Written answers

Wednesday, 3 April 2019

  • Department of Rural and Community Development
    • Local Authority Staff
      57. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has met with local authority broadband officers since his appointment; and the local authorities he has met with on the issue of...
    • Scheme to Support National Organisations
      59. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the scheme to support national organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/19]
    • Tidy Towns Committees Funding
      62. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to improve the funding available to Tidy Towns groups nationally. [15469/19]
    • Rural Development Programme Funding
      67. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide resources to communities to assist with the submission of applications for funding; and if he will make a statement...
    • CLÁR Programme
      71. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the review of the CLÁR programme; the take-up and drawdown in funding to date since it was re-established; and the...
    • Charitable and Voluntary Organisations
      72. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the independent review of the charitable status of Pobal will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15359/19]
    • Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
      73. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund could be used to fund the capital works necessary to open Killucan station on the Dublin...
    • Community Enhancement Programme
      75. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he expects to make an announcement on the projects and programmes to be supported under the 2019 community enhancement programme;...
    • Action Plan for Rural Development
      76. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work of the Action Plan for Rural Development specifically relating to the revitalisation of towns and villages; and...
    • CLÁR Programme
      77. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the 2019 CLÁR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15231/19]
    • Community Services Programme
      78. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a consultation report has been published regarding the community services programme; if so, the main findings of the report; the...
    • Voluntary Sector
      79. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of plans to develop a national volunteering strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15230/19]
    • Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
      80. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when he plans to invite applications for the 2019 Rural Regeneration Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Town and Village Renewal Scheme
      81. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to invite applications under the town and village renewal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15235/19]
    • National Indemnity Scheme for Landowners
      82. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when it is planned to introduce an insurance indemnity for farmers and landholders who participate in the mountain access scheme; the...
    • Telecommunications Infrastructure
      83. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the sub-group between his Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment which is examining the...
    • Rural Regeneration and Development Fund
      85. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he foresees an opportunity to introduce new schemes or the augmentation of the existing structures to direct...
    • Rural Broadband Scheme
      86. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions he has had with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment with regard to broadband provision in...
    • Dog Breeding Industry
      88. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the review of legislation to consider further regulations in relation to dog breeding establishments; the...
    • Regional Development Initiatives
      89. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Atlantic economic corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15236/19]
    • Action Plan for Rural Development
      90. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date of the town and village pilot residential occupancy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/19]
    • Mobile Telephony Use
      92. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will provide a map of blackspots identified by broadband officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/19]
    • Insurance Coverage
      95. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to provide insurance cover for farmers on whose land there are greenways and other walkways. [15477/19]
    • Departmental Funding
      96. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of grant funding allocated to County Westmeath in all schemes and programmes by his Department and bodies under its aegis...
    • LEADER Programmes Funding
      97. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding committed to date under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme in County Meath; and if he is satisfied with the level...
    • Action Plan for Rural Development
      98. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he is satisfied regarding the benefit accruing to the community and rural sector arising from the various grant...
    • Western Development Commission
      99. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the operations of the Western Development Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15233/19]
  • Department of An Taoiseach
    • Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
      103. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken with President Macron since the last EU Council meeting. [15116/19]
    • Departmental Communications
      104. To ask the Taoiseach the details of each Government of Ireland branded information initiative in 2018 and to date in 2019 which carried out functions (details supplied), in tabular form; the...
    • Government Information Service
      105. To ask the Taoiseach if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice in promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings that took place; and the...
  • Department of Defence
    • Defence Forces Personnel Data
      106. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the international courses and conferences which members of the Defence Forces have participated in on behalf of the Defence Forces; and the cost...
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Consular Services
      107. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter in relation to a fine for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15558/19]
    • Government Information Service
      108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his officials were involved in providing instructions and advice in promoting a video (details supplied); the detail of all such meetings...
  • Department of Finance
    • Customs and Excise Staff
      109. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent on customs and excise personnel at an event (details supplied). [15612/19]
    • Revenue Commissioners Data
      110. To ask the Minister for Finance if non-Government sports bodies have been the subject of a Revenue Commissioners audit and-or investigations in the past 25 years; the number of...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Public Sector Staff Retirements
      111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason it was considered appropriate to force a small cohort to retire ahead of others (details supplied); if there are provisions...
    • Special Areas of Conservation Designation
      112. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the required approvals will be applied for a special area of conservation in order to remove the build-up of silt on the mud flats...
    • Departmental Policy Functions
      113. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a bullying and harassment policy in his Department. [15421/19]
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • Apprenticeship Programmes
      114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to offer a higher rate of remuneration for persons aged 25 years of age and over who are pursuing apprenticeships; and if he will make...
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a devolved grant for the provision of four new special needs classrooms at a school (details supplied); and if he...
    • Schools Building Projects Data
      116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the stages of building of each of the schools due funding from the 2016-2021 capital plan; if each of the projects are on schedule; the schools...
    • Capitation Grants
      117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the capitation grant to be restored to €200 per pupil for primary schools; his further plans to increase the figure of...
    • School Accommodation Provision
      118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a new school for an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/19]
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a series of matters in relation to special classes in schools for children with special needs (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he...
    • School Placement
      121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a post-primary school place will be allocated to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/19]
    • Schools Data
      122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of secondary school places available in Waterford city and county by school, in tabular form; the number of secondary school pupils...
    • Schools Establishment
      123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a school development plan for Waterford city and county to adapt to the growing needs for school places in line with population...
    • Schools Amalgamation
      124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a matter regarding the proposed amalgamation of schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15587/19]
    • Institutes of Technology
      125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a pathway for an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15591/19]
    • Schools Building Projects
      126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school building will be provided for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15592/19]
    • School Patronage
      127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the patronage process will be opened for the new secondary school for Greystones and Kilcoole which was announced in April 2018 and is to be...
    • Schools Building Projects
      128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a planning application for a new school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Data
      130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of atypical scheme permits for non-EU migrant fishers renewed in 2018; and the number issued in total. [15569/19]
    • Garda Expenditure
      131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on gardaí at an event (details supplied). [15613/19]
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • Prompt Payments
      132. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the implementation of the prompt payment code across the HSE; if it is being delayed; if so, the reason for the delay;...
    • Innovation Vouchers Initiative
      133. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications to the innovation voucher scheme of Enterprise Ireland by county in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the...
    • Consumer Protection
      134. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the recourse persons have under consumer protection regulations with respect to car rental companies charging different customers for...
    • Departmental Expenditure
      135. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of making a video (details supplied) on regional enterprise plans; the Department that funded the video; the number of...
    • Trade Agreements
      136. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the ratification process for CETA; the number of member states that have ratified it; the status of the outcome of the...
  • Department of Health
    • General Practitioner Services
      142. To ask the Minister for Health if he will restore pay to general practitioners following cuts under FEMPI legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15570/19]
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      143. To ask the Minister for Health the facilities provided and supported by the HSE for persons with dementia in Dublin 6, 8, 10 and 12. [15511/19]
    • Primary Care Centres Data
      144. To ask the Minister for Health the primary care centres in Dublin 6, 8, 10 and 12; the services provided within each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15512/19]
    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data
      146. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting list to access CAMHS services by region, CHO; the length of time each person has been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15523/19]
    • Hospital Services
      149. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for a service (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the stage plans are at; the timeframe for introduction; and if he will make a...
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme
      150. To ask the Minister for Health when the legislative changes to the fair deal scheme to cap time charge on farm and small business assets will come into effect; and if he will make a...
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration
      152. To ask the Minister for Health when the review of the system for setting nursing home prices under the nursing home scheme will be published. [15538/19]
    • Health Services Staff
      153. To ask the Minister for Health if the healthcare assistant role will be removed from the ineligible categories of employment for employment permits list on a controlled basis; and if he will...
    • General Practitioner Contracts
      154. To ask the Minister for Health if the new and revised general practitioner contract will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/19]
    • Health Services
      155. To ask the Minister for Health the services provided to persons in County Kerry who suffer from Parkinson's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/19]
    • Hospital Services
      156. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their medical reports from the Mater Hospital; when they will receive same; and if he will make a...
    • Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
      157. To ask the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a replacement wheelchair for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15556/19]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      158. To ask the Minister for Health if an emergency appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [15557/19]
    • Nursing Homes Support Scheme
      159. To ask the Minister for Health when he plans to publish the report on the pricing review of the nursing home fair deal scheme that was to conclude on 1 June 2017. [15559/19]
    • Hospitals Data
      160. To ask the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries and procedures cancelled by specialty at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, in each month in 2017, 2018 and to date in...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      161. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a long time for an appointment with an organisation; when they will receive same; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      162. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/19]
    • Home Help Service Provision
      163. To ask the Minister for Health if home help will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15564/19]
    • Health Services Provision
      164. To ask the Minister for Health the resources being made available in CHO8 for persons suffering from Parkinson's disease; the available resources and the plans to expand services in this...
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      165. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce proof of disability as a form of identification (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15566/19]
    • Cancer Screening Programmes
      166. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to remove the BreastCheck unit from County Sligo in the near future; the reason this is the case; the reason patients based in the county are...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      167. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [15576/19]
    • Hospital Services
      168. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a bed at University Hospital Limerick in order to undergo further testing and appropriate treatment; and if he...
    • Medical Conditions
      169. To ask the Minister for Health if fibromyalgia will be categorised as a chronic, incurable and debilitating condition for the drug payment scheme or other schemes administered by his...
    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision
      170. To ask the Minister for Health the planned date for completion of the cost and implementation plan for providing 7/7 child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a...
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      171. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the mental health team for those experiencing homelessness operating at Parkgate Street, Dublin 8; if the service is open to new referrals; the...
    • Proposed Legislation
      172. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the redrafting of the Mental Health Act 2001; the date the heads of Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15583/19]
    • Mental Health Policy
      173. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the redrafting of the A Vision for Change mental health policy; the timeline for the development and implementation of the new policy; when a...
    • Hospital Waiting Lists
      174. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a planned operation for a person (details supplied) has been continually cancelled; when a new date will be provided; and if he will make a...
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      175. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15588/19]
    • Hospital Services
      176. To ask the Minister for Health if a lumbar MRI scan will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15590/19]
    • Pharmaceutical Sector
      177. To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in relation to the proposed regulations governing the work practices of qualified pharmaceutical assistants; and if he will make a...
    • Health Services Funding
      178. To ask the Minister for Health the funding provided by his Department and the HSE since 2016 for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; the payments made to an association (details supplied);...
    • Cannabis for Medicinal Use
      179. To ask the Minister for Health when the compassionate access programme will be in place. [15616/19]
    • Services for People with Disabilities
      181. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to include a branch (details supplied) in the personalised budgets pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/19]
    • Hospital Appointments Status
      182. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who has been graded as an urgent case will have hip surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15645/19]
    • Vaccination Programme
      183. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the education available for users of the HPV vaccine; his further views on whether full information should be made available to all persons before...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Departmental Expenditure
      186. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on inspectors from his Department at an event (details supplied). [15614/19]
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data
      187. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in the AEOS scheme whose contracts ended in 2018, by county, in tabular form; if he will consider...
    • GLAS Payments
      188. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS 3 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15593/19]
    • GLAS Data
      189. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in the GLAS scheme that have planted land with wild bird cover that previously had designated ANC...
    • Beef Exports
      191. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota regime in operation since 2009 pertaining to US and Canadian hormone free beef exports annually to the EU in terms of...
  • Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
    • Inland Fisheries
      192. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding compensation packages for holders of eel fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Broadband Service Provision
      193. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that schools and other educational institutions in the amber area will be given priority when the...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Sport Ireland Funding
      194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of occasions he has consented to the advancing of additional funds in order for Sport Ireland to perform its duties in the...
    • Road Projects
      195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the oral hearings for the N6 Galway city ring road will take place; the timeframe for commencement and completion of same; and if he...
    • Taxi Regulations
      196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of taxi drivers being victims of violence in the course of their work has been given consideration; the measures he has...
    • Regional Airports
      197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason tourism policy is not actively promoting Ireland West Airport Knock to transatlantic carriers, particularly in view of the...
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Adoption Data
      199. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the operational cost of the information, administrative and tracing service delivered by Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland in...
    • Commissions of Investigation Expenditure
      201. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual cost to date of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, in tabular form; the anticipated cost upon completion;...
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
    • Library Services Provision
      202. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Meath County Council will be assisted in its efforts to acquire a location (details supplied) for community use as a public...
    • Scheme to Support National Organisations
      203. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the organisations and groups supported by the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector; the...
    • Voluntary Sector Funding
      204. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding funding for volunteer centres with particular reference to underfunded centres (details supplied); the options...
    • National Indemnity Scheme for Landowners
      205. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will address a matter regarding an indemnity scheme for landowners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Voluntary Sector
      206. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the feedback he is receiving from the community and voluntary sector during the recent roadshow; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Public Participation Networks
      207. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work being conducted by the Public Participation Network, PPN, Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Rural Development Programme
      208. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which the various programmes run by his Department have benefited individual rural communities on a county basis...
    • Departmental Schemes
      210. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to be in a position to support applications from County Kildare for assistance under the various...
    • Action Plan for Rural Development
      212. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for the development of the various community support schemes operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Departmental Schemes
      214. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next tranche of grant aid to be awarded by his Department will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Question Heading for question(s) 216
      216. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if his Department continues to address issues such as rural and urban isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15633/19]
    • Rural Broadband Scheme
      217. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which his Department addresses such issues as local connectivity in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the...
  • Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
    • Pension Provisions
      218. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when pensioners in receipt of semi-State company pensions will receive a cost of living pension increase; and if she will...
    • Disability Allowance Applications
      219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision will be made on a disability application for assistance in view of the medical condition of a person (details...
    • State Pensions
      220. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of pensioners to date that have been contacted in relation to pension changes applied in 2012; the number that...
    • Free Travel Scheme Eligibility
      221. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a companion pass by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she...
    • Employment Rights
      222. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if proposals brought to Cabinet to protect persons trapped in bogus self-employment will include new legislation and stronger...
    • JobPath Programme
      223. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons can be refunded the cost of a taxi to and from a JobPath appointment in cases in which public transport is not...
    • Activation and Family Support Programme
      224. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is participating in Turas Nua is being denied a technical employment support...
  • Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
    • Approved Housing Bodies
      225. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to tenancy contracts by approved housing bodies such as a body (details supplied) which...
    • Home Loan Scheme
      226. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will address a matter regarding the Rebuilding Ireland home loan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
  • Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • Planning Issues
      228. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a response will issue to Sligo County Council in relation to planning approval for imperative reasons for overriding public...