Parliamentary questions

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Frank O'Rourke

662. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when persons (details supplied) can expect to receive a broadband upgrade, in view of the fact that the quality of service and the current connections speeds are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33056/17]

Driver Test

Frank O'Rourke

696. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the fee in instances in which the driver theory test has to be repeated a second or multiple times (details supplied); his further plans to decrease the fee for the second and each subsequent attempt at the driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32952/17]

Home Care Packages Provision

Frank O'Rourke

464. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a full review of the home care package being delivered via an approved care provider to a person (details supplied) could be carried out as a priority; if consideration will be given to an immediate transfer to a different home care agency with a commitment to delivering the service it is being paid to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31438/17]

Passport Services

Frank O'Rourke

256. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he plans to introduce to resolve the significant backlog of passport applications that has built up at the Passport Office; if he will allocate the necessary resources to help reduce this backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30203/17]

Services for People with Disabilities

Frank O'Rourke

382. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if a transport service can be provided to a person (details supplied) attending a rehabilitative training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29754/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Frank O'Rourke

188. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to avail of the European Commission’s programme under the WiFi4EU scheme to promote free Wi-Fi connectivity for EU citizens and visitors in public spaces and in particular for County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/17]

Bereavement Grant

Frank O'Rourke

203. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to the restoration of both the full or partial bereavement grant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29266/17]

Financial Services Regulation

Frank O'Rourke

259. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the regulations with regard to peer to peer lending; if there is recourse for lenders in the event of borrower default; if there is protections for borrowers in the event of default; if there is regulation of the platforms; if there is regulation of the provision of a peer to peer loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27321/17]

School Funding

Frank O'Rourke

486. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the capital shortfall relating to a school (details suppled) in Kildare north. [27148/17]

Immigration Status

Frank O'Rourke

665. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the timeframe for a decision on the legal status of a person (details supplied) of a child born here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26668/17]

Hospital Appointments Administration

Frank O'Rourke

388. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the status of surgery for a person (details supplied) in Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25275/17]

Occupational Therapy

Frank O'Rourke

431. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite access for a person (details supplied) to occupational therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/17]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Frank O'Rourke

468. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when the post of child psychologist within the primary care psychology services in Kildare north is expected to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25717/17]

Home Care Packages Provision

Frank O'Rourke

474. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his plans to review existing home care package scheme with a view to expanding delivery of the scheme beyond HSE approved providers (details supplied); the detail of the benefits persons are actually receiving from their allocated approved provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25734/17]

Dental Services Waiting Lists

Frank O'Rourke

489. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment for orthodontic services on behalf of a person (details supplied) who has been on a waiting list for more than four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25864/17]

Garda Vetting Legislation

Frank O'Rourke

102. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to facilitate transition year students who have not reached 16 years of age to secure work experience in schools in view of the restriction with Garda vetting for those under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24424/17]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Frank O'Rourke

470. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health his immediate plans to recruit the necessary occupational therapy staff to reduce the unacceptable waiting lists (details supplied); his longer term plans to provide the resources required to enable the unit to provide ongoing essential services in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24259/17]

Medicinal Products Supply

Frank O'Rourke

535. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will consider sourcing additional pharmaceutical companies for chemotherapy drugs in view of the fact that the current supplier (details supplied) which has the monopoly on the market, has been unable to provide full supplies to hospitals over the past two weeks, due to a production constraint resulting in cancer patients treatment being reduced and compromised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24712/17]

Planning Issues

Frank O'Rourke

146. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his views on whether there are significant problems with section 28(2) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 which only allows for a second extension for housing developments that commenced on site before the original planning permission expired, most of which would have been before 2012. [23705/17]

Planning Issues

Frank O'Rourke

147. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the advice which can be given to developers whose planning permission, and a section 42 extension, has expired and is awaiting section 28(2) commencement to apply for a second extension; if in the intervening period all construction work should cease until such a time as he decides to commence section 28 and the developer can apply for an extension; if such developers should reapply for planning permission; and his views on whether this is acceptable. [23706/17]

Planning Issues

Frank O'Rourke

148. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the specific amendments he plans to make to section 28(2) of the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016; and his views on whether the non-enactment of section 28(2) could have very serious consequences in delaying housing developments for which the planning permission has expired. [23707/17]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Frank O'Rourke

232. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if the long-term illness scheme will include Crohn's disease on the list of approved conditions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23510/17]

Medicinal Products Regulation

Frank O'Rourke

449. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if consideration is being given to the inclusion of Parkinson's disease as one of the medical conditions for which cannabis for medicinal use could be approved on the list of medical conditions which is being compiled by the Health Products Regulatory Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23142/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Frank O'Rourke

485. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting spinal surgery at Tallaght hospital; the number of persons by waiting list (details supplied); the average waiting time on each list; the number of persons awaiting spinal surgery at Tallaght hospital who have been referred from Naas hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/17]

Garda Recruitment

Frank O'Rourke

135. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the age limit which is imposed on persons wishing to join An Garda Síochána whereby persons must be 18 years of age but not yet 35 years of age on midnight of the closing date for the competition; if she will consider extending recruitment to older persons by bringing the age limit in line with that of the PSNI, in which the age limit stands at 42 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21131/17]

Hospital Facilities

Frank O'Rourke

276. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will consider issuing guidelines to Naas Hospital to provide free parking for persons undergoing cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/17]

School Catchment Areas

Frank O'Rourke

268. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policies pursued for school building capacity to cater for the increased demand for school places that is emerging in view of the increase in the number of housing units being developed in the towns of Maynooth, Celbridge, Kilcock and Clane, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16438/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Frank O'Rourke

269. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a letter of intent; if it has been issued to the preferred bidder for the contracts for tender in respect of a school (details supplied); when construction is scheduled to begin; the anticipated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16439/17]

Road Improvement Schemes

Frank O'Rourke

326. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to provide funding to extend the Clane ring road in County Kildare, in view of the increased number of housing units being developed in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16442/17]

Dog Licences

Frank O'Rourke

157. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will consider reviewing the legislation surrounding dog licensing with a view to exempting assistance and disability dogs from the licence fee in order to assist with the provision of such a support, as is the case with guide dogs that are exempt from licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14349/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Frank O'Rourke

113. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the inadequate resourcing of adult degenerative spine services at Tallaght and Naas hospitals; the further action being taken to address the long delays for persons awaiting spinal surgery; the action being taken to address the growing numbers on the outpatient list awaiting assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/17]

Public Procurement Contracts

Frank O'Rourke

361. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process in place for the public procurement of legal services; if the process is overseen by the Office of Government Procurement; the date from which the process was applicable; if the process applies to NAMA; if any analysis has been performed on whether the process has succeeded in reducing legal fees; if so, the outcome of such an analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11250/17]

Food Industry Exports

Frank O'Rourke

375. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the specific actions the Government and-or its agencies have taken to support the exporting food sector industry since the UK voted to leave the European Union; her views on making Naas, County Kildare, and the surrounding areas a hub for the food sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11060/17]

Broadband Service Provision

Frank O'Rourke

728. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide a breakdown of access to high-speed broadband in north Kildare, by region, since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9574/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Frank O'Rourke

213. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the letter of intent to the successful contractor for the building of a school (details supplied) will be issued; when the contracts will be signed and building works will commence; the estimated time from commencement of building works to completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8509/17]

Public Procurement Contracts

Frank O'Rourke

251. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the Local Government Management Agency, LGMA, decided to rush the execution of the framework agreement to a UK company prior to the expiration of the challenging period, especially when the LGMA was aware that at least two Irish tenderers had expressed great reservation on the legality of the procurement process in the framework agreement for the supply of library books and AV material competition; the reason for the haste, in view of the fact that the LGMA's own system, according to its tender document, would not be ready until 31 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/17]

Public Procurement Contracts

Frank O'Rourke

252. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason the Local Government Management Agency is advising participating local authorities to promptly place call off contracts under framework agreements, even if statutory judicial review proceedings have been issued, as according to regulation 8(2) of the remedies regulations, contracting authorities are prohibited to conclude any contract until such date that the court has determined the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/17]

Child Care Services Provision

Frank O'Rourke

709. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that, currently, school age child care services cannot register with Tusla but are able to avail of schemes offering funded child care to low income families and families availing of education, training and CE schemes, her plans to include non-Tusla registered services into the new affordable child care schemes; and if not, if it will be possible for school age child care services to opt-in to register with Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7459/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Frank O'Rourke

377. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of persons awaiting spinal surgery at Tallaght and Naas hospitals and the growing number of outpatients awaiting assessment; the action he is taking to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5397/17]

Housing Adaptation Grant Data

Frank O'Rourke

320. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the total allocation for housing adaption grants for Kildare County Council in each of the years 2014 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4615/17]

Rural Development Plan

Frank O'Rourke

383. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific measures that the Government will action, as part of the Government's recently announced plan for rural Ireland, in relation to rural County Kildare and the towns that will be included as part of the action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3981/17]

Home Care Packages Data

Frank O'Rourke

521. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages granted and the number of fair deal scheme applications granted for each of the years 2011 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3983/17]

Hospital Services

Frank O'Rourke

142. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the operational difficulties in relation to orthognathic surgery over the past 12 months at St. James's Hospital and the increased demand for this scarce surgical resource in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3577/17]

Garda Deployment

Frank O'Rourke

85. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in the County Kildare region on 1 January 2013 and on 1 January 2017; the proportion of the proposed additional recruits in 2017 that are likely to be assigned to the Kildare region; her proposals to increase the number of gardaí in County Kildare in view of the population increase in recent years and predicated increase in the population in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2119/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Frank O'Rourke

101. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when construction of a school (details supplied) will commence; the timeframe for the works, in view of the fact that Kildare County Council has granted planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2061/17]

Schools Building Projects Status

Frank O'Rourke

104. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will give approval for the construction of a new school (details supplied) in view of the need for a new school in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2118/17]

Tourism Policy

Frank O'Rourke

241. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policies he and his Department are pursuing to ensure that County Kildare benefits from the increase in tourist numbers occurring especially in visitors to Dublin city in view of the fact that Maynooth has secured the purple flag status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2099/17]

Garda Vetting Applications

Frank O'Rourke

118. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if Garda vetting can be done in such a way that a person with a clean record gets a card valid for a period of up to three years similar to the system used in Australia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41307/16]

Vehicle Registration

Frank O'Rourke

235. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the discrepancy between the online assessment of VRT for an imported vehicle and the actual VRT charged when the vehicle was imported (details displayed); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/16]

Commencement of Legislation

Frank O'Rourke

1058. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the reason Part 2 and Part 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act, enacted on 6 April 2015, has not yet been ratified; when they will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41778/16]