Parliamentary questions

Departmental Programmes

Aindrias Moynihan

813. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what plans are in place to ensure that the LEADER Programme is expanded to include targeted sectors in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10360/24]

Departmental Programmes

Aindrias Moynihan

814. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the approvals to date by the local action groups of funding for projects under the LEADER Programme by Cork County action groups; the amount of expenditure to date on projects by Cork County local action groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10361/24]

Departmental Funding

Cathal Crowe

815. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be a repeat of the Community Recognition Fund in 2024 to support communities who are welcoming people from Ukraine and other countries; if so, when she will be announcing the details of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10367/24]

Community Development Projects

Cathal Crowe

816. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when details of the 2024 Community Support Fund for enhancing facilities in disadvantaged communities will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10368/24]

Departmental Programmes

Michael Moynihan

817. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to each county under the 2023 CLÁR programme, including any allocations whose announcement has taken place in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10373/24]

Harbours and Piers

Catherine Connolly

818. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 30 January 2024, for an update on the work of the steering committee tasked with monitoring progress on the development of the piers on Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin; the date of the next meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10374/24]

Departmental Properties

Matt Carthy

819. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the ground rents payable by her Department or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10421/24]

Community Development Projects

Claire Kerrane

820. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is any funding available to support community centres purchasing sports equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10475/24]

Departmental Schemes

Colm Burke

821. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm how much Cork city and county will be allocated under the 2023 town and village renewal scheme; when the full set of allocations will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10476/24]

EU Funding

Paul Donnelly

822. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a report on EU funding made available to her department which has not yet been allocated; and the purpose for which this funding has been made available by the EU. [10403/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

823. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department continues to address such issues as local connectivity in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10805/24]

Departmental Projects

Bernard Durkan

824. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for various voluntary and community groups and projects throughout the country and County Kildare in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10806/24]

Library Services

Bernard Durkan

825. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent of library support provisions she expects to be in a position to make throughout the country in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10807/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

826. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department can assist the rural communities dealing with transport in areas not served by public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10808/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

827. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to address the socioeconomic needs of rural Ireland throughout the country during the rest of 2024, including such issues as isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10809/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

828. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have received applications under the various rural development schemes on a county by county basis throughout the country in the past two years and to date in 2024; the extent of the approvals in the past; her expectations of the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10810/24]

Rural Schemes

Bernard Durkan

829. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department have and continue to address issues of rural isolation and need for services to counter this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10811/24]

Departmental Projects

Bernard Durkan

830. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the various headings under which applications for grant-aid under the various schemes operated by her Department can be made; the opening and closing dates in respect of each for the remainder of 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10812/24]

Departmental Projects

Bernard Durkan

831. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects to be in a position to support applications from County Kildare for assistance under the various schemes operated by her Department in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10813/24]

Regional Development

Bernard Durkan

832. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the ongoing work by her Department to support remote working initiatives; her views on the benefits of remote working for balanced regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10814/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Cullinane

1. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on his plans for tackling the length of waiting lists for access to children's health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9678/24]

Health Services Staff

David Cullinane

2. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health to report on the status of the Health Service Executive recruitment freeze; the cap on net additional approved posts for 2024; his plans if the Health Service Executive cannot remain within this cap; if he will seek additional posts for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9679/24]

Ambulance Service

Mattie McGrath

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a local recruitment campaign is carried out in south Tipperary for the National Ambulance Service; if the NAS will commit to providing a recruitment officer to visit schools and attend job recruitment seminars locally and develop local advertising to improve recruitment prospects in south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/24]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

4. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health when the model 3 hospital pilot sites study will commence; how long it will last; how will the results of the study will be assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/24]

Care of the Elderly

Richard Bruton

5. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether his Department is evolving strategies to divert the flow of older patients from accident and emergency departments into more suitable pathways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9730/24]

Mental Health Services

Thomas Pringle

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to improve the recruitment for all grades involved in CAMHS in order that fully resourced teams can be in place across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9414/24]

Medicinal Products

Aindrias Moynihan

8. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the new drug, Veoza, can be made available on the drugs payment scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9695/24]

Mental Health Services

Darren O'Rourke

9. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists employed by CAMHS in the Meath area; the number of psychologists working in CAMHS in the Meath area; the size of the waiting list for access to CAMHS services in the Meath area; the average time waiting to secure an appointment with a psychologist in the Meath area; the average waiting time to access CAMHS services in the Meath area in 2020 to 2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9553/24]

Health Services

Violet-Anne Wynne

10. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will grant funding for a satellite haemodialysis unit at Ennis hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9592/24]

Nursing Homes

Rose Conway-Walsh

11. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health what assistance can be given to a person who is living in full-time care in a nursing home, registered disabled, non-verbal, and has no family assistance and requires transport for various treatment at different hospitals; who is responsible for transport costs to and from medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9701/24]

Health Strategies

Richard Bruton

12. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether his Department has mapped out a pathway for the role technology can play in keeping patients healthy and in the planned statutory homecare scheme; and the status of the roll-out of the planned actions. [9731/24]

Mental Health Services

Gino Kenny

13. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to increase the number of operational inpatient CAMHS beds from 52 currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9505/24]

Departmental Policies

Robert Troy

14. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the measures he and his Department are taking to ensure greater utilisation of technology for the provision of health care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/24]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

15. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the measures being implemented to increase the number of GPs practising in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

David Cullinane

16. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the use in certain retail outlets of text only, large, colourful and attention-grabbing posters which are used to highlight a select number of tobacco products for sale; if he has examined whether such posters are contrary to regulations and standards; if he has sought an update on enforcement where this is the case; if he will address through regulation this issue which allows for the use of these attention-grabbing price lists for tobacco products in retail stores; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/24]

General Practitioner Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the shortage of GPs in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9369/24]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

18. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if health service workers returning from career breaks will be able to return to work as agreed and not be impacted by the current HSE recruitment freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/24]

Nursing Homes

John Lahart

19. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health to clarify the ownership of a nursing home (details supplied); if it remains in the ownership of the State in the form of the HSE; if there are plans to dispose of it; if local people can continue to enjoy historical rights-of-way over parts of the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9377/24]

General Practitioner Services

Brendan Smith

20. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures being implemented to recruit and retain more GPs in rural practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9716/24]

Ambulance Service

Claire Kerrane

21. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the advanced paramedic roster put in place in County Roscommon after the closure of the accident and emergency unit is restored in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9148/24]

Emergency Departments

David Cullinane

22. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will report on reviews into serious patient safety incidents at University Hospital Limerick's emergency department; the number of such incidents; his plans to deliver safe capacity at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9682/24]

EU Directives

David Stanton

23. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if his Department has conducted a consultation with stakeholders on the policy topic incentives of the EU's General Pharmaceutical legislation; the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9719/24]

Hospital Services

Thomas Pringle

24. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reason the neurology/epilepsy nursing phone support service at CHI Crumlin has been curtailed to one hour a day, three days a week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7778/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

25. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health for an update on Macroom day care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9696/24]

Medicinal Products

Pádraig O'Sullivan

26. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will supply data for the ten fastest and ten slowest approvals of orphan drugs by the HSE, by year, for the period 2014 to 2023, stating the date on which the applications for said drugs were received by the HSE and the date on which a reimbursement decision was subsequently made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9461/24]

Health Services

Cathal Crowe

27. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department will take to help tackle issues at University Hospital Limerick and the knock-on effect on public health in the midwest region. [9347/24]

Hospital Staff

Brendan Griffin

28. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the current breakdown of all staffing types at West Kerry Community Hospital; what net recruitment progress has been made in each category each year since 2019; the current bed compliment; the breakdown of bed types; how many people are currently waiting for a bed in the hospital; what recruitment efforts are being made for each category of staff, including healthcare assistants and nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9581/24]

General Practitioner Services

Thomas Gould

29. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of a reduction in service in SouthDoc, Blackpool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9637/24]

Ambulance Service

Claire Kerrane

30. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the reason the National Ambulance Service is no longer training advanced paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9147/24]

National Children's Hospital

Brian Stanley

31. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the expected final cost of the National Children's Hospital; and whether it will meet the deadline for completion. [8119/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the work his Department is conducting to tackle, mitigate and adapt to the impact of climate change on the health sector; to report on any delayed actions that his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; what proportion are complete and what proportion are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9554/24]

Hospital Overcrowding

Gino Kenny

33. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a recent ESRI report that found there is an immediate 1,000 bed deficit across public hospitals and an additional 330 beds are required each year for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9503/24]

Hospital Facilities

Mark Ward

34. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update the movement of elderly residents out of the willow and sycamore units in Cherry Orchard Hospital; if he will provide a progress report on works carried out at the units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9582/24]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Gino Kenny

35. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health following the steps his Department will take on the recommendations of the Health Research Board's clinical review of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9507/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Ruairí Ó Murchú

36. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposed changes to the funding model for post-mastectomy products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9368/24]

Medicinal Products

David Stanton

37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the State's position with respect to the EU revision of pharmaceutical legislation ahead of EU Parliamentary Committee votes expected in March 2024; if he supports proposals to reduce regulatory data protection for manufacturers; the impact that such a reduction will have on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9568/24]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Gino Kenny

38. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years who are on NTPF treatment waiting lists; and the number of these who are waiting for over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9504/24]

Emergency Departments

Willie O'Dea

39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of reductions of attendances in emergency departments in each public and voluntary hospital in 2023 relative to 2022 following on from his positive statement of a 20% reduction in ED attendances overall in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/24]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

40. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an action plan to address CAHMS waiting lists in CHO9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Rose Conway-Walsh

41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the planned developments at Belmullet and Ballina District Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9700/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Marian Harkin

42. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the establishment of a dedicated intestinal failure unit in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/24]

Home Help Service

Alan Dillon

43. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health what measures are in place to increase the number of home care providers and home help professionals in community healthcare networks versus the level of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9723/24]

Ambulance Service

Thomas Pringle

44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for the role out of the community paramedics position within the Ambulance Service; the impact they can make on casualty admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pauline Tully

45. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the reason for lengthy waiting times for MRI scans at Temple Street Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9715/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Colm Burke

46. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made in the delivery of the new surgical hub for Cork University Hospital; the up-to-date position with regard to the new elective hospital in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/24]

Medicinal Products

James O'Connor

47. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the Government's position in respect of the European Union's revision of pharmaceutical legislation, given that EU Parliamentary Committee votes are expected in March 2024; if he supports proposals to reduce regulatory data protection for manufacturers; the impact that such a reduction will have on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/24]

Vaccination Programme

John Lahart

48. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if RSV vaccines will be available to sections of the population this winter; if so, how such a vaccination programme will be rolled out; how the vaccines will be procured in light of the State's experience of the pandemic vaccine procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9376/24]

General Practitioner Services

Pauline Tully

49. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health for an update on the issue of the GP service in Swanlinbar, County Cavan; if the HSE has agreed to meet with the residents to discuss potential solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9714/24]

Health Service Executive

Brian Stanley

50. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the total spend on agency staff in the HSE in 2022 and 2023 in CHO8. [8118/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1805 of 17 January 2024, if his Department has concluded its review of the SAR/PBC for the new emergency department, women and children's block at University Hospital Galway; the expected timeline for it to proceed to pre-tender stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/24]

Hospital Overcrowding

Maurice Quinlivan

52. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health about the record number of patients being treated on hospital trolleys at University Hospital Limerick, and the immediate, medium- and long-term steps being taken to address this crisis. [7905/24]

Hospital Procedures

Brendan Griffin

53. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to non-elective surgeries in University Hospital Kerry; when such surgeries ceased; when they will re-commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9580/24]

Care of the Elderly

Fergus O'Dowd

54. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progression and timeline for the appointment of the members of the commission on care for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9516/24]

Mental Health Services

David Cullinane

55. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health for an update on the 49 recommendations made by the Mental Health Commission in their report on CAMHS, and how many of these recommendations have been addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9684/24]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he can provide assurances that vital services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy service, and current bed numbers, will remain at Saint Joseph's Community Hospital in Donegal in the long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9710/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Bernard Durkan

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress throughout the hospital building programme including, Naas Hospital and all others throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9590/24]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

58. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide an action plan for the increasing of staffing and resources for community disability network teams in order to tackle waiting lists and provide services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9479/24]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures he and his Department have in place to address the severe shortage of GPs in the south Kildare area, to address the fact that there is an almost two week wait to obtain a GP appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9740/24]

Medicinal Products

Colm Burke

60. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the Government's position in respect of the European Union's revision of pharmaceutical legislation given that EU Parliamentary Committee votes are expected in March 2024; if he supports proposals to reduce regulatory data protection for manufacturers; to outline the impact that such a reduction will have on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9698/24]

Primary Care Centres

Alan Dillon

61. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health for an update on the re-commencement of construction at Ballyhaunis Primary Care Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9724/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Willie O'Dea

62. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health when a health facility (details supplied) will be fully operational and construction works complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9666/24]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Fergus O'Dowd

63. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when he expects an inquiry into the national Covid response to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9515/24]

General Practitioner Services

Thomas Pringle

64. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to increase the number of GPs available in the country; if all options are being taken to recruit from abroad to fill the gap in service; how the increase in population has increased the demand for services as well; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9413/24]

Ambulance Service

Robert Troy

65. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will look at finding a new location for an ambulance base for Athlone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9661/24]

Dental Services

Duncan Smith

66. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to outline any provisions that ensure that people have dentists in their locality that accept medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9480/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

James O'Connor

67. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the latest details of a capital project (detail supplied) from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9657/24]

Hospital Procedures

David Cullinane

68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the State and on the island who are sufficiently qualified and skilled to undertake kyphectomies; if he has examined treatment abroad options for children requiring kyphectomies; his plans to address service deficits in this area; if he has sought for the Health Service Executive or Children's Health Ireland to undertake an international search to recruit an additional consultant capable of delivering such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/24]

Medicinal Products

Pádraig O'Sullivan

69. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the level of expenditure by the HSE on orphan medicines in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9460/24]

Hospital Facilities

Gino Kenny

70. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on seeking alterative accommodation on the campus of Cherry Orchard Hospital for the remaining patients who are presently residing at the willow/sycamore units on the COH campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9506/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

71. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the health authorities continue to and have identified any or all weaknesses in the delivery of all health services throughout the country in terms of the availability of GPs, adequate hospital consultants, research facilities, and the establishment of a good practice code at all accident and emergency departments throughout the country; the extent to which any shortcomings have been identified and a resolution proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9589/24]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Thomas Gould

72. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the current stage of the elective hospital in Cork. [9636/24]

General Practitioner Services

David Cullinane

73. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase access to rural GP and local health care services; to report on his engagements with his Department and Health Service Executive officials and an organisation (details supplied) regarding the development of a directly employed GP contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9680/24]

Mental Health Services

Mark Ward

74. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health for an update on the 49 recommendations made by the Mental Health Commission in its report on CAMHS; how many of these recommendations have been addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/24]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

75. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on filling the position of a dietician at Swords Health Centre that is currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/24]

Dental Services

Catherine Connolly

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 31 January 2024, for an update on his engagement with persons with intellectual disability and their representative groups, with regard to the availability of dental services for persons with disabilities who are medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/24]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

77. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what engagement he has had with Tulsa as it struggles to respond to increased demand for its services, given that this increased demand, together with the complex needs of the children and young people presenting, have swamped the agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9495/24]

Rights of People with Disabilities

Gino Kenny

78. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, UNCRPD, will be ratified within the term of the Government; if so, when it will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9742/24]

Emergency Accommodation

John Brady

79. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of what audits are being carried out in areas where his Department has taken the decision to place refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9685/24]

Children in Care

Peadar Tóibín

80. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of companies contracted by Tusla to provide special emergency accommodation for children in care; and the amount paid to each company in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [8789/24]

Disability Services

Marian Harkin

81. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to progress residential care accommodation in south Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9890/24]