Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

167. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend the building regulations of 2010 (details supplied) to include technical guidance documents for wheelchair-liveable housing; and if he will engage with the disability groups to hear their perspective on the current regulations and the way they impact negatively on their lives. [47783/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

168. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage his views on the lack of an available stock of wheelchair-liveable housing in Ireland; the steps he will take to amend the outdated building regulations of 2010 (details supplied); the number of liveable units that have been delivered in the past five years; and the number being funded currently by his Department. [47784/22]

Departmental Data

John McGuinness

144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department receive reports from a company (details supplied) on the financial returns to its shareholders; if so, the amount in each of the years 2014 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46845/22]

Departmental Reports

John McGuinness

145. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of a report (details supplied) that was commissioned by him into the treatment of good causes funding in other jurisdictions and to undertake a consultation on same; the timelines for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46846/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

543. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol task force has not had a full-time co-ordinator for almost three years; if all parties are acting with appropriate haste to resolve the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47128/22]

School Transport

John McGuinness

75. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the age restriction of 66 years applied by Bus Éireann to school bus drivers operating under contract to the company will be removed to allow them to drive school buses up to the same retirement age applicable to direct employees of the company; if he will clarify the position with the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46168/22]

Primary Care Centres

John McGuinness

533. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of a fully funded primary healthcare facility for Freshford and Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, given the extensive rural area being serviced by both locations and the growing demand from patients in Kilkenny city who are finding it difficult to access general practitioner services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44566/22]

Housing Schemes

John McGuinness

553. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if 100% funding is available from his Department for voluntary housing associations that need to retrofit houses that were constructed 25 years ago. [42626/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

817. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if a place will be provided for a child (details supplied) at an early intervention ASD unit; the number of ASD units established in Kilkenny city and environs; the number of places in each; if each unit is at capacity or not; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42150/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

941. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the appropriate supports required by a child (details supplied) will be provided immediately in accordance with the application made on their behalf; the supports, if any, that have already been approved for them; if funding has also been allocated; and if she will expedite a positive response. [43580/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

1059. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on categorising long Covid as a disability or an occupational injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42087/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

1062. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance payment currently under appeal will be approved for a person (details supplied); if an oral hearing will be arranged for the applicant if necessary; and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [42159/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1070. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to claim a State (contributory) pension. [42252/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

1071. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension for a person (details supplied) will be expedited, approved and backdated to the date of the first application; the reason for the delay and the fact that the original application was mislaid. [42280/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

1097. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the carer’s allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied). [42683/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

1145. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a jobseeker’s allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) given that the information requested has been submitted and the client is experiencing hardship; and if the back-to-school allowance will also be expedited. [43489/22]

Child Protection

John McGuinness

1205. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Tusla child sexual abuse findings that were classified as confirmed that were overturned by the appeal panel and classified as unfounded since the formation of the appeals panel in 2015; the number of alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse who have sued Tusla due to outcomes and findings; the amount that Tusla has paid out in settlements and legal fees; if Tusla outcomes and findings, which were made prior to the publication of the 2014 policies and procedures, have no standing at present given that these assessments were conducted in the absence of a health board and HSE policy; if this is the case given that it would impact each case prior to the commencement of the 2014 policies and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/22]

Immigration Support Services

John McGuinness

1214. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the possible closure of immigrant services (details supplied) in Kilkenny due to the lack of funding for the support officer; if the funding required of €20,000 will be sanctioned as a matter of urgency given the importance of this work and the new challenges arising from the intake of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42220/22]

Education and Training Provision

John McGuinness

1297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to deal with the chronic shortage of vets; if a second college will be established to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42251/22]

Health Service Executive

John McGuinness

1516. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE child sexual abuse findings that were classified as confirmed that were overturned by the appeal panel to classified as unfounded since the formation of the appeals panel in 2015; the number of alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse that have sued the HSE in relation to outcomes and findings; if HSE outcomes and findings that were made prior to the publication of the 2014 policies and procedures have no standing at present given that these assessments were conducted in the absence of a health board and HSE policy; if this is the case given that it would impact each case prior to the commencement of the 2014 policies and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42080/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

1517. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he plans to examine the ongoing health issues caused by Covid and the response that is required to these issues by his Department and the HSE; if he has considered establishing long Covid clinics to assist in the analysis of the after-effects of Covid; if long Covid will be acknowledged as a disability or, in the case of the HSE, as an occupational injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42084/22]

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

John McGuinness

1518. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in finding an out-of-court resolution to the issues raised by thalidomide survivors; his views on the recent discussions that he had with the group and the outcome; the reason for the reported cost of €24 million to his Department of providing documents for the ongoing court case; if he will provide an accurate costing of running the case to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42086/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

1528. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol taskforce has not had a full-time coordinator for over two years; the action that is being taken to ensure that the full-time position is restored; if the person that was in the full-time position is still being paid by the HSE; if so, if he will resolve the issues that are preventing that person from returning to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

1552. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the action plan for the implementation of the 2021 disability capacity review to 2032; if funding for the action plan has been requested as part of budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42157/22]

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

1575. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the services available at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny for patients with skin disease; if a consultant and support team are available on site in the hospital; if so, the date of the commencement of the service; the number of patients attending the service; if there is a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42281/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

1577. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action he has or is taking to bridge the wage gap between section 38-39 organisations; if any new pay agreement will be index linked; if the reasonable requests being made by section 39s have been costed; if so, if he will outline these costs; if he has presented a business plan to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if so, if the Department has responded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/22]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

1671. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be arranged immediately at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied). [42625/22]

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

2096. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 890 of 5 July 2022, if he will give consideration to the use of the product Equimune or similar treatments under the strict control and oversight of his Department and on a trial basis to treat the horses on the farm of a person (details supplied) in order to determine whether the disease can be eliminated; if he will consult with the other parties involved in the previous investigations to determine if the suggestion has merit; if he will engage with the person to explore this and other options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42153/22]

Rural Schemes

John McGuinness

2180. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 245 of 15 June 2022, the number of applications that have been received by each county council for the streetscape enhancement scheme; the total amount of funding allocated to each council; the amount of funding drawn down by each council; if all approved applicants were paid; if she will allow each council to administer grants to applicants who have a genuine reason for being late in claiming the grant based on the work being completed before 30 April 2022; if there is an appeal process for the scheme; and if not, if she will introduce one. [42292/22]

Broadband Infrastructure

John McGuinness

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has given consideration to implementing a programme similar to the shared rural network as was recently rolled-out in the UK, to address mobile coverage black spots; if he will consider the State taking a portion of the funds from the next spectrum auction to support the deployment of a shared rural network, as is the case in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/22]

Housing Provision

John McGuinness

698. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his estimated targets for cost rental homes for each of the years 2022 to 2025; and if he is confident that these targets will be met. [40729/22]

Defence Forces

John McGuinness

1022. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will reinstate the arrangement between a sports club (details supplied) and James Stephen’s Barracks, County Kilkenny; and if he will expedite a positive decision. [40960/22]

Third Level Staff

John McGuinness

1466. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guidelines and circulars issued to institutes of technology and the new university entities on the structure of pay scales for lecturers from 2003 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40951/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

325. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that he has inserted an amendment to a piece of legislation (details supplied). [38980/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

326. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the contributions that this Deputy has made in Dáil Éireann with respect to the case of a person (details supplied) among others; and if the very late insertion of an amendment to the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 at s2B of the Principal Act was not a targeted measure to seek to deprive whistle-blowers, specifically including the person, of the protections which the proper transposition of the protections of European Union Directive (2019/1937) would otherwise provide in Irish law. [38983/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

327. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address matters in relation to legislation (details supplied). [38984/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

328. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that the constitutional provisions he has referred to in his representations to Seanad Éireann, Article 15.1.1 have the effect of depriving whistle-blowers whose cases are already before the Courts of the protections with respect to the extension of the presumption of causation specifically envisaged by European Union Directive (2019/1937); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38985/22]

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

329. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter related to legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38987/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

530. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the south east regional drug and alcohol task force has not had a full-time coordinator for over two years; the action being taken to ensure that the full time position is restored; if the person that was in the full-time position is still being paid by the HSE; if so, if he will resolve the issues preventing that person from returning to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38847/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

537. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the if back-to-school allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied). [38976/22]

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

538. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance now under review will be approved as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied). [38977/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

95. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently waiting for an occupational therapy assessment in each LHO area in CHO5; the number waiting for treatment in each LHO in CHO5; the number in each category who have been waiting over a year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/22]

Mental Health Services

John McGuinness

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the way that it is proposed to address the current challenges that people are experiencing securing consultations with psychiatrists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/22]

Brexit Supports

John McGuinness

191. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of funding in the Brexit reserve fund (details supplied); the way that it has been allocated to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36881/22]

National Children's Hospital

John McGuinness

318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the current projected total cost of the National Children’s Hospital; the amount by which it has increased since 2018; if the contract has been amended to allow for inflation; if the contractor has an entitlement to seek an increase in the contract amount in view of the inflation experienced in 2022; if the current contractual position is compliant with procurement law; if a price variation clause that is, the right to claim for inflation was agreed recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/22]

EU Funding

John McGuinness

338. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the application by the Government to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; the date that the application was submitted; the timeframe for consideration of the application and final approval; the potential amount available to Ireland under the fund; the way that it might be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

309. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of health workers who qualify for the pandemic bonus payment; the number of workers who have already been paid; if all section 38 disability employees have been paid; if section 39 organisations will be paid; if he will provide a complete overview on the status of the pandemic bonus payment relative to the cohort of workers who have been paid, those who are awaiting payment, those who have been excluded and those who are pending a decision. [36567/22]

Fisheries Protection

John McGuinness

110. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will apply the lower rate of exploitation for catch and release of salmon on the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir as recommended by the commission; if he will meet a person (details supplied) in relation to the current rate being applied and the impact that the rate is having; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

781. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors employed or contracted by the HSE in each of the past five years in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; his plans to develop this service for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35828/22]

Animal Welfare

John McGuinness

890. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the investigation into the general health of horses owned by a person (details supplied) given that the original problem was never resolved and persists; if an independent authority will be appointed to review his Department’s files on the case; if so, if the authority will be given a remit by his Department to investigate all available options to eradicate the disease; if the use of equine or similar treatments has been considered as a possible solution; if his Department will engage immediately with the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/22]