Parliamentary questions

Institutes of Technology

Fergus O'Dowd

198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can comment or advise on the best route for intellectual disability students in Dundalk Institute of Technology under St John of God Hospital (details supplied) who have been faced with serious placement obstacles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9546/24]

Housing Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

289. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total cost to date of the modular units built on State-owned lands itemised, by cost per unit and by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9216/24]

Victim Support Services

Fergus O'Dowd

364. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if he will respond to and his views on a press release from an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9370/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Fergus O'Dowd

523. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to detail any changes in available public funding for wigs or hairpieces and post-mastectomy products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8911/24]

Special Educational Needs

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education to respond to concerns raised by persons (details supplied) in respect of the SET provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8460/24]

Parental Leave

Fergus O'Dowd

188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8442/24]

Parental Leave

Fergus O'Dowd

249. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8440/24]

Regional Assemblies

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider his local government ministerial nomination to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in view of recent matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8388/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the issues raised in the Alliance of Age Sector NGOs report: Taking Stock (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8238/24]

Driver Licences

Fergus O'Dowd

185. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider reviewing a proposal (details supplied) further in relation to driver licence exchange agreement with the USA, considering the precedent which has already been agreed with Canada,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7962/24]

Media Sector

Fergus O'Dowd

330. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7995/24]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

343. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 8 February 2024, if he has the power to appoint an independent, competent and appropriate person to enquire into the issue and report back to him directly on the issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7529/24]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

364. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to urgent concerns raised from the local deaf community (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7425/24]

Health Service Executive

Fergus O'Dowd

526. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek information on whether the audit tool as referenced in a response from the HSE (details supplied) has been completed and put in place by the national dementia office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7439/24]

Road Tolls

Fergus O'Dowd

169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing and frustrating campaign to remove the M1 tolls which consistently causes serious congestion in the largest town of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7178/24]

Disability Services

Fergus O'Dowd

187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised by a local organisation and service users (details supplied) in respect of the difficulty in securing disability-adapted taxis in County Louth; what measures are being, or could be, considered to increase the number of disability-friendly taxi units in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6435/24]

Rail Network

Fergus O'Dowd

202. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to queries raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of InterCity rail price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6233/24]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Fergus O'Dowd

233. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the measures and supports that are being considered to help alleviate the devastating pressure being exerted on homeowners who have been moved or are tied to vulture fund lenders, where in some cases they are paying over 10% interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/24]

Departmental Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

415. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the narrow water bridge project, including projected timelines and funding amounts for the long-awaited project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6509/24]

Referendum Campaigns

Fergus O'Dowd

529. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a response will issue to queries raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the upcoming referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6238/24]

Mental Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

611. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to concerns and details raised by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6614/24]

Local Authorities

Fergus O'Dowd

228. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will comment on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6022/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

325. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns raised (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing issues for children awaiting limb reconstruction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5888/24]

Sports Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

218. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can seek assistance for Irish Ice Hockey for their upcoming trip to the Scotiabank junior hockey tournament in Nova Scotia, Canada in April (details supplied); if the Minister can enquire or advise if any funding would be available to assist the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4929/24]

Departmental Contracts

Fergus O'Dowd

558. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to seek information from the management of all acute hospitals as to whether third party companies are contracted to provide medical consultation, advice, reading of scans and so on, outside of normal working hours, where consultants are already employed and on call for the same acute hospital; if so, the reasons for same; if a lack of IT systems are to blame for such an occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5540/24]

Ports Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

27. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on any discussion within his Department in respect of the ongoing and urgent need to remove the Hebble Dredge from the River Boyne in Drogheda following its original sinking in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4441/24]

Driver Test

Fergus O'Dowd

32. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he and his Department can ensure that any and all resources are provided to ensure that an appropriate site is found to recommence driver testing in Drogheda, which is the largest town in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4440/24]

Tax Rebates

Fergus O'Dowd

114. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the ways that he is making processes easier for coeliacs to claim tax rebates, with particular consideration to the increasing cost of gluten-free foods which is hitting those on marginal incomes hardest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4445/24]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering any further easing of VAT rates for retrofitting or renewable energy works or products for domestic purposes, to assist homeowners in reducing reliance on energy providers in what is a crippling energy crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4444/24]

Pension Provisions

Fergus O'Dowd

242. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he expects to make a final decision on the ESB pensions increase request received in January; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4831/24]

School Meals Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

93. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the needs of coeliac diagnosed children with regard to the ever-growing and welcome roll-out of the school meals programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4404/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if any consideration has been given to providing a national screening programme for coeliac disease, similar to that of the Italian system where they included a screening programme for one- to 17 year-olds for coeliac disease into their national legislation in late 2023 (details supplied), with consideration that Ireland has one of the highest incidence rates of coeliac disease in the world [4426/24]

Departmental Policies

Fergus O'Dowd

150. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if any consideration has been given to the introduction of a DNA strategy to address the issue of dog fouling across the country; if he will fund such a strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3802/24]

Haulage Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to comment on a health initiative concept for haulage drivers (details supplied) and advise on the best way to progress such a concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3868/24]

European Union

Fergus O'Dowd

246. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the discussions that have taken place with member states in respect of the EU steel safeguarding tariff; whether the measures are set to continue in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4165/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

315. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider, as part of the review of the croí cónaithe scheme, adding farm buildings to the eligible list of buildings, as many old farm buildings are no longer suitable for modern-day agricultural practices and are being left abandoned as they serve little or no purpose (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3654/24]

Defective Building Materials

Fergus O'Dowd

319. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek engagement with the Housing Agency in respect of a person’s pyrite concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3761/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

516. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review a case (details supplied) where a person has been denied HSE assistance despite their significant requirements and diagnosis of FND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

551. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline the details of his Department’s/HSE analysis on the safe staffing and skill mix of nurses and others working in nursing homes, public and private and in care homes; to give an update on findings and recommendations to date; when the final analysis will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4128/24]

Nuclear Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

51. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on discussions held with UK counterparts regarding recent reported safety issues at the Sellafield nuclear facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/24]

Northern Ireland

Fergus O'Dowd

55. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline recent efforts by him and his Department to assist in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/24]

Energy Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on his previous commitment in providing a mechanism for full time residents in mobile homes to access the much needed electricity credits, which to date has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/24]

Nuclear Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on discussions that have taken place with UK counterparts on the recent leaks at the magnox swarf storage silo in Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline plans to make available much needed low interest loans for households who wish to migrate to solar panel installations but who cannot afford to do so at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3449/24]

Medical Inquiries

Fergus O'Dowd

346. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the sodium valproate inquiry; the reason a chairperson has not been appointed to date; when he expects the chairperson to be in place and for the inquiry to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3424/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

347. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to proposals and concerns from a person (details attached) with respect to the severe difficulties in accessing diagnosis assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/24]

Departmental Data

Fergus O'Dowd

356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of children and their average waiting time, on speech and language therapy waiting lists across all CHOs, sub-divided in tabular form, by county and by local HSE designated service area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3520/24]

Departmental Data

Fergus O'Dowd

357. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of children and their average waiting time, on speech and language therapy waiting lists across all CHOs, sub divided in tabular form by county, and by local HSE designated service area, across the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/24]

Road Safety Authority

Fergus O'Dowd

182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update from the Road Safety Authority on the need to progress a new temporary or permanent driving test centre for Drogheda, County Louth, the largest town in Ireland; if, considering the unacceptable driving test wait times in the Louth and east Meath area, he will seek full clarification on the list of sites which have been assessed since the decision was taken to close the temporary site in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/24]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

340. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/24]

Programme for Government

Fergus O'Dowd

554. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the programme for Government commitment to ensure that older people who are at greater risk of fuel poverty and the respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution be prioritised in climate action and climate-mitigation plans, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2464/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

570. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progression and the timeline for the establishment of a commission on care for older people and the establishment of a commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/24]

Healthcare Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the expansion of community-based care, bringing it closer to home, in line with the Sláintecare Implementation plan since the establishment of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/24]

Mental Health Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

572. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and increase access to talk therapies and improve access to specialist expertise, when it is required, in line with Sharing the Vision – a Mental Health Policy for Everyone, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/24]

Social Isolation

Fergus O'Dowd

573. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a plan aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation, particularly among older people, as outlined in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

574. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to further support the nursing homes support scheme (the fair deal) to provide assistance when staying at home may no longer be an option, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2458/24]

Nursing Education

Fergus O'Dowd

575. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that no nursing homes support scheme resident is charged for services they do not use, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

576. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that the best possible safeguards are in place to protect our friends and family in nursing homes, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

577. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase the number of specialist palliative care beds countrywide over the five years of government, ensuring that there will be a hospice serving every region in the country, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

578. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to support community specialist palliative home care teams in all HSE areas, fund designated homecare packages, and resource specialist palliative care provided in hospices, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2462/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

579. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase resources for the children’s palliative care programme since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2463/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

580. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken by his Department to deliver transgender health services in Ireland; if his Department has considered the 'informed consent' model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2466/24]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

581. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; how he plans to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/24]

Hospital Admissions

Fergus O'Dowd

582. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide a progress update on the expansion of community intervention teams to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and to support the timely discharge of patients to their homes, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

583. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the target of community services assigning a case manager for older people with chronic conditions to assist them with accessing the care they need, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2474/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

584. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the development of the role of advanced nurse practitioners in older person services and chronic disease management, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2475/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the development and targeted expansion and availability of step-down facilities across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2476/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

586. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and support eHealth and the increased use of assistive technologies, supporting people to live independently, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2477/24]

Programme for Government

Fergus O'Dowd

587. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and deliver a ‘carers guarantee’ proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2478/24]

Cybersecurity Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to comment on safety and cyber concerns raised in an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2101/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will seek a full update from the HSE on much-needed plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO8 area; if he will provide a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to address and cease unfair additional charges being applied to medical card holders in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/24]

Air Quality

Fergus O'Dowd

129. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure enforcement of the new air-quality regulations nationwide, further to the €500,000 awarded to local authorities to support targeted enforcement campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

304. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the funding requirements and allocations required to advance the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

305. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on TII roads funding for 2024; the reason for the delay in announcing the final allocations; when he expects the announcement to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2078/24]

Architectural Heritage

Fergus O'Dowd

404. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1758/24]

School Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

604. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to concerns raised on the application of the STEM grants nationwide (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1180/24]

Swimming Pools

Fergus O'Dowd

710. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 23 May 2023, and following the ongoing interest in providing a full-time, permanent pool in the Ardee area, if she will outline when the pop-up pool might be available to Ardee in 2024; if any discussions have taken place between her Department and Louth County Council in respect of the provision of a new pool for the Ardee/mid Louth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1117/24]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

826. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the report carried out on the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability; when the report will be published and available to review [1553/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

831. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to further expand the croí cónaithe vacant dwelling scheme in 2024 to include more eligible properties that would add to housing supply, including the possible reduction of vacancy criteria from two years to one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/24]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

835. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/24]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

890. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the expected timelines for pay parity claims for Tús supervisors; if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56875/23]

Weather Events

Fergus O'Dowd

1176. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 21 November 2023, if there are plans to expand the scheme to include sectors such as farming and so on due to the lack of any other funding supports in such weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56455/23]

Wildlife Conservation

Fergus O'Dowd

1248. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek advice from his officials as to whether there are any suitable sites that they may be aware of under their remit that could possibly house this vital wildlife organisation, which continues to struggle to find a suitable site for its important work on the East coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/24]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1468. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide the full details of the escalation protocol at the emergency department of UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56397/23]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1469. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL to provide the criteria required to activate the escalation policy; how many patients were admitted; how many patients are awaiting treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56398/23]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1470. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, if the criteria for escalation was met in the emergency department at UHL on 17 and 18 December 2022; if the escalation protocol was activated on the night of 17 and 18 December 2022 at the hospital; if the escalation protocol was implemented; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56399/23]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1471. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, UHL's recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in the emergency department; the recommended doctor to patient ratio in the emergency department, that is, the number of nurses and doctors, respectively to the number of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56400/23]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1472. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, the figures on the nursing staff and doctors on duty in the emergency department on 17 and 18 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56401/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Fergus O'Dowd

1560. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a person (details supplied) and seek advice on what supports might be available for them in this difficult situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56882/23]

Vaccination Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

1571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he plans to introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults to protect them from what can be a debilitating illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57004/23]

Healthcare Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

1580. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he expects ozempic to be added to the GMS list for weight loss; the reason the drug is not available under the drug payments, considering the considerable impact it is having on weight and the associated positive effect it is having on health, thus reducing the long term requirement for other services linked to obesity and weight problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57047/23]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

1724. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the report carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (details supplied) if further consideration has been given to the provision of a capitation grant or low-interest loan scheme for small- to medium-sized nursing homes to meet the cost of required upgrades/building works in order to satisfy HIQA regulations, where that nursing home can show that it does not have the capacity to meet the financial requirements on same, and where there is a clear and identified need for beds in the area in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1725. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the total number of primary school pupils who are currently awaiting to have their in-school eye, hearing and dental checks, by each CHO area in each of the years 2010 to date; the recommended and targeted age for each of the relevant checks; what improvements are being considered to clear the backlogs in this area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1564/24]

Hospital Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

1737. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he expects the new St. Marys Hospital in Drogheda to be fully operational; if the HSE moratorium has impacted on the progress of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/24]

Budget 2024

Fergus O'Dowd

1858. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the achievements to date with respect to making third level easier for medical graduates to succeed in Ireland following Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1463/24]

Rural Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

1875. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will seek an update on the long-awaited and much-delayed Ardee Castle redevelopment, funded through the rural regeneration and redevelopment fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1759/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Fergus O'Dowd

155. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline her Department's response to the results of a recent survey of palliative care nurses by an organisation (details supplied) which found that many terminal cancer patients were dying in cold homes which they could not afford to heat; and if she will extend the household benefits package, the fuel allowance payment and the additional needs payment to persons with a cancer diagnosis, as recommended by the organisation. [55818/23]

Nuclear Plants

Fergus O'Dowd

178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the concerns raised in a recent article published in a newspaper on 5 December 2023 (details supplied) in respect of the Sellafield power plant and the potential risk to the public; when his Department learned of this risk; the actions taken by his Department since; if he will provide the relevant dates and any other information related to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55308/23]

Road Tolls

Fergus O'Dowd

236. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55359/23]