Parliamentary questions

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168 of 6 March 2024, and 1052 of 20 March 2024, if he will confirm the nature and terms of an exit agreement entered into by Horse Sport Ireland in January 2022 with a named individual (details supplied); confirm if his Department paid the costs of such an exit agreement; to provide the full costs of such exit agreement, referred to as “goodbye money”; provide the breakdown of any associated other costs to conclude the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Fitzmaurice

414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to name the management and delivery team members named in each tender submission received by his Department in April 2022 from bidders seeking the marketing contracts from his Department for the marketing of the horse sport industry (details supplied); to provide the names and qualifications of each member of the teams involved in each bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

415. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any entity funded by his Department has developed a marketing plan for the promotion of the Irish horse sport industry; if such a plan exists, the duration of the plan; those consulted in the formulation of the plan by his Department or third parties; and if he will publish such a plan on the Department website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

416. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Irish Horse Board since 1 January 2023 in either employment or contract for service roles; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

417. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Horse Sport Ireland on 1 January 2022 in either employment or contract for service roles in the marketing of the Irish horse sport industry; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

418. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, to confirm the names of panel members involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, equine breeding services and studbook tenders offer by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, the recorded or registered conflicts of interests declared by each panel member and official involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, breeding services and studbook tenders received by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/24]

Horse Racing Industry

Michael Fitzmaurice

420. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, with respect to evaluation of three tenders for marketing services for the horse sport industry, national equine breeding services and studbook operations for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Studbooks, the steps he took to ensure that he was “satisfied that all panel members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of procurement procedure”; if he reassured himself that no panel member applied personally or professionally to the incumbent the Horse Sport Ireland for funding in any of the five years prior to tender evaluation; if he reassured himself that no panel member or their extended family members registered or owned horses registered with the incumbent; if he reassured himself that no panel member or officials involved in any of the review stages held personal relationships with any prospective bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/24]

Departmental Policies

Michael Healy-Rae

421. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if donkeys are worth anything when it comes to stocking densities and fulfilling requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/24]

Disabilities Assessments

James Lawless

422. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress his Department is achieving in reducing the waiting list for assessment of needs for children on the HSE waiting list; if he could detail the waiting time remaining for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/24]

Childcare Services

Neasa Hourigan

423. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the work of the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum, particularly their work on issues around staff recruitment and retention within the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/24]

Childcare Services

Róisín Shortall

424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will consider allowing for childcare assistants who are undergoing training to be included in staff-children ratios, provided they are under the supervision of fully qualified childcare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/24]

Legislative Measures

David Stanton

425. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to introduce the Heads of Bill to legislate for working mothers who get cancer in pregnancy, or postpartum, and are subsequently forced to use up their maternity leave while getting treated for and recovering from a cancer diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/24]

Departmental Regulations

Richard Bruton

426. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of submissions from the respective stakeholders which have been received to date in respect of the draft regulations for the child-minding sector; if he is aware that some providers fear a very legalistic compliance approach from Tusla that might not appreciate the essence of care within a home setting compared to a business setting; and how he intends to proceed in finalising and introducing the new regime. [20251/24]

International Protection

Michael McNamara

427. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who were in IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024; the number that were persons in respect of whom the IPAS has been informed that they have been refused international protection and leave to remain but have not received a deportation order. [20272/24]

International Protection

Michael McNamara

428. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants who were awaiting an offer of IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024. [20273/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20309/24]

Disability Services

Richard Bruton

430. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will obtain a report from a service (details supplied) regarding their capacity to find placements for children completing their school years; and if any steps can be taken to ensure suitable placements and transport to the placement, where necessary. [20326/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Holly Cairns

431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason survivors and former residents from a mother and baby county home institution, who also spent time at St. Joseph's Hospital, Coole, County Westmeath prior to being adopted, are excluded from the payment scheme (details supplied). [20340/24]

Special Educational Needs

Holly Cairns

432. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether his attention has been drawn to an issue in special schools where only students who reside in the CDNT area of the school itself are able to access therapies within the school; whether this residency requirement is departmental or HSE policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20342/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

433. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/24]

Official Apology

Pearse Doherty

434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, following his discussion in Dáil Éireann (details supplied) on 6 December 2023, he has considered offering an apology on behalf of the State to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20377/24]

Departmental Budgets

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

435. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E4 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [20391/24]

Departmental Budgets

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

436. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E5 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [20392/24]

Departmental Budgets

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

437. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the amount of his Department’s pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to international protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [20393/24]

Departmental Budgets

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

438. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the amount of his Department’s pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to temporary protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [20394/24]

Departmental Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

439. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the number of offers that his Department has received by private landowners and developers to build modular homes for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the estimated number of planned units contained within such offers; and the average cost per unit across the offers put forward, in tabular form. [20395/24]

Departmental Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

440. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular homes overseen by the Office of Public Works that have been delivered; the average cost per unit in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital costs of land and site servicing and costs of building and materials respectively, in tabular form. [20396/24]

Departmental Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

441. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular units that are currently in development; to specify the stage of development of each project; and the estimated average capital cost per project and per unit, in tabular form. [20397/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

442. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many of the six reception centres targeted under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision have been delivered to date; how many further are in development; the estimated number of persons that may be accommodated under the reception centres delivered to date and those in development, respectively; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital cost to build or acquire these centres, and the annual current cost to operate the centres, in tabular form. [20398/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

443. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many of the 75 urban renewal units targeted under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision have been delivered to date; how many more are in development; to provide a breakdown of those built and those purchased; the estimated number of persons that may be accommodated under the units delivered and in development respectively; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital and current cost to construct these units. [20399/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

444. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many applicants of international protection have been accommodated under the hosting in the community accommodation strand, as outlined under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision. [20400/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

445. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the 13,000 State-owned IPAS units targeted by 2028 under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ that will be dedicated to reception and integration centres and accommodation centres respectively; and the estimated number of centres needed to accommodate the targeted unit capacity for reception and integration centres and accommodation centres respectively, in tabular form. [20401/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

446. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of how many of the 11,000 commercially owned contingency accommodation units targeted by 2028 under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ are estimated to be delivered through the acquisition of new IPAS centres; and how many through upgrades of existing IPAS centres. [20402/24]

International Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

447. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the rationale of his Department’s targeted IPAS capacity of 35,000 by 2028 for arrivals of 13,000-16,000 per annum under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ – specifying, in tabular form, the estimated duration of accommodation between phase 1, phase 2 and post-status approval respectively, with a breakdown of the duration estimated for standard and accelerated procedures; and to outline the level of flexibility and flow-through within these estimates. [20403/24]

Departmental Contracts

John McGuinness

448. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if payments due to a company for the provision of accommodation (details supplied) will be paid immediately; if a designated official will be appointed to contact each company directly to resolve any issues that may be delaying the payments due, and if he will expedite the matter. [20424/24]

Departmental Contracts

John McGuinness

449. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if payment due to a company (details supplied) for the provision of accommodation will be paid immediately. [20425/24]

Carer's Leave

Richard Bruton

450. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered extending unpaid leave to carers to take time off to undertake care needs, or to support employers in offering flexibility around such arrangements. [20430/24]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

451. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe within which a decision will be made in relation to the business case currently with the HSE to fund an increase in respite provision in a facility (details supplied) from 840 nights per year to 1500 nights per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20434/24]

Disability Services

Frankie Feighan

452. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update regarding the provision of a permanent respite service for families in the south Leitrim area in Carrick-on-Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20441/24]

Disability Services

Frankie Feighan

453. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update regarding the provision of a new respite service in County Roscommon (details supplied); to provide details on the number of beds available, the number of staff allocated, and the cost to bring the building into service. [20442/24]

International Protection

Peadar Tóibín

454. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of the number of private residential properties currently rented by IPAS in each county; the rental cost for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20456/24]

International Protection

Paul Murphy

455. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to correspondence received by his office (details supplied), if he agrees that arrangements must be put in place to help these vulnerable people; if he will ensure that measures are put in place to house asylum-seekers from Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) in appropriate accommodation; and if a person can be accommodated in Blackrock House. [20488/24]

Disability Services

Seán Canney

456. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of services available in the CDNT7 area in 2024 due to the shortage of staff and specialists; to provide a schedule of staff in place and the staff levels required to run the service property; when the full complement of staff will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20499/24]

Asylum Seekers

Michael Ring

457. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers that are resident here, per county, on 1 January 2024, in tabular form. [20503/24]

Ukraine War

Michael Ring

458. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees that are resident here, per county, on 1 January 2024, in tabular form. [20504/24]

International Protection

Marian Harkin

459. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a contract to accommodate international protection applicants (details supplied) was signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20511/24]

Child and Family Agency

Thomas Pringle

460. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will direct that the CEO of Tusla accedes to a request for a meeting from a not-for-profit children's health advocacy group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20516/24]

Ukraine War

Éamon Ó Cuív

461. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average number of Ukrainian refugees provided with accommodation in each of the years from 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; the total cost of this accommodation in each year; the average rate been paid per person per night for full board accommodation and for self-catering accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/24]

Disability Services

Michael McNamara

462. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will expedite a residential service for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20592/24]

Freedom of Information

Peadar Tóibín

463. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason why a freedom of information request (details supplied) has not yet received a decision; if he will detail when a decision will be made on the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20600/24]

Departmental Data

Paul Donnelly

464. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost to increase the intake of graduate social workers to 400 throughout the graduate programme, in tabular form. [20652/24]

Child Detention Centres

Paul Donnelly

465. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons admitted to Oberstown detention centre in each month of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20653/24]

Childcare Services

Marian Harkin

466. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a list of closures of all childcare services including the name of the service, location and number of childcare places for the years 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20678/24]

Childcare Services

Marian Harkin

467. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a list of all new childcare services including the name of the service, location and number of childcare places for the years 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20679/24]

International Protection

Pa Daly

468. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown, in tabular form, of the amount paid by IPAS to private security firms for the years 2020 to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20681/24]

Departmental Budgets

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

469. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make available the total budgeted amount allocated to each CDNT area in County Donegal (details supplied) from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20685/24]

Departmental Budgets

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

470. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make available the total expenditure of the allocated budget spent for each children's disability network team, CDNT, area in County Donegal (details supplied) from 1 January to 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20686/24]

Disability Services

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

471. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current staff vacancy rates in each of the CDNT areas in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/24]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

472. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase and expand respite services in Waterford and west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/24]

Mother and Baby Homes

Marian Harkin

473. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify a matter in regard to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20756/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

474. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of fees incurred for transporting beneficiaries of temporary protection to their accommodation centres from March 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/24]

Legislative Measures

John Brady

475. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, in relation to amendments to the Maternity Protection Act 2004 allowing for the postponement of maternity leave in the case of a cancer diagnosis, he still supports his public commitment to this policy; what actions he is taking to ensure this legislation passes through the relevant stages of the Oireachtas during the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/24]

Direct Provision System

Jennifer Whitmore

476. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will extend the exemption for those people with status and-or leave to remain in direct provision centres who have been issued transfer letters to lone parents and their children, like has been done for those who are over the age of 65 or with significant medical or welfare needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20923/24]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Thomas Pringle

477. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the cost to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/24]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Thomas Pringle

478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the cost to fully implement, resource and operate the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20931/24]

Departmental Strategies

Thomas Pringle

479. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the cost to fully resource the new national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20933/24]

Departmental Data

Thomas Pringle

480. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the cost to maintain a junior ministry for disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20934/24]

Home Care Packages

James Lawless

481. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health for an update on the home care package (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20107/24]

Health Services

John Lahart

482. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views that audiology waiting lists for a first appointment and for a review appointment are too long; his further views that there is a significant postcode lottery involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20109/24]

Health Services Staff

John Lahart

483. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the current number of audiologist wholetime equivalents, WTEs, in post per 100,000 population in each community healthcare organisation or CHO area; his views that there is a wide variation of audiology staff between CHO areas; and if he accepts that this contributes to inequitable waiting lists between CHO areas. [20110/24]

Health Services

John Lahart

484. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the current waiting period for children aged over two years attending audiology services to receive a review appointment, by CHO area; his views that in many areas this is well outside recommended guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20111/24]

Health Services Staff

Martin Browne

485. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the staffing numbers for the Cashel minor injuries unit for the years 2020 to 2023, inclusive, and to date in 2024, broken down by profession; to confirm whether the recruitment ban is resulting in departing staff not being replaced; if all departing staff are being replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20113/24]

Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

486. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for genetic testing services for rare diseases in Ireland; and the measures the HSE is taking to improve access and speed of results for patients in need of genetic testing services. [20153/24]

Care of the Elderly

Darren O'Rourke

487. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE funds daycare centres within CHO 8 for older persons’ services that are opened on the weekends; and if so, the locations of same, in tabular form. [20154/24]

Departmental Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

488. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the funding requirements of the seeking safety Ireland programme, a vital and very successful programme that supports women who have experienced trauma and addiction; if a funding request has been received and reviewed; when he expects to sign off the funding to allow the programme to continue to provide the services and expand the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Brendan Griffin

489. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry should expect to be called for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

490. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive a date for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20176/24]

Departmental Funding

Denis Naughten

491. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans he has, if any, to provide immediate funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20178/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

492. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be renewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/24]

Disability Services

Darren O'Rourke

493. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the HSE funds adult disabilities day care centres within CHO8 that are opened on the weekends; and if so, the location of same, in tabular form. [20181/24]

Departmental Funding

Darren O'Rourke

494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to psycho-oncology services in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [20182/24]

Health Services Staff

Darren O'Rourke

495. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the impact of the recruitment embargo on cardiology services; the number of positions that cannot be filled; and if services have been affected. [20183/24]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Griffin

496. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will explain a reduction in travel expenses for a HSE home help worker (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20187/24]

Health Services

James Lawless

497. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20189/24]

Medical Cards

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

498. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason patients with medical cards are continuing to be charged for services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20192/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Carol Nolan

499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting assessment nationally; the duration of the waiting time for speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20200/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Carol Nolan

500. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting assessment nationally; the duration of the waiting time for occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20201/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Carol Nolan

501. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting assessment nationally; the duration of the waiting time for HSE contracted psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20202/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Carol Nolan

502. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting assessment nationally; the duration of the waiting time for HSE contracted psychiatrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20203/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Carol Nolan

503. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons awaiting assessment nationally; the duration of the waiting time for HSE contracted social workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20204/24]

Health Services Staff

Carol Nolan

504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total number of vacancies within the HSE for speech & language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20205/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Brendan Griffin

505. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Kerry (details supplied) will be assessed and will receive a new wheelchair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20207/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Niamh Smyth

506. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health for an update on the physiotherapy appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20208/24]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

507. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reporting arrangements in place for the HSE public-only consultant contract; the persons responsible for oversight and reporting; the most recent reporting in this regard; to whom these reports are made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20220/24]

Health Strategies

Richard Bruton

508. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a national rare diseases strategy for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20225/24]

Hospital Facilities

Joe McHugh

509. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health when the plans to add additional space at Letterkenny University Hospital will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20227/24]

Departmental Inquiries

John Lahart

510. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the person who has been appointed to chair the Epilim inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20230/24]

Medical Cards

Richard Boyd Barrett

511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether injections for osteoporosis with the medication festeo are still reimbursable for medical card holders; to provide a rationale for their removal if these injections are no longer available for medical card holders; what recourse medical card holders who have previously required such injections have if they have been removed from the list of reimbursable medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20232/24]

Hospital Admissions

David Cullinane

512. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the average time spent waiting by a patient who was admitted on a trolley between a bed being allocated for them and that bed becoming available for the patient and the patient moved into that bed, by hospital, in tabular form. [20233/24]