Parliamentary questions

Departmental Staff

Joan Burton

62. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if there are or were previously staff from a company (details supplied) working in his Department in each of the years 2011 to 2018, inclusive, and to date in 2019; the number of staff involved; the projects on which they were engaged; the nature of the transactional relationship between his Department and the company in respect of those staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18112/19]

Departmental Staff Data

Joan Burton

89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are or were previously staff from a company (details supplied) working in his Department in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of staff involved; the projects on which they were engaged; the nature of the transactional relationship between his Department and the company regarding those staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18113/19]

Special Educational Needs Data

Joan Burton

122. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children on waiting lists for autism spectrum disorder or autism classes in primary and post-primary schools in Dublin 15 and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18296/19]

Rail Services

Joan Burton

243. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding on commuter trains in the Blanchardstown, Ongar and Castleknock areas; his plans to improve the capacity and quality of commuter trains and of public transport more generally for the area and the wider west Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18152/19]

Rail Services

Joan Burton

244. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason train carriages have been removed from service on commuter trains between west Dublin and the city centre; his plans to return to service carriages that were removed after the financial crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18153/19]

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Joan Burton

267. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if continued funding by the school completion programme under Tusla of the school counsellor bring provided to a school (details supplied) will be committed to; if the vital service for these DEIS schools will not be abolished; her views on whether such therapeutic services should be cancelled in view of the fact that they may be provided by the HSE and that HSE services are not available to schools in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18125/19]

Brexit Preparations

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the role his Department is playing in preparing for a hard Brexit. [16347/19]

Taoiseach's Communications

Joan Burton

14. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent conversations with the Prime Minister of New Zealand; and the issues that were discussed. [15147/19]

Insurance Costs

Joan Burton

41. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans for insurance reforms in view of the fact that the issue of rising insurance costs and high compensation has created a market distortion that is now causing persons to lose their jobs across many small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17869/19]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

45. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the recent report by the Committee on Budgetary Oversight in relation to tax expenditures and the estimated cost that revenue forgone could be as much as €10 billion to €15 billion per annum; his plans to implement the recommendations of the committee in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/19]

Oireachtas Select Committee Recommendations

Joan Burton

70. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recommendation in the recent report by the Oireachtas Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight on tax expenditures requesting that his Department prepares a report giving detailed reasons as to the reason sunset clauses are not attached to forgone tax expenditures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17827/19]

Personal Injuries Commission

Joan Burton

74. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recommendation in the recent report by the Personal Injuries Commission that a judicial council be established and the judges on it provide guidelines on the appropriate levels of damages for personal injuries cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17829/19]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Joan Burton

86. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of recruitment campaigns for the Defence Forces in 2018; and the number of new recruits in the Defence Forces in 2018. [18048/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his St. Patrick's Day visit to the United States of America. [13946/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joan Burton

9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, last met. [16348/19]

Diplomatic Representation

Joan Burton

81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the practice of sending officials and diplomats to men-only membership organisation events will be ceased in advance of St. Patrick’s Day and in honour of International Women's Day. [11970/19]

Fire Safety

Joan Burton

561. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the tragic deaths of persons (details supplied); if he will undertake a review of fire safety at the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17402/19]

Fire Safety

Joan Burton

562. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to assist homeowners dealing with the costs of repairing defective homes built during the boom, such as at a location (details supplied); his plans to establish a redress scheme for persons in this situation, such as providing low cost loans to help pay for the remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17403/19]

Building Regulations

Joan Burton

563. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of fire and safety inspections carried out on new builds in each local authority area by date in tabular form; and if these inspections have passed approved regulations. [17404/19]

Building Regulations

Joan Burton

564. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps his Department takes to ensure that fire safety certificates issued by the building control authority prior to construction work beginning comply with the requirements of Part B of the second schedule to the building regulations 1997 once construction is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17405/19]

Building Regulations Compliance

Joan Burton

565. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to ensure compliance with obligations under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014; the sanctions available to address non-compliant bodies; the number of complaints made to his Department about failure to comply with the Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17406/19]

Building Regulations Compliance

Joan Burton

566. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of legal proceedings instigated by local authorities as a result of breaches in building regulations by date and local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17407/19]

Planning Issues

Joan Burton

567. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of staff appointed to the Office of the Planning Regulator; the location of the offices of same; the budget allocated to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17408/19]

VAT Registration

Joan Burton

51. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of primary schools registered for value added tax in each of the years 2015 to 2018; if his Department has a policy in relation to primary schools registering for VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17043/19]

VAT Registration

Joan Burton

52. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of post-primary schools registered for value added tax in each of the years 2015 to 2018; if his Department has a policy in relation to post-primary schools registering for VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17044/19]

VAT Registration

Joan Burton

53. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of third-level institutions registered for value added tax in each of the years 2015 to 2018; if his Department has a policy in relation to third-level institutions registering for VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17045/19]

Office of Public Works Projects

Joan Burton

60. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the ongoing strategic review for the Phoenix Park to date; and the anticipated cost upon completion. [17051/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

71. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 233 to 235, inclusive, of 15 January 2019 and the level of non-compliance with RCT within the education sector specifically the number of educational bodies funded by the State which are not registered to operate the relevant contracts tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17040/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

72. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if capital payments are made to educational bodies that are not registered to operate the relevant contracts tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/19]

State Bodies Code of Conduct

Joan Burton

73. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure bodies funded by his Department are compliant with the tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17042/19]

Museum Projects

Joan Burton

5. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to secure a permanent home for a museum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16769/19]

National Biodiversity Plan

Joan Burton

25. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support nature and biodiversity on a cross-Government basis despite recently cutting funding for the National Biodiversity Data Centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16712/19]

Museum Projects

Joan Burton

29. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to support a museum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16716/19]

Architectural Heritage

Joan Burton

31. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the adequacy of procedures for identifying and protecting architectural heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16715/19]

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Funding

Joan Burton

39. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to assist owners of registered protected structures who wish to preserve their properties but are unable to do so as heritage works cost approximately 1.75 times more than standard repair works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16714/19]

Architectural Heritage

Joan Burton

46. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the physical condition of a building is considered when it is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16713/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joan Burton

24. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent visit to Northern Ireland; and the meetings he had with political party leaders. [15146/19]

Social and Affordable Housing

Joan Burton

67. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the implications of rent, house prices and mortgage costs for public sector workers; his views on the lack of affordable housing for low-paid public sector workers, in particular members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10637/19]

Customs and Excise Staff

Joan Burton

146. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of additional customs officials of the Revenue Commissioners that have been hired; the number that will be in place by 12 April 2019; the locations and offices to which the additional staff have been posted, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/19]

Garda Data

Joan Burton

275. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí and community police stationed at Blanchardstown Garda station, Dublin 15; the comparable figures for each of the past eight years; the number of gardaí who have retired from the station; the number of retired gardaí who have yet to be replaced at the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16627/19]

Garda Data

Joan Burton

276. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of senior gardaí allocated to community policing duties in Blanchardstown Garda station, Dublin 15 at present and for each of the past eight years; the number of gardaí with the rank of sergeant, inspector, chief inspector and superintendent who have been allocated specifically to community policing duties for each of the past eight years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16628/19]

Counselling Services Provision

Joan Burton

569. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if continued funding by the school completion programme under Tusla of the school counsellor currently being provided to schools (details supplied) will be committed to; if this vital service for these DEIS schools will not be abolished; if she does not accept the view that such therapeutic services should be cancelled in view of the fact they may be provided by the HSE, as these HSE services are not available to schools in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16621/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

59. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the occupations (details supplied) covered in section 118(3)(a) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; and the provision of accommodation that is exempt to tax. [15722/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

60. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of employees covered by the exemption to benefit-in-kind provided by section 118(3)(a) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in each of the years 2014 to 2018 by employer activity, in tabular form. [15723/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

61. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the exemption to benefit-in-kind provided by section 118(3)(a) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in each of the years 2014 to 2018, by employer activity, in tabular form. [15724/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

62. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the estimated tax forgone in respect of the largest beneficiary of the exemption granted under section 118(3)(a) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, in each of the years 2012 to 2018, in tabular form. [15725/19]

Tax Data

Joan Burton

63. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons assessed for benefit-in-kind in respect to their employers providing housing for them over the past ten years to date; the rental costs of such properties on a monthly basis over that period; the highest and lowest rental cost properties, respectively; and the average of the rental cost, in tabular form. [15738/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

88. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in relation to the development of a new permanent school building for a school (details supplied); the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15940/19]

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

Joan Burton

97. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to ensure the compliance of public bodies with obligations under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015 to 2024; the sanctions available to address non-compliant and non-reporting bodies; the number of complaints made in relation to failure to comply with the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15721/19]

Citizens' Assembly Establishment

Joan Burton

1. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his plans for a citizens’ assembly on gender equality. [10602/19]