Michael Murphy

873. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the discussions undertaken by the HSE with a private provider regarding ophthalmology services for south Tipperary; whether the scoping exercise referred to in replies to Dáil Éireann has been completed; the findings of that exercise; whether any contractual arrangements have been entered into; the anticipated cost of any such arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49360/26]

874. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health for an update on the targeted ophthalmology "blitz" clinic initiative referred to in replies in Dáil Éireann relating to south Tipperary; whether the initiative has commenced; the number of clinics held to date; the number of children assessed or treated; the impact on waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49361/26]

141. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the level of funding currently allocated to any solar photovoltaic grant or support scheme for medically vulnerable customers; the amount of funding that remains available under such schemes for the remainder of 2026; the number of applications approved to date in 2026; whether individuals who are dependent on medical devices in the home, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, are considered medically vulnerable for the purposes of eligibility; the qualifying criteria applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47845/26]

251. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the income thresholds for the age exemption from income tax for persons aged 65 years and over from the current levels of €18,000 for a single person and €36,000 for a married couple/civil partners to €20,000 and €40,000 respectively in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47186/26]

342. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the detailed delivery plan, including timelines and key milestones, for the full modular build comprising of 14 classrooms and associated facilities to address the accommodation crisis at a school (details supplied); the expected date for the completion of the design and planning stage; and the projected date for delivery and occupation of the new accommodation. [47249/26]

343. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school (details supplied) is currently operating beyond its accommodation capacity, given that its special education teaching room is being used as a mainstream classroom, that SET teachers are being required to provide support in unsuitable spaces, and that enrolment numbers have had to be restricted due to lack of accommodation; when a decision will be made on the school's application for additional classroom accommodation; whether the project will be prioritised given the school's urgent needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47250/26]

20. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration has been given to introducing additional age-related social welfare supports for persons aged over 80 years and over 90 years, in recognition of increased heating, healthcare and independent living costs associated with advanced age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41553/26]

61. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he is considering advocating, as part of the pre-budget process, for targeted employer PRSI relief measures for SMEs, particularly in respect of lower-paid workers, in order to help locally owned businesses maintain employment and remain competitive in the face of rising business costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41556/26]

88. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection whether he will review the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance scheme in circumstances where many older persons living on modest fixed incomes marginally exceed the current means thresholds but remain at risk of fuel poverty, particularly persons aged over 80 and 90 years-of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41554/26]

145. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the significant inflationary pressures currently facing local authority roads departments, including Tipperary County Council, and the impact this is having on roads maintenance outputs; and whether consideration is being given to revising the regional and local roads funding model to reflect sustained inflation in construction materials, fuel and contractor costs. [36511/26]

148. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to local authorities in 2026 to offset increased fuel, bitumen and construction material costs impacting roads maintenance programmes; if measures are being considered to ensure local authorities can maintain existing levels of road maintenance and restoration works, despite increasing operational costs. [36510/26]

290. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a case in which a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary that identified demand for an additional Summer Programme class for vulnerable pupils, has yet to receive amended sanction for the required staffing and class allocation despite the programme being due to commence within days; the steps she will take to ensure that all eligible pupils can participate in the programme as planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46633/26]

487. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether any consultant pathologists, other than those based at University Hospital Waterford, have formally notified her Department that they will cease undertaking coronial postmortem examinations; if so, the number involved; and the locations concerned. [46539/26]

488. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the contingency arrangements currently in place where coronial postmortem services cannot be provided locally; the locations where such contingency arrangements are currently being utilised; and the annual cost of such arrangements including at Waterford University Hospital. [46540/26]

495. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current number of patients awaiting ophthalmology assessment and treatment in South Tipperary; the numbers waiting over six, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively; the numbers awaiting treatment broken down by age category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46607/26]

496. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed update on the recruitment process for the consultant ophthalmologist post serving South Tipperary; the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken since October 2024; the number of applicants received under each campaign; whether interviews have been conducted; whether a fourth recruitment campaign has commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46608/26]

497. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the interim arrangements currently in place to provide ophthalmology services in south Tipperary pending the recruitment of a consultant ophthalmologist; the number of patients treated through such measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46609/26]

498. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting ophthalmology assessment in south Tipperary; the number waiting longer than 12, 18 and 24 months; the longest waiting time currently recorded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46610/26]

499. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has undertaken a risk assessment or patient safety review arising from the absence of a consultant ophthalmologist in south Tipperary since October 2024; whether concerns have been raised regarding delayed diagnosis or treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46611/26]

500. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the ophthalmology waiting list validation exercise and targeted clinic initiatives currently being undertaken in south Tipperary; the number of patients reviewed to date; the number removed from waiting lists; the number treated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46612/26]

501. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason no waiting list reduction targets have been established for orthodontic services in South Tipperary for 2026 or 2027; whether she considers it acceptable that no numerical targets are in place despite children waiting up to 82 months for treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46613/26]

502. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that the HSE has advised that the orthodontic waiting list in South Tipperary is expected to continue growing throughout 2026 and 2027; the projected size of the waiting list at the end of each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46614/26]

503. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the additional consultant orthodontist, specialist orthodontist, dental nursing and administrative staffing resources would be required to eliminate the current orthodontic treatment waiting list in South Tipperary within two years and within three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46615/26]

504. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reasons specialist orthodontist vacancies dating from 2021 and 2023 remain unfilled; the number of recruitment campaigns undertaken for each vacancy; the number of applicants received; the number shortlisted; the number interviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46616/26]

505. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Health whether a formal clinical risk assessment has been undertaken regarding children waiting up to 82 months for orthodontic treatment in South Tipperary; whether delayed treatment has resulted in patients exceeding optimal treatment windows; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46617/26]