Written answers

Thursday, 13 October 2016

  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Legal Services Regulation
      1. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in setting up the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • EU Directives
      2. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the outstanding EU directives that her Department or agencies under its remit are responsible for implementing, in tabular form; if the...
    • Garda Reserve
      3. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reservists in the Sligo, Leitrim and Galway Garda divisions. [30031/16]
    • Garda Recruitment
      4. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of trainee Gardaí who are enrolled on the new recruitment campaign since it began on 8 September 2016; and the number enrolled in...
    • Garda Vetting of Personnel
      5. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position when An Garda Síochána National Vetting Bureau conducts vetting of a person in respect of a position they may be taking up...
    • Immigration Policy
      6. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the procedures whereby a person may seek permission to stay and work here when persons from outside the EU are here on a...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      7. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30076/16]
    • Brexit Issues
      10. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on media reports that the United Kingdom is seeking to shift the front line of immigration controls to Ireland’s ports and...
    • Protected Disclosures
      12. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Garda whistleblowers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30146/16]
    • Garda Reserve
      13. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reviews her Department has carried out on the operation of the Garda Reserve which reached its 10th anniversary in September 2016, with...
    • Garda Operations
      14. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the arrangements that exist when gardaí are present at private sporting events and concerts, with regard to the way payment for these...
    • Garda Deployment
      15. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any of the gardaí involved with the Abbeylara case 2000 were also involved, either directly or indirectly, with cases (details supplied)...
    • Visa Applications
      16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if an extension to a visa will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30156/16]
    • Residency Permits
      17. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to regularisation of residency, stamp 4 and leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will...
    • Deportation Orders Re-examination
      18. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the previously refused request to revoke a deportation order in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      19. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
    • Residency Permits
      20. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if leave to remain or an extension or stamp 4 can be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Naturalisation Applications
      22. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a...
    • Visa Applications
      24. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if an extension of visa will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30169/16]
    • Direct Provision System
      25. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to plans by the owners of Ashbourne House direct provision centre in County Cork to develop the centre into...
  • Department of Finance
    • Insurance Coverage
      26. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance for rowing clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30005/16]
    • Motor Insurance
      27. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures he is proposing in order to bring about a reduction in car insurance premiums; the timeline for the implementation of such measures; and if he...
    • Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
      28. To ask the Minister for Finance the position of the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General in 1924 and if this was an independent office or part of the Department of Finance at that...
    • Tax Data
      29. To ask the Minister for Finance following the paper issued in December 2014 which sets out best practice guidelines for the valuation of tax expenditures and that the frequency of ex-post...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      30. To ask the Minister for Finance cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30072/16]
    • Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí
      32. To ask the Minister for Finance an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge, má...
    • VAT Registration
      33. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider altering the current services threshold for VAT registration in order that the significant step effect for small businesses whose turnover...
    • Tax Code
      34. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the tax strategy group would benefit from having practitioners in the area and persons who work in the private sector as part of this...
    • Corporation Tax Regime
      35. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 179 of 27 September 2016, the status of discussions with the Brazilian authorities in relation to their decision to...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Student Support Schemes
      36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provides or is aware of any fund that would assist a person (details supplied) pursue a course in medicine; and if he will make...
    • School Patronage
      37. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will announce the patronage of the proposed new secondary school in Mungret, County Limerick as soon as possible in view of the fact that...
    • Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
      38. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action that will be taken to assist persons (details supplied) who have lost €600 a month under their SUSI application. [30012/16]
    • Student Support Schemes
      39. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provides or is aware of any fund that would assist a person (details supplied) to pursue a course in medicine; and if he will...
    • Special Educational Needs Staff
      40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide special needs assistant support on post-leaving certificate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30021/16]
    • School Costs
      41. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to address the huge disparity in school costs which exists from school to school throughout the country and the inequality...
    • School Transport Expenditure
      42. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the school transport scheme; and if his Department will consider increasing funding to the scheme in line with the...
    • Schools Building Projects Status
      44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new build for a school (details supplied); the reason construction has not yet commenced; when construction will commence; and if...
    • Teacher Training Provision
      47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Droichead programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30048/16]
    • Sick Pay Scheme
      48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with current leave regulations that require teachers who take bereavement or sick leave days before or after the weekend to...
    • Capitation Grants
      49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the capitation grant for schools will be fully restored in line with the action plan for education 2016-2019; and if he will make a statement...
    • School Transport Appeals
      52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene and allow for an appeal of school transport in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      53. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30070/16]
    • School Textbooks Rental Scheme
      57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he plans to increase funding to schoolbook rental schemes as indicated in the action plan for education 2016-2019 despite these schemes...
    • School Transport Eligibility
      60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the individual criteria used for inclusion on the school transportation provision services for adults attending adult disability services...
    • School Transport Review
      65. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of the school transport scheme; the cost of making the school transport scheme free at the point of delivery; and if he...
    • Third Level Facilities
      68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide funding for a library extension at a college (details supplied) in view of the small size of the current library compared to...
    • Student Grant Scheme Applications
      69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a higher education grant was not paid following its award in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
    • Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
      70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in regard to determination of eligibility for a higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will...
    • School Transport Eligibility
      73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of pupils at primary and post-primary levels that lost out on school transport for the 2016 to 2017 school year due to a change in the...
    • Capitation Grants
      74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when plans to restore the capitation grant to schools as set out in the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 will be realised and if the...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
    • Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility
      75. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider raising the income threshold for social housing in view of the fact the current thresholds...
    • Fire Service
      76. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the changes being made to the mobilisation of fire engines in County Meath; the performance indicator differences...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      77. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30071/16]
    • Library Services Data
      80. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the applications received in his Department from local authorities for funding for the...
    • Library Projects
      81. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the discussion that took place in his Department in 2015 regarding a figure of €2.3 million for the open...
    • Social and Affordable Housing Data
      82. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the details of the housing projects which have been submitted by Louth County Council and are awaiting approval by...
    • Local Authority Housing Maintenance
      83. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the position in regard to the restoration, refurbishment and replacement of houses at St. Patrick's Park, Rathangan,...
    • Nitrates Action Programme Implementation
      84. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the slurry spreading deadline; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Domestic Violence Policy
      85. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures he is taking to address the disparity where domestic violence occurs in a local authority tenancy and...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Gender Recognition
      87. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the timeline and possible composition for any committee to review the Gender Recognition Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/16]
    • Fuel Allowance Eligibility
      88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person receiving a carer's allowance is not entitled to keep their own fuel allowance payment; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • State Pension (Non-Contributory)
      89. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to compensate persons in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension who also have income from the UK, in view of the fall in the value...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30078/16]
    • Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí
      93. To ask the Minister for Social Protection an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge,...
    • Disability Allowance Payments
      94. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if records will be updated to reflect that a person (details supplied) is travelling abroad for two weeks; if he will ensure that the person's...
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Payments
      95. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason rent allowance was reduced or ceased in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30157/16]
    • Back to Education Allowance Eligibility
      96. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if back to education allowance is payable in the case of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30164/16]
    • Rent Supplement Scheme
      97. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is permissible for a landlord to increase the rent in the case of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the current lease has...
    • Disability Allowance Eligibility
      98. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for disability allowance or benefit in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30176/16]
    • Jobseeker's Allowance Payments
      99. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of jobseeker's payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30177/16]
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility
      100. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if partial rent support will be awarded in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30178/16]
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      101. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30197/16]
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Flood Prevention Measures
      105. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30025/16]
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      106. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30077/16]
    • Earcaíocht san Earnáil Phoiblí
      108. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu...
    • Protected Disclosures
      109. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 5 October 2016 to outline his views on the value of creating a potent disincentive to...
    • Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure
      110. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the total drainage works programme of the Office of Public Works in 2016 in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement...
  • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Waste Disposal Charges
      114. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline her views on the fact that persons who pay for a company's (details supplied) bin tags via prepay in a post office pay 30...
    • Leader Programmes
      115. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will amend the criteria pertaining to the Leader programme to include the provision of community child care facilities as...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      116. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30066/16]
    • Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha
      119. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cé na táillí atá beartaithe a ghearradh ar phaisinéirí sa gconradh nua don aersheirbhís go...
    • Cuanta agus Céanna
      120. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht cén dul chun cinn atá déanta sna cainteanna idir a Roinn agus Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe maidir le forbairt na...
    • Leader Programmes Administration
      121. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is hoped to have a Leader contract signed to deliver the Leader programme in Connemara and the islands; the amount of money...
    • Leader Programmes Funding
      122. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the maximum grant allowed for any project under the Leader programme 2014-2020; the maximum rate of grant available for projects; the...
    • Irish Language
      123. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the budget for Irish classroom assistants has been reduced for the current academic year; if she will consider reinstating...
  • Department of Health
    • Disability Support Services
      124. To ask the Minister for Health the changes that have been made to the provision of transport services for adults attending adult disability services commencing in 2016; if additional...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      126. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the situation in north Tipperary where children do not have access to physiotherapy services under the early intervention...
    • Gender Equality
      127. To ask the Minister for Health if he will publish any HSE guidelines that guide general practitioners, doctors and medical professionals in hormone treatment for gender transition; his plans...
    • Hospital Services
      128. To ask the Minister for Health if the prioritisation for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford was previously assessed and approved by the South/South West Hospital Group prior...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      129. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30011/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Delays
      130. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30018/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Administration
      131. To ask the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure a patient's position on a waiting list for appointment in cases where referral letters have been misplaced or are unaccounted...
    • National Lottery Funding Applications
      132. To ask the Minister for Health when his Department's national lottery grants for 2016 will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30023/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Delays
      133. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30024/16]
    • HSE Staff Training
      134. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the amount of places available on the sponsorship scheme for public servants who wish to train as nurses and midwives, which currently stand...
    • Mental Health Services Staff
      135. To ask the Minister for Health if the consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist position that has been filled in respect of County Laois on a temporary capacity covers both counties Laois...
    • General Practitioner Services
      136. To ask the Minister for Health if it is illegal for general practitioners to charge medical card holders a €15 fee for blood tests as is the situation with a practice (details...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      137. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a placement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/16]
    • Departmental Correspondence
      138. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a reply to correspondence. [30047/16]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      139. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who is awaiting surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/16]
    • Seirbhísí Sláinte
      140. To ask the Minister for Health an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil soláthar sásúil á chur ar fáil do phobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta i gceantair Ghaeltachta...
    • HSE Staff
      141. To ask the Minister for Health the expected duration of the disciplinary action that is being delivered to a person (details supplied). [30060/16]
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      142. To ask the Minister for Health cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30074/16]
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      145. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an operation in Cork University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30111/16]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      146. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there is no budget to provide for new cases of special needs children and their families in Rathfarnam, Dublin 16, who are seeking...
    • Medicinal Products Availability
      147. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a drug (details supplied) to the Irish market; if there is a timeframe for same; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Hospitals Capital Programme
      148. To ask the Minister for Health the status of funding for two projects at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30127/16]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      149. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation from Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a...
    • Medicinal Products Reimbursement
      150. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding access to drugs and appliances including certain dressings for persons who require them; and if he will make...
    • Health Services Staff
      151. To ask the Minister for Health the date the HSE was first approached by the Central Remedial Clinic to explore the possibility of members of the Central Remedial Clinic pension plan being...
    • Ambulance Service Provision
      152. To ask the Minister for Health if the national ambulance service is reviewing the provision of rapid response vehicles in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Ambulance Service Data
      156. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ambulances which operate out of each ambulance station in County Roscommon on a daily basis, Monday to Sunday; and if he will provide a breakdown...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      158. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30065/16]
    • Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
      161. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent EU Commission decision to allow the merger of two Irish companies (details supplied) in view of the fact the...
    • Basic Payment Scheme Payments
      163. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to deal with a genuine administrative error in terms of an application for basic payment scheme payment by a...
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30068/16]
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Sports Capital Programme
      168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next round of the sports capital programme will open for application; when he will allocate the next round of sports capital...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      169. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30079/16]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns from rural transport providers and disability rights advocacy groups surrounding the lack of...
    • Sports Facilities Provision
      173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the planned all-Ireland national indoor cycling velodrome construction will commence at the National Sports Campus, Abbotstown,...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      174. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30075/16]
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • School Completion Programme
      177. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of schools in receipt of funding for the school completion programme; the total amount of funding allocated from her Department...
    • Child Care Services
      178. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the childminding advisory service; and her plans to reinstate it in view of the need for regulation of the childminding...
    • Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís
      180. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30067/16]
    • Area Based Childhood Programme
      183. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of early intervention ABC programmes that are in operation by county; the services they provide; the way they are funded; and if...
    • Child Care Services
      184. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a minimum subsidy of €20,000 for small community crèches in isolated rural areas and islands as existed...
  • Department of Defence