Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Forestry Sector

Colm Burke

235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to ensure that the native woodland establishment scheme is a viable options for investors, in view that the current allowable land for planting this schedule is priced above the financial return from the premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40775/23]

Forestry Sector

Colm Burke

236. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if environmental impact assessments thresholds have been reviewed before the implementation of the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in view that the current mandatory EIA thresholds can be extremely costly having resulted in the abandonment of potential native woodland planting applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40776/23]

Forestry Sector

Colm Burke

237. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 to a comparison of the value of biodiversity and flora and fauna of native woodland verses the current habitat’s representation of number and volume of species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40777/23]

Forestry Sector

Colm Burke

238. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 to a more compacted and applicant friendly planting licensing process, in view of the ever-lengthening licence application process for approval to attract more applicants and investors going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40778/23]

Transfer of Entitlements

Colm Burke

239. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the status of a transfer of entitlements application (details supplied) in view that it is now over eight months since the application was lodged and it has not been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40779/23]

Hospital Facilities

Colm Burke

250. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that cancer treatment units are adequately staffed, in view that nationally there are approximately four treatment units closed, with another three capped at 50% capacity, and a number of treatment units are understaffed wherein they are usually staffed at four but now are running with three staff to keep the service going; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40751/23]

Hospital Facilities

Colm Burke

251. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that all CT planning scanners are operational nationally, in view that presently two CT planning scanners are not operational due to a staff shortage, and as a result patients have their start dates pushed out which is reflective in the National Cancer Control Programme national key performance indicators data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40752/23]

Tax Reliefs

Colm Burke

177. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance to confirm that consideration would be given to increasing the standard fund threshold for pension contributions of €2 million, which was set in October 2014, to €2.4 million, in view of the fact that the consumer price index has increased by 19.7% since October 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40613/23]

Work Permits

Colm Burke

230. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider the inclusion of automobile engineering in his Department's critical skills occupations list, in view of the critical shortage of qualified automotive mechanics in the motor industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39696/23]

School Transport

Colm Burke

366. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to provide clarification as to the reason that parents of children attending a primary school, which would be considered a feeder school for a secondary school (details supplied), are now being advised that their children are not entitled to school transport to the secondary school; the reason that this was not explained to the parents at the time they made their application for their child to attend the secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40418/23]

Special Educational Needs

Colm Burke

370. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the reason that only five hours have been allocated for home tuition to a child (details supplied) when that child, who was diagnosed with autism/ASD in August 2020, has educational challenges attending school; if consideration would be given to granting additional hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40466/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Colm Burke

620. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration would be given to classifying long-Covid as an occupational illness, in line with other European countries such as France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Denmark, which have formally recognised long-Covid as an occupational disease; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39752/23]

Visa Applications

Colm Burke

681. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice to outline in detail the progress that has been made to date in respect of having a single application process for employment permits and entry visa applications; the progress that has been made to date by the interdepartmental group established between her Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to review the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39773/23]

Naturalisation Applications

Colm Burke

708. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice to clarify how those who made applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation earlier in 2023 have received their decision and have now been invited to the next citizenship ceremony in Dublin on 2 October, while those with applications for Irish citizenship by naturalisation who applied prior to 2022 are still awaiting a decision; the reason this delay has occurred for earlier applications; the action that her Department is taking to improve the timeframe for applications such as these; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40421/23]

Immigration Status

Colm Burke

709. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) will be permitted to apply for citizenship in February 2024 rather than May 2024, as they arrived into Ireland in February 2021 where they were given the join spouse stamp at Dublin Airport and were told to register at Burgh Quay, which remained closed until May 2021 due to the pandemic, and given that if they had lived outside of Dublin, it would have been possible for them to register at their local Garda station immediately, rather than being delayed for three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40445/23]

Departmental Strategies

Colm Burke

729. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a final report from the National Deer Management Strategy Group will be completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39701/23]

Childcare Services

Colm Burke

810. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the additional measures that his Department will take to support childcare workers, to both support those currently working in the sector and to encourage more people into the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39574/23]

Childcare Services

Colm Burke

811. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the additional supports that his Department will put in place to help crèches and childminding facilities with their costs, in light of the difficulties faced by these facilities recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/23]

Health Services

Colm Burke

899. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the national discharge and annual review plan will be implemented for existing paediatric eyecare patients aged eight years and over; if this will be implemented nationally, given that it is being progressed in some areas while discussions are continuing on the fee structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39689/23]

Health Services

Colm Burke

900. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm if paediatric eyecare patients aged eight years and over who are entitled to State support and funding but have been forced to pay for private treatment due to long wait times; if those who are now not existing patients will be denied access to State funding for an annual review delivered by independent optometrists under the new paediatric pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39690/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Colm Burke

910. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to extending the special leave with pay scheme (SLWP), which is due to end on 31 October 2023, until there is an effective treatment for long-Covid, particularly in view that approximately 120 employees of the HSE are affected by long-Covid since 2020 as a result of working on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39751/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Colm Burke

911. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to classifying long-Covid as a disability, in view that long-Covid is characterised by extreme exhaustion after minimal exertion, cardiovascular issues including MI, myocarditis/pericarditis, clots, arrhythmias, and neurological issues such as cognitive impairment, stroke, and ultimately that there is no treatment for the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39753/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Colm Burke

912. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for long-Covid clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39754/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Colm Burke

913. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to the establishment of a fit-for-purpose surveillance system or registry of those who have been infected with Covid-19 to be able to monitor long-term outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39755/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Colm Burke

914. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action his Department has taken to date to ensure that those who became infected with Covid and as a result required hospital care; if these patients were given follow-up appointments for aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39756/23]

Health Services Staff

Colm Burke

955. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the independent radiation therapist review which began in December 2022 with representatives from a union (details supplied), his Department, the national cancer control programme, NCCP, and the radiation oncology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40068/23]

Health Services Staff

Colm Burke

956. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department and the HSE are taking to address the critical shortage of radiation therapists in the sector, which has increased from a 15% to a 40% shortage since a survey (details supplied) was carried out earlier this year, and in view that over the summer months, a skin cancer unit had to close for a time due to a lack of qualified staff to operate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40069/23]

Health Services Staff

Colm Burke

957. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the measures that his Department and the HSE are taking to address recruitment and retention in the radiation therapy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40070/23]

Mental Health Services

Colm Burke

1010. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm his plans for increased mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40441/23]

Mental Health Services

Colm Burke

1011. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that mental health spending will be increased to 10% of the overall health budget, in line with international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40442/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Colm Burke

1028. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that a school bus escort (details supplied) who worked during the pandemic is entitled to a pandemic recognition payment; when the payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40623/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Colm Burke

1060. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to attract people into motor mechanic apprenticeships, given there is a growing shortage of qualified motor mechanics in the motor industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/23]

Third Level Admissions

Colm Burke

1067. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student numbers for radiation therapy courses at third level have increased in 2023 in comparison to numbers in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/23]

Third Level Admissions

Colm Burke

1068. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what engagement has taken place to date between his Department and higher education institutions in the expansion of existing radiation therapy programmes from 2023; what progress, if any, has been made to date between his Department and the Department of Health in increasing corresponding student placements in the health sector for these additional radiation therapy students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40073/23]

Third Level Admissions

Colm Burke

1069. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the working group, established by his Department in 2022, to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions, including radiation therapy; what progress has been made to date in particular with regard to radiation therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/23]

Third Level Education

Colm Burke

1070. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration would be given to his Department engaging with the Department of Health and the HSE with regard to funding the master's programme in University College Cork for radiation therapy, in view that the master's programme in University College Cork is funded for diagnostic radiographers by the HSE, whereby it is more difficult to attract students onto the radiation therapy course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40075/23]

Energy Prices

Colm Burke

143. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures the Government will take to support individuals with the cost of energy going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38528/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

307. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he intends on taking to address the 37-week wait in accessing a driving test in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38038/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

308. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if staffing levels will be increased in the driving test centres in Cork to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38039/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

309. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport when he expects that the average waiting time for an invitation to a driving test will be reduced back down to ten-weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38040/23]

Driver Test

Colm Burke

310. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action is being taken to increase the number of staff employed at driving test centres in order to reduce the waiting time backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38041/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Colm Burke

1000. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider amending the treatment benefit scheme for hearing aids in order that people would be eligible for payments every two years (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37854/23]

Departmental Staff

Colm Burke

1133. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if additional staff will be put in place in order to deal with the backlog in processing applications under the atypical working scheme, and in particular where it relates to qualified medical and care professionals seeking to work in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38006/23]

EU Directives

Colm Burke

1807. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to outline if the Delegated Directive [EU 2022-2100] has been transposed into Irish law; if not, the current status of the Directive, due to the fact that July 2023 was the deadline for the transposition of Delegated Directive [EU] 2022 -2100 on the withdrawal of certain exemptions in respect of heated tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38701/23]

Medicinal Products

Colm Burke

1868. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health since the establishment of the rare diseases technology review committee (RDTRC) in 2018, the specific drugs that have been considered by the RDTRC and their recommendations, in tabular form; whether these drugs are now available to Irish patients; the timelines for each from EMA licence to availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39003/23]

State Bodies

Colm Burke

382. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what action will be taken to recruit more staff into the Health Safety Authority, particularly in light of the fact that the coronial service, and families affected, have been experiencing significant delays in cases being listed for inquest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36160/23]

Special Educational Needs

Colm Burke

412. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if he will ringfence dedicated additional funding for every special school across the country in relation to the school summer programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36174/23]

School Accommodation

Colm Burke

491. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education the current status of an application by a school (details supplied) for emergency works; when a decision is likely to be made in this case in view of the fact that these facilities are urgently required to accommodate 42 children enrolled for 1 September in the school which has recently become co-educational and a delay in this project could result in the school being unable to accommodate these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36648/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Colm Burke

705. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give due consideration to ending the ‘four-over-seven-day rule’, which prevents home support workers from claiming part-time jobseeker’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36176/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Colm Burke

706. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm that a liability raised for a person (details supplied) by her Department arising out of additional hours worked in excess of the limit on their carer’s allowance will be nullified due to the fact that these hours relate to their work helping elderly and vulnerable people with home help during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and were required as there was no one else available to undertake this work, and that they did not intend to circumvent the rules; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36183/23]