Parliamentary questions

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

926. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a club (details supplied) is included as one of the 187 submissions to the sports capital programme deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme and that have now submitted a correct application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1194/19]

Community Services Programme Administration

Charlie McConalogue

1030. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to increase the hourly rate of funding under the community services programme administered by Pobal from €8.65 per hour to the minimum wage rate of €9.80 per hour in view of the fact that the organisations availing of the funding are finding it difficult to meet this shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1405/19]

Child Benefit Eligibility

Charlie McConalogue

1098. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to extend the payment of child benefit to include those children that have reached 18 years of age but are still in full-time secondary school education (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1287/19]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

170. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration is being given to using funds in his Department, including the Office of Public Works, to upgrade infrastructure at Rosslare Port to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country with the EU in 2019. [53640/18]

Brexit Negotiations

Charlie McConalogue

277. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recent EU-level agreement (details supplied) by both the European Council and Parliament on the tariff rate quotas that the EU will apply after Brexit in respect of a number of agricultural, fish, industrial and processed agricultural products; and if Ireland supported the position at Council level and or raised issues in this regard. [53655/18]

Brexit Negotiations

Charlie McConalogue

281. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the recent EU-level agreement (details supplied) by both European Council and Parliament on the tariff rate quotas that the EU will apply after Brexit in respect of a number of agricultural, fish, industrial and processed agricultural products; and if Ireland supported the position at Council level and or raised issues in this regard. [53654/18]

Consular Services Data

Charlie McConalogue

432. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the embassies worldwide where agricultural attachés are stationed; and the number of such attachés stationed in each such specific embassy by city and country in tabular form. [53628/18]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Charlie McConalogue

433. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments; and the timetable for implementation of this action. [53629/18]

Brexit Staff

Charlie McConalogue

434. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline and deadlines agreed for recruitment of veterinary inspectors in the event of a no-deal hard Brexit scenario by 29 March 2019; the amount of funds ring-fenced to ensure recruitment targets are met; if the advertising and promotion of these new places are planned; the budget for this; the budget allocated for the training of these new inspectors for third country trading status with the UK; and if plans for the hiring of new inspectors have been sufficiently flexible to cater for soft and no-deal scenarios. [53630/18]

Departmental Staff Data

Charlie McConalogue

435. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full- and part-time staff employed in the National Disease Control Centre and border inspection posts division by Civil Service grade; and the annual cost of this division in tabular form. [53631/18]

Veterinary Inspection Service Staff

Charlie McConalogue

436. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary officers and inspectors recruited on an annual basis since the Brexit referendum in June 2016, by new staff hires and replacement staff in the area; the number of officers who will be recruited in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53632/18]

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

437. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons enrolled in the sheep welfare scheme who have received the 85% advance payment for 2018, by county; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 85% advance payment for 2018; the number of sheep welfare recipients who have yet to receive this 85% advance payment, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53633/18]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Charlie McConalogue

438. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial allocation to each scheme in 2019 under the rural development programme in tabular form. [53634/18]

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

439. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2018 national reserve and young farmers scheme by county; the number of persons enrolled in the national reserve and young farmers scheme who have received the advance payment for 2018, by county; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 85% advance payment for 2018; the number enrolled in the national reserve and young farmers scheme who have yet to receive this 85% advance payment, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53635/18]

GLAS Data

Charlie McConalogue

440. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 payments who have received the 85% advance on the 2018 payment; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 85% portion of the 2018 payment; the number of GLAS recipients who have yet to receive the portion of payment; the details of GLAS participants who have not received the advance payment due to outstanding nutrient management plans, GLAS training or finalisation of a commonage management plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53636/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

441. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Border inspection posts here; and the amount of current and capital funding expended by his Department on each post regarding upgrading facilities in each of the years 2016 and 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [53637/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

442. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of current and capital funding expended on each Border inspection post regarding Brexit planning, including research on structures and procedures at road posts, detailed analysis of statistics and liaison with customs in each of the years 2016 and 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [53638/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

443. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rosslare Harbour has border inspection post status; his views on an application to the European Commission regarding same; and if consideration is being given to using funds in his Department to upgrade infrastructure at Rosslare Harbour to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country to the EU in 2019. [53639/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

444. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the UK Government's decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission’s draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and the President of the European Council’s confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, if his Department is preparing or considering the making of an application to the European Commission for exceptional aid under Article 219 of Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013 in order to safeguard farmers and the Irish agrifood sector against a hard no-deal Brexit and severe market disturbances; and if his Department and other Departments have had discussions with the EU Commission with regard to invoking Article 219 to date. [53641/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

445. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the UK Government's decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission's draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and President of the European Council’s confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, if his Department submitted a request formally to the Brexit preparedness group under the European Commission’s task force on Article 50 negotiations with the United Kingdom seeking mitigation funding for the agrifood and fisheries sector in order to safeguard farmers and fishermen against a no-deal hard Brexit and the UK becoming a third country; and when such proposals were formally submitted. [53642/18]

Brexit Issues

Charlie McConalogue

446. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preparations under way for a hard no-deal Brexit; the schemes being operationalised with other Departments; when these will be ready to be deployed; and when he will publish such plans. [53643/18]

Brexit Staff

Charlie McConalogue

447. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 527 of 4 December 2018 and the UK Government’s decision to defer the House of Commons vote on the European Commission’s draft withdrawal agreement with the UK and President of the European Council’s confirmation that preparedness for a no-deal scenario is being discussed, the number of sanitary and phytosanitary, SPS, and fisheries control officials who will be operational on 29 March 2019, if he does not have this information, the reason he cannot provide it; and the number of SPS staff who will be operational on 1 January 2019, 31 January 2019 and 28 February 2019. [53644/18]

Departmental Budgets

Charlie McConalogue

448. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2019 Exchequer allocation by current and capital expenditure for his Department and each body under the remit of his Department; and the corresponding 2018 allocation for each such body and Department in tabular form. [53646/18]

Departmental Budgets

Charlie McConalogue

449. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has sought permission from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to carry over unspent capital to 2019; if so, the amount sought as a carry-over; the reason this was necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53647/18]

Market Access

Charlie McConalogue

450. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of beef and sheepmeat access to China; the position regarding the outstanding certification required before final access is granted; and when these are expected to be granted. [53648/18]

Beef Industry

Charlie McConalogue

451. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no applications have been submitted to date for the establishment of beef producer organisations; the possible barriers to adoption; and the steps being taken to promote the uptake of these groups across the sector. [53649/18]

EU Regulations

Charlie McConalogue

452. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times Ireland has availed of Commission Regulation 702/2014, the agriculture block exemption regulation, in each of the years from 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [53650/18]

Live Exports

Charlie McConalogue

453. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding renewing live trade exports to Egypt; the status of the outstanding certification required before final access is granted; and when these are expected to be granted. [53651/18]

Beef Industry Irregularities

Charlie McConalogue

454. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times in each of the years from 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, that beef processing factories have been fined for breaching EU carcase trimming rules; the range of fines imposed in each year; the number of inspections by officials in each of the years from 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018 to check grading and trimming is in compliance with regulations; the names of factories fined in this period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53652/18]

Departmental Funding

Charlie McConalogue

455. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual budget allocation over the 2019 to 2021 period following the signing of a three-year strategic partnership agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme; if this is being funded exclusively by his Department; and, if not, if other Departments are providing funding. [53653/18]

Tuberculosis Eradication Programme

Charlie McConalogue

456. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to investing the additional resources necessary for the programme to attempt to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030, both in terms of the additional measures identified as necessary to achieve eradication and to reduce the costs and losses experienced by farmers who have tuberculosis breakdowns, by improving the compensation schemes available. [53656/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Charlie McConalogue

65. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband tender process; when all homes and businesses in County Donegal will have access to high-speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52785/18]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Charlie McConalogue

75. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the commitment to provide high-speed broadband to each house and business in County Donegal; the deadline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52784/18]

IDA Ireland Portfolio

Charlie McConalogue

306. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the details regarding IDA client companies (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52869/18]

Health Services Provision

Charlie McConalogue

346. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 131 of 20 September 2018, when a response will issue to an interim reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52712/18]

HSE Reports

Charlie McConalogue

388. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 3 October 2018, the status of the position of the HSE on the report of a working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52949/18]

Medicinal Products Availability

Charlie McConalogue

426. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the reason a drug (details supplied) is no longer available; when it will be made available again; if he will ensure this occurs as soon as possible in view of concerns of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53220/18]

Social and Affordable Housing

Charlie McConalogue

649. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the new affordable housing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53056/18]

Hospital Facilities

Charlie McConalogue

137. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of a ward (details supplied); if funding has been released to recruit the staff required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52584/18]

Motorised Transport Grant

Charlie McConalogue

139. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of the replacement schemes for the motorised transport scheme and the mobility allowance; when he plans to announce the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52590/18]

Renewable Heat Incentive

Charlie McConalogue

183. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the opening of the second phase of the renewable heat support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52603/18]

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Charlie McConalogue

213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of correspondence (details supplied) sent to her on carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52535/18]

Carer's Benefit Applications

Charlie McConalogue

215. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52568/18]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Review

Charlie McConalogue

227. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the status of the review of the tenant purchase scheme; if same will be published before the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52589/18]

Road Projects Status

Charlie McConalogue

16. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Bonagee link road project in County Donegal; when the project will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51949/18]

Road Projects Status

Charlie McConalogue

32. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the progress of the A5; the details of his engagement with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on this project; the funding that will be made available for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51950/18]

Teagasc Courses

Charlie McConalogue

196. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cases have been brought to his attention regarding outstanding green certificates to be issued by certification operators to persons who have successfully completed the certificate and passed in 2018; the number of such cases his attention has been drawn to date in 2018; and if he will permit persons who have successfully passed the exams in 2018 and that are still waiting on certificates to be issued by operators to be eligible to qualify and receive 2018 payments under the national reserve, young farmers scheme and BPS in view of the fact that the issuing of certificates is beyond their control. [52405/18]

Carer's Benefit Applications

Charlie McConalogue

247. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52315/18]

Invalidity Pension Payments

Charlie McConalogue

250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue on an invalidity pension for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52322/18]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Charlie McConalogue

162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 25 September 2018, the status of the refurbishment of a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51517/18]