Parliamentary questions

Cancer Services

Kathleen Funchion

785. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres, CCSCs, to discuss the ongoing shortage in funding to the sector, which is having a knock-on effect on cancer patients, their families and the wider HSE acute hospital service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35247/23]

Medical Cards

Kathleen Funchion

253. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health is he aware that there has been no processing of medical card authorisations by the optical department in Kilkenny (details supplied) for approximately four weeks; which is leading to a huge leap in the waiting lists in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34531/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Kathleen Funchion

89. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the actions she will take in response to the unlawful gender-based killing of an Irish woman in Spain; if, given the worryingly high levels of gender-based homicide in Ireland, she will now direct the resources to ensure we begin to reverse this horrific trend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33957/23]

Social Welfare Payments

Kathleen Funchion

449. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in receipt of the guardian payment for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; and its current level of remuneration. [33882/23]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Kathleen Funchion

659. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the €1,000 pandemic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33478/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

165. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that the extra social protection payments designed to combat the cost-of-living crisis are adversely affecting the subsidies received by many families under the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32944/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

175. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that a significant number of families in receipt of a subsidy under the national childcare scheme have had their subsidy affected due to the extra social protection payments designed to combat the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32943/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

57. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on child protection and welfare practices in publicly funded and run residential care facilities; if his Department monitor cases of suspected abuse; if provision to address issues highlighted by Tusla will be included in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32483/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

58. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will comment further on a recent parliamentary question I tabled on the number of children in care who are awaiting the allocation of a qualified social worker; the measures that he proposes to tackle the shortfall in the number of social workers within Tusla; the measures he proposes to address the deficit in available data in regard to same; if his Department are engaged in workforce planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/23]

Childcare Services

Kathleen Funchion

92. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to address the steps he will take in budget 2024 to address disadvantaged children in early years education given the significant levels of child poverty being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32485/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

96. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the number of early years services that have been unsuccessful for the sustainability grant by county, in tabular form; the reasons given; and the supports that his Department offer those turned down to ensure future applications are successful. [32487/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

98. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will comment on the recent early years pilot meals programme; to disclose the services that took part in the pilot and whether the programme will be widened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32486/23]

Care Services

Kathleen Funchion

122. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will comment on the low levels of internal promotion from social care level to social worker level, given the crisis in recruitment and retention within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32488/23]

Citizenship Ceremonies

Kathleen Funchion

410. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice if she will confirm a future date for a person (details supplied) to attend a citizenship ceremony; if she will confirm their Irish citizenship; when they will receive a new date for same; and the process they should now follow. [32090/23]

Domestic Violence

Kathleen Funchion

414. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of staffed domestic violence refuge centres and the number of supported units open in each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32122/23]

Domestic Violence

Kathleen Funchion

415. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of new refuge accommodation units delivered and opened for each of the years 2020 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32123/23]

Domestic Violence

Kathleen Funchion

416. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the number of refuge accommodation units that closed in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 inclusive, for each county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32124/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Kathleen Funchion

417. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the Tusla funding allocation for each of the years 2020 to 2023 inclusive for staffed refuges, domestic violence support services, rape crisis centres and associated helplines, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32125/23]

Health Services

Kathleen Funchion

434. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that some private optician companies and businesses are repeatedly upselling their goods and services to eye patients when they present for their free eye tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31873/23]

Healthcare Policy

Kathleen Funchion

185. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the steering group on the dedicated child health workforce, as committed to in First 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29945/23]

State Pensions

Kathleen Funchion

229. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection to review the pension rate of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28959/23]

Departmental Data

Kathleen Funchion

137. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated first- and full-year cost to increase the foster care allowance to €500 for the under-12s cohort and the over-12s cohort. [28782/23]

Departmental Data

Kathleen Funchion

140. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the first and full-year cost to increase the minimum wage (€13 p/h) for early years staff to €15 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28864/23]

Defence Forces

Kathleen Funchion

233. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if refurbishment works on block C at Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny have commenced; the estimated timeframe for these works to be completed; and the estimated costs for this refurbishment. [27622/23]

Tax Yield

Kathleen Funchion

369. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Finance the estimated yield if the top four local property tax rates all increased by 30% based on 2022 figures. [27621/23]

State Bodies

Kathleen Funchion

453. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget allocation for the Corporate Enforcement Authority in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [27624/23]

State Bodies

Kathleen Funchion

454. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of WTE vacancies by job title at the Corporate Enforcement Authority as of 29 May 2023; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [27625/23]

Housing Schemes

Kathleen Funchion

707. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated full-year cost if the budget for housing adaptation grant for people with a disability increased by 12.5%. [27628/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Kathleen Funchion

834. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will intervene and review the invalidity pension application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28169/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Kathleen Funchion

1013. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to undertake the external expert report 'Towards a new governance framework for children and youth policies in Ireland'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27087/23]

Health Services Staff

Kathleen Funchion

1055. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE behaviour therapists working in children's disability network teams based in County Kilkenny in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [27626/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

1056. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount that TUSLA has spent on redeveloping St. Dympna's Hospital, Athy Road, Carlow. [27627/23]

Forbairt na Gaeilge

Kathleen Funchion

1081. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Kathleen Funchion den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige maidir leis an 'Little Baby Bundle' atá le dáileadh ag do Roinn ar 500 tuismitheoir nua ó Mhí Feabhra 2023 ar aghaidh le tacú leo agus a leanbh tagtha ar an saol: cé gur fógraíodh go mbeadh leabhair faoi leanaí agus bileoga faisnéise faoi chúrsaí sláinte ar fáil i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge sna pacáistí, an bhféadfadh an tAire a dheimhniú an mbeidh aon ábhar ar fáil iontu a chabhródh le tuismitheoirí nó a thabharfadh spreagadh dóibh Gaeilge a úsáid lena bpáistí; murab amhlaidh an cás faoi láthair, an féidir leis an Aire a chinntiú go mbeidh a leithéid de leabhair/de bhileoga ar fáil ina mbeidh faisnéis faoin gcineál cuir chuige ba cheart a bheith ag tuismitheoirí agus iad ag tosú amach leis an nGaeilge a úsáid leis an leanbh nuabheirthe, faoi na buntáistí a bhaineann leis an dátheangachas don leanbh, agus faoi na Naíonraí/Gaelscoileanna atá sa limistéar, mar shampla, curtha san áireamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28073/23]

Children in Care

Kathleen Funchion

1087. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of foster care children who are without a fully qualified social worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28307/23]

Health Services

Kathleen Funchion

1110. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in regard to tender 2018 for a service (details supplied); if he will ensure the process is transparent; if he will provide an update on when tender 2023 will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27101/23]

Health Services Staff

Kathleen Funchion

1170. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant consultant posts by speciality and registrar posts by speciality currently at St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [27623/23]

Domestic Violence

Kathleen Funchion

403. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total estimated cost to build a ten-room domestic violence refuge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26055/23]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Kathleen Funchion

516. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Justice the total spend allocated to Tusla under the third Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy for capital works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26054/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

586. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the potential costs to undertake a comprehensive review of staffing structures within Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

587. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing capacity in early years providers for baby places 0-1 nationally by 10%. [25594/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

588. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the budget allocated for Tusla under the NDP for ICT infrastructure; the budget allocated for Tusla by his Department for ICT infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25626/23]

Child and Family Agency

Kathleen Funchion

245. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to allow new recruits of Tusla to carry over their annual leave entitlements from private social work or care employers. [25534/23]

Social Welfare Benefits

Kathleen Funchion

485. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost to award foster carers' entitlements to PRSI credits to recognise their contribution as carers of vulnerable children on behalf of the State; and if this cohort will qualify for the enhanced State pension in January 2024. [24719/23]

Ukraine War

Kathleen Funchion

676. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied Ukrainian minors that are currently in Ireland arising from the Temporary Protection Directive. [24415/23]

Ukraine War

Kathleen Funchion

677. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to set out the legal status of Ukrainian unaccompanied minors, specifically whether they are in the care of the Irish State. [24416/23]

Ukraine War

Kathleen Funchion

678. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian unaccompanied minors who have been allocated a designated social worker. [24417/23]

Ukraine War

Kathleen Funchion

679. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the services and supports which are available to Ukrainian unaccompanied minors. [24418/23]

Ukraine War

Kathleen Funchion

680. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports Ukrainian unaccompanied minors will be entitled two when they turn 18 years of age if they are not able to return to Ukraine before that date, and specifically whether they will be eligible for aftercare support available to Irish care leavers. [24419/23]

Children in Care

Kathleen Funchion

681. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the foster carer's basic payment by 25%. [24423/23]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Kathleen Funchion

682. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early childhood care and education only providers, that is, providers that do not offer a service outside of ECCE provision; the amount of annual funding they received; the number of childcare providers in receipt of State funding in same; the amount of annual funding received; the number of providers in receipt of funding that do not provide ECCE; and the amount of annual funding received in 2022. [24424/23]