Parliamentary questions

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

539. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he plans to commence Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; the resources that have been set aside to allow the commencement of this Part; and the reason for the delay. [30317/18]

Home Care Packages

Róisín Shortall

596. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 14 June 2018, the process for the release of funding for the allocation of home support services for the remainder of 2018; the reason waiting lists for these services exist in view of the fact that the number of home support hours provided to date is less than the target hours budgeted for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/18]

Child Protection

Róisín Shortall

647. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the person or body monitoring assessment and therapy services for children, young persons and their families in circumstances in which sexual abuse is a concern; the measures being taken to ensure best international standards of practice are being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

744. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31541/18]

Waste Disposal

Róisín Shortall

780. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the precise role of each State organisation in the enforcement of conditions attached to waste licences, waste permits, illegal dumping and other related waste laws; and the way in which he plans to strengthen enforcement in this area. [30893/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

786. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31542/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

826. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public sector jobs offered through internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31557/18]

Child Protection

Róisín Shortall

839. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the person or body monitoring assessment and therapy services for children, young persons and their families in circumstances in which sexual abuse is a concern; the measures being taken to ensure best international standards of practice are being followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30772/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

853. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31554/18]

Local Authority Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

913. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the basis on which public sector recruitment may be restricted to existing staff, including the basis for the common recruitment competition pools operated by local authorities; and his plans to amend legislation to prevent the use of such pools. [30883/18]

Dog Breeding Industry

Róisín Shortall

937. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount collected by local authorities on an annual basis to licence puppy farms; the number of inspections that take place; the measures taken to ensure regulation of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30596/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

956. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of public sector jobs offered as internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in his Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31551/18]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

984. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of public sector jobs offered through internal competitions or restricted to existing Civil Service or public service staff in her Department in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31543/18]

Proposed Legislation

Róisín Shortall

5. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if hate crime legislation will be introduced; the steps he is taking to improve the recording of such crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29838/18]

Work Permits Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

181. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the removal of healthcare assistants from the ineligible categories of employment listing will be considered in view of the staffing shortfall and expected growth in the industry as a result of demographic changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29882/18]

General Practitioner Services

Róisín Shortall

240. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the contract arrangements with a company (details supplied); if triage staff are incentivised to refer patients for general practitioner review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29879/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

241. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on public concern about the thoroughness of the BreastCheck screening programme; the action which is taken in cases in which a mammogram indicates increasing breast density; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29880/18]

Hospital Charges

Róisín Shortall

242. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 157 of 13 December 2017 and 121 of 24 January 2018, if he has received a report in respect of removing the inpatient day case charge for hemochromatosis patients; and the action he will take to address the matter. [29881/18]

Family Resource Centres

Róisín Shortall

330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 20 June 2018, the details of each of the 11 new allocations in respect of geographical location, the size and population of the catchment area, the degree of economic disadvantage in each area and the existing distribution of services in each of these areas in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29716/18]

Family Resource Centres

Róisín Shortall

333. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 20 June 2018, the details of each of the 11 new allocations in respect of geographical location, the size and population of the catchment area, the degree of economic disadvantage in each area and the existing distribution of services in each of these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29885/18]

Office of Public Works Properties

Róisín Shortall

185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding an empty house (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29583/18]

Commissions of Inquiry

Róisín Shortall

219. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 11 May 2017, the status of the bill of costs that has been submitted to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse by each of the religious congregations; if the commission is now in a position to release this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29674/18]

Crime Data

Róisín Shortall

253. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions in each of the past three years for driving without tax and insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29654/18]

Garda Investigations

Róisín Shortall

254. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 25 April 2018, the status of the information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29655/18]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Róisín Shortall

273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if breast reduction surgery on medical grounds and supported by a consultant’s letter is available under the treatment abroad scheme and-or the cross-border healthcare directive; the procedure for a person to access treatment under these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29485/18]

Hepatitis C Incidence

Róisín Shortall

299. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the HSE's plans to develop metrics for an elimination strategy for HCV; the steps the HSE will take to reach its stated goal of having Ireland HCV free by 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29584/18]

Hepatitis C Incidence

Róisín Shortall

300. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason the 2018 tender for HCV medicines has not been finalised; if the tender results will be released as soon as possible; the steps he will take to prevent the delay being repeated in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29585/18]

Hepatitis C Incidence

Róisín Shortall

301. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to release details of the HCV testing and community implementation budget to persons (details supplied) and interested groups for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29586/18]

Taxi Regulations

Róisín Shortall

312. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure there is no shortage of taxis in view of the significant reduction in the number of taxi drivers in the past five years; the steps he is taking to address the high costs of insurance faced by new taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29542/18]

Housing Assistance Payment

Róisín Shortall

342. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the supports and services in place for persons in the Dublin City Council area who move from the rent supplement payment to the housing assistance payment when they take up full-time work after a period of unemployment and retraining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/18]

Drugs Crime

Róisín Shortall

231. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out in tabular form the number of reports that have been made to the drug related intimidation reporting programme by Garda division in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29035/18]

Drugs Crime

Róisín Shortall

232. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out in tabular form the number of reports that have been made to the drug related intimidation reporting programme in each of the past five years which relate to debts incurred by children and young persons under 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29036/18]

Quarrying Sector

Róisín Shortall

421. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of quarries here; and the number that are in use by county. [29093/18]

Children in Care

Róisín Shortall

485. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who went missing from care in each of the past three years by Tusla region in tabular form; the percentage of children in each category who were subsequently located; the number of children who are missing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29085/18]

Insurance Costs

Róisín Shortall

111. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he will address matters raised by an organisation (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure greater urgency to the work being carried out by the Cost of Insurance Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28144/18]

Emergency Works Scheme Applications

Róisín Shortall

133. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an emergency works scheme application by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/18]

Deportation Orders Re-examination

Róisín Shortall

160. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28142/18]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Róisín Shortall

188. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with disabilities who remain in inappropriate institutions; if the matter will be addressed in the context of Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in the context of the recent ESRI and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission report Discrimination and Inequality in Housing in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28168/18]

National Maternity Hospital Status

Róisín Shortall

203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in finalising the deal with St. Vincent's healthcare group with regard to the future of the national maternity hospital; the nature of the agreement in respect of the site to be provided; the outstanding impediments to the completion of the deal; the timescale to which he is working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28357/18]

National Maternity Hospital Status

Róisín Shortall

204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the new national maternity hospital will remain in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28358/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

205. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the origin of the further 46 identified cases referred to in media reports (details supplied); the way in which these cases were identified; if the women concerned have all been contacted; the number of cases being dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28359/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

206. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if all the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal have now been contacted; the number of support packages that have been put in place; and the reason for the delay in finalising outstanding packages of supports [28360/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the undertaking that the women and families affected by the CervicalCheck scandal would not be brought through the courts and that the State would enter into mediation; the number of offers of mediation that have been made; the number that have agreed to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28361/18]

Open Disclosures Policy

Róisín Shortall

208. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to follow through on the commitment to introduce mandatory open disclosure; and the timescale proposed for its completion. [28362/18]

HSE Board

Róisín Shortall

209. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the reinstatement of the HSE board; and his views on whether this will be completed by the 2018 summer recess of Dáil Éireann. [28363/18]

Health Services Reports

Róisín Shortall

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of Sláintecare; the reason for the delay in appointing a lead executive to head up the implementation office; and when the appointment will be made. [28364/18]

Live Exports

Róisín Shortall

223. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) the steps he is taking to ensure that the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 are stringently enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28183/18]

Carer's Support Grant

Róisín Shortall

253. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 295 of 10 May 2018, the status of the case (details supplied); when a decision will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28248/18]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Róisín Shortall

267. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position regarding the review of local authority social housing differential rents schemes being carried out under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness; if as part of the review he is giving consideration to exercising his powers under section 31 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 to make regulations to ensure that carer’s payments are disregarded for rent assessment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28143/18]

Local Authority Housing Data

Róisín Shortall

268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of persons with disabilities on the 2018 local authorities social housing waiting lists nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28165/18]

Human Rights

Róisín Shortall

101. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's position on the new policy of the United States Government in respect of the removal of undocumented children from their parents; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the conditions of the detention centres in which these children are being held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27107/18]

Education and Training Boards

Róisín Shortall

125. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the findings of the investigation into the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, ETB, and the withdrawal of ISME members from the ETB; the matters which were referred to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27106/18]

Work Permits Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

143. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to remove career advisers and vocational guidance specialists (details supplied) from the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits list in view of the severe shortage of guidance counsellors here and in further view of the fact that many persons who have studied for the profession here are only eligible to work here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27049/18]

Family Resource Centres

Róisín Shortall

204. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the disparity between the 11 new family resource centres recently established and some of the existing resource centres (details supplied) in which the level of disadvantage and need is extremely high; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27108/18]

Primary Care Services Provision

Róisín Shortall

387. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the HSE's primary care eye services review group report; the amount of funding that has been devoted to the implementation of this report in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26668/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

410. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the case raised in Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 31 May 2018; and the reason the family in question have not been contacted. [26792/18]

Medical Goods Regulation

Róisín Shortall

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the limits under the long-term illness scheme that apply to prescriptions of diabetic medicines; and if a situation could be allowed to arise whereby a person on this scheme could be left without medication as they have reached a prescription dispensation limit. [26796/18]

Better Energy Homes Scheme Administration

Róisín Shortall

471. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider amending the better energy homes programme application procedure in order to ensure that the necessary checks on the national administration system for building energy ratings are carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland before an approval for works can be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26793/18]

Legislative Process

Róisín Shortall

472. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to support the Waste Reduction Bill 2017 progressing to Committee Stage at which formal amendments can be proposed and considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26794/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

520. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 496 of 12 June 2018, if all sections of the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017, which incorporated the provisions of Part 11 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, have now been commenced; if not, the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26798/18]

Legislative Measures

Róisín Shortall

551. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 496 of 12 June 2018, when the provisions of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, upon which the commencement of some sections of Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 are dependent will be commenced; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26799/18]

Housing Estates

Róisín Shortall

604. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the public body responsible for road safety in private housing estates that the local council has not taken in charge, such as in a situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26795/18]

Tax Reliefs Data

Róisín Shortall

70. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on health expenses; the number of persons and tax units in receipt of the relief; the number of claims that were investigated; the number of claims that were disallowed in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26130/18]

Tax Reliefs Data

Róisín Shortall

71. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on nursing home expenses; the number of persons and tax units in receipt of the relief in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26131/18]

Tax Reliefs Data

Róisín Shortall

72. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax relief claimed on the cost of employing a home carer; the number of persons and tax units in receipt of the relief in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26132/18]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Róisín Shortall

81. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasoning whereby children need to be reassessed for special needs assistant, SNA, support upon commencement of post-primary school with reference to circular 0030/2014, in a situation in which children have been approved for SNA support in 4th, 5th or 6th class and reassessment of the support is to be carried out on a three-year basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25992/18]

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Róisín Shortall

97. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to reports in the media (details supplied) of a recent Garda audit which uncovered that An Garda Síochána had failed to pursue cases against up to 7,000 juveniles; the steps he is taking to ensure age-appropriate interventions take place in cases in which a child becomes involved in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26010/18]

Garda Youth Diversion Projects

Róisín Shortall

109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the recent Garda audit of crimes committed by children and teenagers as reported in the media (details supplied); the reason meaningful action was not taken in up to 7,000 cases; the steps he is taking to address this issue; the details of the 21,000 offences by nature of the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26009/18]

Juvenile Offenders

Róisín Shortall

110. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of charges pressed against juveniles; the number of files relating to juveniles sent to the DPP; and the number of juveniles referred to the Garda youth diversion scheme in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [26011/18]

Juvenile Offenders

Róisín Shortall

111. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases referred to the national juvenile office by Garda division in each of the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26012/18]

Juvenile Offenders

Róisín Shortall

112. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the outcome of referrals to the national juvenile office in each of the past three years by the number of cases relevant to each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26013/18]

Road Traffic Legislation

Róisín Shortall

119. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he will take to address the problem of quad bikes in view of a recent incident in which a person was seriously injured and many other similar incidents reported over recent times relating to the widespread and dangerous use of quad bikes and scramblers; and the timescale proposed for same. [26129/18]

Physiotherapy Provision

Róisín Shortall

161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for a physiotherapist appointment in Dublin 9; when a person (details supplied) will be seen by a physiotherapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26025/18]

Health Services Reform

Róisín Shortall

166. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding the full implementation of Sláintecare; the reason for the delay in its implementation; when a response (details supplied) will issue to the Cabinet; the status of the recruitment of a lead executive to head up the implementation office; and when both of these actions will be expedited. [26128/18]

Hospital Beds Data

Róisín Shortall

167. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of drug and alcohol detox beds by location; if they are public or private beds; the number that are for alcohol, drug or drug and alcohol detox; the waiting list for each category by each location in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26133/18]

Home Care Packages Provision

Róisín Shortall

168. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the average cost of providing a home care package for each CHO area; the number of home care packages provided within each CHO; the number of persons waiting for home care package allocation within each CHO area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26136/18]

Children in Care

Róisín Shortall

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care with an up-to-date care plan; the number of children awaiting an update of their existing care plan; the number of children awaiting a care plan by local area division in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26134/18]

Child and Family Agency Data

Róisín Shortall

211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children awaiting allocation to a social worker in each Tusla local office area by the priority status of the case and the average waiting time in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26135/18]

Disease Management

Róisín Shortall

142. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 172 and 173 of 17 May 2018, the target elimination date for hepatitis C in view of the contradictory information provided in the response which is 2030 and the statements made by the national hepatitis C treatment programme manager who gives the target date as 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25891/18]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

143. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a small amount of ring-fenced funding will be made available to develop a national elimination plan to work in tandem with the NHCTP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25892/18]

Disease Management

Róisín Shortall

144. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 172 and 173 of 17 May 2018, if funds will be made available to deliver HCV care in primary care settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25893/18]

Health Services

Róisín Shortall

145. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); and his views on the recommendations on HCV care enclosed therein. [25894/18]

Defence Forces Allowances

Róisín Shortall

140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the delayed Air Corps members' duty and ration payment issuing on time for the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24476/18]

Maternity Benefit

Róisín Shortall

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the taxation of maternity benefit; his views on whether the taxation creates an unfair burden on single income households in which a new mother has ceased working in order to spend time with her child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24474/18]

Equality Legislation

Róisín Shortall

471. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the penalties applying to the refusal of an establishment to allow entry to a customer or to ask a customer to leave on the basis of a mother breast-feeding; and his plans to update legislation in this regard. [24444/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Róisín Shortall

496. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 which have not yet been commenced further to concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) on behalf of same-sex couples; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24902/18]

Work Permits Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

540. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) who was refused leave to remain here will be re-examined in view of the shortage of guidance counsellors and the fact that careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists were added to the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits list after the person commenced their studies and the fact that their degree qualifies them to work here. [25542/18]

Health Care Policy

Róisín Shortall

576. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the policy direction being pursued in regard to a matter (details supplied); if his officials will be directed to support the pursuit and scope of this new work on alcohol beverage labelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24445/18]

Autism Support Services

Róisín Shortall

614. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children to access speech and language therapy, psychological therapy and occupational therapy at Beechpark Services for children with autism spectrum disorder in north-west areas of County Dublin in tabular form; the steps he will take to address the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24441/18]

Medicinal Products Regulation

Róisín Shortall

615. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 771 of 7 November 2017, the status of the PRAC's review of valproate; the response of the HPRA to the outcome of this review; the steps it will take to increase awareness of the potential side effects of this drug in pregnant women; the multidisciplinary team services that are available to children born with FACS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24443/18]

Disabilities Assessments

Róisín Shortall

616. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns being raised by parents, schools and representative bodies of relevant allied professionals regarding the new HSE model for assessments of need which will not involve a diagnosis as part of the assessment process; the rationale behind these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24446/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

624. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations were carried out in 2017; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24466/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

625. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated for foot ulcerations which do not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2017, by county; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24467/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

626. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under 65 years of age treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2017, by county; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

627. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2017, by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24469/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

628. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

629. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24471/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

630. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients undergoing full and partial lower limb amputation procedures in each the years 2015 to 2017, by county on persons under 65 years of age in tabular form; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24472/18]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

631. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients on persons under 65 years of age by county treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each the years 2015 to 2017; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/18]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Róisín Shortall

632. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the discrepancy between the evidence provided by CervicalCheck and the records of the State Claims Agency in regard to women being informed of the results of the CervicalCheck audit; if CervicalCheck had accepted or denied the alleged confirmation provided to the State Claims Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/18]