Parliamentary questions

Electric Vehicles

Thomas Pringle

235. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a list of all high-power multi-charger sites and new faster charger sites for electric vehicles by county will be provided; the timeline for the instalment of the recently announced new charging hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18165/19]

Foreign Policy

Thomas Pringle

80. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the escalating anti-Cuban rhetoric of President Trump including his latest threat to establish lawsuits against Cuban companies under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996, known as the Helms-Burton Act; if his attention has been further drawn to the damage this could pose to the continuity of co-operation that Ireland and other countries share with Cuba; the representations which have been made to the United States of America regarding the hardening of the blockade against Cuba in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17478/19]

Human Rights

Thomas Pringle

83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he is addressing the negative consequences to the current cobalt rush in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulting from increased popularity of electric vehicles in developed countries; the way in which he plans to address the wide spectrum of corruption in the cobalt trade combined with abuses such as child labour at and around cobalt mine sites and links to state sanctioned violence and grand corruption; the extent to which he has incorporated the findings from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17477/19]

Brexit Issues

Thomas Pringle

476. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the potential impact a hard Brexit will have on cancer patients in County Donegal seeking to access care at a hospital (details supplied) or travelling to Dublin from Northern Ireland, in view of the fact that they will require a green card for their car insurance to travel to Northern Ireland in their own vehicle; if a fast-track service for a green card will be arranged for those who cannot wait for the waiting period of one month for a green card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17435/19]

Insurance Costs

Thomas Pringle

478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the introduction of a pilot project to help fund insurance costs for rural hackney licences for new businesses; the 17 areas to be involved in the pilot project nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17289/19]

Building Regulations

Thomas Pringle

557. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the provision of financial supports for persons affected by mica in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17328/19]

Local Employment Service

Thomas Pringle

5. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the timeframe for the upcoming tendering process for the future provision of employment services nationally; the reason active consideration will not be given to a public procurement process despite the success of local employment services in successfully achieving full-time employment for over 28% of referrals each year and the progression of the remaining caseload to part-time jobs and other pathways to work; the reason successful not-for-profit community holistic models are not being given an equal opportunity to tender for the services despite the problems experienced in countries adopting a privatised model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15621/19]

Labour Activation Measures

Thomas Pringle

8. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the timeline for the procurement process for future employment services; if a payments-by-results model for employment services will be sought despite the unsuitability of this model having been demonstrated in other jurisdictions including here; if the new model will acknowledge distance travelled by which the focus is on the development of the individual as opposed to the sole focus being on the end result of obtaining work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15368/19]

JobPath Programme

Thomas Pringle

42. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to incidences in which JobPath providers insist on seeking a commission for persons that sought work on their own accord after having attended an initial meeting with JobPath employment services despite the new employer verifying this to be the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15369/19]

Schools Building Projects Data

Thomas Pringle

116. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stages of building of each of the schools due funding from the 2016-2021 capital plan; if each of the projects are on schedule; the schools and status of each project, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15520/19]

Road Projects Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

38. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for rescheduling funding from the upgrade project of the A5 motorway; if funding will be provided for same in the future; the revised timeline indicated for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9752/19]

Child Abuse

Thomas Pringle

80. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Teaching Council can investigate and make a decision against a registered teacher under existing complaints procedures if it receives notification of an historic alleged complaint of sexual abuse by a student against a former teacher (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14559/19]

Climate Change Policy

Thomas Pringle

51. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to revise the 2017 national mitigation plan under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to take account of criticisms of the plan by the climate change advisory councils, environmental organisations and the European Commission in view of the fact that an all-of-government plan will not be on a statutory footing unless the national mitigation plan is formally updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/19]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Thomas Pringle

72. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that recent submissions to the European Commission under the climate and energy governance regulation and national energy and climate plans will ensure that Ireland will meet the EU 2030 climate and energy targets; the quantitative assessment and modelling carried out to ensure the measures are robust and specific enough to achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/19]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Thomas Pringle

227. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason hedgerows are not included in the calculation of CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13922/19]

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Thomas Pringle

234. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he plans to publish his response to the BAI five-year review of public broadcasters received in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/19]

Coillte Teoranta Activities

Thomas Pringle

77. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is undertaking to ensure that Coillte is researching and engaging in continuous cover forestry practices in view of the benefits for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, employment and amenities across the national estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13924/19]

Aquaculture Regulation

Thomas Pringle

85. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure for certifying Lough Foyle oysters after production as they enter the market; the body responsible for carrying out health and safety certification of Lough Foyle oysters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13920/19]

Coillte Teoranta

Thomas Pringle

97. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is time to commission an independent review of the Forestry Act 1988, which established Coillte (details supplied); if a review of the legislation will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/19]

Beef Industry

Thomas Pringle

104. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to prevent beef factories absorbing benefits targeted at farmers in the production of beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13921/19]

Human Rights

Thomas Pringle

141. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that Ireland will take to engage positively in the process of elaborating on a UN treaty to regulate the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises in 2019; if Ireland will attend the OEIWGW in Geneva in October 2019 and participate formally in the discussions to elaborate a new UN treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12903/19]

Humanitarian Aid

Thomas Pringle

174. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to reports by an organisation (details supplied) of severe malnutrition in refugees and migrants in Libyan detention centres particularly in the case of children; the way in which the interception of those attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea and returning those refugees and migrants to these detention centres is justified; if he has made representations to have food items recognised as part of EU funding for the EU Trust Fund for Africa, which aims to improve conditions for detainees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14229/19]

Industrial Disputes

Thomas Pringle

619. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there is an ongoing dispute between a union (details supplied) and the HSE in the north west since December 2017 specifically involving ambulance staff in Letterkenny; if so, the length of time this dispute has remained unresolved; the action or actions taken by the union and staff since the dispute started; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/19]

Industrial Disputes

Thomas Pringle

620. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the contingencies agreed with a union (details supplied) and the HSE to ensure that no patients are adversely affected by a dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12789/19]

Industrial Disputes

Thomas Pringle

621. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a union (details supplied) or its members involved in the ambulance staff dispute in County Donegal over the lifetime of the Letterkenny dispute have been issued with the threat of injunction by the HSE; if he has been provided with the list of actions being taken by the union; if an offer of settlement has been made to the union to resolve the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12790/19]

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Thomas Pringle

1092. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a wheelchair accessible bus route between County Donegal and Sligo IT for students living in County Donegal taking up courses in Sligo; if students can block book accessible buses for each semester instead of having to book each journey 24 hours in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/19]

Ambulance Service Staff

Thomas Pringle

33. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the position after a strike (details supplied) by ambulance personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12170/19]

General Practitioner Services

Thomas Pringle

92. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will address the ongoing frustration experienced by general practitioners in rural areas in trying to address waiting lists for appointments while FEMPI cuts of up to 40% still remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12169/19]

Human Rights

Thomas Pringle

67. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he advocated for the strengthening of corporate accountability and increased regulation of the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises to ensure the prevention of land and human rights violations in developing countries; if he has referred to the recent report by a charity (details supplied) calling for this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/19]

Sports Capital Programme

Thomas Pringle

565. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a sports capital application from a group (details supplied) was granted only partial funding under the sports capital programme 2017 in view of the fact the amount does not facilitate completion of the works applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11734/19]

Sports Capital Programme

Thomas Pringle

566. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is policy to allocate partial funding for applications under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/19]

Sports Capital Programme

Thomas Pringle

567. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the percentage or level of funding is determined in circumstances in which it is decided to only partially fund applications under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11736/19]

Sports Capital Programme

Thomas Pringle

568. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the scoring system and assessment procedures used to validate the allocation of partial funding for a group (details supplied) under the sports capital programme 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Thomas Pringle

660. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11777/19]

Education and Training Boards

Thomas Pringle

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the number of hours made available for English courses will be considered by the education and training board in view of the fact only two hours per week are being provided; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits an increase in hours will have in order to help new communities, including refugees and asylum seekers, to integrate locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/19]

Abbey Theatre

Thomas Pringle

14. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a new school (details supplied) in County Donegal will move to build stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10858/19]

Abbey Theatre

Thomas Pringle

21. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person who is under the VTOS scheme takes up a paid internship or work during the summer can still access VTOS for the second year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10856/19]

Abbey Theatre

Thomas Pringle

44. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding students from County Donegal attending a college (details supplied) in Derry who are not entitled to a SUSI grant due to the fact they are attending PLC equivalent courses abroad; the way in which these students will be affected post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10855/19]

Abbey Theatre

Thomas Pringle

61. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if clarification has been sought from the Minister for Justice and Equality on persons who have come here under the family reunification scheme accessing student grants and supports such as BTEA in view of the fact they are excluded from the list of those that qualify; his views on reforming the list to include persons that have come here under the scheme; if clarification has not been sought, if representations will be made to the Minister for Justice and Equality for student fees for those under the scheme to be waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10857/19]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Thomas Pringle

68. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be removed from the flood relief scheme planned for Buncrana, County Donegal, due to the reprofiling of investment under the flood risk management programme of the OPW to defer €3 million towards the cost overrun at the new national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9751/19]

Election Monitoring Missions

Thomas Pringle

117. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an appropriate accommodation will be allowed for a registered disabled appellant (details supplied) whose disability impeded the person sending the application in the format required by Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10347/19]

Third Level Courses Availability

Thomas Pringle

202. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide more courses on pharmacy in Dublin apart from an existing institution (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for students in accessing pharmacy courses in Dublin due to a limited number of places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10787/19]

Energy Schemes

Thomas Pringle

412. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, further to the current pilot, it is planned to roll out the SEAI warmth and wellbeing scheme nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10276/19]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

564. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who provides financial assistance to a family member who experienced delays in accessing illness benefit can be provided compensation under the exceptional needs payment; if a letter from the affected family member to confirm this was the case will be accepted by the community welfare office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10737/19]

Fishing Licences

Thomas Pringle

198. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the 2017 draft net salmon fishing licences for the Loughros More estuary, Owenea and Owentocker rivers remain valid; if the holders of these licences would have an entitlement to fish should the Owenea and Owentocker rivers reopen for fishing of this nature in the near future; the process for the application and issuing of licences for draft net salmon fishing on the Loughros More estuary should the rivers reopen for fishing in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10125/19]

Foreign Conflicts

Thomas Pringle

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will urge the European Union to start negotiations with President Maduro of Venezuela; if all available dispute resolution mechanisms have been utilised including existing frameworks in Latin America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9436/19]

International Agreements

Thomas Pringle

25. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when Ireland will ratify the Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement between the EU and Cuba; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9437/19]

Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

Thomas Pringle

89. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average length of time persons who have received a positive recommendation from the International Protection Office are waiting for a declaration of refugee or subsidiary protection status in tabular form; the reason for the extensive delays experienced at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9936/19]

European Investment Bank Loans

Thomas Pringle

112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland, through its appointed director to the European Investment Bank, will support the cessation of lending to fossil fuel projects through the new energy lending policy of the bank in 2019 in view of commitments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/19]

Family Reunification Applications

Thomas Pringle

257. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the next date for persons to apply for reunification for families under the international humanitarian assistance programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9510/19]