Parliamentary questions

Irish Aid

Carol Nolan

228. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the financial commitments his Department has made for 2022 and beyond to fund the UNESCO programme Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future O3; the monitoring or evaluation Irish Aid has carried out of the programme; if any monitoring or evaluation reports on Irish Aid funding of the programme will be made available publicly; if the funding agreement, memorandum of understanding or contract between Irish Aid and UNESCO will be made available publicly; the reason the planned funding of the programme in Ghana did not proceed following its launch in Accra in January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48954/21]

Human Rights

Carol Nolan

328. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions the Government is taking to ensure justice for the victims of atrocities committed by ISIS-Daesh in Iraq; if he plans to table a UN Security Council resolution referring this matter to the International Criminal Court; if not, if Ireland will commit to establishing an ad-hoc international tribunal to bring the perpetrators of atrocities committed by ISIS-Daesh to justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47472/21]

Human Rights

Carol Nolan

329. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assessment he has made of the fourth report to the UN Human Rights Council by the UN Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen (details supplied) which suggests the International Criminal Court examine the situation in Yemen as a priority; if he plans for Ireland to either table or support a UN Security Council resolution referring the situation in Yemen to the International Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47473/21]

Human Rights

Carol Nolan

330. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role that freedom of religion and belief plays in Ireland’s international human rights advocacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47474/21]

Abortion Services

Carol Nolan

703. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1364 of 24 March 2021, the names of the individuals and groups from whom he received representations in relation to lobbying for the introduction of the remote provision of abortion services telemedicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48328/21]

Vaccination Programme

Carol Nolan

343. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; the way in which appointments will be issued; the basis upon which vulnerable patients are being decided; the criteria being used to determine the higher risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47261/21]

Vaccination Programme

Carol Nolan

344. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if cardiac patients will be contacted in the early stages of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for vulnerable persons; if heart failure patients will be considered as vulnerable patients given their high-risk category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/21]

Vaccination Programme

Carol Nolan

345. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the details of the timelines for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for all vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/21]

Ambulance Service

Carol Nolan

229. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the National Ambulance Service to determine the significant delays in ambulance response time in counties Laois and Offaly; if he will establish the standard response time from call-out to arrival on the scene in those counties in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46971/21]

Approved Housing Bodies

Carol Nolan

91. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department conducts any oversight or reviews with respect to the way funding provided to approved housing associations is spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46006/21]

Departmental Communications

Carol Nolan

188. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if he has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date. [45047/21]

Cabinet Confidentiality

Carol Nolan

190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the position regarding Cabinet confidentiality; if his attention has been drawn to any member of Cabinet who has contravened Cabinet confidentiality since the formation of Government; and if so, the measures he has taken to address such a breach. [45114/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

195. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; and the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen. [46191/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

201. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46192/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

217. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46193/21]

Electricity Supply Board

Carol Nolan

218. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the ESB is obligated to notify his Department of the number of reported power faults that take place on a national, regional or county level; if his Department will seek such information from the ESB for 2020 and to date in 2021, including the duration times for such faults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46238/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

252. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46194/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

288. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 258 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46195/21]

Appointments to State Boards

Carol Nolan

299. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the most recent guidance issued by his Department regarding State appointments. [44309/21]

Departmental Properties

Carol Nolan

306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the length of time an organisation (details supplied) has had use of the buildings at a location free of charge; the reason such an arrangement was permitted; the reason the organisation was accommodated in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46190/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

307. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46196/21]

Planning Issues

Carol Nolan

324. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he will publish the revised rural housing guidelines for planning authorities; the number of times the working group established to examine rural housing, including one-off-housing has met physically or virtually since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46007/21]

Departmental Schemes

Carol Nolan

355. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will support a ring-fenced funding allocation of the disabled persons grant scheme and improvement works for use when adapting housing to bespoke requirements of an applicant who is blind or vision impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46484/21]

Housing Schemes

Carol Nolan

356. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will request that the publication of annual figures by the Housing Agency related to those availing or requesting housing support are segregated by disability or specialised housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46485/21]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

357. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has invested in revised digital transformation to facilitate an online application system for housing support and transfers for persons with sight loss in accordance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46486/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

407. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 348 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46197/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

426. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 371 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46198/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

448. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46199/21]

Special Educational Needs

Carol Nolan

461. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will support the adoption of a national transition year programme for students who are blind or vision impaired with ring-fenced funding of an additional €150,000 per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46487/21]

Special Educational Needs

Carol Nolan

462. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide continuity funding and access to July provision for children who are blind or have a vision impairment beyond 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46488/21]

Teacher Training

Carol Nolan

463. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a part of career guidance training, information and understanding of the challenges that face students with sight loss will be included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46489/21]

Special Educational Needs

Carol Nolan

464. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will take steps to introduce access to immediate assistive technology, similar to the proposal by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46490/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

500. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46200/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Carol Nolan

504. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide €68.5 million to increase weekly carer payments by €8, the carer’s support grant to €2,000 and the carer’s allowance income disregards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46290/21]

Departmental Policies

Carol Nolan

505. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide €3 million in annual funding towards a dedicated carer’s pension for long-term family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46291/21]

Departmental Policies

Carol Nolan

506. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the basic social welfare rate for the blind pension and disability allowance by €20 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46491/21]

Departmental Reports

Carol Nolan

507. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the cost of disability report will be published as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46492/21]

EU Directives

Carol Nolan

508. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will facilitate online application methods for the blind for social protection services through welfare.ie in accordance with the EU Web Accessibility Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46494/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

530. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 497 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46201/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

547. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46202/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

571. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 533 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46205/21]

Care Services

Carol Nolan

729. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide €5 million in annual funding to deliver the carer’s guarantee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46289/21]

Departmental Funding

Carol Nolan

730. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide €5 million to publish a refreshed National Carers’ Strategy Action Plan 2021-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46292/21]

Carer's Leave

Carol Nolan

731. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce the statutory home care scheme including an annual entitlement to 20 days respite and a carer needs assessment for full-time carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46293/21]

Care Services

Carol Nolan

732. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will work to establish a commission on care to include an examination on the role, reliance and recognition of family carers in long-term care provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46294/21]

Health Services Staff

Carol Nolan

757. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ring-fence funding for the eye clinic liaison officer programme until 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46479/21]

Health Services

Carol Nolan

758. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the point of care for appropriate conditions such as wet AMD, out of acute hospitals into primary care settings in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46480/21]

Health Services Staff

Carol Nolan

759. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will support the recruitment of 50 additional ophthalmologists at a cost of €10.3 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46481/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Carol Nolan

760. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will commit to the standardisation of the technical aids grant scheme run by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46482/21]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

761. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to produce CHO segregated annual figures related to adults and children with a diagnosis of vision impairment and in relation to their engagement with health and or disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46483/21]