Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Air Pollution

Gino Kenny

375. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his strategy for dealing with rising levels of nitrogen dioxide caused by transport emissions in urban areas and the serious risk it poses to public health; his views on the progressive steps that several EU countries and cities are taking to address emissions by making public transport free to encourage persons to use private vehicles less; if he will consider same in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40604/19]

Springboard Programme

Gino Kenny

347. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will take steps to include persons in receipt of a partial capacity payment as eligible to participate in training and education and upskilling opportunities, for example, Springboard in line with the eligibility of those in receipt of disability or jobseeker payments; if her attention has been drawn to the unintended discriminatory nature of the ineligibility of those receiving a partial capacity payment and the impact it has on their efforts to secure employment in view of the ratification of the UNCRPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40308/19]

Departmental Funding

Gino Kenny

54. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if increased funding will be expedited for public transport and cycling infrastructure in the mid-western areas of Dublin, particularly areas adjacent to and in proximity of the M50, in order to mitigate levels of nitrogen dioxide that exceed the EU limit which has been recorded by Traffic Infrastructure Ireland at various locations in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39690/19]

Health Services Data

Gino Kenny

357. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for treatment types (details supplied) in CHO 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39480/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

390. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to update knowledge and skills in relation to the diagnosis, management and treatment of ME for medical professionals working in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39696/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

391. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of standardised diagnosis, management and treatment of patients with ME; the impact this has on persons with the condition; his plans to put in place a comprehensive review of the way in which ME is diagnosed, managed and treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39697/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

392. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the demonstrated need for a dedicated ME medical facility and department to diagnose, manage and treat persons with the condition; the steps he will take to establish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/19]

Paediatric Services

Gino Kenny

393. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an increase in the number of children presenting with symptoms that fit a diagnosis of ME and the lack of paediatric professionals with knowledge of the way in which to diagnose, manage and treat the condition in children; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/19]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Gino Kenny

411. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the commencement dates of the medical cannabis access programme; and when the first patients will be referred to the pilot programme. [39807/19]

Housing Assistance Payment Eligibility

Gino Kenny

195. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a housing assistance payment is assessed as means when eligibility for free legal aid is being examined; his views on an applicant being denied free legal aid in cases in which their HAP takes them over the income limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38400/19]

Electronic Cigarettes

Gino Kenny

274. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the research his Department has commissioned and-or carried out on vaping; the regulations issued on the sale of vaping devices and liquids; the health advice issued on the subject of vaping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38364/19]

Prescriptions Data

Gino Kenny

275. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of prescriptions issued to medical card holders for oxycodone in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38365/19]

Prescriptions Data

Gino Kenny

276. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of prescriptions issued to medical card holders for benzodiazepines in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38366/19]

Prescriptions Data

Gino Kenny

277. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of prescriptions issued to medical card holders for fentanyl in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38367/19]

Prescriptions Data

Gino Kenny

278. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of prescriptions issued to medical card holders for opioids in each of the years 2009 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38368/19]

Parental Leave

Gino Kenny

524. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take steps to extend the new paid parental leave scheme due to commence in November 2019 to all parents with children under one year of age in view of the recognition that the first 12 months in the life of a child are the most formative; if this payment will be made to parents with children under a year old and not only to those with children born after November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35748/19]

Medicinal Products Availability

Gino Kenny

835. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties regarding accessing the drug Sativex here even when prescribed by a consultant neurologist; the status and prescription protocol in relation to the drug; the changes planned in the prescription of and access to the drug in the aftermath of the introduction of the medicinal cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34939/19]

Infectious Diseases

Gino Kenny

868. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the rules governing public health and exemptions from attendance at court in the case of infectious diseases apply to the family courts; if not, the rationale for same; if he will consider a revision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35030/19]

Rehabilitation Training Allowance Payments

Gino Kenny

999. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to reverse the decision to cut from September 2019 onwards the training grant for persons with disabilities who participate in rehabilitative training; if his attention has been drawn to the extra costs associated with participation in such training, the impact it will have on the limited income of persons with disabilities and the barriers to engagement in training it may subsequently present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35652/19]

Childcare Services Regulation

Gino Kenny

1663. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason parents of children attending crèches (details supplied) were not informed of breaches and issues uncovered by Tusla; the steps she plans to take to ensure that in future Tusla informs parents in circumstances in which a company or individual faces criminal charges in respect of the care of their children; her plans to introduce mandatory reporting of crèches, breaches and issues to parents of children attending such crèches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34968/19]

Youth Services Provision

Gino Kenny

76. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the lack of provision of services for youth in Newcastle, Dublin 22 in view of the growth of the youth population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29690/19]

Youth Services Provision

Gino Kenny

79. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the lack of youth services in mid-western areas of Dublin; the steps she will take to address the issue in view of the negative impact it has on an area with the highest growth in terms of youth population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29689/19]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Gino Kenny

227. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to recent closures of speech and language units in Longford and Athlone despite no decrease in demand for the services; his plans to close more speech and language units nationally; his views on the lack of services available to those that cannot avail of the already limited speech and language units; and his further plans to mitigate same. [29339/19]

Cannabis for Medicinal Use

Gino Kenny

46. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if other conditions such as chronic pain will be considered for inclusion in the pilot of the commencement of the medical cannabis access programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28227/19]

Industrial Disputes

Gino Kenny

53. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the perceived negative impact that low pay and poor conditions have on the recruitment and retention of staff in the healthcare system; the steps he will take to resolve the pay claims of the 10,000 healthcare workers who have shown good faith by deferring two days of strike action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27802/19]

Long-Term Illness Scheme

Gino Kenny

74. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to update the long-term illness scheme to include illnesses such as fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27801/19]

Hospital Car Parks

Gino Kenny

84. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the moneys raised through public hospital car parking charges; the amount of this paid to the private companies that operate hospital car parks; the amount retained by the hospital; the way in which it is used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/19]

Abortion Legislation

Gino Kenny

87. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a definitive date will be provided for the introduction of exclusion safe zones for persons accessing abortion services at general practitioner surgeries or hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/19]

National Children's Hospital

Gino Kenny

108. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure both the new children’s hospital and new national maternity hospital will be operated as public hospitals only in view of his recent comments regarding his support for a universal healthcare service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27803/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Gino Kenny

267. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review and address the cuts to SNA allocation at a school (details supplied) in view of non-reduction of enrolment numbers and the number of children presenting with significant medical and behavioural care needs both currently on roll and in the new junior infant classes for September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27797/19]

Mental Health Services Provision

Gino Kenny

452. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his views on the negative impact experienced by 2,500 children waiting for long periods for an appointment with mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22694/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Gino Kenny

72. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the exclusion of children with Down's syndrome from the July provision will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22695/19]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Gino Kenny

83. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that following the review by the National Council for Special Education of special needs assistants that schools in an area (details supplied) have lost approximately 12 SNAs despite a promise by the previous Minister for Education and Skills that each child requiring a SNA will have access to one; his views on the negative impact the loss of the SNAs will have on children with special needs and take steps to reverse same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26502/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Eligibility

Gino Kenny

753. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the threshold of an annual household income of €60,000 is being reconsidered or under review in regard to the housing adaptation grant for persons with a disability; and if not, if he will consider a review with the intention of updating the means testing process in order to reflect average industrial wages. [26468/19]

Middle East Peace Process

Gino Kenny

51. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to halt Israeli policies aimed at the de facto annexation of East Jerusalem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/19]

Middle East Peace Process

Gino Kenny

74. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his views on whether the unilateral policies of Israel would exacerbate the conflict in and over Jerusalem and harm hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in East Jerusalem; the steps he will take to object to the precedent for Israeli annexationist ambitions in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25214/19]

Community Enhancement Programme Funding

Gino Kenny

580. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a group (details supplied) has been excluded from availing of the grant from the men's sheds fund; the reason for this exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25059/19]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Gino Kenny

189. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital expenditure of his Department from 1 January to 30 April 2019 under the heading of B8.5 cycling and walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24770/19]

Student Data

Gino Kenny

224. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of asylum seekers and refugees in higher education and further education, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/19]

Qualifications Recognition

Gino Kenny

225. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a recognition of prior learning for asylum seekers and refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/19]

Refugee Data

Gino Kenny

318. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers and refugees here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/19]

Refugee Data

Gino Kenny

319. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an age profile breakdown of asylum seekers and refugees here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/19]

Child Poverty

Gino Kenny

10. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the statistic that 132,000 children here are growing up in consistent poverty; her further views on whether this is unacceptable in a wealthy society such as Ireland and is indicative of policy failure in view of the fact the number continues to rise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22692/19]

Childcare Services Provision

Gino Kenny

4. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the issue of crèches turning away babies and toddlers in favour of preschool children that are seen as more lucrative; if the extra €50 million will be provided to cover the gap in the new childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22682/19]

Homeless Persons Data

Gino Kenny

14. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the rise in the number of children and young persons experiencing homelessness in 2018; her further views on whether the 12.5% rise in the figure for homeless minors indicates that radical action needs to be taken to prevent the trauma and profound negative impact that homelessness has on young lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22693/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

138. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health the criteria used to diagnose the neurological disease myalgic encephalomyelitis as described under G.93.3 WHO International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

139. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to develop guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis using contemporary research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

140. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to begin implementing the international consensus criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis to enable those with the condition to get a clear diagnosis as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22165/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

141. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to develop a clear pathway of care for myalgic encephalomyelitis patients with prompt access to specialists and treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/19]

Medical Conditions

Gino Kenny

142. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the lack of specialist consultants for myalgic encephalomyelitis patients; if the HSE will recognise ME as a multi-system disease with many debilitating symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/19]