Parliamentary questions

Schools Building Projects

Josepha Madigan

196. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a new school building, approved in 2012, will commence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28591/16]

Property Tax

Josepha Madigan

13. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the Thornhill report on property tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27541/16]

Garda Stations

Josepha Madigan

58. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda Commissioner and policing forum will consider the 2016 census figures which show a population increase of 2,362 in the Stepaside-Glencullen area when considering suitable stations for reopening on a pilot basis; when a decision on which stations have been selected will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27433/16]

Domestic Violence Policy

Josepha Madigan

62. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in view of the murder of a person (details supplied) and statistics which show that 50% of women who are victims of homicide are killed by their partner or former partner, she will prioritise the publication of the domestic violence Bill 2016 and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention to combat domestic violence against women; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27432/16]

Courts Service

Josepha Madigan

135. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the plan to rezone part of the site of the Hammond Lane, Smithfield, Dublin will cause delays in the development of the family and child court complex scheduled for completion in 2020; the steps being taken to prevent any possible delays in the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27527/16]

Revenue Commissioners

Josepha Madigan

154. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners intend to review charging taxpayers seeking assistance on revenue lo-call numbers; the rates that are charged to customers who use the lo-call numbers in the Revenue Commissioners; his views on whether it is appropriate that taxpayers making general queries regarding paying tax should pay these charges; and if this is a matter that will be reviewed. [26541/16]

Children and Family Services Provision

Josepha Madigan

535. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health when the provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 dealing with donor-assisted human reproduction will commence; the timeframe envisaged until these provisions are operational; his views on whether the non-commencement of this section is a matter of serious concern to many same-sex couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/16]

Vaccination Programme

Josepha Madigan

664. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health the set price for a meningitis B vaccine and the person or body which set this price; if this vaccine is available for free; if there is a mechanism to have this vaccine provided for free; if he will consider making this vaccine available for free for all children in high-risk category of under six years of age; if he will review the cost of this vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26938/16]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Josepha Madigan

857. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27002/16]

Family Law Cases

Josepha Madigan

38. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the plan to rezone part of the site of the Hammond Lane, Smithfield, Dublin will cause delays in the development of the Family and Child Court Complex scheduled for completion in 2020; the steps being taken to prevent any possible delays in the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24663/16]

Child Maintenance Payments

Josepha Madigan

46. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Irish Central Authority have taken to enforce an order of the Circuit Family Court granting a lump sum order to a person (details supplied). [24820/16]

Family Law Cases

Josepha Madigan

97. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the dedicated Family Court complex at Hammond Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7 will be delayed due to current proposed rezoning considerations; when she expects the complex to be operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25043/16]

Family Law Cases

Josepha Madigan

98. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the need for a specialist family court to be established nationally where specialist judges are assigned to family law on a permanent or long-term basis and deal exclusively with family law on specially fixed family law days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25044/16]

Courts Service

Josepha Madigan

99. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the number of cases before the family courts and the waiting times for hearings in family law cases; and if further consideration will be given to recruiting and appointing additional judges to tackle these waiting times. [25045/16]

Courts Service

Josepha Madigan

100. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Phoenix House Circuit Court, Dublin will no longer rule terms of settlement in judicial separation and divorce by means of a notice of motion to rule settlement terms and now requires settlements to be ruled by means of a motion for judgment in default before the County Registrar and then the court; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this is causing delays; if it is the intention of the Courts Service to make a new rule in this regard; if so, the timeframe for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25046/16]

Courts Service

Josepha Madigan

101. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to examining the operating times of courts here, particularity in family law; if further consideration has been given to the courts being open and operating from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. in order to increase the number of cases processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25047/16]

Courts Service Administration

Josepha Madigan

102. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in the Dublin Circuit Family Court on 17 June 2016 the fixing of hearings list before the County Registrar listed cases for hearing in January 2017 but due to the number of cases in the court system cases on that day were being given a hearing date in excess of six months later; if her attention has been drawn to the reasons for this delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25048/16]

Courts Service

Josepha Madigan

127. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration will be given to the provision of more judges to sit in the Dublin District Court where there can currently be as many as 22 cases listed in the family courts, Dolphin House; if further consideration will be given to the provision of more private consultation rooms for non-child care family law cases where there are currently three waiting rooms and a further waiting room shared by a men's group; and if she will address the urgent need for waiting rooms since the enactment of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 for children brought to court in family court buildings. [25304/16]

Garda Stations

Josepha Madigan

181. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when considering suitable stations for reopening on a pilot basis, if the Garda Commissioner and policing forum will consider the 2016 census figures which show a population increase of 2,362 in the Stepaside-Glencullen area; and when a decision on which stations have been selected will be available. [26165/16]

Budget 2017

Josepha Madigan

198. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance if a person, a first-time buyer who purchased a house for €260,000 in the person's sole name, will qualify to apply for first-time buyer's assistance proposals to be announced in budget 2017 in circumstances where the purchaser signed the contract on 18 July 2016, the seller signed on 21 July 2016 and the sale will close on the 24 August 2016; the date the scheme will be backdated to; if this person will qualify for consideration regarding the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24978/16]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Josepha Madigan

410. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 23 June 2016, if a leaving certificate is sufficient for consideration by the admissions office at UCD; if the person is successful in obtaining a college place, if he or she could apply for a grant under the pilot support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24887/16]

Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision

Josepha Madigan

992. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health when the provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 dealing with donor assisted human reproduction will commence; the timeframe he envisages until these provisions are operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25433/16]

Hospital Appointments Status

Josepha Madigan

1285. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for an operation at Cappagh Hospital; if due to the urgency of the case, the operation will be sooner than May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25590/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Josepha Madigan

1688. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when high speed broadband will be extended to Bracken Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18; the length of time this will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25394/16]

Greenways Development

Josepha Madigan

1805. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Dodder greenway project will go ahead; the start and completion dates for the different parts of the project; if funding from the National Transport Authority is available or if there have been any delays in this matter; if he will clarify the commitment of his Department to this project; and if he will confirm that funding is available and advise on any delays foreseen. [25747/16]

EU Directives

Josepha Madigan

1870. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will transpose into law the EU Accounting Directive; the method and timeframe in which this will occur; when the FRS105 standard will be accessible to micro entities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24822/16]

National Minimum Wage

Josepha Madigan

1877. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she will review the au pair deduction of €53.14 in respect of au pair accommodation and food to reflect normal accommodation and food costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25395/16]

Credit Unions

Josepha Madigan

177. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance if, with the Central Bank he plans to review the credit union cap on deposits in excess of €100,000 and the timescale in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22239/16]

Proposed Legislation

Josepha Madigan

81. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 will be debated in Dáil Éireann; when he will introduce regulations on school admissions; the percentage of school places he intends to reserve for children of past pupils; the way in which the Bill will effect parents who have placed their children on waiting lists several years ago; the phasing in period he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21790/16]

Dental Services Provision

Josepha Madigan

206. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health why the Dublin Dental University Hospital is no longer offering primary care to persons under 16 years of age; if this decision will be changed in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21579/16]

Visa Applications

Josepha Madigan

142. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the visa application of a person (details supplied) will be processed and the person advised of the outcome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20555/16]

Household Benefits Scheme

Josepha Madigan

391. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans, if any, to restore the telephone allowance to pensioners and if so, in what time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20853/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Josepha Madigan

37. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to expedite the building and planning issues that have arisen for a school (details supplied); and if the school can be built earlier than 2018. [17915/16]

Suicide Prevention

Josepha Madigan

373. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health to consider setting up a suicide prevention authority; to consider the draft Bill to establish a suicide prevention authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17978/16]

Sex Offenders Notification Requirements

Josepha Madigan

67. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Sex Offenders Act 2001 empowers the authorities to place restrictions on sex offenders, who have committed sex assaults against children, living in proximity to or overlooking playgrounds; if there are guidelines on these issues for the attention of the relevant authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17662/16]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Josepha Madigan

117. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a scheme whereby a person who is 21 years of age, whose application is pending for refugee status, can attend college here and receive a grant for the purposes of attending college, if so, the body from which a grant may be obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/16]

Organised Crime

Josepha Madigan

32. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Criminal Justice (Joint Investigation Teams) Act 2004 is a potentially useful tool in the fight against crime across the European Union; if the Garda Commissioner can request another European Union state to set up a specialist joint investigation team to investigate criminal enterprises that take place here but are co-ordinated in another European Union state; if she will discuss this power with the Garda Commissioner so that the use of this Act can be urgently considered to tackle crime that is co-ordinated by Irish criminal gangs living in other European Union states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17137/16]

Legislative Programme

Josepha Madigan

63. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she will publish the mediation Bill, given the benefits of mediation as an alternative to court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17136/16]

Employment Rights

Josepha Madigan

277. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will urgently consider a legislative framework for au pairs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17543/16]

Visa Applications

Josepha Madigan

47. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when visitor visa applications will be processed and granted to persons (details supplied). [16408/16]

Garda Deployment

Josepha Madigan

120. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if 68 members of An Garda Síochána are attached to Dundrum Garda station; if 11 are on temporary transfer; if this is a decrease from 86 in February 2016 and 139 in 2009; and when she will review and increase Garda numbers in Dundrum, County Dublin. [14035/16]

Garda Stations

Josepha Madigan

107. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when she will commence the review of the dispersal of Garda stations; who will conduct it and make the decision; the criteria it will use in determining which six stations will be opened; how long it will take and when will it make a decision; how soon after the review she will open the six Garda stations; and how long the pilot project will last. [12532/16]

Direct Provision System

Josepha Madigan

179. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for the most recent figures available for people in direct provision, including the number of children; the average period of time asylum seekers are in direct provision before a decision is made on their status; the amount it costs per annum to keep a person in direct provision; if she has considered allowing asylum seekers to work, pending a decision; her plans to implement the recommendations of the McMahon report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12764/16]

Garda Investigations

Josepha Madigan

207. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to address repeated concerns (details supplied) in the O'Higgins report regarding proper investigation by An Garda Síochána; and if these areas have been examined and improved. [12939/16]

Departmental Functions

Josepha Madigan

66. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Taoiseach to consider reinstating the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and bring together all environmental functions, nature and wildlife, water protection, waste and pollution control under one Department of the Environment, Climate and Natural Heritage. [12219/16]

Energy Efficiency

Josepha Madigan

188. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to consider installing solar panels in schools as a form of energy for heating and water and as a potential cost saving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11693/16]

Teachers' Remuneration

Josepha Madigan

70. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if and when he will examine pay equalisation for teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11008/16]

Company Law

Josepha Madigan

214. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to amend section 279(2) of the Companies Act 2014 to extend the deadline to use the modified US generally accepted accounting principles by three years; the time frame he envisages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11069/16]

Property Tax Administration

Josepha Madigan

57. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Finance when he will review and implement the recommendations of the Thornhill report and in particular recommendation 4; the time frame he envisages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10863/16]

Social Welfare Schemes

Josepha Madigan

121. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will review the disability benefit scheme. [10864/16]