Parliamentary questions

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

130. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children taken into care using voluntary care agreements for each of Tusla’s 17 service areas; the duration of these agreements; and the number of children taken into care under these agreements that have been returned to their birthmothers in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [53462/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

131. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the legislative position in relation to reunification plans; the number of children taken into care in each of Tusla’s 17 service areas that currently have a reunification plan; and the number of children who do not. [53463/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason Tusla does not collate data on new-born babies under two weeks old who have been taken into State care; if he will introduce mandatory measures for the collation of this data; and his views on the removal of new-borns from their birthmothers, even when they are being breastfed. [53465/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

133. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 326 of 7 October 2021, the reason Tusla service areas in south central areas of Dublin and counties Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Galway and Roscommon had above average numbers taken into State care according to data released by Tusla; and the reason the Galway, Roscommon service area increased the number of children going into State care from 2016 to 2020. [53466/21]

Hospital Services

Mattie McGrath

145. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when cardiac rehabilitation will resume in Nenagh General Hospital; the length of time this service has been absent from Nenagh General Hospital; the urgent efforts that are being made to restore this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53439/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Mattie McGrath

153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when antigen testing will be rolled out as an option for access to indoor dining and indoor events; the reason for delays in implementing antigen testing; the efforts that were made to be prepared for the scenario when Covid-19 restrictions have been extended; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the lack of antigen testing and the serious human rights and equality concerns that this presents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53471/21]

Mental Health Services

Mattie McGrath

159. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the mental health crisis house in Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53549/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

160. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if data pertaining to the number of hospital-acquired Covid-19 infections and the number who are in hospital for medical issues other than Covid-19 but who subsequently test positive for Covid-19 can be published weekly; if not, the reason; if this data is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53550/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

867. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths by Covid-19 each month to date in 2021; the vaccination status of all of the deceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52279/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

868. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients hospitalised in each month to date in 2021 with Covid-19; the vaccination status of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52280/21]

Health Services

Mattie McGrath

971. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending acute hospitals with strokes, blood clots and for emergency cardiac care from January 2021 to September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52716/21]

Departmental Contracts

Mattie McGrath

61. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the amount spent by his Department to date in 2021 for Covid-19 public communications activities; the recipients of the funds allocated; the services provided; and the tendering processes undertaken to ensure optimal value for money in tabular form. [51382/21]

Departmental Communications

Mattie McGrath

235. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the amount of funds spent by his Department to date in 2021 for Covid-19 public communications activities; and if he will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the funds allocated in tabular form to including the recipients of the funds allocated, the services provided and the tendering processes undertaken to ensure optimal value for money. [50683/21]

Road Projects

Mattie McGrath

311. 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 been finalised; and if all land required has been secured. [50386/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

495. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied); when this application will be processed and finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50509/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

496. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether it is appropriate that there is an effective pause on the processing of all foreign birth registration applications for persons who wish to apply for such registration and associated passports; the steps he is taking to immediately begin clearing the growing backlog exacerbated by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50510/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

497. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications awaiting processing under the foreign birth registration process; the current average processing time per application; the number of applications processed in each month to date in 2021; his views on whether the current processing arrangements are fit for purpose, equitable or fair for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50511/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

517. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration application by a person (details supplied); when this application will be processed and finalized; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51279/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

518. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether it is appropriate that there is an effective pause on the processing of all foreign birth registration applications for individuals who wish to apply for such registration and associated passports; the steps he is taking to immediately begin clearing the growing backlog mitigated by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51280/21]

Foreign Birth Registration

Mattie McGrath

519. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications awaiting processing under the foreign birth registration process; the current average processing time per application; the number of applications processed each month in 2021; his views on whether the current processing arrangements are fit for purpose, equitable or fair for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51281/21]

Social Welfare Payments

Mattie McGrath

620. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for those with special needs who have the domiciliary care allowance cut when they turn 16 and are refused disability allowance; the supports available to assist with the costs associated with additional needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50736/21]

Student Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts he is making to provide dedicated student accommodation in the recently established university towns of Clonmel and Thurles, County Tipperary. [50015/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

210. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the Covid certificate of recovery is only valid for 180 days from 11 days after a positive PCR result when the HSE is treating the period of immunity following Covid-19 as existing for nine months and informing those that have recovered that they do not need to restrict their movements and so on if they are a close contact for a period of nine months after having Covid-19; the reason the certificate of recovery is only valid for six months when the period of immunity is a period of nine months; if he will extend the certificates of recovery in line with the HSE official position on immunity, a period of nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49984/21]

Office of the Attorney General

Mattie McGrath

21. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the full complement of secretarial services available to the Office of the Attorney General; and the full breakdown of the costs associated with these services. [49906/21]

Office of the Attorney General

Mattie McGrath

22. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach if secretarial staff members or support services provided to the Attorney General are being used to provide services to a private entity. [49907/21]

Departmental Functions

Mattie McGrath

345. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when the phone service of her Department for queries for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will resume which was moved to email only during Covid 19; if phone services will be resumed without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49923/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

398. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of text alert groups registered with An Garda Síochána by county in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form. [49099/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

399. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of text alert groups that applied for funding in 2020, by county. [49100/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

400. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of text alert groups that have been paid the text alert rebate for 2020 to date by county; and the reason funding issued for the text alert rebate in 2020 has only been paid recently. [49101/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

401. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the efforts made by an organisation (details supplied) to notify all eligible groups of the text alert rebate scheme. [49102/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

402. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the discrepancy between the number of registered text alert groups and the number applying for the text alert rebate. [49103/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

403. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the amount of funding provided for the text alert rebate in 2020 by her Department; the amount paid to each group; the amount paid to an organisation (details supplied) to administer the rebate; and the amount recouped from successful rebate applicants by the organisation by way of affiliation fees to the organisation. [49104/21]

Crime Prevention

Mattie McGrath

404. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if An Garda Síochána evaluated any other models of alerting or seeking the assistance of the public by way of the Garda communications systems or developing a Garda managed application to send out alerts (details supplied). [49105/21]

Hospital Staff

Mattie McGrath

472. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the call by an organisation (details supplied) for an additional eight neurology nurses for University Hospital Limerick. [49125/21]

Hospital Services

Mattie McGrath

509. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the full cost of the renaming of South Tipperary General Hospital to Tipperary University Hospital; the breakdown of all costs associated with the name change; if a list of all other hospital rebranding carried out by the HSE within the past three years and the costs associated with same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49314/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

322. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if birth parents of children in care have a say in the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to their children in foster care. [49040/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

323. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that parents in some of Tusla’s service areas are being told that face-to-face access to their children in State care is denied until they have received the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49041/21]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

324. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of newborn babies under two weeks old taken into State care in each Tusla service area in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49042/21]

Departmental Data

Mattie McGrath

325. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children under 18 years of age in each Tusla service area in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [49043/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

326. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children taken into State care in each Tusla service area in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [49044/21]

Guardians Ad Litem

Mattie McGrath

327. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total spend on guardian ad litem arrangements in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the position regarding the proposed legislation to regulate this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49045/21]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the restrictions on bus drivers preventing those aged over 70 can be lifted in view of the current shortage of drivers to allow those aged 70 years or over to continue to drive; if those over 70 can be allowed to drive a Bus Éireann contracted bus if they undergo a medical assessment and are deemed medically fit to do so; the other efforts being made to fill the shortfall in drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48541/21]

Work Permits

Mattie McGrath

64. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the immediate efforts that are being made to fast-track the employment permits for the meat processing industry and the pig slaughtering plants in particular to avoid the imminent crisis facing the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47043/21]

Assisted Decision-Making

Mattie McGrath

156. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; when the commencement of the decision support service is scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46915/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

165. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the spend on foster care in each of the years 2014 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the percentage of this that was allocated to for-profit agencies; and the amount paid to each individual agency. [47109/21]

Child and Family Agency

Mattie McGrath

166. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount Tusla has paid for the placement of Irish children abroad in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the details of the placements; the number of children involved and their ages; the locations they have been sent to; the reasons for being sent abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47110/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

167. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children reported missing from residential care homes from 2018 to date in 2021. [47111/21]

Children in Care

Mattie McGrath

168. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the longitudinal study his Department is conducting on children leaving the care system (details supplied). [47112/21]

Hospital Facilities

Mattie McGrath

203. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of all facilities available to the public at Our Lady’s Hospital, Cashel; the terms for attendance at each service; the numbers attending each service per year for the past five years; the number of staff working in each section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46914/21]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Mattie McGrath

447. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the efforts she will take to reduce class sizes which remain largely above the EU average; her plans to increase the capitation grant funding for schools to pre-recession levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46183/21]

Coroners Service

Mattie McGrath

573. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if a coroner will be reappointed to cover south County Tipperary following the retirement of the coroner; the number of cases waiting to be heard by the Coroner's Court in County Tipperary; the average waiting time for a case to be heard in County Tipperary; the reason County Tipperary with a larger population and average annual case load has only one coroner while other counties with a smaller population and case load have three, for example, County Waterford; the efforts she is making to reduce the waiting times for the Coroner’s Court in County Tipperary; if she will urgently move to reappoint a coroner to south County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46271/21]

Nursing Homes

Mattie McGrath

648. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the changes to the fair deal scheme as legislated for in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021 will become operational; the current position for family farms and businesses; if those who are applying for the scheme presently are subject to the conditions set out in the Act; if the new proposed terms will be available to current applicants retrospectively; if the HSE nursing home support scheme office and staff have been briefed on the new measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46127/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

686. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applications waiting for a primary medical certificate by county; the current application processing time for a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46188/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Mattie McGrath

675. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing is available nationally; if proof of the presence of antibodies will be accepted as proof of immunity; the reason the proof of the presence of antibodies is not currently accepted as proof of immunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45251/21]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

413. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if the steering group reviewing the school transport scheme has examined the possibility of issuing school bus tickets earlier than present, in July for example, which would allow for concessionary tickets to be processed before the school term resumes in order that parents can make alternative travel arrangements if necessary. [43359/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

617. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients hospitalised following Covid-19 vaccination or hospitalised with suspected adverse reactions to a Covid-19 vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43366/21]

Hospital Equipment

Mattie McGrath

618. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if full body scans are available to all patients at Tipperary University Hospital; if MRI and CT scanners are available and in use 24/7 in the hospital; the number of MRI and CT scans provided to public patients at the hospital in each of the past three years; the number of scans provided to private patients for the same period at the hospital; if all scanning equipment based at the hospital is available to public patients; the arrangements including financial between a company (details supplied) and Tipperary University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43369/21]

House Sales

Mattie McGrath

197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the help-to-buy scheme, which is due to end in 2021, will be extended to help those trying to buy their own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42302/21]

Covid-19 Tests

Mattie McGrath

264. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when antigen testing will be rolled out as an option for access to indoor dining; the reason for delays in implementing antigen testing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42683/21]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

314. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans on reforming the existing tenant purchase scheme for local authorities as the conditions of the current scheme excludes large cohorts of council tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41847/21]

School Transport

Mattie McGrath

568. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education if capacity under the school transport scheme will return to 100% capacity in line with the return of general public transport in view of the fact this would have a significant impact on students waiting for tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42385/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

1182. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the way a person who was vaccinated abroad can receive a digital Covid pass (details supplied) which is readable in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42022/21]

Health Service Executive

Mattie McGrath

1183. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if it is current HSE hospital policy to carry out PCR tests on the deceased; the names of all hospitals that have carried out PCR tests on the deceased; the numbers of tests carried out on the deceased; the reason a PCR test would be carried out on a deceased citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42027/21]

Special Educational Needs

Mattie McGrath

1189. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for early intervention services by service in County Tipperary; the average waiting time; the efforts being made to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42051/21]

Hospital Admissions

Mattie McGrath

1190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending hospitals with strokes to date in 2021 and in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42058/21]

Hospital Admissions

Mattie McGrath

1191. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending hospitals with blood clots to date in 2021 and in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42059/21]

Hospital Admissions

Mattie McGrath

1192. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients attending hospitals requiring cardiac care to date in 2021 and in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42060/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1194. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total spending and the breakdown of spending on the Covid-19 response since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42073/21]

Healthcare Policy

Mattie McGrath

1195. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all of the increased bed and ICU capacity delivered since March 2020; the number of additional healthcare staff employed by the HSE since 2020; the efforts made to reduce pressure on bed capacity facing winter 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42074/21]

Home Help Service

Mattie McGrath

1408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home help that are waiting for additional hours or new applications, respectively by county; the length of time waiting; the number of home help shortages throughout the country; the number of new home help support workers recruited over the past two years; the immediate efforts being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

572. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports for businesses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40741/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mattie McGrath

573. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports for businesses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40742/21]

Local Authorities

Mattie McGrath

668. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the procedure which was put in place in 2014 whereby counties that required additional funding from the equalisation fund could apply to bring counties back to their previous funding levels before 2014 is still available; the procedure which Tipperary County Council can use to apply for this funding; the basis used to calculate previous funding levels; the amount applied in each year since the equalisation fund was set up; the amount granted in each year since 2014; if there has been a shortfall on the amount requested in each year since 2014; if so, the explanation for the shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40012/21]

Defence Forces

Mattie McGrath

884. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding Defence Forces vehicles that are considered no longer fit for purpose; if they can be sold at auction and funds raised allocated to the Defence Forces or if the vehicles can be donated to health organisations, charities and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39818/21]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

1158. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40743/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1725. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if HIQA has re-examined the emerging evidence regarding the efficacy of ivermectin as a prophylactic and treatment for Covid-19; if not, if he will instruct HIQA to re-examine the matter given the growing evidence of the success of ivermectin; if HIQA will outline the studies it has examined as a basis for its decision on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35121/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

1726. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the UAE from the MHQ or to exempt those Irish citizens who have received a vaccine (details supplied) from MHQ considering it is approved by the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35198/21]

Medicinal Products

Mattie McGrath

2581. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if ivermectin is permitted to be prescribed in Ireland; if a directive has been issued to general practitioners in relation to the use of ivermectin; if so, the details of the directive; the reason for such a directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

2582. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the study his Department has carried out into the long-term cost of lockdowns on the health of the nation; and the details of any cost-benefit analysis that has been carried out into the prolonged period of lockdown. [38280/21]

Health Service Executive

Mattie McGrath

2583. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when full services will be re-established following the HSE cyber-attack; when the HSE will be in a position to respond to Parliamentary Questions; when full data will be made available daily in relation to Covid-19 including the daily numbers tested, deaths, positivity rates and so on; the reason the cyber-attack prevents the HSE from answering questions on matters of policy decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

2586. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if it is a requirement for all pharmacists administering a vaccine (details supplied) to follow the standard operating procedures in relation to confirming consent which requires pharmacists to ensure that all vaccine recipients are made fully aware of benefits and risks of vaccine and side effects; if all pharmacists are following the procedure; if pharmacists have received necessary training; if they are in receipt of all relevant data and have been made fully aware of the full range of side effects and benefits of the vaccine as necessary to follow the procedure and ensure informed consent; the actions that can be taken in cases in which a pharmacist fails to follow the procedure in relation to confirming informed consent; the training pharmacists have received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38284/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

3179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of adverse reactions reported in Ireland following the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40583/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

3180. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of patients that have been hospitalised or who have had a suspected adverse reaction following vaccination; if hospitals and general practitioners are legally obliged to report all suspected adverse reactions to the HPRA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40584/21]

State Bodies

Mattie McGrath

358. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason for the appointment of a person (details supplied) to an advisory role with Safe Food Ireland; his views on whether the appointment demonstrates a conflict of interest and is contradictory to the national policy of trying to promote and improve the uptake of breastfeeding; the basis for their appointment; his further views on the influence that such a person can have on the board in terms of promoting the use of infant formula above breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32186/21]

Vaccination Programme

Mattie McGrath

360. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount paid to social media influencers to promote the Covid-19 vaccination programme; the list of influencers who have been used in a public relations campaign relating to Covid-19; the campaign details for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32188/21]

Care of the Elderly

Mattie McGrath

365. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when day care centres will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32290/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mattie McGrath

436. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of applications waiting for a primary medical certificate by county; the current application processing time for a primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32997/21]

Nursing Homes

Mattie McGrath

448. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the long-term support scheme which will be put in place to support the private nursing home sector in the medium and long term given that the temporary assistance payment scheme is due to cease on 30 June 2021; if he will consider extending the scheme until a permanent scheme which supports the sector continues to ensure measures implemented derived from Covid-19 bring lasting improvements within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33074/21]

Northern Ireland

Mattie McGrath

153. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the engagements that he has had with a person (details supplied) and the families of the Omagh bomb victims; the steps he has taken to commence a full cross-Border public enquiry into the Omagh bombing; and if he will engage with the victims’ families as the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy approaches in August. [38227/21]

Medicinal Products

Mattie McGrath

433. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the approval of the drug zolgensma; when the drug will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31567/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

36. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate an immediate public enquiry into the handling of Covid-19 by the Government and NPHET, including an immediate investigation into the nursing home deaths; if there will be an independent external audit of the advice from NPHET and its modelling by an external team of auditors who are not otherwise engaged by the State; the rationale for Ireland’s position as an outlier in Europe in the context of the level of restrictions on hospitality and antigen testing here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38064/21]

Foreign Policy

Mattie McGrath

378. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to his Nigerian counterparts concerning the ongoing campaign of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria that is continuing unabated with many observers describing it as genocide in view of the fact that over 1,400 Christians are estimated to have been murdered to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37462/21]

School Staff

Mattie McGrath

403. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education her plans to make sufficient resources available in the budgetary process to improve pay and conditions for school secretaries and caretakers and for their hard work to be recognised (details supplied). [37260/21]

Legislative Measures

Mattie McGrath

557. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in implementing all sections of the Judicial Council Act 2019; when she will sign commencement orders in relation to sections 3, 42, 50-51, 53-64, 67-84, 86 and 88 of the Act and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37453/21]

Disability Services

Mattie McGrath

194. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding will be made available to allow a facility (details supplied) to run a summer camp for children with special needs in Clonmel, County Tipperary in summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30610/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

387. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to persons travelling to Ireland who have been fully vaccinated with any of the WHO and EMA approved vaccines following the agreement by the European Union in relation to fully re-opening to vaccinated visitors from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28660/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

388. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to those travelling from Abu Dhabi who have received a vaccine (details supplied); if they will be exempted from MHQ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28661/21]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Mattie McGrath

467. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a measure will be introduced to provide equal treatment to patients (details supplied); and if medical cannabis products will be funded at source the same way as those under the CAP. [29173/21]

Property Registration

Mattie McGrath

101. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the location in which title deeds are stored by the Property Registration Authority; if any title deeds held by the Property Registration Authority are stored outside of the State; if a person can receive and hold their original deeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35122/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mattie McGrath

279. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a risk assessment has been carried out by South Tipperary General Hospital in relation to the ongoing restrictions on maternity units; if he has obtained a copy of the risk assessment; if such risk assessments can be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28196/21]