Parliamentary questions

Disability Support Services

Thomas Pringle

632. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the level of accreditation needed for a person to offer participants of the disability awareness training in order for the client to avail of the 90% grant available from her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47654/19]

Disability Allowance Payments

Thomas Pringle

637. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the revised means assessment request by a person (details supplied) on a disability allowance will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47728/19]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Pringle

5. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role of his Department in 2019 and 2020 in the implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 for his Department and throughout Departments generally; if estimates of the net cost of the plan are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46785/19]

Teagasc Activities

Thomas Pringle

154. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy of Teagasc towards stakeholder engagement; the bodies that are designated stakeholders; the way in which they are routinely consulted; his views on whether environmental organisations are stakeholders; and the approach of his Department to stakeholder engagement with environmental organisations. [46938/19]

Transport Policy

Thomas Pringle

487. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if SmarterTravel, A Sustainable Transport Future will be implemented in full by 2020, in view of further delays to the planned update to the plan described in the first progress report of the Climate Action Plan 2019; the obstacles to its implementation to date; and the action he will take regarding rising emissions of greenhouse gases and particulates from the transport sector before 2020. [46446/19]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Thomas Pringle

488. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will require local authorities under ministerial order to provide segregated cycle lanes to ensure the safety of cyclists in urban areas; and if additional funding will be provided to local authorities for networks of segregated cycle lanes in 2020 for all major cities and towns. [46447/19]

Overseas Missions

Thomas Pringle

15. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the deployment of the Defence Forces to Lebanon as part of UNIFIL in view of growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah; the extent of co-operation between Defence Forces personnel and forces from other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45771/19]

EU Battle Groups

Thomas Pringle

17. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the Army Ranger Wing recently deployed to an EU battle group in Germany, which is the fourth time Ireland has been involved in an EU battle group and the first time the unit has taken part; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45770/19]

EU Issues

Thomas Pringle

29. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of plans by the European Commission to establish a new directorate-general for defence industry and space; the level of involvement the private sector arms industry will have in formulating EU defence policy; the position of Ireland on the establishment of a new directorate-general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45769/19]

Budget 2020

Thomas Pringle

34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the funding allocated to Defence in budget 2020, which exceeded €1 billion for the first time; the amount allocated to defence programmes as mandated under the European Defence Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45772/19]

Legal Aid Service Data

Thomas Pringle

365. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have received civil legal aid from the Legal Aid Board since 1 October 2018 in order to proceed with claims of discrimination under equality legislation against licensed premises; the number of cases that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45341/19]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

1041. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44497/19]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

1084. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45107/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

1085. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45108/19]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Thomas Pringle

1086. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for a disability allowance will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45109/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

1087. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person residing here permanently in receipt of a pension from abroad but not in receipt of an Irish State pension is eligible to apply for the winter fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45110/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

1088. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person residing here permanently in receipt of a pension from abroad but not in receipt of an Irish State pension is eligible to apply for the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45111/19]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

1089. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person residing here permanently in receipt of a pension from abroad but not in receipt of an Irish State pension is eligible to apply for the household benefits package; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45112/19]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Pringle

216. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to hold a public consultation process as part of the preparation of the long-term strategy of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/19]

Parking Provision

Thomas Pringle

97. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the ongoing parking situation at a building (details supplied) in County Donegal will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43710/19]

Teagasc Administration

Thomas Pringle

458. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend and update the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act 1988 to ensure that Teagasc has the necessary expertise and mandate to consider mitigation strategies from the agriculture and food sectors here in view of the recent UN IPCC special report on land and climate change 2019. [43416/19]

Teagasc Funding

Thomas Pringle

459. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the research budget of Teagasc that is dedicated to climate mitigation activities; and his views on the adequacy of resources available to his Department towards climate mitigation in view of the recent study by the CSO on environmentally damaging subsidies. [43417/19]

National Raised Bog Management Plan

Thomas Pringle

483. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dedicated resources and expertise in relation to paludiculture available within his Department or State agencies under his remit; his plans to implement the recommendation regarding paludiculture research in chapter 8 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action report; his views on the potential for paludiculture in the context of the new €5 million fund for wetlands restoration and rehabilitation as announced by Minister Bruton on 16 October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43526/19]

Agrifood Sector

Thomas Pringle

484. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of the 400 stakeholders and delegates invited to attend the open policy debate on a strategy for the agrifood sector to 2030 arranged for 16 October 2019. [43528/19]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Thomas Pringle

491. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress towards meeting the renewable heat obligation of Ireland under EU directives for 2020; if Ireland is on course to meet the target; the budget for the support scheme for renewable heat in 2019 and 2020; the number of applications received under the scheme to date; the number of grants awarded for 2019; the number of applications by county; his plans to address the delays in approving up to 40 eligible projects in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42943/19]

Employment Rights

Thomas Pringle

148. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to ensure that all public bodies comply with S.I. No. 234/2019 - Sectoral Employment Order (Construction Sector) 2019 introduced by her Department and previous orders; the steps that can be taken if they have not complied with same; if her Department carries out inspections to see if there is compliance by public sector employers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42411/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Pringle

214. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school building project (details supplied) which is due to commence in 2019; if this school is being prioritised due to the continued deterioration of the prefabs which make up the school structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41891/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Pringle

215. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) which has been waiting for a new school build since 2006; if the school will be prioritised based on the increasing enrolment rate by 73% since 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41892/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Thomas Pringle

217. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding for a school (details supplied) will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41914/19]

School Management

Thomas Pringle

229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department does not audit schools directly; the person or body that checks the accountants being paid by the schools; if major discrepancies in accounts that are continually ignored by schools are examined by his Department; the further reason schools cannot submit directly to the financial support services unit; if extra funding is being provided for schools to carry out accountancy work as required under circular 60/2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42171/19]

Defective Building Materials

Thomas Pringle

642. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount of additional funding allocated from budget 2020 to the mica redress scheme; when the funding will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42167/19]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Thomas Pringle

89. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if the outstanding number of posts awaiting decision by the national director for Donegal CHO amounting to over 100 posts remaining vacant will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/19]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Thomas Pringle

91. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there is a recruitment embargo or freeze within the HSE and specifically for the north west CHO1 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/19]

JobPath Programme

Thomas Pringle

155. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the circumstances that allow a person an exemption of referral to JobPath if mental health grounds are included; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41345/19]

Energy Policy

Thomas Pringle

385. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to conduct a full review of energy security here; if this will include a new energy White Paper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40881/19]

International Protection

Thomas Pringle

9. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the interdepartmental taskforce that was in place during the drafting of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 is still functional; if not, if he will consider the recommendation of an organisation (details supplied) to re-establish this taskforce on a permanent basis to oversee the implementation of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39979/19]

International Protection

Thomas Pringle

36. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the promised independent inspectorate will be established further to the recent release of the national standards for accommodation offered to persons in the protection process; the make-up of the inspectorate; if it will be empowered to make unannounced inspections of accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39978/19]

JobPath Programme

Thomas Pringle

241. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who finishes a community employment scheme in June 2020 could be referred back to JobPath despite the fact that new referrals will cease at the end of 2019; if being on the scheme guarantees a person a year exemption from being referred to JobPath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40091/19]

International Protection

Thomas Pringle

285. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the international protection process that are housed in emergency accommodation; the number that are children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39799/19]

International Protection

Thomas Pringle

286. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of emergency accommodation centres in use to house persons in the international protection process; the location of these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/19]

International Protection

Thomas Pringle

287. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vulnerability assessments that have been carried out to date on persons in the international protection process in line with obligations under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018; his views on reports that as of July 2019 no such formal assessments had been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/19]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Thomas Pringle

535. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding is available for the upgrading of roads specifically located along the Wild Atlantic Way; if he will consider upgrading a road (details supplied) in County Donegal due to its significant location along the Wild Atlantic Way in an effort to further develop tourism in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39832/19]

State Bodies Data

Thomas Pringle

633. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the fees and expenses paid to each member of the management board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in each of the years 2013 to 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/19]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Thomas Pringle

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the ruling of the Ombudsman regarding primary medical certificates (details supplied); the reason his Department has not made relevant amendments after the intervention of the Ombudsman; when he plans to bring the necessary legislative amendments to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38452/19]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments

Thomas Pringle

31. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance the status of the divestment of public funding in the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund from fossil fuel companies since the enactment of the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018; his plans as part of the climate action plan 2019 to encourage the private sector to divest from fossil fuel companies and offer investors fossil free alternatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38453/19]

Social Welfare Fraud

Thomas Pringle

14. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated amount it will cost to review over 750,000 social welfare claims in 2019 as part of the new anti-fraud strategy; the estimated savings that will be made from the review; the timeline of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38798/19]

JobPath Programme

Thomas Pringle

37. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans for the future of JobPath; if winding down the scheme is being considered in the near future in view of the fact that only 6% of participants have achieved work for over one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38797/19]

Health Services Funding

Thomas Pringle

125. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the provision of long-term sustainable funding for community health projects, including a foundation (details supplied) in County Donegal, in order that they are not under threat of closure every few months if funding and donations cannot fill the gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39023/19]

Disability Services Funding

Thomas Pringle

133. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if funding will be allocated to a centre (details supplied) to allow it open from the current 40 to 52 weeks per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39032/19]

Road Improvement Schemes

Thomas Pringle

143. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding is available for the upgrading of rural roads along the Wild Atlantic Way for the benefit of developing tourism in the area and increasing connections along the coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38911/19]