Parliamentary questions

Trade Union Membership

Noel Grealish

637. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the person or body that made the decision to stop having subscriptions of a union (details supplied) deducted at source from HSE employees’ salaries despite the fact that these subscriptions had been deducted since the union was formed; the reason this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18516/19]

Industrial Relations

Noel Grealish

638. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason the decision was made to the change the contingency plan under the call management system for the days that members of a union (details supplied) are striking; the person or body who made this decision; the grounds on which this decision was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18517/19]

Industrial Relations

Noel Grealish

639. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason his Department is considering issuing court injunctions against a recognised union (details supplied) in view of the fact that it negotiates with the same union for a significant portion of staffing of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18518/19]

Industrial Relations

Noel Grealish

640. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he has set a date for meeting with a cross-party group to discuss the ongoing situation regarding recognition of a union (details supplied) in view of the fact that there is cross-party support to have this matter resolved and allow ambulance personnel to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18519/19]

Industrial Relations

Noel Grealish

641. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the HSE has ignored all requests to meet in the Workplace Relations Commission despite his statement that this is his preferred method of addressing the issue regarding recognition of a union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18520/19]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Noel Grealish

764. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the list of foods on the long-term illness scheme for patients with phenylketonuria, PKU; if the cross-border directive can be used to access products (details supplied) in Northern Ireland or Great Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18962/19]

Water Services Infrastructure

Noel Grealish

1555. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the next steps in the process and the timeframe for the development of a water treatment facility at Lough Talt, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19272/19]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Noel Grealish

177. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if all nursing and other services being provided at Mervue health centre, Galway, will be continued and staffing levels at the health centre be maintained at the current level going forward in order to continue to provide essential healthcare for persons in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17959/19]

Medical Negligence Claims

Noel Grealish

384. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the progress of the expert group which was established to consider alternative mechanisms to the court process for resolving clinical negligence claims; the status of the publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17698/19]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Noel Grealish

511. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the final report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17703/19]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Noel Grealish

245. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be implemented fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/19]

Road Projects

Noel Grealish

195. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the oral hearings for the N6 Galway city ring road will take place; the timeframe for commencement and completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/19]

Fines Data

Noel Grealish

513. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the value and number of unpaid fines in each of the years 2013 to 2018; the value and number of fines imposed by the courts in each of the years; the steps being taken to recover unpaid fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13320/19]

Fines Administration

Noel Grealish

514. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the number of persons who failed to pay fines imposed by the courts increased from 20,104 in the three years from 1 January 2013 to 10 January 2016 to 84,925 in the period from 11 January 2016 to March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13321/19]

Fines Administration

Noel Grealish

515. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014 is operating effectively in view of the fact that only 28 attachment of earnings orders or recovery orders were made against persons who failed to pay court fines imposed since the introduction of the Act in January 2016 and in view of the fact that the number of unpaid fines has quadrupled since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13322/19]

Fines Data

Noel Grealish

516. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the offence categories in respect of which fines were imposed by the courts in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the offence categories in respect of which fines were imposed but were not paid in the same period by the number and monetary values in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13323/19]

Garda Data

Noel Grealish

558. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the services being provided in the new Garda divisional headquarters in County Galway; the number of staff stationed at the facility by members of the force and civilian staff; the number of hours per day staff are working at the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13826/19]

Ambulance Service

Noel Grealish

877. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason ambulances (details supplied) can be used to transport patients to hospital but other ambulances are not authorised to transport patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13825/19]

Planning Issues

Noel Grealish

1389. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the timetable for the application for planning under the IROPI process for Lough Talt, County Sligo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13170/19]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Data

Noel Grealish

1423. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if landlords providing properties under the RAS scheme to local authorities were given rent increases in excess of the 4% allowed in rent pressure zones since the 4% cap was introduced; the number of landlords that were offered more than the 4% increase in rent but this offer was subsequently withdrawn by the local authority, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13827/19]

EU Directives

Noel Grealish

107. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance his views on a derogation in the proposed transposition process of IORP II for small single-member pension schemes as was provided in the previous directive on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/19]

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

Noel Grealish

160. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for a third-level maintenance grant refused in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019 as a result of an independent mature student being unable to provide proof of independent residence according to the SUSI requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12047/19]

Fines Data

Noel Grealish

204. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have failed to pay fines imposed by the courts since the commencement of the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Act 2014; the number of persons who have had an attachment order, a recovery order or community service order made against them as a result; the number of persons imprisoned for failure to pay such fines; the equivalent figures for the three-year period before the introduction of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/19]

LEADER Programmes Data

Noel Grealish

618. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of total expenditure by each LEADER group on administration and animation in the 2009 to 2014 programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/19]

LEADER Programmes Expenditure

Noel Grealish

619. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the planned level of administration and animation expenditure over the lifetime of the current LEADER programme for all LAGs, both independent and local authority, expressed as a percentage of their total budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/19]

LEADER Programmes Expenditure

Noel Grealish

620. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the percentage of the total expenditure of local action groups on LEADER programmes retained by local authorities; if this retention applies to all LAGs administering LEADER; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11822/19]

EU Directives

Noel Grealish

627. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the need for mediation between the Department of Finance and her Department over differences in the proposed transposition of the IORP II directive regarding a derogation for small single member pension schemes as was provided in the previous directive on this issue. [11770/19]

HSE Legal Cases

Noel Grealish

271. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the progress of the expert group established to consider alternative mechanisms to the court process for resolving clinical negligence claims; the position regarding the expected publication of the final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10318/19]

Medical Records

Noel Grealish

360. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the reason a hospital is refusing to supply medical records to a person (details supplied) who requested them over 14 months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10810/19]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

414. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a further bye-law will be introduced to give protection to wild brown trout in seven State-owned salmonid lakes in view of the court ruling on Bye-Law No. 964 of 2018; the timeframe for the introduction of a new bye-law; the changes which will be made to the revised bye-law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10529/19]

Inland Fisheries

Noel Grealish

415. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a new bye-law is to be introduced following the court decision on Bye-Law No. 964 of 2018; if Inland Fisheries Ireland will have no capacity or capabilities to do stream enhancements programmes; the way in which the bye-law designation can be fulfilled; the way in which invasive species such as pike, perch and roach can enjoy equal protection to that of native species of trout, sea trout and Atlantic salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10530/19]

Public Sector Pensions Data

Noel Grealish

46. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the cost of income tax relief provided in the public service pension related deduction by section 790C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10083/19]

Road Projects Data

Noel Grealish

204. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the final cost of the abandoned Galway city outer bypass project by category of expense such as planning and design, legal costs, environmental impact studies and so on; the estimated cost of the project when it was originally commenced; the original estimated timeframe for completion of the project; the length of time that elapsed from when the road was initially announced until it was formally abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8562/19]

Road Projects Expenditure

Noel Grealish

205. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on the N6 Galway city transport project to date by category of expense; the date the project was formally announced; the estimated completion date; the estimated final cost of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8563/19]

Passport Services

Noel Grealish

138. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the contract for the Passport Express service with An Post will be renewed when the current contract expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8257/19]

Trade Agreements

Noel Grealish

308. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if Ireland or the EU has a free trade agreement with the Philippines; if no trade agreement exists, the applicable duty for exports from the EU to the Philippines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8256/19]

Road Network

Noel Grealish

568. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a new pedestrian overbridge and pedestrian crossing on the N67 at Oranmore, County Galway, will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/19]

Taxi Regulations

Noel Grealish

569. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if rules with regard to the ten-year cap on the age of regular taxis can be changed to bring them into line with wheelchair taxis, which can be up to 15 years old, in view of the fact that all cars have to prove roadworthiness and maintain a certain standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8259/19]

Addiction Treatment Services

Noel Grealish

182. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the opening hours of a health facility (details supplied) in Dublin 8; the number of beds in the facility; the numbers sleeping on the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7582/19]

Emergency Services Data

Noel Grealish

274. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of fire brigade and ambulance call-outs in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7581/19]

Work Permits Eligibility

Noel Grealish

103. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if barbers can be removed from the list of ineligible categories under the work permit scheme in view of the fact that there is a significant shortage of barbers nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5850/19]

IDA Ireland Portfolio

Noel Grealish

297. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the length of time the IDA site in Glenamaddy, County Galway has been vacant; the efforts being made to market it as a potential site of employment; the type of industries that might be best suited to locate there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5037/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Noel Grealish

329. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for inpatient appointments; the number waiting for outpatient appointments at Galway University Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital, respectively by length of time waiting in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5034/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Noel Grealish

330. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for inpatient appointments and outpatient appointments, respectively at Galway University Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital at the end of 2017 and 2018; the number waiting under 18 or over 18 years of age in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5035/19]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Noel Grealish

331. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries cancelled at Galway University Hospital and at Portiuncula Hospital in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019; the reason for the cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5036/19]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Noel Grealish

356. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if appointments under the treatment abroad scheme which have been scheduled prior to Brexit on 29 March 2019 will be honoured regardless of the way in which the UK will leave the EU; if another appointment can be scheduled in another EU country immediately to avoid unnecessary delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5147/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Noel Grealish

181. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for bariatric surgery at Galway University Hospital by length of time on the waiting list; the number on the equivalent waiting list at the same time one and two years ago, respectively; the number of surgeries carried out in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4841/19]

Disability Services Provision

Noel Grealish

182. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if a person can secure funding to access private services for a child with disabilities if the services cannot be delivered within the public service locally or if the public service available locally has a waiting list of a year or more, in view of the fact that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4842/19]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Noel Grealish

538. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grants are available for the provision of house alarms for those over 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4117/19]

Security of the Elderly

Noel Grealish

571. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if grants are available for the provision of house alarms for those over 65 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4116/19]