Parliamentary questions

Apprenticeship Programmes

Bernard Durkan

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which any particular deficiency has been identified in regard to the number of apprentices available for location throughout the public and private sectors; the extent to which particular sectors of industry have been identified as being particularly deficient in this regard; the provisions being made to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28682/16]

Schools Building Projects

Bernard Durkan

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which upgrading extension works at a school (details supplied) is likely to progress in the near future in line with submissions made by the school authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28683/16]

School Funding

Bernard Durkan

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to approve an increase in funding offered to a school (details supplied) given the increase in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28684/16]

Schools Refurbishment

Bernard Durkan

211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of schools throughout the country likely to benefit from refurbishment or replacement in the coming year; the extent to which adequate budgetary provisions have been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/16]

School Transport Review

Bernard Durkan

212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected a review of the school transport system is likely to be undertaken, with particular reference to the objective of the streamlining of school transport in rural areas in which parents and children have been greatly inconvenienced by changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28686/16]

Departmental Staff Data

Brian Stanley

213. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28990/16]

Labour Court Recommendations

Bríd Smith

214. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department intervened in the ongoing refusal of a State-supported company (details supplied) to honour a Labour Court finding in relation to workers made redundant; if his Department has instructed this company not to use State funds to honour the findings of another State agency; and if he will intervene in this matter to ensure the workers involved receive their just payments. [28059/16]

Labour Court Recommendations

Bríd Smith

215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason funding is made available to a private company (details supplied) by his Department while this company is refusing to obey the judgment of a State-appointed body in regard to its workforce. [28060/16]

Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme Funding

Michael Healy-Rae

216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/16]

Agriculture Industry

Joe Carey

217. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will extend the deadline date for the spreading of slurry on farms in view of the unsuitable weather conditions to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28139/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Clare Daly

218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason for the discrepancy in the advocacy services here, whereby there are currently only three persons employed by the service here while there are 26 employed in similar services in Northern Ireland, which has a significantly smaller deaf population. [28492/16]

Water Charges Exemptions

Carol Nolan

219. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if nursing homes are currently exempt from water charges; if not, if he will consider requesting such an exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28494/16]

Pyrite Remediation Programme Implementation

Darragh O'Brien

220. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the remediation work under the pyrite remediation scheme will commence for estates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28561/16]

National Planning Framework

Eoin Ó Broin

221. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the stakeholder consultation report on the national planning framework, arising from the consultation events that took place in June 2016, has been published; and if not, when the report will be published. [28094/16]

Animal Welfare

Clare Daly

222. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government further to Question No. 638 of 16 September 2016, if he will exercise his powers under section 222 of the Local Government Act 2001 to request the information sought from the local authority in question. [28096/16]

Housing Assistance Payment Administration

Richard Boyd Barrett

223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if persons signing tenancy agreements under the HAP scheme will automatically be put on the council transfer list; when the HAP scheme will be rolled out fully in the four Dublin local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/16]

Pyrite Remediation Programme

Alan Farrell

224. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of category 1 properties that have been identified as part of the pyrite remediation scheme; the average cost of remediation per property for those already remediated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28152/16]

Local Authority Housing Funding

Eoin Ó Broin

225. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if funding can be released to allow site enabling works on the highlighted piece of land at Shangan, Ballymun, for affordable and senior citizens units. [28174/16]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

John Curran

226. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will reinstate funding to Rural Resettlement Ireland, which ceased in 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28190/16]

Felling Licences

James Lawless

227. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department can investigate the blocking of a public right of way at a location (details supplied) and examine the felling of trees at this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28226/16]

Departmental Strategies

Paul Murphy

228. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28308/16]

Rural Resettlement Scheme

Willie Penrose

229. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the steps he will take to provide additional resources to Rural Resettlement Ireland which has been significantly reduced since 2012, in order to permit it continue with its vital work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28313/16]

Planning Issues

Pat Buckley

230. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that areas in Midleton that have had serious flooding in recent years and are at risk of flooding again have been granted planning permission for housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/16]

Planning Issues

Pat Buckley

231. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork County Council has ignored the recommendations of the CFRAM study from 2013 that advised on measures to address flood risk in the Midleton area, in particular for a street (details supplied) that was subsequently flooded, leaving homes completely uninhabitable. [28348/16]

Commercial Rates Calculations

Kevin O'Keeffe

232. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will put measures in place regarding commercial rates to assist businesses when major road works are ongoing in their area over a sustained period of months; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many businesses suffer a substantial loss of business during such projects and have to let staff go; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that no reduction is given on their commercial rates bill; and his views on whether recognition must be given to such businesses in order to assist them to remain in a trading position. [28396/16]

Fire Stations Upgrade

Brendan Griffin

233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the extension of the fire station at Bypass Road, Killarney, will be prioritised for emergency reasons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28399/16]

Tenant Purchase Scheme

Mattie McGrath

234. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the fairness of the criteria attached to the tenant purchase scheme for county councils; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some of the criteria adversely affect old age pensioners, in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28414/16]

Burial Grounds

Robert Troy

235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will provide emergency funding for a community group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28437/16]

Local Authority Funding

Clare Daly

236. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the offer of assistance his Department made to Sligo County Council, conditional on the council agreeing to increase the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28471/16]

Building Regulations Compliance

Eoin Ó Broin

237. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government when the expert panel currently investigating the issue of mica defective concrete blocks will publish their report or an interim report. [28487/16]

Building Regulations Amendments

John Lahart

238. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans regarding the upgrading and-or reform of building regulations to provide for fully wheelchair accessible houses to be built and to arrange for this to happen as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28530/16]

Housing Adaptation Grant

John Lahart

239. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase the housing adaptation grants as requested in a recent submission by the Irish Wheelchair Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28531/16]

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Eoin Ó Broin

240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has been consulted on and sanctioned the harvesting of seaweed in Roundstone Bay, County Galway by means of new technology provided by a company (details supplied) to local harvesters; and if all the relevant licences were in place and environmental impact statements completed before the harvesting began. [28541/16]

Seaweed Harvesting Potential

Eoin Ó Broin

241. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has received a report on the extent of land folios existing here with appurtenant seaweed harvesting rights attached to them; and the way these may interact with current legislation or the proposed marine area and foreshore amendment Bill; and if he will be making that report available to the Houses of the Oireachtas. [28542/16]

Seaweed Harvesting Potential

Eoin Ó Broin

242. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the progress made by his Department to implement the recommendations in the May 2015 report of the former Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht on developing the seaweed industry in Ireland. [28543/16]

Housing for People with Disabilities Provision

Joan Collins

243. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the building of social housing with wheelchair access is included in the Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28614/16]

Library Services Funding

Thomas Pringle

244. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has offered Sligo County Council additional support of €200,000 per annum to resolve the crisis in the library service; if similar support will be provided for the Donegal library service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28617/16]

National Planning Framework

Eamon Ryan

245. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the timetable for the completion of the national planning framework; and the way he plans to connect that framework to the capital plan. [28665/16]

Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

246. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the additional funding allocation he has received in the context of the housing crisis and the Government's commitment to increase capital spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19757/16]

Departmental Bodies Establishment

Richard Boyd Barrett

247. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider a national building agency that would directly employ builders to spearhead a public housing building programme in view of his concerns over housing supply, noted in his Department's draft national risk assessment report, and the risk this poses to overall competitiveness and social inclusion. [20697/16]

Homelessness Strategy

Ruth Coppinger

248. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures he has advanced to solve the child homelessness crisis. [23027/16]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Michael Fitzmaurice

249. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of retired public sector employees in his Department, including bodies under its aegis, who are in receipt of a public sector pension and who have been re-employed either part time or full time, temporary or otherwise by the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28978/16]

Departmental Staff Data

Brian Stanley

250. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of staff employed by his Department or seconded to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28991/16]

Departmental Websites

Michael Healy-Rae

251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to difficulties being experienced in accessing a website (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28100/16]

Work Placement Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can extend participation on a Tús scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28176/16]

Disability Services Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

254. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability services in County Louth, including the funding available to a programme (details supplied). [28443/16]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Micheál Martin

255. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures to be taken to tackle unemployment and in particular youth unemployment when the EU Council discussed these matters in September 2016. [28656/16]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

257. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the disability allowance scheme. [28054/16]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Brendan Ryan

258. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28061/16]

Disability Allowance Applications

Willie O'Dea

259. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28063/16]

Fit for Work Programme

John Brady

260. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which fitness to work will be assessed under the fit for work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28099/16]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for disability allowance or invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28112/16]

Illness Benefit Payments

John McGuinness

262. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the decision not to continue paying illness benefit to a person (details supplied). [28114/16]

Disability Allowance Payments

John McGuinness

263. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 793 of 16 September 2016, the reason the full payment of benefit of €183 per week paid to a person (details supplied) has not been restored as the person is now in receipt of €58 per week. [28115/16]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

Mattie McGrath

264. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider the way in which the contributory State pension is calculated to avoid those who had absences from the workforce for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to child rearing, are not inadvertently discriminated against due to the low yearly average rate, while those who only entered the workforce late and had a full ten year record receive a full pension due to their high yearly average; his views on whether this policy discriminates against those who took time out to rear their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28129/16]

Personal Public Service Numbers

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which a person (details supplied) might be facilitated by way of a PPS number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28134/16]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28153/16]

Family Income Supplement Payments

Bernard Durkan

267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which an alleged overpayment has occurred in the case of a person (details supplied); the procedure for appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28166/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an increase in rent support can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28168/16]

Work Placement Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

269. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) can extend participation on a Tús scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28178/16]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a supplementary allowance appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28195/16]

State Pension (Contributory)

Richard Boyd Barrett

271. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the home-makers scheme in relation to pensions has not been extended to home-makers pre-1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28207/16]

State Pension (Contributory)

Richard Boyd Barrett

272. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the legislation for calculating PRSI contributions in relation to contributory pensions to disregard short-term or summer employment at the time of entry into the system as this causes a large gap in contributions and hence lowers the yearly average of contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28215/16]

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Bernard Durkan

273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment can issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28225/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

John McGuinness

274. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review and expedite the carer's allowance being paid to a person (details supplied) to ensure that the maximum benefit is being paid; and if the general practitioner's letter will be considered as a matter of urgency. [28237/16]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Applications

Paul Kehoe

275. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the action he will take in progressing the insolvency payment for a person (details supplied); if he can intervene or if there are sanctions to be put in place to compel them to do this when the liquidator is not carrying out their responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/16]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/16]

Invalidity Pension Payments

Brendan Griffin

277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [28275/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28281/16]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Paul Murphy

279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28309/16]

Credit Union Lending

Jim O'Callaghan

280. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection when it is proposed to extend the microloan scheme operated by the credit unions to the credit union in Rathmines. [28337/16]

Civil Registration Legislation

Jim Daly

281. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if, further to the enactment of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, all provisions and systems are in place to register the death of an Irish citizen who died abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28363/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

282. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28405/16]

Free Travel Scheme Data

Pearse Doherty

283. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the detail of all services, including the name of the provider in each case and also those provided by private operators, for which holders are entitled to free travel as part of a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28410/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Pat Breen

284. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28412/16]

State Pensions

Mattie McGrath

285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the detail of the proposals to require those of a pensionable age make a claim for jobseeker's benefit before receiving the State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28419/16]

JobPath Implementation

Jim Daly

286. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of referrals to JobPath providers that have subsequently been referred to an employability supported employment service since the programme began; if he can publish the written departmental protocol that facilitates such a referral; if any person already with an employability service will be denied access to that supported employment service due to referral to a JobPath provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28435/16]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Eugene Murphy

287. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in receipt of carer's allowance has received a significant reduction of payment following a review; if the person can be reassessed with a view of restoring the full payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28459/16]

Social Welfare Appeals

Pat Breen

288. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28464/16]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Pat Breen

289. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28470/16]

Scéim na mBéilí Scoile

Pearse Doherty

290. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí cad chuige nach bhfuil scoil i gcontae Dhún na nGall (sonraí curtha ar fáil) páirteach i scéim na mbéilí scoile; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28472/16]

School Meals Programme

Pearse Doherty

291. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of schools that participate in the school meals programme but are not included as part of the existing DEIS programme, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28491/16]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John McGuinness

292. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's allowance (details supplied) will be expedited and approved for the period up to the date of the death of a person. [28501/16]

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Bernard Durkan

293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28514/16]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

John Lahart

294. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to end the inequitable age segregation in respect of jobseeker's allowance payments whereby persons under the age of 26 years are paid less then those aged over 26; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28539/16]

Social Welfare Benefits

John Lahart

295. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will fully restore the Christmas bonus to those in receipt of social protection payments; if he will consider changing the eligibility criteria from 15 months to 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28540/16]

Social Welfare Inspections

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

296. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if social protection inspectors are required to keep a record of unnotified or notified home visits, namely, the number of unnotified or notified home visits, the date of unnotified or notified home visits to the homes of applicants or recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28551/16]

Social Welfare Inspections

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

297. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection if social protection inspectors are required to make a report of the outcome of notified or unnotified home visits to the homes of applicants or recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28552/16]

Social Welfare Inspections

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

298. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the guidelines and protocols which exist to guide social protection inspectors on the use and application of notified or unnotified home visits to the homes of applicants or recipients. [28553/16]

Disability Allowance Applications

Barry Cowen

299. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on an application for disability allowance. [28560/16]

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Payments

Thomas P. Broughan

300. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the full year cost of increasing the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for children aged between four and 11 years from €100 to €130 and for children aged between 12 and 18 from €200 to €230; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28586/16]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

301. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reintroduce the phone allowance in the upcoming budget in view of the high reliance our senior citizens place on their personal alarms and given that a landline is a requirement for an alarm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28605/16]

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Michael Healy-Rae

302. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection his views on matters concerning post offices (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28615/16]

One-Parent Family Payment

Maureen O'Sullivan

303. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is satisfied that waiting periods for persons seeking the lone parent benefit are satisfactory; and his views on whether a review of the waiting period is needed (details supplied). [28625/16]

Unemployment Levels

Maureen O'Sullivan

304. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current number of unemployed young people aged 18-24 years in Dublin, with a breakdown by the various areas of Dublin. [28626/16]

Social Welfare Benefits

Maureen O'Sullivan

305. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to reintroduce the telephone allowance; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons, particularity the elderly, were reliant on this allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28627/16]

Carer's Benefit Applications

Charlie McConalogue

306. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for carer's benefit can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28650/16]

Back to Education Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

307. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position with regard to a back to education allowance application for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/16]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Willie Penrose

308. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28723/16]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie Penrose

309. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in respect of an application for disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28724/16]