Parliamentary questions

School Staff

Mattie McGrath

283. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal under the Primary Staffing Appeals Board for the 2023-2024 school year; if she will consider this appeal given the exceptional accommodation difficulties being faced by the school and the disruption that will be caused if the school loses a teacher (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46346/23]

Schools Building Projects

Mattie McGrath

213. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the current status of a construction project at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44663/23]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

214. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 708 of 11 September 2023, the current status of an application to build an extension to a school (details supplied) for the provision of two permanent ASD class units and classroom; if there is a role for Cavan Monaghan ETB in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44664/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Mattie McGrath

451. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm that assessment of needs hubs in all CHO areas are now fully operational and providing assessment of needs; the number of assessment of needs carried out by such hubs to date; to confirm where hubs are not yet fully operational if she will repurpose that money to ensure that families can privately access assessments themselves as committed to in Dáil Éireann on 23 May (details supplied); if she has included such measures as part of Budget 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44777/23]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

67. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for the driver theory test in all centres across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44315/23]

Emigrant Support Services

Mattie McGrath

9. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a detailed breakdown of the organisations in Canada that have made applications under the emigrant support programme since January 2021, including the names and funding amount approved to each respective applicant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43728/23]

Emigrant Support Services

Mattie McGrath

10. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an overview of the status of an application made under the emigrant support programme by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43729/23]

Domestic Violence

Mattie McGrath

257. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the housing supports available to women who have suffered domestic abuse and have had to flee the marital home (details supplied); if such persons will be approved for housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43495/23]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Mattie McGrath

468. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if private autism assessments can be funded under the National Treatment Purchase Fund; if so, the steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43489/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

278. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not had their disability allowance awarded as per section 210(1)(b) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended and Article 137 of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 as amended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43318/23]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

140. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify the position regarding local authority and Croí Cónaithe grant applicants drawdown where the local authority legal fees are in excess of €550; which party has the responsibility to pay the excess cost; if responsibility lies with the local authority, if he will allocate an additional discretionary budget to cover such additional costs above €550; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43019/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

202. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when all remaining agency staff will receive their pandemic payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42968/23]

Climate Action Plan

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will next meet. [42249/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

246. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the funding provided by the State to an organisation (details supplied), per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42404/23]

School Funding

Mattie McGrath

319. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on plans to roll out of the ICT grant to schools (primary and secondary) for the current school year under the digital strategy for schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42515/23]

Planning Issues

Mattie McGrath

368. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a change can be made to planning regulations for houses that were developed as holiday homes, that they can be bought now for full-time residential homes where the septic tank meets or can be adapted to meet regulations, given the ongoing housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42514/23]

Disability Services

Mattie McGrath

528. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of psychologists available to children in south Tipperary within the CDNT/ primary care services; the number of vacancies; if, where a child is unable to access a psychologist within the CDNT services, they can be transferred to primary care; the number of psychologists recruited to each service over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42321/23]

Disability Services

Mattie McGrath

529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the full extent of the staff available to CDNT teams 4 and 5 in south Tipperary; the contact details for both teams; the names and roles of all staff and therapists attached to the teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42322/23]

Home Care Packages

Mattie McGrath

592. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants for home support who have been approved but placed on a waiting list in each county in community healthcare organisation or CHO 5; the numbers in each CHO area; the average waiting times for those approved and waiting for services; the steps being taken to urgently provide home supports to those waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42268/23]

Home Care Packages

Mattie McGrath

593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the fair deal scheme to include the cost of home care and home supports being provided privately due to the lack of home supports being provided to those who require full-time care and attention in the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42269/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

601. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health for a progress report on the spending of the €110,000 which was allocated in budget 2023 for the development of a diabetes register (details supplied); if he will request the HSE to immediately begin recruiting for this new post; if he can confirm if unused funding from budget 2023 will carry over to 2024, while providing a timeline as to when the HSE recruitment freeze will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42290/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

602. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health for a progress report on the spending of the funding which was allocated in budget 2023 for the development of a national paediatric diabetes audit in conjunction with NOCA, following the publication of a detailed feasibility study (details supplied); if he will request the HSE to immediately begin recruiting for these new posts; if he can confirm if unused funding from budget 2023 will carry over to 2024, while providing a timeline as to when the HSE recruitment freeze will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42291/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Mattie McGrath

633. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be scheduled for their urgent neuro-surgical operation at Beaumont Hospital. [42430/23]

Work Permits

Mattie McGrath

223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will move urgently to extend the current work permits/visa requirements to allow farm operatives to be employed under the work permit scheme to alleviate the crisis facing the pig industry and their inability to recruit staff; if he is aware of the research showing that almost 50% of pig farmers will be forced to exit the market if the acute staff shortages cannot be sorted as a matter of urgency; if he is aware that 48% of pig farmers have vacancies which they cannot fill and are prevented from recruiting outside the State due to the restrictions on the work permits scheme; what steps he will take to alleviate this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41176/23]

Work Permits

Mattie McGrath

438. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what immediate efforts he is taking to help reduce the acute staff shortages being experienced by pig farms; if he has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to have the current work permits and visa requirements extended to allow farm operatives to be employed under the work permit scheme; his views on the risk of closure by many pig farms unless this matter is resolved; what steps he will take as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to alleviate this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41175/23]

Road Projects

Mattie McGrath

121. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to increase the discretionary roads funding from his Department to local authorities to meet the increasing cost of inflation to enable them to continue their daily road maintenance duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40224/23]

Housing Provision

Mattie McGrath

150. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance for a breakdown of Home Building Finance Ireland's funding support to developers for the construction of housing, by county, annually, since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39585/23]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

273. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of students who have applied for a school transport but are left without transport this September; the urgent steps she is taking to alleviate the issues; if she has engaged with Bus Éireann to increase the retirement age for school bus drivers, which would immediately increase the supply of school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39691/23]

Schools Building Projects

Mattie McGrath

337. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason for delays with regard to the new building works at a special education school in County Tipperary; the immediate efforts she will make to expedite this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40197/23]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

502. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the croí cónaithe grant timeframe from 13 to 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40007/23]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

503. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify who is responsible to pay the legal fees incurred by the local authority as part of the croí cónaithe grant scheme regarding the legal charge/clawback on the property receiving the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40009/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

889. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will designate special funding to the healthy homes co-ordinators in local authorities to assist them in their role to help older and vulnerable people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39541/23]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

543. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the OPW's plans with regard to the driver testing centre currently located in a centre (details supplied) in Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39077/23]

School Staff

Mattie McGrath

760. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education to outline her plans to improve the pay and conditions for special needs assistants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39153/23]

Schools Building Projects

Mattie McGrath

442. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the status of an additional accommodation application for a school (details supplied) in Tipperary; when it will progress to planning stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36042/23]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

468. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education how parents can contact the school transport section in Bus Éireann (details supplied). [36339/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Mattie McGrath

674. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if the widowed or surviving civil partner grant can be made payable to the guardian of the dependent child where the widow has abandoned the dependent child and where the grant would be of huge benefit to the child to assist with educational expenses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35665/23]

Raidió Teilifís Éireann

Mattie McGrath

25. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services will next meet. [33234/23]

Public Sector Staff

Mattie McGrath

139. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason only grade 1 conservation architects are considered eligible under the required qualifications of the national built heritage conservation officer under the Planning and Development (Built Heritage Protection) Bill 2022; the reason building conservation accredited surveyors, which is equivalent to a grade 1 architect, are not considered eligible for the role of the national built heritage conservation officer; if he will review this matter and amend the Bill accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34497/23]

Fire Safety

Mattie McGrath

140. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the outcome of the Public Consultation on the Review of Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations; what the aim of the review was; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34534/23]

State Bodies

Mattie McGrath

141. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine the delays in receiving timely responses from Uisce Éireann; if he can address the difficulties of public representatives to meet with/speak to Uisce Éireann representatives other than the call centre, which can only advise that the matter is being investigated; if he will provide all members with contact details of Uisce Éireann local management teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34536/23]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

177. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1053 of 21 March 2023, the reason some groups have not yet received their rebate from Muintir na Tíre; the groups that have not received a rebate, by county, under the headings (details supplied) together with her explanation regarding the non-payment. [34535/23]

Health Service Executive

Mattie McGrath

235. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health in terms of the procurement process for the HSE, what efforts are being made to ensure best value for money where potential suppliers can demonstrate that alternative products can meet the technical requirements; the process for examining alternative solutions which can demonstrate adherence to the technical requirements; how product specification is determined; who creates the technical product data requirements for the HSE; where a company was rejected on technical points which were contradictory or hold no technical credibility, what avenue is available to have the technical requirements examined to ensure best value for money is being met and the technical requirements hold weight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/23]

School Staff

Mattie McGrath

282. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason there is such a large discrepancy between the pension entitlement for a primary school teacher and that of an SNA, where both staff pay the same percentage of their salary to their pension and the SNA pension entitlement is two-and-a-half times less than that of teachers; the reason for the discrepancy; if he will urgently review the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33870/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

736. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health who decided to go ahead with reconfiguration of the mid-west region despite the 600 beds required by the Hanly Report to offer safe patient safety not being in place; if he will launch an investigation into this decision, given that it has caused untold suffering on patients and staff in the mid-west region for 14 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/23]

Hospital Overcrowding

Mattie McGrath

737. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the figures he relied on when speaking on a radio station (details supplied) when he stated that trolley numbers were down at UHL while comparing trolley numbers at the same period in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33756/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

738. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health following his comments that reconfiguration was not working (details supplied), if he will put an urgent plan in place to reopen Nenagh, Ennis and St. Johns accident and emergency departments, given the new 96-block bed unit will only actually realise 48-beds meaning that the mid-west region will still not be at the 600-beds needed to provide patient safety according to the Hanly Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33757/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

739. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the evidence he relied upon when he stated that reopening an accident and emergency department in Ennis Hospital was inadvisable on safety grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33758/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

740. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to meeting with TDs and Health Forum members from the mid-west as requested by the HSE Mid-West Forums meeting recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/23]

Departmental Policies

Mattie McGrath

140. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice in light of her statement that there exists a serious and genuine, present or foreseeable threat to the security of the State and that such a threat is likely to continue for at least the next 12 months, to outline the details of such threats to the security of the State; to outline the nature of her concerns in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32895/23]

School Staff

Mattie McGrath

277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education how SNAs can contact staff working in the payroll section with queries (details supplied). [32089/23]

Third Level Education

Mattie McGrath

282. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of psychology students who graduate from Irish universities every year; the number of psychology placements available every year; if there are any plans to increase the number of placements considering the shortage of psychologists in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32141/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Mattie McGrath

387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the clear guidelines for carers in receipt of carer’s allowance where the person being cared for must travel abroad for treatment not available in this State (details supplied); what the carer must do to ensure that they will not have their payment stopped or be threatened with having their payment stopped if they have to leave the State for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32097/23]

Asylum Seekers

Mattie McGrath

418. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian refugees who have transferred or sought a transfer to Ireland from another EU country having originally sought protection in that country; the country from which they have transferred or sought a transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32140/23]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

424. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions there was between 2015 to 2023 for rape or sexual assault of children under 18 years. [32221/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Mattie McGrath

189. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if not-for-profit, community organisations that are not registered charities are liable for tax, or if there are any exemptions for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31726/23]

Community Care

Mattie McGrath

413. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the availability of funding for the construction of adult day services within the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31727/23]

National Asset Management Agency

Mattie McGrath

200. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will investigate if, and the reason why, NAMA-NALM is permitted to use an Irish citizen’s personal tax number in its own interest (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30642/23]

National Asset Management Agency

Mattie McGrath

201. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance to investigate the reason NAMA-NALM was able to use the personal tax number of a person (details supplied)); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30643/23]

Animal Culls

Mattie McGrath

505. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that will be taken to reduce the deer population following the consultation process carried out by his Department where 86% of the persons who took part in the survey said a culling of deer is required; if he will outline the plans in place to manage the increasing deer population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30876/23]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

654. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the reconfiguration of the current hospital groups under new regional structures as proposed in Sláintecare; the likely implications on Tipperary University Hospital which will be removed from its current group in the South, South-West Hospital Group; the reasons TUH would be removed from the South, South-West Hospital Group; the logic behind the geographical regions when there are such large population discrepancies between the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30748/23]

National Transport Authority

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently review the decision by the NTA to remove Ardfinnan Bridge from its 2023 list of projects, particularly given previous commitments from the Government on the matter; the reason the NTA is going against the view of the consultants engaged on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30023/23]

Student Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

163. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of all contracts between his Department and student accommodation providers; the number of refugees or persons seeking international protection currently being housed in student accommodation facilities; if he will confirm whether all such contracts will end before the new college term in September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29882/23]

Public Sector Pay

Mattie McGrath

300. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the remuneration that will be provided to the link person referenced in the letter to principals on the Pilot Programme of Counselling Supports in Primary Schools; the resources that will be put in place for them; the hours that will be made available to them to co-ordinate this programme in their school; and where her Department sees capacity for a link person given the current workload on teachers and school principals. [29197/23]

Wildlife Regulations

Mattie McGrath

364. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline clearly his Department's plans regarding the open seasons Order; to outline the reason a position paper and plans by the NPWS Management Board (dated September 2022) were not referenced during the public consultation process held between March and May 2023; the reason two options were outlined in these plans and set out before the consultation process began; the reason those engaging in the consultation process were not made aware of the options as set out by the NPWS; if he will address the concerns by game hunting clubs in relation to their lack of confidence in this consultation process given the position of the NPWS; if he will outline what the "other" options being considered are as they are not referenced in the paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29212/23]

Immigration Policy

Mattie McGrath

432. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice to outline the full details of the EU General Agreement on Migration and Asylum reached recently; the obligations this agreement would have on Ireland; whether or not Ireland will have the option of opt-out of this agreement; the contributions of her Department in reaching this agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29200/23]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

523. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who are currently in temporary (bridging) foster placements and/or using emergency accommodation such as hotels, youth homelessness- or hostel-type accommodation, who are approved and are awaiting a residential placement, broken down by CHO, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/23]

Hospital Closures

Mattie McGrath

680. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline how donors to St. Brigid's District Hospital Carrick-on-Suir can claim their money back after the hospital was closed in 2020. [29444/23]

Passport Services

Mattie McGrath

160. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason post passport applications are not being processed at the same rate as online passports applications; and if the Government plan to introduce measures to enable both applications (i.e. online and post) to be processed in similar timeframes. [29100/23]

School Funding

Mattie McGrath

84. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when the ICT grant for the school year 2022/2023 will be sent to schools. [28696/23]

Departmental Staff

Mattie McGrath

126. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason his Department is now conducting an internal closed competition for the same rank, particularly when the current list has not been exhausted; the reason the new competition is an internal closed competition when a number of external candidates are ranked higher on the current list and are now unable to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27188/23]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

192. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the potential cost of providing every second-level student in the State with a reusable water bottle, which could be brought to school or used during sports activities to reduce the use of plastic bottles (as per the pilot project undertaken by Galway City Council); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27539/23]

Departmental Staff

Mattie McGrath

397. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason the list for the filling of first secretary posts in the Department of Foreign Affairs is set to close in November 2023, six months shorter than the normal two years for which the list would be operational, March 2024; the number of candidates remaining on this list which was created in March 2022; the number remaining on the current list who came from the private sector [27188/23]

Work Permits

Mattie McGrath

460. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will have the mechanics, specifically agricultural mechanics, construction plant fitters and heavy vehicle mechanics added to his Department's Critical Skills list due to the critical shortage within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27889/23]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

527. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer associated with State funding for a practical programme of driver education and a pathway to pass the driver theory test for final-year students at all secondary level schools, aiming to equip young adults with a potential mode of transport upon completing school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27536/23]

Departmental Programmes

Mattie McGrath

528. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer associated with State funding for a practical programme of first-aid and CPR life-saving skills for all Leaving Certificate students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27537/23]

Departmental Strategies

Mattie McGrath

529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, that are being taken by her Department to educate and safeguard children around the potential harms and misinformation being generated by artificial intelligence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27540/23]

Departmental Policies

Mattie McGrath

631. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an indicative costing for her Department to offer a practical programme of first-aid and CPR life-saving skills to all amateur sports referees, across all sports, as specified, in 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27538/23]

Health Services

Mattie McGrath

1139. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a day care centre in County Tipperary that is facing a staffing and funding crisis was refused additional Section 39 funding to help meet the costs of permanent staff; if this matter will be reviewed urgently as the centre is at risk of a reduction of hours of service; if an additional support worker will be funded to ensure continuity of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27293/23]

Departmental Reports

Mattie McGrath

41. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate for the secretary general of his Department to publicly reject the majority of the findings of a report regarding the abandoned secondment of a former chief medical officer, especially in light of An Tánaiste's support for the report's conclusions, which he described as conclusive and unassailable (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/23]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

209. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any additional funding available to recipients of the 2022 tranche of the sports capital programme in order to cover the excess costs due to inflation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27032/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Mattie McGrath

375. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the newly launched HSE capital plan for building and equipment will cover the construction of community adult day services centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27031/23]

Driver Licences

Mattie McGrath

180. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport where a category has been removed from a person’s licence, how they can have the category reinstated; the reason the NDLS only holds records back to 1990; where the records are held for licences issued pre-1990; if a person held a licence category in 1972, where a record of this licence is held; the way they can access same; the reason a person would be expected to re-sit a test for a category they held previously as the NDLS removed the category from their licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25615/23]

Bus Services

Mattie McGrath

195. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for the National Transport Authority proceeding to make an application to An Bord Pleanála for the proposed Templeogue and Rathfarnham to city bus corridor, despite the dramatic impact this proposal would have on the local area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26267/23]

Bus Services

Mattie McGrath

196. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority would proceed with a 'bus gate' as part of the proposed Templeogue/Rathfarnham to city bus corridor without considering the operational requirements of a church (details supplied), especially as the proposal poses a serious threat to the church's ability to operate effectively over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26268/23]

Health Service Executive

Mattie McGrath

593. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding spent on providing training for clinicians in private clinics providing outsourced assessments and therapies for the HSE over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25732/23]

Health Services

Mattie McGrath

652. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason an 83-year-old with haemochromatosis cannot have their blood taken as they are over 80 years of age; the reason for this decision by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25603/23]

Child Abuse

Mattie McGrath

157. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of reports of child sex abuse made to An Garda Síochána for each of the years 2015 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [25148/23]

Child Abuse

Mattie McGrath

158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for child sex abuse made by An Garda Síochána for each of the years 2015 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [25149/23]

Child Abuse

Mattie McGrath

159. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions in the criminal courts for child sex abuse for each of the years 2015 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [25150/23]

Energy Conservation

Mattie McGrath

165. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applications received under the "revisit" warmer homes scheme since its announcement; the number of homes completed in the country; the number of applications received in County Tipperary; the number of homes that have been completed under the scheme in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24161/23]

Energy Conservation

Mattie McGrath

166. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the low-cost loans for energy upgrades will be made available to the public; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24163/23]

Road Projects

Mattie McGrath

199. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the amount of taxpayers' money spent on Ardfinnan Bridge since 2015, including monies spent by Tipperary County Council, the NTA, TII, and monies spent on consultants on the proposed bridge projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24241/23]

Road Projects

Mattie McGrath

204. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason Ardfinnan Bridge has been removed from 2023 funding programme; if this decision will be reviewed immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24367/23]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

290. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the number of children waiting for a placement in an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, class in County Tipperary for September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24333/23]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

672. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the budget for children's residential services for CHO5 for the past five years; if he will outline the new children's residential units provided over the past five years; the budget available to CHO5 for new residential services; if the opening of new residential services will impact on the respite services budget for CHO5; the number of new residential services required to meet current demand in CHO5, in Tipperary in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24365/23]

Education Schemes

Mattie McGrath

673. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the new ASD diagnostic team being developed in south Tipperary; the details of the team; if the team is operational; the referral path; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/23]

Mortality Rates

Mattie McGrath

763. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the level of excess deaths currently being experienced in Ireland; if his Department has carried out an investigation into the trends and causes for the level of excess deaths; if not, if he will order an enquiry into the level, trends and causes of the excess deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24273/23]

Registration of Deaths

Mattie McGrath

774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of sudden deaths reported in 2021, 2022 and quarter 1 of 2023; the number of strokes and heart attacks reported in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24317/23]

Hospital Facilities

Mattie McGrath

775. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Children’s Hospital; when the project is due to be completed; the current cost of the project; the estimated final cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/23]