Written answers

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

  • Department of Social Protection
    • Household Benefits Scheme
      37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of re-introducing the household package to 2007 and to 2008 levels in tabular form. [11645/16]
    • Community Employment Schemes Operation
      38. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to maintain and develop community employment schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11840/16]
    • Social Welfare Rates
      39. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to increase working age payments above the rate of inflation similar to the commitment made in the programme for Government that the State pension...
    • Pension Provisions
      40. To ask the Minister for Social Protection given the budgetary surplus reported in his Department and further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 30 September 2015, in which the former Minister...
    • Carer's Allowance Payments
      41. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to afford a full stamp to persons who are in receipt of the carer's allowance in order that, in the event of their carer's job ending, they are...
    • Social Welfare Payments Administration
      42. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to provide the option of having all social protection payments paid into the local post office network similar to what is available to the...
    • Farm Assist Scheme Administration
      43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he has analysed the impact the changes to farm assist and income disregards have had on farmers; if he will reconsider the changes; and if he will...
    • Pension Provisions
      44. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline plans for a universal second-pillar pension system, including the timetable for its introduction. [11639/16]
    • Programme for Government Initiatives
      46. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has carried out research on schemes similar to the fit-for-work programme operating in other countries, particularly in Britain....
    • Job Initiatives
      47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to put incentives in place to reduce youth and long-term unemployment; if schemes require upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Rent Supplement Scheme
      50. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to revise and increase rent supplement, given the huge increase in family homelessness since the beginning of 2016; and if he will make a...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      51. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to evaluate the social protection payments that had to be reduced during the period of recession due to a lack of resources and to identify the most...
    • Social Welfare Benefits Expenditure
      52. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of returning social protection payments to 2007 and to 2008 levels in tabular form. [11646/16]
    • Farm Assist Scheme
      54. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to reverse the changes made to farm assist and income disregards, given their serious negative effect on the income levels of already struggling...
    • Community Welfare Services Staff
      55. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the areas where there are plans to amalgamate the activities of the community welfare officers; the areas where services have been withdrawn; his...
    • Social Welfare Benefits
      56. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the strategies he has implemented since coming to office to alleviate the exorbitant waiting times experienced by those applying under the carer's...
    • Household Benefits Scheme
      58. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to restore the telephone allowance, given changed demographics and age profiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11709/16]
    • Child Benefit Eligibility
      59. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on the proposal to link the payment of child benefit to a child's attendance at school; and his further views on whether child benefit...
    • Exceptional Needs Payment Appeals
      62. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to change the process of reviewing payments under the exceptional needs payment, even though they are not a primary payment, to the same appeal...
    • Jobseeker's Allowance Payments
      63. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will restore the jobseeker's allowance to persons under 26 years of age to the full payment; and his views on the contention that the reduction...
    • One-Parent Family Payment Payments
      64. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to immediately reverse the changes to the one-parent family payment scheme implemented in 2015 in cases where parents have suffered weekly financial...
    • Social Welfare Benefits Data
      65. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the difference in the percentage of persons claiming payment under the jobseeker's allowance scheme between May 2012 and May 2016 for counties Sligo...
  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Departmental Functions
      66. To ask the Taoiseach to consider reinstating the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and bring together all environmental functions, nature and wildlife, water...
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Garda Resources
      68. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to allocate additional resources to the Garda Síochána in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [11985/16]
    • Disability Support Services Provision
      69. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the provision of advanced health care directives and assisted decision-making for persons with mental health difficulties; and...
    • Paternity Leave
      70. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will bring forward legislation to introduce statutory paternity leave; the date from which he expects the leave to be available; and if...
    • Garda Vetting Applications
      71. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the significant delays in the processing of applications for persons who require Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Proposed Legislation
      72. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current stage of the sale of alcohol Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11944/16]
    • Departmental Appointments
      73. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the deputy director or acting director will be appointed as director of film classification at the Irish Film Classification Office; and the...
    • Garda Strength
      74. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda members and Garda Reserve members assigned to the Meath Garda division in each of the past five years in tabular form; and if...
    • Crime Investigation
      75. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Henry Street Garda station in Limerick is holding the property of a person (details supplied) despite the case against the person that...
    • Council of Europe
      76. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures she will follow in appointing Irish nominees to committees of the Council of Europe; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Garda Expenditure
      77. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of funding Garda youth diversion projects at present; and the projected costs for 2017. [12067/16]
    • Garda Equipment
      78. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her policy on the installation of defibrillators in all Garda stations; if there are proposals due to be implemented by her Department that will...
    • Garda Strength
      79. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí stationed in the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, west division over the past eight years on an annual basis in tabular...
  • Department of Finance
    • Motor Insurance Regulation
      80. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans on re-establishing the Motor Insurance Advisory Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11970/16]
    • Tax Relief Costs
      82. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost associated with refunding vehicle registration tax and VAT to taxi drivers who purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles; and if he will make...
    • VAT Exemptions
      83. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 April 2016, and the commitment in the programme for Government to seek a reduction of the VAT applied to...
    • Tax Yield
      84. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield from stamp duty on credit cards, debit cards and automated teller machine cards in 2015 and to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Prize Bonds
      85. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which a citizen living in the Six Counties can purchase prize bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11945/16]
    • Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
      87. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) did not qualify for tax relief under the disabled drivers and passengers scheme. [11978/16]
    • National Monuments
      88. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount a company (details supplied), which is currently in the National Asset Management Agency, spent on legal fees fighting the campaign against the...
    • Tax Clearance Certificates
      89. To ask the Minister for Finance the loan threshold amount before a C2 or tax clearance certificate is required for loan approval with a the credit union. [11994/16]
    • Property Tax Exemptions
      90. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the local property tax and enable those on low incomes avail of a waiver. [11996/16]
    • VAT Rate Reductions
      91. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a VAT reduction for construction to encourage the industry to increase its output, given the housing crisis, as the current VAT rates...
    • Employment Rights
      92. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 17 May 2016, if he will consider a matter (details supplied) regarding site-based employees; and if he will make a...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Capitation Grants
      93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the capitation grants in the next budget for schools. [12010/16]
    • School Guidance Counsellors
      94. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of guidance counsellor positions currently filled; the number which are vacant; and the cost of creating new guidance counsellor...
    • Momentum Programme
      95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places on the Momentum scheme for jobseekers with a disability; the annual cost associated with same; the estimated annual cost of...
    • School Books Grant
      96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the funding to the school books grant by 30%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12210/16]
    • Schools Building Projects
      97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the planning and building of the secondary school in a town (details supplied). [11919/16]
    • Teacher Data
      98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who are currently on payroll qualified as teachers in or after February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Teachers' Remuneration
      99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to move all of the teachers who qualified in or after February 2012 to the pay-scales which are currently in place for teachers who...
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the scheme of financial support that may be available from his Department to assist a school (details supplied) to develop a play area for the...
    • Irish Language
      101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the Irish language early education policy for the Gaeltacht; if he intends to implement it in full; and if he will make a...
    • Schools Site Acquisitions
      102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a permanent building for a temporary primary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • School Curriculum
      103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to consider a proposal regarding an educational booklet (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11982/16]
    • School Staff
      104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to review the number of teachers in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11991/16]
    • Summer Works Scheme Applications
      105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11993/16]
    • Gaelscoil Issues
      106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has identified a site for the new Gaelscoil in Goatstown-Stillorgan, the patronage of which was announced on 19 May 2016; and his efforts...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce class sizes in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12009/16]
    • Defibrillators in Schools Provision
      110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans that are due to be implemented for the provision of defibrillator training in post-primary schools to familiarise children with the...
    • Special Educational Needs Staff
      111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants currently employed by the State; the full year cost of employing these special needs assistants; the...
    • Psychological Services
      112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the National Educational Psychological Service resources by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Special Educational Needs Expenditure
      113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the number of resource teaching hours to children with special needs by 15%; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Adult Education Provision
      115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing all unemployed persons with low or no qualifications with access to an intensive basic education course leading...
    • Schools Building Projects Expenditure
      117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a national building programme of infrastructure investment designed to provide all fee-paying schools with kitchen...
    • Teachers' Remuneration
      118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of re-introducing qualification allowances for teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12164/16]
    • School Staff
      120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of lifting the moratorium on posts of responsibility in schools in order that they are at pre 2011 levels proportional to any...
    • Special Educational Needs Expenditure
      121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 per annum until full...
    • School Staff
      122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reversing changes to the staffing schedule for schools with less than 86 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Student Grants Data
      123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing maintenance grants for postgraduate students using the same income threshold as currently applicable to...
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing 50 applied behaviour analysis schools for children with special educational needs; and if he will make a...
    • National Educational Psychological Service
      125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing National Educational Psychological Service resources in order that it may provide a diagnosis for children from...
    • Capitation Grants
      126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing capitation rates for primary schools to the rate for post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Schools Building Projects
      127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the 100 major capital projects which have, in one form or another, been presented to his Department for support since the...
    • Capitation Grants
      128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing capitation rates for primary schools by 2%, 5%,10% and 15%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12175/16]
    • School Guidance Counsellors
      133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of allocating one guidance counsellor per 500 students in post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      134. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of removing apprenticeship college fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/16]
    • Post-Leaving Certificate Courses Fees
      135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of removing post-leaving certificate participation fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12182/16]
    • Third Level Fees
      136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the student contribution fee by €250; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12183/16]
    • Student Grant Scheme
      137. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing an additional top-up for students on the special top-up rate on the non-adjacent student grant of €30 per...
    • School Services Staff
      138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of ensuring that each school has the necessary funds to employ at least one full-time secretary; and if he will make a...
    • Student Grant Scheme
      139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reversing the change to the adjacent rate of the student grant, reducing it from 45 km to 28 km; and if he will make a...
    • School Patronage
      140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of divesting patronage from 500 primary schools to multi-denominational or non-religious bodies over a five year period; and...
    • Post-Leaving Certificate Courses
      141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of establishing an Irish language post-leaving certificate college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12188/16]
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools by one pupil, two pupils, three pupils, four pupils, five pupils; and...
    • Third Level Staff
      144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the staff student ratio in third level institutions by one student, two students, three students, four students,...
    • School Accommodation
      146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of replacing 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% of all prefabricated school classrooms with buildings; and if he will make a statement...
    • Teaching Contracts
      147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing teachers who currently work part-time or as substitute teachers with a permanent contract within one year, within...
    • Pupil-Teacher Ratio
      148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing the additional school classrooms required to reduce class sizes in primary schools to a maximum of 20 pupils per...
    • Programme for Government Initiatives
      151. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of establishing the office of the ombudsman for education with the remit of examining decisions by the boards of management of...
    • Teacher Training Provision
      152. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost per annum of ensuring that all teachers have a minimum of two days' continuous professional development on the provision of...
    • Schools Building Projects Expenditure
      153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of progressing the 39 projects at construction stage under the construction programme 2012-2016 to construction this year; and...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Water Conservation Grant
      155. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has ring-fenced funding for the conservation grant; and the amount of same. [12017/16]
    • Waste Management
      157. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the new pay-by-weight refuse collection charges are fair to all sections of society given the case of a...
    • Water Meters Installation
      159. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the suitability and effectiveness of installing water meters for apartments in apartment blocks, given the...
    • Derelict Sites Data
      160. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of derelict and long-term vacant buildings there are here; the square footage that is long-term vacant and...
    • Local Authority Housing Data
      161. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department spent on local authority housing in 2015, and the number of units it delivered in tabular form....
    • Housing Adaptation Grant Data
      165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount spent on housing adaptation grants in 2015 in tabular form. [12023/16]
    • Traveller Accommodation
      167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department spent on Traveller accommodation in 2015. [12025/16]
    • Homeless Accommodation Funding
      168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the amount his Department spent on the provision of emergency homeless accommodation in 2015. [12029/16]
    • Social and Affordable Housing Funding
      170. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if the €451 million capital funding for building social houses that has been set aside for 2016, will be spent; if...
    • Fire Service
      172. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of a project (details supplied); when this project will advance to tender stage; the likely timescale for...
    • Water Charges
      173. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the net cost and savings in abolishing water charges and the water conservation grant including its administration costs,...
    • Housing Adaptation Grant Funding
      174. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the funding provided for the housing adaptation grant scheme in each of the years 2013 to 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he...
    • Planning Issues
      175. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to confirm that the National Transport Authority is to be considered the highest level land use and spatial planning body...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Back to Education Allowance
      179. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of making the back to education allowance available to postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Rural Social Scheme
      180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of an additional 500 places on the rural social scheme. [12233/16]
    • Disability Allowance Appeals
      181. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will re-examine the disallowance of a disability allowance and free travel pass in the case of a person (details supplied) and grant same...
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      182. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal under the carer's allowance scheme will be held for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11908/16]
    • State Pension (Contributory)
      183. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow. [11911/16]
    • State Pensions
      184. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) had pension credits ceased from September 2015 to January 2016. [11973/16]
    • Employment Support Services
      185. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to release the Indecon report which was commissioned by his Department over a year ago (details supplied). [12006/16]
    • Youth Unemployment Measures
      187. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in addressing the issue of youth unemployment; the extent to which he expects to meet targets in this regard in the course of...
    • Social Welfare Appeals Waiting Times
      188. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the sections of his Department currently affected by longer than average appeal waiting times; the extent to which he expects to address this issue...
    • Live Register Data
      189. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which the age profile of those persons on the live register continues to be monitored with a view to making any adjustments necessary...
    • State Pension (Contributory) Data
      190. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of women or men who have failed to qualify for contributory old age pension due to insufficient contributions throughout their working...
    • Youth Unemployment Measures
      191. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which his Department continues to be in the position to avail of European Union support to alleviate youth unemployment; and if he...
    • Exceptional Needs Payments
      192. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the degree to which adequate resources continue to be made available to his Department to meet exceptional needs payment requirements; and if he...
    • Social Welfare Payments Administration
      193. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which backlogs have been addressed in respect of various headings and payments operated by his Department; and if he will make a...
    • Back to Work Allowance Data
      194. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which back to work applications have been approved in each of the past four years to date; the extent to which those previously...
    • Live Register Data
      195. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of previously self-employed persons currently remaining unemployed and on the live register; the steps taken to facilitate their return...
    • State Pension (Contributory) Data
      196. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for contributory old age pension received in each of the past five years to date; where eligibility was determined on the...
    • State Pension (Contributory) Applications
      197. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position in respect of applicants for contributory old age pension under the provisions of self-employed contributions provided for under the...
    • State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
      198. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which he might examine the ineligibility of entitlement to contributory old age pension for women who had to give up work in the...
    • Family Income Supplement Data
      199. To ask the Minister for Social Protection #the total number of family income supplement payments currently in place; the extent to which the number has fluctuated over the past five years to...
    • Maternity Benefit
      200. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending maternity benefit by six weeks. [12056/16]
    • Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme
      202. To ask the Minister for Social Protection for an estimated cost of increasing the back to school allowance by €50. [12060/16]
    • Jobseeker's Allowance
      203. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost for restoring jobseeker's allowance to €188 for persons under 26 years of age for 2017. [12068/16]
    • Jobs Initiative
      204. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of abolishing the JobBridge and Gateway schemes. [12070/16]
    • Social Welfare Schemes
      205. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which overpayments, culminating in a recovery, may exist in respect of cases whereby the recipient of the alleged overpayment may have...
    • Social Welfare Payments Administration
      206. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if priority will be given to An Post in regard to the distribution of social protection payments, as it is critical to the survival of the rural...
    • Employment Rights
      207. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address the inequality faced by self-employed persons who receive no supports in the event of sickness, accident or unemployment,...
    • Disability Allowance Data
      208. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of increasing the weekly disability allowance by €20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12144/16]
    • Disability Support Services Funding
      209. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding allocated to the reasonable accommodation fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12146/16]
    • School Meals Programme
      211. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the funding to the school meals programme by 40%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/16]
    • Farm Assist Scheme
      213. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring farm assist to pre-2013 conditions of payment based on current numbers and allowances. [12229/16]
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Sports Events
      214. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extra resources and personnel that will be deployed to the Irish Embassy in Paris and the Irish Honorary Consulate offices in France...
    • Northern Ireland
      215. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to north Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/16]
    • UK Referendum on EU Membership
      217. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the meetings he proposes to hold in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks regarding the forthcoming British referendum on membership of...
    • International Relations
      218. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) one of the co-founders of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, BDS, movement;...
    • Good Friday Agreement
      219. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised with the British Government the possible repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the likely impact of this on the Good Friday...
    • Irish Prisoners Abroad
      220. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has considered utilising the rule 140 mechanism to try and secure the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
    • Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
      221. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position regarding Members of the European Parliament not being allowed to access documentation on the Transatlantic Trade and...
    • International Summits
      222. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the outcomes of the World Humanitarian Summit which took place on the 23 and 24 May 2016; his views on the outcomes; the...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Public Sector Pensions
      223. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a person (details supplied) cannot draw down a Civil Service pension having left the Civil Service in 2015. [11972/16]
    • Public Sector Staff
      224. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements in place for clerical officers in the Civil Service to transfer to other locations outside Dublin such as Portlaoise...
    • Waterways Issues
      225. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the repair of a weir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/16]
  • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Cartlann Náisiúnta
      226. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cad é an líon comhad nach bhfuil aistrithe ag an Roinn chuig an gCartlann Náisiúnta faoin Riail 30 Bliain le...
    • National Monuments
      227. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department conducted an independent assessment of the Moore Street national monument and developed an independent stated plan...
    • Heritage Sites
      230. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide funding for a club (details supplied) as part of their application to attain funding to repair a protected...
    • Heritage Projects
      231. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the further development of Killarney House; if she will visit the house to see progress to date and consider further...
    • Special Protection Areas
      232. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will permit a proposal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12216/16]
  • Department of Health
    • Ambulance Service Provision
      233. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the current lack of adequate emergency ambulance services in County Donegal particularly in the Inishowen area; and if he will make a...
    • Assisted Human Reproduction
      234. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the establishment of the national donor-conceived person register has taken over a year to set up, leaving many parents and children currently in...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      235. To ask the Minister for Health the legal position with regard to the provision of ongoing essential services by the State to an adult 18 years of age with recognised special needs, should...
    • Primary Care Centres Provision
      236. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a primary health centre in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11930/16]
    • Cancer Screening Programmes
      238. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of concerns raised by some members of the public on the reliability of prostate specific antigen testing; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
      239. To ask the Minister for Health if portable nebulisers are available for cystic fibrosis patients in the Cork region; if so, where and when application for portable nebulisers can be made;...
    • Home Care Packages Data
      240. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons in receipt of the intensive care package under the home care system in community care area nine in the years 2013 to 2015 and in 2016 to...
    • Ministerial Hospital Visits
      241. To ask the Minister for Health if he has visited Beaumont Hospital since he became Minister; if not, when he expects to visit the Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Hospital Staff Recruitment
      242. To ask the Minister for Health to set down the number of doctors appointed for the first time in the public hospital system and voluntary hospitals under category C consultants contracts...
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      243. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the waiting times for child and adolescent mental health service in County Mayo; the future plans for the service; and if he will make a statement...
    • Home Care Packages Administration
      244. To ask the Minister for Health to set out in tabular form the names and contact details of all officials who give approval for home care companies in each local health office; and if he will...
    • Health Services Provision
      245. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his views on the fact that patients in need of specialist psychiatric care for anorexia are regularly treated in paediatric hospitals that do not...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      246. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment with the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin 2. [11959/16]
    • Maternity Services Provision
      247. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the funding that is being allocated for the reorganisation of national maternity services as per the €3 billion allocation in the capital...
    • Hospital Services
      248. To ask the Minister for Health to set out the funding that is being allocated for the completion of the new cancer departments at Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway as...
    • Primary Care Centres Expenditure
      249. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the funding that is being allocated for the provision of over 80 new primary care facilities as per the €3 billion allocation in the capital...
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      250. To ask the Minister for Health to increase the provision of psychology services at the child and adolescent mental health services in Blanchardstown; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Long-Term Illness Scheme
      251. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an insulin pump for a person (details supplied) under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      252. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an earlier appointment to a person (details supplied). [11981/16]
    • Disability Services Provision
      253. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the status of a case for a person (details supplied) in respect of a residential plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11983/16]
    • Medical Card Drugs Availability
      254. To ask the Minister for Health the number of medical card holders who were prescribed anti-depressant medication by local health area in each of the years 2011 to 2015 in tabular form. [11984/16]
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme
      255. To ask the Minister for Health if, in the interest of persons being able to access residential senior citizen care in their own communities and in the interest of a greater number of bed...
    • Hospitals Funding
      256. To ask the Minister for Health the legislative basis for a public hospital (details supplied) to outsource debt collection to a private company; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • HSE Funding
      257. To ask the Minister for Health to provide funding for the website, family.ie, for the provision of services in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12002/16]
    • Health Services Data
      258. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 386 of 14 April 2016, and given the €38.3 million the State spent on legal fees related to maternity services...
    • Departmental Functions
      259. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the oversight of the maternity claims process, including costs incurred, comes within the remit of his Department. [12012/16]
    • HSE Investigations
      260. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of the legal fees the Health Service Executive incurred in its suspension of and subsequent legal proceedings regarding a person (details supplied)....
    • Maternity Services Provision
      261. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to resolve the governance conflict between St. Vincent’s University Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital; if any...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      263. To ask the Minister for Health to address the bed shortage issue in Galway University Hospital which has a major block on routine operations taking place and is causing severe waiting lists...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      264. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12036/16]
    • HSE Funding
      265. To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding will be allocated to the Health Service Executive north east to enable a much better provision of drug awareness and drug prevention...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      266. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals he has to provide a much better level of orthopaedic services for persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan due to unacceptable waiting lists at...
    • Mental Health Services Funding
      268. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of Exchequer funding spent on mental health in 2015; and if he will provide an estimate of the expected total spend for 2016. [12073/16]
    • Health Services Staff
      269. To ask the Minister for Health the number of SCAN roles required; the cost of creating these positions; and the timeline for this work. [12074/16]
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      270. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of creating a position for a mental health nurse who liaises specifically with homeless services. [12075/16]
    • Health Services Staff
      271. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated for the cost of providing 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds. [12077/16]
    • Health Services Expenditure
      272. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the provision of child and adolescent inpatient services in 2016. [12078/16]
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      273. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of providing an additional child and adolescent mental health services team annually. [12079/16]
    • Mental Health Services Expenditure
      274. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on child and adolescent mental health services teams in 2015; the estimated costs in 2016; and the respective number of teams in operation for...
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      275. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting a full complement of mental health intellectual disability nurses as recommended under A Vision for Change. [12081/16]
    • Health Services Expenditure
      276. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent on counselling in primary care in 2015; the estimated amount to be spent in 2016; and the number of positions, counselling hours and clients...
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      277. To ask the Minister for Health the number of mental health nurses currently employed in the health service; the number of positions unoccupied or being recruited; the cost to the Exchequer...
    • Health Services Staff Data
      278. To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychotherapists currently employed in the health service; the number of positions which are unoccupied or being recruited; the cost to the...
    • Mental Health Services
      283. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to publish an action plan for the reform of mental health supports ensuring adequate funding, good governance and oversight in line with A Vision for...
    • Counselling Services Provision
      284. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend access to counselling in primary care service to persons on lower incomes. [12090/16]
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      285. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure all children and adolescents receive adequate mental health promotion, supports and early intervention in order to minimise the need for...
    • Housing for People with Disabilities Provision
      286. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to work with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure persons with mental health difficulties have access to...
    • Employment Support Services
      287. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to help support employment opportunities for persons who have a mental health disability. [12093/16]
    • Mental Health Services Data
      288. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of the provision of a 24-7 crisis support service for mental health; the estimated set up costs and the required annual budget. [12094/16]
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      289. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to involve persons with an experience of mental health difficulties in the design and delivery of services, including peer workers and peer-run...
    • Mental Health Services
      290. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of establishing an independent monitoring mechanism to report on the progress of the implementation of A Vision for Change and mental health...
    • Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation
      291. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to implement a regulatory framework for psychological therapies and to establish a statutory regime for governing of the registration of counsellors...
    • Health Care Professionals
      292. To ask the Minister for Health the number of psychologists currently employed by the health service in primary care; and the cost to the Exchequer of these positions. [12098/16]
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      293. To ask the Minister for Health the new services which would be required in order to end the admission of children and adolescents to adult inpatient units; and the estimated cost of this to...
    • Mental Health Services
      294. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to establish a national advocacy service for mental health clients under 18 years of age and any expected funding this service might require. [12101/16]
    • General Practitioner Services Provision
      296. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free general practitioner care for persons undergoing long-term mental health treatment. [12106/16]
    • Primary Care Services Provision
      297. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing free primary care to all persons who require long-term mental health treatment; and if he will abolish the prescription levy...
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      298. To ask the Minister for Health if, and when, a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/16]
    • Respite Care Services
      299. To ask the Minister for Health why there are no respite services for a person (details supplied) for the past three years; and when the person will receive same. [12139/16]
    • Health and Social Care Professionals
      300. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated annual cost of employing an additional ten speech and language therapists, ten physiotherapists, ten occupational therapists, ten clinical...
    • Disability Support Services Provision
      301. To ask the Minister for Health the number of personal assistant hours currently provided by the State; the cost associated with same; the estimated cost over one year of increasing personal...
    • Health Services
      302. To ask the Minister for Health the full-year cost and make-up of a community neuro-rehabilitation team and all supports required for the team; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Respite Care Services
      304. To ask the Minister for Health the full-year cost of providing respite care services; the estimated annual cost and implications of increasing respite care services by 10%; and if he will...
    • Health Services Provision
      305. To ask the Minister for Health to examine the case of a person (details supplied). [12208/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      306. To ask the Minister for Health when an operation will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Tobacco Control Measures
      307. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the effectiveness of the legislation on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products (details supplied) further to the...
    • Disabilities Assessments
      308. To ask the Minister for Health if he will assist in arranging for a child to be assessed for a condition (details supplied) as a matter of urgency. [12223/16]
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Agriculture Scheme Payments
      309. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11916/16]
    • Basic Payment Scheme Payments
      310. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under the basic payment scheme for the year 2015 to a person (details supplied); if the entitlements are...
    • Basic Payment Scheme
      311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be transferred to a payment under the basic payment scheme for 2015; and if he will make a...
    • GLAS Payments
      312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a...
    • Dairy Sector
      313. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports, entitlements or payment schemes he provides for dairy farmers (details supplied) who have oversupplied milk. [11986/16]
    • Animal Welfare
      314. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to strengthen the laws around animal cruelty, including the provision of greater deterrents for those guilty of an offence;...
    • Grassland Sheep Scheme Payments
      315. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a grassland sheep scheme payment outstanding from 2010 has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County...
    • TAMS Data
      316. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide in tabular form on a county basis, the number of applications to the TAMS I and TAMS II schemes to date; the number of...
    • Live Exports
      317. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the progress to secure new market access for live cattle exports in non-European Union countries, including Egypt, Iran...
    • Farm Household Incomes
      318. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined the development of additional volatility tools to deal with the current income crisis across several farming...
    • Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data
      319. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide in tabular form on a county basis, the number of applications submitted to the areas of natural constraint scheme in 2015;...
    • Agriculture Scheme Data
      320. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide in tabular form a breakdown between total expenditure incurred in 2015, and the annual amount of funds originally...
    • Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility
      321. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the criteria blocking young farmers who are under 40 years of age but who have been farming for more than five...
    • GLAS Data
      322. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have received payments under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the average payment made to...
    • GLAS Issues
      323. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on admitting all eligible applicants under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme tranche 2 into the scheme; the date...
    • Beef Data Programme
      324. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have submitted data notifications under the beef data and genomics programme 2015; the number who have...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data
      326. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants in the rural environment protection scheme, agri-environment options scheme 1, AEOS scheme 2 and AEOS...
    • Plant Protection Products
      327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the use here of the herbicide glyphosate; the monitoring programme that is in place; the discussions he has had...
    • Agriculture Industry
      328. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the level of competition in the Irish beef and lamb processing sector; on the planned move by a company (details...
    • TAMS Applications
      329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that an application under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme will be approved within the next month as farmers...
    • Greyhound Industry
      330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a number of matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the export of greyhounds. [12160/16]
    • Young Farmers Scheme
      331. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 26 April 2016 (details supplied), if he will provide an update following the submission...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
      332. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) is not being paid under the agri-environment options scheme for 2015, given the person cannot manage...
    • Grassland Sheep Scheme Expenditure
      333. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of paying a ewe premium of €10 per head where stocking density is over six ewes per hectare and €20 where...
    • Sheep Census
      336. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the national flock and the ratio of upland and lowland numbers. [12228/16]
    • Sugar Industry
      337. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role of the State enterprise bodies in the reinstatement of the sugar beet processing industry. [12230/16]
    • Suckler Welfare Scheme
      339. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the re-instatement of the animal welfare recording and breeding scheme for suckler herds at a rate of €200 per...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Ministerial Meetings
      340. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met formally with the chief executive officer and chairperson of Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and...
    • Taxi Permits
      341. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to obtain a place on the waiting list for an airport taxi licence; and if this...
    • Light Rail Projects
      342. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will state his commitment to the new Metro north project, as proposed by the previous Government; the actions he will take in the...
    • Sports Capital Programme
      343. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if time to draw down grant assistance of €80,000 provided under the sports capital grant scheme to a school (details supplied)...
    • Motor Tax
      345. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy of the Road Safety Authority on driving test participants' cars being taxed. [11997/16]
    • Road Improvement Schemes
      346. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the necessary upgrading of the N2 from north of...
    • Road Projects
      347. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding to progress a road project (details supplied); if funding will be allocated in 2016 for this...
    • Transport Policy
      348. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the new transport strategy for the greater Dublin area, approved by his predecessor in April 2016, has had...
    • Public Transport Provision
      351. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/16]
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
      352. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a report on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade...
    • Enterprise Support Services Expenditure
      354. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants paid to a company (details supplied); when they were paid; if they have been refunded; and if she will make a statement on...
    • Health and Safety Regulations
      355. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will confirm that a sport activity and competition (details supplied) lie outside the remit of the Safety, Health and Welfare...
    • Personal Injury Claims
      356. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to request the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to review the book of quantum and to provide clarity and guidance on the...
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Child and Family Agency Services
      357. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount her Department spent on funding for women's refuges in 2015. [12027/16]
    • School Completion Programme
      359. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of funding school completion programmes at present and the projected costs for 2017. [12066/16]
    • Child and Family Agency Services
      360. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if home support will be arranged through Tusla to assist persons (details supplied) given their circumstances; and if she will make a...
    • Youth Services Funding
      361. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protocols for winding down youth services; why youth services are unable to hold reserve funding accounts to allow for insurance of...
    • Early Childhood Care and Education
      362. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of extending the early childhood care and education scheme to 48 weeks. [12054/16]
    • Social Workers Recruitment
      367. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for an estimated cost of employing a social worker for the year 2017. [12062/16]
    • Child and Family Agency Staff
      368. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the projected cost of increasing the number of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency inspectors by 30% for the year 2017. [12063/16]
    • Area Based Childhood Programme
      369. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the projected cost of expanding the preparing for life programme model to all area based childhood areas. [12064/16]
    • Child and Family Agency Expenditure
      371. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the full-year cost of implementing a full aftercare programme for young persons aged 18 to 21 years. [12069/16]
    • Child and Family Agency Data
      372. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 250 of 20 April 2016, if she will arrange for the information requested to be provided. [12205/16]
    • Family Support Services
      373. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware of the range of services being provided by a family support centre (details supplied) and the growing demand for those...