Parliamentary questions

Bus Services

Neasa Hourigan

136. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to staffing and hiring issues affecting the current operation of, and the planned extension of, public bus services in the Cork metropolitan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41101/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

163. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to undertake a review of the VAT classification of hairdressers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41143/23]

Departmental Priorities

Neasa Hourigan

200. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the proposed bridge across the River Liffey at the War Memorial Gardens; the timeline for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Neasa Hourigan

251. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if the building unit within her Department will meet with a school (details supplied) which has an outstanding meeting request since September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41153/23]

Child Poverty

Neasa Hourigan

368. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether data is collected on rates of child poverty, particularly in areas of deprivation, as defined by Pobal, by her Department or any relevant bodies; the methods used; the subsets under which this data is collected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41135/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Neasa Hourigan

389. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that those in receipt of the disability allowance payment do not lose their current level of payment when they choose to marry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41558/23]

Child Poverty

Neasa Hourigan

476. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether data is collected on rates of child poverty, particularly in areas of deprivation, as defined by Pobal, by his Department or any relevant bodies; the methods used; the subsets under which this data is collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41136/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Neasa Hourigan

539. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of CHOs currently prescribing suboxone to those experiencing opioid addiction; and the number of prescriptions prescribed in respect of each CHO in 2022, in tabular form. [41128/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Neasa Hourigan

540. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of CHOs currently prescribing methadone to those experiencing opioid addiction; and the number of prescriptions prescribed in respect of each CHO in 2022, in tabular form. [41129/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Neasa Hourigan

541. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans over the next three years to optimise accessibility to suboxone to those experiencing opioid addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41130/23]

Addiction Treatment Services

Neasa Hourigan

542. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the CHOs that currently provide rapid access stabilisation units; his plans to provide future funding for such units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41131/23]

Legislative Measures

Neasa Hourigan

544. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/23]

Alcohol Advertising

Neasa Hourigan

545. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the data being collected on the effects of the marketing of zero-alcohol products with the same branding, logos and colours as their parent alcoholic counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41146/23]

Nursing Homes

Neasa Hourigan

599. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the engagements that he has had with the HSE CEO regarding the recent testimony by a safeguarding expert that they were instructed by senior HSE managers to halt an investigation into the possible sexual abuse of residents in a nursing-home associated with the 'Emily' case; what actions are being taken on foot of this testimony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41640/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Neasa Hourigan

612. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support industry-led apprenticeships in hairdressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41144/23]

Further and Higher Education

Neasa Hourigan

616. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the policy concerning the use of the title 'Professor' by adjunct professors of university departments who are full-time public servants and not directly employed by the university; the policy concerning whether the title 'Professor' can be used by public servants outside their university roles on official documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41331/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

11. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the revised care plan for those seeking gender identity services, taking into account World Professional Association for Transgender Health, WPATH, standards of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40454/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Neasa Hourigan

40. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the increase in pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

173. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has any plans to review or revise the current deferred tax assets regime as it relates to large financial institutions with significant previous losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40468/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

174. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, as part of budget 2024, will present proposals to bring Ireland in line with the commitment to set a minimum effective corporate tax rate of 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40469/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

175. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, as part of developing budgetary proposals, has examined the potential of introducing a one-off corporate windfall tax or a wealth tax, as recommended by a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/23]

Tax Credits

Neasa Hourigan

176. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, as part of developing budgetary proposals, has examined the potential introduction of a tax credit for trade union fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Neasa Hourigan

189. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans to grant approval for the increase in pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39596/23]

Redundancy Payments

Neasa Hourigan

224. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to strengthen enforcement mechanisms within existing redundancy laws to ensure they are adhered to by employers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39623/23]

Redundancy Payments

Neasa Hourigan

225. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to increase the maximum weekly amount of €600 used to calculate statutory redundancy payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39624/23]

Employment Rights

Neasa Hourigan

226. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to increase the minimum length of notice a person is entitled to under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973-2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39625/23]

Redundancy Payments

Neasa Hourigan

227. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to increase the period of consecutive days, which is currently 30 days, during which making redundant the relevant number of employees constitutes collective redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39626/23]

Local Authorities

Neasa Hourigan

403. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he expects the role Chief Executive of Dublin City Council will be advertised by the Public Appointments Service; and when he expects a permanent replacement will be appointed to the role Chief Executive of Dublin City Council. [39536/23]

Local Authorities

Neasa Hourigan

404. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a permanent replacement for the role of Chief Executive of Dublin City Council was not selected prior to the departure of the permanent incumbent Chief Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39537/23]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Neasa Hourigan

653. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the reasons her Department chooses to means test the disability allowance payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40564/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

721. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 12,483 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39501/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

722. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 11,698 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only. [39502/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

723. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds re-homed for each of the years 2018 to 2022, broken down by year of birth, in tabular form. [39503/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

724. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds that participated in a least one official trial at an RCE-registered track, broken down by year of birth, for each of the years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form. [39504/23]

Departmental Investigations

Neasa Hourigan

794. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether the full investigation report into the 'Brandon' case will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40608/23]

Nursing Homes

Neasa Hourigan

796. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagements he has had with the HSE CEO regarding the recent testimony by a safeguarding expert that they were instructed by senior HSE managers to halt an investigation into the possible sexual abuse of residents in a nursing-home associated with the 'Emily' case; what actions are being taken on foot of this testimony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39465/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Neasa Hourigan

841. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his views on the challenges affecting the sustainability of the early years' sector outlined in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40156/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Neasa Hourigan

843. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied) on behalf of a charity; the engagements he has had with this charity in relation to its funding situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neasa Hourigan

1024. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether the full investigation report into the handling of Covid-19 at a facility (details supplied) in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, in 2020 will be published; whether he has discussed this report with the HSE CEO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40607/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

1042. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1154 of 21 March 2023, 597 of 25 April 2023 and 703 of 27 June 2023, if he will provide an update on the formation of the development team, announced by Cork HSE management in May 2022, tasked with conducting an options appraisal for the construction of a new ten-bed mental health rehabilitation/continuing care residential service in Midleton, County Cork; the names of HSE management staff who have been appointed to the team; the dates of any development team meetings held to date or engagements with the local authority; the details on the progress the development team has made on identifying a site for the service over the past fifteen months and on the acquisition of capital funding; to provide an update on the timeframe for the commencement and completion of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40721/23]

Mental Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

1043. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 of 17 May 2023, the length of time that the HSE plans to continue its use of a facility (details supplied) as a mental health facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40722/23]

Mental Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

1044. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1155 of 21 March 2023, the total cost of the HSE's use of a facility (details supplied) as a mental health facility since the property was first rented in April 2020 to 14 September 2023, in tabular form; and the cost of rent, cleaning fees, investment in the kitchen, insurance and any other costs covered by the HSE in respect of this property. [40723/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

1045. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the exact requirements for the advertising of local recruitment competitions for HSE staff grade and senior grade psychology posts, such that they are compliant with the Commission for Public Service Appointments and the HSE's own recruitment protocols; the way these differ from other forms of psychology recruitment competitions run by the HSE for psychology posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40724/23]

Official Engagements

Neasa Hourigan

40. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagements he has had with his UK counterparts in relation to the proposed development of the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea; if he engaged with them on the affect such fossil fuel expansion would have on their legally binding commitment to net zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38180/23]

Rail Network

Neasa Hourigan

304. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the opening of Kishoge train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38009/23]

Transport Policy

Neasa Hourigan

385. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce an offence to idle a car engine unnecessarily when stationary and/or to introduce a public awareness campaign to reduce idling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38700/23]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

448. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the bike-to-work scheme to those who are self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37920/23]

Public Parks

Neasa Hourigan

525. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Office of Public Works plans to refurbish the vacant public toilets on Infirmary Road, Dublin 7 overlooking the children’s playground at the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37911/23]

Departmental Meetings

Neasa Hourigan

526. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on engagements he has had with the Department of Justice in relation to the restoration of barrister fees under the criminal justice (legal aid) scheme following FEMPI cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37961/23]

Public Parks

Neasa Hourigan

529. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has given consideration to providing free, sports-equipment-sharing lockers in the Phoenix Park (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38130/23]

Departmental Policies

Neasa Hourigan

650. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the initiatives under her Department to assist schools in supporting sustainable practices, including but not limited to the re-homing of materials such as furniture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38181/23]

Proposed Legislation

Neasa Hourigan

807. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the registration of short-term tourist letting Bill 2022; the timeline for the establishment of a short-term tourist letting register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39085/23]

Proposed Legislation

Neasa Hourigan

808. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the short-term tourist letting Bill to complete its First Stage in Dáil Éireann. [39094/23]

Seanad Elections

Neasa Hourigan

894. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reform the Seanad Éireann electoral system to allow all university graduates to vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38075/23]

Housing Policy

Neasa Hourigan

897. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review upwards the €126,000 limit imposed by clause 80(1)(k) of S.I. No. 600/2001 - Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 on Local Authority Works projects requiring a Part 8 process; if he plans to index this amount to inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38137/23]

Fire Safety

Neasa Hourigan

898. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on when he will establish the remediation scheme to provide emergency funding for the interim measures outlined in the Code of Practice for the Remediation of Fire Safety Defects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38138/23]

Road Traffic Accidents

Neasa Hourigan

1088. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice when the review of procedures in relation to the sharing of collision data as referenced in Parliamentary Question No. 229 of 25 July 2023, commenced; when that review is expected to complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37424/23]

Legal Aid

Neasa Hourigan

1132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on her plans to restore fees, arising from the FEMPI cuts, for barristers under the criminal justice (legal aid) scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37960/23]

Antisocial Behaviour

Neasa Hourigan

1148. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the engagements she has had with the Garda Commissioner regarding the escalating antisocial and violent behaviour in Dublin; if additional funding has been sought to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38190/23]

Forestry Sector

Neasa Hourigan

1288. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to move away from large-scale monoculture of fast-growing species such as sitka spruce towards mixed, diverse forestry, with a wider range of forest types such as short rotation, longer rotations, agroforestry and semi-wild; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38050/23]

Animal Welfare

Neasa Hourigan

1305. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the investigation launched into the alleged breaches in animal welfare regulations at cattle marts and during the live export of calves made by a recent television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/23]

Greyhound Industry

Neasa Hourigan

1328. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received a new Strategic Plan from Greyhound Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39049/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1602. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers required to ensure BreastCheck screenings take place every two years for those who are eligible; how many radiographers currently work for BreastCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37663/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1603. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health whether it is possible for the BreastCheck programme to provide screening to the eligible population every two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37664/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1604. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were eligible for participation in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form, even if they did not respond to an invitation for screening. [37665/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1605. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of people who were invited for screening; the number of people who attended screening; and the number of people who were referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37666/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1606. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in the BreastCheck screening programme in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37667/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1607. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the cost per person participating in BreastCheck for an individual person referred for further examination as a result of their screening appointment in each of the years 2016 to 2022, in tabular form. [37668/23]

Hospital Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1608. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of filled genetic counsellor posts in the cancer genetics department in St. James's Hospital; how this compares with international standards; whether any recruitment challenges exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37669/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1609. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current grants being paid to medical card holders for wigs and hairpieces, broken down by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37670/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Neasa Hourigan

1610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the current prosthesis and bra entitlements for those who have had breast cancer surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37671/23]

Care Services

Neasa Hourigan

1677. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of beds provided in public residential centres and also contracted by the HSE in private nursing homes designated for respite care in each of the years 2017 to 2022. [37988/23]

Care Services

Neasa Hourigan

1678. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the number of respite care centres in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2022. [37989/23]

Dental Services

Neasa Hourigan

1680. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend the Dentists Act 1985 to allow dental hygienists to work independently rather than under the prescription of a dentist by eliminating the mandatory referral from a dentist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38002/23]

Alcohol Advertising

Neasa Hourigan

1757. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the provisions of the Public Health Alcohol Act 2018 to prohibit marketing of zero-alcohol products that share the same branding, logos and colours as their parent alcoholic counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38396/23]

Medicinal Products

Neasa Hourigan

1792. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure batches of botulinum toxin products destined for either non-medical use (i.e. aesthetic purposes) or medical use are identified as such by applicants for animal testing project authorisations and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, in order to ensure accurate harm-benefit analyses and evaluations of proposed projects to test such products on animals under Directive 2010/63/EU and SI No.543 of 2012 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38617/23]

Departmental Correspondence

Neasa Hourigan

1801. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); the engagements he has had with a named organisation in relation to the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38680/23]

Cancer Services

Neasa Hourigan

1802. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of the hereditary cancer model of care for individuals with BRCA gene alterations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38683/23]

Mental Health Commission

Neasa Hourigan

1819. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will outline future staff and funding priorities and plans for the Mental Health Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38764/23]

Departmental Schemes

Neasa Hourigan

81. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a further round of the circular economy innovation grant scheme is expected; and if so, when a call for applications will open. [36136/23]

Road Traffic Accidents

Neasa Hourigan

229. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the raw data on personal injury road collisions for use by the research community as is provided in other jurisdictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

1155. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 707 of 27 June 2023, if he will provide the public procurement rules that allow a tree-removal company which has been offered a substantial commercial contract by a State entity to remove 70 trees from Merlin Woods, Galway can have its identity concealed under the pretext of protecting its privacy rights; the name of the contractor; if an independent arborist assessment was carried out; if so, the name of that company or individual; the names of the other contractors who offered quotes for the works and the sums involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35902/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1156. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 664 of 20 June 2023, his plans to address the fact that 33% of HSE employees responding to the most recent 'Your Opinion Counts' staff survey report that they have experienced bullying or harassment by a senior colleague when basic data is not maintained by the organisation regarding number of grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees or wait-times for hearings; how HSE employees facing the daunting prospect of such grievance and dignity at work cases can be protected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35903/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown, by CHO for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, the legal costs incurred by the HSE for legal advice and/or representation on grievance and dignity at work cases submitted by employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35904/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1158. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either, in cases where HSE staff members of equal rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35905/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1159. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the position of the HSE regarding covering legal costs for either party, in cases where HSE staff members of different rank are involved in a grievance or dignity at work case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35906/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1160. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health how the HSE decides whether it will cover legal costs for an employee involved in a grievance or dignity at work case, either as a plaintiff or a defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35907/23]

Health Services Staff

Neasa Hourigan

1161. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the legal costs incurred by the HSE in 2021, 2022 and 2023 involving grievance or dignity at work cases taken by employees against other HSE employees; the percentage of cases where the HSE covered the costs of the plaintiff in each year; the percentage of cases where it covered the costs of the defendant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35908/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neasa Hourigan

1162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 8 December 2022, how he can reconcile a commitment to providing support to healthcare workers unable to return to work due to severe long-Covid symptoms with a continued impasse in negotiations involving his Department with trade unions on the pay arrangement for such workers, who risked their health at critical stages of the pandemic to carry out essential work, and who are facing financial insecurity as well as a chronic and debilitating health condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35909/23]

Schools Building Projects

Neasa Hourigan

361. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education if the hall at a school (details supplied) can be returned to school use by September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34785/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

398. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current funding commitments of the Creative Climate Action II: Agents of Change Programme, a joint initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34815/23]

Youth Services

Neasa Hourigan

610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to publish the process to determine the number of applicants to be assigned to each county as outlined in a whitepaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/23]

Emergency Accommodation

Neasa Hourigan

611. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to publish a breakdown of the number of bed spaces in IPAS accommodation provided by the private sector through the tender process, accommodation provided by the private sector through emergency accommodation, and State-owned accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34783/23]

Emergency Accommodation

Neasa Hourigan

612. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether the IPAS facility at a location (details provided) was procured under a formal tender process or as emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34784/23]

International Protection

Neasa Hourigan

615. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of eviction notices issued to current and former international protection applicants living in IPAS accommodation, by body, by region between March 2022 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34821/23]

European Council

Neasa Hourigan

9. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent attendance at the European Council meeting. [33682/23]

Childcare Services

Neasa Hourigan

218. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure appropriate provision of childcare services for babies aged six to 12 months in the Dublin 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 areas, respectively; if he will outline the most up-to-date research conducted by his Department into the capacity of existing childcare provision in the same areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34537/23]

Childcare Services

Neasa Hourigan

219. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the progress made since 2020 to expand childcare provision for children under one year old; the steps he will take in budget 2024 to address availability and affordability for the same group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/23]

Health Service Executive

Neasa Hourigan

236. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the HSE’s plans to conduct research on the prevalence and use of cannabinoids in vapes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34427/23]

Health Services

Neasa Hourigan

251. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase capacity in HSE audiology clinics; if consideration is being given to offering adult medical card holders the option to be assessed and treated by community audiologists under the Department of Social Protection’s treatment benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/23]