Departmental Schemes

96. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications received in 2025 for Cork county under the building blocks extension grant scheme; the number of these applications approved under this scheme for Cork county; if there will be an increase in the funding allocation for the building blocks extension grant scheme in 2026; and if she will …

832. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to publish the review into the mobility allowance; when an alternative scheme will be announced to replace this scheme; if those who are currently eligible will transfer to any such new scheme and remain on their current or increased rate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61937/25]

833. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if the means test for the mobility allowance has been reviewed to account for increases in the State pension (contributory); if she will consider amending the means test threshold from the State pension (non-contributory) to the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61938/25…

1091. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of the mobility allowance in the years 2020 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61936/25]

1092. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of the mobility allowance which had their allowance either reduced or suspended because of no longer meeting the means test for this scheme between 2020 to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61939/25]

1167. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the projects that were funded under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme within County Clare in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61438/25]

954. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps being taken to address the gap in the basic income for the arts payment given the final month of support is in February 2026, with the successor scheme operating from September 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58569/25]

964. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of applicants for the basic income for the arts scheme; if his Department will be able to support when the new scheme opens in Q4 2026; if the artists who were on the pilot scheme will be able to apply for admission to the new scheme; and the number of successful applicants to the new scheme be eligibl…

1587. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on and the status the building blocks grant. [59516/25]

1706. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to extending the free HRT scheme to men prescribed HRT for low testosterone levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58095/25]

1707. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58097/25]

1708. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58098/25]

1709. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58099/25]

1710. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 2 October 2025, if a group is eligible for the free HRT scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58100/25]

1714. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health to consider making melatonin available through the long-term illness scheme for neurodiverse children to assist with sleeping; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58110/25]

1747. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the basis on which polio survivors are ineligible for a medical card under the long term illness scheme; and if she will review the scheme to include polio survivors. [58274/25]

1763. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the treatment abroad scheme is available to patients who have been referred to a private hospital abroad for urgent treatment. [58338/25]

1764. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when a person is entitled to avail of the treatment abroad scheme for treatment in a private hospital. [58339/25]

1766. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that women with epilepsy who need to take medication to aid sleep as a consequence of menopause as advised by medical professionals cannot access this medication on the long-term illness scheme; if she further understands that lack of sleep and tiredness increase the likelihood of seizures for epileptic women; if she will c…

1900. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health the measures her Department is taking to expand IVF schemes to those that do not currently meet eligibility criteria's; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59122/25]

1906. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health the rationale for restricting the free contraception scheme to women aged 17–35; if she will outline the evidence base used to determine these age limits; and if she will set out a timeline for the scheme’s extension to all women. [59163/25]

1907. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health whether a cost–benefit analysis has been undertaken to assess the financial and public health impact of extending the free contraception scheme to all women, including those aged 36 and above. [59164/25]

1908. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if she has sought legal or equality advice regarding whether the current age restrictions on the free contraception scheme could constitute age discrimination under equality legislation. [59165/25]

1909. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment under the public sector equality and human rights duty in relation to the free contraception scheme; if she will outline the outcome of that assessment; and if she will address concerns that the current age-based eligibility criteria may constitute indirect discrimination on the gr…

1910. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health if her Department has examined whether restricting access to free contraception to women aged 17–35 is compatible with the Equal Status Acts and the public sector equality and human rights duty. [59167/25]