Parliamentary questions

Community Welfare Services

John McGuinness

367. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to resolve the backlog of applications for supplementary welfare allowance in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if the applications can be expedited. [56138/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

269. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for WFP submitted in the name of a person (details supplied) on 15 September 2022 will be expedited and approved. [56053/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an application for an additional SNA will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [55746/22]

Departmental Inquiries

John McGuinness

381. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the investigation into complaints by a person (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address the issues raised; the date of the original complaints; the status of a report into the matter; if the report will be published; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54666/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

686. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [55048/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

687. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a pension in her own right; if her spouse is in receipt of his full entitlement and an adult dependent allowance; and if she will provide a record of the contributions made by the person. [55050/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

692. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to the date that they commenced giving the care in 2020; and if the appeal will be expedited and approved. [55071/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

694. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of a disability allowance claim in the name of a person (details supplied) has been completed; and if all outstanding payments due to the applicant will be paid without delay. [55081/22]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

881. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the status of an independent investigation into penalisation arising from a protected disclosure submitted relative to the Irish Prison Service; the date the investigation commenced; if an interim or final report has been submitted to her Department; if the complaint regarding penalisation in respect of this person had been investigated on two occasions prior to the commencement of the independent investigation and if so, the actions that were taken arising from the investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55298/22]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

1045. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to the National Ambulance Service for capital projects; if the base in Carlow is to be upgraded; and if a new site for the Carlow base is to be progressed as part of the capital programme. [54669/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

1127. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the rate per kilometre paid by the HSE to patients who use their own car to attend dialysis sessions/appointments; if the rate will be increased given the increase in the costs of travel; if the payment to those making such a claim is issued in a timely manner; the number of patients availing of the scheme; the number of claims outstanding for a month or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55055/22]

Departmental Legal Cases

John McGuinness

1130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the date of the High Court decision in the case of a person (details supplied); if the full extent of the court decision has been honoured by the State from the decision date to date; the current status of the services available to the person and in particular speech and language therapy, OT, music therapy and sensory integration; if his attention has been drawn to any protocol or guidelines set down by the HSE that may prevent the current service provider, procured by the HSE, in carrying out the contract for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55070/22]

Medical Cards

John McGuinness

295. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the expiry date on a medical card issued to a person (details supplied) until such time as the card renewal process is completed; and if a positive response will be expedited. [54002/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

429. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will provide a record of the insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied); the way that the figure of €22 was calculated as a State pension (non-contributory) in their case; if they will be included as an adult dependent on their spouse's State pension (non-contributory) when they qualify at the same rate that they are now on through their spouses jobseeker’s claim. [52751/22]

Road Projects

John McGuinness

196. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if the strategic assessment report submitted by Kilkenny County Council for the next phase of the ring road will be expedited and approved; if approval will be given to the Council to appoint consultants to examine the route options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52559/22]

Planning Issues

John McGuinness

227. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for processing submissions made to the housing supply clearing house; the status of an application made by a person (details supplied); the number of applications that have been made to date; the number of approved or rejected applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52560/22]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

248. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project to be undertaken at a school (details supplied); when her Department will lodge the planning application to Kilkenny County Council; the indicative timeframe for the completion of each stage in the event that planning permission is granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52513/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

263. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if all outstanding benefit payments due to a person (details supplied) will be paid immediately; and if she will confirm the amounts due to the person and the periods in question. [52502/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

264. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved as three applications have been submitted to date, two of which have been misplaced in the Department. [52503/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

266. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full carer’s allowance will be approved immediately for a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of payment of half of the carer's payment and whose financial circumstances have changed. [52517/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

272. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if child benefit will continue to be paid to a person (details supplied) who is in full-time education. [52549/22]

Community Employment Schemes

John McGuinness

273. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the payments that are due to a person (details supplied) will be issued to them as soon as possible. [52556/22]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

333. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the drug plaquenil will be approved for use in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52558/22]

Food Industry

John McGuinness

381. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the cap on work permits in the meat processing sector will be increased as a matter of urgency given that some companies in the sector are experiencing a shortage of skills and are being forced to recruit abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52557/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

137. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the applications for an invalidity pension and fuel allowance in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [52282/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

138. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance which has been approved in the name of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to the date of the original application in 2021; if arrears have already been paid based on the recent approval and the circumstances of the applicant during this period; and if a review of the applications will be expedited. [52314/22]

School Staff

John McGuinness

272. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the special circumstances relating to a pupil (details supplied) will be re-examined in the context of his urgent need for a SNA at a school; if the services such as speech and language therapy which they require will also be provided as a matter of urgency given that their positive progression is being hampered; and if she will expedite the matter. [50979/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be approved immediately in the case of a child (details supplied) based on the medical reports and the diary information submitted. [50980/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

294. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied); if payments will be backdated to the year of the first assessment when the child was three years of age and when they were first informed verbally by a Department official not to apply as they would not qualify; and if the case put forward them will be investigated. [50985/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

295. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer's allowance will be put back into payment for a person (details supplied), in line with the specified timeframe set out in the original decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50986/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

453. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if speech and language therapy will be provided immediately in the case of a child (details supplied) given that their assessments were carried out in August 2020 and again on 21 May 2021, and that they are now experiencing difficulty in obtaining a school placement due to their issues and the lack of support thus preventing their proper development and education; and if he will expedite the matter. [50982/22]

Land Issues

John McGuinness

476. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials will re-examine as a matter of urgency the specific land folios in question (details supplied) given that the landowner is adamant that the issues raised by his Department do not affect their lands, the subject of the licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50983/22]

Forestry Sector

John McGuinness

477. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50984/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the building regulation SR54 will be amended to allow external insulation to be provided on solid stone walls, thereby allowing the insulation to be grant-aided by the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

415. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the maximum State Pension (contributory) is not being paid to a person (details supplied). [47928/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for State pension (contributory) in the name of a person (details supplied) will be approved and paid. [47942/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

448. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a response to an application for a disability allowance that is under appeal in the case of a person (details supplied). [48527/22]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

529. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the progress that she is making with a protected disclosure submitted to her by an individual (details supplied) who was once employed in the Prison Service and who has spoken publicly about their experiences and grievances; if she has processed the disclosure in line with current legislation; and if she will reach out to the individual concerned to determine whether a solution can be found to the matters raised. [47925/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

706. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when agency staff and section 39 employees will be paid the €1,000 Covid bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48529/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

167. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the building regulations of 2010 (details supplied) to include technical guidance documents for wheelchair-liveable housing; and if he will engage with the disability groups to hear their perspective on the current regulations and the way they impact negatively on their lives. [47783/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

168. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his views on the lack of an available stock of wheelchair-liveable housing in Ireland; the steps he will take to amend the outdated building regulations of 2010 (details supplied); the number of liveable units that have been delivered in the past five years; and the number being funded currently by his Department. [47784/22]

Departmental Data

John McGuinness

144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department receive reports from a company (details supplied) on the financial returns to its shareholders; if so, the amount in each of the years 2014 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46845/22]

Departmental Reports

John McGuinness

145. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of a report (details supplied) that was commissioned by him into the treatment of good causes funding in other jurisdictions and to undertake a consultation on same; the timelines for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46846/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

543. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol task force has not had a full-time co-ordinator for almost three years; if all parties are acting with appropriate haste to resolve the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47128/22]

School Transport

John McGuinness

75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the age restriction of 66 years applied by Bus Éireann to school bus drivers operating under contract to the company will be removed to allow them to drive school buses up to the same retirement age applicable to direct employees of the company; if he will clarify the position with the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46168/22]

Primary Care Centres

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of a fully funded primary healthcare facility for Freshford and Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, given the extensive rural area being serviced by both locations and the growing demand from patients in Kilkenny city who are finding it difficult to access general practitioner services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/22]

Housing Schemes

John McGuinness

553. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if 100% funding is available from his Department for voluntary housing associations that need to retrofit houses that were constructed 25 years ago. [42626/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

817. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a place will be provided for a child (details supplied) at an early intervention ASD unit; the number of ASD units established in Kilkenny city and environs; the number of places in each; if each unit is at capacity or not; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42150/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

941. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the appropriate supports required by a child (details supplied) will be provided immediately in accordance with the application made on their behalf; the supports, if any, that have already been approved for them; if funding has also been allocated; and if she will expedite a positive response. [43580/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

1059. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on categorising long Covid as a disability or an occupational injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42087/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

1062. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance payment currently under appeal will be approved for a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing will be arranged for the applicant if necessary; and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [42159/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1070. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to claim a State (contributory) pension. [42252/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1071. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension for a person (details supplied) will be expedited, approved and backdated to the date of the first application; the reason for the delay and the fact that the original application was mislaid. [42280/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

1097. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied). [42683/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

1145. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a jobseeker’s allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) given that the information requested has been submitted and the client is experiencing hardship; and if the back-to-school allowance will also be expedited. [43489/22]

Child Protection

John McGuinness

1205. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Tusla child sexual abuse findings that were classified as confirmed that were overturned by the appeal panel and classified as unfounded since the formation of the appeals panel in 2015; the number of alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse who have sued Tusla due to outcomes and findings; the amount that Tusla has paid out in settlements and legal fees; if Tusla outcomes and findings, which were made prior to the publication of the 2014 policies and procedures, have no standing at present given that these assessments were conducted in the absence of a health board and HSE policy; if this is the case given that it would impact each case prior to the commencement of the 2014 policies and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/22]

Immigration Support Services

John McGuinness

1214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the possible closure of immigrant services (details supplied) in Kilkenny due to the lack of funding for the support officer; if the funding required of €20,000 will be sanctioned as a matter of urgency given the importance of this work and the new challenges arising from the intake of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42220/22]

Education and Training Provision

John McGuinness

1297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to deal with the chronic shortage of vets; if a second college will be established to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42251/22]

Health Service Executive

John McGuinness

1516. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE child sexual abuse findings that were classified as confirmed that were overturned by the appeal panel to classified as unfounded since the formation of the appeals panel in 2015; the number of alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse that have sued the HSE in relation to outcomes and findings; if HSE outcomes and findings that were made prior to the publication of the 2014 policies and procedures have no standing at present given that these assessments were conducted in the absence of a health board and HSE policy; if this is the case given that it would impact each case prior to the commencement of the 2014 policies and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

1517. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he plans to examine the ongoing health issues caused by Covid and the response that is required to these issues by his Department and the HSE; if he has considered establishing long Covid clinics to assist in the analysis of the after-effects of Covid; if long Covid will be acknowledged as a disability or, in the case of the HSE, as an occupational injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42084/22]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

John McGuinness

1518. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in finding an out-of-court resolution to the issues raised by thalidomide survivors; his views on the recent discussions that he had with the group and the outcome; the reason for the reported cost of €24 million to his Department of providing documents for the ongoing court case; if he will provide an accurate costing of running the case to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42086/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

1528. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol taskforce has not had a full-time coordinator for over two years; the action that is being taken to ensure that the full-time position is restored; if the person that was in the full-time position is still being paid by the HSE; if so, if he will resolve the issues that are preventing that person from returning to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

1552. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the action plan for the implementation of the 2021 disability capacity review to 2032; if funding for the action plan has been requested as part of budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42157/22]

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

1575. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the services available at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny for patients with skin disease; if a consultant and support team are available on site in the hospital; if so, the date of the commencement of the service; the number of patients attending the service; if there is a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42281/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

1577. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action he has or is taking to bridge the wage gap between section 38-39 organisations; if any new pay agreement will be index linked; if the reasonable requests being made by section 39s have been costed; if so, if he will outline these costs; if he has presented a business plan to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if so, if the Department has responded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

1671. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged immediately at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied). [42625/22]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

2096. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 890 of 5 July 2022, if he will give consideration to the use of the product Equimune or similar treatments under the strict control and oversight of his Department and on a trial basis to treat the horses on the farm of a person (details supplied) in order to determine whether the disease can be eliminated; if he will consult with the other parties involved in the previous investigations to determine if the suggestion has merit; if he will engage with the person to explore this and other options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42153/22]

Rural Schemes

John McGuinness

2180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 15 June 2022, the number of applications that have been received by each county council for the streetscape enhancement scheme; the total amount of funding allocated to each council; the amount of funding drawn down by each council; if all approved applicants were paid; if she will allow each council to administer grants to applicants who have a genuine reason for being late in claiming the grant based on the work being completed before 30 April 2022; if there is an appeal process for the scheme; and if not, if she will introduce one. [42292/22]

Broadband Infrastructure

John McGuinness

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to implementing a programme similar to the shared rural network as was recently rolled-out in the UK, to address mobile coverage black spots; if he will consider the State taking a portion of the funds from the next spectrum auction to support the deployment of a shared rural network, as is the case in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/22]

Housing Provision

John McGuinness

698. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his estimated targets for cost rental homes for each of the years 2022 to 2025; and if he is confident that these targets will be met. [40729/22]

Defence Forces

John McGuinness

1022. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will reinstate the arrangement between a sports club (details supplied) and James Stephen’s Barracks, County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a positive decision. [40960/22]

Third Level Staff

John McGuinness

1466. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guidelines and circulars issued to institutes of technology and the new university entities on the structure of pay scales for lecturers from 2003 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40951/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

325. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that he has inserted an amendment to a piece of legislation (details supplied). [38980/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

326. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the contributions that this Deputy has made in Dáil Éireann with respect to the case of a person (details supplied) among others; and if the very late insertion of an amendment to the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 at s2B of the Principal Act was not a targeted measure to seek to deprive whistle-blowers, specifically including the person, of the protections which the proper transposition of the protections of European Union Directive (2019/1937) would otherwise provide in Irish law. [38983/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

327. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address matters in relation to legislation (details supplied). [38984/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

328. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that the constitutional provisions he has referred to in his representations to Seanad Éireann, Article 15.1.1 have the effect of depriving whistle-blowers whose cases are already before the Courts of the protections with respect to the extension of the presumption of causation specifically envisaged by European Union Directive (2019/1937); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38985/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

329. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter related to legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38987/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

530. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol task force has not had a full-time coordinator for over two years; the action being taken to ensure that the full time position is restored; if the person that was in the full-time position is still being paid by the HSE; if so, if he will resolve the issues preventing that person from returning to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38847/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

537. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the if back-to-school allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied). [38976/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

538. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance now under review will be approved as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied). [38977/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

95. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for an occupational therapy assessment in each LHO area in CHO5; the number waiting for treatment in each LHO in CHO5; the number in each category who have been waiting over a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/22]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the way that it is proposed to address the current challenges that people are experiencing securing consultations with psychiatrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/22]

Brexit Supports

John McGuinness

191. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of funding in the Brexit reserve fund (details supplied); the way that it has been allocated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36881/22]

National Children's Hospital

John McGuinness

318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current projected total cost of the National Children’s Hospital; the amount by which it has increased since 2018; if the contract has been amended to allow for inflation; if the contractor has an entitlement to seek an increase in the contract amount in view of the inflation experienced in 2022; if the current contractual position is compliant with procurement law; if a price variation clause that is, the right to claim for inflation was agreed recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/22]

EU Funding

John McGuinness

338. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the application by the Government to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; the date that the application was submitted; the timeframe for consideration of the application and final approval; the potential amount available to Ireland under the fund; the way that it might be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

309. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of health workers who qualify for the pandemic bonus payment; the number of workers who have already been paid; if all section 38 disability employees have been paid; if section 39 organisations will be paid; if he will provide a complete overview on the status of the pandemic bonus payment relative to the cohort of workers who have been paid, those who are awaiting payment, those who have been excluded and those who are pending a decision. [36567/22]

Fisheries Protection

John McGuinness

110. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will apply the lower rate of exploitation for catch and release of salmon on the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir as recommended by the commission; if he will meet a person (details supplied) in relation to the current rate being applied and the impact that the rate is having; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

781. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors employed or contracted by the HSE in each of the past five years in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; his plans to develop this service for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35828/22]

Animal Welfare

John McGuinness

890. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the investigation into the general health of horses owned by a person (details supplied) given that the original problem was never resolved and persists; if an independent authority will be appointed to review his Department’s files on the case; if so, if the authority will be given a remit by his Department to investigate all available options to eradicate the disease; if the use of equine or similar treatments has been considered as a possible solution; if his Department will engage immediately with the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/22]

Farm Inspections

John McGuinness

893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all of the reports and the results of investigations carried out by his Department on the farm of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed by an independent qualified professional with a view to comparing the circumstances pertaining now on the farm relative to the period in the past when the initial investigations were undertaken; if this request will be considered in the context of things that can be learned from the process that may be of assistance to his Department and farmers should issues like those experienced by the person occur again elsewhere in the future and to add value to the money already spent by his Department on said investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

97. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a place will be provided at a school for a student (details supplied); and if speech therapy, occupational therapy and other services will be provided for them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34785/22]

Rail Network

John McGuinness

192. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the action that he is taking to provide wheelchair access at the railway stations in Carlow and Kilkenny by way of the use of the existing lifts to the platforms which are not operating currently or in any other manner; if the lifts are in the ownership of another party if he will negotiate a permanent solution for each site; if he is satisfied with the standard of the public facilities available to customers at Bagenalstown, Carlow, Thomastown and Kilkenny railway stations; the planned investment for the next three years for each of the four locations mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34011/22]

Scoileanna DEIS

John McGuinness

597. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if DEIS Band 1 will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will expedite the matter [33725/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

828. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the services and supports that are available in counties Carlow and Kilkenny to parents that have a child with Down's syndrome; if he has plans to expand the services available and improve existing services; if funding is in place for the next three years to achieve the improvements and expansion necessary; the funding that was provided over the past three years; and the headings under which the funding was spent relative to Down's syndrome services. [34094/22]

Immigration Support Services

John McGuinness

954. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the possibility of the closure of immigrant services (details supplied) due to the lack of funding for the support officer; if the funding required of €20,000.00 will be sanctioned as a matter of urgency given the importance of this work and the new challenges arising from the intake of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34099/22]

Harbours and Piers

John McGuinness

453. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the harbour authority at Dunmore East will fully engage with a club (details supplied) relative to the traffic management plan being proposed and in particular the access issues for the club arising from the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33323/22]

Water Services

John McGuinness

41. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an application for funding submitted by Kilkenny County Council under the developer provided water services infrastructure scheme relative to Brookfield Estate, Ballyhale, Kilkenny, will be expedited and approved given that the application was made in 2021. [33027/22]

School Enrolments

John McGuinness

551. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will review a case being made by a school (details supplied); and if a positive response will be expedited. [31942/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

746. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1748 of 26 April 2022 and the response issued by the HSE on 4 May 2022, relative to the care that is urgently required by a person (details supplied) if his attention has been drawn to the fact that their consultant psychiatrist has been advocating for a decade for the need for a specialist residential service for the person and has advised in a letter dated 5 April 2022 of the absolute urgency of the case; if his Department or the HSE will provide specific funding to resolve this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31937/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

134. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the process in place for extra hours to be allocated to special needs assistants that are already in place in schools and that have expressed interest in taking on more hours in their allocated school or another school; if she is satisfied that the current system is efficient, cost effective and delivering the service to all those in need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31063/22]