14. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the further steps he and his Department are taking to encourage more young people to enter farming and to support family farm succession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52227/26]
11. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional measures he is considering to support farm incomes in light of rising input costs and challenges facing the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52226/26]
252. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an estimate of the amount which would have been spent on the dental treatment service scheme in 2025 if spending had been maintained at the level spent in 2009 with CPI applied in the intervening period, taking into account the current number of eligible medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52252/26]
251. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an estimate of the accumulated total in cuts in spending on the dental treatment service scheme since 2010 when compared with the baseline annual total spent in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52251/26]
250. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health her views on the fact that while the number of NHDs has risen by 52% between 2012 and 2021, the number of hospital consultants has risen by 44% over the past decade, while the number of nurses and midwives has risen by 36% and the number of administrators and managers has risen by 50%, the number of dentists employed by the HSE has in fact fallen by 30% between 2009 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52250/26]
235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether Ireland intends to seek council conclusions, a Presidency statement, or another formal Presidency output during its EU Council Presidency calling for stronger EU action on tobacco control, including action on novel nicotine products, youth vaping, cross-border marketing, flavours, packaging and online sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52117/26]
234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether she plans to facilitate exchanges between the European Commission, Council officials, Member State health attachés and public-health stakeholders, including through workshops, technical meetings or Presidency events, to support a comprehensive and expedited revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52116/26]
233. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or preparation for a revised Tobacco Products Directive will feature in the conference being organised in Dublin from 15 to 18 September 2026, entitled "2026 Annual Conference of the European Society for Prevention Research on Innovation in Prevention to Support Health Equity"; whether her Department is involved in shaping the agenda or outcomes of that conference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52115/26]
232. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of meetings of the Working Party on Public Health that are scheduled or expected to take place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; whether tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive are expected to feature on the agenda of any such meeting; and whether Ireland intends to table any Presidency paper, discussion note or draft Council conclusions on these issues. [52114/26]
231. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the plans to work with the Member States that joined Ireland in the March 2025 letter to the European Commission calling for urgent progress on EU tobacco-control legislation, including Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain, with a view to securing renewed Council-level momentum during the Irish Presidency; whether any such contacts have taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52113/26]
230. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether, during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, if she intends to seek a dedicated discussion at EPSCO Health Council, including under Any Other Business if necessary, on the need to expedite the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive; whether she has raised or intends to raise this matter directly with the European Commissioner for Health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52112/26]
229. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health whether the conference being organised by her Department on 16 and 17 November 2026, entitled "Maximising EU Potential through Health - Securing Our Future Through Prevention, Innovation and Equity", will include any dedicated session, panel, speaker contribution or outcome document addressing tobacco control, novel nicotine products, youth vaping, or preparations for a revised Tobacco Products Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52111/26]
223. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to procure additional ophthalmology service provision to address the needs of the more than 58,000 patients currently on waiting lists for ophthalmology care nationwide; when the next National Treatment Purchase Fund Framework for waiting list activity is expected to be published; when procurement under that framework is expected to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52065/26]
163. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if consideration will be given to expediting an IRP application for a person (details supplied) due to technical issues experienced by the family during the application leading to an error, refusal and reapplication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52236/26]
135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an estimate on the amount that would have been spent on the dental treatment service scheme in 2025 if spending had been maintained at 2009 levels with CPI applied in the intervening period and taking into account the current numbers of citizens eligible to receive PRSI benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52254/26]
134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an estimate of the accumulated total in cuts in spending on the dental treatment service scheme since 2010 as compared with the baseline annual total spent in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52253/26]
66. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether, in seeking agreement on the Tobacco Taxation Directive, Ireland will support the inclusion of novel nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches, within the EU excise framework; whether Ireland supports minimum excise rates that reflect public-health objectives as well as internal-market considerations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52120/26]
65. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether Ireland intends to table or support a Presidency compromise text on the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union; whether he expects the file to be brought to ECOFIN for political agreement before the end of the Irish Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52119/26]
64. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of meetings of the Working Party on Tax Questions, including meetings dealing with indirect taxation, that are scheduled or expected to take place during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; whether the revision of the Tobacco Taxation Directive is expected to feature on the agenda of any such meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52118/26]
393. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider an emergency works scheme application by a school (details supplied) to repair hazardous and unsafe flooring and carpeting which is in need of repair from a health and safety perspective; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51690/26]
187. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the actions his Department is taking to expedite the national roll out of contactless payment systems on public transport, in particular in Cork City and County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50941/26]
62. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to confirm the current status of progress on the Blackpool (River Bride) flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51530/26]
53. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to confirm the amount the Government has spent on infrastructure projects in Cork in each of the years from 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51531/26]
363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, if consideration will be given to the recognition of imminent loss of employment as grounds for expediting the process, in view that the current expedite route is aimed at travel emergencies rather than the loss of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/26]
362. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider updating the published guidance and the notice to employers in relation to the processing of Irish residency permit renewal applications, to reflect that Stamp 4 renewals including change of status renewals from Stamp 1 to Stamp 4 are currently exceeding the 12 week processing timeline window; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/26]
323. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to confirm the status of a person’s application (details supplied) to the teaching council for post primary qualifications assessment; if serious consideration will be given to the application due to the person’s qualifications, particularly as there is a need for European language teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50682/26]
69. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the progress made to date in relation to the ratification of the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49804/26]
6. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the progress made to date on the Government commitment of the establishment of the John Hume fund; the timeline for the introduction of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49805/26]
332. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that an appropriate review is being carried out within her Department and the HSE for the delivery of additional infrastructure for stem cell transplantation in view of the fact that there is a high reliance on overseas treatment pathways, with associated delays, inequitable access, and significant cost to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50320/26]
331. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that her Department and the HSE have put a plan in place to increase the capacity for stem cell transplantation, as it is now an established treatment for a range of conditions including autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50319/26]
330. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that her Department has reviewed the current policy in respect of delivering the necessary infrastructure to provide for advanced cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy for both haematological malignancies and solid cancers; to confirm that a ten year plan will be put in place ensuring that the necessary infrastructure will be available to provide the care and treatment which patients require; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50318/26]
329. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that funding has been set aside both in respect of the capital cost, commissioning and recruitment of the required number of staff in order to proceed with the development of a stem cell transplantation and advanced cellular therapies unit in Cork University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50317/26]
328. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that immediate action will be taken to cater for the growing number of patients requiring stem cell transplantation for haematological conditions, in view of the fact that the number of people being identified who require this treatment is growing and in order to reduce down the delays in accessing the care required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50316/26]
327. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to confirm that within her Department it is the policy to develop adequate capacity for stem cell transplantation and advanced cellular therapies, in view of the fact that there is limited access as there are only two units in Ireland providing this service and there is a growing demand for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50315/26]
326. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the planned development of a stem cell transplant unit at Cork University Hospital, in view of the fact that many patients from the south/south-west area have to travel either to Dublin or Galway, therefore there is an urgent need to prioritise the delivery of the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50314/26]
216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on the Programme for Government Commitment to establish a cyber security centre of excellence around a cluster of third level education facilities and related industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42218/26]
166. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider an appeal (details supplied); if the decision for refusal will be reversed; if the sanction of home-based summer provision will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49940/26]
42. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the ongoing delays in the processing of Irish Residency Permit renewal applications, in view of delays currently being experienced by applicants and taking into account that it may take up to a further 15 business days from when the application is completed to receive the new approved IRP card by post [48685/26]
13. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on his Department's progress in establishing a single application process for employment permits and visa applications; the progress that has been made to date by the interdepartmental group established to review this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48684/26]
572. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of an Irish residency permit renewal application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48966/26]
552. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of an Irish Residency Permit renewal application (details supplied); when it is likely that same will be processed in view that the application is pending over 15 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48863/26]
466. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a review of eligibility criteria and the identification of priority areas for grant aid schemes administered by local authorities to upgrade, repair or replace domestic wastewater treatment systems/septic tank systems; when it is likely that these changes will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48965/26]
214. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 8 May 2025, the number of driving test assessors currently assigned to test centres in Cork; the further measures that have been undertaken to restore the service to target levels in Cork and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49435/26]
213. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to reduce the lengthy waiting time for driving test appointments at test centres in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49434/26]