Parliamentary questions

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

469. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2019 allocation for the future growth loan scheme in view of the fact that the explanatory memo to the European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 indicates that the cost will be €62 million over a five-year period. [48902/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

495. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a school (details supplied) can be included on the fibre broadband line being installed in the area; if not, the date for the roll-out of high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49294/18]

Córas Iompair Éireann

Billy Kelleher

504. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that CIÉ superannuated pensions have not increased in eight years; his views on whether this should be addressed; and if so, the way in which and when this deficiency will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48927/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

89. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding allocation to the regional skills fora in 2018 and 2019. [48795/18]

Departmental Data

Billy Kelleher

109. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of young persons aged between 15 and 29 years classified as not in employment, education or training; the percentage as a proportion of the number of unemployed; the corresponding EU average rate in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48791/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

110. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies in place for trading enterprises in the transport and haulage sector in the event of a no deal Brexit; and if she has had discussions with the EU Commission and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding flexibility in relation to state aid thresholds for trading enterprises using port facilities to transport goods to continental Europe or via the UK land bridge in such an event. [48792/18]

Brexit Issues

Billy Kelleher

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the meetings she has held with accountancy bodies regarding Brexit and its potential impact on audit and accountancy; and the number of such meetings to date. [48794/18]

Medicinal Products Availability

Billy Kelleher

133. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue in relation to Translarna; and if the HSE will reimburse Translarna for the five boys who require same. [48697/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

134. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the recent application submitted for Translarna came before the technology review committee for rare diseases. [48698/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

135. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there will be engagement with or inclusion of patient representation as part of the assessment process for Translarna. [48699/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

136. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the assessment process for orphan drugs has changed. [48700/18]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

137. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to revise the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 to allow for a different and unique rule set to specifically apply when assessing orphan drugs in view of the fact that the current assessment process for orphan drugs is not fit for purpose. [48701/18]

Jobs Protection

Billy Kelleher

316. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect jobs in Russian owned companies based here that may be threatened by increased tariffs and trade sanctions; and the discussions she has had with officials from the United States of America administration in this regard. [47880/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

347. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a full-time dedicated social worker will be appointed to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47729/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the breakdown of the multidisciplinary team for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47730/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

529. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) will be included on the fibre broadband line being installed in an area; if not, the date for the roll-out of high speed broadband for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47732/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

611. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of self-employed persons on class S PRSI contributions that will be eligible for social welfare benefits (details supplied) in 2019. [47881/18]

Banking Licence Applications

Billy Kelleher

61. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the status of the approval process for a pan-European savings platform (details supplied) to receive access to the Irish market and provide consumers with increased savings rates. [47655/18]

Personal Injury Claims

Billy Kelleher

62. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if reports (details supplied) will be clarified regarding plans to hold a referendum in a bid to override the discretion of judges in the awarding of compensation claims should no reduction in damages occur within the next two years. [47660/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

99. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 8 November 2018, the schemes that are being developed between her Department, the Directorate General for Competition and the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural Development on the development of schemes that do not fall under the general block exemption regulation; if these schemes will be operational before 29 March 2019; and if Exchequer funding will be required. [47650/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

100. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of participants on the rescue and restructuring scheme since it was established, in tabular form; and the amount drawn down to date. [47651/18]

Personal Injury Claims

Billy Kelleher

101. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest whiplash data published by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. [47652/18]

Tax Code

Billy Kelleher

102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the latest European Commission proposals for a digital sales tax; and the steps being taken to protect Irish interests. [47653/18]

Economic Competitiveness

Billy Kelleher

103. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on Ireland's continued fall in the rankings of an organisation (details supplied) for the ease of doing business across 190 economies. [47656/18]

Departmental Funding

Billy Kelleher

104. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 25 October 2018, the reason there has been such a drop in companies participating in the 2013 to 2018 scheme compared to the 2007 to 2012 programme; and if there will be a successor programme to cover the 2019 to 2023 period. [47657/18]

Retail Sector

Billy Kelleher

105. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if the new online retail scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland will be made available to Irish-owned micro-sized firms with fewer than ten employees in the retail sector in order to enhance their online presence. [47658/18]

Business Regulation

Billy Kelleher

106. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the action points made in the report Measures to Enhance Ireland's Corporate, Economic and Regulatory Framework, published in November 2017; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes, in tabular form. [47659/18]

Meat Processing Plant Inspections

Billy Kelleher

149. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with his Department's inspection system in meat factories; if the grading of cattle in the quality assurance scheme is independently validated; if the calibration of grading equipment is regularly inspected to ensure farmers are receiving the correct grades; if his Department has sufficient inspectors overseeing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47476/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

157. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 8 November 2018, the details of EU agricultural state aid rules and regulations in question; and the ceilings that apply for each regulation. [47649/18]

Broadband Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

171. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the date for the roll-out of high-speed broadband for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47523/18]

Youth Employment Initiative

Billy Kelleher

218. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the new youth employment support scheme does not provide for employer payment top-up; and the breakdown of national and EU funding in this regard. [47654/18]

Employment Data

Billy Kelleher

132. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on a wage at or below the minimum wage level by gender and age. [46378/18]

Bord na Móna

Billy Kelleher

291. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the actions she has taken to protect jobs at Bord na Móna and put supports in place for employees that will be made redundant on a voluntary basis; if she has spoken with the management of the company regarding these job losses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46517/18]

Motor Insurance Costs

Billy Kelleher

292. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the 71 action points made in the cost of insurance working group report on motor insurance published in January 2017, in which her Department or the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, had lead responsibility for implementation, in tabular form; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by original timelines committed. [46553/18]

Insurance Costs

Billy Kelleher

293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date for each of the 29 action points made in the cost of insurance working group report on the cost of employer and public liability insurance published in January 2018, in which her Department or the PIAB has lead responsibility for implementation, in tabular form; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by original timelines committed. [46554/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

337. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a review will be carried out on the request to secure independent living for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46629/18]

Springboard Programme

Billy Kelleher

84. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria for entry requirements to access Springboard+ courses; if there are courses specifically aimed at persons who are underemployed; the courses available for lifelong learning programmes; and the specific courses targeting skills shortages in sectors. [46380/18]

Skills Development

Billy Kelleher

85. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the participation rate in lifelong learning in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the EU average rate for same based on latest data in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46381/18]

National Digital Strategy

Billy Kelleher

86. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of persons in the labour force who have basic or above basic digital skills based on the latest available data; the corresponding EU average rate for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46382/18]

National Digital Strategy

Billy Kelleher

87. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of persons in employment that have basic or above basic digital skills based on the latest available data; the corresponding EU average rate in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46383/18]

Apprenticeship Data

Billy Kelleher

88. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of new consortia led apprenticeship programmes forecasted under the action plan to expand apprenticeship and traineeship in Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2020; and the numbers realised (details supplied) for these targets in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for these new consortia led apprenticeship programmes in tabular form. [46388/18]

Personal Contract Plans

Billy Kelleher

111. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recommendation (details supplied) on the state of regulation of personal contract plans, PCPs, that the consumer protection code should apply to PCPs and that PCP providers should have to check the financial capacity of consumers before offering such contracts; if not, the reason therefore; and if she or her officials have had discussions with the Department of Finance and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission regarding this recommendation. [46367/18]

IDA Ireland Site Visits

Billy Kelleher

112. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA site visits in each county in quarter 1, 2 and 3 of 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46368/18]

Brexit Supports

Billy Kelleher

113. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of meetings that have taken place to date since the formation of the working group comprising representatives from the Directorate General for Competition, her Department, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with state aid rules; the dates of all such meetings; the remaining meetings planned for 2018 and Q1 2019; the progression on new potential schemes that fall within state aid rules and their operational date; if she or Enterprise Ireland have submitted or discussed proposals in the forum requesting that the state aid ceiling under EU Regulation No. 1407/2013 be temporally adapted as a policy response to protect Irish companies and exporting businesses exposed to a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; and when such proposals were formally submitted. [46369/18]

White Collar Crime

Billy Kelleher

114. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the report, Regulatory Powers and Corporate Offences, by an organisation (details supplied); her plans to implement the recommendations of this report including the proposal to set up a corporate crime agency; the estimated impact this will have on the work of the ODCE; and if her Departmental officials met with the ODCE to discuss the matter. [46371/18]

Skills Shortages

Billy Kelleher

115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if a sectorial analysis has been carried out of skills shortages in the economy for the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 year period; the impact skills shortages are having on competitiveness levels here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46372/18]

Departmental Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of civil servants in her Department by grade who are specifically allocated to work in the economic migration policy unit (details supplied). [46373/18]

Programme for Government Initiatives

Billy Kelleher

117. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the regional job targets and unemployment rate projections under A Programme for a Partnership Government for 2020 and Enterprise 2025, by year and region; the latest figures relating to these targets; the monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place; her job targets up to 2020, by region in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46374/18]

Gender Balance

Billy Kelleher

118. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the latest female participation rate in the labour force here compared with the EU rate; if she has carried out an analysis of this area; and the actions being taken to increase the rate. [46376/18]

Economic Competitiveness

Billy Kelleher

119. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with Ireland’s rankings in the 2018 global competitiveness report published by the World Economic Forum on 17 October 2018. [46384/18]