Parliamentary questions

State Claims Agency

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

437. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of years the State Claims Agency has been auditing the Defence Forces. [44987/17]

Defence Forces Deployment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

438. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces have been deployed to the Baltic states in the past year; and his plans to dispatch military personnel to the Baltic region. [44991/17]

Hospital Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

144. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who requires a bone scan cannot receive the scan due to the fact the DXA machine which carries this out in St. Vincent's Hospital is broken which means that anyone under 21 years of age cannot get the scan carried out; when this machine will be fixed; and if this person can have the required scan carried out elsewhere. [44305/17]

Defence Forces Investigations

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

29. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a commission of investigation into serious allegations of an ineffective or non-existent health and safety regime in the Air Corps will be established in view of the fact that a person (details supplied) stated in their report that the allegations made by the three whistleblowers could not be adequately dealt with in the type of informal review they were tasked with carrying out. [44083/17]

Defence Forces Personnel

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

35. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has considered the reintroduction of the fixed period promotion and service commitment scheme which were successful initiatives up to their withdrawal by his Department in 2013.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44023/17]

Defence Forces Representative Organisations

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

36. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans on aligning the Defence Forces industrial relations with that of the initial findings of the Garda Síochána working group which was recently approved by Cabinet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44021/17]

Protected Disclosures

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

38. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on a person's (details supplied) contention contained within his report on health and safety procedures at Casement Aerodrome that he lacked the powers, experience and competence to investigate the allegations made by the whistleblowers; the reason the scope of a review was so limited despite assurances made by him in Dáil Éireann that the review would adequately deal with the allegations made in the protective disclosures received by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44025/17]

Defence Forces Pensions

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

60. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the reference within Landsdowne Road Agreement No. 2 to an interdepartmental working group on the alignment of the mandatory public service retirement age with the payment of the State pension contributory; if the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform informed the Defence Forces representative associations during pay talks that, due to the unique demands of the military service with respect to early mandatory retirement ages, the Minister of the sector could provide, in appropriate circumstances, arrangements to satisfy the entitlement for the State pension contributory for those who pay PRSI class A; and the way in which he will respond to this proposal. [44022/17]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the decision to disestablish the 4th Western Brigade and the implications arising from the reduction in the number of Army brigades from three to two; if none of the three Army brigade commanders was consulted prior to the report that recommended the decision to reduce the number of Army brigades being lodged with them in 2012; and the way in which, in the five years since this decision was made, roster duties to be performed in Dublin requires the daily rotation of military units in Dundalk, Athlone and Donegal. [44024/17]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

151. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason medication pain plasters were taken off the medical card; and if they can be reinstated onto the list of items covered under the medical card. [44228/17]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

572. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a detailed breakdown of a debt her Department is seeking a person (details supplied) to repay. [43597/17]

Illness Benefit Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

581. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the social welfare entitlements for which a person (details supplied) qualifies. [43816/17]

Defence Forces Properties

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

188. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason or fault for which a building (details supplied) at Casement Aerodrome, Dublin was condemned and ordered out of bounds to all personnel; the date of condemnation; the person who signed the order condemning the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43216/17]

Military Medals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

747. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date on which the surviving veterans of the siege of Jadotville and the family members of deceased veterans will be presented with their medals; the details of the design; and the status of the medals. [42466/17]

Military Medals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

750. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date on which the surviving veterans of the siege of Jadotville and the family members of deceased veterans will be presented with their medals; and the design and status of the medals. [42212/17]

Air Corps

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

233. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of chemical risk assessments on record with the Air Corps group formation health and safety office. [42130/17]

Defence Forces Training

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

234. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if chemical health and safety training is provided to new recruits and cadets as part of their basic training; and if not, if it will be made mandatory as soon as possible. [42131/17]

Child Care Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

551. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla has agreed to the provision of a day-to-day support worker to assist with the needs of persons (details supplied). [41595/17]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

176. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no legislation forcing insurance companies to disclose claims statistics to show transparency and justify rising costs. [40820/17]

Defence Forces Reports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

547. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will waive legal privilege and publish the Chemical Exposure Report 1994-2005 in the public interest and in the interest of transparency. [40484/17]

Protected Disclosures

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

548. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has acted on the information relayed to him by a whistleblower that specifically named the Defence Forces official who allegedly ordered the destruction of health and safety documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/17]

Home Care Packages Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

377. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite extra home care hours for a person (details supplied) in order that the person can be discharged from Cherry Orchard Hospital. [39088/17]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a wheelchair for a person (details supplied). [39089/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

397. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be given a date to have open heart surgery performed in St James's Hospital. [39186/17]

Hospital Appointments Status

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

440. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given a date for orthognathic surgery to be carried out at the national dental hospital. [39436/17]

Defence Forces Properties

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

810. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dangerous chemicals such as ardrox 666 were disposed of for the Air Corps by a company that collected and disposed of all such highly toxic, corrosive and carcinogenic chemicals; and if the amount of chemicals purchased corresponds with the amount sent for safe disposal by the company engaged by the Air Corps to carry out such work in the past 20 years. [39259/17]

Defence Forces Properties

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

811. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that dangerous chemicals were over the years in a systematic fashion leeched into the soil on lands at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; if soil and or ground water samples have been taken on the 600 acre site at Baldonnel during the past 20 years; if so, the results of those tests; the action taken to prevent this practice; if decontamination of the soil occurred; and if such practice has now ended. [39260/17]

Defence Forces

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

812. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the LÉ Samuel Beckett has embarked on a trip to London to attend an arms fair (details supplied); if so, the purpose of this trip; the body funding it; the name of the person that proposed and approved the Naval Service's attendance at this event; his views on whether it is appropriate that a navy ship from a neutral country attend an international arms fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39322/17]

Commemorative Medals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

816. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the date on which commemorative medals will be issued to the surviving veterans of the siege of Jadotville and family members of those since deceased; if he will liaise with the organisers of the annual Jadotville day commemoration that will take place in Athlone, County Westmeath, on 21 October 2017 to try and ensure that the medals are presented on that day of celebration to minimise the travel and inconvenience to the elderly veterans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39680/17]

Defence Forces Properties

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

817. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the State Claims Agency has been tasked with taking health and safety risk assessments at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the date on which these assessments commenced; if they are still ongoing; the findings of these health and risk assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39834/17]

Military Exports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

4. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the licensed arms manufacturers in the State; the companies that operate licences for producing military equipment, including dual use goods that are resold to the military and civil sectors; and the type of equipment these companies produce for domestic use and for export. [37490/17]

Garda Recruitment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

596. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his Department's recruitment policy for allowing members of the transgender and LGBT communities to enlist in An Garda Síochána. [37496/17]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

750. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an application for the fair deal scheme by a person (details supplied); and if the scheme can increase the percentage that they will pay to the scheme in order to pay the retrospective debts to the nursing home. [36777/17]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

937. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will re-engage with a person (details supplied) regarding the sale of the family home. [37346/17]

Dental Services Data

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1044. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE dentists practising in Castlepollard and Delvin, County Westmeath; the number of dental surgery staff operating in Castlepollard, Delvin and Mullingar; and the number of children who have received dental treatment in each area annually in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [37643/17]

Health Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1094. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that children, including those with special needs, who have been attending the ophthalmic clinic in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, are now having to travel to Clonbrusk primary care centre, Athlone, for the same procedures; if he will confirm that it is presently not possible to reschedule these ophthalmic appointments to Mullingar hospital; and if his Department has information on the potential loss of ophthalmic doctors at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37841/17]

Health Services Provision

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1095. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on whether is it reasonable that children with special needs are expected to travel to Athlone for appointments; and his plans to increase ophthalmic services at Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar [37842/17]

Coast Guard Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1491. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes being made to the role of the Coast Guard in view of the fact that search and rescue pilots on 24-hour duty will no longer be expected to undertake inter-hospital patient transfers; the alternative procedures being put in place to provide air transport for patient transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38259/17]

Seirbhísí Iompair

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1525. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt an mbeidh na ceanglais chéanna maidir leis an dátheangachas atá ar Bhus Átha Cliath ar chuideachta (sonraí tugtha) a bhfuiltear tar éis 10% de ghnó bus na cathrach a bhronnadh uirthi. [37260/17]

Naval Service Vessels

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2080. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the efforts to procure a multi-role vessel for the Naval Service; the projected cost of acquiring this vessel; and when this vessel is due to come into service. [36890/17]

Defence Forces Retirements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2090. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe for implementing the agreement reached by PDFORRA and Defence Forces management for the discretionary extension of an additional two years service to the upper service limit of 50 years of age for members of the Defence Forces. [37479/17]

Defence Forces Retirements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2091. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to change the upper service limit of 50 years of age for privates and corporals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37480/17]

Defence Forces Allowances

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2092. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to reinstate the rent allowance scheme or to provide an equivalent allowance of €500 for members of the Defence Forces (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37481/17]

Army Barracks

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2093. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of beds in use in barracks across the State divided by temporary and standard accommodation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37482/17]

Defence Forces Retirements

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2094. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the timeframe for the implementation of the agreement that was reached in 2015 to allow an extension of the upper service limit of 50 years of age for chefs serving in the Defence Forces; and when similar arrangements will be put in place for other members of the Defence Forces presently forced to retire after 21 years service. [37483/17]

Defence Forces Allowances

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2095. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to extend the €150 flat rate expenses allowance for ceremonial uniforms to be used to service combat uniforms for members of the Defence Forces. [37484/17]

Defence Forces Properties

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2096. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the military installations owned and run by the State; the service provided by these installations; the average number of military personnel stationed in these buildings on an annual basis; the cost of recent upgrades to these structures in the past ten years; the planned upgrade or refurbishment pending on same, in tabular form [37491/17]

Defence Forces Equipment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2097. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to upgrade or replace military equipment across the three services over the next five years; the estimated cost for replacing or upgrading this equipment; and the list of countries from which this equipment is being procured. [37492/17]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2098. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's recruitment policy for allowing members of the transgender and LGBT communities to enlist in all branches of the Defence Forces. [37493/17]

Chaplaincy Services Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

2099. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount paid to the Catholic Church for the employment of chaplains in the Defence Forces in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [37494/17]