Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Payments Administration

Pat the Cope Gallagher

314. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps he will take to compensate social protection recipients who receive sterling payments with top-up payments from his Department in view of the decline in sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19684/16]

Credit Availability

Willie Penrose

315. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will extend the pilot microfinance scheme, which was launched in November 2015 and operated by 30 credit unions, to the other 300 credit unions given its widespread success and satisfaction rate; if he will extend it to social protection customers, not just those who get paid in cash, and to persons and families on low incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19690/16]

Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility

Charlie McConalogue

316. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring means testing rules to pre-budget 2012 levels under the farm assist scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19699/16]

Rural Social Scheme Expenditure

Charlie McConalogue

317. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of restoring the rural social scheme to 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 4,500, 5,000, 5,500 and 6,000 places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19700/16]

Carer's Allowance Data

Thomas P. Broughan

318. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications his Department has received under the carer's allowance scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2016 to date; the number of these it has approved and refused; and the number that are pending. [19727/16]

Farm Assist Scheme Administration

Niamh Smyth

319. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will reverse the cuts the previous Government imposed on persons under the farm assist scheme as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/16]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Eoin Ó Broin

320. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the figures on increases under the housing assistance programme taking effect from 1 July 2016 by county, in tabular form; the guidance he will issue to community welfare officers; and the criteria that will need to be satisfied, in view of his plans to regularise informal top-up payments to landlords. [19790/16]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Mattie McGrath

321. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide the waiting times experienced by those applying for domiciliary care allowance in 2015 and in 2016 to date; the number of applicants for the allowance over the past three years by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19814/16]

Departmental Staff Data

David Cullinane

322. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of new public sector workers in his Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the Department in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings in payroll and pensions accrued in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20154/16]

Northern Ireland

Micheál Martin

323. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the areas within the Belfast Agreement and subsequent agreements raised by him in discussions with the British Prime Minister or the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the basis of a concern that implementation is incomplete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17907/16]

Ukrainian Conflict

Micheál Martin

324. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail any bilateral contacts or lobbying that he has received concerning the issue of the European Council's imposition of sanctions following the Russian Federation's invasion and partition of Ukrainian territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17908/16]

Northern Ireland

Micheál Martin

325. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent report on the Loughinisland massacre that confirmed there was police collusion. [19368/16]

Northern Ireland

Micheál Martin

326. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the report on the massacre in Loughinisland with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron. [19369/16]

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings

Micheál Martin

327. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding the most recent response to an independent inquiry into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. [19370/16]

Middle East Issues

Gino Kenny

328. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the increase in the number of Palestinian children arrested by Israeli security forces in the past year; the number of these children who were arrested without their parents being informed; and his views on the use of unnecessary force in arresting and detaining these children, in some cases beating them and holding them in unsafe and abusive conditions. [19426/16]

Ministerial Meetings

Micheál Martin

329. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met representatives of Campaign to Raise Awareness of Collusion, CRAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19064/16]

Northern Ireland

Micheál Martin

330. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to reach agreement on measures to address victims' issues since the conclusion of the agreement called A Fresh Start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19065/16]

Departmental Funding

Micheál Martin

331. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total funding allocated to the Reconciliation Fund per annum from 2011 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/16]

Passport Applications Data

Thomas P. Broughan

332. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications by United Kingdom citizens currently being processed; the extra resources he will be deploy to the Passport Office to deal with the increased demand following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19187/16]

Departmental Data

Thomas P. Broughan

333. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish citizens currently working in the United Kingdom, indicated by area in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19188/16]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

334. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on growing calls for the independence of West Papua, especially given increasing and alarming human rights violations there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/16]

Departmental Reports

Maureen O'Sullivan

335. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the report on human rights and business. [19234/16]

International Agreements

Maureen O'Sullivan

336. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on recognising the sovereign state of Somaliland which has celebrated 25 years of independence and democracy; and if he will support an allocation through the European Development Fund to Somaliland for the Addis-Berbera corridor. [19235/16]

Human Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

337. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position on the very dangerous situation of the Baha'is in Iran, especially given the unprecedented number of anti-Baha'is comments in official news media and Government sponsored website releases with some referring to the Bah'ai as the enemy and a polluted sect. [19236/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Maureen O'Sullivan

338. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the threats of violence against ASTRACATOL, Farmers Union, in Columbia by state-sponsored groups; and if he agrees that while the international community is praising the peace process between the government and FARC there also needs to be more scrutiny of human rights violations in the country, particularly against farmers and trade unions. [19237/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Maureen O'Sullivan

339. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the report, Taking Sides: The United Nations loss of impartiality, independence and neutrality in Syria, and its findings of how the United Nations' response to the crisis is completely inadequate; and if Syria and other crisis regions such as Palestine indicate that the United Nations has limited influence in war zones. [19238/16]

EU Migration Crisis

Maureen O'Sullivan

340. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to address the concerns that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is ill-equipped to deal with the refugee situation in Greece; and if there should be a stronger role for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs funding to be directed to smaller groups working directly with the refugees and also funding to be redirected to the Greek authorities whose health service and economy are under massive pressure because of the additional pressures on their services. [19239/16]

Northern Ireland

Declan Breathnach

341. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met the Truth and Reconciliation Platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19359/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Declan Breathnach

342. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of personnel in his Department currently based in the Northern Ireland section; his plans to expand that section in light of the Brexit referendum result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19500/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Declan Breathnach

343. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of personnel in his Department currently based in the Irish embassy in London broken down by section; his plans to expand that section in light of the Brexit referendum result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Declan Breathnach

344. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of personnel in his Department focused specifically on dealing with the implications of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19502/16]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

345. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received by the passport office in the past six months to date; the number of passport applications received from residents in Britain and Northern Ireland in the same period; the number of passport applications received from residents in Britain and Northern Ireland since 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/16]

Departmental Records

Niamh Smyth

346. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff employed in his Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; his plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archives Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19617/16]

Sustainable Development Goals

Darragh O'Brien

347. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of progress made with establishing an institutional framework for implementation and reporting with regard to the sustainable development goals in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. [19658/16]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

348. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of passport applications per annum from 2010 to 2015 and 2016 to date, in tabular form. [19659/16]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

349. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications for Irish passports from the United Kingdom per annum from 2010 to 2016 to date in tabular form. [19660/16]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

350. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of applications for Irish passports from the United Kingdom per month in 2016 to date in tabular form. [19661/16]

Good Friday Agreement

Darragh O'Brien

351. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the implementation of the recommendations to tackle paramilitarism given by the independent paramilitary panel in June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19662/16]

Trade Missions Data

Darragh O'Brien

352. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of joint trade missions between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland undertaken to date; the number planned for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19663/16]

Ministerial Meetings

Darragh O'Brien

353. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on any ministerial level meetings held since the Fresh Start Agreement with regard to the north west development funds; the total allocation of finance towards the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19664/16]

Passport Services

Darragh O'Brien

354. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total peak number of staff employed by the passport service per annum from 2010 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19665/16]

Passport Applications Data

Darragh O'Brien

355. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the average turnaround time of passports in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19666/16]

EU Issues

Bernard Durkan

356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues have attempted to examine the consequences of an erosion of the founding principles of the European Union; if he can use his influence on the European Council with a view to a restoration of a vision for the European Union in line with that set out by the founding fathers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/16]

EU Issues

Bernard Durkan

357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which to which he and his European Union colleagues recognise the need to reaffirm a commitment to the European Union ideal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19764/16]

UN Guiding Principles

Bernard Durkan

358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, through the European Union or directly in the context of wider global consultations, can influence a review of the strength, the role and respect for the United Nations with particular reference to the need to meet ongoing challenges caused by war, strife and genocide and the need to establish safe havens for refugees and an orderly method of processing their respective situations; if any study has been done to identify the restoration of an increased role for the United Nations in the Middle East and other trouble spots globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19765/16]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Bernard Durkan

359. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which access to humanitarian aid remains available to those affected by war, persecution or starvation throughout the known trouble spots globally; if he sees requirements for improvements to ensure victims' safety and that aid goes unimpeded to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19766/16]

EU Issues

Bernard Durkan

360. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is time for the European Union to set up a particular structure to address the issue of euroscepticism with particular reference to the urgent need to address the sometimes exaggerated claims which if allowed to go unanswered will undermine and destroy the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19767/16]

EU Issues

Bernard Durkan

361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the concept of each member state within the Union expecting to increasingly impose its national agenda on the European Union's institutions can be addressed; if any steps are being taken to identify and re-affirm an agenda that applies to all in an inclusive and supportive format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19768/16]

EU Enlargement

Bernard Durkan

362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the western Balkans continue to observe the acquis communautaire in line with movement towards European Union membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19769/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Bernard Durkan

363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community can improve support for the victims of the war in Syria; if new initiatives are required to protect civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19770/16]

EU Migration Crisis

Bernard Durkan

364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the refugee crisis continues to be monitored at European Union and United Nations level with a view to identifying a reliable means of ensuring the safety of the victims of war and strife at all trouble spots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19771/16]

Human Rights Cases

Bernard Durkan

365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he continues to liaise with the Egyptian authorities with a view to achieving the release of a person (details supplied) an Irish citizen who is still awaiting a trial which has been postponed on numerous occasions; if he expects any developments in the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19772/16]

Humanitarian Aid Provision

Bernard Durkan

366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of locations globally to which Irish Aid has been in a position to deliver humanitarian assistance in the course of the past five years; the extent to which difficulties have been experienced in specific locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19773/16]

Foreign Conflicts

Bernard Durkan

367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he, in conjunction with his European Union colleagues, can continue to combat the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19774/16]

Trade Relations

Bernard Durkan

368. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new trading links can be established globally; the extent to which he expects that this country can benefit from such developments in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/16]

Ukrainian Conflict

Bernard Durkan

369. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in the Ukraine continues to feature in discussions at European Union level with particular reference to the need to maximise efforts for a lasting ceasefire and peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19776/16]

Departmental Staff Data

David Cullinane

370. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of additional public sector staff hired in his Department over and above those who had retired or left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20144/16]

Departmental Staff Data

David Cullinane

371. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new public sector workers in his Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the Department in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings in payroll and pensions accrued, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Micheál Martin

372. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of his Department's assessment of the impact Brexit will have on PEACE funds to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19067/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

373. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expected situation that will apply following the Brexit decision to already approved projects under the INTERREG VA and other European-funded or part-funded programmes; and the likely situation that will apply to applications already in the pipeline. [19436/16]

Garda Station Closures

Eugene Murphy

374. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the ownership status of seven Garda stations which are currently closed in the Roscommon/Galway constituency (details supplied); and if any or all of these seven closed Garda stations are still in State ownership or if any of them have already been sold. [19654/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Pat the Cope Gallagher

375. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provision he is making to ensure that European funding such as INTERREG is maintained on a cross-Border basis, post-Brexit, as all Border counties depend greatly on such funds for development, social inclusion and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Pat the Cope Gallagher

376. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provision he is making to ensure that European Union funding such as INTERREG is maintained on a cross-Border basis post the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, given that all Border counties depend greatly on such funds for development, social inclusion and community development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19740/16]

Institutes of Technology

Thomas Byrne

377. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason there is no borrowing framework in place for institutes of technology, as there is for universities (details supplied); if he will outline the barriers that he considers exist to putting in place such a framework to enable institutes of technology to borrow independently. [19106/16]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Joe Carey

378. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 560 of 31 May 2016 and to comments made by him at a presentation to the Joint Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform on 22 June 2016 (details supplied), if he will clarify the position relating to the Ennis south flood relief scheme, County Clare; if it will be proceeding to tender and construction phase in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/16]

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Pearse Doherty

379. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the south Ennis flood relief scheme will commence; to provide the technical issues delaying the scheme; the new anticipated date for finishing the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19254/16]

Garda Station Closures

Niall Collins

380. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an application by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19318/16]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Niall Collins

381. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if special public service competitions for persons with disabilities and alternative recruitment channels have been put in place in order to reach the target for the employment of 6% of persons with disabilities; if such mechanisms have not been put in place, the expected time frame by which it is expected alternative recruitment channels will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19384/16]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Niall Collins

382. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role of the Public Appointments Service in employing persons with a disability in the public sector; if the service monitors the implementation and progress of the target across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19385/16]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

383. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if recruitment to the Office of the Ombudsman is done on an open basis or is restricted to existing civil servants. [19401/16]

Ombudsman's Remit

Róisín Shortall

384. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consequences or penalties that apply, if any, for senior officials following an adverse finding of the Office of the Ombudsman. [19402/16]

Pension Levy

David Cullinane

385. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of combining the public service pension reduction amendments due in 2017 and 2018 to be rolled into one payment in 2017 for all those on a gross pension income band on or below €32,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/16]

Departmental Staff Data

David Cullinane

386. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of new public sector workers in his Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the service in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings on payroll and pensions accrued, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19512/16]

Departmental Staff Data

David Cullinane

387. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of additional public sector staff hired in his Department, over and above those who had retired or who left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date and by Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/16]

Haddington Road Agreement Implementation

David Cullinane

388. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of changes to increment bands agreed as part of the Haddington Road agreement for all those who entered the public and Civil Service from 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19514/16]

Haddington Road Agreement Implementation

David Cullinane

389. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of changes to new entrant pay introduced on 1 January 2011, including changes made in the Haddington Road agreement for the years 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Griffin

390. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the status of the schedule of works for a location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Griffin

391. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the status of the schedule of works for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/16]

Drainage Schemes Status

Brendan Griffin

392. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the status of the schedule of works for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19544/16]

Departmental Records

Niamh Smyth

393. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out in tabular form the number of staff employed in his Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; his plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archive Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19621/16]

Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision

Billy Kelleher

394. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 8 June 2016 whether he will reconsider the case for these persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19633/16]

Departmental Staff Retirements

Éamon Ó Cuív

395. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the number of civil servants who retired at 65 years of age in 2015; the number of these who had full service; the number who had between 35 and 40 years service; the number who had between 30 and 35 years service; the number who had between 25 and 30 years service; and those with less than 25 years service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19710/16]

Departmental Staff Retirements

Éamon Ó Cuív

396. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform why civil servants with less than 40 years service at 65 years of age are not allowed to keep working until they reach either 40 years service or 70 years of age with the obligation to retire when whichever of these occurs first; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19712/16]

Social Partnership Meetings

Brendan Howlin

397. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his plans to establish a process of dialogue with the social partners. [15847/16]

Social Partnership Meetings

Brendan Howlin

398. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his plans to establish a process of dialogue with the social partners. [17134/16]

Waterways Ireland

Peter Burke

399. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out the status of the restoration of the dry dock facilities at Mullingar Harbour (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19240/16]

Waterways Ireland

Peter Burke

400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to consider the restoration of the Longford branch of the Royal Canal considering the wider economic, social and community benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19245/16]

Arts Centres

Niall Collins

401. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out the funding she will provide to assist the development and operations of a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19230/16]

Wildlife Protection

Brian Stanley

402. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out the status of the two sets of regulations referred to in sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the Heritage Bill 2016 relating to burning and hedgerows; whether these regulations are complete given the Government has now re-initiated this Bill; if they are completed, to identify the persons who have been consulted; when they will be available for review to the Oireachtas and consultation with the public concerned; if they are not ready, when they will be ready, who will be consulted on them and when; the basis on which she considers the Oireachtas can advance this Bill in the absence of any sight of the regulations, given what they provide for; when the next stage of the Bill will be and when it will come before Seanad Éireann; her views on the concern of the wider public, as evidenced by a petition of some 18,000 persons opposed to the changes she is introducing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19285/16]

Wildlife Protection

Catherine Murphy

403. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out the status of the two sets of regulations referred to in sections 8(1) and 8(2) of the Heritage Bill 2016 relating to burning and hedgerows; whether these regulations are complete given the Government has now re-initiated this Bill; if they are completed, to identify the persons who have been consulted; when they will be available for review to the Oireachtas and consultation with the public concerned; if they are not ready, when they will be ready, who will be consulted on them and when; when the next stage of the Bill will be and when it will come before Seanad Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19303/16]

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

Jackie Cahill

404. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the committee for a centre (details supplied) can apply for funding as the building is in disrepair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19393/16]

Leader Programmes Funding

Pat Buckley

405. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline her views on the 70% cut to funding for Leader Cork county scheme; if she will commit to restoring funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19605/16]

Departmental Records

Niamh Smyth

406. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out in tabular form the number of staff employed in her Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; her plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archive Acts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19610/16]

National Archives

Niamh Smyth

407. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out the status of the implementation of changes to the National Archive Act 1986 to reduce the 30 year holding period to 20 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19625/16]

Departmental Records

Niamh Smyth

408. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to set out in tabular form the number of staff employed in the National Archives in each of the years 2010 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19626/16]

Wildlife Protection

Catherine Murphy

409. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to detail all occasions since the introduction of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 when section 40(3) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended, has been invoked and to what effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19667/16]

Leader Programmes Funding

Peter Burke

410. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he will finalise the local development strategy for County Longford in order that Leader 2020 funding can be provided to many deserving projects in the county; and if he will expedite this process. [19780/16]

Heritage Sites

Willie Penrose

411. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the status of progress concerning the designation of The Hill of Uisneach in Killare, County Westmeath as a United Nations educational scientific and cultural organisation world heritage Site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19785/16]

Arts Funding

Joan Burton

412. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will commit to the long-term goal of increasing arts funding to the European average of 0.6 % of gross domestic product. [19816/16]

Gaeltacht Policy

Joan Burton

413. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide extra funding to Irish-speaking Gaeltacht areas to encourage greater use of the language and better economic prospects for those living in Gaeltacht areas. [19819/16]