Parliamentary questions

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

747. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of people on waiting lists for home support carers, by length of time waiting, by LHO and CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24217/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

748. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of people on waiting lists for home support funding, by length of time waiting, by LHO and CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24218/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

749. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of allocated home support hours that cannot be filled, by LHO and CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24219/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

750. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of people who are currently experiencing a delay in discharge from hospital due to lack of, or delay in providing, home care or nursing home care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24220/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

751. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the cost and hours of home support delivered by non-Health Service Executive (HSE) providers paid by the HSE for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24221/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

752. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the cost and hours of home support provided directly by the HSE for 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24222/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

753. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of home support hours delivered nationally in 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of these delivered to new home support clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24223/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

754. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of people to whom home support was delivered nationally in 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of these who were new home support clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24224/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

755. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the tender for home support services; if a decision has been made on the tender content; if so, if he will provide details; if he anticipates a further extension of the current contract arrangements with home care providers; when he expects the new contract arrangements to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24225/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

756. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE health care support assistants nationally, by LHO and CHO; the number of such vacant posts, by LHO and CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24226/23]

Home Care Packages

Noel Grealish

757. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to address employment issues in the home care/help sector to address home support shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24227/23]

Work Permits

Noel Grealish

758. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of non-EU carers who have taken up work permits to work in the care industry in Ireland; the total number of permits available; the reasons for the poor uptake; the steps he intends to take to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24228/23]

Health Service Executive

Noel Grealish

240. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he intends to instruct the HSE national estates to appoint one design team to deliver the model 4 hospital to UHG, to include the ED department, maternity unit, paediatric unit, cancer care centre and bedroom block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23466/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

260. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned by the results of a recent Revenue survey which found that 30% of cigarettes smoked in Ireland are either illegal cigarettes or are being sourced by smokers from other countries; if he will take action to prevent access to and or the sale of such products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22840/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

267. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the new or improved enforcement actions he proposes to take in light of a recent Revenue survey which found that 30% of cigarettes consumed in Ireland are either non-Irish-duty paid or illegal cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

268. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a recent survey by Revenue which found that one-third of smokers purchased their cigarettes on the black market or overseas in 2022; if he will initiate a public campaign to deter the high numbers of smokers who are purchasing illegal cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22842/23]

Schools Building Projects

Noel Grealish

338. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education the current status of an approved building project for a school (details supplied) which includes five new classrooms as part of a two-storey extension; when this project will proceed to construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22843/23]

International Agreements

Noel Grealish

549. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update regarding plans for a sanitary agreement to be established between Ireland and Algeria for dairy and infant formula; the engagements he or his officials have had on the matter since 2 February 2023; if he is working with the competent Algerian authority to agree timelines for the implementation of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/23]

Departmental Funding

Noel Grealish

724. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm when the Public Health (Tobacco and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill will be read at first stage in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23132/23]

Health Services

Noel Grealish

204. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if a new primary care centre has been approved for Oranmore, County Galway; if so, when work will commence on this new primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22046/23]

Departmental Funding

Noel Grealish

216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision on the community recognition fund for 2023 will be announced; if the date of 6 October for the first drawdown of funds will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22048/23]

Fisheries Protection

Noel Grealish

54. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive perch in Derryclare Lough under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006, to the detriment of the marginalised native Arctic char population and other native salmonids, particularly Atlantic salmon and brown trout (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20605/23]

Fisheries Protection

Noel Grealish

55. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive perch in Lough Shindilla under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006, to the detriment of the marginalised native Arctic char population and native brown trout population (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/23]

Proposed Legislation

Noel Grealish

289. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if he will consider interim changes to the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, whereby it will allow psychotherapists to provide reports if that psychotherapist is already working with the courts under section 32(1)a, and if they are designated professionals who have practised or provided a service specifically for children or adolescents for a period of not less than five years with the ten years immediately preceding their appointment, and provided they meet all other criteria (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20449/23]

Proposed Legislation

Noel Grealish

296. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice given that the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, section 32(1)(a), allows psychotherapists to provide reports on the welfare aspect, but not section 32(1)(b) voice of the child reports, and given that it may take years for CORU to establish a register of psychotherapists, if he will consider interim changes to the Act to allow psychotherapists to provide reports if that psychotherapist is already working with the courts under section 32(1)(a), if they are designated professionals who have practised or provided a service specifically for children or adolescents for a period of not less than five years with the ten years immediately preceding their appointment, and provided they meet all other criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20604/23]

Public Transport

Noel Grealish

66. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority-tender documents include provisions for hydrogen vehicles in the absence of a national strategy for hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19874/23]

Tax Code

Noel Grealish

211. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the 0% VAT rate for solar panels applies to water heating solar panels and electricity generating solar panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18973/23]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Noel Grealish

656. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how many applications for charitable status are currently pending decision, where there are no outstanding queries to be submitted by the applicant; the timeframe for a decision on applications for charitable status with no outstanding queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19026/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Noel Grealish

206. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications given that, on 31 March 2023 Galway City Council issued an alert regarding the potential spread of the invasive quagga mussel to the Corrib system, what management plans, public notifications and risk mitigations Inland Fisheries Ireland which operates under his aegis, has put in place to prevent the spread of quagga mussel to Lough Corrib SAC and the potential ecological impact on native salmonid fish species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17534/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

296. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Claregalway Inner Relief Road; if funding will be provided from his Department for a new Claregalway Inner Relief Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17239/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Noel Grealish

818. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage given that, on 31 March 2023 Galway City Council issued an alert regarding the potential spread of the invasive quagga mussel to the Corrib system, what management plans, public notifications and risk mitigations the National Parks and Wildlife Service has put in place to prevent the spread of quagga mussel to Lough Corrib SAC and the potential ecological impact on native species/habitats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Noel Grealish

1066. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if a British passport holder, who is applying for naturalisation on the basis of marriage to an Irish national must supply their original passport when making the application for naturalisation or if certified copies of the original will suffice if the passport must be provided; if there is an approximate timeframe for when the passport will be returned to the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16379/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

179. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his officials in the Inland Fisheries division have immediate plans to reconstitute the Western Regional Fisheries Board to enable more effective local management of Ireland’s world famous salmonid fisheries in County Galway, in line with Ireland’s legal obligations under the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

180. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive perch in Lough Inagh under the Conservation of Coarse Fish Bye-Law No. 806 of 2006, to the detriment of the marginalised native Arctic char population and other native salmonids (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15063/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

181. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he and his Department support the conservation of invasive pike in Connemara SACs under the Conservation of Pike Bye-Law No. 809 of 2006, to the detriment of native salmonids, particularly Atlantic salmon and brown trout (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15064/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

186. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the development of a national biomethane strategy; the expected timeline for statutory consultation and publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15318/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

187. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Heat and Built Environment Delivery Task Force, under which auspices a biomethane working group will be tasked with developing Ireland’s national biomethane strategy, has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15319/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

188. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made to date regarding the establishment of a biomethane working group, which was as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15320/23]

Special Areas of Conservation

Noel Grealish

291. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his officials have future plans to delist Lough Corrib in County Galway as a special area of conservation and Natura 2000 site considering that the SAC holds a significant stock of vulnerable Atlantic salmon, EU Habitats Directive Annex II, and a unique genetic strain of brown trout, salmo ferox; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15062/23]

Pension Provisions

Noel Grealish

167. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will sign off on the 3% pay increase for Eircom pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12681/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

261. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for the publication of legislation enabling additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates to be awarded in respect of renewable transport fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12888/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

262. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will carry out a consultation process with interested parties to inform the development of regulations in relation to additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/23]

Public Transport

Noel Grealish

279. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 28 February, the reason a substantial part of the greater Knocknacarra area, which is serviced by a company (details supplied) is not covered by a CSO, which means that residents cannot avail of reduced fares associated with PSO services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13270/23]

Bus Services

Noel Grealish

280. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport which routes on the upper Ballymoneen Road area of Galway city are operated under licence from the National Transport Authority, by Bus Éireann and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13271/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

339. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners, in its actions to combat the illicit trade of tobacco products has conducted searches of online websites; if so, how many seizures have been made due to illegal products being sold online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13625/23]

Illicit Trade

Noel Grealish

340. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have discussed partnership measures with internet companies, particularly social media platform providers, to disrupt the sale of illicit tobacco products on their platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13626/23]

Pension Provisions

Noel Grealish

358. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will sign off on the 3% pay increase for Eircom pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12682/23]

Schools Building Projects

Noel Grealish

690. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will list the 58 school building projects which have been halted by her Department [13081/23]

Pension Provisions

Noel Grealish

830. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if a self-employed person who pays S contributions and was in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment during 2020 and 2021 will have a S contribution recognised on their record for those years, retaining their full entitlement to apply for invalidity pension; the steps that self-employed persons need to undertake to retain their social welfare entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13269/23]

Courts Service

Noel Grealish

1078. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if he will review the status of experts under the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, (Child's Views Expert) Regulations 2018, with a view to correcting the anomaly (details supplied) to include current practitioners, that is, psychotherapists, already working within the court services, to be included on the list of child's views experts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/23]