Parliamentary questions

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

651. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to increase resources at the air ambulance service based at Custume Barracks, Athlone, County Westmeath; the number of missions tasked in each month to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43537/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

652. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance personnel who were tasked with Covid-19 testing in the past 12 months; the current number of ambulance personnel who are working as Covid-19 testers; the number of personnel out of the total who are currently working on purely ambulance duties; the average length of time it is taking for ambulances to reach persons who have called them out, in each county, in tabular form; the longest length and shortest length of time it is taking for ambulances to reach persons who have called them out, in each county, in tabular form; if he will detail these figures for each level of injury, ill-health and severity; if he will provide the details for the past five years up to 30 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43538/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

653. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of the electric ambulance bought by the National Ambulance Centre; the amount the electric ambulance cost; when it was bought; the length of time it was in operation; the number of miles it was driven; if the ambulance is currently in operation; if not, the location in which the ambulance can be found; if the National Ambulance Service was refunded for same; if there are more plans for roll-out of such vehicles nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43539/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

654. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of times in 2020 and to date in 2021 an emergency ambulance has been used for hospital discharges in which the intermediate care ambulance is not rostered on, in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43540/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

655. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the current average ambulance response time, in each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43541/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

656. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the average length of time it takes for an ambulance to arrive at a scene after a call was received, by county, in tabular form; the number on a response area basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43542/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

657. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the current availability on any day of an ambulance in County Carlow; the procedure when that ambulance has left the base; the availability of relief ambulance resources on any given day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43543/21]

Ambulance Service

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

658. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of times in 2020 and to date in 2021 an emergency ambulance from Carlow was called to a premises in another county, by county, in tabular form; the highest calls to lowest calls; the length of time it took each call to return to base in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43544/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

659. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if delays to developmental checks for young children in counties Carlow and Kilkenny will be addressed; when these developmental checks by public health nurses will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43545/21]

Health Promotion

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

660. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his Department has examined studies which identify significant advantages for babies if they are breastfed; his plans to initiate a campaign which would promote same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43546/21]

Health Promotion

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

661. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the amount of taxpayer funding which has been paid to support research or research positions which would benefit the infant formula industry in Ireland; the amount of funding paid to support breastfeeding research or research positions in Ireland independent of the formula industry, excluding industrial involvement; if research funding devoted to analysis of breastmilk by formula companies is classified as formula company research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43547/21]

Rail Network

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

172. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the progress of accessibility refurbishment of Carlow railway station; when the new wheelchair accessible lift will be open for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39067/21]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1241. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the process to bring about the full integration of a college (details supplied) into the higher education framework in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39066/21]

International Students

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1283. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of students from the UK coming to Ireland to receive some or all of their education; if their rights and entitlements associated with the Common Travel Area continue after Brexit; if host families are to be able to treat them as they would EU students as has been the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40367/21]

Dental Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

2524. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the reported refusal by some dental practices to accept appointment requests from medical card holders; if he will clarify the responsibilities which dental practices have to medical card holders who request appointments and subsequently require treatment; if he will clarify which dental services are currently covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37958/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

2766. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address delays to developmental checks for young children in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; when these developmental checks by public health nurses will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39069/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

2767. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions between an organisation (details supplied) with the HSE regarding the transfer of the service to another provider following notice of registration cancellation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39070/21]

Dental Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3130. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that orthodontic treatment for children in County Carlow in the public system is only being carried out on an emergency basis in view of the fact private patients are able to access orthodontic treatment easily; if he will request the HSE for the reason a child in County Carlow was referred five years ago for orthodontic treatment via the HSE school dentist and is still awaiting an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40369/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3131. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he will address delays to developmental checks for young children in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; when these developmental checks by public health nurses will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40370/21]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3132. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when County Carlow will have an ambulance base which is fit for purpose; his views on whether it is acceptable for a town the size of Carlow to not have its own ambulance base and no communication from the HSE in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40371/21]

Primary Care Centres

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3133. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when primary care services and a new primary care facility will be established in Tullow, County Carlow; the location of same; the timescale for this service to be established; the planned location of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40372/21]

Vaccination Programme

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the stage in the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out it is envisaged persons living in disability accommodation unable to give informed consent will be offered vaccinations; if their next of kin can apply for consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40373/21]

Health Services

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3135. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the status of discussions between a service (details supplied) with the HSE regarding the transfer of the service to another provider following notice of registration cancellation by the Health Information and Quality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40376/21]

Agriculture Industry

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

3347. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that the agreement between an organisation (details supplied) and the Beef Taskforce is enforced regarding opt-out clauses on insurance levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/21]

Driver Licences

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

60. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if there is an update on driver lessons for non-essential workers; if he will clarify a date for their resumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38346/21]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Covid-19 will meet next. [37706/21]

Medical Cards

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

136. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of new medical cards that have been issued to date in 2021 in the Carlow Kilkenny local health office area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37520/21]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

137. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address long waiting times for hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/21]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

66. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's into the higher education system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36842/21]

Technological Universities

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

77. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed technical university of the south east; the outcome of the review of the project by an international panel and proposed finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36841/21]

Closed-Circuit Television Systems

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

93. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the expansion of Garda CCTV in County Carlow to deter criminal activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36767/21]

Cabinet Committees

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

9. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on housing will meet next. [36392/21]

School Curriculum

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

80. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the senior cycle; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35402/21]

Youth Unemployment

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

171. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the plans in place to tackle youth unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35343/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

255. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the number of applications processed by the Teaching Council in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35638/21]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

256. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education the average time elapsed between applications being submitted and the Teaching Council’s decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35639/21]

Gender Equality

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

72. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on progress towards gender equality in politics in Ireland; and the steps being taken to achieve a new normal in which more women political leaders have an active and equal role in decision-making and building forward. [27634/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

478. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if community pools and leisure centres will be permitted to hold swimming classes for children in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26697/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

73. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the take-up of the €50 million suite of supports for those working in the live entertainment sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33297/21]

Office of Public Works

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

126. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works refurbishment of Carlow courthouse railings. [32330/21]

Office of Public Works

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

143. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works project at Carlow castle. [32329/21]

Credit Unions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

64. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the initiatives he is undertaking to boost credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31764/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

71. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in counties Carlow and Wexford receiving support under the employment wage subsidy scheme; the number in each county who were receiving support under the scheme in May 2021; the number of persons in each county who have received support under the scheme and its predecessor since March 2020; the expenditure on the scheme in each county over that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31763/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of businesses in County Carlow that have availed of the Covid-19 credit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

89. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of County Carlow enterprises that that have applied to the small business assistance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30050/21]

An Garda Síochána

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

171. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí in Garda stations in County Carlow at the end of April 2021; the way this compares to the end of April 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29968/21]

Court Accommodation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

174. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the status of plans to carry out remedial works at Carlow courthouse. [29967/21]

Departmental Strategies

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

27. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to enable the voice of children and young persons in decision-making including to update the first national strategy on children and young persons participation in decision-making; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/21]

International Protection

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

217. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the measures in place to establish a digital first approach to the processing of international protection applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28738/21]

Educational Disadvantage

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

351. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be included in the upcoming DEIS programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28026/21]