Parliamentary questions

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

90. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will seek consensus at EU level to add the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to an arms embargo list through the EU common position on arms trade in view of the current humanitarian situation in Yemen and the ongoing Saudi led offensive causing multiple deaths to civilians; and his views on whether many of the EU partners that trade in arms with Saudi Arabia are culpable of prolonging the conflict. [48084/18]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on attacks on Christians in India by extremists and the reports from organisations (details supplied) that the perpetrators are acting with impunity; and if this matter has been raised at EU level. [48083/18]

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Maureen O'Sullivan

101. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the additional €110 million in budget 2019 for overseas development aid will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48081/18]

Health Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

367. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied). [47782/18]

Health Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

369. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [47790/18]

National Monuments

Maureen O'Sullivan

8. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the status of the programme of restoration works for 14-17 Moore Street; and the timeline for the national monument to be restored. [47405/18]

Hare Coursing Regulation

Maureen O'Sullivan

46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to reports of continued breaching of licences by coursing clubs; and her views on whether harsher consequences in the form of licensing being revoked need to be taken to combat serious breaches of existing legislation in the capturing of hares for use in blood sports. [47406/18]

Betting Regulations

Maureen O'Sullivan

54. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 25 October 2018, if alternative tax raising measures have been considered that would protect employment in the retail bookmaking sector; and if these alternatives are being considered. [47462/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Maureen O'Sullivan

112. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the timeframe in place for access to new medicines while tentative steps must be taken before a medicine is approved; and his views on whether the extent of the timeframe is problematic for persons suffering with certain conditions. [47471/18]

Architectural Heritage

Maureen O'Sullivan

237. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she was consulted or if her attention was drawn to the decision by the OPW to dispose of a site (details supplied) by public auction; and if she will by order undertake its preservation as a monument of national importance in view of its uncertain future. [47463/18]

Local Authority Housing Data

Maureen O'Sullivan

88. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a comprehensive list of all unoccupied local authority properties in the Dublin city area is available; and if the time in which a local authority property stays with the maintenance section before being allocated will be expedited. [47107/18]

Housing Assistance Payment

Maureen O'Sullivan

112. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the increasing difficulty potential tenants are having finding properties that accept HAP; and if there are measures planned to try and combat this situation for tenants. [47106/18]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Maureen O'Sullivan

16. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the scheme announced in October 2018 to encourage families to return to living in rural town centres will be extended to offshore islands. [45964/18]

Youth Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

5. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which voluntary youth work can be supported in view of the considerable demands on voluntary boards and volunteering. [45787/18]

Commissions of Investigation

Maureen O'Sullivan

13. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider the recommendations made in a report (details supplied) for the commission to hold hearings in public and provide a transcript for witnesses who have given oral evidence to it in private; and if she will consider the request for the archive not to be sealed once it finishes its inquiry. [45789/18]

Childcare Services Staff

Maureen O'Sullivan

41. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which she will address the need for quality childcare and the low pay levels of staff in view of the fact that additional funding was announced for early years mostly targeted at the affordable childcare scheme. [45786/18]

Road Traffic Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views as to whether the laws relating to horse-drawn vehicles and-or carriages are in need of review and strengthening. [45523/18]

Proposed Legislation

Maureen O'Sullivan

106. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the work being carried out on the legislation for the regulation of rickshaws. [45524/18]

Betting Regulations

Maureen O'Sullivan

25. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the uncertainty the increased betting duty has caused for small betting shops; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that further taxation of online betting as opposed to retailers could have been more justified. [44236/18]

Illicit Trade in Fuel and Tobacco Products

Maureen O'Sullivan

59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of small and local retailers regarding the threat of illegal selling of cigarettes'by continual increases in budget 2019; if the Revenue Commissioners have adequate resources to tackle smuggling and illegal sales; and if his attention has been further drawn to retailers' concerns for their business. [44235/18]

Human Rights Cases

Maureen O'Sullivan

73. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has taken action at intergovernmental or bilateral levels on the human rights violations perpetrated by the Nicaraguan Government against its people which are documented in reports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44246/18]

Irish Aid

Maureen O'Sullivan

86. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the dates on which funds from budget 2018 were drawn down by Irish Aid through Vote 27; the amount of each drawdown; if the total of over €500 million has been drawn down to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/18]

Wildlife Conservation

Maureen O'Sullivan

286. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to initiate an investigation into whether myxomatosis has already been found in hares by coursing club personnel, veterinary personnel that attend some coursing meetings, wildlife rangers attached to the National Parks and Wildlife Service or by other persons involved with wildlife conservation or hunting activities; and the veterinary or other measures that will be implemented to protect hares here from myxomatosis. [44414/18]

Psychological Services Waiting Lists

Maureen O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the number of referrals of children and young persons to psychological services that are not accepted and the number of those not offered a place on waiting lists will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37993/18]

Disability Services Funding

Maureen O'Sullivan

158. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the significant funding and resources difficulties being faced by a group (details supplied). [43530/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Maureen O'Sullivan

415. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the HSE drug assessment committee will consider the application of Translarna which is of benefit for muscular dystrophy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43532/18]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Maureen O'Sullivan

416. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance regarding the VAT liable on counselling and psychotherapy services; and his views on whether there should be an exemption for these services in view of the increasing number of persons presenting with mental health issues. [43533/18]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Maureen O'Sullivan

417. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the difficulties faced by hospitals in getting consultants to fill vacancies will be addressed in view of the significant number of vacancies; if the vacancy for a temporary consultant psychiatrist at Beaumont Hospital has been filled; if the position of paediatric pathologist at Temple Street Children's University Hospital has also been filled; and the number of vacancies to date. [43534/18]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Maureen O'Sullivan

418. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the effects pay discrimination for new entrants is having on the recruitment and retention of medical consultants here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43535/18]

Autism Support Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

439. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if appropriate funding will be provided for autism assistance dogs in view of the fact that at present they receive no HSE funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43531/18]

Job Losses

Maureen O'Sullivan

10. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the potential loss of employment and redundancies in a company, details supplied; if her Department will engage with those involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42674/18]

Schools Mental Health Strategies

Maureen O'Sullivan

74. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the new wellness framework for schools, the skill sets required of teachers involved and the time allocated within the school timetable; and the way in which it is evaluated. [42047/18]

Teacher Recruitment

Maureen O'Sullivan

94. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he can address the teacher shortages on offshore islands; and if a special career break, secondment scheme and incentives for teachers with families to take-up teaching positions on the islands will be considered. [42048/18]

Overseas Development Aid

Maureen O'Sullivan

82. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the date on which overseas development aid funds approved in October 2017 were transferred to Irish Aid for onward distribution to civil society and other approved organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42659/18]

Living City Initiative

Maureen O'Sullivan

155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if there is some leeway under the living city initiative for a pre-1915 property just outside the catchment area at the gate of the house whose owners are anxious to refurbish it. [42004/18]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

219. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider re-establishing the type of apprenticeship courses previously delivered through the former CERT in view of the serious skills shortages in many areas, particularly the hospitality area. [42063/18]

School Textbooks

Maureen O'Sullivan

220. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to inaccuracies in certain textbooks being used for the junior certificate history syllabus; and the person or body responsible for same. [42064/18]

Ministerial Travel

Maureen O'Sullivan

221. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for an education promotional mission to China. [42065/18]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

222. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the shortage of apprentices in the mechanical and electrical trades can be addressed; his views on pre-apprenticeship courses in those areas; and the extent of such courses. [42066/18]

Alcohol Treatment Services

Maureen O'Sullivan

352. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the provision of resources to the HSE and-or local authorities to set up daytime activity centres for the significant cohort of street drinkers in Dublin’s inner city will be considered. [41767/18]

Control of Horses

Maureen O'Sullivan

8. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 18 September 2018, if he is satisfied that local authorities are enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996 adequately, his views on having multiple horse wardens with a particular focus on problem areas for horse abuse and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41482/18]

Animal Welfare

Maureen O'Sullivan

27. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if exemptions will be removed from blood sports from the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, in view of the suffering and death caused to hares and foxes during coursing and foxhunting activities. [41483/18]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Maureen O'Sullivan

15. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a carbon tax on agriculture in line with Citizens' Assembly recommendations, with a credit scheme for farmers that utilise lands for the planting of forestry or gift lands to Coillte, has been considered; if similar ideas have been put forward by his Department; his views on the impact of agriculture on global warming and the relatively low levels of forestry here compared to other European states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41212/18]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Maureen O'Sullivan

27. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the introduction of multi-year whole economy carbon budgets as a useful tool to tackle climate change and adhere to targets as has been introduced in the UK; if he has brought this or similar proposals to Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41211/18]

Professional Qualifications

Maureen O'Sullivan

95. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the Royal Life Saving Society, RLSS, first aid qualification will be recognised here. [41293/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

183. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if action is being taken, including the withdrawal of an animal transportation licence in relation to a person (details supplied). [41513/18]

Fur Farming

Maureen O'Sullivan

184. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a ban on fur farming will be introduced in 2018 in view of the growing level of support for an end to fur farming and the increasing list of countries banning it. [41514/18]

Greyhound Industry

Maureen O'Sullivan

185. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the subsidising of greyhound tracks with public funds will cease in view of falling attendances at greyhound tracks, the significant financial losses at tracks and the ongoing injuries and deaths suffered by greyhounds. [41515/18]

Animal Culls

Maureen O'Sullivan

186. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a badger vaccination programme announced earlier in 2018 has commenced; and his plans to end the culling of badgers which has caused an estimated 120,000 deaths to date. [41516/18]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

301. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact of crack cocaine in Dublin; and the measures being put in place to help persons seek treatment. [40956/18]