Written answers
Wednesday, 21 February 2018
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Project Ireland 2040
33. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the concept of the Atlantic economic corridor and its development is provided for in the Project Ireland 2040 plan which encompasses...
- Voluntary Sector
40. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the progress of preparing a national strategy for volunteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Project Ireland 2040
41. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development of the Atlantic economic corridor (AEC); his views on the relationship of the AEC and the Project Ireland...
- Dormant Accounts Fund
42. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the statutory review as required by the Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Act 2012 of the disbursements scheme in relation to...
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme
46. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of underspent funds that were allocated to the towns and villages schemes; and if there will be a similar type of scheme in...
- CLÁR Programme
47. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the CLÁR programme will reopen; the budget of the programme for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8516/18]
- Broadband Service Provision
48. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on plans to extend high speed broadband to all rural areas in the south Dublin County Council area; and if he will...
- Local Authority Funding
49. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the €28 million prepaid to local authorities at the end of 2016 that has not been spent to date by the local...
- Community Banking
50. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the report on public banking based on the Sparkassen model will be considered; when it will be published; the roadmap for...
- Dog Breeding Industry
51. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department will liaise with local authorities and An Garda Síochána to ensure that the living conditions of dogs and...
- Service Level Agreements
52. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the service level agreement his Department has with Pobal; the payment policy his Department employs with Pobal (details supplied); and...
- Dormant Accounts Fund
53. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the work carried out to date to establish the reason for the level of underspending by implementing Departments in relation to...
- Local Improvement Scheme Funding
54. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of local improvement scheme allocations to local authorities throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Local Improvement Scheme Administration
55. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the LIS scheme 2018; the allocations to date, by county; his further plans for the scheme into the future in view of...
- Leader Programmes Funding
56. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to Leader programmes in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; the level of funding to be provided for these...
- Dormant Accounts Fund Grants
57. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the preparation of the dormant accounts action plan for 2018; if the process has commenced on seeking applications...
- Dog Breeding Industry
58. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the resources for inspections of dog breeding establishments; his further views on whether legislative change is required...
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme
59. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the 2018 town and village renewal scheme; when it will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8738/18]
- Rural Recreation Scheme
60. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the rural recreation scheme 2018; the allocations and projects funded since 2016 under this or a similar heading; and if...
- Departmental Contracts Data
61. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of contracts Pobal holds with Government Departments; the fees Pobal has received for these contracts for the most recently...
- Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation
63. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a status and implementation report on the action plan for rural development will be provided; the main progress made in 2017; the...
- Regional Development Policy
64. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to commission data research and a deprivation analysis of the midlands counties in order to ascertain the validity of...
- Leader Programmes Funding
65. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the LEADER funding which has been drawn down by groups in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to date; and if he will make...
- Local Improvement Scheme Funding
66. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has budgeted for the LIS scheme in 2018; the demand for the scheme and financial allocations to date, by county; and if he...
- Leader Programmes Funding
68. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated for the Leader programme in 2017; the expenditure at the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Rural Broadband Scheme
69. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role of his Department in the roll-out of rural broadband; the responsibilities he has in this area; the action he has planned; the...
- Community Services Programme
70. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of new programmes he plans to fund with the community services programme in 2018; if current service providers will continue...
- Leader Programmes Administration
71. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the implementation of the programme for Government commitment on the Leader programme. [8711/18]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Brexit Issues
72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the Copenhagen economic report; the role his Department officials will have in responding to same; and the plans they...
- Passport Data
73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications being processed; the number of renewals and first-time passports respectively; the average processing...
- Passport Applications Fees
75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if persons over 70 years of age will be allowed to acquire a three year passport at a reduced cost; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Human Rights
76. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the business and human rights implementation group as required under the national plan on business and human rights 2017 to 2020 has been...
- Department of Finance
- Tax Code
78. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department will consider documenting travel expenses paid to a separate section of a P60 on request to be used for persons applying for local authority...
- VAT Registration
79. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of a company tax registration (TR2) application by a company (details supplied); when the VAT number will be issued to the company; and if he will...
- Tax Compliance
80. To ask the Minister for Finance if a person's (details supplied) H1N1 form that was sent to the Revenue Commissioners in County Sligo for their housing application will be expedited; and if...
- VAT Rate Application
81. To ask the Minister for Finance if it is possible to exempt or reduce the VAT rate applicable to the provision of locum general practitioner services by organisations...
- Tax Credits
82. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of the total provided by way of a reduction in corporation tax payable in respect of research and development tax credit; the amount provided by way...
- VAT Rebates
83. To ask the Minister for Finance if a matter (details supplied) will be addressed regarding claiming back VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/18]
- Financial Services Regulation
85. To ask the Minister for Finance the average wait time for a credit servicing firm to become regulated by the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8955/18]
- Fitness and Probity Regime
86. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons disqualified, removed from a position within a bank or prevented from taking up a position under the Central Bank's fitness and probity...
- Loan Books Purchasers
87. To ask the Minister for Finance the details of all known loan portfolio sales by regulated banks here, including the State supported banks since 2016; the project name given to the sale, in...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Civil Service Renewal Plan
93. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No.147 of 31 January 2018, the number of public servants based in each zone by each specific...
- National Monuments
94. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the execution site of four persons in December 1922 in Roscrea Castle is at present...
- Public Sector Staff Retirements
95. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the directive on the compulsory retirement age of 65 years of age for public servants is coming into force; the timeframe for its...
- Department of Education and Skills
- Special Educational Needs Staff
96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options available for a person (details supplied) to get onto the SNA panel to be considered for a permanent position; and if he will make a...
- Irish Research Council
97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the sum of moneys allocated by the Irish Research Council in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018 under the enterprise partnership...
- School Admissions
99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons in Dublin 15 are finding it difficult to find a school place in their local educate...
- School Transport Eligibility
100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve the criteria for school transport eligibility commencing for the 2018-2019 school year in view of the difficulties that...
- Schools Property
101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will seek a long-term lease for 100 years on the building leased for a school (details supplied); if the purchase of the...
- School Accommodation
102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be provided to engage a design team to design, procure and construct the new accommodation required by a school (details...
- Emergency Works Scheme Funding
103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be made available to a school (details supplied) to resolve problems with the existing school, heating, toilets, windows,...
- Schools Building Projects Status
104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of building works at a school (details supplied); when the works will go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Education Policy
107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he has instructed his Department's officials to advise some educate together schools to reduce intake to half a stream in the coming...
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Work Permits Data
108. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of permits issued in 2017 under the atypical scheme for non-EU migrant fishers; the numbers issued directly to the...
- Probate Applications
109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times for probate cases to be processed and concluded; if his attention has been drawn to the distress...
- Garda Communications
110. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expenditure on the design, development and launch of the new An Garda Síochána website, garda.ie; if the project...
- Legal Aid Service Data
111. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for an appointment for free legal aid, by county. [8852/18]
- Courts Service Data
113. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of court dates rescheduled in each of the years the years 2015 to 2017 due to not having representation from free...
- Visa Applications
114. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) who has previously applied for entry here will be granted a visa; and if he will make a...
- General Data Protection Regulation Implementation
115. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the preparedness of An Garda Síochána in the context of the incoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) EU...
- Garda Vetting of Personnel
116. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which Garda vetting has been completed in respect of candidates that sat entrance exams since recruitment to An...
- Citizenship Applications
117. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a matter will be addressed regarding a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Family Reunification Policy
118. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of his plans to introduce a family reunification humanitarian admission programme as announced in November 2017....
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Departmental Reports
119. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will report on the Copenhagen economic report; and the role her Department officials will have in responding to same. [8467/18]
- Brexit Supports
120. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies and supports in place to safeguard Irish small and medium enterprises and export businesses from a hard Brexit...
- Enterprise Ireland Funding
123. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the companies that received aid under the Enterprise Ireland stabilisation fund; the amount each company received; the ex-post...
- Ticket Touting
125. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of efforts to curb ticket touting; and the timeframe for the passing of legislation in this regard. [8976/18]
- Department of Health
- Health Services Reports
126. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether Sláintecare is a comprehensive reform action plan or implementation plan for the health service; and if he will make a statement on...
- Hospital Charges
129. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos 287 and 359 of 12 December 2017, if he has made decisions based on the findings by his Department; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Appointments Status
130. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a hospital appointment. [8875/18]
- General Practitioner Services Provision
131. To ask the Minister for Health when a permanent general practitioner will be assigned to Waterville, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8878/18]
- National Treatment Purchase Fund Payments
132. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that has been spent on the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8879/18]
- National Treatment Purchase Fund Data
133. To ask the Minister for Health the amount that was spent in private hospitals here and outside the State in relation to the NTPF in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if...
- Cross-Border Health Initiatives
134. To ask the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent by the HSE to pay for procedures under the cross-border healthcare directive and the treatment abroad schemes in each of the...
- Health Services Provision
135. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8885/18]
- Hospital Appointments Administration
136. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment will be issued for a person (details supplied). [8888/18]
- Medicinal Products Availability
137. To ask the Minister for Health if sativex is available or being prescribed by general practitioners here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8889/18]
- Vaccination Programme
138. To ask the Minister for Health if immunocompromised groups of persons in need of immunisation from tuberculosis are being provided with the BCG vaccination; the measures...
- Mental Health Services Provision
139. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a matter (details supplied). [8893/18]
- Services for People with Disabilities
140. To ask the Minister for Health the number of day places available for training young adults with disabilities, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8898/18]
- Home Care Packages Data
142. To ask the Minister for Health the homecare budget, including home care packages and home help services in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2017; the provision for such services in 2018; and...
- Question Heading for question(s) 143,144,145
143. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there is no child psychologist in the County Limerick early intervention service since May 2017. [8912/18]
- Hospital Appointments Administration
146. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons offered an opportunity to attend an assessment with a person (details supplied); the number that responded; the number that attended on...
- Health Services Staff
148. To ask the Minister for Health if a public health nurse will visit a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8932/18]
- HSE Properties
149. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the HSE to consider the use of a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/18]
- Coroners Service
150. To ask the Minister for Health when the details of the inquest of a person (details supplied) will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8937/18]
- Hospital Appointments Administration
151. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who attended an appointment was told to return home in view of the fact that there was no consultant on site to carry...
- EU Directives
152. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to include chiropractors as a regulated profession; if his attention has been drawn to the way in which the Euratom directive is being implemented in...
- Community Care
153. To ask the Minister for Health the reason HSE performance reports since July 2016 suggest that no community intervention team service is available for the CHO1 area; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Overcrowding
156. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent crisis in Temple Street Children's University Hospital (details supplied); the steps he has taken to ensure that this will not happen...
- HSE Reports
157. To ask the Minister for Health when a report (details supplied) will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/18]
- Medicinal Products Availability
158. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the HSE decision on access to the versatis patch pain medication which has been withdrawn; the legal powers he has in regard to such...
- Cross-Border Health Initiatives
159. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive shall not make the reimbursement of the costs of cross-border healthcare under EU...
- Health Services Staff
161. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8959/18]
- Services for People with Disabilities
162. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that assessment of needs policy has changed in County Mayo; if children must now have a pre-diagnosis before being...
- Medical Card Applications
163. To ask the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8977/18]
- Hospital Appointments Administration
164. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to contact the relevant authorities with a view to expediting an urgent appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Rural Development Programme
165. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in the implementation of key rural development initiatives as contained in the rural development programme 2014...
- Single Payment Scheme Applications
166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a single farm payment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
- GLAS Payments
167. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive their balancing GLAS payment for 2016; his views on whether it is fair that due to...
- Fishery Harbour Centres
169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contractual commitments contained within the €7.98 million funding recently announced for Killybegs harbour centre; if...
- Agriculture Scheme Payments
170. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8987/18]
- Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
- Broadband Service Provision
171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that a high speed fibre optic broadband connection is provided to a location (details supplied) in...
- Illegal Dumping
172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of prosecutions and convictions, respectively, for illegal dumping and on-the-spot fines in Dublin city...
- Metropolitan Area Networks Programme
175. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question Nos 604 and 607 of 23 May 2017 and in relation to the report of the taskforce...
- National Broadband Plan Implementation
176. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has been notified of force majeure circumstance by a company (details supplied) in relation to its NBP commitment...
- Telecommunications Services Provision
177. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1008 of 13 July 2017, the top five blackspots by county for mobile coverage; and...
- Metropolitan Area Networks Programme
178. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date on which changes to clawback arrangements of MANS enhancements were adopted; if the new arrangements were...
- Broadband Service Provision
179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of premises passed under the Eircom commitment contract in Q2, Q3 and Q4 of 2017 that were deployed by means...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- National Driver Licensing Service
181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the NDLS insist on the presentation of the new public services card for issuing learner permits; if other identification such...
- Sports Capital Programme
182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to launch a new sports capital programme in 2018; the expected date for such a launch; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Road Projects Status
183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 21 January 2018, when works on an upgrade between the Rath roundabout and Kilmoon Cross on...
- Driver Test Waiting Lists
184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for driving tests, by centre and county. [8876/18]
- Road Traffic Offences
185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on imposing increased safety requirements on the use of quad bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8884/18]
- Public Transport Data
186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of complaints received on an annual basis by Irish Rail, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in each of the years 2013 to 2017, in...
- Vehicle Testing
187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a facility to test commercial and heavy goods vehicles will be provided in south County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make...
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Guardians Ad Litem (1 comment)
188. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the regulation of the guardian ad litem service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8886/18]
- Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
189. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the membership, names and qualifications of the selection panel for the collaborative forum in relation to the Commission of Investigation...
- Child Care Services Funding
191. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated for the upgrading of existing childcare accommodation in counties Cavan and Monaghan and the provision of new...
- Department of Rural and Community Development
- Local Improvement Scheme
194. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the €1 million in funding secured for local improvement schemes in County Cork will be made available; and if he will make...
- Rural Development Policy
195. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the development of programmes for which his Department has responsibility throughout the entire country; and if he will...
- Action Plan for Rural Development
196. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to facilitate long-term sustainable economic and social progress across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on...
- National Broadband Plan
197. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date in respect of the two regional broadband action groups,with particular reference to the provision of an efficient...
- Action Plan for Rural Development Funding
198. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer grant aid to rural communities involved in various projects to enhance...
- Action Plan for Rural Development
199. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to further support enterprise and enhance employment across rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Leader Programmes Funding
200. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his future plans for the disbursement of funds through the Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8971/18]
- Library Services
201. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date in respect of the public library strategy 2018 to 2022; his plans in this regard for the future to ensure a...
- Telecommunications Services Provision
202. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to assist urban or rural communities directly by way of grant aid or indirectly...
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme
203. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he plans to develop the town and village renewal scheme further in order to improve and enhance the standard of...
- Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
- Carer's Allowance Payments
204. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears will issue in relation to a carer's allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement...
- State Pension (Contributory)
205. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a maximum rate of a pension has not been awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make...
- Public Services Card Availability
206. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the locations of the offices in which the public services card may be applied for; her plans to expand the number of offices...
- Exceptional Needs Payment Data
207. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 618 of 30 January 2018, the number of ENP applications made in each county; the number...
- Disability Allowance Appeals
208. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she...
- Community Employment Schemes Supervisors
209. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to bring forward a pension scheme for community employment supervisors. [9017/18]
- Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
- Foreshore Issues
211. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a matter will be addressed regarding the purchase of land in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a...
- Development Contributions
212. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the local authorities that remain non-compliant with the 2013 development contribution guidelines in relation to taskforce...
- Water and Sewerage Schemes
213. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 768 of 6 February 2018, the work in his Department to deal with the problem of residents...
- Local Authority Housing Eligibility
214. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to increase the income levels to qualify for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/18]
- Local Authority Housing Mortgages
215. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which the calculation of net disposable income works in relation to the Rebuilding Ireland home loan; the living...
- Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Gorse Burning
217. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position in relation to extending the spring gorse burning season; if the season for controlled burning in low risk areas...
