Parliamentary questions

Care Services

Brendan Howlin

442. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the current situation concerning the new home care tender process; if he and Minister Butler have met with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) to address this issue; the matters that remain to be resolved in finalising the tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23737/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Howlin

444. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health when the pandemic payment will be paid to clerical staff who worked in the Enniscorthy vaccination centre during the pandemic who met with thousands of members of the general public as they received their vaccinations, and who were contracted by a private contractor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

424. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the nine local authority housing units approved for construction in Baile Eoghain, Gorey, County Wexford, in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22955/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

425. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the ten local authority housing units approved for construction in Killeens, County Wexford, in May 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22956/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

426. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the eight local authority housing units approved for construction in Cherry Orchard, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, in January 2016 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/23]

International Protection

Brendan Howlin

483. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made by the International Protection Appeals Tribunal on an application from a person (details supplied) who arrived in Ireland in July 2021, who is a Somali national and who has endured great hardship in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

114. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the targets set out in Appendix 1 of the Laying the Foundations: Housing Action Report produced in 2016 by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government were met in respect of Wexford County Council; if he will confirm whether the proposed 677 units were delivered from 2015 to 2017; if not, the number that were delivered; the final spend on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22071/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

115. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 14 AHB housing units under an association (details supplied) in July 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22072/23]

Housing Provision

Brendan Howlin

116. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the 16 AHB housing units under an association (details supplied) in July 2015 have finished construction; if so, their completion date; the final number of units delivered; the total cost of the project; if the development was officially opened by a Minister; if so, when that happened; if not, the reason for the project not proceeding; the current status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22073/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

157. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will set out the supports available to former Defence Force personnel who find themselves in need of material support; if such supports also extend to funeral costs for family members of former Defence Force personnel; if he will set out the total amount paid out in such supports for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21046/23]

Health Services

Brendan Howlin

555. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health in relation to the representations he has received on behalf of a person (details supplied), if he or the HSE can provide assistance to this person to avail of treatment abroad which he believes would be beneficial to his health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21057/23]

Home Care Packages

Brendan Howlin

587. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will personally intervene to ensure that a person (details supplied) is provided with home support on their discharge from hospital; if he is aware that essential surgery will not be carried out on this individual until such home support is put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21247/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Howlin

589. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his Department provides financial assistance to families who wish to create equipped sensory rooms in their homes for children with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21249/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Brendan Howlin

485. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the allocation made to each education and training board under the Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/23]

School Accommodation

Brendan Howlin

266. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the severe pressure on secondary school places in Wexford town for the coming academic year; if she will set out a timeline for the construction of the new post-primary school in Wexford town (details supplied); if she will make contact with each of the post-primary schools in Wexford town to ensure the maximum possible first-year intake in September 2023 to reduce the pressure on students without a place this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20139/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Howlin

501. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1999 of 8 September 2022, if he will state clearly when those frontline staff who have to date not received a pandemic payment will receive the payment; the number of eligible staff still awaiting same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18914/23]

Health Services

Brendan Howlin

555. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that payments due under the PCRS to a medical practice (details supplied) will be paid; the reason for the long delay in making payments to this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19165/23]

Health Services

Brendan Howlin

557. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if, in light of the recent report of the Ombudsman in relation to the treatment of some applicants under the treatment abroad scheme, he will request the HSE to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

139. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the passport issued to a person (details supplied) who wishes to have their full name on their Irish passport; if a new passport including their full name can be issued to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17999/23]

Fuel Sales

Brendan Howlin

270. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a concern of the Irish biofuels sector at the implications for the industry of new regulations due to be brought into force by him; if he has had discussions with representatives of the biofuels sector, the farming sector and Irish meat processing sector in relation to these regulations; if these regulations mirror those being put in place in other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/23]

Visa Applications

Brendan Howlin

1064. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that an original passport is returned to a person (details supplied) who submitted it as part of a visa application in respect of their father and which they now require urgently in order to travel for medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16364/23]

Medical Cards

Brendan Howlin

1480. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if a HAA card has been provided to all survivors of Magdalene laundries as recommended by the report on Magdalene laundries; if survivors of the New Ross Magdalene laundry are included in this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1811. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out how he intends to differentiate between community education facilitators working directly in the area of community education, and other employees of education and training boards who have the title of community education facilitator but work in other areas of further education and training, having regard to Government strategy for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16734/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1812. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out in tabular form, the number of employees of education and training boards working directly in the area of community education; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator who work in areas outside of community education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16735/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1813. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the process he plans to undertake in the grade realignment of community education facilitators employed by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/23]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Howlin

340. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the issue that has arisen in relation to healthcare assistants who came to Ireland from abroad to work in nursing homes and in hospitals who have nursing level 7 or level 8 qualifications and who are now being told that the HSE will require them to hold a level 5 qualification despite the fact that they already hold the higher level standard; if he will ensure that such persons, who are a valuable part of Ireland's healthcare support system, are not required to repeat a level of qualification below that which they already have obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/23]

School Accommodation

Brendan Howlin

374. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education when final sanction will be issued to a school (details supplied) to build an additional urgently needed classroom for which all documentation has been submitted to her Department, a builder on standby to commence work and full permissions from planners received; if she accepts that any delay in providing this vital classroom will have a significant impact on the school’s ability to function in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14681/23]

State Pensions

Brendan Howlin

456. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the State pension entitlement of a person (details supplied) on a total contribution approach, having regard to all their paid and credited contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15048/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Howlin

543. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that funding under the mitigation against educational disadvantage fund will be made available this year for an important social project (details supplied); if he accepts that this project provides a valuable sports outlet and training for leaders and instructors to be self-sustaining over a period of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14702/23]

Naval Service

Brendan Howlin

12. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence when the recently purchased naval vessels from New Zealand will commence operation; the progress to date in obtaining a replacement flagship vessel for the L.E. Éithne; his view on the optimum number of naval vessels and naval personnel and his plans to achieve this objective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13682/23]

Air Corps

Brendan Howlin

21. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of functioning aircraft currently in service with the Air Corps; when additional aircraft will arrive and begin service here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13681/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

37. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total military provided accommodation available at present for Defence Forces personnel; the plans he has to extend this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13683/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

43. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to ensure the Defence Forces conform with the working time directive as per the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13684/23]

Defence Forces

Brendan Howlin

46. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any plans to review the triple lock process for authorising Irish military participation in overseas deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/23]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Howlin

72. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the approach he is taking to the actions of the new Israeli Government on its ongoing efforts to destroy a two-state solution; the specific actions, including sanctions, that will be taken against Israel for the recognition of, and development of, new illegal settlements; the measures if any, that will be proposed to halt the lethal escalation of violence in Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/23]

Disaster Response

Brendan Howlin

92. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the assistance provided to Turkey and Syria following the recent earthquake; the amount of aid that has been disbursed; the plans for further assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

100. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he has put in place to ensure there are no delays to the issuing of passports this summer; the number of applications that are on hand at present; the current processing time for a passport application for an adult and for a child, respectively; the number of passports that have been issued in each month of the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13613/23]

European Union

Brendan Howlin

113. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has engaged with the government of Moldova; if any assistance has been offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13615/23]

Northern Ireland

Brendan Howlin

115. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his most recent engagements with the UK Government on its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill following the recent decision adopted by the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13614/23]

Ukraine War

Brendan Howlin

122. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of bilateral aid provided to Ukraine in 2022; the amount committed to in 2023; the additional supports or funds Ireland has made available this year; if he has sought an increase in assistance above the current allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13616/23]

Environmental Policy

Brendan Howlin

192. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the current waiting times for applications to SEAI (details supplied); his plans to shorten the waiting time for applicants to SEAI for these urgent environmental works; the resources he will provide to SEAI to expedite these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13314/23]

Rental Sector

Brendan Howlin

327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the application of the rental tax credit, to ensure that the children of a property owner who are registered tenants in the property with the RTB paying a market rent, can avail of this credit on the same basis as any other renter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13140/23]

School Transport

Brendan Howlin

729. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a child (details supplied) who was denied a place on the school bus to their secondary school in 2022 although they availed of this bus for the previous three years, is provided with transport in the coming school year, which is their only means of getting to school; if she will review the circumstances of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13323/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

946. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be put in place for CHO5; if funding has been allocated in 2023 to provide this service; when recruitment for this team will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/23]

Disability Services

Brendan Howlin

970. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a liaison public health nurse, LPHN, for the children's disability network team in Wexford will be provided; if he is aware that in the absence of this post, the home support resource manager is unable to provide home support workers for people in urgent need of this support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13503/23]

Hospital Facilities

Brendan Howlin

1359. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health given the urgent need to fast track the re-build and restoration of Wexford General Hospital, and ensure that vital services are restored there as soon as possible, if he will use the powers available to him under Section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to remove the necessity to go through a planning process in the reconstruction of the damaged building and the provision of temporary or modular facilities, and to commence the building of the planned 96-bed unit at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13142/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Brendan Howlin

302. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No.462 of 14 November 2022 concerning a person (details supplied); if the application has been processed yet; if he will set out the expected timeframe for the completion of the consideration of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/23]

Passport Services

Brendan Howlin

331. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11462/23]

EU Regulations

Brendan Howlin

82. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has concerns regarding the negative impact on Ireland of the relaxation of EU State aid rules which has seen France and Germany account for 77% of the €672 million EU-approved programmes since 22 March 2022 following the Franco German Leaders’ meeting in Paris; the discussions he has had with other EU partners on this potential competitive distortion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4005/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Brendan Howlin

369. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the criteria used to determine eligibility for the pandemic bonus payment for frontline workers in community disability support centres who worked during the pandemic, in particular if he will set out the criteria used to determine eligibility at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/23]