Parliamentary questions

Health Services Staff

Noel Grealish

1371. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health , further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 1 March, the reason Irish citizens who accepted a place in an Irish medical school directly from the medical school rather than through a CAO offer are discriminated against when internship posts are offered, given that the work permit requirement does not apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13163/23]

Rural Schemes

Noel Grealish

1622. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grants are available to communities to refurbish parish halls; if the halls in question are owned by the parish or dioceses and not on a long-term lease to the community; the steps, if any need to be taken to ensure that communities can apply for grants in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13661/23]

School Funding

Noel Grealish

134. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that schools will receive the minor works grant immediately to allow Boards of Management to carry out essential maintenance and minor works during summer 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11765/23]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a pedestrian footbridge over the Owenriff River in Oughterard, County Galway; the latest correspondence between TII and Galway County Council in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/23]

Hospital Staff

Noel Grealish

611. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts among nursing staff, consultants, physiotherapists and other health or medical staff within the Saolta hospital group, by occupation and by hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11188/23]

Hospital Staff

Noel Grealish

612. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts among nursing staff, consultants, physiotherapists and other health or medical staff at Galway university hospitals, by occupation and department, currently and in each of the past five years; and the steps taken to address the issue. [11189/23]

Hospital Staff

Noel Grealish

613. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of health professional staff employed at Galway university hospitals who are currently not at work due to illness, and the number who are on maternity leave or leave for any other reason. [11190/23]

Hospital Staff

Noel Grealish

614. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the total number of staff employed at Galway university hospitals, by occupation, currently and in each of the past five years. [11191/23]

Third Level Fees

Noel Grealish

139. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason returning emigrants who have established residency for over three years in Ireland cannot reclassify from non-EU to EU status mid-course of study but if a non-EU citizen obtains EU citizenship mid-course of study, they are immediately eligible to apply for EU re-classification, which affords more moderate third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10453/23]

Health Services Staff

Noel Grealish

184. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason priority is given to CEO entry applicants within the HSE Internship placement programme in addition to or instead of percentile marking; the reason applicants for internship posts who accepted a place in Irish medical school through a CAO officer will be allocated posts ahead of applicants who accepted an Irish medical school place directly from the medical school; his views on whether this practice is discriminatory given that all students registered in a college course should be treated fairly and equitably; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/23]

Public Transport

Noel Grealish

199. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport to list the public transport services provided under public service obligation contracts in Galway city, including the individual routes and the companies that are operating them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10002/23]

Social Welfare Code

Noel Grealish

388. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the living alone allowance to people who qualify for an increase for a qualified adult to their spouse's or partner's State pension, but whose partner is in long-term nursing home care, and they are now living on their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9501/23]

Healthcare Policy

Noel Grealish

563. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health where a person is in the fair deal scheme for 18 months, and the spouse who is still residing in the family home decides to sell the property to downsize, how the capital from the sale of the family home is assessed under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9618/23]

Abortion Services

Noel Grealish

651. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health whether the review into Ireland's abortion laws has considered the issue of foetal pain relief, in view of the interest in this topic expressed by members of the public and the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10094/23]

Aquaculture Industry

Noel Grealish

699. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department only issues a licence for a particular hatchery (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9794/23]

Aquaculture Industry

Noel Grealish

700. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is allowing Inland Fisheries Ireland to currently operate a hatchery (details supplied) in County Galway under his Department’s licensing regime, without a legally required appropriate assessment screening in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9795/23]

Community Development Projects

Noel Grealish

2. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the scheme for funding new community centres will be open for applications, given that the scheme has now been announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9206/23]

National Car Test

Noel Grealish

198. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting times for an NCT inspection in each centre in the country; the reason for the long delay in securing an appointment in Galway; the reason for the disparity in waiting times between centres; his plans to ensure that testing is carried out within a reasonable period of time following an application being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8637/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

113. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason Inland Fisheries Ireland, which operates under his Department’s aegis, has never completed an appropriate assessment screening, as required under the EU habitats directive, for the operation of a hatchery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6515/23]

Aquaculture Industry

Noel Grealish

881. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department on 7 December 2017 issued an aquaculture licence (details supplied) when it has been established under FOI legislation that no appropriate assessment screening as required under the EU Habitats Directive was conducted by either Inland Fisheries Ireland or a third party to evaluate any potential impacts on the integrity of a site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6516/23]

Aquaculture Industry

Noel Grealish

882. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department in the past five calendar years has never issued an aquaculture licence for the operation of trout hatchery in County Galway when the hatchery is listed as an aquaculture establishment on the Marine Institute’s Fin Fish FHA Register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6517/23]

Invasive Species Policy

Noel Grealish

203. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland will support the eradication of invasive perch from lakes in Connemara (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5332/23]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

204. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason person (details supplied) gave her their resignation letter in person following their last board meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5333/23]

Driver Test

Noel Grealish

213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the average waiting time for an invitation to a driving test will be returned to the service level agreement time of ten weeks; the current waiting time by test centre; the reason for the current long waiting times; the reason for the wide disparity in waiting times in test centres in County Galway, which range from 13 to 33 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5330/23]

Driver Test

Noel Grealish

214. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driving test, by county and test centre; the number of persons waiting in the same period in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5331/23]

Transport Policy

Noel Grealish

222. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when the legislation granting additional certificates for certain renewable transport fuels will be published, which was as committed to in the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/23]

Energy Policy

Noel Grealish

180. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the hydrogen strategy will be published; the objectives it is likely to contain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4318/23]

Customs and Excise

Noel Grealish

239. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the personal duty-free alcohol and tobacco product limits between the Ireland and UK duty-free zone; how these limits are enforced by the appropriate authorities at Irish airport and ferry ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/23]

Customs and Excise

Noel Grealish

240. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the personal duty-free allowances and limits for alcohol and tobacco products for individuals traveling to Ireland from inside and outside the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/23]

Customs and Excise

Noel Grealish

241. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the additional resources and the appropriate authorities that have been allocated for the enforcement of the duty-free allowance limits on arrival at ports and airports following the reintroduction of duty free between the UK and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4511/23]

Customs and Excise

Noel Grealish

273. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the number of seizures conducted by customs officials on duty-free alcohol and tobacco products which exceeded the personal limits at airports and ports in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4512/23]

Customs and Excise

Noel Grealish

274. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the quantities of duty-free alcohol and tobacco products brought into Ireland from the UK duty free zone in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4513/23]

Legislative Reviews

Noel Grealish

599. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeline for when the review into the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 will be concluded; if the research that was commissioned as part of the review will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/23]

EU Directives

Noel Grealish

71. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if by-law No. 840 of 2008 is compliant with the EU habitats directive and legally admissible for Lough Corrib SAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63371/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Noel Grealish

382. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 13 October 2022, if there is an update regarding the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2324/23]

Housing Policy

Noel Grealish

591. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if an entitlement to the current rate of RAS payment of a person will be affected in cases in which they receive an inheritance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/23]

Third Level Fees

Noel Grealish

1030. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will change guidelines in order that returning emigrants who have spent at least three of the previous five years in Ireland can change their status to qualify for the free fees initiative for any remainder of the college course that their children are attending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63490/22]

Nursing Homes

Noel Grealish

1216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 450 of 27 September 2022, if the necessary administrative and operational changes have been made to the fair deal scheme in order that some income from renting out the family home can be deemed exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63457/22]

Dental Services

Noel Grealish

1290. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the provisions his Department is taking to secure dental services for medical card holders in Galway city and county; the services available to patients who cannot find a local dentist to avail of the dental treatment services scheme; when the current DTSS will be replaced with a fit-for-purpose scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63664/22]

Dental Services

Noel Grealish

1291. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in Galway city and the rest of County Galway which have ceased providing medical card services to persons with disabilities in the past ten years; the medical card dental services that are currently available to adult persons with disabilities; the provision in place for those whose local dentist withdraws from the provision of medical card services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63665/22]

Dental Services

Noel Grealish

1292. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of dental practices in Galway city and the rest of County Galway which have ceased providing medical card services in the past ten years; the medical card dental services that are currently available to medical card users; the provision in place for those whose local dentist withdraws from the provision of medical card services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63666/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Noel Grealish

1757. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen applications for tranche 1 of the ACRES scheme, given that this is a new scheme and some applicants did not have an opportunity to prepare and submit their application on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63275/22]

An Garda Síochána

Noel Grealish

218. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a breakdown of the age profile of the Garda vehicle fleet in the Galway division. [62389/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Noel Grealish

430. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection if rental income is classed as working or self-employment, when a person over 65 years of age has ceased their full-time work and applied for benefit payment for 65-year-olds, given that the rules of the payment state that a person can continue in subsidiary employment, which could have been done while a person was in full-time employment and outside one’s normal working hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62283/22]

General Practitioner Services

Noel Grealish

314. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if there are any financial supports or grants available from his Department for persons to set up a GP practice and health centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61448/22]

Medical Cards

Noel Grealish

166. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the process under which income from saving and investments are assessed for an over-70s medical card; if it is only the interest on savings in excess of €36,000 for a single person and €72,000 for a married couple that is assessed as income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61375/22]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Noel Grealish

78. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proportion of business insurance injury claims that have been settled through Public Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60177/22]

Personal Injury Claims

Noel Grealish

79. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he expects legislative changes to be enacted on the level of duty of care requirement under personal injury claims; when he anticipates that psychological damages claims will be included as part of PIABs remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60178/22]

Public Transport

Noel Grealish

132. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the reason that real-time passenger information and automatic vehicle location is available for Bus Eíreann services but not for private bus operators operating in Galway city and nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60169/22]

Public Transport

Noel Grealish

133. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the reason there has been a 20% reduction in fares for Bus Éireann, but not for private bus companies given that private bus operators often provide services where there is no Bus Éireann service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60170/22]