Parliamentary questions

Health Care Professionals

Róisín Shortall

1090. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the meeting he has had with representatives of the physiotherapy and physical therapy represented organisations regarding the Health and Social Care Professions (Amendment) Bill 2017; the progress he has made in advancing the Bill since Committee Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37828/17]

Health Services Funding

Róisín Shortall

1096. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an organisation's (details supplied) campaign to invest over €40 million towards community supports for persons with dementia; and if he will consider this proposal in the context of budget 2018. [37843/17]

Medicinal Products Prices

Róisín Shortall

1109. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details of the most recent agreement made with an organisation (details supplied) in respect of drug pricing; the duration of the agreement; the estimated annual savings to the State; the arrangements in respect of the funding of new medicines; the savings achieved to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37860/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38904/17]

Medicinal Products Prices

Róisín Shortall

1277. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the savings that will accrue to his Department in 2018 arising from the agreement with an organisation (details supplied); and the way in which this is accounted for in the fiscal space calculations. [38963/17]

Misuse of Drugs

Róisín Shortall

1280. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the information available to him regarding the growth in the use of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout the country; the steps which are being taken to address this problem; and the treatment available to persons using this drug. [38980/17]

Drugs-related Deaths

Róisín Shortall

1281. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of drug deaths in each of the past ten years by type of drug in each case. [38981/17]

Drug Treatment Programmes

Róisín Shortall

1282. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the way in which and the locations in which the additional €3 million allocated to drugs services is being spent in 2017. [38982/17]

Drug Treatment Programmes Funding

Róisín Shortall

1283. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the promised additional €25 million for drugs services over the next five years; and the details of the scheduling and purpose of this funding. [38983/17]

Perinatal Data

Róisín Shortall

1284. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the annual estimate of the number of babies born with foetal alcohol syndrome; and the steps which are being taken to reduce this figure. [38984/17]

General Practitioner Contracts

Róisín Shortall

1285. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in negotiating and finalising a new general practitioner contract; the timeframe to which he is working; and if he will expedite this matter in view of the need to expand the capacity of general practitioner and primary care services. [38988/17]

General Practitioner Contracts

Róisín Shortall

1286. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason he will not proceed to make arrangements for the employment of salaried general practitioners in view of the shortage of general practitioners and the need to attract back Irish-trained general practitioners who are working abroad. [38989/17]

Health Services Reform

Róisín Shortall

1287. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken in respect of the cross-party Sláintecare plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38990/17]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

1288. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the private patient stretch targets for each hospital for each of the past three years; the actual income achieved in each case; the number and percentage of private patients which this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38991/17]

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Róisín Shortall

1289. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure compliance with the terms of public hospital consultant contracts in respect of public and private work; the number of cases in each of the past ten years where the limit on private work was breached; the number and value of all financial sanctions imposed; the actual amount of moneys recouped in this regard; his views on the effectiveness of these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38992/17]

Medicinal Products Prices

Róisín Shortall

1290. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason generic manufacturers are not involved in negotiations on medicines pricing agreements; if he will give consideration to drafting a national medicines strategy in order to achieve greater cost effectiveness for the State and consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1408. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38894/17]

Waste Disposal

Róisín Shortall

1439. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has investigated the use of anaerobic digestion systems in waste disposal and energy production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37696/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1487. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38897/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1629. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38909/17]

Data Protection

Róisín Shortall

1632. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of access, the precautions in place and the personal public service data that can be accessed by a company (details supplied); the sanctions in place for breach or misuse of this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39007/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1695. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expenditure savings that are earmarked for her Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38896/17]

Affordable Childcare Scheme Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the promised assessment of the economic costing of childcare services; and the timeframe for completion of this work. [38996/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1766. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38908/17]

State Pensions

Róisín Shortall

1846. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will respond to the Citizens' Assembly recommendations regarding a mandatory pension scheme to supplement the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37819/17]

Budget 2018

Róisín Shortall

1924. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the expenditure savings that are earmarked for her Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38901/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1930. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the outcome of completing the activation process on public services cards with respect to the use of the card; if the card can be used without being activated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38976/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1931. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of non-activated public services cards that are in circulation; the steps she is taking to ensure they are in the possession of the correct person; the safeguards in place to ensure non-activated cards are not used by persons other than the correct cardholder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38977/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1932. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the terms of the contract to supply the public services card; the changes to this contract over time; the date for renewal of this contract; her plans in this regard; the company awarded this contract; the dataset provided to produce the cards; the jurisdiction in which they operate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38978/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1933. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of producing public services cards within her Department; the business case for outsourcing their production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38979/17]

Departmental Communications

Róisín Shortall

1934. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will direct her Department to ensure that all inquiry telephone numbers are freefone or lo-call for those calling her Department from mobile telephones in view of the fact that large numbers of persons on low incomes do not have a land-line service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38998/17]

Departmental Communications

Róisín Shortall

1935. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will direct her Department to ensure that all inquiry telephone numbers are freefone or lo-call; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38999/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1936. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the data set held by her Department as the public services identity or PSI; the manner in which this data is stored; if this data is stored solely by her Department or by a third party on its behalf; the number of security audits that have taken place in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39003/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1938. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the private companies which have access to data held on the public services card or wider PSI; the sanctions in place for breach or misuse of this data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39008/17]

Public Services Card

Róisín Shortall

1939. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an assurance can be given in respect of the security and confidentiality of the data held on the public services card; the legal sanctions which apply to breaches or misuse of this data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39010/17]

Shared Ownership Scheme

Róisín Shortall

2007. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the legislation in place governing the development of properties which are under shared ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37818/17]

Building Regulations Application

Róisín Shortall

2040. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied with the arrangements for supervision of erectors and installers of timber frame construction systems in view of the many faults which have been exposed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38260/17]

Building Regulations Application

Róisín Shortall

2041. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that National Standards Authority of Ireland, NSAI, renews agrément certificate 04/0198 in view of the frequency of faults found on sites; if he will direct the NSAI to delete this agrément certificate from their website and withdraw approval of the certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38261/17]

Building Regulations Application

Róisín Shortall

2042. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact of the many defects found in buildings for which the fire safety certificate was based on the specifications set out in agrément certificate 04/0198; if he will request the various building control authorities to conduct tests to ensure compliance with the certificates and pursue enforcement of the building regulations by the provider of the timber frame systems in cases in which defective works are discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/17]

Departmental Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

2071. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38905/17]

Local Authority Rates

Róisín Shortall

2074. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the collection rates for commercial rates by each local authority; the amounts collected in the last year for which figures are available in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38965/17]

Housing Provision

Róisín Shortall

2075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will introduce an older persons' housing designation for private sector housing schemes which would facilitate older persons in downsizing and would also ensure that such schemes would remain in use for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38993/17]

Housing Provision

Róisín Shortall

2076. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will give consideration to requiring a fixed percentage of housing development to be dedicated to older persons' housing in order to cater for full life cycle housing location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38994/17]

Housing Provision

Róisín Shortall

2077. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide funding and set targets for the operation of the financial contribution scheme in view of its success in the past, the popularity of the scheme with older persons and the sustainability of the freeing up of family homes in established housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38995/17]

Departmental Budgets

Róisín Shortall

2130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the expenditure savings that are earmarked for his Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38899/17]

Special Educational Needs Staff

Róisín Shortall

274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) will be losing a special needs assistant for the 2017-18 school year; if this decision can be reviewed in view of the fact that the school has been sanctioned SNA access for an additional four children since its last SNA allocation was made; his views on whether this level of allocation is sufficient to ensure the children who require assistance receive an appropriate level of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35210/17]

School Playgrounds

Róisín Shortall

279. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or a body under its aegis sets a minimum size of playing pitches that should be provided for new primary or post-primary school developments on a per pupil basis; if so, the details of same; and the minimum pitch sizes that should be retained by existing primary and post-primary schools. [35243/17]

Student Grants Data

Róisín Shortall

323. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant recipients (details supplied) each year since the 2014 to 2015 academic year. [35894/17]

Sexual Offences Data

Róisín Shortall

378. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will contribute to the funding of a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland study as has been recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36642/17]

Home Tuition Scheme Staff

Róisín Shortall

379. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that home tutors are classed as self-employed and as a result have no contract of employment, employment protections, holiday pay or access to social welfare supports; the reason for this arrangement; his views on whether the precarious employment is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36644/17]

English Language Training Organisations

Róisín Shortall

380. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the precarious working conditions of many English language teachers; the steps he plans to take to provide greater protections to these teachers with regard to access to sick and holiday pay, pay scales and payment for preparation marking professional development, maternity paternity pay and access to pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36645/17]

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Róisín Shortall

381. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the recent financial limit imposed by Caranua on claims; his views on the application of this cap retroactively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/17]

Data Retention

Róisín Shortall

443. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department will notify each of the estimated 50,000 plus persons who have been subject to a disclosure request under section 6 of the Communications (Retention of Data) Directive 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/17]

Spent Convictions Data

Róisín Shortall

450. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of convicted persons who have been eligible to avail of the provision set out at section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 since its commencement on 26 April 2016. [35093/17]

Car Theft

Róisín Shortall

499. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the penalties applying to the possession and-or use of signal blockers with the capability of interfering with and preventing a motorist locking a vehicle remotely and which have been used recently in theft from vehicles. [35603/17]

Probate Applications

Róisín Shortall

501. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality for the average waiting times for Dublin and each of the district probate registries for grants of representation and applications lodged by a solicitor, and the additional resources that have been provided to reduce these waiting times. [35645/17]

Legal Aid Service Data

Róisín Shortall

502. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons on the waiting list for free legal aid and advice, and the average waiting time by area. [35662/17]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Róisín Shortall

592. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views, especially in the context of public order, regarding home delivery of alcohol; his plans in this regard; the position regarding the difficulties in enforcing sale of alcohol legislation; if cash on delivery is within the law; if he will set out the details of Garda policy in respect of this ongoing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36638/17]

Departmental Reports

Róisín Shortall

593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to commission a second sexual abuse and violence in Ireland study; the communications he has had with other Departments from which funding for this study would be divided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/17]

Legal Services Regulation

Róisín Shortall

594. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 13 July 2017, the reforms of the legal profession he is considering ahead of the publication of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority's report; if this report will be finalised before October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/17]

Health Services Data

Róisín Shortall

688. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 392 and 397 of 27 June 2017, if he will request the HSE to provide the details requested in the initial questions in view of the fact only figures for those aged under 65 years of age were supplied in its answer as opposed to all age cohorts as was requested. [35072/17]

Parliamentary Questions

Róisín Shortall

707. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 795 and 797 of 20 June 2017, if replies will issue without further delay. [35146/17]

Departmental Reports

Róisín Shortall

1148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his Department will contribute to the funding of a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland study as has been recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/17]

Hospital Services

Róisín Shortall

1149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the theatre capacity for Cappagh hospital; his views on the utilisation of this capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36643/17]

Substance Misuse

Róisín Shortall

1150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the escalating and widespread issue of the use of crack cocaine; the data which is available to him on such usage; and the treatment response to this issue. [36647/17]

HSE Expenditure

Róisín Shortall

1151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency hired emergency department consultants in each acute public hospital in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36653/17]

Health Services Reports

Róisín Shortall

1152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has provided the promised memo to Cabinet in respect of Sláinte Care; and the position in respect of the establishment of an implementation office to give effect to the proposals in the plan. [36654/17]

HIQA Inspections

Róisín Shortall

1153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details and status of all inspection reports carried out by HIQA in respect of the implementation of each report's recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36655/17]

HSE Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

1155. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason there are so many unfilled senior management posts in CH09; and the steps he is taking to ensure these posts are filled without further delay [36669/17]

Waste Disposal Charges

Róisín Shortall

1316. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the proposed €1.5 million reduction in landfill fees offered to waste companies to offset the cost of an awareness campaign on pay by weight; the total of the reduction provided to each waste collection company in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36648/17]

Waste Disposal Charges

Róisín Shortall

1317. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to limit the fees that can be charged by waste collection companies; his plans to set minimum or maximum limits for standing charges; his further plans to set minimum or maximum limits for lift charges; his plans to stipulate the type of bins on which changes can be levied; and if customers that sign a new contract before 1 September 2017 will not experience a change in price for 12 months. [36649/17]

Waste Disposal Charges

Róisín Shortall

1318. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the system in place for calibrating and verifying the accuracy of the weight measures used on waste collection trucks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36650/17]

Departmental Funding

Róisín Shortall

1465. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will contribute to the funding of a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland study as has been recommended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36640/17]

Labour Activation Measures

Róisín Shortall

1489. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the analysis that has been carried out on the level of activity in each Intreo office in respect of the number and percentage of persons that they have interviewed in each of the past three years; the actions that have been taken on these interviews; the training and job placement rates, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35211/17]

Jobseeker's Benefit

Róisín Shortall

1520. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will issue guidelines that would allow staff members, such as classroom assistants and cleaners who work in schools but who claim social welfare over the summer holidays, to be able to resume their social welfare claim as soon as the school holidays start rather than putting them in a situation year on year that can force them to go without a payment while their claim is processing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35789/17]

State Pension (Contributory)

Róisín Shortall

1593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on the impact of the 2012 band changes to the calculation of the contributory State pension; if her attention has been drawn to reports of its disproportionate impact on women that took a break from the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36646/17]

Local Authority Functions

Róisín Shortall

1665. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to send a circular to each local authority to outline the relevant national policies relating to the promotion of breast-feeding and to encourage each local authority to support breast-feeding mothers in performing their representative duties. [36106/17]

Fire Safety Regulations

Róisín Shortall

1697. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the terms of reference for the fire safety review that he ordered after the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower; if he will widen the remit of this review to include compliance with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36489/17]

Fire Safety Regulations

Róisín Shortall

1698. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the action he will take to address the serious problem of structural fire safety defects in a number of timberframe estates here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of fires in timberframe estates have spread rapidly posing a serious risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36490/17]

Fire Safety Regulations

Róisín Shortall

1699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that a structural fire safety audit of social housing stock is carried out to ensure compliance with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/17]

Building Regulations Compliance

Róisín Shortall

1700. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will review the role of the National Standards Authority of Ireland in regulating the Irish Agrément Board's approval of timberframe constructions systems which have not been adhered to in a number of developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36492/17]

Building Regulations Compliance

Róisín Shortall

1701. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will implement section 4.8.2 of the Timber Frame Housing Construction Report published in December 2003 by his Department which calls for a more advanced certification approval system for timberframe housing above two storeys in height. [36493/17]

Banking Sector

Róisín Shortall

78. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department have taken in response to each of the relevant recommendations of the interim report on the Committee of Public Accounts' examination of bank stabilisation measures. [34317/17]

Fire Safety Regulations

Róisín Shortall

86. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding Ireland's furniture fire safety regulations; the actions which her Department has taken in this regard since concerns were raised two years ago; the arrangements for monitoring compliance with these regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34670/17]

Consumer Protection

Róisín Shortall

87. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the Consumer Rights Bill, the general scheme of which her Department had previously published; if she is considering greater consumer protection in relation to unfair contract terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34681/17]

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement

Róisín Shortall

88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the report she received from the ODCE in relation to the collapse of the trial of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in publishing this report; if she will undertake to publish it without further delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34698/17]

Oireachtas Banking Inquiry

Róisín Shortall

193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the actions his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have taken in response to each of the relevant recommendations of the report of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis. [34264/17]

Financial Services Regulation

Róisín Shortall

195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the action being taken to impose a limit on the rate of interest charged by moneylenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34286/17]

Committee of Public Accounts Recommendations

Róisín Shortall

199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the actions his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have taken in response to each of the relevant recommendations of the interim report on the Committee of Public Account's examination of bank stabilisation measures. [34315/17]

School Patronage

Róisín Shortall

335. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the concerns of many parents and a group (details supplied) with respect to the lack of transparency in the decision making process regarding patronage of schools, in which church interests seem to have precedence over parents' wishes, as evidenced by the recent decision to sanction the transfer of a school (details supplied) to be a community national school contrary to the express wishes of parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34673/17]

School Transport Eligibility

Róisín Shortall

336. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a written policy in his Department that defines which religions are deemed minority; and, if not, the way in which his Department decide eligibility regarding ethos as part of the application; and the way in which children of no religion are considered under the scheme, in view of the fact that the education transport scheme for second level states that eligibility is granted with regard to ethos to allow for transport for minority religions. [34705/17]

Corruption Perceptions Index

Róisín Shortall

431. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to tackle corruption; his views regarding the recent GRECO report which was critical of Ireland's performance in tackling corruption; if his attention has been drawn to the State's recent slippage in the Transparency International corruption perceptions index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34668/17]

Legal Services Regulation

Róisín Shortall

432. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to open up access to the legal services profession and increase diversity of background among solicitors and barristers; if he has considered reforming the practice of devilling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34680/17]

Consumer Protection

Róisín Shortall

433. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the scope of the examination of the 1993 EU directive on unfair contract terms in consumer contracts which his predecessor had previously stated his Department was undertaking in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General; if he will report on the outcome of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34682/17]

Consumer Protection

Róisín Shortall

434. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has reviewed the application of the 1993 EU directive on unfair contract terms in consumer contracts within the courts in view of recent criticism; if he or any representative of his Department has discussed this matter with the presidents of the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/17]

Garda Reserve

Róisín Shortall

435. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress his Department has made in doubling the Garda Reserve, as promised in A Programme for A Partnership Government; the timeline for completing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34686/17]

Garda Civilian Staff Recruitment

Róisín Shortall

436. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the civilianisation of An Garda Síochána as promised in the programme for partnership Government; the timeline for completing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34687/17]

Equality Issues

Róisín Shortall

437. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a recent map produced by an organisation (details supplied) and Ireland's comparatively low ranking compared to other western European countries; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/17]

Equality Issues

Róisín Shortall

438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects work on the LGBT inclusion strategy to commence; the timeline for its completion; the scope of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34692/17]

National Maternity Hospital Administration

Róisín Shortall

901. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements he is making to protect the public interest in the new national maternity hospital; if public interest directors will be appointed to its board and to the board of the St. Vincent's Hospital Group at Elm Park, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/17]