135. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on the roll out of the National Broadband Plan in Cork; the total number of premises falling under the NBP remit in Cork; the total number of premises that are now available to pre-order/order broadband and the total number of premises still pending survey; if these figures are on target with the number of premises to be passed in Cork by 31 March 2023; his plans to accelerate the delivery of the programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19741/23]
111. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures his Department is taking to assist new build property owners who are not eligible for the solar electricity grant; if consideration will be given to the provision of additional financial supports to assist new build property owners purchase and install solar PV systems, where the properties were built and occupied after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19742/23]
62. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on his latest engagement with the Russian ambassador in view of the recent presence of Russian commercial vessels in international waters off Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19748/23]
27. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being undertaken by his Department to ensure that there are sufficient staffing numbers in passport services in order that the current processing times for passport applications are maintained, given the spike in volume of passport applications received by passport services often occurs in the lead up to and during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19747/23]
629. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the number of prescriptions issued for oxycodone as part of a public drug scheme or in a HSE hospital, psychiatric facility or primary care setting and by a private GP from 2011 to date, in tabular form. [19580/23]
198. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if a Standards Working Group convened by his Department plans to examine the MacCurtain Street public transport improvement scheme, currently being implemented by Cork City Council as part of its review, to ensure that the local authority is in line with the various guidelines and standards documents (details supplied) which should be taken into account by local authorities when undertaking to construct new walking and cycling infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/23]
197. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a Standards Working Group which was convened to examine the various guidance and standards documents (details supplied) which should be taken into account by local authorities when constructing new walking and cycling infrastructure to ensure that this infrastructure is designed safely and efficiently in order to encourage more people to use active travel transport modes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/23]
114. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when local groups in Cork will be able to apply for funding under the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19401/23]
88. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she will announce successful projects under the Community Support Fund in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19400/23]
360. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify as to the new procedures that have been put in place to expedite the process for the development and the building for the new elective hospital for Cork; if he can provide a timeframe as to when his Department will allow the project to proceed to planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10401/23]
325. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications made to the ash dieback replanting scheme; the total amount of funding paid out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18803/23]
324. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications made to the ash dieback replanting scheme which have been processed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18802/23]
323. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the number of applications made to the ash dieback replanting scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/23]
193. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the funding application by Cork County Council for the road upgrade project at Pewter Hole Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18843/23]
192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Clonakilty town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18842/23]
191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Kinsale town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18841/23]
94. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action is being taken by his Department in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners in assisting those importing second-hand agricultural machinery from the UK, given there are now significant delays and disruption being experienced as a result of the UK leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18618/23]
35. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to deal with the shortage of community beds in the Cork/Kerry region in view of the fact that 240 beds have been removed from the system in the past four years, and also taking into account that beds are being occupied in Cork University Hospital by patients who could have been discharged over three months ago into appropriate care in the community, and this delay in discharge is preventing the admission of patients to the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18472/23]
28. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to address the current critical shortage of dentists across the private sector and public service in Ireland, in view that at least 500 extra dentists are needed to meet the needs of a rising population and to replace retiring dentists as per this report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18473/23]
184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to address the current shortage of qualified dental nurses in the dental workforce nationally; if consideration would be given to the allocation of additional training places for dental nurses to deal with this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18366/23]
183. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to increase the number of available places for dental hygienist students in the two dental schools in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin, in view that approximately 25 dental hygienists graduate from the two dental schools annually which as per a report (details supplied) is not enough graduates annually to address the dental workforce crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18365/23]
182. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to increase the number of available places to dental students at the two dental schools in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; if consideration would be given to the provision of additional funding to invest and expand the two dental schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18364/23]
181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what progress has been made to date on the building of a new dental school and hospital in Curraheen, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18363/23]
134. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made to date by his Department following a meeting between Department officials and an organisation (details supplied) on 15 February 2023 to discuss the inclusion of certified athletic therapists in the next round of ten professions seeking regulations, their concerns around the regulation of this profession and plans to develop a future policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/23]
131. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the appropriate agencies/bodies to facilitate identification of vulnerable groups for the purposes of enabling them to access periodontal treatment, and further as a means of preventing early death and increased morbidity, as well as leading to a substantial improvement in health outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/23]
130. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to the introduction of a bill to amend the Dentists Act 1985, to reflect recent developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18379/23]
129. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant authorities to evaluate the scope of primary care practice in supporting the implementation of Smile Agus Sláinte Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/23]
128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with the appropriate bodies to actively advance the introduction of preventative packages for children and adults to support EU and Irish regulations which require the phase-down of amalgam fillings, that such packages would be delivered by private dental practices subject to the appropriate contracts being put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/23]
127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will actively engage with dental practitioners and their representative bodies to promote appropriate toothpaste use, in line with WHO evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18376/23]
126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will support an information campaign to raise awareness of the new service arrangements, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, for the purposes of informing parents of these new services when they are in place, and in supporting the promotion of fluoride toothpaste in line with current WHO guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/23]
125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that a modern system of clinical surveillance, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, is put in place to ensure that same continues to be effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/23]
124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to establishing a management/leadership group under the auspices of his Department, comprised of representatives of the relevant Departments of State, statutory agencies and dental educational institutions, for the purposes of implementing Smile Agus Sláinte 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/23]
123. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to address the current waiting list for screening and treatment in orthodontic services in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18372/23]
122. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that the public dental service is adequately staffed and resourced, in view of recommendations set out in a report (details supplied) which advises that based on the current population, 450 whole-time equivalent dental posts are needed in the HSE public dental service in order to address the difficulties apparent in the service, and to enable the service deliver on its stated objectives of preventing dental health difficulties as well as caring for and treating children and other vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18371/23]
121. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to reviewing the current process for non-EEA dentists to register to practice as dentists in Ireland; if consideration would be given to amendments to modernise and make the process more efficient, particularly regarding the curriculum for these examinations, the frequency with which they are held and the feedback given to candidates, in particular to candidates who fail to meet the required standards in examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18370/23]
120. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to updating the Dental Council’s ‘Register of Dentists’ as recommended by a report (details supplied), to include information such as location, services provided, and hours worked, wherein this would provide a reliable overview of the number and availability of practising dentists in the country and allow an informed assessment to feed into workforce planning for the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18369/23]
114. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to broaden the range of dental specialities in Ireland through appropriate educational pathways to include a broader range of dental specialities particularly in areas such as disability and paediatrics, wherein any new scope of practice or expanded roles would be properly regulated by the Dental Council with mandatory registration for these professionals, in view that there are currently just two recognised dental specialities in Ireland, orthodontics and oral surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18368/23]
113. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to the reintroduction of a foundation training scheme (details supplied) to facilitate new dental school graduates in gaining experience in a mentored environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18367/23]
112. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant educational bodies to conduct a review of how undergraduate education programmes can best support the Smile Agus Sláinte policy, in particular in regards to the provision of care to vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18362/23]
111. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant educational bodies to examine the training and scope of all work carried out by auxiliary dental workers, that is dental technicians and clinical dental technicians, with a view to expanding the range of direct services to the public, without the necessity of having to see a dentist first as is currently the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/23]
25. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to ensure that motorists will not be directly affected by the proposed introduction of E10 petrol, in view that many motorists currently operate older vehicles compatible to E5 petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18399/23]
24. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to clarify that following the potential introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland, whether or not E5 petrol will still continue to be supplied in order to cater for the thousands of pre-Euro V engine vehicles still being used by many motorists on Irish roads today, in view that if E5 petrol were to be discontinued nationally thousands of vehicles could not be operated which would force many motorists to buy a newer vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18398/23]
23. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed introduction of E10 petrol in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/23]
22. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what immediate action his Department is taking to help alleviate the waiting time for driving tests, which now stands at five months, in view that many provisional drivers now find themselves in a position where they will not have the funds to insure their vehicle wherein the cost is significantly higher for provisional drivers than fully licensed drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18392/23]
21. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to reduce the five-month waiting time for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18391/23]
1749. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide a timeline of when works are due to commence on the development of a helipad at the Cork University Hospital site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18141/23]
1691. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide details of each of the medical negligence claims made against the 19 maternity hospitals; which of these said claims have been settled over the past five years, in tabular form for each of the 19 individual maternity units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17750/23]
1690. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the current number of medical negligence claims that are pending against each of the 19 maternity hospitals, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17749/23]
1159. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify what percentage of all timber cut in Ireland is being exported for the production of biomass; if he will advise what countries it is exported to for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16492/23]
842. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to set out in detail the funding granted to each voluntary housing organisation for the erection or acquisition of residential units for each of the past five years; the number of units erected or acquired, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/23]