

548. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the rationale for the State agreeing to pay for the role of safeguarding officer in St. Johns Ambulance; and to explain if this will be a mechanism available to other organisations in financial distress. [10045/24]

Voluntary Sector

Paul Murphy

549. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline whether any conditions will be imposed on St. Johns Ambulance in return for the State paying for the role of safeguarding officer. [10046/24]

Medical Cards

Paul Murphy

708. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the proposed change in the medical card hair loss grant, if he will reconsider this proposal, ensuring that a grant is provided for anyone in need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10311/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul Murphy

710. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in relation to the special pay with leave long-Covid scheme for healthcare workers which is not to be extended beyond 31 March 2024 (details supplied) why have the Minister and the HSE reached this decision; if he is aware that these healthcare workers are still in the same situation and therefore still in need of the same support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10318/24]

Vaccination Programme

Paul Murphy

711. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 5 December 2023, the reasons for the delay between October and December; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10320/24]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

713. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 565 of 20 February 2024, if he can provide a timeline for when the operation is going to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10323/24]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Paul Murphy

99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Optional Protocol for the UN Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities will be ratified within the term of this Government; if so, when it will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/24]

Childcare Services

Paul Murphy

126. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase childcare places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9519/24]

Legislative Measures

Paul Murphy

269. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who are currently the subject of a High Court order placing them in special care in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991, who are not in special care due to the absence of an available bed; whether private agency staff can be utilised to staff the beds that are not currently open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9823/24]

Legislative Measures

Paul Murphy

270. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of agency staff currently employed to work in special care under the Child Care Act 1991; the hourly rates of pay offered to agency staff to work in special care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9824/24]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

313. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the due diligence on therapists offered positions in the HSE is being outsourced to a private company; how long the average wait is from the time of application to completion of due diligence; how much the private company is being paid; whether there was a tender process for this company; and the reason the HSE is not itself verifying the qualifications and experience of applicants. [9825/24]

Legislative Programme

Paul Murphy

1. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [7878/24]