Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Childcare Services

Colm Burke

1111. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure that when a childcare setting indicates that it is going to close, it must first be signalled this within the Pobal Hive, by giving a minimum of three months' notice and six months if at all possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11816/24]

Childcare Services

Colm Burke

1112. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child care setting has confirmed with Pobal that it is to close, this will trigger a response from a Stakeholder Response Team (SRT); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11817/24]

Childcare Services

Colm Burke

1113. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to ensure that when child care settings are at risk of closures, the Stakeholder Response Team (SRT) will work with a range of local agencies and others to devise a sustainable plan for the setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/24]

Disability Services

Colm Burke

1154. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action his Department is taking to ensure a standardised rate of pay for the different types of home and community care providers, given that disability home support is not operated under an authorisation scheme, which indicates that providers of disability support are paid less than those who are providers of elderly home support, wherein these providers are not guaranteed the living wage or travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12459/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Colm Burke

1231. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health who represented Ireland at the COP10/MOP3 global anti-tobacco conferences; what agenda items were priority for the Irish delegation; what are the outcomes of the conferences that can translate into tobacco policy or legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11631/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Colm Burke

1232. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether progress has been made on summarising the responses to the public consultation on further regulation of tobacco and nicotine inhaling products, whether pre-legislative scrutiny will be the next step of the legislative process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11632/24]

Health Services Staff

Colm Burke

1245. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what steps have been taken to date to establish the grade of advanced practice physiotherapist, following his commitment to do so at a conference 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11700/24]

Health Services Staff

Colm Burke

1246. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant bodies to conduct a review of the management structure for physiotherapists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11701/24]

Hospital Staff

Colm Burke

1247. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will work with the relevant bodies to establish a defined career pathway for clinical physiotherapy tutors to include recognition of specialism and further to advance the establishment of clinical academic posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11702/24]

Hospital Staff

Colm Burke

1248. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant bodies to restore the placement allowance for clinical staff providing physiotherapy students with clinical placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11703/24]

Health Services

Colm Burke

1484. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will include the vaccine for chickenpox in the childhood immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12894/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Colm Burke

1522. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to open a care facility (details supplied) where all the necessary works have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13167/24]

Departmental Schemes

Colm Burke

1595. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is proposed to introduce a scheme that would help local authorities to put in place the necessary infrastructural changes in the older parts of cities and towns, for example, Blackpool in Cork, to fast track the rejuvenation of existing buildings and facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12887/24]

EU Meetings

Colm Burke

16. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his recent meeting of the foreign affairs ministers in Brussels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/24]

Passport Services

Colm Burke

51. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what action his Department is taking to improve processing times of paper based renewal and first-time passport applications, in view that the current processing time is eight weeks, and in particular the efforts being made to fast-track applications where queries have been raised as this can often lead to extended delays in processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10956/24]

Rail Network

Colm Burke

194. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to confirm when works will begin in respect of each of the new rail stations of Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Carrigtwohill West, Water-Rock, Ballynoe under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme; when each will be opened and operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11421/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Colm Burke

274. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the community ophthalmic services scheme standard eye examination contractors’ fee is now to be equal to the eye test fee payable to contractors under her Department’s optical benefit scheme; will the optical benefit scheme fee itself now be raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11301/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Colm Burke

299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an ACRES-CP payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11297/24]

Departmental Policies

Colm Burke

306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action his Department is taking to expand and improve respite care services for individuals and families receiving home and community care support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11309/24]

Disability Services

Colm Burke

316. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if his Department is actively coordinating with disability advocacy organisations and community groups to gather feedback from service users, and to ensure that there is a continuity of improvement in quality of disability home support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/24]

Disability Services

Colm Burke

317. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline in detail his Department’s strategy for promoting inclusivity and reducing stigma associated with disability home support services, aiming for a more supportive and understanding community and for these services to be utilised more by those who require these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11316/24]

Disability Services

Colm Burke

318. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to set out in tabular form the current waiting times for disability home support services across the different regions nationally, and what action his Department is taking to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11317/24]

Disability Services

Colm Burke

319. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm what measures are in place to ensure that individuals with disabilities and their families are actively involved in the planning and delivery of home support services to promote person-centered care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/24]

Home Care Packages

Colm Burke

337. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the current waiting times for elderly home support services across the different regions nationally, and what action his Department is taking to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11317/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the proposed start date for the implementation of the proposals in the National Clinical Programme for Ophthalmology, and in particular the transfer of care of children aged 8+ years to local private optometrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11299/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

364. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the commitment to increase the fees payable to contractors for a standard eye examination under the Community Ophthalmic Services Scheme will occur; to clarify if this fee will now be equal to the eye test fee payable to contractors under the Department of Social Protection's optical benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11300/24]

Health Services

Colm Burke

365. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm what steps are being taken to ensure that home and community care services are responsive to the evolving healthcare needs of the aging population and the high waiting lists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11302/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

366. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to clarify why the statutory scheme, which is essential for developing a homecare sector that is accessible, sustainable and accountable, has been delayed and the impact this delay has on society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11303/24]

Health Services

Colm Burke

367. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm what action his Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities and community organizations to strengthen the overall support system for individuals receiving home and community care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11304/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

368. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that the authorisation scheme 2023 is enough of an incentive to persuade more individuals to become homecare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11305/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

369. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that the authorisation scheme 2023 continues to provide the necessary support to homecare workers in view that the scheme is successful in the sense that it funds the homecare workers travel time, however it fails to fund the necessary milage that is completed by the homecare worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11306/24]

Community Care

Colm Burke

370. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide details on any ongoing efforts being made by his Department to incorporate technology and innovation into home and community care services to improve efficiency and effectiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11307/24]

Community Care

Colm Burke

371. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure a standardised rate of pay for the different types of home and community care providers, in view that disability home support is not operated under an authorisation scheme, which indicates that providers of disability support are paid less than those who are providers of elderly home support, wherein these providers are not guaranteed the living wage or travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11308/24]

Care Services

Colm Burke

372. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what initiatives are in place to enhance the coordination and integration of home and community care services with other healthcare providers to create a seamless patient experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11310/24]

Healthcare Policy

Colm Burke

373. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to recruit new home support providers, in view that the authorisation scheme has been proven to increase staff retention for home support providers but it has had no impact on the recruitment of new home support providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11311/24]

Health Services

Colm Burke

374. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to address recruitment and retention challenges within the home and community care workforce to ensure a consistent and qualified staff; and if due consideration would be given to increasing the wages of homecare supporters in order to increase the number of individuals in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11312/24]

Care Services

Colm Burke

375. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to outline in detail the steps being taken by his Department to prioritise and support informal caregivers who play a crucial role in home and community care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11313/24]

Care Services

Colm Burke

376. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm what impact if any the Independent Commission which is due to be formally established early this year will have on policy changes to the role of home and community care providers, in view that this Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11314/24]

Forestry Sector

Colm Burke

145. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what supports are available to an organisation (details supplied) to ensure that their project can continue to thrive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10973/24]

Rural Schemes

Colm Burke

58. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an update on the allocation of funding for Cork city and county through the Leader Programme for applications made in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10460/24]

Community Development Projects

Colm Burke

73. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to set out the total amount of money allocated to each project in the Cork area under community development programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10461/24]

Tax Reliefs

Colm Burke

215. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to providing tax relief to parents of children studying in third level education in the UK for both their fees and the cost of their rent in the form of accommodation relief, with appropriate limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10092/24]

State Properties

Colm Burke

244. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to set out in detail his Department's future proposals for the former Cork prison on the Rathmore Road, in particular the building and the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10681/24]

Housing Provision

Colm Burke

426. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration will be given to the development of social and affordable housing at the former Cork Prison on the Rathmore Road, given that this property has been vacant for eight years and the site could have the potential to deliver a substantial number of new homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10682/24]

Social Welfare Appeals

Colm Burke

441. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely to issue, given this has been pending for some time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10227/24]

Immigration Policy

Colm Burke

468. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice the action her Department is taking in conjunction with An Garda Síochána to reduce waiting times for an appointment for the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA/UK nationals residing in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9957/24]

Vaccination Programme

Colm Burke

639. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if the Department intends putting in place a vaccination programme for older adults to protect them from RSV; if same will be included in the National Immunisation Programme for the period September 2024 to March 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/24]

Departmental Schemes

Colm Burke

809. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that a town and village renewal scheme 2021 grant can be reopened for a group (details supplied) who were awarded funding under the TVRS of approximately €50,000 but some pre-planning response monies of approximately €12,000 from this was not requested in error, as the grant is now closed and they are unable to draw down the pre-planning response monies which is required by them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10156/24]

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]

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]