Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Housing Policy

Patricia Ryan

122. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will introduce a ‘no-fault’ eviction ban in County Kildare over the winter months, given that the homeless and emergency accommodation services in the county are overwhelmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55567/23]

Childhood Obesity

Patricia Ryan

224. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on obesity clinic appointments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55565/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Patricia Ryan

225. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if wheelchairs, rollators and other such mobility equipment supplied by the HSE is recycled; and if so, how many such units are put back into use. [55566/23]

An Garda Síochána

Patricia Ryan

77. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí redeployed from Kildare to Dublin to support gardaí during the tragic events of Thursday, 23 November 2023; if, on days subsequent to that, the redeployments were voluntary in nature; and what the payment structure was for same redeployment. [54883/23]

Public Inquiries

Patricia Ryan

32. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Taoiseach with regard to the promised public inquiry into Covid-19, if he will clarify when he anticipates the terms of reference for that promised inquiry will be cleared with Government; and if he will commit to engaging fully with all concerned relevant stakeholders, advocacy groups, care workers, families and relatives of those affected. [54011/23]

Transport Policy

Patricia Ryan

49. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify if there are any plans for Monasterevin, County Kildare to be designated a commuter town; if so, when would he envision this happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54010/23]

Taxi Licences

Patricia Ryan

50. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of taxi licences issued to non-national drivers in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [54013/23]

Taxi Regulations

Patricia Ryan

51. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail the criteria required to qualify for a taxi licence; if any different criteria apply to national and non-national applicants; and if so, what those differences are and the reasons behind them. [54014/23]

Driver Test

Patricia Ryan

52. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport how many additional driving test examiners have been put in place in County Kildare. [54017/23]

Public Transport

Patricia Ryan

53. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to increase the number of train services to Monasterevin Train Station, County Kildare to make it a more commuter-friendly town. [54020/23]

Grant Payments

Patricia Ryan

93. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to Kildare County Council’s housing aid grants for older people, if he can investigate a grant application for persons (details supplied). [54016/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

172. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question 230 of 22 November 2023, if he will provide further details of the process by which the decision will be made to discharge/transfer elderly patients who no longer need of hospital treatment to clinically appropriate nursing homes, and what if any, input the patient concerned and their loved ones/families may have into the location of that clinically appropriate nursing home placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54012/23]

Departmental Funding

Patricia Ryan

173. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details and application criteria of the €10 million fund, as announced by him recently in Dáil Éireann, to enable small not-for-profits to be HIQA compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54015/23]

Hospital Equipment

Patricia Ryan

174. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the circumstance where an urgent MRI scan in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin is now taking a minimum of six to eight weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54018/23]

Hospital Appointments Status

Patricia Ryan

175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the fact that a person (details supplied) who was referred in August 2023 for an urgent appointment for a thyroid/ENT consultation to the Mater Hospital Dublin, has received an appointment for 21 March 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54019/23]

Energy Prices

Patricia Ryan

12. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are any continuous supports for elderly people who are dependent on electric-powered medical devices with regard to constant increased and unaffordable energy bills (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52625/23]

Energy Prices

Patricia Ryan

13. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the doubling of the cost recently of alternative heating materials, for example, wood pellet stoves (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52626/23]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

30. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the parameters for the use of tractors and agricultural vehicles on motorways; which vehicles are permitted to use motorways; the speed limits, if any, that apply to same; and if any specific prohibitions apply to their use of motorways. [52630/23]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

31. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the increasing and concerning number of road traffic accidents and fatalities on Irish roads, his views on the percentage of those accidents which involved left-hand-drive vehicles; if left-hand-drive vehicles and drivers more accustomed to driving on the right side of the road is, or could be, a factor in such accidents; if he will consider improved or increased road signage to increase awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52631/23]

Tax Code

Patricia Ryan

41. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayers in County Kildare who stand to benefit from the USC reduction as provided for in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52632/23]

An Garda Síochána

Patricia Ryan

102. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently stationed in Monasterevin Garda station, Monasterevin, County Kildare; and the opening hours of the station. [52629/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

142. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of adult mental health beds in CHO7; the location of each; and the number that are currently available for patients. [52624/23]

Hospital Staff

Patricia Ryan

143. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52627/23]

Hospital Staff

Patricia Ryan

144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers removed or frozen at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy, County Kildare, as a result of the HSE CEO's recent memorandum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52628/23]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

100. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered extending the mortgage-to-rent scheme to require vulture funds which seek repossession of family homes to offer long-term tenancies as an option for those borrowers in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51558/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Patricia Ryan

110. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, with regard to applications for carer’s allowance benefit, she will clarify the reason people already in receipt of another social welfare payment are cut off from receiving that payment immediately from the date of their application for the carer’s allowance, as carer’s allowance applications are currently taking a minimum of 12 weeks to process, with applicants being advised to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim, which is itself taking a minimum of six weeks to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51553/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

229. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to set out the precise terms and conditions applying to the new HSE policy on discharging elderly patients from hospitals to nursing homes; and if the elderly person’s (and their family’s) wishes will be taken into account where the transfer place may be clinically appropriate, but may not be preferable or convenient to the elderly person or their family, or if the needs of the person on a trolley will supersede all the above. [51551/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

230. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to set out the precise terms and conditions applying to the new HSE policy on discharging elderly patients from hospitals to nursing homes; and if the elderly person’s (and their family’s) wishes will be taken into account where the transfer place may be clinically appropriate, but may not be preferable or convenient to the elderly person or their family, or if the needs of the person on a trolley will supersede all the above. [51552/23]

Primary Care Services

Patricia Ryan

231. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health with regard to the saxenda injection and the prescription/testing process for same, to clarify what procedural/approval procedures are in place for GPs/primary care centres with regard to test analyses/approval of the suitability of possible candidates for injection of the drug saxenda; if a consultation process with all doctors in a GPs/primary care centre is required before approval/suitability for the injection is given (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51554/23]

Primary Care Services

Patricia Ryan

232. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on primary healthcare nursing staff levels and numbers of patients covered, including public health nurses, in the south Kildare area, with particular emphasis on rural areas, the distances required to be covered by each PHN, and the individual PHN’s ability to attend to rural patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51555/23]

General Practitioner Services

Patricia Ryan

233. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on GP services in the south Kildare area, the availability of those services generally and the length of time it is taking for those people trying to source and secure GP services in south Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51556/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

234. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the matter of a young person (details supplied). [51557/23]

Hospital Staff

Patricia Ryan

235. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers which have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51559/23]

Health Services Staff

Patricia Ryan

236. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO7, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51560/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

237. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the proposed transfer of 68 elderly residents from units in Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin, to Bartra nursing home in Clondalkin, he will clarify the reason 68 vulnerable elderly residents in Cherry Orchard Hospital (many in receipt of palliative/end of life care or with advanced cognitive issues) have, in November last, received urgent notice they are being relocated en masse to another nursing home facility In Clondalkin by 20 November 2023, that that notice was given inconsistently or in some cases not at all, and the decision taken by the HSE without consultation with residents’ families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51561/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

238. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the HSE’s proposed moving of 68 very vulnerable residents with complex care needs from Cherry Orchard Hospital to an alternative nursing home in Clondalkin, he will clarify how the decision to transfer them was made, in the absence of consultation with either residents affected or their families; if any consideration was taken to establish whether any other, less distressing/disruptive alternative was available on the hospital campus, to minimise the stress and trauma this move would cause to these very vulnerable people, many of whom suffer from cognitive difficulties, have very complex care needs and/or are in receipt of palliative/end-of-life care. [51562/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

239. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the transfer of 68 very vulnerable elderly and frail residents from Cherry Orchard Hospital on foot of an ‘urgent evacuation’, he will clarify if he or his Department were aware that the HSE was made fully aware by HIQA of the issues surrounding the current ‘urgent evacuation’, at the end of June 2021, yet no works were commenced/undertaken in the intervening two-and-a-half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51563/23]

Hospital Transfers

Patricia Ryan

240. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the ‘urgent evacuation’ of 68 vulnerable residents from Cherry Orchard Hospital, he will explain in detail, giving dates, of when the agreement between the HSE and Bartra to accept transfer of the 68 residents, specifically with reference to the date of the notice of that transfer as given, inconsistently, to the affected residents and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51564/23]

Water Services

Patricia Ryan

96. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, with regard to the water main in Allen, County Kildare, which is continually bursting, he can enquire what can be done to prevent these re-occurring bursts, and to ensure that any repair done is completed with a view to being of a permanent nature, or if a complete replacement is required. [50092/23]

Departmental Funding

Patricia Ryan

127. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures he can take to prevent the closure and loss of an important resource (details supplied), or what alternative funding, if any, is available. [50093/23]

Schools Building Projects

Patricia Ryan

227. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education to clarify what is to be done with a premises (details supplied) now that the new school has been built and is up and running, as there has been considerable interest expressed by local groups seeking to use it for other purposes. [50008/23]

Heritage Sites

Patricia Ryan

278. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Hill of Allen can be included on the Register of Historic Monuments; if the option of bringing the site into public ownership can be explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50009/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Patricia Ryan

279. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, with regard to the housing units on the grounds of a site (details supplied), he will clarify when funding will be allocated to Kildare County Council to refurbish these properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50010/23]

Sports Facilities

Patricia Ryan

474. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures, if any, are in place for the provision of space/venues for sports and fitness activities for those with intellectual disabilities in Kildare, as groups which provide such activities are having problems sourcing suitable venues, and are experiencing difficulty in providing this essential service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50007/23]

Health Services Waiting Lists

Patricia Ryan

604. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for an eye specialist/optician appointment in each CHO area, in tabular form; the reason there is a delay in such appointments being allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50011/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

605. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current number of beds in Lakeview Mental Health Facility in Naas, County Kildare; how many are currently occupied/available; if he can investigate why people seriously in need of mental health treatment were turned away in recent days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50012/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

606. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the current number of beds for child and adolescent mental health in CHO 7; and where they are located. [50013/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

607. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on why Laois Mental Health Services have not been able to fill the vacant post of psychotherapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50014/23]

Health Services

Patricia Ryan

29. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to CHO7 for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48994/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Patricia Ryan

66. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of service, which has been allocated to the Cancer Strategy for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48995/23]

Hospital Facilities

Patricia Ryan

114. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of hospice care/palliative care beds in CHO7; and the location of each. [48883/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Patricia Ryan

115. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if the pandemic payment has been approved for the nurses in the Blood Transfusion Service, who worked at the frontline in patient-facing roles throughout the pandemic; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48885/23]

Home Care Packages

Patricia Ryan

116. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the concerning circumstances where a homecare package applied for in October 2022, has not yet been processed for a person (details supplied), and where family members have not been able to get through to the HSE department. [48887/23]

Departmental Funding

Patricia Ryan

144. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how much of the €5 million allocated to the blue ways tourism fund that has been drawn down in Kildare south; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48882/23]

Business Supports

Patricia Ryan

77. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the criteria for the grant for 50% of rates back for local businesses, as announced in budget 2024; and the opening date for applications for same. [46979/23]

Enterprise Policy

Patricia Ryan

84. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans the Government has for employment and industry incentives in the south Kildare region, specifically, Monasterevin, Rathangan and Athy. [46975/23]

Local Authorities

Patricia Ryan

104. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason, when retrofitting old council housing with more efficient air-to-water heating systems, the council did not replace windows and doors with energy-efficient ones, resulting in higher heating costs for tenants due to heat loss through inefficient windows and doors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46973/23]

Local Authorities

Patricia Ryan

115. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason social housing tenants applying for adaptation grants-works are being told by Kildare County Council there is no money remaining for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46971/23]

Heritage Sites

Patricia Ryan

116. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans, if any, the Government has to purchase the property and lands at Moore Abbey, Monasterevin, in the interests of heritage and local tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46974/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Patricia Ryan

202. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships instituted in south Kildare since 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46976/23]

Further and Higher Education

Patricia Ryan

205. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, with regard to the now vacant old St. Paul's Community School building in Monasterevin, County Kildare, he will give consideration to its possible suitability for use as a centre for apprenticeships and-or further education courses. [46977/23]

Departmental Data

Patricia Ryan

114. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgages, previously classed as performing loans, which have fallen into arrears since the beginning of the interest rate increases to date; and how many of those were the subject of previous restructuring, split/shelved portion mortgages or previous alternative payment arrangements. [45713/23]

Business Supports

Patricia Ryan

139. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment how many applications were received for the temporary business energy support scheme from its inception to its closure on 30 September 2023; and the sum total granted to applicants from the fund. [45710/23]

Business Supports

Patricia Ryan

140. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details and eligibility criteria of the new small businesses energy support scheme as announced in Budget 2024. [45711/23]

Disadvantaged Status

Patricia Ryan

165. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the measures she will put in place to address the serious situation faced by a DEIS school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45714/23]

Housing Provision

Patricia Ryan

194. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many affordable homes have been delivered, by county in 2020, 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45715/23]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

278. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health can he give a full update on the completion of the day care centre in Monasterevin; and a timeline on a projected opening date for same. [45712/23]

Disabilities Assessments

Patricia Ryan

279. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to address issues in relation to children, already previously assessed for autism, but due to errors identified in those assessments, are now required to be reassessed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45716/23]

Medical Cards

Patricia Ryan

280. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical cards of children under seven years coming up as invalid at GP surgeries, when they are still well within their expiry date, causing considerable expense, as in the case of the parent of the child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45717/23]

Departmental Data

Patricia Ryan

78. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the number of family home mortgages that are now in the hands of vulture funds in 2023; how many of those mortgages are/were the subject of alternative payment arrangements or split/shelved portion mortgages prior to them being sold to vulture funds, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44473/23]

Energy Conservation

Patricia Ryan

137. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Government target for the number of houses to be retrofitted in County Kildare; how many of that target number have been retrofitted to date; and how many are in the pipeline for retrofitting in the foreseeable future. [44468/23]

National Monuments

Patricia Ryan

138. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if the Hill of Allen is on the Public Monuments Register; if not, whether the Government plans to speak with all relevant stakeholders to examine the opportunity for the State to take ownership of very important key landmark in County Kildare, which is associated with St. Brigid. [44469/23]

Departmental Functions

Patricia Ryan

139. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or the Government have plans to establish a distinct unit to operate together across both his Department and the Department of Health to provide for a joint plan to ensure the provision of age friendly independent and supported living environments, given the increasing aging population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44472/23]

Home Care Packages

Patricia Ryan

238. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the urgent measures he will take to address the serious matter of home care hours and full homecare packages being granted, but not being fulfilled, due to no staff being available to resulting in a person (details supplied); when the care package will be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44470/23]

Nursing Homes

Patricia Ryan

239. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he has plans in place for the residents of a nursing home (details supplied) which is due to close imminently; if he liaised with the HSE to find a suitable property; the plan that is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44471/23]

Care of the Elderly

Patricia Ryan

240. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the number of dementia advisors for each CHO area since Covid in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [44474/23]

Broadband Infrastructure

Patricia Ryan

59. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason a housing estate in County Kildare (details supplied) was not included in the laying of fibre broadband cables when it was supplied to all surrounding areas only a short number of metres down the road, meaning residents can only access extremely poor, intermittent Internet connection, no matter what supplier is used, and therefore cannot avail of any opportunity to work or study from home; and if he will provide a possible timeline for this estate’s omission to be rectified. [43102/23]

Road Safety

Patricia Ryan

84. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the plans, if any, the Government has to install motion sensor lights on roads in County Kildare; and if so, what timeline would be envisaged. [43104/23]

National Car Test

Patricia Ryan

85. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the number of candidates currently on the waiting list for NCT tests in County Kildare; the availability of appointments; the earliest appointment currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43105/23]

Fire Stations

Patricia Ryan

145. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will clarify if there are plans for a new fire station in Monasterevin; and if so, if he will provide a timeframe for same. [43097/23]

Social Insurance

Patricia Ryan

148. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the PRSI contributions of parents can be made applicable for the provision of glasses, optician services and dental services to their children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43099/23]

Social Welfare Code

Patricia Ryan

149. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she would consider putting in place to assist those older people with disabilities who are ageing, in addition to having a disability, who are already living in, or in imminent danger of, falling into poverty due to the cost-of-living crisis, compounded with the additional costs that having a disability incur. [43100/23]

Social Welfare Code

Patricia Ryan

158. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, with regard to the 18.5 hours per week limited allowed to work or study in order to qualify for carer’s allowance, she acknowledges that this would exclude most part-time jobs or part-time course, as these usually are minimum 20 hours per week; if the 18.5 hours limit could be increased to allow for carers to take up part-time work or to upskill with part-time courses. [43098/23]

Mental Health Services

Patricia Ryan

221. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures he will take to address the serious underfunding in mental health, which has been exposed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the extraordinary demands made on already overstretched services. [43095/23]

Health Services Staff

Patricia Ryan

222. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he can look into the fact that there is no sick leave or absence cover provided for home care workers; and to clarify the reason the HSE has to call the family of the person in receipt of the home care to have them step in when a home care worker is either sick or absent. [43096/23]

Health Services

Patricia Ryan

223. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the measures being considered to address the recruitment and retention crisis being experienced in section 39-funded organisations, where lower pay levels are causing those in section 39 agencies to leave for jobs or grades in section 38 and HSE positions with more remuneration, where the section 39 agencies are still operating on a level of funding, which is now 40 cent less per hour of service than what was allocated in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43103/23]

Health Services

Patricia Ryan

228. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no respite available to an elderly gentleman (details supplied); the reason the public health nurse said that they would look for respite but would be unable to give a date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43133/23]

Social Welfare Code

Patricia Ryan

200. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection what measures she can implement to end the discrimination against many disabled people in receipt of disability allowance, a benefit paid to disabled people directly, who are at risk of losing the benefit should they marry because the benefit is means tested. [41936/23]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

246. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the hours provided for respite care are arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41938/23]

Fire Stations

Patricia Ryan

130. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the measures he is taking to guarantee the future of the fire station at the Curragh, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/23]

Education Costs

Patricia Ryan

162. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Education the reason the payment for after-school studies in DEIS schools in south County Kildare has to be paid in full, at approximately €180 per term per child, causing further financial stress on families, where no option for payment in instalments is available despite requests for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40807/23]

Housing Schemes

Patricia Ryan

183. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason people availing of the derelict house grant are required to pay the money to the contractor up front and then claim back for the local authority, which makes the grant unattainable for most people as they do not have such funds available, and in those circumstances, the reason the local authority cannot be authorised to pay the contractors directly, thus making the grant more easily accessible to those who need it. [40810/23]

Social Insurance

Patricia Ryan

200. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that PRSI, taken in the wrong from a person (details supplied) is refunded at the earliest opportunity; the position regarding payment of PRSI after the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40809/23]

Social Welfare Appeals

Patricia Ryan

203. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason appeals for refusal of carer’s allowance are currently taking many months to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40811/23]

Health Services

Patricia Ryan

254. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [40803/23]

Health Services

Patricia Ryan

255. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the reason Naas General Hospital does not appear to have sufficient wound dressing for their in-patients (details supplied) and are telling patients that they must bring in their own dressings from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/23]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

257. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the reason persons suffering from cancer are not eligible for a blue disability badge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/23]

Grant Payments

Patricia Ryan

866. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, with regard to income thresholds for SUSI eligibility, he will examine the refusal of a SUSI grant to a student (details supplied); if he will investigate whether an exception can be made and expedited given, the deadline for response/appeal to SUSI. [35166/23]

Disability Services

Patricia Ryan

228. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can offer an explanation for the 75% failure to meet set targets for movement of those with disabilities in congregated residential care settings to community-based settings; what measures Government will take to bring Ireland into line with the UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34719/23]

Home Care Packages

Patricia Ryan

276. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the Public Sector Performance Report and figures showing that only 80 of a targeted 235 intensive homecare packages were delivered, he can explain the reason for the 66% shortfall; what measures he and his Department will put in place to ensure that all intensive homecare packages are delivered in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34715/23]