Parliamentary questions

Health Services Staff

Imelda Munster

301. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO8; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover, in tabular form. [51617/23]

Hospital Staff

Imelda Munster

302. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate, in tabular form. [51618/23]

Health Services Staff

Imelda Munster

303. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO8; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate, in tabular form. [51619/23]

Inland Fisheries

Imelda Munster

37. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the hardship scheme for draft net fishing on the river Boyne is still open for applicants; if the scheme has been updated in any form; if he will provide details of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/23]

International Protection

Imelda Munster

69. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update from the cross-departmental group on moving international protection applicants from tourist accommodation to more suitable accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45556/23]

Broadcasting Sector

Imelda Munster

1. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide the most recent update in relation to the two ongoing reviews she has commissioned into governance, culture, contractor fees, human resources and other matters in RTÉ, including timelines for their completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45983/23]

Departmental Budgets

Imelda Munster

42. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a timeline for a detailed breakdown in each of the subheadings, A to E, in the Department’s budget 2024. [45557/23]

School Transport

Imelda Munster

150. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education if the matter regarding increasing the age of school bus drivers from 70 to 75 years when medically certified can be reviewed given the current severe pressure on the school transport system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45513/23]

Departmental Funding

Imelda Munster

164. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of spending, in tabular form, of the two allocations made to the Drogheda implementation board of €167,884 from the dormant accounts fund in 2022 and €268,407 from the dormant accounts fund in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42932/23]

Pension Provisions

Imelda Munster

169. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason that a former Army Private, who retired in February 2012 with 34 years of service, has a 31-year pension, but when they turn 66, their pension falls back to a 21-year pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42708/23]

Traffic Management

Imelda Munster

223. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if, given the unprecedented traffic gridlock caused by the closure of the Obelisk Bridge for works, he will liaise with Louth County Council, TII and the M1 toll operators, to offer Eircode-based M1 toll passes, or any other workable solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42709/23]

Taxi Regulations

Imelda Munster

224. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if, noting the availability of online maps and route planners, there is consideration being given to removing the SPSV exam which comprises two separate modules: the Industry Knowledge Module and the Area Knowledge Module; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42710/23]

Disability Services

Imelda Munster

558. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail the funding streams that an organisation (details supplied) can apply to for a mobile wheelchair pool hoist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42711/23]

Television Licence Fee

Imelda Munster

85. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which identified the taxpayer contribution to public service media in 2020 as being €106 million, comprised of funding for free TV licences under the household benefits package worth €69.8 million and direct funding to TG4 worth €37.2 million, if she will provide the equivalent figures for 2022 and the estimates for 2023, in tabular form. [41874/23]

Television Licence Fee

Imelda Munster

86. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which identified the funding contributed by TV licence payers to public service media as being €143.8 million in 2020, if she will provide the equivalent figure in 2022 and the projected figure for 2023. [41875/23]

Television Licence Fee

Imelda Munster

87. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide, in tabular form, the monthly or, if available, weekly amount of funding for public service media provided by TV licence payers in 2022; and the equivalent projected figures for 2023. [41876/23]

Media Sector

Imelda Munster

88. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, in relation to Table 5-2 in the report of the Commission on the Future of Media, which sets out recommended public funding levels for 2022 and 2023, she will provide a table with the same line items, setting out the actual provisions in 2022 and the estimates and projected figures for 2023. [41877/23]

School Transport

Imelda Munster

249. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education to make provision for additional school bus places for secondary school students travelling from Collon to Ardee, County Louth, as the number of students requiring school bus places exceeds the required minimum number of ten eligible children residing in a distinct locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41138/23]

Disability Services

Imelda Munster

304. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail the funding streams an organisation (details supplied) can apply to for a mobile wheelchair pool hoist, which costs approximately €12,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41662/23]

Approved Housing Bodies

Imelda Munster

334. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to intervene with the Approved Housing Body, Clúid Housing, regarding a stipulation in their tenancy agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41139/23]

Departmental Funding

Imelda Munster

405. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown, in tabular form of all funding received by Drogheda Implementation Board; the source of the funding and detailing if it is new funding specifically for Drogheda or funding from previously existing government funding streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41140/23]

Tourist Accommodation

Imelda Munster

51. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has met with, or whether she intends to meet, a representative body (details supplied) and Fáilte Ireland to raise concerns around hotels price gouging and cancelling bookings without reason, and re-advertising the same rooms at much higher rates when major events, such as a specific concert, are announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34582/23]

State Bodies

Imelda Munster

71. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to initiate reviews of all the boards or executive boards of every State or semi-State company under her Department’s remit to ensure the mismanagement displayed at RTÉ is not replicated in other State or semi-State companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34583/23]

National Asset Management Agency

Imelda Munster

407. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated value of deferred tax assets yet to be utilised by NAMA-participating banks; the Government’s policy towards corporation tax loss relief with respect to NAMA-participating banks where the State reduces or entirely divests its shareholdings in respective banks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35261/23]

State Bodies

Imelda Munster

408. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the pay, benefits and bonuses for the boards or executive boards of each State or semi-State company under her Department’s remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35261/23]

State Bodies

Imelda Munster

409. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of current State or semi-State board members who are directors or shareholders in companies that have received finance, grants or other supports from State funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35262/23]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

410. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the exact role, expectations and KPIs that the night-time economy manager in Drogheda will be expected to fulfil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35263/23]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

411. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to give details of mitigation measures that are being considered to offset the €1.1 billion loss in ancillary tourist services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35264/23]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Imelda Munster

412. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is a possibility RTÉ long-wave radio may be re-introduced; to give an update on the previously recommended DAB replacement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35265/23]

Departmental Priorities

Imelda Munster

68. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional public transport resources are being considered for Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/23]

Road Network

Imelda Munster

69. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport what measures to alleviate traffic congestion, such as removing the slip road toll at Donore, are being considered whilst the Obelisk bridge at Oldbridge, is closed for repair and restoration from 1 August 2023 to 31 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/23]

Departmental Priorities

Imelda Munster

94. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional schools and associated school resources are being considered for Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32939/23]

Departmental Priorities

Imelda Munster

190. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional resources under the remit of his Department are being considered for Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32938/23]

An Garda Síochána

Imelda Munster

408. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to set out in tabular form, for the years 2018 to 2023, the number of gardaí by rank and division in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32936/23]

Fisheries Protection

Imelda Munster

47. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are scientific projections available to predict if fish stocks will rise sufficiently to allow draft net fishing licence holders to resume fishing on the River Boyne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29868/23]

Departmental Reviews

Imelda Munster

99. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has received any correspondence from his Department in relation to the review being carried out on housing adaptation grants, mobility aid grants and housing for older people grants, given the serious situation whereby local authorities such as Louth County Council have suspended these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29869/23]

Health Services

Imelda Munster

168. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health why no costs are covered by the HSE for the over-eights ophthalmic scheme in CHO 8, Louth and Meath, when fees are partly covered in other CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29863/23]

Health Services

Imelda Munster

169. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health why there is no over-eights voucher scheme for glasses in CHO 8, Louth and Meath, when there is a voucher scheme or allowance available in other CHO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29864/23]

Health Services

Imelda Munster

170. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to introduce a universal national eye care programme for children aged eight to 16 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29865/23]

Health Services

Imelda Munster

171. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health to list the schools in the CHO 8 area that have received and completed, or not received and not completed, public eye care school screening, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29866/23]

Health Services

Imelda Munster

172. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health how many children have been referred out to optometrists under the over-eights eye care scheme; how many children were discharged from the scheme without further care in CHO 8, Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29867/23]

Traveller Community

Imelda Munster

206. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has met with national Traveller organisations on the development of Traveller-specific cultural and heritage initiatives and investments to create the conditions for Travellers' effective participation in cultural life, a complementary State obligation under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26887/23]

Traveller Community

Imelda Munster

207. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the resources allocated to preserve Traveller culture and heritage from 2017 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26888/23]

Traveller Community

Imelda Munster

298. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans he has to make provision for a Traveller culture and heritage safeguarding strategy; if he will allocate funding for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26886/23]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

1. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of any concerns she has communicated on behalf of the tourism sector regarding tourist accommodation availability for peak season, and any economic effects this may have on the wider tourism sector for 2023, to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23340/23]

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

26. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering a special recognition payment for tourist ancillary services, such as activity centres and tour operators, due to the estimated €1.1 billion loss in revenue in the sector due to Government over-reliance on tourist accommodation to house those seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23342/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Imelda Munster

556. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health when front-line healthcare workers who were employed by an agency (details supplied) to give vaccinations in a hospital will be paid the Covid bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19167/23]

Housing Provision

Imelda Munster

279. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable housing units delivered via the cost rental equity loan, the affordable housing fund and project Tosaigh in the constituency of Louth east Meath in each of the years, 2016 to 2022; and planned number to be delivered in 2023 with a breakdown of units per scheme and average price of units by unit size, in tabular form. [18790/23]

Departmental Programmes

Imelda Munster

310. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on the work of youth diversion programmes in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18793/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Imelda Munster

350. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting an assessment of need per county in the CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18792/23]