Parliamentary questions

Teacher Data

Mattie McGrath

169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers employed in the voluntary secondary sector who are in receipt of a salary from his Department; the number of these that are subject to salary deductions to facilitate membership of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland and the Teachers Union of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17473/17]

Teacher Data

Mattie McGrath

170. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers in the voluntary secondary sector who are in receipt of the payment for participation in the supervision and substitution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17474/17]

Teacher Redeployment

Mattie McGrath

171. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will apply the same criteria for the awarding of contracts of indefinite duration and access to the redeployment scheme to all teachers in the voluntary secondary sector irrespective as to whether they are members of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17475/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Mattie McGrath

503. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive a hospital appointment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin has returned referrals to South Tipperary General Hospital due to the fact that the waiting lists are too long; the steps he will take to address the rheumatology waiting lists in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17636/17]

Health Insurance Prices

Mattie McGrath

535. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to alleviate the spiralling costs of health insurance; the supports available to those under 35 years of age who are of the view that they were pressurised by the Government to take out health insurance or be penalised due to the impact of the lifetime community rating; if he will review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/17]

Regional Road Network

Mattie McGrath

758. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will sanction funding to resurface the N24 regional road through Tipperary town, County Tipperary; when funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18207/17]

Road Safety Data

Mattie McGrath

760. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of road fatalities by category or cause for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/17]

Voluntary Housing Sector

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of voluntary housing organisations that have been provided with assistance from his Department in County Tipperary each year since 2012; the number of voluntary housing units that have been built in County Tipperary each year since 2012; the number of proposals from voluntary associations with his Department for the provision of voluntary housing in County Tipperary; the efforts being taken by his Department to proactively engage with and support voluntary housing associations throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17417/17]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Mattie McGrath

12. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns that wind turbine farms are failing to adhere to minimum setback distances from dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13882/17]

Cyberbullying Issues

Mattie McGrath

105. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the measures her Department is taking to combat online grooming, cyber blackmailing, cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse directed at children or carried out by children on other children; the details of data on the prevalence of reported cases of these activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16942/17]

General Practitioner Services

Mattie McGrath

278. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding general practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16973/17]

General Practitioner Services

Mattie McGrath

279. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when GP access to diagnostics will be extended to a provider in south Tipperary (details supplied); the reason the evaluation of this service was only carried out for two weeks, which was insufficient to realise the real benefits of this service; when the evaluation of this service will be concluded; when the service will be provided to persons in County Tipperary helping to relieve capacity pressures at South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16974/17]

Tax Rebates

Mattie McGrath

138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of a rebate scheme (details supplied); the number of community alert groups, neighbourhood watch groups and non-aligned text alert groups, respectively, that applied for funding; the number that have been paid the rebate to date; the reason some groups have not been paid in view of the fact the closing date for applications was October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16520/17]

Tax Data

Mattie McGrath

209. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of income taxpayers; the total income and total tax paid across the earnings and income tax bands based on the most recent information that is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16588/17]

National Monuments

Mattie McGrath

427. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to substantial bridge rehabilitation works which are to commence on Ardfinnan Bridge in County Tipperary, which is classified as a national monument by the National Monuments Service; if her attention has been further drawn to a request by Tipperary County Council on whether the National Monuments Service would be opposed to the erection of a stand-alone pedestrian bridge in the vicinity of the aforesaid bridge or whether the National Monuments Service would be opposed to the placement of a cantilever style pedestrian bridge onto the side of the bridge in the style of the one placed on Macroom Bridge in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16177/17]

Medical Card Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

456. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance will be provided with a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16059/17]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Mattie McGrath

551. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the progress in locating modular patient accommodation on the South Tipperary General Hospital campus to alleviate the overcrowding situation at the hospital; if a company has been sourced to provide the modular accommodation; if the Health Service Executive has engaged proactively with the local authority involved as regards the planning process for same and their requirements; when he envisages that the first patients and staff will be able to move into the new facilities once provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16626/17]

Road Projects Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

634. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a public consultation process which was to have involved the local community and businesses in Ardfinnan and surrounding villages in County Tipperary, prior to Tipperary County Council submitting an application under the bridge rehabilitation scheme for Ardfinnan bridge, with regard to plans to introduce a one-lane and traffic light system on the bridge as part of the rehabilitation works; if the consultation took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16175/17]

Road Projects Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

635. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is in the remit of Tipperary County Council to reallocate the moneys to other projects in the county if the proposed works come under budget following the allocation of €800,000 toward bridge rehabilitation works on Ardfinnan bridge, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/17]

Bus Éireann Services

Mattie McGrath

658. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Clonmel to Dublin Expressway bus route, X7, following the decision to axe the service from midnight on Saturday, 1 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16633/17]

Bus Éireann

Mattie McGrath

659. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he will take following the lockout of drivers from Bus Éireann facilities in Clonmel which occurred from 1 a.m. on Sunday, 26 March 2017, depriving them of toilet facilities and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16634/17]

Bus Éireann

Mattie McGrath

660. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that 12 members of senior management in Bus Éireann are on annual salaries of more than €100,000 and 11 members of senior management are earning annual salaries of just under €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16635/17]

Hospital Facilities

Mattie McGrath

138. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the class or model of helicopters that are licensed to land on hospital helipads or on hospital grounds; the situation with regard to a specific helicopter (details supplied); the number of landings for all type of helicopters that have occurred over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/17]

Ambulance Service

Mattie McGrath

155. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the role of the national ambulance service in providing transport to hospital appointments for those that have no alternative transport available to them; the number of referrals to this office in 2016; the number of transfers arranged; the numbers of transfers refused; the other transport options available to persons who cannot arrange transport to and from hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/17]

Internet Safety

Mattie McGrath

36. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the measures her Department is taking to combat cyber blackmailing, cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse directed at children or carried out by children on other children; the details of any data on the prevalence of reported cases of these activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14776/17]

Foster Care Policy

Mattie McGrath

46. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the abolition of the 40 year age gap requirement that was previously used by Tusla as part of the assessment for suitability to foster; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14777/17]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Mattie McGrath

258. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be issued on a social protection appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15436/17]

General Practitioner Data

Mattie McGrath

342. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if up to 915 general practitioners are set to retire from general practice in the next three to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14962/17]

Agriculture Scheme Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

458. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the €150 million fund provided in budget 2017 enabling farmers to access low-cost loans that has been loaned to farmers; the number of persons who have applied for this facility, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/17]

Tourism Project Funding

Mattie McGrath

549. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the capital grants that have been awarded as part of the Ancient East initiative; the status of efforts to have Cahir town in County Tipperary included as part of the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14961/17]

Job Creation

Mattie McGrath

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts being made to secure alternative employment for the workers at a factory (details supplied) in Nenagh, County Tipperary; her views on the standing down of ConnectIreland; if she will work with ConnectIreland in order to increase regional employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14749/17]

Enterprise Support Schemes

Mattie McGrath

17. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Succeed in Ireland scheme; if she will direct IDA Ireland to suspend any proposals to deny the operating contract of the scheme to ConnectIreland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14418/17]

Action Plan for Rural Development

Mattie McGrath

28. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the efforts she is making to secure and create employment opportunities in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14419/17]

Commencement of Legislation

Mattie McGrath

109. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which still require a commencement order; if a timeline has been established for these commencement orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14406/17]

National Broadband Plan

Mattie McGrath

72. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of the Dáil Éireann approved Private Members' business motion on rural broadband of July 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/17]

School Accommodation

Mattie McGrath

366. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for additional space made by a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary; when a decision will issue on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13778/17]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Mattie McGrath

385. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all autism spectrum disorder units at primary level will employ a special education teacher to ensure that the appropriate skills are available in these units; the number of special education teachers that are currently employed by his Department at primary level; the policy on the employment of special education teachers at primary level; his views on whether the need to have special education teachers available in all primary schools is a vital element in the education of all students with special needs attending mainstream school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/17]

Money Advice and Budgeting Service

Mattie McGrath

546. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans in place to centralise the operation of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service and the Citizens Information Service; the reason for this change; his views on concerns in relation to such a merger over fears that a number of offices will close; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/17]

Departmental Surveys

Mattie McGrath

580. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the survey he has issued to a number of self-employed persons in relation to extending social welfare entitlements to the self-employed; the number of recipients of this survey; the way in which the participants were chosen to participate; the reason for sending this survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14099/17]

Abortion Legislation

Mattie McGrath

695. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the actions of an organisation (details supplied) that has been openly advertising and distributing abortion pills at various locations here contrary to the provisions of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; the measures he is taking to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/17]

Abortion Legislation

Mattie McGrath

696. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all confiscations and seizures of illegal abortion inducing pills over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13402/17]

Hospital Equipment

Mattie McGrath

771. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the annual running costs of the mobile MRI scanner unit at South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12996/17]

Hospital Equipment

Mattie McGrath

772. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the locations of all alliance medical mobile MRI scanner units situated in hospitals in the south east; the annual running costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/17]

Medicinal Products

Mattie McGrath

859. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the actions his Department can employ to prevent the dissemination of illegal abortion pills in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) has been distributing these pills at various locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13403/17]

Departmental Bodies

Mattie McGrath

968. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the national steering group established to develop policy on a major trauma system for Ireland; if any of the proposals include closing emergency departments, diminishing services or closing or removing trauma services from any hospital; if so the identity of those hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13916/17]

Civil Defence

Mattie McGrath

1239. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if members of the Civil Defence units are precluded from assisting in directing public traffic or assisting local authorities with events requiring traffic management under existing road traffic legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14156/17]

Civil Defence

Mattie McGrath

1322. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address concerns that members of the Civil Defence can no longer assist gardaí with assisting in road traffic management; the current situation with regard to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14188/17]

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Mattie McGrath

100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all moneys provided by the State toward the development of a national paediatric hospital since 2006, including all costs associated with development such as design, planning, land acquisition, consultation, media and public relations, board payments, bonuses and so on; if approvals have been sought for an increase in the original estimate for the current National Children's Hospital project; the details of the increase; if such an increase has been approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10850/17]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Mattie McGrath

224. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all priority capital projects that have had their funding reduced in the 2017 HSE capital plan; the amount of the reductions that have occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12307/17]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Mattie McGrath

225. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of all revised allocations for the national maternity hospital project in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/17]