Parliamentary questions

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

672. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the budget for children's residential services for CHO5 for the past five years; if he will outline the new children's residential units provided over the past five years; the budget available to CHO5 for new residential services; if the opening of new residential services will impact on the respite services budget for CHO5; the number of new residential services required to meet current demand in CHO5, in Tipperary in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24365/23]

Education Schemes

Mattie McGrath

673. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the new ASD diagnostic team being developed in south Tipperary; the details of the team; if the team is operational; the referral path; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/23]

Mortality Rates

Mattie McGrath

763. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the level of excess deaths currently being experienced in Ireland; if his Department has carried out an investigation into the trends and causes for the level of excess deaths; if not, if he will order an enquiry into the level, trends and causes of the excess deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24273/23]

Registration of Deaths

Mattie McGrath

774. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of sudden deaths reported in 2021, 2022 and quarter 1 of 2023; the number of strokes and heart attacks reported in the same periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24317/23]

Hospital Facilities

Mattie McGrath

775. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current status of the National Children’s Hospital; when the project is due to be completed; the current cost of the project; the estimated final cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/23]

Housing Provision

Mattie McGrath

318. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the allocations for local authority housing adaptation grants will be made known to local authorities as it is affecting the work-flow and progression of this necessary grant for council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23701/23]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

319. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the allocations for local authority housing adaptation grants and private adaptation grants, and also increase the grant amounts to reflect the increase in construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23702/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

385. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the full level of Exchequer funding provided to a sporting organisation (details supplied) in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22433/23]

Public Expenditure Policy

Mattie McGrath

34. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the policies and procedures that are in place and apply across the Government to ensure that senior civil servants are accountable for the management of public expenditure. [19920/23]

Vacant Properties

Mattie McGrath

59. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will assign a taskforce to deal with vacancy rates in Clonmel town; the efforts being made to support small and medium-sized rural towns that are suffering huge levels of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22370/23]

Road Safety

Mattie McGrath

45. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the location of the 17 high-collision locations in County Tipperary; the steps that have and will be taken to improve safety at these locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21942/23]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

46. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of people waiting for a driving test in the country and per county; the number of driving testers currently employed; and the average waiting time for a test. [21974/23]

Departmental Funding

Mattie McGrath

97. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grant funding is available from the State for the removal of asbestos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21893/23]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

108. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on the local authority home loan; and the number of applications across each county versus the number of approvals. [22001/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

609. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the special leave with pay for healthcare workers who got Covid will be extended beyond June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21391/23]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Mattie McGrath

199. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make available the available data the NPWS is using to inform decisions on the review of the Open Seasons Order and transparency as to who the stakeholders are NPWS is engaging with as part of this public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20486/23]

Control of Firearms

Mattie McGrath

288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if he will ensure that both he and the Firearms Expert Committee immediately engage and consult with a group (details supplied) in a meaningful way and to appoint a representative from the group to the Firearms Expert Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20437/23]

Control of Firearms

Mattie McGrath

293. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if he will give assurances that any proposals brought forward by the Firearms Expert Committee will be backed by publicly available data and that all impacted parties will have a voice in the final decisions being made, including the actual firearms owners and those who will be most impacted by increased restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20485/23]

Child and Family Agency

Mattie McGrath

345. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth where a family is extremely dissatisfied with the manner in which they have been dealt with by Tusla, the avenue available to them to have a full review of their case, have a new social worker assigned to their case and raise concerns about the level of undue intrusion and requirements placed on the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20404/23]

School Funding

Mattie McGrath

89. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the reason the ancillary services grant for the running of schools that is scheduled for payment in April 2023 is now being delayed until June 2023 (details supplied). [19659/23]

Planning Issues

Mattie McGrath

302. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to immediately review planning guidelines to permit planning permission for log cabins as a means to relieve pressure on housing demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/23]

International Protection

Mattie McGrath

387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if international protection applicants have their records checked for criminal convictions; if so, the databases they are checked against; the countries that take part in those databases; how long the process takes; the process if an international protection applicant is found to have a criminal conviction; if they are allowed to remain in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/23]

Citizenship Applications

Mattie McGrath

270. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of Ukrainian nationals, who may have lost their own documentation, who have been granted Irish citizenship since the beginning of the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/23]

Citizenship Applications

Mattie McGrath

277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if a Ukrainian national who has arrived in Ireland and has lost all ID documentation due to the Russian invasion can apply for and legitimately obtain Irish citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/23]

Road Projects

Mattie McGrath

204. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for completion of the inner relief road Thurles, County Tipperary linking Slievenamon Road to the Mill Road; if funding is in place for same; if a route has been finalised; and if all land required has been secured. [14798/23]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

769. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the final payment for the hen-harrier scheme will be made; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/23]

Energy Policy

Mattie McGrath

212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date he will approve the development of domestic Irish and gas exploration; if he plans to issue a statement regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13603/23]

Energy Policy

Mattie McGrath

213. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the specifics regarding the amount and origin of the energy sourced from the UK in 2022 for Irish electricity supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/23]

Energy Policy

Mattie McGrath

214. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reasoning behind the ongoing importation of energy for Irish electricity production from the UK rather than domestic oil and gas drilling, particularly in view of the UK power system operator's recent decision to reopen two of five emergency coal-fired generators; the timeline for approving the development of domestic Irish oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13605/23]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

613. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that are being made for a child (details supplied) in south Tipperary to have a school place in an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit for September 2023; the number of children in Tipperary waiting for a place in an ASD unit; the number of available places in schools for the coming school year in September 2023; the current number of SENOs for south Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12407/23]

Public Services Card

Mattie McGrath

808. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider automatically extending public services cards for people over 80 years of age who have physical and medical difficulties and find the renewal process of having to physically present at their local office to renew their card onerous; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12528/23]

Departmental Schemes

Mattie McGrath

1053. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of text alert groups that have been paid the text alert rebate for 2022 to date, by county; the reason for the delay in paying the rebate to the groups given the application process closed on 30 November 2022; if he will provide the details of each group, including the number who received a text alert rebate in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12438/23]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

1455. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the WTE allocations for team 1 and team 2, in the CAMHS teams based in Clonmel, County Tipperary, broken down into disciplines; the vacancies within each team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13563/23]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

1456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the caseload numbers for both CAMHS teams based in Clonmel, County Tipperary; the number of referrals received in 2022; the number of those referrals that were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13564/23]

Health Services Staff

Mattie McGrath

1461. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a vacant psychology post on the CAMHS Team in Clonmel, County Tipperary remains vacant and that the recruitment drive received no applications; the urgent efforts that are being made to address the lack of interest in such posts and the recruitment difficulties; if he is concerned about the ongoing difficulties with recruitment that the HSE is experiencing, particularly in relation to disability and mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/23]

Animal Welfare

Mattie McGrath

1578. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Working Group set up to look at the Control of Dogs Act 1986 in relation to protection of sheep and lambs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13544/23]

Rural Schemes

Mattie McGrath

1621. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update in relation to the progress of the recent Rural Regeneration and Development Fund allocations to Tipperary County Council to the towns of Cahir, Roscrea and Carrick on Suir; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13545/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Mattie McGrath

98. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reasons for the delay in cases accessing arbitration; the number of cases waiting for arbitration; the average waiting time; what steps are his Department taking to ensure that these cases are expedited; what steps are his Department taking to ensure that future cases will not have to wait so long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11798/23]

Departmental Priorities

Mattie McGrath

1. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the economic policy unit of his Department. [9798/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mattie McGrath

14. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on immigration will next meet. [9799/23]

Grant Payments

Mattie McGrath

311. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the income threshold for eligibility for housing adaptation grants from local authorities to support working families who encounter illness or life-changing physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11412/23]

Grant Payments

Mattie McGrath

312. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the maximum grant awards available under the housing adaption grants from local authorities to reflect the increasing costs in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11413/23]

School Attendance

Mattie McGrath

394. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the statistics that are collected by the Tusla education support service and education welfare officer in relation to absenteeism in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11414/23]

Education Welfare Service

Mattie McGrath

395. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education her Department's process for students who have disengaged from mainstream education and have shown several signs of challenging behaviour; the supports in place for students; the services her Department offers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11415/23]

School Attendance

Mattie McGrath

396. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if she will provide statistics from the education welfare officer in relation to absenteeism in schools in Tipperary; the number of students that have disengaged from mainstream education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11416/23]

Cabinet Committees

Mattie McGrath

18. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the environment and climate change will next meet. [9797/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

544. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the Covid pandemic payment has not yet been paid to all healthcare workers who are due to receive the payment; when all agency staff will receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9520/23]

Transport Policy

Mattie McGrath

80. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the future of the active travel programme for local authorities in view of the reduced allocation for 2023, particularly for Tipperary County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8948/23]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

117. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to commence the next round of the sports capital programme; when it will be open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8949/23]

Sports Funding

Mattie McGrath

118. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if pony and equine clubs are eligible to apply for funding under the sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8951/23]