Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1776. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title at the minor injuries unit at Monaghan General Hospital. [1823/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1777. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE occupational therapist and dietitians working in Letterkenny University Hospital in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form [1824/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1778. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant WTE accident and emergency department nurses in Portlaoise Regional Hospital as of 10 January 2024, in tabular form. [1825/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1779. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE audiologist by grade employed by the HSE working in County Longford in 2023, in tabular form. [1826/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the amount collected in public car parking charges at St. Vincent's University Hospital in 2023, in tabular form. [1827/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1781. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of MRI scanners and CT scanners in use at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. [1829/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1782. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE senior medical scientists in molecular microbiology at University Hospital, Waterford in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1830/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1783. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment bays in the accident and emergency department at Wexford General Hospital. [1831/24]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

1784. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeons based at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1832/24]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

271. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the shortage of primary and secondary school places in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55883/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

272. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the steps parents who have children on multiple waiting lists for schools in the Fingal area should take in light of the significant lack of school places available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55884/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

273. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if her Department plans to rapidly move to build and staff more schools in the Fingal area, in light of the increasing population of the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55885/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

274. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education how her Department determines the need for more schools in an area; if this need is calculated by the current population of an area; if not, if it is calculated by the prospective population of an area, considering the increasing number of new builds underway in the Fingal area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55886/23]

Social Welfare Schemes

Duncan Smith

356. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on a disability allowance application review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55943/23]

Middle East

Duncan Smith

8. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) trapped in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55590/23]

Departmental Policies

Duncan Smith

186. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department can take to address the recent EuroStar evaluation changes affecting suckler farmers which has led to many withdrawing from the SCEP scheme and a significant drop in animal values for breeders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55594/23]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

232. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to explain the delays in releasing approved funding to a gym (details supplied) created to provide a safe space for people with disabilities, which has now been forced to cease operations due to financial strains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55619/23]

Nursing Education

Duncan Smith

233. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are any plans for a review of the English language qualification criteria set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for overseas nurses, particularly those with nursing qualifications from countries like India and the Philippines, to more closely align the qualification criteria to those of the United Kingdom’s Nursing Authority for foreign nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55653/23]

Departmental Properties

Duncan Smith

235. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health why an organisation (details supplied) has not been able to advance plans to lease the old children’s buildings No.’s 50 and 51 on the grounds of St. Ita’s hospital despite willingness from the HSE to supply these buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55659/23]

Climate Change Negotiations

Duncan Smith

105. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on the loss and damage fund following COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55066/23]

School Admissions

Duncan Smith

324. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to outline what schools have school places available in the Lusk area to facilitate a school place for child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55068/23]

Referendum Campaigns

Duncan Smith

438. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the Government commitment to stage a referendum on water ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55067/23]

Passport Services

Duncan Smith

586. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the process for a child born in Ireland in July 2005 (details supplied) to Ukrainian parents to obtain an Irish passport given that the child is unable to travel to Ukraine to apply for a passport and whose parents wish to apply for Irish citizenship for them but are unable to do so as the child does not have a passport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55402/23]

Medicinal Products

Duncan Smith

769. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to having nitrous oxide categorised as an illegal drug and unlawful to possess, given the recent warning from a leading neurologist regarding the dangers associated with the use of nitrous oxide among young people, with up to ten patients a month presenting to one Dublin hospital with some patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation due to the injuries sustained from inhaling this drug with many streets and public open spaces littered with these canisters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54578/23]

Cancer Services

Duncan Smith

774. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if, similar to the UK, the breast cancer treatment anastrozole will be licensed as an option for preventing the disease in high-risk women in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54619/23]

Special Educational Needs

Duncan Smith

202. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if autism units/classes will be provided for 2024 in school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54320/23]

School Enrolments

Duncan Smith

203. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education if there is a plan to establish a new Irish-speaking secondary school in the Swords area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54332/23]

Health Strategies

Duncan Smith

321. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the timeline on the recruitment of a coordinator for the Cabra Finglas Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54330/23]

Health Strategies

Duncan Smith

322. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the recruitment of a new coordinator for the Cabra Finglas Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54331/23]

Grant Payments

Duncan Smith

99. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will increase the threshold for the housing aid for older persons grant, given the current maximum grant under this scheme is €8000, with the cost of labour, materials and living increases making it inaccessible and unaffordable for many older people to bridge the gap between the awarded grant and the actual cost of the project (details supplied), and with many older people needing to refit their bathrooms on health and safety grounds to the HSE-required standard to include accessible showers, toilets and grab rails as part of their long term needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54096/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Duncan Smith

205. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the issue surrounding the retirement of prison officers and Garda officers who are on a post-April 1995 pension, who are required to sign up for job seekers benefit for nine months following retirement from their respective services to receive their supplementary pension; if he plans to amends this so these workers receive their supplementary pension immediately when they retire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53407/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

534. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will initiate a health technology assessment for an RSV vaccine for older adults following the recent publication of a NIAC recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53393/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

535. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expand the regulation to permit pharmacists to administer RSV vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53394/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

536. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of vaccines against infectious diseases available to adults as part of a strategy to mitigate against antimicrobial resistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53395/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

537. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a free shingles vaccination scheme for older adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53396/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

538. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a free RSV vaccination scheme for older adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53397/23]

Vaccination Programme

Duncan Smith

539. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will fund any new vaccines in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53398/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

547. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in reproductive medicine in the regional fertility hub based at University Maternity Hospital Galway to date in 2023. [53526/23]

Ambulance Service

Duncan Smith

548. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the additional resources that will be provided by the National Ambulance Service to the Kerry area. [53527/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

549. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant optometry and ophthalmology roles in primary care services in CHO9. [53528/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

550. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of day centres for older persons in County Wexford that are funded by the HSE in 2022 and to-date in 2023; and the capacity of each of these day centres, in tabular form. [53529/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

551. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider rolling out minor injuries clinic in County Leitrim. [53530/23]

Health Service Executive

Duncan Smith

552. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of services, which have been allocated to Ennis Hospital.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53531/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

553. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of family planning centres in Cork city that are contracted to provide State-funded services only in the years 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [53532/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

554. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of health-related recruitment fairs held in the UK where staff from the Mater Hospital were present seeking to recruit additional nurses, physiotherapist and so on in 2022 and to-date in 2023; the number of job offers per recruitment fairs; and the number of job offers accepted per recruitment fair, in tabular form. [53533/23]

Medicinal Products

Duncan Smith

555. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health for an update on the hepatitis C Home testing kits; and the number of kits that have been dispatched in CHO3. [53534/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

556. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant anaesthetists working in Mallow General Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [53535/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

557. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current vacancies that exist in Portlaoise Regional Hospital; and the length of time each post has been vacant for. [53536/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

558. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE ophthalmic registrars at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [53537/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

559. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current staffing number in the community psychology team in Carrick-on-Shannon primary care centre. [53538/23]

Hospital Procedures

Duncan Smith

560. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of foot surgeries performed at Mullingar Regional Hospital to date in 2023, in tabular form. [53539/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

561. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide a list of current vacancies in community health posts serving the Donaghmede area including occupational therapist, speech and language therapist and so on. [53540/23]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

562. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the level of additional core expenditure for new developments, excluding funding for carryover and otherwise maintaining existing levels of services, which has been allocated to Kerry University Hospital for 2024; and what these new developments will entail. [53541/23]

General Practitioner Services

Duncan Smith

563. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will outline how each individual CHO funds interpreting services in GPs; and if he plans to improve access to interpreters in GPs by establishing a central service for use across all CHOs. [53542/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

564. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant HSE podiatry services positions in County Clare, by location, in tabular form; and the plans to fill any such vacancies. [53543/23]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

565. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to increase accommodation for CAMHS in County Donegal. [53544/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

566. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant orthopaedic surgeons at Mercy University Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [53545/23]

General Practitioner Services

Duncan Smith

567. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs operating in Louth each year since 2020, in tabular form. [53546/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

568. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE psychologists in each primary care psychology service in Galway by grade, in tabular form. [53547/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

569. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost to recruit three additional WTE senior dietitians for Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. [53548/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

570. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant WTE midwives currently at the Rotunda Maternity Hospital, in tabular form. [53549/23]

Ambulance Service

Duncan Smith

571. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost in 2024 to purchase an additional HSE critical care ambulance, to be stationed in both Galway and Cork. [53550/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

572. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of chiropodists in Waterford who have contracts with the HSE and are accepting new medical card patients. [53551/23]

Emergency Departments

Duncan Smith

573. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who presented to the emergency department at Naas General Hospital to date in 2023. [53552/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

574. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the numbers of WTE consultants in respiratory medicine at St. Vincent's University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [53553/23]

Hospital Admissions

Duncan Smith

575. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the numbers of patients who have attended the adult cochlear outpatient clinic at Beaumont Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [53554/23]

Greenways Provision

Duncan Smith

284. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport for an update on progress of the Maglin greenway in Cork; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52959/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

471. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there is currently a neurologist in Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin; if not how long has this been the case; if there is a plan to hire a neurologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52902/23]

Energy Conservation

Duncan Smith

118. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason it is taking so long for a BER assessment to take place for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52139/23]

Health Services Staff

Duncan Smith

600. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the HSE recruitment freeze exemptions will also cover CDNT managers; if not, why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52103/23]

Disability Services

Duncan Smith

423. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons within CHO4 awaiting respite service. [50600/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

463. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there are future plans to roll out dialectical behavioural therapy in County Sligo. [50598/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

464. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacant staff by job title in the accident and emergency department at Beaumont Hospital as of 13 November 2023, in tabular form. [50599/23]

Hospital Admissions

Duncan Smith

465. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of private insurance patient forms that were completed on admission to Portiuncula University Hospital in each of the years 2021 to date in 2023; and the number of claims that were processed in respect of these forms to health insurance companies in each of the years in question. [50601/23]

Dental Services

Duncan Smith

466. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE dental surgeons employed by the HSE working in primary care centres within CHO6 in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50602/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

467. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a specialist lymphedema clinic to be opened in Drogheda, County Louth. [50603/23]

Hospice Services

Duncan Smith

468. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of hospice care/ palliative care beds in CHO1; and the location of each. [50604/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

469. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologists at Mayo University Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50605/23]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

470. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the last date an external in-person fire safety audit was carried out on behalf of the HSE at Mercy University Hospital; the frequency with which these audits are carried out; and if these audits are published online. [50606/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

471. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE radiographers working in South Tipperary University Hospital in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50607/23]

Health Services

Duncan Smith

472. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the current eye care services available to children aged eight years of age and over in CHO1. [50608/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

473. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant breast surgeons based at each hospital part of the Saolta Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50609/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

474. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacant consultant posts, by speciality currently at University Hospital Waterford; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [50610/23]

Emergency Departments

Duncan Smith

475. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of treatment bays in the accident and emergency department at Cavan General Hospital. [50611/23]

Mental Health Services

Duncan Smith

476. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the early intervention psychosis services that are currently available in CHO3. [50612/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

477. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultants in emergency medicine based at Tallaght University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50613/23]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

478. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the total number of beds available in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in each of the years 2020 to date in 2023, by Department. [50614/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

479. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE vacancies, by job title in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Beaumont Hospital. [50615/23]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Duncan Smith

480. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of ceiling hosts delivered to families in CHO4 in 2022 and to-date in 2023. [50616/23]

Hospital Services

Duncan Smith

481. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of theatre slots for ophthalmology surgery allocated each week to date in 2023 in the Mater Hospital. [50617/23]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Duncan Smith

482. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the current average waiting times for urgent maxillofacial surgery appointments in each of the seven hospital groups. [50618/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

483. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant rheumatologist and rheumatologist registrars working in Kerry University Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50619/23]

Hospital Staff

Duncan Smith

484. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE nurses working in St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, Dublin 5 in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [50620/23]

Hospital Facilities

Duncan Smith

485. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the capital works projects that are scheduled to be carried out at South John's Hospital, Limerick in 2024; and the nature of these works, in tabular form. [50621/23]

School Transport

Duncan Smith

141. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education for an update regarding the provision of a bus from Swords to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50318/23]

Pharmacy Services

Duncan Smith

225. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the recent announcement to allow pharmacists to extend the validity of prescriptions from six months to twelve months, effective from 1 March 2024, includes medical card prescriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/23]

Pension Provisions

Duncan Smith

60. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the issue of Government employment contracts for Garda, fire services, and prison officers, that mandate retirement at 60 years, with no supplementary pension, despite these professions previously receiving a supplementary old age pension until reaching the State pension age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50218/23]

School Funding

Duncan Smith

89. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education to confirm if there are any proposals currently to provide a bilingual French/English primary school in North Dublin; if there would be any funding available to support such an initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50287/23]

Departmental Policies

Duncan Smith

83. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice to outline what threshold, if any, is applicable for the increasing of maintenance fees and fees for sinking funds for apartment owners; what protections, if any, are available to apartment owners to ensure exorbitant fee increases are capped, especially as many owners are struggling to pay these increases; if parking spaces can be revoked if payment is not received by a certain date (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48878/23]

Road Traffic Accidents

Duncan Smith

254. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if, in light of the importance of road safety, he will provide clarification as to the reason his Department does not currently publish road collision data on a monthly basis; whether there are any plans to implement a more frequent reporting schedule in the interest of enhancing road safety awareness and prevention measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48198/23]