Parliamentary questions

Assisted Human Reproduction

Éamon Ó Cuív

736. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place for persons who are living with and beyond cancer, whose fertility has been impacted by their treatment, to ensure that they will have access to publicly funded fertility treatments, such as IVF, as announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59515/22]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

737. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of annual inpatient cases that attended the Mater Hospital for cancer services in the years 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59516/22]

Departmental Data

Éamon Ó Cuív

738. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of annual inpatient cases that attended Beaumont Hospital for cancer services in the years 2019 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59517/22]

Nursing Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

739. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in processing funding for nursing home support scheme applications following the award of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59521/22]

Ukraine War

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops that are to be deployed as part of the Ukraine training detachment from the EU; the arrangements for their safety and security during this work; the command structure under which they will operate and if they will be operating as part of a cohesive larger EU military training mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57853/22]

Defence Forces

Éamon Ó Cuív

40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the increase in wages that has been put in place for non-commissioned Defence Force Members since June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57854/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

62. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the number of students who applied for school bus tickets for the 2022-23 academic year who have not yet received a school bus ticket; the number of these who were what is termed late eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57855/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made to date in reforming the school bus service; the estimated cost of this service in 2022 and the provision for 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57856/22]

Burial Grounds

Éamon Ó Cuív

175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of correspondence and discussions that her Department and the authorities of Dublin University Trinity College have had on the skulls illegally removed from Inishbofin, County Galway in the 19th century and that are now in Trinity College; if she has advised that these human remains should be returned to the island for reburial in the place they were taken from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58576/22]

Education Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

217. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the entitlement that students in primary school have in cases in which there is suspected dyslexia, to a professional assessment through the primary school system to ascertain if the students is dyslexic or not; the waiting times for such assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58562/22]

Education Policy

Éamon Ó Cuív

220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if there is a limit to the number of pupils that can be referred by each primary school each year for a professional assessment and diagnosis for dyslexia; if so, the reason for same in view of the long-term implications for the students involved if they do not get an early diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58579/22]

Visa Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

292. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the reason that stamp 0 visas are not issued for three to five years as was the case previously in cases in which the circumstances justify same which would reduce the number of renewal applications in the system and lead to a more streamlined service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58577/22]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

312. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will consider granting a medical card to all children for whom the domiciliary care allowance is payable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58578/22]

Ambulance Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

191. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date regarding the provision of an ambulance base at a location (details supplied) in Connemara; the date on which the National Ambulance Service requested HSE estates to refurbish the existing building there as an ambulance base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58369/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Éamon Ó Cuív

192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the underspend to date in 2022 of the capital allocation of his Department; the amount of this that relates to expenditure by the HSE; the steps that he intends taking to ensure that HSE estates have the expertise, staff and organisation to progress capital projects big and small expeditiously; if he has considered appointing process consultants to examine the way that this section of the HSE might work more efficiently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58370/22]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

234. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a rachaidh an cead pleanála don ché dhomhainfharraige ag Calaphort Ros an Mhíl in éag; cad iad na pleananna atá ann iarratas a dhéanamh ar shíneadh ar an gcead pleanála sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [58479/22]

Northern Ireland

Éamon Ó Cuív

101. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions that he had with the present Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and his junior colleague since their appointments to their present positions; if he will report on the progress that has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57824/22]

Official Engagements

Éamon Ó Cuív

115. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions that he has had with the British Foreign Secretary since his recent appointment to his present position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57825/22]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

760. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made by his Department on a project for Galway University Hospital (details supplied) that was forwarded to his Department for approval in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58126/22]

Health Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

761. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made by his Department on the proposal to build new elective hospitals at various locations including the Merlin Park site of Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58127/22]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

143. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the proposals that he has put to the Government in relation to the upgrade of the rail line from Foynes to Limerick; the decisions that have been taken in relation to this vital project; the amount that will be expended on this project; the details of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57151/22]

Bus Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the bus companies that were fined by the NTA due to the fact that they did not comply with their public service obligations in providing bus services; the location of the substandard services; the details of the fine in each case; if the NTA had to obtain his approval to impose these fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57156/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be provided to an eligible student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57104/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be provided to an eligible student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57107/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

211. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that persons with e-mail addresses (details supplied) were not issued with emails to confirm their registration for a bus ticket in July 2022; if she intends instructing Bus Éireann to issue these applicants with bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57137/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will request Bus Éireann to issue school bus tickets to late applicants who would otherwise have been eligible for school transport in view of the fact that the Bus Éireann website was down for reprogramming earlier in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57143/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

213. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if there are any outstanding applications with her Department from Bus Éireann for approval of either extra or larger buses for school transport in order to meet the demand; if there are applications outstanding; the details of the applications; when the applications are likely to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57144/22]

School Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

214. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to reduce the distance that a student has to reside from a primary and secondary school in order to qualify for school transport for the 2023-2024 school year and onwards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57145/22]

Departmental Priorities

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that he will take to ensure that online queries raised through MyWelfare accounts are responded to in a reasonable timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57178/22]

Mother and Baby Homes

Éamon Ó Cuív

242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the views outlined by the United Nations special rapporteurs on 23 September 2022, expressing concern that children of African and Irish descent were subjected to differential treatment in mother-and-baby homes due to their race and colour; if special redress will be provided through the mother and baby institutions payment scheme as a result of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57157/22]

Medical Cards

Éamon Ó Cuív

299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he intends raising the income thresholds to qualify for a medical card for persons over 70 years of age in view of the 10% rate of inflation during the past year and the consequential rise in State and other pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57155/22]

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Éamon Ó Cuív

322. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an dul chun cinn atá déanta go dáta le forbairt céibh dhomhan mhara i Ros a Mhíl; cén uair a mheastar a thosnófar obair ar an dreideáil agus ar an gcéibh féin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [57154/22]

Seirbhísí agus Tacaíochtaí Gaeilge

Éamon Ó Cuív

83. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil i gceist aici gasra oibre a bhunú le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na féidearthachtaí atá ann don earnáil gnó, bunaithe ar an teanga a neartú, le go gcruthófar ioncam níos mó agus poist as an earnáil seo, gurb í an achmhainn nádurtha is mó atá sna limistéir Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56875/22]

Ceisteanna Craolacháin

Éamon Ó Cuív

84. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na pleananna atá aici le TG4 a neartú agus lena chinntiú go mbeidh comhréir chothrom idir an maoiniú stáit atá ag TG4 le hais RTÉ; an bhfuil i gceist aici gasra oibre a bhunú le breathnú air sin agus ar an gcleachtas atá ann maidir le maoiniú S4C sa Bhreatain Bheag; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56876/22]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

107. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total underspend on capital allocated to Departments to the end of October 2022; the steps taken to streamline and speed up capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56383/22]

Irish Language

Éamon Ó Cuív

116. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps taken since the enactment of the amended Official Languages Act 2021 to increase the intake of civil servants who are capable of doing their business through Irish and English; the number recruited to date in 2022 with such a competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56384/22]

Wind Energy Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

181. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date with the development of a ports policy for the wind energy sector; when the policy will be published and implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56418/22]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

214. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the present carbon tax and excise duty charged on biofuels used for home heating; if he intends eliminating the carbon tax and excise duty on these biofuels when used as a substitute for diesel or kerosene as home heating oil in order to encourage a reduction in Ireland's carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56652/22]

Naval Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in selecting a location for a base for the Naval Service on the west coast to service the immense area of Irish waters off this coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56417/22]

Departmental Policies

Éamon Ó Cuív

484. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the next naturalisation ceremonies will be held; the locations in which they will be held; when participants in the ceremonies will be notified; the reason for the delay in same given that in many cases persons need to make arrangements in relation to family, education and work commitments in order to attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56648/22]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

485. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the number of female prisoners who are sleeping on mattresses laid on the floor each night in the Dóchas Centre and Limerick Prison, respectively during September, October and to date in November 2022; the reason that this is occurring; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56651/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

555. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if contract workers, such as contract cleaning staff, contract catering staff and contract security workers as opposed to agency workers who worked in the health service including in hospitals during the Covid pandemic will be eligible for the pandemic recognition payment; if so, when they will be paid the bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56420/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

556. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if categories of workers (details supplied) are eligible for the pandemic recognition payment; if so, when they will be paid the bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56421/22]

Rural Schemes

Éamon Ó Cuív

641. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an EU regulation or rule is in place that would prohibit her from providing for a dedicated sub-region for the offshore islands under LEADER; if so, when the regulation or rule was first introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56650/22]

Public Transport

Éamon Ó Cuív

21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure adequate resources are made available to the NTA to provide frequent, good-quality commuter services for approximately 100 km around Ireland's towns and cities with either a third level college or a major hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55045/22]

Rail Network

Éamon Ó Cuív

73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport his plans to continue the work ongoing on the western rail corridor connecting Foynes to Westport, Ballina and Sligo; the progress made to date in upgrading these lines for both passenger and freight; the reason for the delay in progressing construction, particularly on the sections of the lines closed at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55044/22]

Tax Credits

Éamon Ó Cuív

136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if he intends introducing a mortgage interest tax credit for first-time buyers of new or second-hand properties to assist them to deal with the challenge of ever-increasing interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55043/22]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

165. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the amount of PAYE, USC and PRSI payable in 2022 by a one-income family with an income of €100,000 with only basic tax credits, including the homemaker's tax credit, as compared with a two-income family with each earning €50,000; the reason for the disparity in the amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55042/22]

Departmental Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

176. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of money allocated in 2021 and to date in 2022 to NGOs by the Department for work on environmental and climate projects; the names of the NGOs involved; the purpose for which the money was allocated; the amount allocated in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55977/22]

Scéimeanna Rannach

Éamon Ó Cuív

226. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé na deontais nua nó meadaithe atá ar fáil do theaghlaigh a choinníonn scoláirí faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i mbliana agus i 2023 [55915/22]