Parliamentary questions

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]