Parliamentary questions

Hospitals Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

509. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at Mercy University Hospital for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3906/17]

Hospitals Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

510. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of times the full capacity protocol was initiated at Cork University Hospital for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3907/17]

Legislative Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

286. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 to come before Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3296/17]

Child and Family Agency Data

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

287. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childminders that have registered with Tusla since 1 September 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3297/17]

Proposed Legislation

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

288. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to publish the heads of a Bill for the Child Care (Amendment) Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3299/17]

Garda Vetting Applications

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

95. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current waiting time for the processing of Garda vetting applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2553/17]

Garda Vetting Applications

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

96. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider the use of Pobal when processing Garda vetting applications for those persons seeking work in the early years sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2554/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

230. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has had discussions with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding the extent to which local authorities are obliged to take into consideration in their allocations policies a number of factors (details supplied). [3119/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

231. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has had any discussions with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding whether an applicant for social housing is entitled to be considered an adult plus children, for the purposes of allocation, in the circumstances in which the children stay with the parent several days a week. [3120/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

232. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on the fact that many parents in circumstances in which they are separated from their former partner, find it difficult to accommodate their children for the number of days that they have access to them, due to being considered a single applicant for the purposes of social housing and consequently, are only entitled to enough rent supplement or HAP to house themselves; his further views on whether this makes contact with that parent difficult for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3121/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

260. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the extent to which local authorities are obliged to take into consideration in their allocations policies a number of factors (details supplied). [3106/17]

Social and Affordable Housing

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

261. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if a person is entitled to be considered as an adult plus children for the purposes of allocation of social housing in circumstances in which the children stay with the parent several days a week. [3107/17]

Motor Insurance Regulation

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

267. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a regulation obliging car insurance companies to accept no claims bonuses, or other evidence of safe driving records, of returned emigrants when they are being provided with quotes for car insurance. [1160/17]

Motor Insurance Regulation

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

268. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to ensure that car insurance companies do not discriminate against returning emigrants when offering quotes, particularly, but not limited to, tackling the unfair practice of treating returned drivers with safe driving records while abroad as new drivers. [1161/17]

Children's Rights

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

461. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on comments in the ninth report of the Special Rapporteur for Children that the State is failing to deliver on the right of children to adequate housing and protection against forced evictions and that consequently it is in breach of its international obligations due to the numbers of children in emergency accommodation. [40305/16]

Irish Water

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

476. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has agreed a contract with a company (details supplied) for debt collection and or meter reads, meter checks and predisconnection visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41520/16]

Irish Water

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

477. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has agreed a contract with any companies regarding debt collection and or meter reads, meter checks, and predisconnection visits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41521/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

27. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current Tusla policy on dealing with children with disabilities in accessing child protection services; her views on the recent reports which suggested that children with disabilities were treated less favourably; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39930/16]

Child Protection

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

40. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered a review of legal protections in place for children who are victims of domestic abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39932/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

44. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the current situation, from her Department's perspective, on the status of the 200 unaccompanied minors from Calais which the Government committed to bringing here in the form of a cross-party motion. [39928/16]

Industrial Disputes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

52. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the current situation in Oberstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39931/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

395. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Vernon Mount House is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. [39672/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

396. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her responsibilities and duties regarding buildings or structures that are on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. [39673/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

397. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the situation in Vernon Mount House in June 2016 and the concerns that existed regarding its safety and security; and the action her Department took on foot of that. [39674/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

398. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the Government or her Department must approve any alterations, renovations, removals or demolitions pertaining to structures on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. [39675/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

399. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the actions her Department has taken, or intends to take, to secure Vernon Mount House following the fire there earlier in 2016. [39676/16]

Architectural Heritage

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

400. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will secure the future of Vernon Mount House and take action to ensure no further damage happens there. [39677/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

522. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health his views on reports of significant risks being caused by failure of infection controls at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40086/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

523. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if he has received a protected disclosure regarding risks of infection controls at University Hospital Limerick; and the action he has taken in this regard. [40087/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

524. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if the person who has made the protected disclosure to him regarding University Hospital Limerick has returned to work at the hospital. [40088/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

525. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a full inquiry if it is established that the failure of infection controls at University Hospital Limerick led to avoidable deaths. [40089/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

526. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the action taken by his Department following the concerns expressed by HIQA regarding infection controls at University Hospital Limerick; and if any actions remain outstanding. [40090/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

527. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, made a report into infection control at University Hospital Limerick and if he received it; if it was published; the action taken by his Department following receipt of this report; and his views on the detail stated in this report. [40091/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

528. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if there have been more deaths due to infection at University Hospital Limerick than the average at major hospitals. [40092/16]

Protected Disclosures

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

529. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been a significant turnover of staff in infection control at University Hospital Limerick in the past two years; if it is of the order of 50%; and his views on staff leaving positions in infection control. [40093/16]

Taxi Licences

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

631. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering issuing new standard car taxi plates in the Cork city region. [40095/16]

Taxi Licences

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

632. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider issuing new standard car taxi plates in the Cork city region to drivers who have been renting plates for a long time, for example, for more than two years. [40096/16]

Taxi Licences

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

633. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he intends to take to assist taxi drivers who are renting taxi plates; his views on the lack of control they have over their own work; the implications this has for their income and working conditions; his plans to remedy this by the issuing of additional plates or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40097/16]

Motor Insurance

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

634. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any discussions with the Minister for Finance regarding insurance for the taxi industry; if he has considered any action regarding a no-claims bonus for those with fleet insurance; and the way in which this could be implemented. [40098/16]

Child Care Qualifications

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

491. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that all members of staff in child care which count towards ratios are trained up to FETAC level 5 with regard to child care regulations taking effect at the end of November; if this requirement will be met if a member of staff is undertaking that training at that moment in time; and if there is flexibility regarding members of staff who are in training for such qualifications. [38646/16]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

143. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance if a person is entitled to a rebate under the help-to-buy incentive scheme if they take out a mortgage for 90% of the build value. [36863/16]

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

258. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the guidance his Department has provided to local authorities regarding the circumstances in which a person in receipt of HAP and who is on a transfer list for the local authority will be housed by that local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36866/16]

Local Authority Expenditure

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

262. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the process by which council budgets are developed; the legislative provisions that govern the manner in which amendments are made by elected members during the course of a meeting at which a budget is voted upon; the guidance his Department has offered in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36906/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

282. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the schemes that exist to assist persons whose incomes are marginally above the income limits for social and affordable housing, but for whom being in a position to save for a large enough deposit under the current Central Bank mortgage rules would be impossible; and the way in which such persons could obtain secure housing. [37330/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

283. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans for any future affordable housing schemes. [37331/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

284. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if it is currently within the gift of local authorities to offer loans or mortgages to applicants seeking housing; if not, if his Department has considered supporting or facilitating such loans or mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37332/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

285. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has considered revising upwards the income limits under which persons can apply for social housing, in view of the considerable rise in housing rents and the current Central Bank rules governing mortgage approval. [37333/16]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

286. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he has considered changing the income limits for social housing for the area of the southern division of Cork County Council, in view of the fact that it is largely part of the same housing market as Cork city. [37334/16]

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

287. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to provide, in legislation or otherwise, for applicants on housing lists to obtain HAP, housing assistance payment, from the local authority of which they are an applicant, to obtain a property to rent within the jurisdiction of another local authority and that HAP payments be directed towards this, particularly in neighbouring local authorities such as Cork City Council and Cork County Council. [37335/16]

Departmental Contracts

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

411. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the frequency that Government agency and Department contracts for taxi services are required to be renewed or reviewed; the regulations and guidelines his Department provides on such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37680/16]