DÁIL ÉIREANNdata.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/parliamentaryBusiness/...2017/06/21 · Unionist...

DÁIL ÉIREANN

CEISTEANNAQUESTIONS

Dé Céadaoin, 21 Meitheamh, 2017Wednesday, 21st June, 2017

DÁIL ÉIREANN

CEISTEANNA I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉALQUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

P.T.O

290156Dé Céadaoin, 21 Meitheamh, 2017

Wednesday, 21st June, 2017

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

1. To ask the Taoiseach the most recent discussions he has had with the British PrimeMinister regarding the sequencing of Brexit negotiation talks. — Eamon Ryan. [25653/17]

2. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent contact with other heads of government.— Ruth Coppinger. [27222/17]

3. To ask the Taoiseach if he has yet spoken to the British Prime Minister. — Mick Barry.[27227/17]

4. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his engagements with the British Prime Ministersince the UK general election. — Brendan Howlin. [27242/17]

5. To ask the Taoiseach the engagements that he has had with the British Prime Ministerfollowing the recent Manchester arena and London bridge terrorist incidents. — Mattie McGrath. [27549/17]

6. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to Prime Minister May or any EU leader sincethe horrendous attacks and loss of lives on London bridge; and if he is setting up a COBRA type committee. — Micheál Martin. [27551/17]

7. To ask the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with the British Prime Minister sinceassuming office. — Eamon Ryan. [27855/17]

8. To ask the Taoiseach if he has had any engagement with the British Prime Minster, MsTheresa May, since he took office. — Gerry Adams. [28792/17]

9. To ask the Taoiseach if he has been in contact with the British Prime Minister and otherUK political leaders since the recent election. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [28835/17]

10. To ask the Taoiseach the way in which he and his department are implementing thecommitments made in delivering a better society made in his own department’s strategy’s statement, particularly in relation to health and education. — Micheál Martin. [25944/17]

11. To ask the Taoiseach the number of roles in his department’s Brexit taskforce; the gradeof these roles; and the number of vacancies for these rolls. — Stephen S. Donnelly. [27020/17]

12. To ask the Taoiseach when he expects the special paper on Brexit. — Richard BoydBarrett. [28834/17]

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13. To ask the Taoiseach if he has had contact with the President of the United States of America. — Ruth Coppinger. [27221/17]

14. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his contacts and engagements with the US administration of President Trump. — Brendan Howlin. [27640/17]

15. To ask the Taoiseach if he has been in contact with President Trump since he was appointed Taoiseach. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [28861/17]

16. To ask the Taoiseach if he met independent TDs recently in relation to the programme for government. — Micheál Martin. [27552/17]

17. To ask the Taoiseach if he will publish all agreements with all independent deputies that are supporting the Fine Gael led minority government. — Micheál Martin. [28818/17]

18. To ask the Taoiseach if he has had engagement with independent Deputies recently regarding the programme for government and its implementation. — Gerry Adams. [29060/17]

19. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to Prime Minister May, First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill since 8 June 2017; the issues they discussed; and if there was an update on setting up the Northern Assembly. — Micheál Martin. [27553/17]

20. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the commitments in the programme for government on Northern Ireland. — Seán Haughey. [27558/17]

21. To ask the Taoiseach his plans to engage with political leaders in Northern Ireland. — Brendan Howlin. [27641/17]

22. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Ms Arlene Foster on 16 June 2017. — Gerry Adams. [28794/17]

23. To ask the Taoiseach the meetings that were held and the issues that were discussed during the visit by political delegations from Northern Ireland on 16 June 2017. — Micheál Martin. [29052/17]

24. To ask the Taoiseach if the Cabinet Committee on Health has met recently. — Michael Moynihan. [27560/17]

25. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. — Gerry Adams. [27866/17]

26. To ask the Taoiseach when he will convene the Cabinet Committee on Health. — Bríd Smith. [28838/17]

27. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Health will next meet. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [28863/17]

28. To ask the Taoiseach the number of advisers he will be employing in his department; and the areas in which they will be working. — Micheál Martin. [27834/17]

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29. To ask the Taoiseach the changes he plans to implement in his department. — Eamon Ryan. [27856/17]

30. To ask the Taoiseach the advisors he plans to appoint. — Eamon Ryan. [27857/17]

31. To ask the Taoiseach the issues he will want to discuss at the next EU Council meeting. — Micheál Martin. [27836/17]

32. To ask the Taoiseach if he has spoken to EU leaders since he was appointed; and if so, the issues that were discussed. — Micheál Martin. [29053/17]

33. To ask the Taoiseach the main issues he will be hoping to address at his next EU Council meeting in June 2017. — Micheál Martin. [29054/17]

34. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. — Gerry Adams. [27867/17]

35. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action last met. — Micheál Martin. [28820/17]

36. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. — Gerry Adams. [27932/17]

37. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Justice Reform last met. — Micheál Martin. [28821/17]

38. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Regional and Rural Affairs last met. — Michael Moynihan. [28823/17]

39. To ask the Taoiseach the referenda he is considering as a priority in the coming period. — Bríd Smith. [28837/17]

40. To ask the Taoiseach if he will consider establishing a Cabinet Committee on Education. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [28862/17]

41. To ask the Taoiseach the Cabinet Committee which has responsibility for education. — Gerry Adams. [29058/17]

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

42. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a new general practitioner services contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [29222/17]

43. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding current nurse numbers; and the success to date in 2017 on reaching the target set under the most recent agreement between his department and an organisation (details supplied). — Louise O’Reilly. [27957/17]

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44. To ask the Minister for Health when replacements for the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Margaret Murphy O’Mahony. [29223/17]

45. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the Committee on the Future of Healthcare Sláinte Care report; and if he will recommend that the report form the basis of health reform to introduce a universal single tier health service delivered on need rather the ability to pay. — Michael Harty. [28073/17]

46. To ask the Minister for Health his plans regarding the ownership of the new national maternity hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [27956/17]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS


47. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to create a centre of excellence in diabetes care in the north west in view of the fact that there is no centre of excellence in diabetes care north of the Dublin Limerick line; his further plans to increase the level of staffing in the diabetes team in Letterkenny university hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [27785/17]

48. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who was suffering from a mental health crisis and that did not receive appropriate and adequate care from a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Byrne. [27651/17]

49. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the procurement of modular patient facilities at south Tipperary general hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [27646/17]

50. To ask the Minister for Health if he or his department have received and read the All Party Oireachtas Committee Report on Health that was published recently; and the way in which this will be implemented. — Michael Moynihan. [27561/17]

51. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 19% reduction in home help hours in Dublin west for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Jack Chambers. [29085/17]

52. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the allocation of space for private practice in the plans for the new national maternity hospital is compatible with the elimination of private care from public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [27861/17]

53. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for ophthalmology services in County Cork; his plans for reducing waiting times for persons; and the options he has considered to deal with these waiting lists. — Aindrias Moynihan. [27868/17]

54. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the pilot mental health peer support workers initiative which was to be rolled out in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary in early

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2017; the timeframe for the evaluation of this scheme; when he expects to roll it out in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Wallace. [27870/17]

55. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to end the staffing crisis in the health service in the context of public sector pay talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [26269/17]

56. To ask the Minister for Health the action his department is taking to counter anti vaccination campaigns. — Billy Kelleher. [29070/17]

57. To ask the Minister for Health the range of facilities and services for the new primary healthcare centre in Summerhill, Dublin 1; and when he envisages completion of construction. — Maureen O’Sullivan. [27844/17]

58. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the provision of a medical card until recovery to persons on the diagnosis of cancer in view of the fact that the costs associated with a diagnosis are extensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [27847/17]

59. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 14% reduction in home help hours in counties Sligo and Leitrim for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Eamon Scanlon. [29079/17]

60. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide free access to fertility treatments including IVF in the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [27862/17]

61. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to fund services such as a service (details supplied) on an annual basis. — Robert Troy. [27843/17]

62. To ask the Minister for Health the further length of time it will take to appoint a paediatric diabetes consultant at university college hospital Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eugene Murphy. [27731/17]

63. To ask the Minister for Health if additional resources will be allocated to the existing cardiac catheterisation laboratory at university hospital Waterford in order to increase the laboratory’s current capacity to accommodate the estimated 450 additional procedures that will be referred there through additional diagnostic angiograms set to be provided by the mobile catheterisation lab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bobby Aylward. [27908/17]

64. To ask the Minister for Health the current engagement of his department with the upcoming round of public pay negotiations; if he will report on the work his officials are undertaking with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to examining the disparities in pay for section 38 and section 39 HSE funded organisations in view of the fact that employees undertake the same work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [26060/17]

65. To ask the Minister for Health if the outstanding issues which are delaying the signing off of the new national drug strategy are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maureen O’Sullivan. [27845/17]

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66. To ask the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that are owned by the HSE ambulance service that are stationed in counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly; and the specific areas they are based in. — Brian Stanley. [27644/17]

67. To ask the Minister for Health if he will legislate to make himself legally accountable for the delivery of health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [27859/17]

68. To ask the Minister for Health the status of progress on the rollout of improvements to perinatal mental health services capacity; and if he has satisfied himself that these improvements are being rolled out with the necessary urgency in view of the fact death by suicide is the leading cause of direct and late maternal death here. — Clare Daly. [27659/17]

69. To ask the Minister for Health if the new national drugs strategy will be a national substance misuse strategy including drugs and alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Curran. [27736/17]

70. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 11% reduction in home help hours in County Wicklow for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Pat Casey. [29087/17]

71. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue whereby section 39 organisations have not received extra funding to pay their employees the extra €1,000 from 1 April 2017 as provided to regular public sector workers; his plans to rectify the issue; the timeframes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Dara Calleary. [26407/17]

72. To ask the Minister for Health the number of graduates from the paediatric and general nursing course in University College Cork run in conjunction Cork university hospital that are currently working in the public health service. — Louise O’Reilly. [27661/17]

73. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the response by his department and the SEHB when concerns were raised with them in the 1990s regarding a person (details supplied). — Clare Daly. [27658/17]

74. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays that exist in County Meath in accessing a psychiatric consultant appointment; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that persons are waiting in excess of six weeks to see a psychiatric consultant. — Thomas Byrne. [27650/17]

75. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to legislate for the maximum waiting times of 10 weeks for an outpatient appointment, 12 weeks for an inpatient appointment and 10 days for diagnostic tests as recommended in the future of healthcare report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [27858/17]

76. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the action which is being taken to find a solution for persons with alpha 1 that need respreeza. — John Brassil. [29073/17]

77. To ask the Minister for Health if the necessary funding will be provided in order that St Joseph’s, Ramelton and Lifford community hospitals in County Donegal can meet HIQA standards and at a minimum retain their existing bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [27784/17]

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78. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the orthopaedic waiting list in university hospital Waterford which is one of the highest in the country under the national treatment purchase fund as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Butler. [27649/17]

79. To ask the Minister for Health if there are senior management staff in the national maternity hospital that have financial interests through tax break schemes or otherwise in St Vincent’s private hospital. — Alan Kelly. [27537/17]

80. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 13% reduction in home help hours in County Galway for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [29082/17]

81. To ask the Minister for Health the position in relation to the provision of nursing home services in view of the fact that the private public ratio has reached critical level of approximately 80 to 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [27904/17]

82. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a paediatric diabetes consultant or paediatric diabetes endocrinologist at university college hospital Galway in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eugene Murphy. [27732/17]

83. To ask the Minister for Health if motor neurone disease is not included in the long term illness scheme; the reason this is the case; his plans to add it to the scheme; if this can be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bobby Aylward. [27907/17]

84. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the setting up of regional bodies consisting of public representatives, the professional stakeholders and patient representatives with a view to restoring a demographic structure throughout the entire country at which the specific issues relative to these particular regions can be discussed in detail, senior representatives of which might then be considered for a national body accountable to him in the context of reorganisation of the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [27854/17]

85. To ask the Minister for Health if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality regarding lacunas in data protection legislation that may be preventing mental health professionals from informing family members or others that are at risk of violence from a patient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [29077/17]

86. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which Tallaght hospital will be supported in reducing the number of outpatients enduring long waiting times in the hospital. — John Lahart. [29092/17]

87. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 12% reduction in home help hours in counties Laois and Offaly for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Sean Fleming. [29089/17]

88. To ask the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the closure of 11 beds at Linn Dara CAMHS will mean that children and adolescents in need of these services will receive the care needed; if this closure is in line with the government commitment to implement vision for change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [27901/17]

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89. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hours of respite care offered to families of children with disabilities in the first five months of 2017 as compared to the first five months of 2016. — Louise O’Reilly. [27663/17]

90. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to put on a statutory footing hospital group boards not currently on a statutory footing; and the reason for the delay in this regard. — John Brady. [27655/17]

91. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of ambulance services in north and south Connemara, County Galway, in view of the repeated highlighting of serious issues in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [27903/17]

92. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider allocating a general practitioner training programme to County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fiona O’Loughlin. [27831/17]

93. To ask the Minister for Health when 20 week anomaly scans will be available to all women in all maternity units across the State. — Louise O’Reilly. [27664/17]

94. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there has not been a full rollout of intermediate care vehicles with staff across the acute hospital network. — Alan Kelly. [27540/17]

95. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria for American and Australian qualified nurses to enter the health system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Shane Cassells. [27829/17]

96. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease here needs to be improved substantially to improve the lives of the many sufferers here; his further views on the fact that in other jurisdictions there are much more advanced and reliable blood tests which should be introduced here in place of the current unreliable ELISA test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [27733/17]

97. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the notable regional differences in the provision of home care packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [29068/17]

98. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the capacity issues within the public health sector that are being driven in part by low pay and a lack of a clear career path for nurses within the public health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [26059/17]

99. To ask the Minister for Health the reason contraception is not available through health insurance; if he has discussed this matter with health insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruth Coppinger. [27898/17]

100. To ask the Minister for Health the level of support the government is offering in order to relocate the European Medicines Agency to Ireland; and if he will provide the associated cost suggested. — Stephen S. Donnelly. [25704/17]

101. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider the motion recently adopted by an organisation (details supplied) calling for the prescription of cannabis for medicinal use not to be

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restricted to consultants only but to allow general practitioners to do so also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [27734/17]

102. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that south Tipperary general hospital has been operating on the full capacity protocol for over 17 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [27647/17]

103. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the midland regional hospital, Tullamore will be supported in reducing the number of outpatients enduring long waiting times in the hospital. — Barry Cowen. [29093/17]

104. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the taskforce for the implementation of the national maternity strategy has met just once in eighteen months. — Billy Kelleher. [29066/17]

105. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the non approval to date in 2017 of a mobile cath lab for university hospital Waterford; the timeframe for approval to be made regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [27652/17]

106. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to deal with problems of retaining and recruiting staff in key sectors of the health service in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [27900/17]

107. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of modular units at south Tipperary general hospital which were promised to help ease the crisis in the shortage of beds at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [27846/17]

108. To ask the Minister for Health the additional staff that will be employed to ensure the full functioning of the new primary care centre in Balbriggan. — Louise O’Reilly. [27662/17]

109. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which university hospital Limerick will be supported in reducing the number of outpatients enduring long waiting times in the hospital. — Niall Collins. [29095/17]

110. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the persistent increase in long waiting times for persons under 18 years of age needing assessment for occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Margaret Murphy O’Mahony. [29076/17]

111. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the Mater hospital will be supported in reducing the number of outpatients and inpatients enduring long waiting times in the hospital. — Seán Haughey. [29098/17]

112. To ask the Minister for Health the steps his officials are taking to liaise with hospitals and the national office for suicide prevention on the number of self harm presentations at emergency departments not admitted to wards; if he is examining the reasons and trends for non admission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [27786/17]

113. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that in May 2017 some 14,389 outpatient appointments had been outstanding in County Cork hospitals for more than a year, a fivefold increase by comparison to May 2014. — Billy Kelleher. [29069/17]

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114. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the governance arrangements of St Vincent’s hospital and the national maternity hospital following its relocation to Elm Park, Dublin in view of the recent announcement by the religious Sisters of Charity to not be directly involved in St Vincent’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Ruth Coppinger. [27899/17]

115. To ask the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question number 79 of 8 March 2017, the measures he is planning in order to ensure that general practitioners do not incorrectly charge medical card holders for routine phlebotomy services; his plans to introduce sanctions for general practitioners that continue to charge patients incorrectly in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Wallace. [27869/17]

116. To ask the Minister for Health if waiting time targets for cancer diagnoses are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [29067/17]

117. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the drop in home help hours which has recently been reported for counties Longford and Westmeath; and his plans to increase these hours as a matter of urgency. — Robert Troy. [27842/17]

118. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the waiting times for children waiting for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [29061/17]

119. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the lack of availability of physiotherapists in south Kildare for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fiona O’Loughlin. [27830/17]

120. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to alleviate overcrowding in south Tipperary general hospital. — Alan Kelly. [27539/17]

121. To ask the Minister for Health when the report into maternity services in Portiuncula hospital will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Anne Rabbitte. [29072/17]

122. To ask the Minister for Health if he has used the national treatment purchase fund since its introduction to make a reduction in the waiting times for persons to avail of gynaecological services in CUMH. — Aindrias Moynihan. [27863/17]

123. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of the integrated hospital waiting list management system, Comhlista. — John Brady. [27656/17]

124. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address hospital waiting times for persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting on cataract procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [29062/17]

125. To ask the Minister for Health the reason behind the 11% reduction in home help hours in east County Limerick and north County Tipperary for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. — Willie O’Dea. [29083/17]

126. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide support for persons that have to travel long distances for cancer treatments across the country from County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [27643/17]

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127. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to coordinate with third level institutions to ensure that there will be adequate staffing in the national children’s hospital. — Eoin Ó Broin. [27654/17]

128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact the State will pay for the construction of the new national maternity hospital yet it will be owned by a private entity; his department’s general policy in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [27860/17]

129. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the stretch income targets set for hospitals; the amount generated in 2016 from private income by hospital; the amount budgeted for in 2017; the amounts which constitute these stretch targets; and the expected consequences if said targets are not met by the hospitals. — Louise O’Reilly. [27660/17]

130. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which his department will implement a diabetes proactive care pilot for County Donegal; and if the proper resources will be provided including the doubling of staffing levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [27642/17]

131. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent confirmation that the vacant physiotherapy post in south Connemara will not be filled due to financial constraints (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [27906/17]

132. To ask the Minister for Health further to his meeting with a charity (details supplied), if plans have been progressed for a hospice in a location in the midlands in view of the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peter Burke. [27897/17]

133. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which deficiencies in services have been identified as a contributory factor at various levels throughout the public general hospital system in the context of hospital waiting lists, overcrowding at accident and emergency and bed shortages; the degree to which the adequacy of numbers in respect of beds, consultants, hospital doctors, general practitioners and nurses has been identified as the primary or secondary cause of backlogs and waiting lists; the extent to which provision can be made to address these issues in line with best practice throughout the European Union and globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [27853/17]

134. To ask the Minister for Health the status of all primary care health centres in County Tipperary. — Alan Kelly. [27538/17]

135. To ask the Minister for Health when a paediatric diabetic specialist will be appointed at university hospital Galway. — Anne Rabbitte. [29071/17]

136. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in relation to the written request to him by the clinical director of Galway university hospital and the management of a group (details supplied) to examine an options appraisal of a new hospital; if the permission has been given; if not, the status of the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [27902/17]

137. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of money spent by the HSE in 2016 on hiring private ambulances in counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly. — Brian Stanley. [27645/17]

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138. To ask the Minister for Health when the new national drugs strategy will be published; if it will be debated in Dáil Éireann before being adapted as government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Curran. [27735/17]

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

Chun an Taoisigh: To the Taoiseach.

*139. To ask the Taoiseach the Central Statistics Office data for persons aged 15 years of age and over in employment according to hours worked; and the approximate number of workers on zero hour contract arrangements from the latest CSO data available. — Niall Collins. [29152/17]

*140. To ask the Taoiseach if he is reorganising his own department. — Micheál Martin. [29057/17]

*141. To ask the Taoiseach if the Cabinet Committees will remain the same in number or if he is making changes to them. — Micheál Martin. [29056/17]

*142. To ask the Taoiseach the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017 by year and company engaged, in tabular form. — Catherine Murphy. [29238/17]

Chun an Tánaiste agus an Aire Post, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

*143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the functions and State agencies that will be under her remit following the new Cabinet appointments and portfolios designated; the aspects and sections of labour affairs in her department that will transfer to the Department of Social Protection; the estimated cost of this; and the timeframe for the publication of the ministerial briefing available on her department’s website. — Niall Collins. [29151/17]

*144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the way in which the State is now the second most expensive country in the EU for consumer goods and services based on the latest Eurostat data (details supplied). — Niall Collins. [29153/17]

*145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the appointments made to State boards under her auspices in the period 1 May 2017 to 15 June 2017 by appointee name, position and the relevant State board, in tabular form; the appointment process for each such appointment; and the State boards under her auspices in which vacancies remain unfilled to date in 2017. — Niall Collins. [29154/17]

*146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA sites that are vacant and or not occupied or not in use; the length of time that they have been not been in use; if some of the not in use sites have been rented to local authorities for uses other than their original purpose; if so, the location of each, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29178/17]

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*147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the responsibilities that have been transferred from her department to the Department of Employment and Social Protection. — Maurice Quinlivan. [29200/17]

*148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the responsibilities that have been transferred from her department to other departments. — Maurice Quinlivan. [29201/17]

*149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the offices and agencies that come under the remit of her department. — Maurice Quinlivan. [29202/17]

*150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the offices and agencies that previously came under the remit of her department which no longer do so. — Maurice Quinlivan. [29203/17]

*151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there will be changes in staffing or funding to her department as a result of its reconfiguration. — Maurice Quinlivan. [29204/17]

*152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by her department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29234/17]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*153. To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take to stop the closure of rural banks and the diminution of services at them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [29242/17]

*154. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider setting up a central register with details of personal injury insurance compensation awards which will include compensation claims that have been settled by insurance companies as a method to prevent fraudulent claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [29128/17]

*155. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of an application by persons (details supplied) for a first time buyers grant. — Kevin O’Keeffe. [29155/17]

*156. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will uphold an appeal against VRT charges for a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the vehicle was purchased narrowly inside the six month deadline for exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Robert Troy. [29186/17]

*157. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29231/17]

*158. To ask the Minister for Finance if the escrow account in which the estimated €13 billion plus interest from a ruling regarding a company (details supplied) will accrue interest; if so, the rate of same; if the interest will be treated as income due to the State; the estimated interest foregone

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as a result of the delay in collecting the money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [29241/17]

Chun an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe: To the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

*159. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017 by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29236/17]

Chun an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna: To the Minister for Education and Skills.

*160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether a deficit of construction skills is holding back construction activity especially on the residential side; and his further views on whether the forecasts for new apprenticeship registrations on page 11 of the DEIS Action Plan to Expand New Apprenticeships will not be sufficient to meet labour demand to expand housing supply to 43,000 homes per annum by 2020 which is now required. — Barry Cowen. [29195/17]

*161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available in schools for children suffering from type 1 diabetes; if these supports meet the needs of these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [29124/17]

*162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a starting date for work to complete the next stage of a school (details supplied) will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29131/17]

*163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with the parent representatives from a school (details supplied) to update them on the progress of the completion of the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29144/17]

*164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding teachers’ pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [29158/17]

*165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [29179/17]

*166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the methodology behind the forecasts for new registrations for craft apprentices in each of the years 2017 to 2020; the basis for same; the reason the registrations peak in 2018 at 6,975 new registrations decline in 2019 and 2020; if construction activity inputs are included in this forecasting model; and the indicators of construction activity that were used. — Thomas Byrne. [29187/17]

*167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his department has made a decision not to grant educate together schools access to school transport; when this decision was made; if educate together schools were informed of such a decision; the basis on which this decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29214/17]

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*168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures educate together schools are expected to implement without access to school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29215/17]

*169. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his department is refusing to recognise the ethos of a school (details supplied) for school transport purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29216/17]

*170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will contact a school (details supplied) and request that the number of students per class would be increased by two to three pupils which would ensure that all of the children born in 2012 will be accommodated in 2017 in view of the acute crisis of accommodation regarding junior infant uptake for a school. — Clare Daly. [29220/17]

*171. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29229/17]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

*172. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29232/17]

*173. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with officials in his department in respect of the commencement of Brexit negotiations. — Gerry Adams. [28793/17]

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais: To the Minister for Justice and Equality.

*174. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the dates and substance of contacts between his department and the office of the Garda Commissioner regarding her report on the possible reopening of closed garda stations; the process by which an interim report was requested and partial implementation of the report was agreed by government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [29126/17]

*175. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to parliamentary question number 45 of 2 February 2017, if consideration is being given to a Constitutional amendment pertaining to ground rents; his plans to amend the existing statutory framework regarding ground rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [29218/17]

*176. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017; by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29235/17]

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Chun an Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta: To the Minister for Arts, Heritage; Regional; Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

*177. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the approved projects in County Waterford which have just been approved under the CLÁR programme; the projects approved to date in County Waterford under the CLÁR programme for 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Butler. [29138/17]

*178. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of projects under the CLÁR programme for 2017 which were not approved in County Waterford; the details of these projects and the funds requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Butler. [29140/17]

*179. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent by her department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29225/17]


*180. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure public hospitals in receipt of private income shall disclose if part of such income came from elective admissions or part came from emergency admissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [27912/17]

*181. To ask the Minister for Health the funding which was allocated for the ambulance base in County Carlow; the position regarding the works programme; the status of the base accommodation issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pat Deering. [29125/17]

*182. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied). — Robert Troy. [29127/17]

*183. To ask the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [29129/17]

*184. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [29133/17]

*185. To ask the Minister for Health if a medical card will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [29134/17]

*186. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that HSE staff on certified sick leave are being forced to attend their doctor on a weekly basis to obtain medical certificates at considerable personal and financial cost to them and often at a time when they are not earning due to ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29141/17]

*187. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the reason the social welfare certificate submitted for social welfare benefits during a period of extended sick leave is deemed unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29142/17]

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*188. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the reason in circumstances in which a weekly medical certificate is requested by local management for a HSE employee in the ambulance service this cannot be obtained by visiting the HSE occupational health doctor on a weekly basis instead of paying weekly for doctors appointments in circumstances in which the employee has exhausted their entitlement to sick pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29143/17]

*189. To ask the Minister for Health the expected rates of increase in heart failure in the next decade; the cost of heart failure here each year; the hospital related costs; the direct cost of heart failure management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29145/17]

*190. To ask the Minister for Health if data suggests a 2% prevalence of symptomatic heart failure in the population rising to 10% in those persons over 75 years of age with a further 2% having asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction at risk of progressing to symptomatic failure and over 10,000 new cases are diagnosed annually; the updated figures on prevalence and projections since the original 2010 publication of the cardiovascular strategy; the actions taken on recommendations of the cardiovascular strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29146/17]

*191. To ask the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question number 189 of 25 May 2013, if he will provide the details of the membership of the national reformulation technical working group to agree targets for reducing fat, sugar and salt which is being established; if his department will be consulting and engaging with the health organisations when targets are agreed similar to the process that will be engaged upon with industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [29147/17]

*192. To ask the Minister for Health the name, contact details and the location in which persons can be tested for Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [29160/17]

*193. To ask the Minister for Health the amount being spent on formula by each maternity and children’s hospital in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29161/17]

*194. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to implement co-sleeping beds in the new national maternity hospital being built on the St Vincent’s campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29162/17]

*195. To ask the Minister for Health the guidelines the HSE plans to introduce and promote regarding co-sleeping between the newborn baby and mother; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29163/17]

*196. To ask the Minister for Health the HSE’s policy regarding co-sleeping of baby and mother in maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29164/17]

*197. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE has plans to provide information regarding medicine that is safe for breastfeeding to pharmacies, general practitioners and hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29165/17]

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*198. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE plans on using the information regarding medicine that is safe for breastfeeding by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29166/17]

*199. To ask the Minister for Health the HSE’s plans to launch a public awareness campaign to promote the health benefits of breastfeeding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29167/17]

*200. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for healthcare facilities and practitioners to have a support database that will recommend local breastfeeding support groups to new mothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29168/17]

*201. To ask the Minister for Health the HSE’s plans to create public spaces for breastfeeding support groups in primary care centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29169/17]

*202. To ask the Minister for Health the hospitals that supply baby boxes for newborn babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29170/17]

*203. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide baby boxes in all maternity hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29171/17]

*204. To ask the Minister for Health the contents of each of the sets of baby boxes; and if the sets provide breastfeeding support items. — Brendan Ryan. [29172/17]

*205. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of NEC here in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29188/17]

*206. To ask the Minister for Health the average cost to treat NEC here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29189/17]

*207. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of otitis media of babies under six months of age here in 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29190/17]

*208. To ask the Minister for Health the amount the average cost to treat otitis media in babies under six months of age here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29191/17]

*209. To ask the Minister for Health the number of cases of gastroenteritis in babies under six months of age in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29192/17]

*210. To ask the Minister for Health the average cost to treat gastroenteritis in babies under six months of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Ryan. [29193/17]

*211. To ask the Minister for Health if there are standards around the time it takes to make an investigation into allegations regarding HSE employees in view of the fact that employees are often suspended from employment pending an investigation which results in time out of employment and

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in the case of agency workers this can result in no income (details supplied). — Ruth Coppinger. [29194/17]

*212. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which a person (details supplied) who wishes to practice as a pharmacist here demonstrates the holding of an enforceable community right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eamon Scanlon. [29196/17]

*213. To ask the Minister for Health when an assessment of need will take place for a person (details supplied); if this will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [29205/17]

*214. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can have access to a DAFNE carb counting course at university hospital Waterford; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Butler. [29207/17]

*215. To ask the Minister for Health the full rules governing the retention of a medical card when a person is returning to work; if the right of retention applies to a dependent person and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eamon Scanlon. [29208/17]

*216. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [29210/17]

*217. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). — Michael Healy-Rae. [29211/17]

*218. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an outpatient appointment for surgery in Galway university hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Harty. [29212/17]

*219. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [29219/17]

*220. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29233/17]

*221. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Ferris. [29240/17]

*222. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) who is looking for a transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [29243/17]

*223. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the commitment to have no public patient waiting more than 15 months for surgery or a specialist appointment by October 2017 has been abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [28148/17]

*224. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting time targets which are in place for persons requiring further speech and language therapy following receipt of initial therapy. — Margaret Murphy O’Mahony. [28149/17]

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*225. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the review of medical assessment units, urgent care centres and minor injuries clinics; his plans to extend their daily hours of opening and to provide weekend opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [27909/17]

*226. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which the new national cancer strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [27910/17]

*227. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the commitment to have no public patient waiting more than 15 months for surgery or a specialist appointment by October 2017 has been abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [27911/17]

*228. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the introduction of free general practitioner care to persons under 18 years of age; the increase in general practitioner numbers required to support the additional workload; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Billy Kelleher. [27913/17]

*229. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the relocation of the Rotunda hospital to Connolly hospital. — Jack Chambers. [27914/17]

*230. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the significant regional disparity in the provision of home care packages. — Mary Butler. [27916/17]

*231. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional mental health staff recruited to date in 2017; and the nature of the positions filled. — James Browne. [27921/17]

*232. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to find a solution for persons with alpha 1 that need respreeza. — John Brassil. [27922/17]

*233. To ask the Minister for Health if Tallaght hospital is facing a €6 million bill to tackle an outbreak of a lethal superbug. — John Lahart. [27925/17]

Chun an Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara: To the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

*234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that entered Curraghchase Park in 2016; the amount of revenue which was collected; the amount of money which was reinvested by the government in Curraghchase Park in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Tom Neville. [29130/17]

*235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety regarding the need to introduce new requirements pertaining to the import of meat products from Brazil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [29183/17]

*236. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the EU Agriculture Commissioner and with the EU Trade Commissioner regarding the need to protect the European beef sector in discussions on Mercosur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [29184/17]

*237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations

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advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29224/17]

*238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to make a decision regarding the allocation of spurdog quota to the Irish fleet. — Martin Kenny. [29246/17]

Chun an Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil: To the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

*239. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a copy of the official diary of his predecessor (details supplied) for the period August to December 2015. — Clare Daly. [29150/17]

*240. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the implementation status of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Timmy Dooley. [29197/17]

*241. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the publication deadline for the national mitigation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Timmy Dooley. [29198/17]

*242. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29227/17]

Chun an Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt: To the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

*243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that since the Irish Aviation Authority took charge of aviation security in 2013, there are only three full time aviation security inspectors covering all the airports, exporters of air freight, trainers, in flight suppliers, airport suppliers, training material approval and so on. — Clare Daly. [29148/17]

*244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the long delays in processing aviation security queries, training programmes and security programmes by the Irish Aviation Authority, delays which are causing great difficulty for aviation companies in remaining compliant with regulations with consequences that some have been threatened with removal of their status. — Clare Daly. [29149/17]

*245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Eamon Scanlon. [29156/17]

*246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite the scheduling of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Sean Fleming. [29157/17]

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*247. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to announce the allocation of the 2017 sports capital grant. — Eoin Ó Broin. [29173/17]

*248. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the National Driver Licence Service to change its policy of driver licence renewal date beginning from the date of application when a person is encouraged to apply up to three months early instead of receiving the additional time as per the NCT system when the current licence expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [29213/17]

*249. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29239/17]

Chun an Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige: To the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

*250. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by her department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29226/17]

Chun an Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí: To the Minister for Social Protection.

*251. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her department since the social welfare fraud campaign began; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29135/17]

*252. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have been identified as actual fraud; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29136/17]

*253. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of allegations of social welfare fraud made to her department since the social welfare fraud campaign began that have resulted in penalties to a person’s payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John Brady. [29137/17]

*254. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made regarding a carer’s benefit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Willie O’Dea. [29139/17]

*255. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the basis on which a person (details supplied) was refused a carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [29177/17]

*256. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the cost incurred to date regarding the upgrade of a website (details supplied); if she has satisfied herself that the website is now fully operational; if she expects to incur further costs regarding the overhaul of the website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29185/17]

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*257. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to address the situation whereby a person (details supplied) was refused a disability allowance approved in April 2017 and has yet to receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [29199/17]

*258. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding work schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [29217/17]

*259. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her department and State agencies under her aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29237/17]

Chun an Aire Tithíochta, Pleanála, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil: To the Minister for Housing, Planning; Community and Local Government.

*260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the use of coral sand to supplement income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [29209/17]

*261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the changes in policy on motor taxation of State owned vehicles, in particular HSE patient transport; when these changes came into effect; the affect that this policy change is having on persons around the country, in particular those accessing services in an association (details supplied); if these changes will be reversed to halt the negative impact on vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [29132/17]

*262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the functions and responsibilities that will be transferred from his department to the Department of Community and Rural Affairs. — Eoin Ó Broin. [29181/17]

*263. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the new Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government will officially be established. — Eoin Ó Broin. [29182/17]

*264. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding fire safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [29221/17]

*265. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29230/17]

Chun an Taoisigh agus Aire Cosanta: To the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence.

*266. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount spent by his department and State agencies under his aegis on outside contract and or third party public relations advice and

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training in the past three years to date in 2017, by year and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [29228/17]

CEISTEANNA, SEACHAS CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH, I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉAL DÉARDAOIN, 22 MEITHEAMH, 2017

QUESTIONS, OTHER THAN QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY, FOR ORAL ANSWER ON THURSDAY, 22 JUNE, 2017

Chun an Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara: To the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

1. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made regarding reviewing the appeals process for farmers. — Aindrias Moynihan. [28012/17]

2. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials are liaising with animal welfare charities regarding reports of greyhounds being exported to China and Pakistan; the measures he is implementing to halt these exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [27969/17]

3. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an environmental restriction on the use of copper sulphate for the treatment of potato blight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fiona O’Loughlin. [21921/17]

4. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to identify and rectify the persistent problems with the information technology system in his department’s Portlaoise office which is leading to consistent delays in payment for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bobby Aylward. [28162/17]

5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to respond to the threats facing County Wexford agriculture regarding Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Browne. [28165/17]

6. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the harbour works on Cape Clear Island, County Cork will be completed. — Maureen O’Sullivan. [28158/17]

7. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he expects to be in a position to ensure the future of the food producing sector notwithstanding developments surrounding Brexit; if he expects to adopt new or specific policies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [28163/17]

8. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS and AEOS payments outstanding from 2016 for persons in County Cork. — Aindrias Moynihan. [28011/17]

9. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of impact assessments that his department has carried out with regard to the 2014 to 2020 forestry programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Wallace. [27936/17]

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10. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he last met with Coillte; if he will report on the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [27973/17]

11. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress made on the implementation of a heritage licence in the inshore fisheries sector which was a recommendation of the report on sustainable island and fishing communities published in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [27933/17]

12. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the situation in which the agri cash flow loan support scheme was used as stocking loans to farmers in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [27967/17]

13. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the implementation of the landing obligation; the reason over quota catches are being taken from the national quota for the following year and not from the individual person that incurs the over quota catch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [27934/17]

14. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the programme for government permitting young farmers that are under 40 years of age that have been farming for more than five years from accessing measures under CAP for young farmers including being able to apply for the national reserve and for top up entitlements; the reason for their exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [28156/17]

15. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports which are available from his department to support strawberry growers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie Penrose. [27974/17]

16. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his department is taking to reduce the emissions from the agriculture sector; if a projection has been carried out by his department in relation to emissions reduction from the agricultural sector in 2020, 2030 and 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Wallace. [21868/17]

17. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the review of the areas of natural constraint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [28150/17]

18. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the commitment made by his department to spend €250 million per year on GLAS when the scheme is fully subscribed will be delivered in 2017; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [28155/17]

19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his department has carried out an evaluation of the impact of Brexit on the various aspects of the agri food producing and business sectors including the need to retain existing provisions for the equine industry vis a vis Ireland, the UK and France; the extent to which alternatives can be examined in the event of difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [28164/17]

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20. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which will be put in place by his department in order to assist farmers due to the new EU rules governing slurry spreading and the use of splash plates. — Martin Kenny. [29244/17]

21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the loss of sugar beet production has represented a significant disadvantage to tillage farmers; if he will take proactive steps to revive the industry in view of the fact that farming in the UK is proceeding in this direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie Penrose. [27977/17]

22. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a second tranche of a low cost loan scheme administered through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and the commercial banks; if he will revise the terms and conditions of eligibility for participating persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie Penrose. [27978/17]

23. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he is dealing with the land eligibility issues raised by an association (details supplied) for persons under the direct payment and scheme systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [27935/17]

24. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the atypical worker permit for non EU migrant fishing crew; if such a review is planned; and if he will meet representatives from the international transport federation that have concerns regarding the welfare of non EU migrant fishing crew operating on Irish vessels. — Mick Barry. [28072/17]

25. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish the report on the aquaculture licensing process; his plans to legislate on its recommendations; his views on the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Willie Penrose. [27975/17]

26. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the EU Commission’s plans in relation to skimmed milk powder intervention stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [27966/17]

27. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the ANC review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [28160/17]

28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he approved the €23 million of exchequer funding that went to Bord na gCon in the State purchase of the former Harolds Cross greyhound stadium; his views on whether the agreed price was value for money for the land in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maureen O’Sullivan. [28157/17]

29. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the agri sector ahead of Brexit and particularly in view of the UK election result; his views on whether the outcome of the UK election will change Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [28159/17]

30. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS payments for 2016 which remain outstanding in counties Longford and Westmeath. — Robert Troy. [27964/17]

31. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe to introduce a crisis aid fund to tillage farmers that had their crop destroyed due to severe weather in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [28154/17]

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32. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has reviewed his department’s information technology payments systems in view of the problems faced by persons submitting applications and drawing down payments for GLAS, the KTG scheme, TAMS and so on. — Charlie McConalogue. [28153/17]

33. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total sum of money retained from farmers in the beef data genomics scheme in 2016 and to date in 2017; the reason for the retention of these moneys; and the measures taken by his department to ensure that farmers are fully informed as to the reason the retentions are taking place and the way to avoid them in future. — Martin Kenny. [27961/17]

34. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase forest cover across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [27972/17]

35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the ongoing price volatility in the dairy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [27970/17]

36. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that the fisheries industry is in a state of crisis; the measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mattie McGrath. [27971/17]

37. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the premium payments for afforestation to ensure that full time farmers receive a higher rate payment than persons that are not dependent on farming for an income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [28151/17]

38. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to his Northern Irish counterpart regarding the negative impact of a hard border on the agri food sector in particular. — Michael Moynihan. [28824/17]

39. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that although there was a commitment to put a ceiling on direct CAP payments of €150,000 and a commitment to lower that ceiling to €100,000, a small group of farmers were in receipt of payments of over €200,000 in 2016; and the way in which this happened in view of his commitment. — Martin Kenny. [27959/17]

40. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will guarantee the future of the regional veterinary laboratory in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bobby Aylward. [28161/17]

41. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to parliamentary question number 435 of 28 March 2017, when a decision will be made regarding fishing fleet capacity in view of the fact that the period of public consultation closed for submissions on 28 February 2017; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [29123/17]

42. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he plans to distribute the extra mackerel quota which has been allocated. — Martin Kenny. [29245/17]

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Printed on re-cycled paper.Wt. 82126. 260. 6/17. Essentra. (66681). Gr. 30-15

43. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the funding allocation to an organisation (details supplied) in view of the concerns regarding work practices in the industry it oversees including the fact that stable staff in the industry do not fall within the classification of agricultural workers despite being treated as such. — Clare Daly. [27962/17]

44. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect greyhounds that are being exported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas P. Broughan. [27968/17]

45. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review and revise the thoroughbred foal levy regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Clare Daly. [27963/17]

46. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reducing the current CAP ceiling from €150,000 to €60,000; and his views on whether the current system is unfair and inequitable in view of the fact that certain persons are in receipt of large six figure sums while younger persons struggle to get onto the scheme. — Robert Troy. [27965/17]

47. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to safeguard the interests of the agri food and fishing sectors ahead of the UK’s move to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Charlie McConalogue. [28152/17]

48. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the objective of his department in performing a new round of land eligibility inspections with stricter criteria which may result in hill farmers receiving reduced direct payments; the details of the new criteria; and the implications of each. — Martin Kenny. [27958/17]

DÁIL ÉIREANNdata.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/parliamentaryBusiness/...2017/06/21 · Unionist...

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