Parliamentary questions

Departmental Operations

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the economic division of his Department. [7979/19]

Social Insurance

Richard Boyd Barrett

60. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will request an independent review of the decisions with regard to the errors in the historic PRSI classification of a person (details supplied) and the resulting entitlements or lack thereof to payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7977/19]

Social Insurance

Richard Boyd Barrett

98. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will request an independent review of the decisions with regard to the errors in the historic PRSI classification of a person (details supplied) and the resulting entitlements or lack thereof to payments from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7976/19]

Hospitals Building Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

329. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the next phase in the development of the Sheil Hospital to provide an 80-bed community hospital within the campus in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; if the estimated €19 million has been put in place to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/19]

Hospitals Building Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

343. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the status of the next phase in the development of the Sheil Community Hospital to provide an 80 bed community hospital within the health campus in Ballyshannon, County Donegal; if the estimated €19 million has been put in place to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/19]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

363. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason he has not engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the crisis in general practitioner healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7873/19]

Disability Allowance Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

629. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the supports available for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8221/19]

Film Industry Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

10. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if a progress report will be provided on his plans to ensure the requirement to provide quality employment and training as a condition for receiving section 481 tax relief will be met by the film producers receiving the relief and, in particular, his acknowledgement that compliance with this condition should require, as a minimum, compliance with the legal protections for workers; the sanctions or penalties which will be imposed on recipients of or applicants for the tax credits that breach the rights of workers or that fail to provide the required quality employment or training; if the penalties will include immediate disqualification from entitlement to the section 481 relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7278/19]

Film Industry Tax Reliefs

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking as a condition for approving section 481 film tax relief to ensure the application of all employment rights, legislation and in particular the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003. [7476/19]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

143. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the way in which a nurse returning home to work here should proceed to receive the relocation allowance; the length of time it takes to receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7415/19]

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Richard Boyd Barrett

144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the relocation allowance for a person (details supplied) is taking a long time to be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7416/19]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

277. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason given by a person (details supplied) for their recent resignation from a position; if she will report on the work carried out by the person during the person's tenure in that position; and if she will provide correspondence, minutes and memoranda relating to the person's work on the film industry forum. [7475/19]

Programme for Government Review

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach his plans to review and extend A Programme for a Partnership Government. [6711/19]

Children and Family Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no assurances of the necessary funding which makes it likely that a service (details supplied) will have to close by April 2019 with the loss of six jobs and numerous clients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7149/19]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

44. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the extension of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; if this will be the final extension to the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6984/19]

Affordable Childcare Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the affordable childcare schemes available to low and middle-income families; the status of the new affordable childcare scheme that was first announced in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6985/19]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

52. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the necessary funding will be secured to ensure that vulnerable families are not left without a service (details supplied) in view of the prospect of the closure of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6983/19]

Child Poverty

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a new campaign (details supplied) by an organisation and its five key demands relating to food poverty, health, exclusion, education and housing; the way in which she plans to respond to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6986/19]

Urban Renewal Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when he last met with the Dublin inner city forum. [5309/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent contacts with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission. [5670/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

22. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent trip to Brussels and the meetings he attended. [6709/19]

Taxi Regulations

Richard Boyd Barrett

56. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on plans in the taxi industry to introduce ride-sharing; his recommendations for regulating same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6721/19]

Public Transport Fares

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has investigated or plans to investigate a similar move here in view of the decision of Luxembourg to introduce free public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6722/19]

General Medical Services Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

353. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason a person with a full medical card is charged for blood tests in a general practitioner surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6328/19]

Emergency Departments Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

459. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason the accident and emergency department in St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, cannot accept an ambulance after 6 p.m. despite the fact it is open until 8 p.m.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6801/19]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

725. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps a person should take who does not qualify for a social welfare payment due to his or her spouse's earnings although they are estranged but compelled to live under the same roof due to the housing crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6749/19]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

246. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that a person (details supplied) continues to receive their rent allowance in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6054/19]

Departmental Priorities

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the priorities of his Department in 2019. [5669/19]

World Economic Forum

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. [4066/19]

Medical Card Drugs Availability

Richard Boyd Barrett

349. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to making food supplements and vitamins available under the medical card scheme in circumstances in which they have been recommended by a doctor and are necessary for the health of the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5123/19]

Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists

Richard Boyd Barrett

665. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applicants removed from the housing list in each of the years 2014 to 2018 due to being over the income thresholds by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5437/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

666. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to increase the income threshold criteria for eligibility for social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5438/19]

Bus Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

224. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes in scheduling that have taken place in bus routes now operated by a company (details supplied) in comparison to when the routes were operated by Dublin Bus; the reason for the frequent disruption to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4851/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

256. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to whether councils sent incorrect guidelines relating to assessment for the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability scheme; the number of persons who could be affected across all local authorities; the amount potentially denied to applicants across all local authorities due to councils not applying the correct rules to means testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/19]

Housing Adaptation Grant Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

257. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason councils were issued incorrect guidelines relating to assessment for the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability scheme; the number of persons who could be affected by all local authorities; the estimated number that could have been denied by local authorities nationally due to councils not applying the correct rules on means testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4849/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee C (European Union including Brexit) last met. [4068/19]

Medical Card Administration

Richard Boyd Barrett

160. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the reason prescriptions issued by hospitals are not valid on medical cards unless reissued by the green form system by the general practitioner of the person; if his attention has been drawn to the undue stress this causes elderly and ill persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4461/19]

Vehicle Clamping

Richard Boyd Barrett

237. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations that allow a parking agency to clamp and fine in cases in which a person has paid the parking fee but has made a clerical error when entering information such as bay number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4463/19]

Homeless Persons Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

274. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Dublin Region Homeless Executive has not been issuing Leap cards to homeless families since October 2018 and has no junior Leap cards available; if families will be reimbursed for travel expenses during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4462/19]

Legislative Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach his legislative priorities for 2019. [2757/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D, infrastructure, last met. [2758/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the Cabinet committee that deals with climate change. [4067/19]

EU Migration Crisis

Richard Boyd Barrett

59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on discussions he has had with his European counterparts with regard to the recent reports of 170 migrants missing in the Mediterranean Sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3967/19]

Middle East Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he plans to take with regard to the ongoing and worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4138/19]

Human Rights Cases

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue of the reports of ill-treatment of eight female activists detained in a prison in Saudi Arabia with his counterparts across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4137/19]

Middle East Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

67. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with his European counterparts the worsening humanitarian situation in Palestine since the United States of America implemented cuts to infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3968/19]

Human Rights Cases

Richard Boyd Barrett

86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will establish a cross-party group to visit the detainees in a prison in Saudi Arabia in view of reports of ill-treatment and torture of eight female activists detained at the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4136/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent telephone call with Chancellor Merkel. [1384/19]

Schools Amalgamation

Richard Boyd Barrett

171. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for closing two schools in County Cavan in favour of opening one larger school creating a longer commute for residents; if public consultation was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2354/19]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

292. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the location in which persons who grew up in mother and baby homes can access the counselling services made available by his Department. [2360/19]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

582. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a women’s refuge (details supplied) in Dublin 6 has reopened as a women’s refuge; if not, the reason therefore; the reason the refuge centre is no longer accepting donations of clothes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2378/19]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

617. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the resources available to a family in homeless services that is in receipt of social welfare payments and have to drive their children to school each day (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2343/19]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

677. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the application by an organisation (details supplied) for a change of use of public spaces in an area in order to provide additional social housing units; the details of the proposed rental scheme that will be offered to new tenants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

4. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee B, social policy and public services, will next meet. [1550/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

9. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to Mali and Ethiopia. [1383/19]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

13. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the meetings he has planned with Heads of State over the next six months. [1551/19]

Taoiseach's Communications

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent conversations with Prime Minister May. [1385/19]

Abbey Theatre

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the major difficulties in the theatre, film and arts sectors in terms of insecure employment income and career possibilities in view of the controversy in a theatre (details supplied) and a recently launched campaign by actors and performers with regard to precarious work and ongoing disputes related to insecure employment in the film industry; the actions she plans to take to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2004/19]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a progress report on the film industry stakeholder forum; the stakeholders the appointed chairperson of the forum has engaged with in advance of convening the forum since their appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1772/19]

Arts Council Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

66. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address employment, income and career precarity and insecurity in theatre, film and across the arts sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1774/19]

Abbey Theatre

Richard Boyd Barrett

80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent controversy in a theatre (details supplied) following the recent letter signed by theatre practitioners regarding employment in the national theatre; her further views on whether the controversy more generally reflects widespread employment and income insecurity among theatre makers and arts workers generally; the measures she plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1773/19]

Abbey Theatre

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to address perceived widespread income, employment and career insecurity for arts workers in theatre and film and elsewhere in the arts and cultural sector particularly in view of the recent letter by theatre practitioners regarding a theatre (details supplied) and ongoing disputes in relation to similar issues in the film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1770/19]

Film Industry Development

Richard Boyd Barrett

90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure that future public funding for the film industry will be strictly conditional on the provision of quality employment and training, full compliance with employment legislation and participation in the film industry stakeholder forum proposed by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht report on the film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1771/19]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee E, health, will meet next. [51725/18]

Vacant Properties

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the vacant homes action plan with details across the country of the repair and lease scheme, compulsory purchase of vacant homes and the vacant site levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1386/19]

NAMA Portfolio

Richard Boyd Barrett

83. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has met or is considering meeting NAMA to discuss the part it can play in the delivery of social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1387/19]

Departmental Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if emails, memos or minutes of meetings between his Department and public or private banks in regard to cases of mortgage arrears or potential repossessions on the book of those banks will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54527/18]

Adoption Registration

Richard Boyd Barrett

970. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a petition organised by an organisation (details supplied); her plans to deal with the concerns of those affected by the illegal adoptions that took place here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54092/18]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Richard Boyd Barrett

996. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has employed an independent medical person to review medical files from mother and baby homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1522/19]

Repair and Leasing Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

1175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will provide a report on the repair and leasing scheme by county; the uptake of this scheme by landlords; the amount paid out; the number of units brought back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1393/19]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Richard Boyd Barrett

1176. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of properties, by county, compulsorily purchased or in which the CPO process has been initiated by the local authorities to provide social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1394/19]

Social and Affordable Housing

Richard Boyd Barrett

1188. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce affordable housing schemes in 2019; when and the locations in which they will be available; the persons who will qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1625/19]

European Council Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the December 2018 EU Council meeting. [52194/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Richard Boyd Barrett

45. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered in the absence of commencing Part 9 of the Children and Families Relationship Act 2015, publishing a stand-alone Bill to correct the technical errors in Part 9. [53414/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Richard Boyd Barrett

69. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the amendments needed will be progressed to commence Part 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53207/18]

Motor Insurance Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

114. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason insurance rates for taxi vehicles, particularly wheelchair and disability vehicles, are high compared to EU rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53509/18]

Dental Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

297. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full entitlements of children between 12 and 16 years of age in the HSE dental programme; if children between 12 to 16 years of age are entitled to full and free dental treatments needed without restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53507/18]

Insurance Coverage

Richard Boyd Barrett

479. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if licensed taxi drivers are permitted to seek and acquire insurance for work vehicles from insurance companies in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53508/18]

HSE Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if persons working for the HSE have a choice of working until they are 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53277/18]

Commencement of Legislation

Richard Boyd Barrett

428. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when essential operational arrangements will be in place to facilitate the implementation of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, including the establishment of the national donor-conceived person register and the appointment of authorised persons under the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53225/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

447. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a service (details supplied) will remain available in view of a recent review of same; if, after the recent review of the service, the five-days-a-week 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. drop-in service that has been available to service users in CHO 6 for the past ten years will remain available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53318/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

448. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if his Department was involved in the plans for a new centre (details supplied) in Dublin 24; if the business plan was reviewed; if funding was contributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53319/18]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Richard Boyd Barrett

56. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the audit and consultancy fees paid by his Department and agencies or bodies attached to or under the remit of his Department to companies (details supplied) in each of the years since 2009; the percentage of audit consultancy fees that these payments represented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52500/18]

Public Transport Fares

Richard Boyd Barrett

22. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is advisable that public transport fares are increased in view of Ireland's obligations under climate change agreements and the need to see an increase in the number of persons using public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51953/18]

Public Transport Fares

Richard Boyd Barrett

56. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the recent changes to the fare structures in Dublin Bus which means that the shortest trip of 1-3 stages has increased to €3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51952/18]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason the State has secondary security over moneys loaned by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to a company (details supplied) while the minority lender has a stronger fixed and floating charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52387/18]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

73. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the reason €675 million of Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland funding has as of December 2016 gone to the pillar banks (details supplied) and only 11% of its drawn down lending has gone to working capital for SMEs in view of the fact that it was established to lend to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52388/18]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a series of financial matters concerning a person (details supplied) is appropriate or a potential abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52389/18]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Richard Boyd Barrett

75. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance further to a freedom of information request, the reason onlenders of SBCI moneys are not required to obtain a copy of current tax clearance certificates from their respective customers leaving the State exposed to tax losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52390/18]

Direct Provision Payments

Richard Boyd Barrett

252. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who lives in a direct provision centre is entitled to a weekly payment for transport if attending a full-time or part-time course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52330/18]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he has recently met church leaders. [50390/18]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee A on the economy last met. [50391/18]

VAT Exemptions

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if the drugs Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab will be made VAT exempt and tax allowable in circumstances in which a patient has no option but to self-fund these drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51695/18]

Language Schools

Richard Boyd Barrett

174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if language schools will be required to provide evidence of financial viability to ensure that closures such as that of a college (details supplied) is not allowed to happen again in view of the fact that non-EU students applying for visas to study English here must produce bank accounts and evidence of financial viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52190/18]

Language Schools

Richard Boyd Barrett

175. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being considered to ensure jobs in the lucrative English language teaching sector are not precarious (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52222/18]

Teaching Qualifications

Richard Boyd Barrett

177. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure in cases in which a person (details supplied) wishes to become a primary school teacher if they have to resit their mathematics examination when they have already sat the exam in 2012; if the applicant for primary teaching will be exempt from the new requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51538/18]

English Language Training Organisations

Richard Boyd Barrett

218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if measures can be taken to ensure that checks are put in place in order that language schools involved in overseas trade missions encouraging students to travel here must in some way prove they are financially viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52220/18]

English Language Training Organisations

Richard Boyd Barrett

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has sought a meeting with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) since the closure of a college; if not, his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52221/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a centre (details supplied) will remain open with all the services and staff available to the blind community of CHO area 6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50804/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is reasonable that the blind community of CHO 6 would have to travel from County Wicklow to Tallaght for services that have always been available in Dún Laoghaire in view of reports of the possible transfer of a centre (details supplied) to Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50805/18]