1148. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current status of the AMRIC antimicrobial resistance programme; the additional supports or resources allocated to sustain this work in 2026; if she will provide assurances that the programme will remain a priority given its patient safety importance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8434/26]
1149. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the way in which patient empowerment and health literacy will be embedded within the new health regions; the structures in place to ensure meaningful engagement with patient advocacy groups, including an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8435/26]
1150. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health if her Department will commit to formal, ongoing engagement with an organisation (details supplied) as part of the implementation of the WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030; the current channels of engagement between her Department, the HSE and the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8436/26]
1151. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health her plans to develop or update a national health literacy strategy to support patient empowerment, particularly for marginalised and high-risk groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8437/26]
Grace Boland
Written
29 Jan 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
143. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the initiatives his Department are implementing to improve gender balance across apprenticeship recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6867/26]
Grace Boland
Written
29 Jan 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
144. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to accelerate delivery of new FET infrastructure, given the growing demand for apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6866/26]
16. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the 33A bus service is frequently cancelled without prior notice on the Transport for Ireland real time information app; the measures which are being taken to ensure that real time service information is accurate and timely; and the steps his Department is taking to reduce the level of cancellations on routes 33/33A so that commuters are not lef…
17. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the reason the final scheduled bus service from Rush and Lusk train station departs before passengers from the last train service have adequate time to board; whether a review will be undertaken to improve timetable integration between rail and bus services at this station; the plans which are in place to ensure that passengers are not required to walk long dis…
18. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or the National Transport Authority has considered establishing a dedicated shuttle bus service linking Rush and Lusk train station with Rush on a timetable aligned with train arrivals and departures; whether such a service has been evaluated in terms of improving accessibility and reducing private car dependency; the steps which will be …
19. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 33N night bus service must serve Swords and Dublin Airport despite Swords having access to a separate twenty four hour bus service; whether the National Transport Authority has assessed alternative routings, including the option of using the Dublin Tunnel, in order to shorten journey times for passengers travelling to Rush; whether route reform o…
189. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the expected timeline for the full implementation of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, following the recommendation of the National Screening Advisory Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6716/26]
190. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the reason for the ongoing delays in fully implementing previously approved additions to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6717/26]
758. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing times for Garda vetting applications; the factors contributing to delays in processing; the steps being taken to reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6256/26]
759. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rationale for requiring individuals to complete multiple Garda vetting applications when moving between roles or organisations, even when working in the same sector;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6257/26]
1045. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current status of the lung health check pilot lung cancer screening programme; the number of participants invited and screened to date; the locations in which the pilot is operating; the interim findings available to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6035/26]
1046. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the evaluation framework for the lung health check pilot; the body responsible for carrying out the evaluation; the clinical and cost effectiveness metrics being assessed; the timeline for the completion and publication of the evaluation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6036/26]
1047. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health when she expects a decision to be made, following completion of the evaluation, on whether to recommend the establishment of a national lung cancer screening programme; whether any provisional timelines have been set for such a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6037/26]
1048. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health whether her Department or the Health Service Executive has undertaken preparatory planning for a potential national roll out of lung cancer screening informed by the lung health check pilot, including consideration of capacity, resourcing and integration with primary care; if so, to provide details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6038/26]
61. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for children seeking an appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Balbriggan; the measures being taken to reduce these waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5053/26]
86. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the status of the Swords surgical hub; the current projected opening date; the progress made to date on staffing, resourcing, and commissioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5052/26]
173. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the revised defective concrete blocks scheme will provide retrospective reimbursement to homeowners in Fingal who have already completed restoration or remediation works prior to the council’s inclusion in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5055/26]
266. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has considered the integration of microgrids into the planning requirements for new housing developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5056/26]
151. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status and proposed timeline for the introduction of the pilot age verification tool in the context of online safety; the scope and intended operation of the tool, including the platforms to which it will apply; whether his Department plans to accompany its rollout with structured education and awareness programmes on online…
241. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the relative share of projected electricity demand growth in the greater Dublin area attributable to data centres, housing growth and transport electrification, respectively; and how prioritisation decisions are made where grid capacity is constrained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3368/26]
297. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether MetroLink or any other major transport projects included in the National Development Plan are dependent on new or upgraded electricity grid connections; whether any such projects are subject to connection risk or sequencing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3367/26]