Parliamentary questions

Marine Tourism Promotion

Thomas Pringle

21. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his role in developing the nautical tourism sector, and specifically in the context of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/15]

Road Safety

Thomas Pringle

30. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the issue of dangerous traffic at a school crossroads (details supplied) in County Donegal; his plans in the event that the issue is not addressed at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23469/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Thomas Pringle

62. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she envisages the roll-out of the tenancy sustainment protocol to County Donegal; if so, when she envisages this will take place; if not, if she will be extending increased supports to those on rent allowance who are struggling to find appropriate accommodation due to the limited cap per month in counties like Donegal which are also struggling with housing supply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24073/15]

Direct Provision System

Thomas Pringle

136. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an opportunity to make submissions to her on the recommendations put forward by the working group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers and the direct provision system, before the recommendations are considered by her and brought before the Cabinet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24105/15]

Direct Provision System

Thomas Pringle

137. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the report of the working group to report to the Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers, will be published before it is debated in Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24106/15]

Air Pollution

Thomas Pringle

218. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has carried out any research into the effect of chemtrails or contrails, and their effect on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23993/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Pringle

249. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 1114 of 9 June 2015, if he will expand on the point made in his reply as to the potential role communities can play in aggregating demand for broadband services in their areas, which can lead to acceleration of the deployment and adoption of such services; the way he expects communities will aggregate demand if high speed broadband services are not available in certain communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24096/15]

Fisheries Protection

Thomas Pringle

106. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the scientific investigations that are being carried out, or will be carried out, on wild salmon stock; if the Government will consider a limited reintroduction of drift-netting to assist the collection of scientific data on wild salmon stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/15]

Sea Angling Sector

Thomas Pringle

128. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if plans exist to develop sea angling in the west of Ireland, in view of its potential for tourism; the support currently available to new entrants in the sea angling sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16523/15]

Vaccination Programme

Thomas Pringle

643. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the concerns of parents over the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil; the level of his Department's engagement in an information campaign for parents, schools and children undergoing HPV vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23781/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Maintenance

Thomas Pringle

760. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount County Donegal will be allocated out of the €91 million investment in refurbishing, energy efficiency and housing adaptations for older persons and persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23197/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Pringle

817. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to what extent eircom's roll-out of end-to-end fibre-to-home broadband to the areas of Churchill, Fintown, Gleneely, Rossnowlagh and Tamney in County Donegal meets the requirements of the Government's national broadband plan; if he envisages State intervention will be reduced as a result; if so, if the capital savings from such a reduction will be reserved for other areas in County Donegal where State intervention will be needed, and where the roll-out of broadband will be challenging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23125/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Thomas Pringle

838. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the concern of the north-west regional executive committee of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation regarding access for business to high-speed broadband that despite substantial investment by the private sector, some 53% of premises in that region do not have access to high-speed broadband, which is a barrier to job creation, social inclusion and to balanced regional growth, and which goes against businesses' ability to compete online where an estimated €5.9 billion is spent annually online by consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23719/15]

Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears

Thomas Pringle

299. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if a company (details supplied) has stated it will commit to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21413/15]

Legislative Measures

Thomas Pringle

300. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015 will be applied retrospectively for customers in current mortgage arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/15]

Deportation Orders

Thomas Pringle

582. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service only lists seven deportations on 11 March 2015, when the remaining 118 persons were deported and what method of transport was used for same; if Frontex or the United Kingdom Border Agency were used; if these persons were deported on regular flights; the reason there is no mention of these 118 deportations on the service's website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22231/15]

Visa Applications

Thomas Pringle

583. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons some 3,003 persons were refused entry into the country; the nationalities of those refused entry; if she will provide a breakdown of the number refused entry at each port of entry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22232/15]

Garda Operations

Thomas Pringle

584. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is aware that a number of protesters were held against their will, unable to exit a small enclosure sealed by An Garda Síochána, during the unveiling of the statue in Ballymote, County Sligo, on 9 May 2015 dedicated to Irish men who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War, despite there being co-operation up until that moment between the protesters, An Garda Síochána and attendees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22233/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Pringle

1114. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the level of community engagement in the process of the rolling out of high-speed broadband in remote areas thus far; the way he will ensure community engagement continues once high-speed broadband is rolled out; the training supports that will be available to communities wanting to maximise the use of broadband in the community setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21638/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Thomas Pringle

1115. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered alternative schemes facilitating remote communities with high-speed broadband in the event that it is deemed commercially unviable, such as three-way agreements between local authorities, private firms and the State, co-operative-led schemes or not-for-profit led schemes, successfully used in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21639/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1134. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding onshore licensing options granted to a number of companies in 2011, the reason the 31 March 2015 acreage report does not contain details of the licensing options granted to a gas company (details supplied); if he will confirm the status of those options and if those options were relinquished; if so, on what basis; if not, if the company has applied for another authorisation; if so, the nature and duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1135. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the 31 March 2015 acreage report which states follow-on applications have been submitted for the onshore licensing option 11/1 granted to a company (details supplied), if he will outline the type of follow-on application that is under consideration; if additional authorisations have been granted; if so, if he will specify the type and duration of the authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1136. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the 31 March 2015 acreage report which states follow-on applications have been submitted for the onshore licensing option 11/3 granted to a company (details supplied), if he will indicate the type of follow-on application that is under consideration; if additional authorisations have been granted; if so, if he will specify the type and duration of authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1137. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the event of companies which discover commercially viable quantities of gas onshore applying for a petroleum lease, if the companies will be subject to existing licensing arrangements for offshore exploration and production; if so, if these authorisations will be subject to the 2007 licensing terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22266/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1138. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the expiration of licensing option 11/3, San Leon Energy, in October 2013 and that the most recent acreage report states a follow-on application is under consideration, if he will explain what type of authorisation has been sought; the status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22267/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1139. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if lease undertakings have been granted for petroleum exploration licences 4/05 and 5/05 in view of these licences ending in October 2011; if the companies found reserves of gas, oil, or both; what quantity of potential reserves they have indicated; if these companies will be granted a lease undertaking/petroleum lease; if so, what licensing terms will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22268/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1140. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding a company (details supplied|) announcing in March 2012 a commercially viable oil discovery in the Barryroe field (48/24-10z), if he will indicate whether the company has applied for a lease undertaking/petroleum lease; if so, the anticipated date for the commencement of production and the licensing terms that are applicable to this authorisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22269/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1141. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for lease undertakings his Department is currently considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1142. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of applications for petroleum leases his Department is currently reviewing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/15]

Corrib Gas Field

Thomas Pringle

1143. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the projected start date for gas production from the Corrib field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/15]

Exploration Licences

Thomas Pringle

1144. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to publish new licensing terms derived from the Wood Mackenzie review; if so, when these terms will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22273/15]

Disability Services Provision

Thomas Pringle

16. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his views on the Disability Federation of Ireland's recent statement that the disability community has not been protected throughout the previous budgets; his further views on the introduction of a package of measures to increase supports for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20756/15]

Primary Care Centres

Thomas Pringle

50. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his proposals in instances where general practitioners have invested heavily in providing their own accommodation and cannot afford to move to a centre to provide primary health care centres; if consideration will be given to providing centres for the support team of a primary care team without a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20757/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

145. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of minors, both accompanied and unaccompanied, that have been issued with deportation orders since April 2014; if she will provide a breakdown of their nationalities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20223/15]

Northern Ireland Issues

Thomas Pringle

152. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she acknowledges that the incident of an incursion by at least one armed member of the Police Service of Northern Ireland into County Donegal during March 2013 was part of a surveillance operation; further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 28 April 2015, the reason it was decided it was inadvertent as indicated in her reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20222/15]

Jobseeker's Benefit Payments

Thomas Pringle

178. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have transitioned from jobseeker's benefit to jobseeker's allowance in County Donegal, in tabular form, for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19938/15]

Jobseeker's Benefit

Thomas Pringle

179. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the annual cost to the State of extending jobseeker's benefit from nine months to 12 months; of increasing payments to those with less than 260 pay-related social insurance contributions from six months to nine months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19939/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

476. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders that have been enforced since April 2014; if she will provide a breakdown of the countries to which persons were returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19934/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

477. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders of minors that have been enforced since April 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19935/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Dublin returns that were issued to Italy, Spain and Malta since December 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19936/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

479. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the top five countries of return under the recast Dublin Regulation, since the beginning of 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19937/15]

Refugee Data

Thomas Pringle

493. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the Government will respond to a quota system, in response to the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, where the United Nations has calculated that 60,000 persons have tried to cross already this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19327/15]

Sovereign Debt

Thomas Pringle

32. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increasing concerns of vulture fund practices in countries such as Argentina; the efforts his Department has made to bring attention to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19326/15]

IBRC Operations

Thomas Pringle

125. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 7 May 2015 if he has requested the valuation report of the residential mortgage portfolio of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation from the special liquidators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Thomas Pringle

126. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of customers whose mortgages were sold to Mars Capital No. 3 Ireland Limited as part of Project Pearl by the former Irish Nationwide Building Society and who are being told to send correspondence to a post office box and are therefore unable to send registered post to the company; if this is acceptable practice by a financial organisation under financial regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/15]

Hospital Procedures

Thomas Pringle

335. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of computerised axial tomography, CT, scans that have taken place in Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, from 1 January to 1 September 2014 and from 1 September 2014 to 1 May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19468/15]

Hospital Procedures

Thomas Pringle

336. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of outpatient cardiac appointments which have been scheduled in the past 12 months in Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal; the number that have been cancelled by the hospital in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19469/15]

Special Areas of Conservation Management

Thomas Pringle

547. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department or the National Parks and Wildlife Service has written to landowners in the Slieve League area (details supplied) advising them to discontinue turf cutting in the area of the special area of conservation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19445/15]

Fishing Industry

Thomas Pringle

3. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the abolition of the sub-segmentation of tonnage and kilowatts to allow for improvements in safety at sea and better quality of fish landings in the pelagic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/15]

GLAS Administration

Thomas Pringle

13. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has, at this late stage, introduced a marking system for the evaluation of applications under tier 3 of the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; his views that it is proportionate; if he acknowledges the burden it is placing on applicants and their planners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18630/15]