Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Transport

Réada Cronin

122. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education when she will publish her Department’s review with the Department of Transport of the school-bus allocation system, given that parents are now trying to decide which schools their children should apply for to be based on the school-bus service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4821/23]

School Transport

Réada Cronin

123. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will publish interim reports on the review of the school-bus allocation system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4822/23]

Education Policy

Réada Cronin

124. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education her Department’s plans to address the current shortage of places in secondary schools in north Kildare and to build the capacity of same in the longer-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4823/23]

Tax Code

Réada Cronin

254. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will examine the situation whereby a young worker, already struggling with exorbitant rent, the high cost of fuel, and a cost-of-living crisis generally, is now struggling even more, given the increases to benefit-on-kind on their company car, which they regard as essential to the fulfilment of their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4070/23]

Schools Building Projects

Réada Cronin

253. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3792/23]

Driver Test

Réada Cronin

72. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests cancelled in north Kildare due to the usual testing roads not being gritted during the recent cold snap; if such gritting will be undertaken as a normal activity in the future in the event of ice forecast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/23]

Health Services Staff

Réada Cronin

376. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will sanction the provision of a neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 7 for persons affected by neurological injury or disease, given only two of the nine teams promised have been delivered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2654/23]

Energy Prices

Réada Cronin

73. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the daily standing charge on electricity bills from Electric Ireland has increased to 0.9563 cent per day, which is reported to be treble the recent cost, meaning there is a charge of €56.42 before one unit of electricity is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63431/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

709. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the reason the criteria for home tuition in north Kildare in some cases appear to have changed and now require a psychologist’s report (details supplied); if her Department will take steps to address this unexpected demand and the practical difficulties that have been caused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63690/22]

Teacher Training

Réada Cronin

712. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if Australian teaching qualifications held by Irish emigrant citizens are recognised by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63704/22]

Health Services Staff

Réada Cronin

1228. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to recruit more neurologists given the unacceptable and potentially dangerous length of time that patients are forced to spend on waiting lists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63487/22]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Réada Cronin

1229. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if the attention of his Department has been drawn to reports that neurologists in private practice have closed their lists to new patients such is the extent of the backlog; his plans to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63488/22]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Réada Cronin

1230. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health Ireland’s position in the EU in terms of waiting list length and the numbers waiting for a specialist consultation as a proportion of the population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63489/22]

Medical Qualifications

Réada Cronin

1265. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the steps that his Department will take to address the fact that applications to CORU for registration by key healthcare workers are taking three years to process (details supplied); the reason that CORU will not provide updates on the status of such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63612/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1303. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason that the current neurofibromatosis clinic has been left understaffed and underfunded, that it is now closed to new patients, and with an inability to access treatment of serious import to children, their health and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63681/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1304. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there will be a designated neurofibromatosis clinic at the new children’s hospital; if he will ensure that this designated neurofibromatosis clinic will have the full complement of specialisms to include consultant dermatology, neuropsychiatry, psychology and associated teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63682/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1305. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the date on which access to the current neurofibromatosis clinic will be restored for all children in Ireland living with neurofibromatosis and therefore requiring its care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63683/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1306. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason that the condition of neurofibromatosis and medical centres to treat children with the condition do not receive the State’s attention and funding of other neurological conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63684/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1307. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will supply a date by which the lack of appropriate staff and diagnostic equipment at the neurofibromatosis clinic at CHI Tallaght will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63685/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1308. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason that the current neurofibromatosis clinic is without a resident specialist dermatologist, neuro-psychiatrist and psychologist given that these specialisms are deemed integral to the need and treatment of children with the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63686/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1309. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will allow the current neurofibromatosis clinic to accept an OCT machine privately-funded and fundraised by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63687/22]

Health Services

Réada Cronin

1310. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the reason that there is no current pathway from paediatric to adult care for persons aged 16 years and above with neurofibromatosis; the date on which such a pathway will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63688/22]

Emergency Accommodation

Réada Cronin

443. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the channels of consultation and communication with community groups regarding development of the Equestrian Centre, Kill, County Kildare; if his Department is communicating with the community on these plans within a timeframe and or on a basis agreed at meetings with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61867/22]

Emergency Accommodation

Réada Cronin

444. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department will have comprehensive and clear information regarding the proposed development at the Kill Equestrian Centre, County Kildare; when it intends to publish such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61868/22]

Children in Care

Réada Cronin

450. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the concrete plans that his Department has to pay additional allowances to foster carers who provide aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62000/22]

Children in Care

Réada Cronin

451. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department can confirm that there will be a comprehensive package for foster carers in the next Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62001/22]

Children in Care

Réada Cronin

452. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how advanced is his Department's work on the issue of pensions for foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62002/22]

Children in Care

Réada Cronin

453. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the back-to-school allowance will be paid to foster carers at the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62003/22]

Children in Care

Réada Cronin

454. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the matter of mileage rates vis-a-vis foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62004/22]

Third Level Fees

Réada Cronin

474. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will examine the situation of students in circumstances (details supplied) and admit them to the relief scheme of €1,000. [61969/22]

Third Level Fees

Réada Cronin

285. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will examine the issue of the reduction of third-level fees for a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61439/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

298. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will establish a multi-agency, specialist working group to examine and propose a process for assessing school placement breakdowns, both before and after they happen, given the complex needs involved, physical, neurological and intellectual and the innate vulnerability of the children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60574/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

299. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will examine the situation in cases in which disciplinary action is taken against children for behaviours caused by their conditions, when they have no control over these behaviours and therefore have no intention to disturb or offend; her views on whether these disciplinary measures are fair or equitable in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60575/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

300. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if an audit has been carried out or will be undertaken on restraint, seclusion, isolation, punishment and other invasive physical actions taken under the broad heading ‘necessary actions’ given such actions would be deemed unacceptable in the mainstream school system; if such an audit will be undertaken each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60576/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

301. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has considered instances in which the isolation of a child in a locked room makes that holding place essentially a cell for that child who is also innately vulnerable due to their disabilities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60577/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

302. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department has any plans to remove and forbid ‘prone restraint’ as a common or daily practice in the matter of children with vulnerability and disability; if an audit has been undertaken on its use or will be instigated; if a report is required on each incident of use of this extreme intervention in the matter of a child; if not, in the interest of child welfare and protection, if such a report should and will be required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60578/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

303. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will instigate an independent, expert review of physical actions such as restraint, seclusion, isolation and prone restraint taken against children in special education; if so, if a report of its findings and conclusions will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60579/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

304. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department is satisfied that the treatment of children with special-education needs is as humane, compassionate and equitable as possible, in keeping with international best practice in 21st century models and as that of children in the mainstream school system, and upholding the norms of health and safety for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60580/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

305. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the channels of co-operation and communication that exist between her Department and Tusla in the matter of physical actions and disciplines taken by teachers and other staff working with children with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60581/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

306. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if actions such as suspensions, exclusions, isolations, restraint and prone restraint appear in inspection reports; if not, if they will appear in reports as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60582/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

307. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if she will examine current recruitment and training processes of boards of management involved with children with special educational needs, to ensure the members recruited have the expertise sufficient to their duties and responsibilities to this vulnerable cohort particularly in their capacity to act with fairness, impartiality, inclusivity and in the best interest of the child and its privacy, dignity and educational rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60583/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

308. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if the term 'school refusal' will be removed and replaced with the more appropriate 'school-based anxiety', thereby removing a narrative of intent and blame from children and families and recognising the mental health challenges faced by many children struggling to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60585/22]

Special Educational Needs

Réada Cronin

309. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will establish a school return pathway that is psychology-led and trauma-informed, geared around the needs of each individual child; if so, if such a pathway and return will be guaranteed by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60586/22]

Schools Building Projects

Réada Cronin

216. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide the official approval and building formulation report, in order that the school building project at a school (details supplied) can be progressed without any delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58550/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

264. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the centralised website and portal includes overall breakdowns and averages of the gender pay gap across all of those required to report (>250 employees); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58524/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

265. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the centralised website and portal includes breakdowns and averages of the gender pay gap for those required to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58525/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

266. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the centralised website provides a summary list by employer of the size of the gender pay gap by each of the different measures on which businesses are required to report, and to make it easy to track those who are above and below the average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58526/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

267. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the centralised website provides a summary of the size of the gender pay gap over time by employer to capture whether there is any change over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58527/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

268. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the resources that will be provided by the Government to develop the reporting website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58528/22]

Gender Equality

Réada Cronin

269. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if compliance with the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 will be monitored; if compliance will be monitored by his Department or by the establishment of a separate body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58529/22]