Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 5 of 82
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Emergency Departments
Fergus O'Dowd
1470. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, if the criteria for escalation was met in the emergency department at UHL on 17 and 18 December 2022; if the escalation protocol was activated on the night of 17 and 18 December 2022 at the hospital; if the escalation protocol was implemented; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56399/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Emergency Departments
Fergus O'Dowd
1471. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, UHL's recommended ratio of nursing staff to patients in the emergency department; the recommended doctor to patient ratio in the emergency department, that is, the number of nurses and doctors, respectively to the number of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56400/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Emergency Departments
Fergus O'Dowd
1472. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health with respect to the escalating emergency in UHL, the figures on the nursing staff and doctors on duty in the emergency department on 17 and 18 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56401/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
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Departmental Correspondence
Fergus O'Dowd
1560. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a person (details supplied) and seek advice on what supports might be available for them in this difficult situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56882/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
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Vaccination Programme
Fergus O'Dowd
1571. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he plans to introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults to protect them from what can be a debilitating illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57004/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
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Healthcare Policy
Fergus O'Dowd
1580. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he expects ozempic to be added to the GMS list for weight loss; the reason the drug is not available under the drug payments, considering the considerable impact it is having on weight and the associated positive effect it is having on health, thus reducing the long term requirement for other services linked to obesity and weight problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57047/23]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
1724. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the report carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (details supplied) if further consideration has been given to the provision of a capitation grant or low-interest loan scheme for small- to medium-sized nursing homes to meet the cost of required upgrades/building works in order to satisfy HIQA regulations, where that nursing home can show that it does not have the capacity to meet the financial requirements on same, and where there is a clear and identified need for beds in the area in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1554/24]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
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Health Services
Fergus O'Dowd
1725. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of the total number of primary school pupils who are currently awaiting to have their in-school eye, hearing and dental checks, by each CHO area in each of the years 2010 to date; the recommended and targeted age for each of the relevant checks; what improvements are being considered to clear the backlogs in this area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1564/24]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Hospital Facilities
Fergus O'Dowd
1737. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he expects the new St. Marys Hospital in Drogheda to be fully operational; if the HSE moratorium has impacted on the progress of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/24]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Budget 2024
Fergus O'Dowd
1858. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the achievements to date with respect to making third level easier for medical graduates to succeed in Ireland following Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1463/24]
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
written
Rural Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
1875. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will seek an update on the long-awaited and much-delayed Ardee Castle redevelopment, funded through the rural regeneration and redevelopment fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1759/24]
Wed, 13 Dec 2023
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Fergus O'Dowd
155. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline her Department's response to the results of a recent survey of palliative care nurses by an organisation (details supplied) which found that many terminal cancer patients were dying in cold homes which they could not afford to heat; and if she will extend the household benefits package, the fuel allowance payment and the additional needs payment to persons with a cancer diagnosis, as recommended by the organisation. [55818/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Nuclear Plants
Fergus O'Dowd
178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the concerns raised in a recent article published in a newspaper on 5 December 2023 (details supplied) in respect of the Sellafield power plant and the potential risk to the public; when his Department learned of this risk; the actions taken by his Department since; if he will provide the relevant dates and any other information related to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55308/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
Road Tolls
Fergus O'Dowd
236. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55359/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
International Protection
Fergus O'Dowd
676. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures are being proposed to remove the significant administrative delays with respect to available sites and premises that are ready to provide IPAS accommodation but are waiting for final fire officer sign offs and so on; if private fire safety specialist firms can be contracted to sign off such sites in order to reduce the back log and pressure on local fire officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54703/23]
Tue, 12 Dec 2023
written
International Protection
Fergus O'Dowd
677. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will seek confirmation from IPAS, the total number of beds nationwide that have been offered to IPAS as ready with certification by a competent person in place, but have yet to be taken up by persons seeking international protection and are awaiting a further inspection and sign off by the fire officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54704/23]
Thu, 7 Dec 2023
written
Environmental Policy
Fergus O'Dowd
161. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he intends on making eco-friendly products such as laundry products more affordable and accessible in Ireland over the coming years, considering that many people currently accessing such products are ordering from abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54369/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Air Quality
Fergus O'Dowd
38. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the EPA has any future plans to expand the monitoring of permanent air quality testing systems on site in Drogheda south; if not, the reason why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53926/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Road Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of funding for the Ardee by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54029/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
School Enrolments
Fergus O'Dowd
80. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education further to the publication of the most recent Census figures, if she will provide information on the possible review of school place requirements in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54027/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Housing Provision
Fergus O'Dowd
91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of housing commencements in Louth and Meath to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53959/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Legislative Measures
Fergus O'Dowd
94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to respond to concerns raised by a union (details supplied) in respect of the Planning and Development Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54025/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Fire Stations
Fergus O'Dowd
95. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the new fire station in Dunleer, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54026/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Home Help Service
Fergus O'Dowd
157. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the expected timelines on the establishment of a new statutory home support scheme; how he plans to scope and plan for such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53920/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Health Services
Fergus O'Dowd
171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the total funding provided to each of the CHOs from 2016 to date with consideration of the highest population increase being in the CHO8 area (details supplied); if he is ensuring that the highest increased funding levels are being delivered in this catchment to meet the exponential demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54009/23]
Wed, 6 Dec 2023
written
Library Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the progress which has been made with regard to the purchase of the old Bank of Ireland building in Dunleer to house a new library for the growing area; when she expects the works to be completed at the site; when the new library is expected to open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54028/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Bus Services
Fergus O'Dowd
188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the increased investment being made on LocalLink services in counties Louth and Meath, including future plans for such extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53914/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Rail Network
Fergus O'Dowd
189. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any further consideration has been given since the publication of the draft all-island rail strategy to extending services to include passenger services along the existing Navan-Drogheda rail line, thereby providing a rail link to Dublin from Navan in a relatively inexpensive and fast manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53915/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Flood Risk Management
Fergus O'Dowd
210. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a full update on the delivery of the CFRAM scheme for County Louth and east Meath further to the most recent flooding events in the area; the current timelines for the delivery of the projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53896/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Mother and Baby Homes
Fergus O'Dowd
459. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53316/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Early Childhood Care and Education
Fergus O'Dowd
464. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53390/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Health Services
Fergus O'Dowd
592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to respond to concerns raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53691/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Health Services Staff
Fergus O'Dowd
608. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to detail the total number of vacant posts, by grade, for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53777/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Health Strategies
Fergus O'Dowd
609. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health as part of Government’s response to drug intimidation, if the full-time recommended role for the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement programme has been progressed, and if it has been affected by the recent moratorium announced within the Health Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53781/23]
Tue, 5 Dec 2023
written
Community Care
Fergus O'Dowd
610. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health for an update on the site plan at the St. Mary's hospital in Drogheda, including more detailed plans of the proposed enhanced community care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53782/23]
Thu, 23 Nov 2023
written
Departmental Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to respond to queries raised by a person (details supplied) following the most recent flooding event; to outline the supports in place; if the emergency flood relief scheme can be accessed in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51672/23]
Tue, 21 Nov 2023
written
National Car Test
Fergus O'Dowd
145. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider changing the policies in respect of NCT certification, in that any vehicle which passes an NCT should receive a minimum of 12 months roadworthiness from the date of any given test, which will reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50741/23]
Tue, 21 Nov 2023
written
Road Projects
Fergus O'Dowd
156. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the discussions which have taken place with Meath County Council in respect of progressing the proposed Julianstown bypass which aims to deal with the relentless congestion experienced in the village and separately, the Julianstown traffic calming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51027/23]
Tue, 21 Nov 2023
written
Legislative Measures
Fergus O'Dowd
178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to respond to urgent concerns raised by GPs (details supplied) in respect of tax changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51013/23]
Tue, 21 Nov 2023
written
Departmental Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
406. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any funding available for agricultural related flooding (details supplied); the supports that are in place; if the emergency flood relief scheme can be accessed in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50984/23]
Thu, 16 Nov 2023
written
Dental Services
Fergus O'Dowd
122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 26 September 2023, if he will provide further details to queries (details supplied) with absolute clarification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50298/23]
Thu, 16 Nov 2023
written
Social Welfare Code
Fergus O'Dowd
169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised in respect of the carers allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50405/23]
Wed, 15 Nov 2023
written
Housing Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
58. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to review concerns raised by a person in respect of the situation of single applicants (details supplied) and their struggles accessing the help to buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50217/23]
Wed, 15 Nov 2023
written
Industrial Development
Fergus O'Dowd
68. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the masterplan for the IDA land bank in Killally, Dundalk; when he expects to see progress on this project and the long-term objectives of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50264/23]
Wed, 15 Nov 2023
written
Mortgage Interest Rates
Fergus O'Dowd
98. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide advice on the best way forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50132/23]
Tue, 14 Nov 2023
written
Departmental Correspondence
Fergus O'Dowd
154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49662/23]
Tue, 14 Nov 2023
written
Business Supports
Fergus O'Dowd
173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects the details of the increased cost of business grant to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49838/23]
Tue, 14 Nov 2023
written
Social Welfare Benefits
Fergus O'Dowd
284. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of the current timeline for the implementation of the extension of child benefit to 18 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49324/23]
Tue, 14 Nov 2023
written
Departmental Schemes
Fergus O'Dowd
412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on when he expects a motorised transport grant and mobility allowance scheme to be introduced since its abolishment in 2013; what supports are currently available for low-income households to purchase disability-adapted vehicles, notwithstanding the available primary medical certificate tax rebates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49344/23]
Wed, 8 Nov 2023
written
Rail Network
Fergus O'Dowd
26. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised about the efficacy of the rail services on the northern line (details supplied); if he can engage with Irish Rail to ensure that these issues are addressed into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48904/23]