Parliamentary questions

Banking Sector

Seán Canney

236. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider requesting the retail banks and credit unions to exempt people with disabilities from bank charges as it is an added cost to those who are most vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31293/23]

Construction Industry

Seán Canney

237. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will defer the introduction of the concrete levy due to be introduced on 1 September 2023, given the current construction inflation and the additional burden the levy will place on the cost of construction including housing and public works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31294/23]

Flood Risk Management

Seán Canney

241. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the cost issue relating to the design and delivery of the flood relief scheme for the Gort lowlands as a result of a design issue with the recently constructed M17/M18 motorway; if he will intervene and instruct the Department of Transport and TII to rectify the issue to ensure the flood relief scheme can be delivered as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/23]

Housing Schemes

Seán Canney

391. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the income threshold for people applying for the local authority home loan to take into account the increase in wages and to include people who are second-chance applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31106/23]

State Pensions

Seán Canney

405. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection when the State pension will be increased to 34% of average earnings to meet the Government’s commitment on pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30536/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Seán Canney

615. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a targeted, funded strategic capital investment programme for mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30503/23]

Mental Health Policy

Seán Canney

616. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when he will give the necessary powers to the Mental Health Commission to regulate not just approved inpatient mental health services, but the 24-hour community residences, as well as approved community mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30504/23]

Health Services

Seán Canney

639. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the Slainte Care project on the development of a national diabetes register will be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30637/23]

Hospital Facilities

Seán Canney

641. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the option of appointing a project delivery team to oversee the delivery of major projects including the new emergency department, maternity unit, paediatric unit, regional cancer centre, bedroom block and laboratories on the existing site at University Hospital Galway to ensure delivery is achieved in the shortest time possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30641/23]

Abortion Services

Seán Canney

708. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health whether proposals to 'decriminalise' performing terminations of pregnancy would permit non-medically trained individuals to carry out terminations without legal consequences. [31044/23]

Abortion Services

Seán Canney

709. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health to clarify, based on Section 10.1 of the abortion review report, whether babies have been born alive having survived late-term abortions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31045/23]

Primary Medical Certificates

Seán Canney

83. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance when he will publish the revised criteria to qualify for the primary medical certificate which will be fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30097/23]

Tax Reliefs

Seán Canney

200. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance to reintroduce tax relief for first-time mortgage holders in light of the increasing interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30098/23]

Health Services

Seán Canney

383. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what plans he has to end geographical inequality in children’s eye care across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/23]

Equal Opportunities Employment

Seán Canney

285. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an on access to work for people with a disability in the private and public sector (details supplied). [29412/23]

Education Policy

Seán Canney

311. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on developments around needs-based accommodations and support in education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29415/23]

Disability Services

Seán Canney

498. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on developments around needs-based accommodations and supports for people with a disability in getting employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29414/23]

Nursing Homes

Seán Canney

526. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new guidelines around the use of vacant or closed nursing homes for housing refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29467/23]

Pharmacy Services

Seán Canney

675. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with community pharmacies or with an organisation (details supplied) to conduct a review of their services under Public Pay and Pension Act 2017 legislation; when this review will take place; if he is aware of the huge increase in business costs wages and overheads since cuts were imposed during the recession in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29419/23]

Customs and Excise

Seán Canney

197. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the additional excise duty applied to goods coming into Ireland from other EU countries but shopped through the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/23]

Disability Services

Seán Canney

135. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that there are huge gaps in the provision of services within the CDNT based in Tuam, with only one occupational therapist for over 700 children and only one speech and language therapist for 700 children; the immediate plans that are in place to provide the correct level of supports for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28734/23]

Disability Services

Seán Canney

136. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider introducing a financial support scheme for parents to engage private therapists where none exists within the public service to serve the needs of children with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28735/23]

Hospital Staff

Seán Canney

162. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to provide the additional secretarial services required to support the two neurology consultants in Galway University Hospital, as presently there are delays in letters being sent to GPs and other MDT in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28768/23]

Hospital Services

Seán Canney

163. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what plans are in place to relocate the neurology department at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28769/23]

Greenways Provision

Seán Canney

304. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that a section of the emerging preferred route of the Athlone to Galway Greenway is located on an SAC-designated area; if this is allowable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28074/23]

Greenways Provision

Seán Canney

305. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the emerging preferred route for the Athlone to Galway Greenway has excluded a recently constructed cycleway/walkway along the recently re-aligned N67 road between Ballinderreen and Kinvara for a length of over 4 km, given that this route would alleviate the need to CPO lands, create severance of lands and save money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28075/23]

Greenways Provision

Seán Canney

306. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of proposals to instal sections of the proposed Greenway from Athlone to Galway in active, functional farmland which will cause lands to be severed and in one instance destroy 25 acres of existing farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28076/23]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Seán Canney

401. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied). [27334/23]

School Transport

Seán Canney

482. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education when she expects the school transport review being carried out by her Department to be concluded; when the review will be published; when the recommendations of the review will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27197/23]

School Accommodation

Seán Canney

606. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her Department will now sanction an extension to a school (details supplied); if her Department can approve an extension for another 500 students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28425/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Canney

795. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a back payment for a person (details supplied). [27337/23]

Health Services Staff

Seán Canney

1180. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the 600 job vacancies currently within the HSE, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/23]

Third Level Education

Seán Canney

1357. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he aware that the HEA has written to the recently formed Technological Universities informing them that they will be substantially reducing the level of funding to the Technical Universities from August 2023, if this decision is premature and will leave these universities in a poor financial state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27643/23]

Departmental Funding

Seán Canney

1360. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation Fund (details supplied); if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the Technological University Transformation Fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding that will be made available under the new TUT fund; if the TUs that merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs who merged earlier; if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this important juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27685/23]

Immigration Support Services

Seán Canney

317. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Ukrainians who are accommodated in hotels are allowed to have people visit them in their accommodation; if there are rules around such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26835/23]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

98. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice when an application by an organisation (details supplied) will be processed and a decision made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26435/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Seán Canney

163. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who worked on the frontline will receive the pandemic bonus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26466/23]

Rural Schemes

Seán Canney

211. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will confirm that the grant offer of €200,000 to an organisation (details supplied) under the town and village scheme in January 2021 will remain in place, as the project has been delayed but is now almost ready to be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26432/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Seán Canney

230. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when retired OPW staff will receive a raise in their pension and arrears in relation to recent pension increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26110/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Canney

654. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that many healthcare workers who worked in care homes during the Covid pandemic and who were of the understanding that they would receive the pandemic special recognition payment for non-HSE and non-Section 38 organisations are now being informed that they will not receive the payment and are being informed that this only applies to homes which are registered with HIQA, while many homes do not fall under the remit of HIQA; if he is aware of the difficulties that this is causing for these healthcare workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25619/23]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Canney

725. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the progress to date of the working group chaired by a person (details supplied) to consider the cost of medical claims; if he will provide in tabular form the details of the dates on which the group has met and a timeline for the group's work plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26041/23]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Canney

726. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the details of the membership of the working group chaired by a person (details supplied) to consider the cost of medical claims, including details of the organisation each member represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26042/23]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Canney

727. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if any representative of the victims of medical negligence or any individual who has taken a case against the medical profession or the HSE has been appointed to the membership of the working group chaired by a person (details supplied) to consider the cost of medical claims; if not, why; if the absence of such a voice on the group does not fatally undermine the group and its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26043/23]

Departmental Strategies

Seán Canney

728. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if any representative of the legal profession, any legal professional who has represented the victims of medical negligence or any legal professional who has acted for an individual who has taken a case against the medical profession or the HSE has been appointed to the membership of the working group chaired by a person (details supplied) to consider the cost of medical claims; if not, why; if the absences of such a voice on the group does not fatally undermine the group and its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26044/23]

Visa Applications

Seán Canney

803. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) with a stamp 3 visa status is entitled to progress from secondary school to a PLC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26109/23]

Electric Vehicles

Seán Canney

119. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport when the necessary infrastructure will be put in place to facilitate local bus companies that are investing in electric buses so that they can charge their vehicles in a timely way and in a convenient location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/23]

Bus Services

Seán Canney

125. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will legislate to ensure that all electric buses purchased to provide transport through Local Link are exempt from VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

231. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if owners of zoned residential lands will be liable for the RZLT while the landowner is in the process of applying for planning permission and is awaiting the outcome of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24136/23]

State Pensions

Seán Canney

469. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the contribution history records currently being used by her Department do not show home making and home caring credits; if she agrees that this is putting many parents and carers at a disadvantage in terms of receiving their correct pension entitlement; if she further agrees that this is having a particularly negative effect on the ability of many older women to access a proper pension; the steps she is taking to address this serious deficiency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24390/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Seán Canney

809. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will appoint a dedicated full-time project management team to implement the plan to develop a Model 4 Hospital at University Hospital Galway, including the new cancer centre, bed block, emergency department, maternity department and paediatric department to ensure a coordinated delivery of the entire facility by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24599/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Seán Canney

92. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has plans to provide funding to Uisce Éireann to take in charge existing private wastewater treatment plants in private housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23345/23]

Wastewater Treatment

Seán Canney

121. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the progression of applications for funding by local authorities for the installation of wastewater treatment facilities; when he expects to approve the submissions received; if he intends to increase the budget to meet the demand from local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/23]

Housing Policy

Seán Canney

136. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the revised guidelines for rural housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/23]

Fire Service

Seán Canney

142. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends to engage with the National Retained Firefighters Service to secure an agreement on pay and conditions in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23346/23]

Housing Policy

Seán Canney

156. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he intends to provide additional funding to local authorities to provide for the proper management of their existing and future social housing stock in view of the increase in the numbers of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23348/23]

Pension Provisions

Seán Canney

447. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the practice of reducing the State pension (non-contributory) due to the decision of the householder to rent their home whilst in long-term residential care will be discontinued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22543/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

450. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the sale of residence disregard is not applicable to a person who is not a burden on the State at the date of disposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22579/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

451. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the investment of a person (details supplied) for the benefit of their children is being taken as being savings in the person’s name; how this is deemed fair and reasonable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22580/23]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Canney

625. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person who has entered long-term care and who has agreed to rent out their home is assessed on the double for this income by having the rental income assessed and also the notional income by having the value of the house assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22550/23]

Home Care Packages

Seán Canney

672. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health when the new home care tender will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22767/23]

Bus Services

Seán Canney

177. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure a regular bus service is put in place to service Clarinbridge into Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21214/23]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Seán Canney

226. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance the supports he will put in place to support mortgage holders who are in receipt of disability allowance and are on fixed income where the repayments are increasing as a result of increases in the interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/23]

Public Sector Pay

Seán Canney

246. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when payments will be made to retired OPW workers in relation to backpay due to them, given that this money has already been paid to current OPW workers, but some retirees are awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/23]

Schools Building Projects

Seán Canney

289. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will support a project (details supplied). [21403/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

345. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of farmers who were successful in their applications to have their land dezoned in each local authority as part of the submission process for residential zoned land tax that closed on 1 January 2023, and for which decisions were issued at the start of April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21590/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

346. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the residential zoned land tax will not be applicable to farm lands currently being used as part of a functional farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/23]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

347. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will confirm that the residential zoned land tax does not apply to lands that are zoned phase 2 in local area plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/23]

Water Services

Seán Canney

348. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can confirm that the recently announced exemption from development charges includes exemption from water charge connection fees from group water schemes and connection charges to the ESB networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21593/23]

Forestry Sector

Seán Canney

487. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new ash dieback scheme will be extended to forest owners who received the previous support but who have lost financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Seán Canney

611. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if staff working in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service are included in the Covid bonus payment as front-line workers; if so, when he expects that they will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/23]

Abortion Services

Seán Canney

622. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of first appointments made for an abortion in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21599/23]

Abortion Services

Seán Canney

623. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of first appointments made for an abortion in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21600/23]

Abortion Services

Seán Canney

624. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of first appointments made for an abortion in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21601/23]

Taxi Licences

Seán Canney

100. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20567/23]

Special Educational Needs

Seán Canney

148. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20253/23]

Special Educational Needs

Seán Canney

174. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide a school place for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20568/23]

Schools Building Projects

Seán Canney

176. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made on an extension for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20601/23]

Housing Policy

Seán Canney

224. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider putting a cap on how many social houses a local authority can purchase in a private housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/23]

Septic Tanks

Seán Canney

225. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a grant is available to all local authorities to upgrade an existing septic tank; if so, the criteria used in the assessment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20527/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Seán Canney

246. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection to support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20259/23]

Horticulture Sector

Seán Canney

305. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector will be made available; if he is aware of the difficulties that the delay in this scheme is having on commercial horticulture farmers, particularly young farmers; if he can reassure farmers that the scheme will be made available in 2023; if he will provide a detailed timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20251/23]

Transfer of Entitlements

Seán Canney

310. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason agricultural planners can no longer witness signatures for his Department’s application forms, such as transfer of entitlements; if he is aware of the inconvenience and additional cost this is causing farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20266/23]

Disability Services

Seán Canney

333. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/23]

Grant Payments

Seán Canney

482. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a matter could be investigated as a student (details supplied) is at risk of losing out on a year of SUSI grant through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/23]

Regeneration Projects

Seán Canney

489. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will be made to approve additional funding for Loughrea town hall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20602/23]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Seán Canney

336. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish the report from the working group on transport supports for people with disabilities; if he will confirm whether the report includes proposals to put in place a fit-for-purpose primary medical certificate for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Seán Canney

264. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if a teacher (details supplied) is under the pre-2012 pension regime or the post-2012 pension regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19151/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Canney

357. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are in place for self-employed people who fall ill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19070/23]

Departmental Data

Seán Canney

397. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice when he intends to meet with stakeholders following the report of the Firearms Expert Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19059/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Seán Canney

441. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if tillage land was eligible for ANC payments prior to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19168/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Seán Canney

448. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers ruled out of the ANC scheme for reasons other than not meeting stocking density criteria in 2020, 2021 and 2022, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19277/23]

Agriculture Schemes

Seán Canney

454. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector will be in place in 2023 in order to give security to the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19521/23]

Medical Cards

Seán Canney

535. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the reason an emergency medical card is not issued to the spouse of a self-employed person even through the spouse is employed on a PAYE basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/23]

Health Services

Seán Canney

627. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the facilities that are in place to diabetes patients for the safe disposal of used needles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19573/23]

Nursing Homes

Seán Canney

382. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health the number of high-dependency rooms that will be included in the new community nursing unit being built in Tuam; the application process for patients to access these rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18752/23]

Schools Building Projects

Seán Canney

627. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the re-location of a school (details supplied); if she is aware that the NCSE evaluation was finalised in March 2022, and the school’s current lease is due to expire in September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16365/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Canney

881. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she plans to pay the full basic supplementary welfare allowance to asylum seekers who are not in direct provision and if she plans to give asylum-seeking children access to child benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16701/23]

Social Welfare Code

Seán Canney

913. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider abolishing the means test for carers where the care recipient is a child who has lifelong medical needs as the level of care required from such families is all-encompassing, from daily personal care, feeding, household chores to include a multitude of medical appointments and the associated costs of attending these appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17248/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Canney

919. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the criteria for fuel allowance in light of the housing crisis, where many adult children cannot get accommodation and move out of home, which is preventing their parents from accessing fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17335/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Seán Canney

927. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [17580/23]