Parliamentary questions

Asylum Applications

Catherine Connolly

274. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications in the single procedure application system under the International Protection Act 2015; the number of applications that have been processed within the six month target; the waiting times experienced by those persons beyond six months; the length of time to process such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3928/18]

Asylum Applications

Catherine Connolly

275. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons awaiting decisions on asylum applications that applied before the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 came into force; the length of time those persons have been waiting; the length of time to process such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3929/18]

Asylum Applications

Catherine Connolly

276. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the International Protection Office has adequate resources to fulfil its obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3930/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

277. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the recourse available to a person awaiting a decision from the International Protection Office for longer than nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3931/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

281. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if asylum seekers may enter employment if the value of the offer is less than €30,000 per annum; if not, the threshold at which asylum seekers may enter employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4035/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if asylum seekers will be excluded from the job categories that exist under the Employment Permits Act 2003 and relevant regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4036/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

283. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria that will apply to grant permission to asylum seekers to enter self-employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4037/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

284. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the protections that will be introduced to ensure asylum seekers are protected from exploitation incorrectly categorised as self-employed in view of the vulnerable position of many asylum applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4038/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

285. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that €21.60 per week respects the dignity of asylum seekers as required under the reception directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4039/18]

Asylum Support Services

Catherine Connolly

286. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the analysis that has been conducted to evaluate the range and extent of changes needed to ensure Ireland complies with the reception directive; if a copy of such analysis will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4040/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Catherine Connolly

422. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 26 September 2017, the status of the completion of the pre-planning survey of the proposed primary care centre for the west of Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Catherine Connolly

423. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the range of ultrasound services available at the primary care centre in Doughiska, Galway; the number of persons over 65 years of age referred by general practitioners to the service for each month since May 2017 and to date in 2018; the waiting time from the date of referral to the ultrasound; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4250/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Catherine Connolly

424. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons over 65 years of age who have received ultrasound services at the primary care centre in Doughiska, Galway, since the service began to date, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4251/18]

Departmental Contracts Data

Catherine Connolly

425. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the initial contract was signed with a company (details supplied); the nature, duration and value of the contract; the moneys received by the company to date; the number of persons seen by the company; the business case in respect of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4252/18]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Catherine Connolly

426. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the arrangement or contract between the HSE and a company (details supplied) in respect of the delivery of the ultrasound service in Galway city and county; the duration and value of the contract and the amount of moneys received by the company to date; the number of persons seen by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4253/18]

Primary Care Centres Data

Catherine Connolly

427. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the adult psychology service at the primary care centre in Doughiska, Galway; the number and age of persons seen; the number of staff and the agency providing the service; the origin of referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/18]

Primary Care Centres Data

Catherine Connolly

428. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the counselling in primary care service at the primary care centre in Doughiska, Galway; the number and age of persons seen; the number of staff and the agency providing the service; the origin of referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4255/18]

Hospital Procedures

Catherine Connolly

441. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, of 23 November 2017, if consideration has been given to the suspension of the use of transvaginal mesh while the report of the Chief Medial Officer is awaiting completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/18]

Hospital Procedures

Catherine Connolly

442. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, of 23 November, 2017, when the report of the chief medical officer in relation to transvaginal mesh implants will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4405/18]

Health Services

Catherine Connolly

443. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 165 to 167, inclusive, of 23 November 2017, if translabial ultrasound is available to persons suffering complications relating to the use of transvaginal mesh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4406/18]

River Basin Management Plans

Catherine Connolly

637. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of submissions received in relation to the river basin management plan; if a submission was received from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4394/18]

Middle East Issues

Catherine Connolly

22. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when Ireland will officially recognise the state of Palestine; the reason for the delay in doing so in view of the unanimous passing of a motion by Dáil Éireann on 10 December 2014 requesting the Government to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3651/18]

Syrian Conflict

Catherine Connolly

31. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact which has been made with the UN regarding the attacks on 9 January 2018 by Israeli missiles on Syrian army positions near Damascus (details supplied); if he has requested the UN Security Council to investigate these breaches of international peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3365/18]

EU Directives

Catherine Connolly

144. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the reason registered chiropractors have not been included in the European Union Basic Safety Standards For Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation Regulations 2018; his plans to amend the regulations to include members of that profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3813/18]

EU Directives

Catherine Connolly

145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to the amended European Union Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Dangers Arising from Medical Exposure to Ionising Radiation Regulations 2018 as suggested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3814/18]

Overseas Missions

Catherine Connolly

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether the Irish peacekeeping contingent serving with UNDOF should be withdrawn (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/18]

Foreign Policy

Catherine Connolly

69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Israel's decision to blacklist an organisation (details supplied) and to block the group's membership from entering the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3652/18]

Courts Service

Catherine Connolly

96. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on complaints made to the European Commission in relation to a systematic problem in the application of EU law on the Unfair Contract Terms Directive in mortgage possession proceedings in Irish courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3600/18]

Ambulance Service

Catherine Connolly

116. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the action being taken in relation to the inadequate ambulance service in Connemara, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3590/18]

Ambulance Service Provision

Catherine Connolly

117. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an event involving a person (details supplied); his views on the matter; the nature and details of an investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3591/18]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Catherine Connolly

150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the possible closure of a service (details supplied); if so, the plans that have been put in place to streamline the service and to ensure that the service continues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3555/18]

Local Authority Housing Data

Catherine Connolly

179. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties acquired under the relevant legislation, including the Housing Act 1966 and the Derelict Sites Act 1990, in each of the past five years, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3549/18]

Údarás na Gaeltachta Properties

Catherine Connolly

74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the empty buildings held by Údarás na Gaeltachta. [3088/18]

Scéimeanna Teanga

Catherine Connolly

77. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn do Bhliain na Gaeilge. [3085/18]

Limistéir Pleanála Teanga

Catherine Connolly

92. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú maidir leis na 26 limistéar pleanála teanga/pobail ó thaobh stádas na bpleananna teanga sna limistéir éagsúla. [3084/18]

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Catherine Connolly

96. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí léiriú ar an dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh na gcuspóirí atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge. [3087/18]

Limistéir Pleanála Teanga

Catherine Connolly

109. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é stádas an phróisis maidir leis an aitheantas atá tugtha do Ghaillimh mar bhaile séirbhíse Gaeltachta. [3086/18]

Departmental Legal Cases Data

Catherine Connolly

192. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of complaints and judicial review cases, respectively, taken on by his Department relating to allegations of unfair and or unlawful public procurement procedures for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3463/18]

Departmental Legal Cases

Catherine Connolly

193. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of judicial review cases not taken due to the practice by Departments to seek security for costs, thus preventing a judicial review of possible unfair and-or unlawful public procurement procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3464/18]

Emergency Departments

Catherine Connolly

370. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the extent to which each of the recommendations of the emergency department task force report has been implemented, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2951/18]

Community Services Programme

Catherine Connolly

547. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of community services resource centre programme applications received; when it is expected a decision will be made; the decision making process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2914/18]

Community Services Programme

Catherine Connolly

548. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications received from Galway city and county in relation to the community services resource centre programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2915/18]

Foreshore Licence Applications

Catherine Connolly

671. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the names and relevant expertise of each member of the marine licence vetting committee involved in both the statutory appropriate assessment screening and the statutory environmental impact assessment screening on a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3430/18]

Social Welfare Payments Waiting Times

Catherine Connolly

5. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the average waiting time for decisions on carer's allowance and domiciliary care allowance payments; the number of persons awaiting decisions on such payments, including the length of time involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2133/18]

Exceptional Needs Payment Data

Catherine Connolly

11. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for exceptional needs payments received in 2015, 2016 and 2017; the number granted; the number refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2048/18]

Social Welfare Benefits Data

Catherine Connolly

40. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of invalidity pension and disability allowance applications received in 2015, 2016 and 2017; the number of refusals at first instance; the number granted on appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2047/18]

Crime Data

Catherine Connolly

88. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken by An Garda Síochána to enable the resumption of publication by the CSO of quarterly crime statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2197/18]

Crime Data

Catherine Connolly

89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which each of the six recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate report on crime investigation 2014 directly related to the compilation of crime statistics has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2198/18]

Road Projects Status

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision is expected on the application received from Galway County Council in regard to funding for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1791/18]

Dormant Accounts Fund

Catherine Connolly

77. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the recommendation that credit unions be brought under the aegis of the Dormant Accounts Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/18]

Defence Forces Funding

Catherine Connolly

122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a copy of the PESCO agreement, ancillary documentation and documents relevant to the primary agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54996/17]

Aitheantas Scoileanna

Catherine Connolly

378. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir leis an aighneacht atá curtha faoina bhráid ag Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin (GRETB) ag lorg aitheantas do Choláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meáin, céard é stádas na haighneachta sin; go háirithe, an bhfuil cinneadh déanta ina taobh; mura bhfuil cinneadh déanta, cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55054/17]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Catherine Connolly

457. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 204 of 27 June 2017, 224 of 20 September 2017 and 51 of 25 October 2017, when the eligibility review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1932/18]

Domestic Violence Policy

Catherine Connolly

559. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for ratification of the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1045/18]

Prisoner Data

Catherine Connolly

609. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons serving life sentences for crimes they committed while under 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1989/18]

Disability Support Services Provision

Catherine Connolly

822. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the days and hours on which the early intervention team and the school age teams use a building (details supplied); the number of children involved in each programme; the staff complement for each of the programmes; the nature of the services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54962/17]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

1064. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, if the repair works on the operating theatres at Merlin Park University Hospital have been completed; if so, the date on which the works were completed; if not, the reason therefor; the date on which it is expected that the works will be completed; if the operating theatres are operational; if so, the date on which they opened; if not, the reason therefor; when it is expected that they will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/18]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

1065. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, the number of appointments that have been postponed, cancelled or transferred to another location due to the closure of the theatres in Merlin Park University Hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/18]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

1066. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 777 of 7 November 2017, if all persons whose appointments have been postponed or cancelled or transferred to another location have been contacted by the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/18]

Greenways Provision

Catherine Connolly

1391. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget provided to roll out the Galway to Clifden greenway project; the amount that has been drawn down and spent at year end 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55061/17]

Greenways Provision

Catherine Connolly

1392. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Galway to Clifden greenway project started; the anticipated completion date; if a specific team has been allocated to this project; if so, the number of staff and the role of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55062/17]

Greenways Provision

Catherine Connolly

1393. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the works completed to date on the Galway to Clifden greenway; the works under way to date; the works projected for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55063/17]

Greenways Provision

Catherine Connolly

1394. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a further consultation process in relation to the Galway to Clifden greenway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55064/17]

Foreshore Licence Applications

Catherine Connolly

1732. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 21 November 2017, the names and qualifications of all persons involved in the decision making process at the statutory screening stage of the environmental impact assessment relating to the foreshore licence application for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54790/17]

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Catherine Connolly

1845. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an aighneacht atá curtha faoina bhráid ag eagraíochtaí éagsúla, lena n-áirítear Comhar na nOileán Teo. agus Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin (GRETB), maidir le cur leis an 30 scoláireacht chónaithe do scoláirí ó cheantair lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a chuirtear ar fáil sa chóras iar-bhunoideachais ar Oileáin Árann faoi láthair; soiléiriú ar stádas na haighneachta sin; go háirithe, an bhfuil cinneadh déanta ina taobh; mura bhfuil cinneadh déanta, cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [55055/17]

Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta

Catherine Connolly

1919. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta maidir leis an mbord nua d’Údarás na Gaeltachta, an bhfuil na comhaltaí nua ainmnithe aici go fóill; má tá, cé hiad na comhaltaí nua; mura bhfuil, cén dáta a dhéanfar cinneadh maidir leis na comhaltaí nua; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [55053/17]

Commencement of Legislation

Catherine Connolly

335. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health when the provisions of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 will be made fully applicable to all counsellors including abortion counsellors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53592/17]

Commencement of Legislation

Catherine Connolly

336. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the two-year transition period which has applied to other professions under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 will apply to counsellors; his plans to shorten or eliminate this transition period on the grounds of urgency or on other grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53593/17]

Foreign Conflicts

Catherine Connolly

71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts being made to encourage the international community to take action against the Government of Myanmar in view of the recent escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53376/17]

Departmental Agencies Data

Catherine Connolly

124. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the divisions and agencies under the remit of his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53333/17]

Departmental Operations

Catherine Connolly

125. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deep dives, including the date, agency and division, undertaken by his Department pursuant to the Toland report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53334/17]

Departmental Communications

Catherine Connolly

126. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the communications protocol governing communications between his Department and An Garda Síochána will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53335/17]

Garda Reform

Catherine Connolly

127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all Garda reform programmes; the extent to which each has been rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53336/17]

Departmental Communications

Catherine Connolly

128. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps being taken to improve departmental oversight of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53337/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

237. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if it is the sponsor or supervisor that has responsibility for the implementation for the daily running of community employment schemes, including the new welfare partners website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53277/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

238. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional training provided to sponsors, community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors in respect of the new welfare partners website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53278/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

239. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the additional training provided to sponsors, community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors in respect of additional responsibilities such as being responsible for and ascertaining the way in which coaching and mentoring takes place and providing evidence to their community development officer of this being done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53279/17]

Community Employment Schemes Review

Catherine Connolly

240. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reviews undertaken regarding the community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53280/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to issues in relation to the helpline for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53281/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to restore annual leave for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors to 21 days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53282/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

243. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address ongoing issues in respect of pension schemes for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53283/17]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Catherine Connolly

244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding contracts of indefinite duration for community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53284/17]

Defence Forces Remuneration

Catherine Connolly

51. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to reduce the number of persons in the Defence Forces in receipt of the family income supplement and other welfare supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52906/17]

Naval Service Vessels

Catherine Connolly

53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the business case put forward in favour of the purchase by the Naval Service of three new ships, with a fourth ship on order at a cost of approximately €500,000,000 as against the refurbishment of LÉ Emer, LÉ Deirdre and LÉ Aisling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52905/17]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Catherine Connolly

177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the refusal by Caranua to provide funeral expenses for a person (details supplied) who was a survivor of a residential institution and following five days' testimony at the commission received a payment from the redress board in view of the fact that Caranua has amended its criteria to include funeral expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52969/17]

Garda Oversight

Catherine Connolly

207. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to specify the body responsible for investigating a complaint against the Garda Commissioner, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, and the Policing Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52632/17]

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Catherine Connolly

212. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe for ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the reason for the delay including legislative barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52683/17]

Trade Agreements

Catherine Connolly

243. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the EU-Mercosur deal; if same is being deferred pending the human rights impact assessment being part of the sustainable impact assessment expected in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53218/17]

Trade Agreements

Catherine Connolly

244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has satisfied herself that the EU-Mercosur deal adequately addresses climate change; if so, the basis for that satisfaction; the extent to which climate change has been incorporated in each chapter of the EU-Mercosur deal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53219/17]

Trade Agreements

Catherine Connolly

245. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the precautionary principle enshrined in EU law as a cornerstone of its environmental policy has been incorporated in each chapter of the EU-Mercosur deal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53220/17]

Hospital Services

Catherine Connolly

280. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of the hyperbaric oxygen therapy centre at University Hospital Galway; the location, opening times and designated person in charge thereof; the referral process of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52749/17]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Catherine Connolly

318. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if there will be a requirement for registered practitioners, under the upcoming implementation of statutory registration for the counselling and psychotherapy profession, to also be a member of a professional body or a particular professional body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52866/17]

TAMS Administration

Catherine Connolly

397. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to raise the limit for investments for the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, currently at €80,000, to allow greater scope for farmers to develop their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52997/17]

Children in Care

Catherine Connolly

229. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the recent statement by an organisation (details supplied) that vulnerable children are being left in neglectful homes until they are harmed due to the fact social workers are not using their powers properly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52490/17]

Children in Care

Catherine Connolly

230. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the recent statement by the chief executive of Tusla that supervision orders are not being used due to the fact the legislation is inadequate and does not give social workers sufficient powers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52491/17]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Catherine Connolly

33. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 25 October 2017, the number of outstanding appeals at Caranua; the length of time those appeals are outstanding; if the delay involves cases being held up by an appeals officer awaiting a decision of the High Court, cases determined and either upheld by the appeals office or referred back to Caranua for further consideration, new cases in response to which Caranua has advised the appeals office that they will not take part in the appeals process until the High Court Case or another reason; the correspondence procedure in place to notify applicants of the delays; when it is expected the backlog will be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52202/17]

University Governance

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of moneys due to NUIG in view of the confirmation given by the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Committee of Public Accounts on 6 April 2017 that the financial statements of NUIG recognised an amount of €17.5 million due from a foundation to the university at 30 September 2014 regarding capital projects in 2011, if that sum has been paid in full or in part and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52019/17]

Gender Equality

Catherine Connolly

59. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the scheme, as identified as necessary by NUIG's gender task force, to address the gender imbalance among administrative staff grades will be implemented; the reason for the delay in its implementation; the number and grade of persons tasked with its formulation and implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52018/17]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Catherine Connolly

103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 25 October 2017, if his attention has been drawn to the 2016 report of the appeals officer of Caranua; if so, the differences in the numbers of appeals granted by the former appeals officer compared with the new appeals officers; if such a difference exists, the reason therefore; his plans to review the decisions of the former appeals officer to ensure that those decisions were fair and reasonable in all circumstances; the date on which the report will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52203/17]

Prison Service

Catherine Connolly

56. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason that services available to prisoners who have served their sentence and have been released are not made available to prisoners who have been exonerated; his plans to address this imbalance; the number of exonerated persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51617/17]