Parliamentary questions

Passport Applications Fees

Fergus O'Dowd

839. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will introduce a reduced rate for passport applications in relation to old age pensioners who are on low incomes, as the current rate is very high for low income pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24817/16]

Cross-Border Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

852. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the position of his Department on any EU-funded cross-border projects once Article 50 is enacted by the Government of the United Kingdom. [26149/16]

Office of Public Works Properties

Fergus O'Dowd

918. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans the OPW have for Westgate House (details supplied) in Drogheda which was acquired by the OPW in Drogheda and is now in a very dilapidated state and located in a historic town centre site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25736/16]

Prescriptions Data

Fergus O'Dowd

1003. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 65 years of age who were prescribed Olanzapine, Quetiapine Fumarate or Risperidone in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to date; the number of persons diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease; the number of persons prescribed this medication who were resident in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24377/16]

Prescriptions Data

Fergus O'Dowd

1004. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the national policy in relation to the prescribing of Olanzapine, Quetiapine Fumarate or Risperidone drugs to persons over 65 years of age in 2014, 2015 and 2016; the way in which data in relation to the prescription of these drugs is analysed and checked, in both private nursing homes and HSE nursing homes; if evidence of over prescription has been identified and reported on; the action taken as a result; the number of these persons that were diagnosed with dementia and or Alzheimer’s disease; the number of persons prescribed this medication that were resident in nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24378/16]

Hospital Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

1158. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the shortage of anaesthetists in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and Louth County Hospital; the impact in terms of possible increased risk of serious medical mistakes during surgery and the possibility of delaying vital treatment for patients; the number of operations cancelled as a result; the number of posts vacant in the whole country at this time and the locations of these acute hospitals; the action being taken to address this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25072/16]

Hospital Equipment

Fergus O'Dowd

1159. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, regarding the concerns or requests raised or made by patients or their families or hospital staff regarding the need for air conditioning or fans to be provided for patients in the hospital in the past six months; the number of inpatient rooms that do not have such air conditioning; the proposals to provide such air conditioning or fans; the policy on the provision of fans for patients, particularly those receiving end-of-life care, who have no air conditioning in their room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25073/16]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

1173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the waiting list for counties Louth and Meath for speech and language therapy assessment and intervention for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25112/16]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1189. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate details provided in correspondence (details supplied); the action taken in response by the HSE to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25207/16]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

1331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the provision of a primary care centre for Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25740/16]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

1332. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the provision of a primary care centre for Laytown and Bettystown in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25741/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

1333. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were waiting for access to an ICU bed during June 2016; the duration of these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25742/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

1334. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who were waiting for access to an ICU bed during June 2015; the duration of those waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25743/16]

Health Services Data

Fergus O'Dowd

1338. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish citizens who have been placed in care outside the State for medical, special nursing and long-term care and whose care is being funded by the State; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25767/16]

Respite Care Services

Fergus O'Dowd

1339. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on the situation in St. John of God, Drumcar, County Louth, regarding the urgent need to provide alternative and age-appropriate respite care for persons with disabilities in County Louth who cannot be provided with this service at present in Drumcar. [25768/16]

Waste Disposal Charges

Fergus O'Dowd

1641. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review correspondence regarding concerns on a waste company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25583/16]

Nuclear Safety

Fergus O'Dowd

1642. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will meet with his counterpart in the UK as a matter of urgency to discuss serious safety issues arising from a television programme (details supplied) on Sellafield on 5 September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25793/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

1766. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when the sports capital grants will open for applications to the large number of sporting bodies that are relying on these funds to remain in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24912/16]

Cross-Border Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

1775. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date on the Narrow Water Bridge, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25152/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

1798. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when the sport capital grants will be released for 2016 in view of the fact there are a large number of sporting clubs relying on the release of these funds to continue their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/16]

Tourism Project Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

1836. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the funding request for the Boyneside trail (details supplied) under Fáilte Ireland and the National Transport Authority and any other details surrounding the Boyneside trail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26070/16]

Youth Services Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

1925. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications received nationally in relation to the capital funding scheme; the number of qualified applications received nationally; the number of applications received from counties Louth and Meath; the number of qualified applications received from counties Louth and Meath in relation to the capital funding scheme which was open to applications from her Department funded projects under the special projects for youth scheme, youth information centres, young people’s facilities and services fund and local drugs task force, 21 mainstreamed projects schemes, along with organisations in receipt of the youth service grant scheme; if a list of these applications and qualified applications can be made available for counties Louth and Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24930/16]

Local Authority Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

430. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to the Louth County Council for roads in each of the years 2014 to 2016 to date; the amount of that designated money that has been used for national roads, regional roads, local primary roads, local secondary roads and local tertiary roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23291/16]

Local Authority Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

431. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when Louth County Council and Meath County Council will receive grants from his Department for community involvement schemes for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

623. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting lists nationally for inpatient procedures by acute hospital; the patient waiting times for each such procedure by individual hospital; the funding provided for such procedures for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

624. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting list nationally for cardiology tests, MRI, CT, EEG and bone scans in tabular form; the patient waiting times for such tests for each acute hospital; the funding provided for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

625. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the comprehensive review undertaken by the HSE to establish the reason patients have to wait more than 12 months to be seen in a small number of hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/16]

Hospital Facilities

Fergus O'Dowd

676. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the improvements made to the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda through capital investment in each of the years 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22750/16]

Road Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

852. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 764 of 12 July 2016, the date Meath County Council applied for the revised total application of €4.38 million in respect of the R150 Bettystown-Laytown spine road; the date at which all available funding had been allocated to projects within his Department for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22759/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

91. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will urgently meet with a school (details supplied) which was removed from the list of agreed major projects for construction in 2016; if he is aware of the major concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21912/16]

Local Enterprise Offices Data

Fergus O'Dowd

271. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of persons who accessed the local enterprise offices for their services in the Leinster region in the years 2014 and 2015; the number of staff currently employed in each location in Leinster; the amount of funding each location in Leinster has drawn down in the years 2014 and 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21839/16]

Roads Maintenance

Fergus O'Dowd

764. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 633 of 5 July 2016, the funding Meath County Council has applied for in respect of the proposed spine road R150 Laytown to Bettystown, County Meath, for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/16]

Local Authority Housing Mortgages

Fergus O'Dowd

117. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will increase the income limit for families who have dependent children who apply for house purchase loans under Statutory Instrument No. 408 of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/16]

Recycling Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

118. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will introduce the tyre levy; the recycling targets he will introduce as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19918/16]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

203. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to review, as a matter of urgency, the disabled drivers and passengers scheme to allow consideration of additional medical conditions and disabilities which are not currently covered under it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/16]

Health Services

Fergus O'Dowd

222. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to review an application by a person (details supplied) for a transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19973/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

227. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list, the average waiting time and the number of persons waiting over six months for laser treatment of kidney stones in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/16]

Penal Policy Review Group

Fergus O'Dowd

102. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on issues and concerns raised by the Irish Penal Reform Trust (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19570/16]

Garda Complaints Procedures

Fergus O'Dowd

104. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will initiate a full public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19639/16]

School Guidance Counsellors

Fergus O'Dowd

171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with a person (details supplied) to discuss the issue of guidance counsellors in post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19116/16]

Local Government Reform

Fergus O'Dowd

276. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review the efficiency of local government, including its financial and organisational remit, and best practice in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19777/16]

Waste Disposal Charges

Fergus O'Dowd

278. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that users of the tag on the bag system of waste management who are not weekly users will not be required to pay a service charge along with the tag lift charge under new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19781/16]

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Fergus O'Dowd

449. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19119/16]

Roads Maintenance

Fergus O'Dowd

633. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is willing to release the funding necessary to expedite the R150 Laytown to Bettystown spine road project due to the very large number of young children in educational campuses in the area and the significant safety concerns that continue due to not having this spine road in place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19126/16]

Road Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

645. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the access allowed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to private service providers to ducting along the M1, M2 and M3 motorways for the provision of broadband and telecommunications services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19649/16]

Local Enterprise Offices Establishment

Fergus O'Dowd

660. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will establish a local enterprise office in Drogheda, County Louth, following the recent referendum decision in the United Kingdom (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19131/16]

Immigration Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

57. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the increasing income requirement for retirees living here; the further reason for the change from stamp 3 to stamp 0 for Americans retiring to Ireland; if she will make an exception for American nationals looking to retire here, acknowledging the historic and important relationship between America and Ireland; and if she will restore the status quo ante for Irish-Americans. [18588/16]

Medical Card Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

152. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will list spinal cord injuries as long-term illnesses with an automatic entitlement to a medical card in view of representation from the Spinal Injuries Ireland panel. [18579/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Fergus O'Dowd

25. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills to restore full equality of pay for all teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17910/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

123. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills his position on the funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18152/16]

Community Development Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

185. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on issues raised by a person (details supplied) and if a meeting can be raised in this regard. [18117/16]

Family Income Supplement

Fergus O'Dowd

253. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider changing the family income supplement regulations for a person accessing a higher paying job that surpasses the income limit from losing all support, to a graduated system that would allow a person to get a promotion or higher paying job while also maintaining some level of family income support throughout the set transition period. [17996/16]

Passport Applications Fees

Fergus O'Dowd

318. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider reintroducing old age pension rates on passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18139/16]

Public Transport Subsidies

Fergus O'Dowd

504. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address concerns on the taxsavers scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18148/16]

Patient Deaths

Fergus O'Dowd

243. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to outline the full facts in relation to the number of meetings of the team appointed by the Health Service Executive to address the outstanding issues that arose following the death of a person (details supplied) and the dates of those meetings; the documents which were given to and created by the team while the consultant was a member; the issues addressed while the consultant was a member; to provide the details surrounding the withdrawal of the consultant from the team and the reasons for same; the meetings held by this team without the consultant after their withdrawal and what reports or comments were made either verbally or in writing to the Health Service Executive following the withdrawal of the consultant, and actions taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17600/16]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

122. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding tax relief on social housing loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16816/16]

Local Authority Housing Mortgages

Fergus O'Dowd

232. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authority mortgagees, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16734/16]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

394. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to restore and ensure that there are appropriate emergency beds available in St. Mary’s, Drumcar, for service users who would otherwise need to leave St. Mary's for one week every month and who are then forced to use private nursing home care which is not always appropriate for their needs. [16981/16]

Education Standards

Fergus O'Dowd

112. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce standards for all primary teachers equivalent to the standards that currently apply to post-primary teachers on their probation year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16400/16]

Education Standards

Fergus O'Dowd

113. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if newly qualified Irish primary teachers can complete their probation year in other jurisdictions of comparable educational standards, as they can currently do in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16401/16]

Teacher Recruitment

Fergus O'Dowd

114. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure a common protocol is put in place for the advertising of all teaching posts, including e-mail; if he will ensure that all qualified applicants are acknowledged and if unsuccessful, that the reasons for not being successful are communicated to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16403/16]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

218. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his policy on citizens of the Republic of Ireland who were placed in nursing home care in Northern Ireland under the nursing home subvention scheme; if his Department reviewed their cases per the regulations in place under the national guidelines, the Nursing Homes (Subvention) Regulations 1993 to 2006 and when it introduced the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16529/16]

Air Services Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

275. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) relating to international flights between Boston in the United States of America and Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16528/16]

Child Protection Services Provision

Fergus O'Dowd

287. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to improve child protection services, given the findings for Counties Louth and Meath in the Health Information and Quality Authority 2015 children protection and welfare inspection report; her views on the follow-up reports completed regarding these counties; and if she will increase the frequency of inspections from once every three years, particularly when there are significant failures identified in the inspection reports, as in these counties. [16530/16]

Disability Services Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

457. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the cessation of funding to the WALK PEER programme; if he will meet with the WALK PEER team to discuss the situation and to re-evaluate the decision on funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15919/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Fergus O'Dowd

230. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on entitlements for a teacher (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

239. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an extension at a school (details supplied); why it is not going ahead; if he will provide extra funding for it to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14909/16]

Departmental Functions

Fergus O'Dowd

265. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the reconfiguration of his Department and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14263/16]

Cultural Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

380. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on correspondence (details supplied) from a person who is seeking an all-party approach to national cultural policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14622/16]

Departmental Functions

Fergus O'Dowd

285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the reconfiguration of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14081/16]

Tourism Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

295. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been allocated in County Louth for tourism under Fáilte Ireland's Ancient East initiative; the consultation that has taken place in County Louth on this initiative; the amounts sought and amounts allocated; if it is possible to apply for further project support; the conditions attached to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14061/16]

National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan

Fergus O'Dowd

88. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will respond to issues raised by the Irish Deaf Society (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13505/16]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

263. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the position for retired PAYE workers who are recipients of a small foreign pension marginally in excess of €3,000 and who would prefer to opt for PAYE tax assessment, but must be assessed on self-assessment; if he will increase the limit for PAYE assessment for such persons to, for example, €4,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13506/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Fergus O'Dowd

342. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed two-storey extension to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13509/16]

Waste Management

Fergus O'Dowd

399. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in conjunction with the Minister for Social Protection, he will arrange for specific support for a waiver or other support system for larger families with low incomes who have been estimated as being part of the 5% of households who have five or more members who will be affected by the increased charges they will have to pay as a direct result of the pay-by-weight system for waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13494/16]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Fergus O'Dowd

426. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to extend the tenancy protection scheme to County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12594/16]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Fergus O'Dowd

510. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for the processing of individual applications for social protection payments; the way he will reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13499/16]

Departmental Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

511. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to issues concerning the WALK disability project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13510/16]

Passport Services

Fergus O'Dowd

525. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the issuing of a passport. [12543/16]

National Monuments

Fergus O'Dowd

565. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure steps are taken to protect St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, County Louth, from being further damaged by vehicular traffic (details supplied); if he will consult with Drogheda Borough Council and have a proper traffic management system in place which will afford full protection to this national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13497/16]

Cultural Policy

Fergus O'Dowd

604. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will respond to representations from a person (details supplied) who is seeking an all-party approach to national cultural policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13492/16]

National Drugs Strategy

Fergus O'Dowd

632. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/16]

Industrial Disputes

Fergus O'Dowd

677. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health what actions can be taken by his Department and the HSE to resolve as a matter of urgency the work to rule of nursing staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12794/16]

Disability Services Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

688. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an increase in funding for Epilepsy Ireland so that they can open an office in Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12901/16]

National Drugs Strategy

Fergus O'Dowd

707. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the drugs strategy in the Louth-east Meath constituency for each year since 2012 and the progress made to date; the funding sought and the funding approved; the programmes planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/16]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Fergus O'Dowd

735. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing vacancies by acute hospital and Health Service Executive nursing homes on 1 September 2015; the number recruited since then; the present number of such vacancies; the number of nurses recruited from abroad during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13490/16]

Traveller Community

Fergus O'Dowd

737. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to publish an updated action plan on Traveller health with agreed actions by voluntary and statutory agencies, agreed budget and timelines; to update the all-Ireland Traveller health survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

738. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting list nationally for the insertion of spinal cord stimulators by hospital location (details supplied); the patient waiting times for each such hospital; the funding provided for each hospital for each of the past three years; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13500/16]

Hospital Staff

Fergus O'Dowd

741. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the continued use of the Lourdes laundry attached to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; the Health Service Executive's plans for keeping it open; the reassurances that can be offered by the Health Service Executive to the staff employed there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13508/16]

Irish Sign Language

Fergus O'Dowd

30. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on issues raised by the Irish Deaf Society (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12386/16]

Tax Code

Fergus O'Dowd

75. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the position for retired PAYE workers who are recipients of a small foreign pension marginally in excess of €3,000 and who would prefer to opt for a PAYE tax assessment but are subject to self-assessment, if he will increase the limit for PAYE assessment for such persons to €4,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12387/16]

Schools Refurbishment

Fergus O'Dowd

86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a two-storey extension to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12260/16]

Waste Management

Fergus O'Dowd

108. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection, he will arrange for a specific support for a waiver or other support system for larger families with low incomes who have been estimated as being part of the five per cent of households who have five or more members who will be affected by the increased charges they will have to pay as a direct result of the pay-by-weight system for waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12401/16]

Waste Management

Fergus O'Dowd

109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a waiver system for larger families with low incomes who have been estimated as being part of the five per cent of households who have five or more members who will be affected by the increased charges they will have to pay as a direct result of the pay-by-weight system for waste disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12403/16]

Local Government Reform

Fergus O'Dowd

110. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to introduce legislation to restore the former Drogheda borough council and the Dundalk and Ardee urban district councils in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12404/16]

Disability Activation Projects

Fergus O'Dowd

119. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on issues concerning the WALK disability project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12261/16]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Fergus O'Dowd

133. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection to respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding delays under the carer's allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12397/16]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Fergus O'Dowd

137. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting times for processing applications for social welfare payments; how he will reduce these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12439/16]

National Monuments

Fergus O'Dowd

167. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will take urgent steps to protect St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda in County Louth from being further damaged by vehicular traffic (details supplied); if he will consult with Drogheda Borough Council and put a proper traffic management system in place which will afford full protection to this national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12405/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Fergus O'Dowd

198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of the waiting lists for the insertion of spinal cord stimulators including the waiting time and the funding he provides, by hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 to date; his plans to significantly reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12385/16]