Parliamentary questions

Defective Building Materials

Fergus O'Dowd

319. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek engagement with the Housing Agency in respect of a person’s pyrite concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3761/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

516. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will urgently review a case (details supplied) where a person has been denied HSE assistance despite their significant requirements and diagnosis of FND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

551. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline the details of his Department’s/HSE analysis on the safe staffing and skill mix of nurses and others working in nursing homes, public and private and in care homes; to give an update on findings and recommendations to date; when the final analysis will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4128/24]

Nuclear Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

51. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide an update on discussions held with UK counterparts regarding recent reported safety issues at the Sellafield nuclear facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3142/24]

Northern Ireland

Fergus O'Dowd

55. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline recent efforts by him and his Department to assist in re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3141/24]

Energy Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on his previous commitment in providing a mechanism for full time residents in mobile homes to access the much needed electricity credits, which to date has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3144/24]

Nuclear Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a full update on discussions that have taken place with UK counterparts on the recent leaks at the magnox swarf storage silo in Sellafield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3143/24]

Renewable Energy Generation

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline plans to make available much needed low interest loans for households who wish to migrate to solar panel installations but who cannot afford to do so at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3449/24]

Medical Inquiries

Fergus O'Dowd

346. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update regarding the sodium valproate inquiry; the reason a chairperson has not been appointed to date; when he expects the chairperson to be in place and for the inquiry to begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3424/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

347. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to proposals and concerns from a person (details attached) with respect to the severe difficulties in accessing diagnosis assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3448/24]

Departmental Data

Fergus O'Dowd

356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of children and their average waiting time, on speech and language therapy waiting lists across all CHOs, sub-divided in tabular form, by county and by local HSE designated service area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3520/24]

Departmental Data

Fergus O'Dowd

357. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total number of children and their average waiting time, on speech and language therapy waiting lists across all CHOs, sub divided in tabular form by county, and by local HSE designated service area, across the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/24]

Road Safety Authority

Fergus O'Dowd

182. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update from the Road Safety Authority on the need to progress a new temporary or permanent driving test centre for Drogheda, County Louth, the largest town in Ireland; if, considering the unacceptable driving test wait times in the Louth and east Meath area, he will seek full clarification on the list of sites which have been assessed since the decision was taken to close the temporary site in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2783/24]

Housing Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

340. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to embed ageing in place options for older people into the planning system, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/24]

Programme for Government

Fergus O'Dowd

554. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the programme for Government commitment to ensure that older people who are at greater risk of fuel poverty and the respiratory illnesses associated with air pollution be prioritised in climate action and climate-mitigation plans, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2464/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

570. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progression and the timeline for the establishment of a commission on care for older people and the establishment of a commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/24]

Healthcare Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the expansion of community-based care, bringing it closer to home, in line with the Sláintecare Implementation plan since the establishment of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2455/24]

Mental Health Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

572. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and increase access to talk therapies and improve access to specialist expertise, when it is required, in line with Sharing the Vision – a Mental Health Policy for Everyone, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/24]

Social Isolation

Fergus O'Dowd

573. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a plan aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation, particularly among older people, as outlined in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

574. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to further support the nursing homes support scheme (the fair deal) to provide assistance when staying at home may no longer be an option, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2458/24]

Nursing Education

Fergus O'Dowd

575. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that no nursing homes support scheme resident is charged for services they do not use, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

576. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that the best possible safeguards are in place to protect our friends and family in nursing homes, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

577. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase the number of specialist palliative care beds countrywide over the five years of government, ensuring that there will be a hospice serving every region in the country, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

578. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to support community specialist palliative home care teams in all HSE areas, fund designated homecare packages, and resource specialist palliative care provided in hospices, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2462/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

579. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to increase resources for the children’s palliative care programme since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2463/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

580. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken by his Department to deliver transgender health services in Ireland; if his Department has considered the 'informed consent' model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2466/24]

Home Care Packages

Fergus O'Dowd

581. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; how he plans to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2472/24]

Hospital Admissions

Fergus O'Dowd

582. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide a progress update on the expansion of community intervention teams to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and to support the timely discharge of patients to their homes, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2473/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

583. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the target of community services assigning a case manager for older people with chronic conditions to assist them with accessing the care they need, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2474/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

584. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the development of the role of advanced nurse practitioners in older person services and chronic disease management, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2475/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

585. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment on the development and targeted expansion and availability of step-down facilities across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2476/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

586. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and support eHealth and the increased use of assistive technologies, supporting people to live independently, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2477/24]

Programme for Government

Fergus O'Dowd

587. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop and deliver a ‘carers guarantee’ proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live, across each of the CHO areas, since the establishment of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2478/24]

Cybersecurity Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

134. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to comment on safety and cyber concerns raised in an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2101/24]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will seek a full update from the HSE on much-needed plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO8 area; if he will provide a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2253/24]

Nursing Homes

Fergus O'Dowd

309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on plans to address and cease unfair additional charges being applied to medical card holders in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/24]

Air Quality

Fergus O'Dowd

129. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the required establishment of dedicated resources within regional lead authorities to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to ensure enforcement of the new air-quality regulations nationwide, further to the €500,000 awarded to local authorities to support targeted enforcement campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

304. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the funding requirements and allocations required to advance the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/24]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

305. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on TII roads funding for 2024; the reason for the delay in announcing the final allocations; when he expects the announcement to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2078/24]

Architectural Heritage

Fergus O'Dowd

404. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on proposed developments at the Oldbridge site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1758/24]

School Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

604. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a response will issue to concerns raised on the application of the STEM grants nationwide (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1180/24]

Swimming Pools

Fergus O'Dowd

710. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 23 May 2023, and following the ongoing interest in providing a full-time, permanent pool in the Ardee area, if she will outline when the pop-up pool might be available to Ardee in 2024; if any discussions have taken place between her Department and Louth County Council in respect of the provision of a new pool for the Ardee/mid Louth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1117/24]

Departmental Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

826. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the report carried out on the housing adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability; when the report will be published and available to review [1553/24]

Housing Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

831. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to further expand the croí cónaithe vacant dwelling scheme in 2024 to include more eligible properties that would add to housing supply, including the possible reduction of vacancy criteria from two years to one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/24]

Fire Stations

Fergus O'Dowd

835. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/24]

Public Sector Pay

Fergus O'Dowd

890. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the expected timelines for pay parity claims for Tús supervisors; if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56875/23]

Weather Events

Fergus O'Dowd

1176. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 406 of 21 November 2023, if there are plans to expand the scheme to include sectors such as farming and so on due to the lack of any other funding supports in such weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56455/23]

Wildlife Conservation

Fergus O'Dowd

1248. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek advice from his officials as to whether there are any suitable sites that they may be aware of under their remit that could possibly house this vital wildlife organisation, which continues to struggle to find a suitable site for its important work on the East coast (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1159/24]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1468. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to provide the full details of the escalation protocol at the emergency department of UHL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56397/23]

Emergency Departments

Fergus O'Dowd

1469. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL to provide the criteria required to activate the escalation policy; how many patients were admitted; how many patients are awaiting treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56398/23]