Parliamentary questions

Fiscal Policy

Willie O'Dea

106. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the assessment by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that the current unexpected inflation highlights some issues with the design of spending rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30529/22]

Sports Funding

Willie O'Dea

441. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider increasing the funding available for minority sports such as basketball; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29246/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Willie O'Dea

1091. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing correspondence from her Department in a simpler fashion, particularly for elderly people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29247/22]

Health Services

Willie O'Dea

1388. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason that botox treatment has been stopped given that the treatment was working for a patient (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28869/22]

Energy Policy

Willie O'Dea

102. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the review of the security of supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. [28446/22]

Energy Policy

Willie O'Dea

123. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the work of the District Heating Steering Group. [28447/22]

Departmental Investigations

Willie O'Dea

233. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet with persons (details supplied) who are calling for a public inquiry into the Department of Agriculture investigation into animal health problems on their farm in the mid-1990s. [28322/22]

Departmental Strategies

Willie O'Dea

42. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress she has made in developing a Dark Skies Strategy for Ireland. [27681/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

76. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when all persons who are due to receive the pandemic bonus payment will receive it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26812/22]

Agriculture Schemes

Willie O'Dea

126. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted measures that will be included in the new agri-environment scheme under CAP to ensure that farmers are rewarded for results that help to tackle the biodiversity crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26937/22]

Climate Change Policy

Willie O'Dea

201. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made by the carbon farming working group on developing a system for calculating the amount of carbon sequestered on farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26934/22]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

700. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the measures that he is taking to resolve the issues which have led to industrial action being taken by medical scientists in public hospital laboratories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26562/22]

Industrial Development

Willie O'Dea

17. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the progress made to date in the implementation in the Mid-West region of the IDA Strategy - Driving Recovery & Sustainable Growth 2021 – 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24978/22]

Enterprise Support Services

Willie O'Dea

188. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies in each of counties Limerick, Clare and Tipperary that have applied for funding under the Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme in tabular form; the number that have been successful in each county; and the total funding awarded in each county to date. [24979/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Willie O'Dea

67. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of appointments to the grade of assistant principal officer from 2015 to date by the Revenue Commissioners in County Limerick; the manner in which the appointments were filled, that is, either by open competition, inter-Departmental competition, internal competition, transfer from another geographic location, or any other means by which appointments were made; the division and office location of the appointments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25314/22]

Eating Disorders

Willie O'Dea

685. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if a decision will issue in regard to funding for a person (details supplied) who has applied for funding to the HSE to be an in-patient at The National Eating Disorders Recovery Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24383/22]

Defence Forces

Willie O'Dea

10. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence when he will bring forward a plan to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23503/22]

Defence Forces

Willie O'Dea

24. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Defence if the Russian invasion of Ukraine will lead to any further re-assessment of Ireland’s defence capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/22]

Departmental Schemes

Willie O'Dea

186. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to increase the funding available for disabled drivers for the purchase of a new car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/22]

Foreign Birth Registration

Willie O'Dea

198. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a decision will be made regarding citizenship for a person (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23887/22]

Northern Ireland

Willie O'Dea

99. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in relation to the Northern Ireland protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22919/22]

Passport Services

Willie O'Dea

106. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from counties Limerick and Clare, respectively that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22918/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Willie O'Dea

291. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider allowing civil servants who live outside of Dublin the opportunity to continue to work most of the time from home as many hundreds have done since the Covid-19 pandemic began; his views on whether this would be helpful for employees in view of the rising fuel costs, rent costs and rising house prices particularly in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22800/22]

Medical Cards

Willie O'Dea

679. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to add Trulicity to the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22580/22]

International Agreements

Willie O'Dea

722. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the proposed World Health Organisation Global Pandemic Treaty should be signed by Ireland without first consulting with the people of Ireland; if he is satisfied that this proposed treaty will comply with the Irish Constitution; if the matter will be discussed in the Houses of the Oireachtas in advance of any possible signing of the proposed treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

774. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if a dedicated one-stop-shop long Covid clinic will be provided in Limerick to cater for those suffering from long Covid in the mid-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23138/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

308. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an application for enhanced illness benefit by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21955/22]

Departmental Inquiries

Willie O'Dea

360. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the status of the inquiry for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21675/22]

Health Services

Willie O'Dea

433. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay for a person (details supplied) to be sent to the Netherlands for treatment for second line cancer therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21757/22]

Insurance Industry

Willie O'Dea

52. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the Office to Promote Competition in the insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20566/22]

Tax Code

Willie O'Dea

65. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to extend the timeframe for the reduction in VAT on gas and electricity to 9%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20565/22]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Willie O'Dea

93. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the work of the major projects advisory group, MPAG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/22]

Fiscal Data

Willie O'Dea

96. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of Covid-19 contingency funding that was drawn down in the first three months of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/22]

Electric Vehicles

Willie O'Dea

112. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport his targets for the deployment of electric vehicle charging points in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21088/22]

Environmental Policy

Willie O'Dea

150. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the initiatives that he is undertaking in 2022 to reduce the carbon footprint of the transport sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21089/22]

Broadband Infrastructure

Willie O'Dea

330. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when fibre broadband will be rolled out in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21247/22]

School Transport

Willie O'Dea

824. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be added to the list for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19342/22]

Special Educational Needs

Willie O'Dea

873. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the educational options available in the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19921/22]

Special Educational Needs

Willie O'Dea

874. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the details of all additional places for special needs children that will be provided in Limerick city and environs for the upcoming academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19927/22]

Employment Support Services

Willie O'Dea

1071. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to compensate participants on the job initiative scheme for losses in their income over recent years as has been done in relation to pay restoration in the Civil Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20687/22]

Animal Welfare

Willie O'Dea

1937. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide an animal welfare Inspector for Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21246/22]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Willie O'Dea

8. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for reform of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18639/22]

Insurance Industry

Willie O'Dea

73. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress that has been made to date with the Insurance Reform Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18640/22]

Home Help Service

Willie O'Dea

10. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the establishment of the national home support office. [16861/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

26. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on services for persons with long Covid. [16860/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Willie O'Dea

321. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to increase the standard capitation rate for the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/22]

Further and Higher Education

Willie O'Dea

342. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a report into the circumstances of the purchase by University of Limerick, UL, of a property in Limerick city (details supplied); the progress of the investigation under the Universities Act of a pension irregularity at UL; if he has given consideration to initiating a visitation under section 20 of the Universities Act with regard to the management and governance failures at UL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17133/22]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

373. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint an independent chairperson for the stalled medical consultant contract negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17132/22]

Mental Health Services

Willie O'Dea

142. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision by the HSE mid-west division to transfer three residents who are suffering with serious mental health issues and residing at a location (details supplied) from the care of the HSE to a housing association; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that each of these residents has been presented with a 29-page contract, which has caused confusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/22]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

715. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his views on the statement by the Taoiseach that there should be an elective-only hospital facility provided in the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16349/22]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

716. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a new child psychiatrist will be appointed to the mid-west area; his plans to deal with the long child psychology waiting lists in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/22]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

86. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the International Criminal Court to take action over the situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15148/22]

Ukraine War

Willie O'Dea

93. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he is taking in relation to retaliatory sanctions imposed by the Russian Federation on Irish interests in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15149/22]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

256. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the affordable housing scheme, the first home scheme will be rolled out in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12548/22]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Willie O'Dea

659. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes who were funded for the dexcom continuous glucose monitoring sensors by the long-term Illness scheme or the primary care reimbursement service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11085/22]

Hospital Admissions

Willie O'Dea

660. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions that occurred through the UL Hospitals Group accident and emergency departments or the acute medical assessment unit due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons with pre-existing diabetes; the number of admissions that were due to diabetic ketoacidosis in persons who were diagnosed with diabetes after admission in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11086/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Willie O'Dea

661. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes as of 31 January 2022 who are awaiting a first appointment to the adult outpatients diabetes clinic in any of the UL Hospitals Group hospitals; the number of persons waiting for time periods (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/22]

Hospital Services

Willie O'Dea

662. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the timeline for when University Hospital Limerick will become a dose adjustment for normal eating, DAFNE, accredited diabetes centre; the current total number of whole-time equivalent posts for consultants (details supplied) currently in place in the adult outpatient diabetes clinic in each of the hospitals in the UL Hospitals Group in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11093/22]

Environmental Schemes

Willie O'Dea

116. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of home retrofits that were completed in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10477/22]

Gambling Sector

Willie O'Dea

123. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice when she expects the gambling regulatory authority to be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8554/22]

Crime Prevention

Willie O'Dea

153. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice the action she proposes to take in relation to crimes committed against older persons. [8553/22]

Health Services

Willie O'Dea

68. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the affordability measures in healthcare pledged in Budget 2022. [7911/22]

General Practitioner Services

Willie O'Dea

157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when free general practitioner care will be extended to six and seven-year-olds. [7910/22]

Vaccination Programme

Willie O'Dea

835. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when children under 16 years of will receive the booster vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/22]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board

Willie O'Dea

28. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will be making changes to the operation of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. [6811/22]

Enterprise Policy

Willie O'Dea

88. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan. [6810/22]

School Staff

Willie O'Dea

89. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she is satisfied with the level of qualification required to become a special needs assistant given that it is over 40 years since they were introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6868/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

143. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the extremely long waiting times persons are enduring in order to receive assistance from the EU Digital COVID Certificate helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6901/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

752. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if NPHET has carried out an up to date evidence-based risk assessment and risk-benefit analysis regarding the imposition of mask mandates in retail and other settings particularly bearing in mind the recent lifting of restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6550/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

753. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if NPHET carried out an up to date evidence-based risk assessment and risk-benefit analysis on the continuing imposition of face mask wearing by children in schools and other settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6553/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

754. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if NPHET requested an up to date report from HIQA on the continuing imposition of face mask wearing by children in schools and other settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6554/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

755. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the studies and data that have been relied upon by NPHET to form the basis for the statement that Covid-19 still poses a risk to public health, that the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 can be expected to continue, that Omicron is unlikely to be the last variant of concern Ireland will have to face and that the global public health risk remains very high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6555/22]

Hospital Staff

Willie O'Dea

157. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a paediatric neurology consultant will be provided for the mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5377/22]

Social Welfare Schemes

Willie O'Dea

532. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4282/22]

Passport Services

Willie O'Dea

50. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications for passports from each of the counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary that are currently outstanding; the planning that is being done to ensure that there is no repeat of the delays with applications experienced in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3697/22]

Tax Code

Willie O'Dea

246. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the justification for commercial landlords being allowed to write-off their defects levies against their tax liabilities given owner-occupiers and social landlords cannot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3283/22]

Passport Services

Willie O'Dea

340. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that a marriage certificate sent by a person (details supplied) was not returned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3134/22]

Residential Institutions

Willie O'Dea

384. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in view that an update was requested early in 2021 by this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3360/22]

Social Welfare Payments

Willie O'Dea

409. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when invalidity pension arrears will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2976/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

64. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of allocated funds that went unspent in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2549/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Willie O'Dea

66. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of gross capital expenditure in 2021; the amount that has been allocated for 2022 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/22]

Driver Test

Willie O'Dea

209. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the current situation in which approved driving instructors at RSA test centres have been prevented from entering these centres and have had no access to toilet or sanitary facilities for almost two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63298/21]

Health Services

Willie O'Dea

1898. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide hormone replacement therapy free to all women who wish to avail of this therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2330/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

94. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons in counties Limerick and Clare, respectively, currently being supported by the employment wage subsidy scheme; the number of businesses in each county currently availing of the business resumption support scheme, BRSS; the number of businesses in each county currently availing of the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62240/21]

State Bodies

Willie O'Dea

241. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the new members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals to be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62678/21]

Housing Schemes

Willie O'Dea

257. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authority tenants living in Part 5 housing can avail of the proposed new tenant purchase scheme; when the new tenant purchase scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61193/21]

Social Welfare Appeals

Willie O'Dea

427. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61195/21]

Missing Persons

Willie O'Dea

492. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding recommendations being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61134/21]

Flexible Work Practices

Willie O'Dea

99. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action he is taking to facilitate hybrid working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60815/21]

Insurance Industry

Willie O'Dea

162. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions his Department is taking under the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. [60814/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Willie O'Dea

167. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reinstating the temporary assistance payment scheme to cover specific costs incurred to implement intensified infection prevention control measures in view of high levels of transmission of Covid-19 across the community and the advent of the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60752/21]

Health Services Staff

Willie O'Dea

474. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will waive the €100 registration fee for nurses in view of the work they are carrying out during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59834/21]

Hospital Staff

Willie O'Dea

144. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if additional neurology nurses are being recruited for University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59249/21]

Primary Care Services

Willie O'Dea

175. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for a primary care psychology appointment in each local health office area in CHO3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59250/21]

Child Abuse

Willie O'Dea

348. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education if she has given consideration to establishing a redress scheme for victims of child sex abuse at boarding schools similar to the scheme she has established for day pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58928/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Willie O'Dea

397. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when the full rate of the child dependent payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) for their four children; if the arrears will also be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58738/21]

Medical Cards

Willie O'Dea

521. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason for delay in deciding on a medical card application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58357/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Willie O'Dea

663. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of all Covid-19 cases admitted to ICU from 1 April 2021 to date on a weekly basis; the comparative breakdown of same of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients; the cumulative weekly vaccine take-up by age in each corresponding week; the number that were admitted to ICU specifically to be treated for Covid-19; the number that were immunocompromised and cannot be vaccinated for a medical reason; the number that were pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58915/21]

Vaccination Programme

Willie O'Dea

664. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the reason the vaccination status of Covid-19 cases admitted to ICU in Ireland is so disproportionately different to cases in the United Kingdom over the period week 41 and week 44 and other weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58916/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Willie O'Dea

666. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health his views on the frequency and manner of surveillance testing conducted on in-patients in which there is no clinical suspicion of Covid-19 upon admission to hospital; the testing process for a vaccinated vis-à-vis unvaccinated patient whilst an inpatient in hospital; the details of the precise PCR assay threshold that is used by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58920/21]