Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul Murphy

1099. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if an instruction can be given by her Department to a recipient of rent supplement to apply for the housing assistance payment; and the circumstances under which such an instruction would be issued. [39220/21]

Social Welfare Benefits

Paul Murphy

1105. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have been cut-off rent supplement in each of the past five years. [39329/21]

Employment Support Services

Paul Murphy

1111. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to matters in relation to the local employment service (details supplied); and the way in which she proposes getting these clients into full-time sustainable work within such a short timeframe given that payment is for employment only as outlined in this model and who will focus on those facing barriers to employment. [39447/21]

Employment Support Services

Paul Murphy

1112. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which local employment services can operate under financial uncertainty in view of the fact local employment service income is dependent on referrals from her Department and given that to date her Department has never met its target for referrals to the local employment services. [39448/21]

Employment Support Services

Paul Murphy

1113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that all local employment services staff are trained in adult guidance and counselling, funded using public money; the reason her Department will not utilise this investment in the new scheme, instead of introducing a model that does not fit with a guidance service; and the further reason her Department has not chosen to focus on addressing the need for continuous improvement for all local employment service operations within a public service quality model. [39449/21]

Employment Support Services

Paul Murphy

1116. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to use private contractors to provide case officer staff to link in with participants and hosts taking part in the work placement experience programme. [39495/21]

Employment Support Services

Paul Murphy

1117. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if all participants in the work placement experience programme will receive a basic payment of €306 a week regardless of age. [39496/21]

Hospital Trusts

Paul Murphy

1433. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the category of St. Vincent’s University Hospital under the Health Act 2004; and if there have been changes in such categorisation since 1 January 2016. [33198/21]

Hospital Trusts

Paul Murphy

1434. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the funding arrangements under which St. Vincent’s University Hospital receives funds from the HSE; and if there have been changes in such funding arrangements since 1 January 2016. [33199/21]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1461. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the Government has the competence under EU law to ban animal testing in Ireland; and if introducing such a ban will be considered. [33461/21]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

1665. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if Ireland could independently ban the use of animals in experiments for both medical and non-medical research; if not, if the ruling has to come from the EU; and the way licensing and subsequent approval or refusal of an experiment would work in a case in which the EU deems it acceptable but Ireland does not. [34469/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

1722. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the consultant and surgeon triage patients for elective surgeries; and the location in which this is recorded. [35118/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

1723. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the location in which waiting lists of patients who are pending elective surgeries are recorded. [35119/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

1724. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which the consultants and surgeons communicate with the admission office in relation to patients and waiting lists changes for elective surgeries. [35120/21]

Disability Services

Paul Murphy

2141. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children with special needs living in south-western areas of Dublin; the number of therapists working in the area to provide essential services for these children; his plans to ensure that these services which are crucial for the families of these children will resume to pre-Covid-19 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36059/21]

Health Service Executive

Paul Murphy

2208. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the correct procedure is in which a complaint is made to yoursay@hse.ie in relation to the behaviour of a social worker. [36964/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2259. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Vincent’s University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37184/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2260. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles St. in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37185/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2261. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37186/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2262. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37187/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2263. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in Tallaght University Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37188/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2264. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on women in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of surgical sterilisation procedures that were carried out on men in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in the Rotunda Hospital in each of the years 2016 to 2020. [37189/21]

Hospital Procedures

Paul Murphy

2362. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of terminations of pregnancy, number of male and female surgical sterilisation procedures, respectively and number of IVF and assisted reproduction procedures that were carried out in St. James’s Hospital in each of the years from 2016 to 2020, inclusive. [37503/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

2445. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children with special needs living in south-western areas of Dublin; the number of therapists working in the area to provide essential services for these children; his plans to ensure that these services which are crucial for the families of these children will resume to pre-Covid-19 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37861/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Paul Murphy

2916. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence some of the anticipated 2021 cost savings from the recent HSE medicines management programme preferred blood glucose strips for adults with type 1 and 2 diabetes evaluation to fund the provision of the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system to persons with diabetes over 21 years of age based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39637/21]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

2917. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the type 2 diabetes cycle of care programme to all persons with type 2 diabetes; his views on whether it is equitable that persons with type 2 diabetes without a GMS or general practitioner visit card but who otherwise meet the HSE criteria for uncomplicated type 2 diabetes to be managed in primary care are excluded from the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39638/21]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Paul Murphy

2918. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will extend eligibility to the long-term illness scheme for reimbursement of blood glucose test strips to all women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy; his views on the decision to remove them from the scheme; if he will now reverse that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39639/21]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

2919. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to appoint a clinical psychologist to each acute hospital diabetes multi-disciplinary team; his views on the fact that psychosocial support in diabetes care is not formally embedded as part of diabetes management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39640/21]

Health Services Staff

Paul Murphy

2920. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the specialist community diabetes teams under the enhanced community care programme will be appointed; if it will be available to all persons with diabetes free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39641/21]

Health Services

Paul Murphy

2921. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the need for a national diabetes register; the reason there is no current register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39642/21]

Food Safety

Paul Murphy

3014. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the series of checks being done by the HSE environmental health department on soup runs. [39993/21]

Animal Welfare

Paul Murphy

184. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a ban on hare coursing. [38988/21]

Medicinal Products

Paul Murphy

316. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when zolgensma will be made available for a child (details supplied) given the fact that the sooner the drug is received the better the outcome in cases in which the drug is administered before the child is two years of age. [31681/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

367. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he can remove the visitation rules for the partner and or other nominated birth companion after the baby is born so that those who have given birth can be supported; if attendance for partners and or other nominated birth companions through all stages of labour including induction can be ensured; and if it can be ensured that partners and or other nominated birth companions can be present at all antenatal appointments given that all antenatal appointments have the potential to contain news of emotional significance as per the HSPC guidelines. [32363/21]

Disability Services

Paul Murphy

381. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of follow-up physiotherapy for stroke survivors in Tallaght University Hospital; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that patients who had been receiving daily physiotherapy sessions while staying in hospital have found themselves with no physiotherapy support provided when they are discharged leaving them with no other option but privately paid physio at a cost of €70 per half hour; and if his Department will be providing these facilities given that this service is vital to the progress for stroke survivors to lead a relatively independent life. [32540/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

438. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have arrived in Ireland from the UK since the requirement for home quarantining was introduced; the number of those who have taken PCR tests after five days of quarantining as has been the rule up until now; and the percentage of those PCR tests that are negative and positive, respectively. [33015/21]

National Economic and Social Council

Paul Murphy

10. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council, an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of his Department. [37718/21]

Nursing Homes

Paul Murphy

307. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an extension to the nursing home temporary assistance payment scheme which is due to come to an end on 30 June 2021 will be confirmed. [30787/21]

Healthcare Policy

Paul Murphy

332. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he plans to extend the community ophthalmic services scheme for those over 12 years of age, beyond medical card holders and their dependants to include students in secondary school for the dispensing of spectacles and optical devices given that glasses are a necessity and are not for cosmetic reasons. [30958/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul Murphy

341. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason mandatory hotel quarantine is required for a WHO approved vaccine when there is no liability in the event of side effects as the State has not supplied a vaccine (details supplied); and his views on whether the State’s concern should be with the performance of the vaccine which has received WHO acceptance. [30967/21]

General Practitioner Services

Paul Murphy

368. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when he plans to extend the free general practitioner scheme to all children under 13 years of age. [31127/21]

Departmental Offices

Paul Murphy

8. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the parliamentary liaison unit of his Department. [37716/21]

Cabinet Committees

Paul Murphy

17. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach the membership and terms of reference of the Covid-19 oversight group chaired by the Secretary General of his Department. [37717/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Paul Murphy

101. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he or persons in his Department have been in communication with a group (details supplied); and if he read the group's document on Covid-19. [1492/21]

Vaccination Programme

Paul Murphy

160. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to ensure that persons who suffered narcolepsy after receiving the pandemrix vaccine will receive appropriate compensation without the need for drawn out conflict with the State. [28316/21]

Public Transport

Paul Murphy

235. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the measures that are being taken to ensure that there is no high-risk level of contracting Covid-19 for passengers using the Luas; the way it will be ensured that there is no overcrowding given that the number of trams has been reduced; the sanitation requirements that must be met; and the way these standards are regulated. [37536/21]

Financial Services

Paul Murphy

265. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent collapse of an unregulated trust (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that brokers involved with an organisation sold investment policies in the trust to domestic savers in Ireland in September 2019, despite the BBC having reported in May 2019 that the trust was a scam and without advising those savers that the trust was unregulated; his views on whether more regulations are required in this area to prevent brokers for knowingly or negligently mis-selling in return for high commission such unregulated and high-risk investment policies in such a trust to Irish domestic savers who lost their savings when the trust collapsed; if he will introduce any necessary amendments to the relevant legislation to render any brokers who engage in activity as described as liable either on grounds of deception, negligence or failure to conduct due diligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37265/21]

Citizens' Assembly

Paul Murphy

325. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a date for the Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss before the Dáil summer recess; and if his Department will ensure that points (details supplied) will be considered on the agenda. [37234/21]

School Curriculum

Paul Murphy

411. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 29 June 2021, her views on the setting up of an official channel by her Department with trained persons employed by her Department who systematically visit schools in order to provide young persons with essential lifesaving skills (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37459/21]

School Facilities

Paul Murphy

413. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department can guarantee that schools will be provided with a CO2 monitor in each classroom given the need for safe ventilation; if the HEPA filters which are also required will be provided before schools reopen at the end of August 2021; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that these measures are needed to ensure the safety of students and staff (details supplied). [37501/21]