Parliamentary questions

State Examinations

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

68. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the abolition of the assessment a child has to do in order to get a scribe for examinations; if she agrees that this decision should be left to the principal or vice-principal of the relevant school as they will know the child's needs better than anyone. [8132/24]

Special Educational Needs

Claire Kerrane

69. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on special education teachers, SETs, following changes to the SET hours allocation model; if consideration has been given to the impact these changes may have for children who access SET supports; if she will review the decision, given the concerns raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8140/24]

Special Educational Needs

Seán Crowe

70. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) suffering from severe dyslexia was denied a place in a special reading school despite being in the second percentile for reading; if she agrees that this will have a severe impact on the child’s access to education; what measures are being implemented to expand the capacity of the special reading schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8150/24]

Education Schemes

Louise O'Reilly

71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if she will address delays in the home tuition grant which are causing dire financial difficulties for a school (details supplied). [8161/24]

Special Educational Needs

Seán Haughey

72. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if assistance, including funding, can be provided to a special school (details supplied) so it can create additional classes for students with special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8184/24]

School Accommodation

John McGuinness

73. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if she will provide accommodation at a school (details supplied) for use as a special class for autistic students with complex and severe educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8186/24]

Site Acquisitions

Emer Higgins

74. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Education if the Department site at St. Finian’s National School, Newcastle, County Dublin, is big enough to accommodate a post primary school or school campus that offers post primary education. [8226/24]

Schools Building Projects

Duncan Smith

75. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the timeline of the delivery of a new special school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8258/24]

Special Educational Needs

Niamh Smyth

76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education why a person (details supplied) cannot get assistive technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8259/24]

School Accommodation

Seán Sherlock

77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 392 of 13 February 2024, if the school has been told that the information is with the Department’s technical team and the Department would follow up and revert to the school, and if she will investigate the matter. [8269/24]

Special Educational Needs

Michael Ring

78. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education to acknowledge that a rural school in County Mayo (details supplied) is being unfairly impacted by the methodology change in allocating special needs teaching hours in view of the needs of the children in this school; ask that the Minister will intervene to ensure that the children with additional needs in this school are not left without their fair share of special needs teaching hours allocation and that their hours are not reduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8282/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

79. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in Galway city and county for the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8283/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

80. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in primary schools in Galway city and county for the current academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8284/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in secondary schools in Galway city and county for the 2024-25 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8285/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

82. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the availability, location and number of places in ASD units in secondary schools in Galway city and county for the current academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8286/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

83. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the reason for the removal of complex needs from the criteria for the allocation of special education teaching hours; the details of any consultation undertaken by her Department with teacher and parent representative groups with regard to the decision to remove complex needs from the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8287/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the details of her engagement with a group (details supplied) with regard to its proposal for a new mechanism to allow schools to inform the Department and NCSE of the level of special educational needs in their schools on a yearly basis to allow for more accurate SET and SNA allocations by the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8288/24]

Special Educational Needs

Catherine Connolly

85. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of schools, nationwide and in Galway city and county, that will lose special education teaching resources under the new education model for special needs resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8289/24]

Special Educational Needs

Cathal Crowe

86. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the decision not to grant assistive technology to a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8290/24]

School Admissions

Bernard Durkan

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a school place could be urgently offered (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8298/24]

School Staff

Mark Ward

88. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education what plans are in place to ensure school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar deal as school secretaries; when an update will be provided on this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8327/24]

Special Educational Needs

Cian O'Callaghan

89. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will examine a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8328/24]

Schools Building Projects

Mark Ward

90. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education for an update on the review of the second tender report for a school (details supplied); when the school can expect to be contacted on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8342/24]

School Enrolments

Patricia Ryan

91. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will look into enrolment challenges currently being experienced by a school (details supplied) where, even though it has the physical space for the children applying to enrol, departmental regulations mean it cannot employ the necessary extra teacher required until 2025, which means it is having to turn away children who have already completed the 2 ECCE preschool years, with some children going to almost six years of age starting primary school. [8394/24]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

92. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify if there are any plans for the possible construction of a secondary school in the area around Prosperous-Clane-Derrinturn and south Kildare; and, if so, if her Department has identified any possible site and what stage the process is now at. [8397/24]

Sports Funding

Brendan Griffin

93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8133/24]

Sports Funding

Brendan Griffin

94. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for assistance with a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8159/24]

Commemorative Medals

Michael Lowry

95. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to correspondence sent to her office from a person (details supplied) concerning the prestigious Polar Medal which was awarded to an Irish born Antarctic explorer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8253/24]

Broadcasting Sector

Ged Nash

96. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on correspondence she has received (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8300/24]

Departmental Functions

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the details of his Department’s role in the national agricultural inspection programme; the details of any engagement between his Department, local authorities and the County and City Management Association in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; the details of any engagement between his Department and the EPA in 2022, 2023 and 2024 with regard to this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8134/24]

Septic Tanks

Mattie McGrath

98. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tanks inspected, by county, since the inspection scheme was introduced in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8149/24]

Local Authorities

Mairéad Farrell

99. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the revenue raised by each local authority from local property tax for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/24]

Local Authorities

Mairéad Farrell

100. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 280 of 1 February 2024, when he expects the data for 2023 related to local authorities' income from commercial rates and income from the provision of goods and services to be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/24]

Waterways Issues

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied); if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8264/24]

Waterways Issues

Bernard Durkan

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/24]

Waterways Issues

Bernard Durkan

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of a person (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/24]

Waterways Issues

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact against the interest of persons (details supplied) given that the person concerned has been a resident of Royal Canal, Confey, for a number of years; if direct negotiations can be entered into with a view to addressing the housing and mooring concerns which should be possible to resolve in an amicable fashion without unnecessary financial impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8281/24]

Waterways Issues

Bernard Durkan

105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current position in regard to the introduction of by-laws or regulations that impact on a person (details supplied).; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8296/24]

Regional Assemblies

Fergus O'Dowd

106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will reconsider his local government ministerial nomination to the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly in view of recent matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8388/24]

Social Welfare Code

Frankie Feighan

107. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she would consider reviewing the means test for non-contributory and part-contributory pensioners who may rent their home and live with relations or friends, within the framework of the next budget, to incentivise older people who have options around moving in with relatives and may have sizeable homes to consider the rental market without a serious implication for their income. [8148/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Louise O'Reilly

108. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if any changes to provide children's benefit payments to 18-year-olds in full-time education will be backdated for the school year in which the change is introduced. [8162/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Lowry

109. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection when the ruling concerning the free fuel allowance, which states that a household payment can only be paid when the residence is on an approved site (publicly or privately owned) with planning permission for the caravan or mobile home, was introduced and if this ruling will be reviewed in cases where someone lives in a residence without planning permission, such as when an additional mobile home or caravan is placed, as these ‘additional’ places of residence are not currently legally distinct households, impacting a person’s eligibility for fuel allowance in view of the current housing crisis and lack of availability of houses to rent, and many families find themselves with no option but to move a mobile home or caravan onto their parents’ site or land in an effort to avoid homelessness; if an exception can be made from this ruling to enable many struggling families to qualify for free fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8266/24]

Social Welfare Code

Chris Andrews

110. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider increasing the hours a person in receipt of the full rate of carer’s allowance is permitted to work from 18.5 hours to 20 hours a week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8333/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Creed

111. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details provided) who has been denied a benefit payment recently has sufficient contributions to be eligible for a contributory pension when they reach 66 years in January of next year; if she will review the decision to refuse the benefit payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8343/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Paul McAuliffe

112. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a carer's allowance application for a person (details supplied). [8351/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Michael Creed

113. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a decision on a carer's allowance application (details supplied). [8390/24]

International Protection

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice when the decision on an international protection application will be made for a person (details supplied); the reason international protection is not being expedited for Palestinians; and what psychological and social supports are available to this person and other Gazans. [8170/24]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Bruton

115. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if there is legislative provision in place to require management companies to take reasonable steps to provide EV charging networks for occupiers. [8233/24]

Citizenship Applications

Mattie McGrath

116. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice when a decision will be made on an application for Irish citizenship (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8239/24]

An Garda Síochána

Jim O'Callaghan

117. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of front-line gardaí trained to drive in emergency situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8174/24]

Judicial Appointments

Richard Boyd Barrett

118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice how a person (details supplied) was appointed as a State solicitor and then as a judge when there were serious complaints to two separate school boards of management; the vetting system for State solicitors and judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8180/24]

Immigration Status

Aindrias Moynihan

119. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware of the significant delays impacting working applicants on securing GNIB renewal appointments in Cork county and city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8317/24]

Departmental Data

Patricia Ryan

120. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of arrests effected in the vicinity of the Curragh Camp and firing range, specifically arising from road closures associated with the Curragh Camp and firing range, for January to December 2024 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8398/24]

Forestry Sector

Michael Ring

121. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a licence is required to import goods into Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8135/24]

Agriculture Supports

Brendan Smith

122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes available to compensate farmers who have suffered substantial losses due to ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8125/24]

Hen Harriers

Paul Murphy

123. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a campaign (details supplied) in light of stark hen harrier decline; if he will give a Government commitment to the protection of this bird of prey before it is too late; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/24]

Live Exports

Paul Murphy

124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of two complaints (details supplied) submitted to his office; if he will ensure that his Department processes these complaints as a matter of urgency, taking the necessary actions for animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8187/24]

Animal Welfare

Alan Farrell

125. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s position on banning the use of shock collars for dog training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8211/24]

Animal Welfare

Alan Farrell

126. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is considering the introduction of qualifications and associated regulations with regard to dog trainers operating in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8212/24]

Animal Welfare

Alan Farrell

127. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s position with regard to the development of a national microchipping database for dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/24]

Animal Welfare

Alan Farrell

128. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s position with regard to the development of a centralised database for the use of dog wardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8215/24]

Fisheries Protection

Catherine Connolly

129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 14 December 2023, the status of plans for the introduction of measures to protect the sprat fishery, which is concentrated within the six-nautical-mile zone; the total amount of sprat caught in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8217/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Danny Healy-Rae

130. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on a payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8352/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for adults will be provided in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8188/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

132. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for children will be provided in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8189/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

133. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for adults will be provided in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/24]

Disability Services

Brendan Smith

134. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a respite centre for children will be provided in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/24]

Library Services

Carol Nolan

135. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the lift in the recently opened library in Portlaoise is not suitable for most wheelchair users; if he is also aware that the chief executive officer of Laois County Council has effectively stated that no further consideration is to be given to this serious oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/24]

International Protection

Peter Burke

136. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on a case (details supplied). [8268/24]

International Protection

Ged Nash

137. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8362/24]

International Protection

Ged Nash

138. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will explore in full a proposal to do a technical study of the D Hotel in Drogheda to establish if the facility can be operated as a dual function hotel accommodating both tourists and international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8365/24]

General Practitioner Services

Barry Cowen

139. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on when the registrations office in the health centre in Tullamore will reopen. [8117/24]

Hospital Staff

Marc MacSharry

140. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update with regard to the staffing of the new community hospital in Ballyshannon; if he is aware that the delay in the opening of this state-of-the-art facility is serving to put undue pressure on medical professionals and facilities in other hospitals in the north-west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8121/24]

Mental Health Services

Richard Bruton

141. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the submission from an organisation (details supplied); if he plans to publish a roadmap for service improvement, as has been done for disability services; and if he has considered the proposal for the regulation of CAMHS under the Mental Health Act 2001. [8122/24]

Healthcare Policy

Richard Bruton

142. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if a scoliosis unit, or task force in relation to same, has been set up within the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8123/24]

Medical Internships

Paul Kehoe

143. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health for an update and details on medical internships and English language courses for Ukrainian doctors; the number of doctors who have been able to access this training already and future capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8126/24]

Medical Internships

Paul Kehoe

144. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if Ukrainian doctors are able to access the non-EU GP training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8127/24]

Dental Services

Paul Kehoe

145. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the number of Ukrainian dentists who have been able to secure dental-related positions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8128/24]

Medical Internships

Paul Kehoe

146. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the difference between the medical system in Ireland versus Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Italy, Slovakia and Poland where Ukrainian doctors have been able to register and work, secure internships, access English training or take up other medical positions as they train, but only a small number have been able to do so in Ireland where we are told there is a lack of State funded special language courses for doctors and a complicated medical qualification confirmation procedures in comparison with some other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8131/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

147. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [8138/24]

Health Promotion

Louise O'Reilly

148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will commission a report on the commercial determinants of health; if, like the CMO in Wales, his Department will examine the strategies and approaches used to promote products and choices that can have a positive and a negative influence on our health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8164/24]

Health Promotion

Louise O'Reilly

149. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times officials from his Department, in health and well-being and the food unit, have met with Coimisiún na Meán; if he can outline the dates of and delegates attending each meeting, as well as the topics of discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8165/24]

Food Industry

Louise O'Reilly

150. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if, and which, industry trade bodies have signed up to the Roadmap for Food Product Reformulation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/24]

Obesity Levels

Louise O'Reilly

151. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health what work is under way in his Department on the successor to the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; if he can outline what reviews and evidence gathering is under way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/24]

Obesity Levels

Louise O'Reilly

152. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health what suite of policy options on nutrition for Ireland were identified by the WHO to inform the midterm review of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8168/24]

Disease Management

Louise O'Reilly

153. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department is involved in JA PreventNCD, an EU initiative bringing together 25 participating nations to tackle non-communicable diseases; if so, which unit is responsible for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8169/24]

Nursing Education

Peter Burke

154. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the reason a student nurse (details supplied) is not entitled to the accommodation allowance to facilitate their work placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8172/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pa Daly

155. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for a surgical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8173/24]

Primary Care Centres

Rose Conway-Walsh

156. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Ballyhaunis primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8177/24]

Vaccination Programme

Catherine Connolly

157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1797 of 18 April 2023, the progress of the vaccine injury compensation scheme for the Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8182/24]

Hospital Procedures

Colm Burke

158. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will invest in appropriate communication technologies to ensure that hospital e-discharges are delivered using Healthmail to support a standardised national approach to electronic discharges, such a change would dramatically improve patient care and improve efficiency both within hospitals and community settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/24]

General Practitioner Services

Colm Burke

159. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant bodies to provide funding and support to assist younger GPs to establish practices by providing purpose-built GP premises, thereby avoiding substantial capital expenditure on 'bricks and mortar' (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/24]

General Practitioner Services

Colm Burke

160. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will commission research to determine innovative ways to attract GPs into general practice to replace those GPs rapidly approaching retirement (details supplied), including the use of video consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/24]

General Practitioner Services

Colm Burke

161. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will work with the relevant educational and professional bodies for the purposes of increasing the number of general practice nurses from the current figure of approximately 2,000 to 4,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8199/24]

Substance Misuse

Neasa Hourigan

162. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to conduct drug harm-reduction campaigns aimed at people attending Irish music festivals this summer; his plans to roll out the use of ‘back of house’ drug checking through the use of surrender bins, which was piloted last summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8207/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who is having issues with hearing aids can get an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8229/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

164. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a date will be given to a person (details supplied) for an eye operation given that the person has been waiting an inordinate length of time to be called to either WUH or Whitfield, and if the matter can be expedited. [8230/24]

Vaccination Programme

John McGuinness

165. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if free HPV vaccine is available for first-year students only; if funding for this measure ended in December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the issues raised in the Alliance of Age Sector NGOs report: Taking Stock (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8238/24]

Dental Services

Catherine Connolly

167. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 149 of 31 January 2024, for a breakdown of the number of dentists who left the dental treatment services scheme, by year of leaving the scheme and by geographical area in Galway, where they had been providing dental care to medical card patients in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8254/24]