Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

400. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the fuel allowance was discontinued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the income threshold for couples will be increased. [58864/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

402. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the maximum pension benefits including the increase for a qualified adult are now being paid in full to persons (details supplied). [58875/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

403. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the living alone allowance is being paid to a person (details supplied). [58876/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

457. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the appeal submitted by this Deputy on behalf of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved given the exceptional circumstances of the case. [59471/22]

Agriculture Schemes

John McGuinness

774. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal in the case of persons (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited and a positive decision issued based on the comprehensive submission made by the applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58846/22]

Agriculture Schemes

John McGuinness

783. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal in relation to a decision made under the BEEP scheme in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved based on the exceptional circumstances of the case and the hardship being experienced by the appellant; the reason ]the person was informed by a Department official prior to submitting the appeal that the appeal was unlikely to succeed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59121/22]

Work Permits

John McGuinness

148. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will outline his plans to relax the rules on work visas for certain categories of qualified persons where there is a shortage in the economy such as HGV drivers, mechanics, chefs, medical professionals, specialist hair stylists and so on; the number of visas issued in the past three years to date; the categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58575/22]

School Transport

John McGuinness

218. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the original management accounts for Bus Éireann school transport showing surpluses or deficits in each of the years 2007 to 2013 were ever requested and examined by her Department; the steps that she has taken to comply with the requirements of the EU Commission to avoid proceedings in relation to school transport; if the EU Commission was informed by the company or her Department whether or not Bus Éireann recorded a surplus/deficit relative to school transport from 2007 to 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58564/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

219. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the appropriate supports for a school and a SNA have been put in place for a student (details supplied). [58574/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

255. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a domiciliary care allowance will be approved and backdated for a person (details supplied). [58573/22]

Healthcare Policy

John McGuinness

311. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his response to the urgent appeal for funding and other supports outlined in correspondence to his Department from the Supported Care Homes Advisory Group CHO5; if the concerns outlined on behalf of the homes will be addressed as a matter of urgency relative to issues (details supplied); if he will support the initiative of this group to develop its services in response to the needs of the older person in their respective communities and to develop a response to older peoples future housing needs in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58567/22]

Horse Racing Industry

John McGuinness

329. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will formally stand down the chairman, board and executive of Horse Sport Ireland and appoint independent investigators to determine the extent of the problems and governance issues in the organisation and to recommend a pathway forward for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58568/22]

Horse Racing Industry

John McGuinness

330. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the position of CEO of Horse Sport Ireland was a temporary contract for six months; the reason that this contract was extended for a further six months; the action that was taken by the Board or his Department, legal or otherwise arising from the vote of no confidence in the CEO passed by the Board; if the newly appointed HR member of staff and the legal counsel took any action to protect Horse Sport Ireland and implement the decision of the Board and inform his Department; if legal proceedings are being taken by the CEO or others against Horse Sport Ireland relative to this or other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58569/22]

Horse Racing Industry

John McGuinness

331. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all appointments to the board of Horse Sport Ireland reflect the highest standards possible and a range of interested parties that will have the collective professionalism to address the legacy issues restore confidence and set the organisation on a pathway to success. [58570/22]

Departmental Funding

John McGuinness

697. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the approved funding for residential care being provided by SOS Kilkenny for a person (details supplied) will be released immediately. [57908/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

227. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a claim for a disability allowance which is under review will be expedited and approved in the name of a person (details supplied). [57116/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

229. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowance will be paid to the amount claimed by a person (details supplied). [57136/22]

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

181. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the delay in processing the payments to Section 39 organisations to bring their pay levels in line with those employed by Section 38 agencies; and if the matter will be expedited.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56853/22]

Farm Inspections

John McGuinness

201. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a report arising from an investigation into a complaint made by a person (details supplied) relative to an on-farm inspection in 2013, is now completed; if so, if the report will be published; the reason that the findings of the report have not been communicated to the person who made the complaint; if he or his senior officials will meet the complainant to discuss the status of the report and the next steps in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56850/22]

Public Sector Pensions

John McGuinness

224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the deductions made from the pensions of retired teachers arising from the financial crash 2008 will be restored. [56139/22]

School Transport

John McGuinness

318. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the way the extra funding allocated in budget 2023 for the school bus scheme is to be spent by her Department; if the list of names provided by this Deputy of students that did not get a place on a school bus will now be accommodated; if all existing school buses are being operated to capacity; and if she will list the counties that are worst affected by the lack of places on school buses and the actions she intends to take or is taking to resolve all outstanding matters relative to this matter. [56152/22]

Community Welfare Services

John McGuinness

367. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to resolve the backlog of applications for supplementary welfare allowance in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; and if the applications can be expedited. [56138/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

269. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for WFP submitted in the name of a person (details supplied) on 15 September 2022 will be expedited and approved. [56053/22]

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

76. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if an application for an additional SNA will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will expedite a positive outcome. [55746/22]

Departmental Inquiries

John McGuinness

381. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the outcome of the investigation into complaints by a person (details supplied); the actions taken by his Department to address the issues raised; the date of the original complaints; the status of a report into the matter; if the report will be published; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54666/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

686. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [55048/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

687. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) has sufficient contributions to qualify for a pension in her own right; if her spouse is in receipt of his full entitlement and an adult dependent allowance; and if she will provide a record of the contributions made by the person. [55050/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

692. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to the date that they commenced giving the care in 2020; and if the appeal will be expedited and approved. [55071/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

694. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of a disability allowance claim in the name of a person (details supplied) has been completed; and if all outstanding payments due to the applicant will be paid without delay. [55081/22]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

881. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the status of an independent investigation into penalisation arising from a protected disclosure submitted relative to the Irish Prison Service; the date the investigation commenced; if an interim or final report has been submitted to her Department; if the complaint regarding penalisation in respect of this person had been investigated on two occasions prior to the commencement of the independent investigation and if so, the actions that were taken arising from the investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55298/22]

Ambulance Service

John McGuinness

1045. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding allocated to the National Ambulance Service for capital projects; if the base in Carlow is to be upgraded; and if a new site for the Carlow base is to be progressed as part of the capital programme. [54669/22]

Health Services

John McGuinness

1127. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the rate per kilometre paid by the HSE to patients who use their own car to attend dialysis sessions/appointments; if the rate will be increased given the increase in the costs of travel; if the payment to those making such a claim is issued in a timely manner; the number of patients availing of the scheme; the number of claims outstanding for a month or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55055/22]

Departmental Legal Cases

John McGuinness

1130. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the date of the High Court decision in the case of a person (details supplied); if the full extent of the court decision has been honoured by the State from the decision date to date; the current status of the services available to the person and in particular speech and language therapy, OT, music therapy and sensory integration; if his attention has been drawn to any protocol or guidelines set down by the HSE that may prevent the current service provider, procured by the HSE, in carrying out the contract for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55070/22]

Medical Cards

John McGuinness

295. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the expiry date on a medical card issued to a person (details supplied) until such time as the card renewal process is completed; and if a positive response will be expedited. [54002/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

429. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will provide a record of the insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied); the way that the figure of €22 was calculated as a State pension (non-contributory) in their case; if they will be included as an adult dependent on their spouse's State pension (non-contributory) when they qualify at the same rate that they are now on through their spouses jobseeker’s claim. [52751/22]

Road Projects

John McGuinness

196. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if the strategic assessment report submitted by Kilkenny County Council for the next phase of the ring road will be expedited and approved; if approval will be given to the Council to appoint consultants to examine the route options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52559/22]

Planning Issues

John McGuinness

227. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the timeframe for processing submissions made to the housing supply clearing house; the status of an application made by a person (details supplied); the number of applications that have been made to date; the number of approved or rejected applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52560/22]

Schools Building Projects

John McGuinness

248. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education the status of a school building project to be undertaken at a school (details supplied); when her Department will lodge the planning application to Kilkenny County Council; the indicative timeframe for the completion of each stage in the event that planning permission is granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52513/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

263. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if all outstanding benefit payments due to a person (details supplied) will be paid immediately; and if she will confirm the amounts due to the person and the periods in question. [52502/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

264. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for a State pension in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved as three applications have been submitted to date, two of which have been misplaced in the Department. [52503/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

266. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a full carer’s allowance will be approved immediately for a person (details supplied) who is in receipt of payment of half of the carer's payment and whose financial circumstances have changed. [52517/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

272. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if child benefit will continue to be paid to a person (details supplied) who is in full-time education. [52549/22]

Community Employment Schemes

John McGuinness

273. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the payments that are due to a person (details supplied) will be issued to them as soon as possible. [52556/22]

Medicinal Products

John McGuinness

333. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the drug plaquenil will be approved for use in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52558/22]

Food Industry

John McGuinness

381. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the cap on work permits in the meat processing sector will be increased as a matter of urgency given that some companies in the sector are experiencing a shortage of skills and are being forced to recruit abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52557/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

137. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if the applications for an invalidity pension and fuel allowance in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [52282/22]

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

138. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer’s allowance which has been approved in the name of a person (details supplied) will be backdated to the date of the original application in 2021; if arrears have already been paid based on the recent approval and the circumstances of the applicant during this period; and if a review of the applications will be expedited. [52314/22]

School Staff

John McGuinness

272. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education if the special circumstances relating to a pupil (details supplied) will be re-examined in the context of his urgent need for a SNA at a school; if the services such as speech and language therapy which they require will also be provided as a matter of urgency given that their positive progression is being hampered; and if she will expedite the matter. [50979/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

293. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance will be approved immediately in the case of a child (details supplied) based on the medical reports and the diary information submitted. [50980/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

294. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if domiciliary care allowance and arrears will be paid to a person (details supplied); if payments will be backdated to the year of the first assessment when the child was three years of age and when they were first informed verbally by a Department official not to apply as they would not qualify; and if the case put forward them will be investigated. [50985/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

295. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if carer's allowance will be put back into payment for a person (details supplied), in line with the specified timeframe set out in the original decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50986/22]

Disability Services

John McGuinness

453. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if speech and language therapy will be provided immediately in the case of a child (details supplied) given that their assessments were carried out in August 2020 and again on 21 May 2021, and that they are now experiencing difficulty in obtaining a school placement due to their issues and the lack of support thus preventing their proper development and education; and if he will expedite the matter. [50982/22]

Land Issues

John McGuinness

476. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials will re-examine as a matter of urgency the specific land folios in question (details supplied) given that the landowner is adamant that the issues raised by his Department do not affect their lands, the subject of the licence application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50983/22]

Forestry Sector

John McGuinness

477. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50984/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

149. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the building regulation SR54 will be amended to allow external insulation to be provided on solid stone walls, thereby allowing the insulation to be grant-aided by the SEAI warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48524/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

415. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that the maximum State Pension (contributory) is not being paid to a person (details supplied). [47928/22]

State Pensions

John McGuinness

417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for State pension (contributory) in the name of a person (details supplied) will be approved and paid. [47942/22]

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

448. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a response to an application for a disability allowance that is under appeal in the case of a person (details supplied). [48527/22]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

529. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice the progress that she is making with a protected disclosure submitted to her by an individual (details supplied) who was once employed in the Prison Service and who has spoken publicly about their experiences and grievances; if she has processed the disclosure in line with current legislation; and if she will reach out to the individual concerned to determine whether a solution can be found to the matters raised. [47925/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John McGuinness

706. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when agency staff and section 39 employees will be paid the €1,000 Covid bonus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48529/22]

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

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

Building Regulations

John McGuinness

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

Departmental Data

John McGuinness

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

Departmental Reports

John McGuinness

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

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

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

School Transport

John McGuinness

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

Primary Care Centres

John McGuinness

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

Housing Schemes

John McGuinness

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

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

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

Special Educational Needs

John McGuinness

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

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

Social Welfare Appeals

John McGuinness

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

State Pensions

John McGuinness

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

State Pensions

John McGuinness

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

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

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

Social Welfare Payments

John McGuinness

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

Child Protection

John McGuinness

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

Immigration Support Services

John McGuinness

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

Education and Training Provision

John McGuinness

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

Health Service Executive

John McGuinness

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

John McGuinness

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

Thalidomide Victims Compensation

John McGuinness

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

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

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

Disability Services

John McGuinness

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

Hospital Services

John McGuinness

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

Health Services

John McGuinness

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

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

Animal Diseases

John McGuinness

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

Rural Schemes

John McGuinness

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

Broadband Infrastructure

John McGuinness

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

Housing Provision

John McGuinness

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

Defence Forces

John McGuinness

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

Third Level Staff

John McGuinness

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

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

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

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

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

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

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

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

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

Legislative Measures

John McGuinness

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

Health Services Staff

John McGuinness

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

Social Welfare Eligibility

John McGuinness

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